Join hosts Scott Brady and Brian McVickers for the May edition of the Overland Journal Podcast. In this episode, they cover May overland news, including Overland Expo in Southern California, new products and projects, and exciting updates from the XOverland Ranch. Scott and Brian also delve into industry trends, the impact of tariffs, and upcoming…
Category Archives: Four Wheel Drive
Classic Land Rover Defender Upgrades: More Capability and Greater Reliability
Our classic Land Rover Defender has been working hard since the day it rolled off the showroom in South Africa 23 years ago. “Mafuta,” as she is lovingly known, worked as a farm truck for six years before being rebuilt into our overland vehicle with a large rooftop tent for a family of four, a…
Transglobal Car Expedition Completes Journey in New York
The Transglobal Car Expedition, the first-ever surface-based circumnavigation of the Earth via the Poles, returned to New York City on April 27, where they had begun their 16-month, 92,586-kilometer adventure in January 2024. The team recapped their incredible achievements at a press conference Monday at the Classic Car Club Manhattan, an auto enthusiast’s paradise located…
The Scout Yoho Pop-up, One Happy Customer’s Tale
I still remember when the Scout camper was first announced, revealed to the world as a composite tan slide-in camper with minimal systems, and sold at an impressive value. I knew I wanted one. Then they announced the Kenai eight-foot model, and I was sold, placing an order and writing a check for the camper…
Ethiopia: Breathing the Air of our Ancestors
Of the gladest moments in human life, methinks is the departure upon a distant journey to unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the leaden weight of Routine, the cloak of many cares, and the Slavery of Home, man feels once more happy. The blood flows with the fast circulation…
Overland News of the Week, April 25th, 2025
Itchy Boots Book Launch Free Ride: Heartbreak, Courage, and the 20,000-Mile Motorcycle Journey That Changed My Life is Noraly Schoenmaker’s memoir chronicling her transformation from a geologist in the Netherlands to a solo motorcycle traveler. After discovering her partner’s long-term infidelity, she left her job and traveled to India, where she developed a passion for…
Slate Auto Drops a $20,000 DIY Bombshell
Let’s get this out of the way up front: Slate Auto’s brand new electric pickup is not available with any kind of AWD or 4WD system. Yet. However, the under-$20,000 projected asking price (after federal EV tax credits) for a base model “Blank Slate” and its unmatched modularity and options for owner customization are extremely…
Doug and Stephanie Hackney’s Inspirational Overland Adventures
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, Scott Brady hosts special guests Doug and Stephanie Hackney, who share their incredible journey from high-powered careers to full-time explorers. They dive into their motivations behind choosing travel over material comforts, the challenges and rewards of overland adventures, and the importance of adaptability. The conversation also touches…
The 4WD Kia 2025 Tasman X-Pro Is Ready For Launch In Australia
Many years ago, I sat perched in a hot Mozambican bar with an ice-cold 2M beer cradled in my hand, debating with an Afrikaans farmer about which was better: the Land Rover Defender or the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Series. To my surprise and horror, he flipped the script and offered the Mahindra Scorpio pickup…
Redarc Manager Alpha75 and Rogue TVMS :: Field Tested
For the last five years, our 1990 Toyota Pickup has utilized a Redarc BCDC1225D as its DC-to-DC charger and solar charge controller. The BCDC’s diminutive size makes it an ideal choice for small battery banks in small vehicles. But, as electrical loads grow, battery capacity must keep up, and charger power output must follow. Redarc’s…
The Big Thing is Here, and We Are Stoked!
The team at XOVERLAND has announced The Big Thing, and it stands to upend overland events as we know them. Scheduled for July 10-13 in “Yellowstone country” of Montana, the expo will focus on premium instruction, experienced presenters, and quality brands. The entire Expedition Portal and Overland Journal team plans to attend, provide training, and…
Subaru of America Unveils Seventh-Generation Subaru Outback
America sure does love a Subaru. In 2024 alone, the Japanese automaker sold over 667,000 vehicles in the US; a whopping 168,771 of those sales were of the ever-popular Outback. But why is the Outback so popular? Well, it’s safe and roomy enough for family travel, tough enough for off-road adventures (as Carey Lando has…
Behind the Scenes with Blue Ridge Overland Gear
In this installment of the Expedition Portal series on brands that inspire us, Senior Editor Ashley Giordano profiles overland industry leader and storage solutions manufacturer Blue Ridge Overland Gear. Matt Akenhead admits that by nature, he’s incredibly disorganized. “It wasn’t necessarily related to overlanding or travel initially,” he says about the origins of Blue Ridge Overland Gear (BROG). “I just…
Winging It Through New Mexico
The key to enjoying college is figuring out how to maximize your time away from school. In all seriousness, university life can be a drain, and finding little moments to recharge your academic battery by embarking on adventures can be pivotal to a college experience. That’s why I was extra motivated to go on this…
Jeep Introduces Special Edition 2025 Jeep Wagoneer Overland
Jeep recently introduced the new 2025 Jeep Wagoneer Overland Special Edition, emphasizing off-road capability, comfort, and technological advancements. This latest Wagoneer variant is specifically tailored to enthusiasts and families seeking rugged, overland-style adventures without sacrificing comfort or practicality. Limited to a production run of 2,000 units, the Wagoneer Overland Special Edition debuted simultaneously at the…
Jeep Brand and Jeep Performance Parts Showcase Seven New Concepts at the 59th Annual Easter Jeep Safari
The Jeep brand, along with Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) by Mopar, is captivating off-road enthusiasts at the 59th Annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, from April 12 to 20, 2025. This year’s event features seven innovative concept vehicles, each uniquely designed to pay tribute to Jeep’s heritage while previewing future trends in off-road capability….
Andrew Comrie-Picard on the Power of Self-Belief and the Transglobal Car Expedition
Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano is joined by Canadian race car driver, X Games athlete, stuntman, and Baja 1000 champion Andrew Comrie-Picard in this episode, which touches on his childhood in Alberta, Canada, and how his love for driving challenges launched his automotive career. The conversation continues with an in-depth look at Comrie-Picard’s latest…
Teren Clothing :: Field Tested
As a dirtbagger with a full-time job, I’m always looking for clothing that’s as comfortable in the office as it is in the backcountry. Teren Design’s Daily Driver line outfits me perfectly for both environments. Subtlety is the word that first comes to mind when you see a Teren shirt. From afar, the pattern may…
Toyota, Outside, and Gaia GPS Team Up for Trail Karma
In the world of outdoor adventure, it’s easy to take the trails we ride, drive, and hike for granted. But the truth is, those trails don’t maintain themselves. Behind every epic vista and every rugged off-road route is a community of volunteers, nonprofits, and dedicated trail stewards working to keep access open, safe, and sustainable….
Pole to Pole Expedition Sets New Records
It’s safe to say that Julie and Chris Ramsey from the Pole to Pole Expedition are currently the most ambitious electrified overland adventurers on the planet. Now, they have the Guinness World Records to prove it. Guinness World Records has awarded the couple the well-known recognition for completing the “first expedition by an electric car…