Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady and cohost Matt Scott discuss a recurring quarterly format reviewing new vehicles they’ve recently driven, focusing on pros and cons for overland and off-road use. They cover the Jeep Gladiator Mojave’s desert-focused tuning, interior upgrades, stronger axle components, and tradeoffs versus the Rubicon (no front locker or sway-bar disconnect,…
Category Archives: Four Wheel Drive
How We Began Our Overland Journey and What We Learned
Two weeks before the start of our overland adventure, my mother and I went to Spain for a week. Coen was flabbergasted. Buried in a list of things he felt needed to be done, he couldn’t understand why I went on vacation. On the other hand, I didn’t understand what all the fuss was about….
The Hybrid Electric Jeep Wrangler is on the Horizon
Jeep is calling it the Wrangler 4xe, and according to them, it will be the “most technically advanced and eco-friendly Wrangler ever,” but it’s not the first hybrid from Jeep. The Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe models, which were introduced in Geneva last year, already arrived in Europe this summer. Fiat Chrysler Auto says that…
Dates for 2021 Sonora Rally Announced
Sonora, the second largest state in Mexico, is a culturally rich desert environment well-known for its rich copper deposits, ample sunshine, and lack of rainfall. Sonora is home to ancient societies dating back to 1500 BC, including the Yaquis, Mayos, and Cucapas, who are still active within the state. It is a region that saw…
Realities of A Classic 4×4: Noise
People don’t generally ask what noise levels are like while driving the Troopy; it gets overshadowed by just about everything else. Pop-tops and engines make for far better conversations than how many millimeters of acoustic insulation cover our floor pan. After 11 months of traveling in the Troopy, though, we can say with certainty that…
Suzuki and ARB Collaborate on New Fourby Kit
If you prefer your 4WDs tiny, then the Australian market’s Suzuki Fourby could be pint-sized perfection. This modern Jimny has some updates that increase the entire driving experience, including a larger displacement engine, modern safety components, and a new infotainment system. Knowing that would-be customers will be looking for quality aftermarket gear to outfit this…
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4×4 Brings the Fun
By and large, the modern-day car has become a tool or a fashion accessory, taking us to the grocery store, or the bank, or hauling our family to and from soccer practice. But in this pursuit of functional design, one key element has been neglected: fun. OK, also character. Fortunately, not every vehicle that leaves…
The Jeep Wagoneer Returns
The all-new Grand Wagoneer concept marks the rebirth of a classic and premium American icon, providing a vision of what the modern expression of the original ultimate premium SUV can be. The Jeep Wagoneer has always served backcountry travelers, providing the storage volume and payload needed to haul a family or group of adventurers into…
ARB Launches Their New Upper Control Arms
There are numerous reasons to upgrade your suspension, including managing increased load, achieving additional ground clearance, and improving ride/handling/control. As we add additional lift, it often affects alignment, including reaching the limits of factory alignment ranges. This is where the new ARB upper control arms (UCAs) come in. Unfortunately, most aftermarket upper control arms do…
A Journey to the Arctic Circle
We put our finger on the map, packed the car, and left the UK on a rainy Thursday evening. Not the most memorable start to an adventure, but after spending the previous two weeks converting the inside of our Land Rover Defender from a tired utility truck into a home on wheels, we couldn’t wait…
Jessi Combs Foundation Scholarships Support Women’s Trade Careers
Legendary female racer and world record holder Jessi Combs lived to push the boundaries of what was possible. And now, a year after she established the new land speed record as the World’s Fastest Woman according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Jessi Combs foundation is continuing her work of pushing boundaries…
Behind the Builds: Overland Journal’s Latest Projects and Tech
Scott Brady and Matt Scott discuss Overland Journal Podcast project vehicle updates, including a deep dive on Scott’s 2007 Lexus GX 470 (Prado 120-based) build with ARB Old Man Emu BP-51 suspension, AEV Crestone DOT-legal beadlock wheels, plans for an ARB bumper, Warn winch, possible roof rack, ARB LINX, and an effort to retain the…
Expedition Portal Classifieds :: 1989 VW Syncro Camper
Modern vehicles certainly have some advantages when it comes to performance, reliability, and available parts. But it’s hard to beat the character of a classic adventure rig, especially the Volkswagen Syncro. The beloved, boxy T3 body style was produced from 1979 to 1991, with production of the 4WD Syncro continuing into 1992 at VW’s Austrian…
EV/PHEV Designation to Debut at 2020 Rebelle Rally
Every day we inch closer to the 2020 Rebelle Rally, we get more excited, and the recent announcement of the electrified designation for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the race has added a whole new layer of excitement to the competition. The year 2020 marks the fifth anniversary of this all-female, map-…
Could eBussy be the Campervan of the Future?
eBussy from German manufacturer ElectricBrands is the electric cargo van we’ve been dreaming of. Its modular design is advertised to be (almost) infinitely customizable, offering both commercial and recreational appeal, with swappable bodies and batteries. But just how soon can we expect to see a real-life eBussy camper cruising down the highway? And what kind…
Secure Anything with Mac’s VersaTie System
L-track, or logistic track, is a tie-down system designed for securing airplane seats and cargo. But L-track is also right at home in RVs, overlanding rigs, campervans, and trucks where it has been used for everything from mounting modular cabinetry to tying down motorcycles. If you are unfamiliar with L-track, it’s a machined aluminum or…
Exploring the Southern Appalachians
It was mid-March 2020, and news of COVID-19 was widespread and omnipresent. Businesses were shutting down left and right, and the dreaded pandemic was taking hold across the globe. I was in Breckenridge, Colorado, working on the mountain, and in the midst of the best winter of my life. As COVID-19’s spread increased, and public…
MaxTrax Releases Their Newest Color :: Turquoise
Overland News There are few overland products as recognizable and as universally useful for backcountry travel as a few sets of MaxTrax. For over a decade, we have used MaxTrax for remote travel. And when we needed them, we really needed them. In recent years, they have expanded the product line to include the new…
Overland News of the Week, August 21st, 2020
Tuffy Flip-up License Plate Holder for Roller Fairlead Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that bring us pleasure, and if you happen to live in a state that requires a front-mounted license plate, then this flip-up license plate holder from Tuffy should put a smile on your face. Constructed from 16-gauge steel with a…
Adventure in Scotland by Land Rover Discovery
Wet and windy, those were the two words that summed up the British weather for our short road trip around Scotland. We explored one of the tallest roads in Britain to the most northerly point of the UK, taking the time to shoot photos and appreciate the stunning views we had almost all to ourselves. …