This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Gear 2020 issue. If you find the absurdity of black leather seats scaldingly hot or sticky in summer and dark-slippery-cold in winter; if the advantage of flush, pop-out door handles escapes you; if a line of 10 tiny touchscreen icons has you taking off your gloves, reaching…
Category Archives: 4WD
The Vagabund Lada Niva :: Drool
The Lada Niva is timeless, pulling the heartstrings of overlanders around the globe. I have seen them in the most remote regions of Russia, Iceland, and even Kyrgyzstan. Essentially, they are the Jeep Eagle of Russia, and they are as cool as hell. Vagabund Moto clearly sees them as legit as well, having recently completed…
Principles of Overlanding: The Basic Overland Gear Everyone Should Have
The Overland Journal Podcast #20 Principles of Overlanding: The Basic Overland Gear Everyone Should Have Summary: For this Principles of Overlanding, Matt and Scott review the top 10 pieces of kit that help support local and international overland travel. Topics include navigation, communications, recovery equipment, medical kits, training, tools, and more. This list is all…
Icon 4×4 1970 Ford Ranger Remake is a Stunner
As Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven” comes across the radio, you turn up the volume and take a swig from your can of Tab. You’re in your trusty pickup headed to the drive-in theater for a double-feature. If this nostalgic picture has you yearning for the decade of disco, denim, and Watergate, then chances are…
Testing Scheel-Mann Seats for Overland Travel
Overlanders are a curious breed. We’ll lament quality versus price, vintage versus modern, what-everyone-else-has versus unique, spending months grappling with the decision as to how to best spend our precious money. Over the years, I’ve observed the items most likely to be quickly upgraded, irrespective of cost, are tires, wheels, and suspension—the predominate logic being…
Bollinger Motors’ Cab Chassis is Overland Camper Ready
Electric vehicle innovation is coming at a rapid pace, and it is quite clear that commercial applications are directly in their sights. This also good for overland travelers, as commercial application trucks and vans often have the payload, simplicity, and durability desired for backcountry travel. With that, Bollinger Motors has released its new cab/chassis model,…
Is the Eezi-Awn Cube the Ultimate Shower Enclosure?
I was recently in South Africa, overlanding through Mapungubwe in the north, which is settled along the border of Botswana and Zimbabwe. The Limpopo River flows through there, and the region is packed with mega-fauna. The goal of the trip was to test the new Hilux and also evaluate the cadre of new equipment from…
Classifieds :: Survivor 1972 Range Rover Classic
Editor’s Note: There are moments in time when something truly special crosses our path. This moment is an all original 1972 survivor Range Rover Classic, available from the second owner. This is the first Range Rover registered in Austria. The age would allow easy import into North America, although European delivery would be a perfect…
iKamper + Front Runner Announce US Partnership and Gear Giveaway
Overland News: Overlanding accessory makers Front Runner Outfitters and iKamper have just announced their new US partnership: iKamper as Front Runner’s preferred rooftop tent partner, and Front Runner as iKamper’s preferred rack partner. The Washington- and California-based companies have had an ongoing partnership in South Africa and they are excited to expand their collaboration to…
Classifieds :: 2008 Ram 2500 Cummins with Fourwheel Camper
For Sale: 2008 Ram 2500 4×4 SLT Regular Cab, 6.7 Cummins Diesel with 2015 FWC Hawk Flatbed Camper Mario from Adventure Trailers is selling his well-built and proven Ram truck for $50,000 firm. It has been in our family since 2015. We built it originally to showcase the FWC Flatbed product for shows. It has…
Roofnest Falcon XL
I bought my first rooftop tent 10 years ago, a used Howling Moon with a tan cover, weather-worn canvas walls, and a folding floor made of wood. At the time, I thought it was the pinnacle of camping technology, but it was actually a relic. Its bulky design had already been roaming the African and…
First Look at the New 2020 Nissan Titan XD
When I first approached Scott Brady about covering the launch event for the 2020 Nissan Titan XD for Expedition Portal, it was a different time. He was just getting ready to embark on a journey to Namibia to drive the new Defender, and I had a full schedule of events planned for the spring. It…
Feature Vehicle: EarthCruiser Mercedes Benz G-Pro Escape
There is no way around it, the EarthCruiser Mercedes Benz G-Pro Escape is an object of desire. This tightly integrated pop-up camper mated to a Mercedes Benz G Professional chassis has serious off-road capability combined with a refined and compact living space. EarthCruiser Australia Builds A Beast With offices in Bend, Oregon, and New South…
Ford Announces Electric Transit For 2022
There’s no way around it, electric vehicles are the future of transportation, and although the change will come progressively, it is happening. EVs originally felt like a bit of a gimmick. I mean, how the hell are you supposed to drive a fully electric car any substantial distance? And this was a big deal-breaker for…
Podcast #16 :: Rooftop Tent or Ground Tent or Wedge Camper for Overlanding?
The Overland Journal Podcast #16 Principles of Overlanding :: RTT vs. Ground Tent vs. Swag vs. Habitat vs. Sleeping in the vehicle Summary: For this Principles of Overlanding podcast, Matt and Scott discuss the best sleeping solutions for an overland camp. They review the options of a Rooftop Tent (RTT) vs. a Ground Tent vs….
Premium Windows and Doors for Overland Vans and Campers
Small Business Spotlight: As overland travel and vanlife become more popular, DIY owners and new camper manufacturers are popping up every day looking for better products, more reliable solutions, and the brands with the best overall value. This is also true with van and camper windows, doors, and hatches. Their utility is wide-reaching, including bed…
Ford Ranger Built for the Fifty Classic Ski Descents
The FIFTY involves a lot of driving and a lot of camping. The vehicle that gets Cody around North America is a 2019 Ford Ranger equipped out with a GFC Camper and a bevy of unique and custom built storage, organization and car camping tools. In this episode, a tour of the truck is given…
Land Rover Deploys Global Fleet to Support Emergency Response :: News
During these challenging times, manufacturers are providing assistance by producing ventilators (like GM and others), and supplying vehicles for emergency support and response (like Land Rover). These are unique times, so it is encouraging to see where corporations are helping. To donate towards the Red Cross efforts, click here: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CORONAVIRUS:…
Lexus GX470 and GX460 Icon Suspension :: News
Overland News There is no question that the Lexus GX460 and GX470 have become wildly popular for overlanding, reflecting their near-ideal combination of capability, reliability, payload, and comfort. This breadth of capability makes them as suitable for daily driver duties as it does for driving around the world. As a result, the aftermarket has responded…
ROAMERICA Offers Free Van Trips For Those Impacted by COVID-19
These are tough times, with fears of sickness, job loss, and an uncertain future assailing us from every news source out there. When things are darkest, a little good news goes a long way, which is why we’re sharing this release from ROAMERICA rentals out of Oregon. This small business is putting together an awesome…