Expedition Portal
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Expedition Portal is an online resource of informative and entertaining editorial for overlanders, travelers and outdoor adventurers.
Expedition Portal
10h ago
In the same way that there’s a distinction to be made between a supercar and a hypercar, there’s similarly a differentiation between most premium expedition trucks and those produced by Global Expedition Vehicles (GXV). Based in Springfield, Missouri, the company has built a reputation for producing the ultimate luxury expedition vehicles. Founder Michael Van Pelt had grown frustrated with the limitations of traditional RVs and campers, so decided to build his dream off-grid capable rolling home built on a Mercedes Unimog (inspired by one he’d seen crossing dunes in a National Geographic magaz ..read more
Expedition Portal
22h ago
What is the point of rubbing the noses of our American readers in the awesomeness that is the Toyota IMV 0 Champ, knowing full well that the vehicle will not be available in the USA. It does seem ever so slightly mean, but the vehicle should be available in Mexico by 2025, and that means that intrepid international overlanders will be able to source and prepare a vehicle there before heading all the way south to Patagonia. Personally, I have my eye on an Australian style, off-road biased overland setup for my possible future IMV 0 Champ (I live in Mexico most of the year) that will include a f ..read more
Expedition Portal
22h ago
As more overland details of the new Land Cruiser 250 emerge, we are even more excited by the prospect of the model. It is clear that Toyota is taking performance seriously, but it is also good to dig into their “all in on overlanding” mantra these past few years. Let’s deep dive into the recently released specifications and compare them against our design standards. The new 250 is based on the global TNGA-F platform, with chassis and body architecture shared between the Prado, Lexus GX, and Land Cruiser. While it is important to note that the 250 does not have the same underpinning and d ..read more
Expedition Portal
1d ago
As someone who owns and lives in a 40-year-old overland vehicle, I’m unquestionably a fan of old-timer rigs, but I’m also not shy of pointing out their shortcomings. Fortunately, there are some outliers, which provide all the vintage charm without the constant headaches, and the FJ-40 is one of them. In fact, despite being available from 1960 to 1983, very few changes were made due to the platform’s proven reliability and workhorse credentials. Needless to say, it’s a far stretch from the reliability and refinement of modern Land Cruisers but if you’re looking for a utilitarian, field-repairab ..read more
Expedition Portal
2d ago
There is a sublime campsite a few miles east of the South African town of Swellendam. The camp is called Umshanti and is nestled between the mountains and a large dam brimming with large, tasty fish. We have camped there many times over the years and visited again a short while ago. Just off the N2 national highway, and at the start of a long dirt road leading to the camp, stands a relatively large industrial estate made noticeable by old Land Rovers (and an ancient Land Cruiser) scattered purposefully across a manicured lawn. A large sign proclaims this the home of Infanta 4×4. We decided to ..read more
Expedition Portal
2d ago
Triumph’s new 400 singles are ready to duke it out in the light-middleweight market. Sized right to encourage new riders and large enough to cross the continent, they’re also priced to be tempting. Very tempting: the Speed 400 roadster starts at $4995.00, with the dirt-ready Scrambler 400 X fetching $5595.00. Others in the 400cc arena range from Suzuki’s pricey-but-proven DR-Z 400S at $7100.00 to Royal Enfield’s Scram 411 at $5099.00.
All-New Triumph 400 Motor
The Triumph 400s share a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, 4-valve, single-cylinder 398 cc motor, the first in their new TR series. The co ..read more
Expedition Portal
3d ago
Here in Europe custom expedition vehicles are commonplace and can be a relatively cost-effective solution for overlanders considering long-term trips or living on the road full time. I have to admit that initially I had reservations about these big trucks and dismissed them as way too uneconomical and impractical. However, over the years I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the owners of these rigs and my perspective has shifted. Firstly, they’re not necessarily as expensive to run as you may think. A friend of mine has a Man expedition truck, which returns 15 mpg and has a range of close to 1,500 ..read more
Expedition Portal
4d ago
The 80-Series Land Cruiser is legendary and finds a sweet spot between mechanical simplicity and modern refinement. Interestingly, while you could option this vehicle with a plethora of modern comforts, you could also specify a Poverty Package, which, as the name suggests, stripped the Land Cruiser back to basics. Toyota recognized that they’d built a do-it-all vehicle that could be both a family hauler and daily driver but also assist frontline agencies in the harshest environments. Regardless of the spec, the 80 Series will always be underpinned by a pinnacle overland platform. It’s for thes ..read more
Expedition Portal
4d ago
Navigation giant Garmin has launched a new docuseries initiative on its YouTube channel. The first series, 7 Days Out, is now live.
7 Days Out follows “two regular guys” who parachute into the mountains of Nepal for a 7-day hike. Along the way, they discover the power of friendship, perseverance, and, of course, Garmin smartwatches. With the help of fēnix 7X Pro smartwatches, Joel and Wes trekked the famous Langtang Circuit in the Himalayas. Garmin says, “By monitoring heart rate zones, Body Battery energy levels, altitude acclimation, and more, they set out to push past their own limits and b ..read more
Expedition Portal
4d ago
The Ford Ranger is, without doubt, one of the most desirable mid-size trucks for overlanding, and for good reason. In the past, if you wanted to invest in a rugged backcountry pickup then you bought a Toyota, and while that remains a solid choice the Ford Ranger has not just leveled the playing field but, in some markets, taken the crown. In 2023 the Ford Ranger outsold the Hilux in Australia with a considerable 63,356 units sold, which marked a 33% increase over 2022. The success of the Ranger has been international; it remains the best-selling truck in Europe and was named Pick-Up of the Yea ..read more