I’d never heard such thunder, and it was getting closer—I could feel each crash reverberate in my chest. It was like enemy mortar shells finding their range. Then there were the punches of lightning, so close they seemed only feet away from my rooftop tent. Maybe the tires on my ’99 4Runner would insulate me….
Feature Vehicle :: MAN Kat 1 – “Darth Vader”
The first time I set eyes on this epic MAN Kat 1, I was parked across the bay in Reine, Lofoten Islands, and distinctly remember thinking, “What in the name of Tolkien is that?” (or words to that effect). I rushed over, letting out the occasional childlike giggle of excitement (not dissimilar to a Chucky…
Mopar Announces ’22 Dodge Durango
Building upon more than 10 years of low-volume, factory-backed vehicle customization, Mopar this week announced a new limited-production vehicle featuring a special-edition package of unique quality-tested, factory-backed performance parts and accessories from the Mopar Custom Shop—the Mopar ’22 Dodge Durango. The new performance SUV, which was on display November 2-5 in the Mopar booth at…
Nissan Aims to Impress at SEMA with Overland Projects
Nissan is yet another auto manufacturer to realize the potential of the overland sector. For the 2021 SEMA Show, which is being held from November 2-5, Nissan will introduce a number of vehicles featuring significant upgrades to appeal to the off-road enthusiast. The Frontier and Pathfinder are sure to turn heads, but we have a…
8 Things We Learned from 4WD Master Trainer Nena Barlow
Photography by Richard Giordano If you flip to the masthead section of Overland Journal magazine, there lies a list of folks whose names you may never see grace the bylines, but their roles are incredibly important. A small but mighty team sees to the day-to-day operation of Expedition Portal and Overland Journal; individuals come from…
Toyota USA Unveils Three Concept Truck Builds at SEMA 2021
Toyota unveiled three truck-specific build concepts at the 2021 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. What we’ve seen of the Tacozilla Tacoma Camper and TRD Desert Chase Tundra so far has been via Toyota USA’s YouTube channel, so we’re pleased to finally put eyes on them (along with the Tacoma Overlanding Concept Vehicle) under the…
Overland News of the Week
Lavabox Over/Under The Over/Under is a 304 stainless-steel multi-level stand and cooking surface for your Lavabox firepit. When used as a base, it elevates the Lavabox off of the ground (two height settings) to comply with Forest Service regulations as well as Leave No Trace low-impact campfire principles. But if you fold in the legs…
Honda Returns to SEMA with Rugged Overland Vehicles and Africa Twin Overland
Honda will demonstrate its diverse paths to fun and performance at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas 2021 with vehicles developed by the Honda Performance Development (HPD) division. Specific to the overland segment, Honda will be showcasing three vehicles, including a pair of rugged Honda light trucks custom-built for overlanding adventures. Fully equipped for…
Finish and Publish Your Moto Travel Stories
Do you have an incredible tale of adventure? Have you been told you should publish your stories? Does the thought of pitching to magazines or publishers sound daunting? If so, you need to check out Carla King’s Your Moto Diaries writing workshop. I took the YMD workshop at the beginning of 2021 to help with…
The Best Overland Fridge Freezers
Editors Note: This article originally ran in the print version of Overland Journal, Winter 2021 Issue Coolest of the Cool | Testing the latest fridge-freezers to their limits. Having interviewed hundreds of overlanders, we often ask what their favorite piece of kit is, and almost sheepishly, many reply “my fridge.” The reasons vary, like making…
AT Overland Aterra XL: The Composite Camper Revolution Continues
I remember Dave Soza leading me from the Tern Overland office into the workshop where he grabbed a scrap piece of composite material as well as a hammer. Placing the panel on the concrete slab between us, he began striking it, repeatedly, clearly putting some serious effort into the demonstration. He turned to me, heart…
Video of the Week: Overland Ready Ford F350 Super Duty Flatbed Build
In this week’s video, Chris Cornette gives us a detailed look at his one-of-a-kind F350 Super Duty flatbed overland camper build. Chris chose the short-bed extended-cab F350 chassis for a variety of reasons including the generous payload, short-wheel-base, and gearing options from the factory. He then had a custom Norweld flatbed tray installed which supports…
Chinook-Inspired Toyota ‘Tacozilla’ Camper to Debut at SEMA
Toyota will debut a Chinook-inspired camper converted TRD Sport Tacoma at this year’s SEMA show on November 2. Referred to as the Tacozilla, the project is a throwback to the classic Toyota Chinooks sold in the 1970s and early 1980s. “The idea of this vehicle is to be able to take a camper anywhere on…
2022 GMC Sierra AT4X: Front & Rear e-lockers, Factory Rock Sliders, Multimatic DSSV Shocks & More
The cat’s out of the bag: the GMC Sierra AT4X will arrive in 2022 as the most capable and comfortable Sierra 1500 yet, with improvements across the board, including specific nods to off-road performance and durability. “Sierra’s momentum continues to accelerate, as the fastest-growing model in the segment,” said Duncan Aldred, global vice president of…
Interview with Makoventure
Austin and Ashley are an Alaskan couple who, along with their dog, Ivy, have chosen to seize life by the horns. We caught up with them at the Overland Expo West and were immediately impressed by their can-do attitude, resourcefulness, and self-built camper. Over a campfire, we became friends, and I realized that this couple…
Mercedes Unveils Updated Military Spec G-Wagen W464 G350d
Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled the upgraded W464 G-Wagen for “Rescue and Special Operations”. The hope is that a civilian version of the military spec G-Wagen W464 will soon be made available as that would be an excellent base for an international overland vehicle, despite the anticipated price tag north of $200,000. The vehicle boasts a heavy-duty…
Mitsubishi Delica L300 4×4 – “SLACKERvan”
The Mitsubishi Delica L300 4×4 has a cult-like following in the world of overlanding, and for good reason. This “small but mighty” vehicle is built on a modified Pajero chassis and thus benefits from the go-anywhere performance of a proper 4WD, whilst offering the space and functionality of a short wheelbase van. I love compact…
Mule Expedition Outfitters – MuleWagon Project
Australians know a thing or two about overland travel. Their country is enormous, and a traveler must be well prepared for every eventuality in the most remote areas. The Aussies have a love affair with their Utes (utility vehicles), and the flatbed configuration seems by far the most popular. But why? Well, there are a…
Overland News of the Week
Toyota Land Cruiser LC80 RTR (1/18th scale) If you’ve been looking for a good deal on a Land Cruiser 80 Series, here it is. This 1/18-scale LC80 is powered by a 7.4-volt LiPO battery and features aluminum frame rails, scale interior features, working headlights, and indicator lights. And for your 1/18-scale overland adventures, it’s also…
Is the New Lexus LX600 North America’s Land Cruiser?
Lexus just dropped an exciting news bomb for a Wednesday morning, releasing details on the new LX600. We all know that Toyota intends to stop importing the Land Cruiser with the end of the 200 series allotment, which leaves big shoes to fill for the Lexus cousin. Fortunately, every indication is that the new LX…