When the Wrangler made its début in 1987 as the YJ, Jeep purists poked fun at Jeep’s new prodigy, casting derogatory insults such as “Yuppie Jeep” and “Real Jeeps have round headlights.” While I agree with them regarding round headlamps, the YJ retained the DNA of its venerable predecessors in the CJ lineup. It had…
Chris Collard Archive, Page 2
The 2017 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for You
On Monday we published the first of three holiday gift guides for 2017. (You can see it here) It covers some of our favorite outdoor and four-wheel drive products that cost $125 USD or less, making it perfect for things you’d give to family, friends, or yourself. However, it does it feel a little lackluster under…
2017 BFGoodrich Outstanding Trails
$20,000, cash on the barrel to keep our backcountry trails open for all.
Field Tested Long-term review | Yeti Tundra 45
Last year, we presented you with The Big Chill, an exhaustive review of some of the best rotomolded coolers on the market. Over the course of 10 days, we analyzed construction and design, drain systems, ergonomics, capacity, and structural integrity. We then filled them with ice, set them on a deck under the midsummer sun…
ExPo Roundup: Storage Cases
We lugged our gear around the world to bring you the best of the best in storage case solutions.
Vehicles of the Jeep Heritage Museum
With a legacy dating back three quarters of a century, the Jeep is surely one of the world’s most iconic vehicle platforms. From the U.S. Government’s initial call for a four-wheel drive light personnel carrier in 1940, to pioneering the Rubicon Trail in the 1950s and setting the standard of 21st-century capability, the seven-slot grill…
Field Tested:Rancho RS9000XL
Rancho, which began in 1955 in Long Beach, California, as Rancho Jeep Supply, is the undisputed granddaddy of the four-wheel drive shock and suspension world. And while most shock manufacturers claim that their product is the best thing since the invention of peanut butter, we were quite surprised last year when Rancho’s RS9000XL drove…
Jeep Heritage Expo
Two days of Jeepn’ fun in the Georgia backcountry.
Field Tested: Yokohama Geolander M/T G003
As tire technology spins into the 21st century, nearly every manufacturer has gone back to the drawing board and introduced fresh variants of almost every offering. Anticipating the launch of Yokohama’s latest entrant to the mud-terrain genre, the Geolandar M/T G003, we headed to Gateway, Colorado, for a couple of days of traversing the region’s…
2017 Moab Jeep Concept Vehicles Released
It’s that time of year again. Jeep and Mopar have convened on the red rock escarpments of Moab to tease Jeep enthusiasts with futuristic looks at the direction of the brand. Our own Chris Collard was the designated photographer and did a bang-up job capturing the spirit of Jeep.
Field Tested: ARB Cargo Gear Storm Bag
Weatherproof protection for the long, dusty, and rainy road.
Total Recall: 2017 Jeep Compass
Jeep overhauls the Compass for the global compact-SUV market.
2017 Ram Truck: Heavy Hauler or High Jumper
Ram’s 2017 Power Wagon reveals its wild side in the Nevada desert.
Featured Vehicle: The AEV Ram 2500
We get the scoop on American Expedition Vehicle’s first full-size Ute.
Field Tested: ARB Intensity Light Bar
A sneak peek at ARB’s newest way to light your path.
Field Tested: Strongback Elite Chair
Sitting is Believing
Sierra Snow
We hit the first big snow of the season at the Winter Fun Festival.
To Shift or Not to Shift
We address the overland pros and cons of manual cogs versus a slushbox transmission.
Toy Run to Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Lock in your hubs and join Overland Journal in bringing Christmas joy to Northern California kids.
Head to Head: Manual Cogs vs the Slushbox – A Chris Collard Rant
Manual Cogs or a Slushbox — Chris Collard’s Rant There has been a long-running debate over the question of which is better, the free-and-easy automatic transmission or the venerable manual gearbox. Though I’ve spent plenty of time in vehicles with a slushbox between the mill and rear wheels, I will disclose upfront that I prefer…