Travel is supposed to be fun, and everyone has their interpretation of a joyful adventure. In the past decade, vehicle manufacturers have begun blurring the lines between performance, luxury, grand touring, and overlanding with a new crop of ultra overlanders. Why test these extreme vehicles at all? The strongest impetus is the overwhelming popularity of…
Category Archives: 4WD
Land Rover to Launch the Most Powerful Defender Ever
I drive a Land Rover Defender, but unlike drivers of the powerful OCTA Defender, I have to panic and shuffle my weight in my seat when overtaking a long truck, even on a downhill. The thing is, my Defender was built in 2002 and features the breathless TD5 turbo diesel, which is burdened with a…
Overland Events and Rallies You Don’t Want to Miss This Spring (2024)
Lead photo courtesy of Weird Wild West SOUTHWEST USA Adventure Van Expo When: April 13-24, 2024 Where: Scottsdale, Arizona The Adventure Van Expo series returns for 2024 with a packed schedule of events, including the first of the season in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lively music, food trucks, vendors, and camping converge in this all-ages celebration of…
Crossing Continents Episode Two – Mozambique :: Video
“I love your car!” “Do you have any cold drinks?” The enchanting nation of Mozambique is an under-the-radar overland destination in Africa, but it shouldn’t be. Extremely affordable, blessed with some of the best beaches on the continent, and full of incredible cultures and people, it’s well worth an extended stay. In Crossing Continents Episode…
Sending It With the 2024 Ranger Raptor at Ford’s Assault School
I spent a day in the new 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor, throwing it around corners and launching it into the air. Hold on to your socks, because this is definitely no ordinary Ranger. It’s Far More Raptor Than It Is Ranger Over 400 horsepower, front and rear lockers, a long travel suspension, 33-inch tires, racing-inspired…
Overland News of the Week, March 29th, 2024
Super Pacific Announces Integration With Truma VarioHeat Furnace Now available for integration with Super Pacific’s X1 truck camper, the Truma furnace provides a heating solution for year-round comfort. The furnace mounts under the canopy door, while the exterior port allows for an easy propane connection. When paired with the optional ThermaPuff insulation kit, Super Pacific…
Kia Sorento X-Pro :: First Drive
We have not covered Kia with any regularity on Expedition Portal or in Overland Journal. It’s not a manufacturer that has much of a legacy in the 4WD world, but if you cast your mind back to the turn of the century, you may remember the tiny first-generation Kia Sportage (1993-2002) and its successor, the…
Jeep Unveils Four Concept Vehicles at the 58th Easter Jeep Safari
At the 58th Annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, taking place from March 23 to 31, 2024, the Jeep brand and Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) by Mopar will unveil four “mission-capable” concept vehicles, blending heritage-inspired designs with cutting-edge technology. Bill Peffer, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America, remarked, “Easter Jeep…
Thérèse-Marie Becker on Completing the Last Overland, Lessons in Leadership, and Finding Adventure
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 186 Thérèse-Marie Becker began her overland journey as a rock climber who used her van to access the crag. From there, she joined The Last Overland team on an expedition from Singapore to London in ‘Oxford,’ the original 1955 Land Rover used during the 1955 Oxford and Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition….
ICON Celebrates 500th Land Cruiser Rebuild With 1964 FJ44
Classic Toyota Land Cruiser fans familiar with ICON (who isn’t?) are in for a treat as Jonathan Ward, renowned for his pioneering work in modern resto-mod design, has reached a significant milestone in his career with the completion of his 500th Land Cruiser project. The latest addition to his impressive repertoire is the 1964 ICON…
2024 Ford Ranger First Drive
Ford has introduced an updated contender into the mid-size pickup truck arena. The new 2024 Ford Ranger offers a wide range of comfort and capabilities with a welcomed mixture of new technologies, reliability, and performance. Last week, I spent the day driving the new 2024 Ford Ranger throughout the Wasatch Mountains just outside of Salt…
Redarc Battery Management and Voltage Monitor :: Field Tested
I have more fingers and toes than there are fuses in my classic Land Rover. The engine has no electrical components save for the alternator and the glow plugs. Even the fuel delivery is mechanical. So, I take cues from my trusty Defender and try to keep my auxiliary electrical systems as simple as possible….
KC HiLites Launches 8-inch SlimLite 8
Iconic KC HiLites recently introduced the 8-inch SlimLite 8 LED, designed for larger vehicles such as overlanding and full-size trucks, vans, Jeeps, classic Toyota and Land Rover trucks, and tow rigs. This evolution and re-imagining of a classic first introduced nearly 30 years ago, builds on the success of the top-selling 6-inch SlimLite 6. The…
KRUG Expedition Unveils 2024 Rhino XL for Europe
Crafted in Austria, the Rhino XL is the culmination of KRUG’s dedication to creating supremely capable and “affordable” expedition vehicles; KRUG claims that the Rhino XL is “the world’s most capable expedition vehicle.” That is a bold claim indeed. The Rhino XL’s primary limitation is the nearly half-million dollar price tag, which puts it out…
Kia Sorento X-Pro :: What Do You Want to Know?
This week, we’ll be getting our hands on the 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro for a first drive. The X-Pro trim is Kia’s version of an off-road and adventure-oriented package for the three-row SUV, and it features 17-inch wheels with BF Goodrich all-terrain rubber, a locking center differential, a revised skid plate, and a roof rack….
Front Runner Launches Rivian Roof Rack Kits
Front Runner, acquired by Dometic in May 2021, has launched Slimline II roof rack kits specifically created for Rivian’s R1T and R1S models. Their timing could not be better as Rivian recently unveiled three new vehicles, the R2, R3, and R3X, and the brand is currently trending across our news feeds. Hopefully, we will be…
Will the Ram Rebel 2500 Overland? :: Video
Full-size Ram trucks are due for a big update. While the exterior design is distinctly modern (my favorite among the big pickups), and the interiors are generally top-notch (even if they lack some key features, like wireless charging), the HD models are still saddled with a previous generation 6-speed transmission and generally older mechanical tech….
Five Tips to Help Plan Your Next Overland Trip
Photography by Richard Giordano Being on the road full-time means I’m in a constant state of trip planning. The process has become so natural it runs on autopilot in the background, between fuel station visits, grocery shopping trips, and scrolling the Park4Night app for some creature comforts and facilities. I love gathering tidbits about everything…
KC HiLites Fog, Bumper, and Area Lights :: Long-Term Review
Essential Applications One of the Golden Rules of Overlanding, in the top five at least, is “Do Not Drive At Night.” We have learned this lesson the hard way, and it is one of the reasons that expansive and intricate auxiliary lighting has not been a priority for us when outfitting our vehicles. That does…
Overland News of the Week, March 1st, 2024
All-New Toyota Land Cruiser Prado To Land In Australia Mid-2024 As it is marketed in Australia, the all-new Land Cruiser Prado range is set to enhance its appeal with a five-variant lineup that includes 48-volt technology across the board. The range features the GX, GXL, VX, Kakadu grades, and the new Altitude variant, each offering…