Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she sits down with South African overlander Adrian Abrahams to discuss his love of traveling in Namibia, and how nearly a decade of overlanding has shaped a new 4×4 shop endeavor in Cape Town, South Africa. Adrian also provides practical advice about visiting the country, including destination recommendations, while Ashley tries to…

For close to a year, whenever my mind was free to wander as we trundled along on our North American journey, it kept returning to one persistent question: how could I design and build a camper on my Defender that would accommodate four adult-size people, preserve the vehicle’s off-road capability and on-road nimbleness, and still fit inside a high-cube shipping…

As overlanders, protecting and preserving the open spaces we visit is our obligation. Our rigs carry us to pristine mountains, deserts, and beaches, and we aspire to leave them in better condition than we found them.  By nearly all measures, Costa Rica, home to over five million residents, is a tropical paradise. Over the past few decades, it has risen…

The Mitsubishi Fuso 4×4 is widely regarded as one of the most desirable expedition truck platforms, which is why it’s long been the chassis of choice for many industry-leading builders/outfitters, including EarthCruiser, SLRV Expedition Vehicles, and All Terrain Warriors. From the factory, it’s well-appointed for exploration with a body-on-frame architecture, 4WD, a heavy-duty suspension, solid axles, and a considerable payload…

The popularity of full-size pickups for overlanding has exploded in recent years, and for good reason. Executive Publisher Scott Brady states, “When we first started Overland Journal, the compact pickup was by far the most popular choice for overlanding, but that gap is quickly narrowing with full-size variants. The reason is simple—big trucks are more capable than ever before, and…

An overland vehicle should first and foremost facilitate adventure, and to this end, the Toyota Tacoma of any iteration is a fantastic option. That being said, the best-selling and most proven to date is the third gen, and for overlanding, the TRD Off Road variant is optimal. From the factory, this model boasts impressive hardware and intelligent assists for when…

The Troopy is widely considered a pinnacle overland platform and remains one of the most desirable vehicles for serious international trips. It was not primarily engineered for the recreational market, but rather for commercial, agricultural, and military applications, and is subsequently over-engineered to a degree not seen on most civilian vehicles. With its heavy-duty, body-on-frame architecture, 4WD system, solid axles,…

Lumbering through the dunes outside Lima, Peru, after a month spent winding over the Andes, I found myself wondering what vehicle would be better suited to this terrain than my Defender 130—especially for a solo traveler. A motorcycle sits at the top of the list: light, fast, and packed minimally, with enough power in reserve for desert adventures and endless…

Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she sits down with adventure motorcyclist, author, and traveler Elspeth Beard, who was one of the first women to ride around the world by motorcycle. Elspeth dives into the details of her two-year round-the-world trip, from 1982 to 1984 on a 1974 BMW R60 bike, and how the experience changed her life,…

We’ve featured some monster rigs on Expedition Portal, but this has to be one of the most impressive to date. Right out of the gate, I commend the vision for this one-of-one 2016 International 4300 (115,243 miles) since it was built with intention and in all regards has been constructed to be a legitimate off-grid rolling home. Unlike some expedition…

Buying a classic four-wheel-drive vehicle is almost always an exciting experience, yet the nostalgia tied to its past is often limited to small clues left behind in a glove compartment or tucked beneath the seats, particularly when the vehicle is purchased in largely original condition. The history is there, but it is usually fragmented, abstract, and disconnected from the moment…

The Montero is a favorite on the forum; recent adventure-outfitted offerings include this 1991, 2001, and 2006. Mitsubishi, like many other Japanese manufacturers, has forged a reputation for excellence, but due to Toyota’s dominance in the segment, many of its 4WDs remain underappreciated. To this end, cue today’s 2001 Mitsubishi Montero (132,000 miles), which would serve as the ideal blank…

When it comes to foreign vehicle imports and tariffs, Canada has largely followed the US, especially when it comes to Chinese Electric Vehicles (EVs). The 100% import tariff imposed by Canada and the US effectively doubles the price of those vehicles. Not surprisingly, none of the Chinese automakers have established a presence because of that, and for all intents and…

Photography by Akela World Conditioned from childhood to view the desert as a place where rain doesn’t fall, things don’t grow, and life can’t thrive, we can be surprised by what we encounter when we go. Camped off a remote trail system in the region outside Phoenix, Arizona, just before the first day of spring, my husband and I found…

The GMC Sierra is a model we know and love at Expedition Portal since it was our first full-size project vehicle. After extensive field testing Executive Publisher Scott Brady concluded, “I have driven the Sierra 29,000 miles, usually loaded with the camper, which I spent two months living out of. Most days, I was off-highway, exploring an area or finding…

The graceful placement of enormous paws straddles the yellow line while small ones are clumsily dropped around on either side. It is a fragile relationship with the residents, who give them a wide berth, as Momma grizzly makes her way through the middle of town with her cubs in tow. Curious, they dart around while she seems on a mission;…

The Toyota Tundra is a pinnacle overland platform with recent offerings including this 2006, 2017, and 2024. Like so many models in Toyota’s 4WD lineup, the Tundra has distinguished itself as class-leading and is ideally suited to backcountry travel. The first gen remains a coveted choice with its body-on-frame architecture, heavy-duty 4WD system, respectable payload, and exceptionally long-lived V8 motor….

Photography by Michael Ellem and Scott Brady Australia looms as an explorer’s sentinel, terra incognita to the mind, with vast expanses stretching across a sea of sand, spinifex, and rock. This most ancient of continents is also replete with contradictions, with Tasmania pressing into the Roaring 40s at the south and Cape York clawing into the tropics at the north….

I love a budget-friendly rig; recent offerings include this $10,800 1999 Land Rover Discovery I, $12,800 2005 Nissan Xterra, and $14,995 2013 Land Rover Discovery LR4. However, at just $2,500 OBO, today’s well-maintained 2001 Toyota Sequoia SR5 is the best deal to date. At 317,000 miles, it’s high mileage, but the 2UZ-FE V8 engine is exceptionally long-lived with a service…

With more opportunities than ever to work remotely, there’s never been a better time to take that big trip or transition to life on the road. To this end, full-size trucks are optimal since they boast the payload necessary to safely transport multiple occupants and a fully outfitted camper or habitation box (learn more on the Overland Journal Podcast). From…