We’ve all been there: navigating your heavily modified 4WD along a twisting, mildly challenging trail or remote track, feeling like a modern-day Camel Trophy adventurer, maybe even in low range (because, why not?). Then, you round a corner and, to your dismay, find yourself face to face with an AWD Subaru Outback, a Honda CR-V,…
Category Archives: 4WD
Off-Road Queen :: The Land Rovers of Elizabeth II at Pebble Beach
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II would have been proud to watch 10 of her royal Land Rovers march through the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance as though they were Trooping the Colors at Horse Guards Parade. This was the first time this collection of vehicles made their way to the United States, and they put…
Arctic Campers Has Introduced The Frost 13
It might seem counterintuitive that an Australian camper brand is going by the frigid name of Arctic Campers with a model called the Frost. Truth be told, it does not make that much sense until you discover, as a foreigner, that an Australian winter can be pretty chilly during the winter month, with temperatures dropping…
Wallpaper for a 1979 MAN KAT :: From Military to Cozy
Wallpapering a camper van might seem to many like an unconventional choice, but it’s one that is becoming popular among a new generation of vanlifers and RV enthusiasts looking for ways to combine their wanderlust with a chance to showcase their styles. For some, however, creating an environment on the road that feels like a…
Overland News of the Week, August 16th, 2024
Pakmule Launches the Motomule Moto Hauler In this week’s, Overland News of the Week, we introduce Pakmule’s Motomule. A motorbike is a great overlanding accessory, but hauling bikes has always been a challenge. The Pakmule Motomule is an innovative hitch-mounted moto hauler designed for the easy loading and transport of dirt bikes and light adventure…
The 1 of 1 Mojave Van is a Superb Off Grid Overland Vehicle
I am not a van guy, truth be told. Of all the vehicles available for overland travel, I tend to be biased toward solid-axle 4WD vehicles such as the Land Rover Defender 130 or the Land Cruiser Troopy. These vehicles give me the fizz and, more importantly, suit my style of travel as I prefer…
The Ford Ranger Raptor Is Legit :: Video
Last summer, I had the good fortune to review Tune’s impressive M1 truck camper. It did not hurt that the M1 was bolted to the back of a 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor. I can safely say that I had a pretty good three weeks with that truck. The driving experience over any and all terrain…
It’s All in the Name: The Story Behind Goose Gear
In this installment of the Expedition Portal series on brands that inspire us, Senior Editor Ashley Giordano profiles overland industry leader and vehicle-based storage solutions manufacturer Goose Gear. It’s easy to notice the quality of a Goose Gear product at a glance. Burly slides hold expertly crafted wood drawers. Marine-grade plywood coated with a proprietary blend of bedliner…
Overlanding North Africa with Kids in the 1970s
Editor’s Note – Valentina Vallinotto’s father, Angelo, was an ambitious explorer. Piling his young family into a series of Land Rovers, IVECOs, and Toyotas, he tackled uncharted routes across North Africa and the Sahara Desert throughout the 1960s all the way until the early 1990s. The 1970s was a particularly exciting decade for overland adventurers…
Nissan Announces 2025 Nissan Frontier Upgrades
Nissan pickup sales are not what they should be in the US, ostensibly due to factors such as strong domestic competition, infrequent updates, lower resale value, and a smaller dealer network. Just over 50,000 Frontier units were sold in the US in 2023, as opposed to the Toyota Tacoma, selling almost 250,000 units. But that…
The Overlanding Code to Happiness
Lead photograph by Joanie Pépin Despite becoming more materially affluent over the past four decades, those living in developed countries have not experienced the happiness boost expected from modern materialism. Since the 1940s, we’ve upgraded significantly, installing showers and bathtubs, microwaves, dishwashers, and big-screen color televisions—purchasing twice as many vehicles per person, and adding boats and…
Toyota Announces Historic Recall of Over 100,000 V6 Engines in Tundras and Lexus SUVs
Recalls are not exceptionally rare for Toyota compared to other vehicle brands. Toyota has issued numerous recalls over the years, some of which are among the largest in automotive history. For instance, aside from the massive Takata airbag recall (which involved 40 million vehicles), Toyota’s 2009 unintended acceleration recall affected over 4.4 million vehicles due…
The Australian Crossfire 4.7 is a Robust Off-Road Caravan for Adventurous Couples
The Crossfire 4.7 by On The Move Caravans is an off-road caravan engineered for couples seeking adventure without compromising on comfort. Constructed with a timberless body, this caravan is lightweight yet durable, featuring an automotive high-tensile steel chassis. Its independent wishbone suspension and 12-inch electric brakes provide superior handling on rough terrain. The interior of…
Van DIY Conversion Kits :: Buyers Guide
Vanlife has captured the imagination of many overlanders driven by the desire to have their cake and eat it, too. While many overlanders enjoy the simple, minimalist experience of living out of a compact 4WD, there is a growing trend toward the comforts of home while having the capability to explore far reaches of the…
Chasing the Mexican 1000 with the Chevy Colorado AEV Bison
This review of the 2023 Project Truck, a 2022 AEV Bison, comes from a very specific point of view. I built it and outfitted it with simplicity in mind. It needed to be able to drive most technical 4WD trails and cruise at highway speeds for long durations—comfortably. Notably, it would serve as a chase…
Overland Journal Podcast :: Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 199 Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal are the dynamic, bespectacled duo behind Crankshaft Culture, one of the most creative automotive and adventure travel media outlets going. Globetrotters, award-winning journalists, denizens of road rallies around the world, and connoisseurs of JDM trucks (particularly Mitsubishis), Mercedes and Andy have an undeniable enthusiasm for the…
Overland News of the Week, August 2nd, 2024
Exped’s Mega Pump Makes Setup and Takedown a Breeze Exped has responded to one of its most frequent customer requests with the new Mega Pump. The 12.3-ounce pump includes a rechargeable battery with a USB-C port and a universal valve adapter that works with Exped and other inflatable products. The Mega features inflate and deflate…
Taxa Outdoors Introduces the Taxa Cricket X Camper
Taxa Outdoors, with roots in NASA and based in Houston, Texas, has introduced the latest addition to its lineup, the Taxa Cricket X. Yes, you read that correctly. Taxa Outdoors has a unique connection to NASA through its founder, Garrett Finney. Before starting Taxa, Finney worked as a Senior Architect at NASA’s Johnson Space Center,…
Vanyx: Is the Million Dollar Off-Road Camper Van Worth the Investment
The Vanyx off-road camper van, built in Germany for the European market, offers a blend of rugged off-road capability and high-end comfort. Built on the robust MAN TGE 180, this camper van is designed for those with vast amounts of expendable income and who seek adventure without compromising on luxury. Is the price tag justified?…
Oregon’s Alvord Desert | Overland Routes
The silence of the Alvord Desert is all-consuming. The column of quiet that descends on the dry lakebed in the evenings reaches through you. Sounds that would be swallowed by the regular cacophony of a workaday wilderness are amplified, like they’ve been plugged into a Marshall stack—the rumble of a pickup truck on the county…