EarthCruiser USA, LLC, has announced that it will be ceasing operations, marking the end of its 16-year journey in the overland travel market. The company, known for its innovative designs, will officially close its doors on April 25, 2024. Citing economic challenges and shifts in market dynamics, EarthCruiser has decided to discontinue its operations. The decision comes after thorough strategic analysis and deliberation.   Lance Gillies, EarthCruiser CIO and Founder, stated, “Our journey over the past years has been extraordinary. We are incredibly grateful to our loyal customers ..read more

A rare 1996 Toyota Mega Cruiser has recently become the center of attention as it goes under the hammer at the Bring a Trailer online auction platform. This particular model is one of 133 units that were made available to civilian buyers, marking a distinctive chapter in Toyota’s history of automotive design, closely mirroring the rugged and military-inspired features of the American Humvee.   Despite its lackluster aesthetics, particularly in the front seating area, which bears similarities to the often-criticized interior of the Hummer H1, the Mega Cruiser ..read more

Alu-Cab is certainly not the kind of company to stand idle and allow grass to grow under its large and innovative feet. Recently, we featured the Hercules roof conversion for the Toyota Troopy. The ModCap does for pick-ups pretty much what the Hercules does for SUVs. The ModCap range has three main elements: the ModCap Canopy, ModCap Cabin, and ModCap Camper.  The versatile ModCap Canopy features a sleek, flat-roof design with optional windows; this canopy provides secure and spacious storage for tools, equipment, and essentials for life on the move. Designed to be multi-functional, the ..read more

2024 is going to be massive for Toyota, especially when it comes to their 4WD offerings. First, we were promised the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail late in 2023 (a division of Toyota), teased with the new Land Cruiser, and then, just a couple of weeks ago, we were all blown away with the new 4Runner! Now, as if we are not already spoiled for choice, Toyota has launched the 2024 Tacoma with the superb i-Force Max Hybrid Powertrain.  This new powertrain combines a 2.4-liter engine with a 48-horsepower electric motor, seamlessly integrated into the 8-speed transmission. Thi ..read more

The Ram 2500 is one of the most popular full-size overland platforms on our forum, and for good reason. We’ve recently featured a number of dialed adventure-ready builds, including this 2020 Laramie with a Supertramp Flagship LT camper, 2022 AEV Prospector XL with an OEV Camp X, and a 2009 with GFC Topper. The benefits of this truck are plentiful, with Publisher Scott Brady stating: “While the Power Wagon gets all the off-road attention, the 2500 and 3500s have quietly overtaken the #1 seat in the full-size overland segment. With the combination of solid axles, the Cummins motor, and with the ..read more

Yamaha’s Outdoor Access Initiative (Yamaha OAI) arm will be the exclusive motorized recreation sponsor of the outdoor recreation exhibit at the National Conservation Legacy Center (NCLC). The Center is part of the National Museum of Forest Service History (Museum), located in Missoula Montana. Yamaha OAI’s grant will help build a display highlighting the many ways we recreate outdoors. The key message of the display will be the importance of maintaining access to public lands via conservation and stewardship. Yamaha OAI Support for Public Lands Access Steve Nessl, marketing manager of Yamaha ..read more

The Lexus GX470 is one of a very select few vehicles that successfully blends rugged backcountry capability and reliability with interior luxury and refinement. When these two worlds meet, it can be problematic as the complicated electrics synonymous with luxury 4WDs do not appreciate the extreme conditions faced by overlanders. However, the GX470 proves that it’s possible, which is why it was chosen as an Overland Journal project vehicle and showcased on the Expedition Portal YouTube. Unsurprisingly, it’s a popular platform on our forum with recent examples including this 2003, 2005, and my p ..read more

Overland Journal Podcast Episode 190 There are a handful of true living legends in the overland world: Tom Sheppard, Lois Pryce, Ted Simon, Mac MacKenny, and Sir Ranulph Fiennes, among them. But for my money, Kingsley Holgate is in a category of one. His laundry list of accomplishments in overland travel is enough to make your head spin around twice, including leading the first team to reach the geographic center of Africa, and an incredible circumnavigation of that continent—all mostly accomplished after the age of 50. Truly, it’s never too late to start exploring. Overland Journal Podcast ho ..read more

It’s no secret that I’m a Land Cruiser fanatic but interestingly one of my favorite iterations is arguably one of the most impractical, the FJ Cruiser. It’s one of those vehicles that I sincerely lust after and to this day I’m still totally enamored. Despite being unveiled two decades ago the FJ’s styling remains futuristic and as an overland platform, it offers the perfect confluence of power, interior refinement, and backcountry performance. It’s perhaps no surprise that when I discovered the adventures of Outbound Intent in his highly modified FJ on YouTube I couldn’t subscribe fast enough ..read more

When I built my Land Rover Defender-based camper, I spent endless hours designing a capable, practical, go-anywhere vehicle that would be as tough as it looked. When designing the interior, my focus was not on wallpaper and color schemes but instead on beds, seats, storage, cooking, and survival. My wife, on the other hand, was preoccupied with comfort. After living in a rooftop tent with me and two children for half a decade, it was time for some color and comfort. Who am I to argue—a happy wife equals a happy life! The design of the Lotus Trooper displays distinct duality; the exterior is ro ..read more