A little over seven months ago we introduced our latest project vehicle: a low -mile, 7.3-liter turbo-diesel Excursion. It had spent the last 17 years living the easy life in a small town garage, but with our purchase came a second chance for a life of adventure. The plan was to turn this low slung SUV into a versatile backcountry vehicle; one…

A few months ago we shared with you a preview of Ram Truck’s new 1500, a from-the-ground-up redesign of one of America’s favorite half-ton pickups. Earlier this month we spent a few days near San Antonio, Texas, testing various configurations not only on the trail, but also tracing hundreds of miles of twisting tarmac, some of which with a heavy…

The Carretera Austral (otherwise known as Chile’s Route 7 and translated as “Southern Road”) is a highway that runs from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins over a span of 1,240 kilometres through Northern Patagonia.  In 1976, Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet (What a guy! Check out this Wikipedia article for his messy history) ordered the army to commence construction of the road. Prior to the…

“The best overland vehicle is the one you love.” – NW Overland Rally One of the benefits of writing for 4WD magazines is that you get to compare a lot of very different vehicles. And as with any machine, every vehicle is a series of compromises. Too lightweight and it breaks easily, too heavy uses a ton of fuel. A…

If you want to get a reading on a place, it’s always best to ask the people who have traveled there. What’s even better, is to ask someone who has traveled there, and just about everywhere else. Someone like Antonia. She has driven a pink tuk-tuk 12,500 miles from Bangkok to Brighton, is a founding member of the Mongol Derby,…

Where do you find inspiration? Do you seek it in the exploits of adventurers long past, the stories of overlanders circumnavigating the globe, or perhaps right here in the articles and posts shared amidst our members? I find that inspiration can be found anywhere if you know where to look, but sometimes it is simply everywhere. Take the world of…

This past month Texas was shocked to its core from a winter storm that left us reeling.  Yes, the state shuts down when any cold, inclement weather hits us square in the flip-flops, but you can’t ignore an opportunity to beat the summer heat and explore the backcountry.  Winter camping alone demands special attention, but with my 4-year-old twins as…

Building a Range Rover Classic for reliable, economical expedition travel. A family road-trip in the desert leads to a long-term fascination with Solihull metal.

Back in the early ’80s, the automotive industry was responding to consumer demands for compact sport utility vehicles capable of tackling the backcountry with same moxie as their forebearers. Jeep answered the call in 1984 with the Cherokee XJ, which took its cues from the venerable Wagoneer. Though not immediately embraced by the off-road world due to its uniframe construction,…

Whether you go by way of truck, motorcycle, or even on foot, going alone takes careful planning.

Colossal has always been about expansive views and the enjoyment of nature both on the trail and back at camp each night. It is not the trip to sign up for if you’re after bragging rights for the most technical trail, or sheer mental exhaustion after navigating a full day’s worth of California rock. As much as I love and…

As an automotive enthusiast, one of the things I look forward to each year is reviewing and driving the new crop of vehicles. Manufacturers continue to up the ante with regard to performance, capability, fuel economy, navigation systems, electronics, and creature comforts. While first public appearance usually takes place at one of the big auto shows—New York, Los Angeles, or…

With the beginning of the new year, you’re bound to hear plenty of talk concerning resolutions. People will be hitting the gyms, kicking bad habits, and posting lists of goals and dreams on their refrigerator doors. We think this season of positive change is a beautiful thing, which is why we’ve decided to join in the spirit of self-improvement by…

If you’re into overlanding, chances are that you’re familiar with Expedition Overland. Their action-packed YouTube videos have kept enthusiasts hooked since their initial release in 2011, and have inspired many people, myself included, to venture out into the beautiful world around them. But besides their epic trips through North, Central, and South America, which you should really check out here, their team…

Two FJ Cruisers take on a journey from San Diego to the Arctic Circle

In the vast world of so-called humanitarian organizations and NGOs that promise to save the world, several of us at Overland Journal have been blessed with the hands-on opportunity to work with one that puts the ox before the cart: the California-based Free Wheelchair Mission (FWM). What began as one man’s spiritual conviction to help those in need, FWM (a…

I think we can all agree nothing beats a warm fire on a cool night with a tasty beverage and a comfortable place to sit. I’ve tried all manner of camp chairs over the years, some good, many not worth the materials they’re made of. In the last few months I’ve come to love two chairs in particular and as…

If you’ve seen our home page in the last month, you may have noticed that we published our holiday gift guide a little differently this year. Instead of lumping gifts of every size and shape into one article, we separated them into three distinct categories, one for every budget. Our first guide covered cool gear under $125, perfect items for…

When foul weather forces me within the safe haven of a tent, nothing is more precious than a cavernous vestibule. With the passing of every wet minute, each inch of dry space is called upon to stash gear and makes for the ideal place to prepare meals or just stretch out. As useful as a big tent porch is, not…

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 solid axles, a reliable 6-cylinder…