The Overland Journal Podcast

The full show notes are available at: https://overlandjournal.com/podcast/electric-overland-vehicles/

Matt Scott shares details and insights about selecting the best Gladiator model to purchase and how to modify it for backcountry travel, including suspension, tires and wheels, bumpers, and overland campers. What Makes the Jeep Gladiator So Special? 1. Jeep Capability2. Proper payload, easily greater than most of its competitors.3. Easily modified for a wide range of conditions.4. Solid front and rear axles with available locking differentials. 5. Available manual transmission6. Available diesel motor (late 2020) What is the best model Gladiator for overland travel?Matt- The Rubicon because of the locking differentials and other accessories like swaybar disconnect, etc. Scott- The Sport with the Max Tow Package. Some Inspiration:The XOverland Odin, built by Clay Croft and his teamJeep Gladiator WayoutSuspension?Matt had the factory Mopar 2-inch suspension lift installed, which he has been happy with, save the rear Fox shocks. The spring rate is appropriate for Matt's load, but the rear shocks were valved for an unloaded truck. As a result, the blow through the available travel (rebound was also lacking). Scott and Matt discuss other suspension options, and Matt is most anticipating the AEV kit due to proper spring rates and history of good valving. However, that kit is not currently available. Old Man Emu was also discussed as a good option, but it is also not available. The only kit currently on the market that meets Matt's expectations is the Icon Vehicle Dynamics kit. Tires and Wheels?Matt chose the Method Racing wheels in bronze, and selected the Falken A/T3W in 37" diameter. Winch?Warn Zeon 10-SCamping Accessories?AT Overland Habitat (The camper that Matt chose)The FiftyTen CamperPatriot Campers PCOR SystemWHAT IS THE OVERLAND JOURNAL PODCAST?The Overland Journal Podcast features the travelers, topics, and news related to the overlanding community and industry. This podcast is hosted by Scott Brady and Matt Scott, and is a production of the Overland Journal Magazine and the expeditionportal.com website.Host Bios:  Scott BradyScott is the publisher and co-founder of Expedition Portal and Overland Journal, and is often credited with popularizing overlanding in North America. His travels by 4WD and adventure motorcycle span all seven continents and include three circumnavigations of the globe. His polar travels include two vehicle crossings of Antarctica and the first long-axis crossing of Greenland. @globaloverlandMatthew ScottMatthew is a leading expert in automotive adventure. He has extensively explored the world's most-remote places by 4WD, and is considered an industry authority on overland travel. Matt is the only American to ever become an editor of a major Australian 4WD publication, and has over 15 years of competitive auto racing experience. @mattexplore

Smitten with life, UK adventuress Lois Pryce has always been on the move. At 13 years of age, an unchaperoned, week-long trip on bicycles through Cornwall’s back roads with friends introduced her to the possibilities of travel by design. And also to the idea of minimalist travel, taking shelter where you can find it, and bringing little more than bare essentials.About Lois Pryce: https://www.loisontheloose.com/ For more of Lois' content in Overland Journal and Expedition Portal: https://expeditionportal.com/?s=lois+pryce&submit=

The complete show notes are available at: https://overlandjournal.com/ten_commandments_of_overland_vehicle_modifications/

The complete article is available here: https://expeditionportal.com/top-10-used-overland-vehicles/The used overland vehicle market is more exciting today than ever before, with high quality and capable options available from nearly every major automotive manufacturer. With so many models to choose from, you might be wondering which four-wheel drives make for the best second-hand overland vehicles? In 2011, we published our first US and Canada top ten used overland vehicle list, and it has been since been read over one million times. A lot has changed in the last eight years though, including the types of vehicles available under our original test’s $30,000 and 20-years or newer cap. We have also learned a few more things about overlanding vehicles since 2011 thanks to several circumnavigations of the globe. This has all resulted in a nearly new list for 2019, packed with excellent options for those looking to purchase their first overland vehicle or upgrade their current one. Regardless of this list and our opinions, the reality is that a traveler should drive what they can afford, and what they most enjoy driving, despite the make or model.What makes a great used overland vehicle?Typically, someone buying a used vehicle is looking for value, but they are also looking for something reliable and capable for travel too. At Expedition Portal, we feel the following criteria comprises the most critical attributes of an overland platform. Ride comfort, noise, vibration, harshness, and other less essential considerations are weighed in the final ranking, but the primary ordering is based on these qualities and our field testing results:Capability: The vehicle’s ability to traverse rocky, muddy, and cross-axle terrain, including deep water crossings, severe side slopes, hill climbs, and descents.Capacity: The vehicle’s ability to carry weight as measured by payload specifications and the interior storage volume aft of the front seats.Durability: The vehicle’s ability to travel for extended periods of time (years) over rugged terrain while fully loaded without chassis or drivetrain failure.Reliability: The vehicle’s ability to perform without engine, electrical, or support system failures due to component malfunction or workmanship error.Value: Valuation of vehicle cost to content. Vehicles with high functional content will score the highest value ratings.#1 2008-2010 Toyota 200 Series Land Cruiser EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD1,600 lb. Payload | $24-30,000Pros:Legendary reliability and durability1600 lb. payload / 8,000 lb. towing / 440 lb. roof loadExceptional long-distance touring comfortCons:Bland styling and driving experiencePoor fuel economyLimited in technical terrain due to overall size#2 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma1,200 lb. Payload | $10-30,000Pros:Excellent reliabilityStrong aftermarket supportGood trail performanceCons:Bed lacks robustnessCheap interior materialsTragic payload for a pickupOur Experience: The Expedition Portal team has owned several Tacomas, and the author has driven or traveled with Tacomas from both Prudhoe Bay and Tuktoyaktuk, down to the Darien Gap. Our team currently owns a 2017 TRD Tacoma.#3 2005-2013 Lexus GX VALUE AWARD1,300-1,500 lb Payload | $10-30,000Pros:Ideal dimensions and wheelbaseComfortable and competent on the trailExcellent valueCons:Seat leather made from paper macheNo factory rear locking differential#4 2010-2012 RAM Cummins 2500/3500Up to a 5,000 lb Payload | $22-30,000Pros:Payload capacity more than the towing capacity of most SUVsRobust drivetrainsSolid axle front and rearCons:Large for some technical routesLarge for many developing-world villagesLimited service infrastructure outside of North America and Australia#5 2009-2016 Toyota 4Runner1,625 lb Payload (SR5 4×4) | $16-30,000Pros:Good technical terrain performance in the trail variantQuiet and comfortableProper payloadCons:Needs another few transmission gears (only a 5-speed auto)Dash designed by a half-blind 1980s boom-box designer wearing gloves#6 2005-2007 UZJ100 Land Cruiser1,470 lb Payload | $16-25,000Pros:Good balance of travel comfort and capabilityExcellent reliability and global serviceabilityCons:Difficult to find clean, low mileage examplesWeak front differential in earlier modelsLack of locking rear differential in later models#7 2011-2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon1,050 lb Payload | $22-30,000Pros:Class-leading technical terrain performanceStrong aftermarket supportCons:Less payload than a Toyota CamryCramped interior and limited cargo volume#8 1995-2008 Mercedes G-Class1,550 lb Payload | $20-30,000+Pros:Extremely comfortable and capable off-roadHigh payload and generous interior volumeRobust and durable chassis and drivetrainCons:Expensive to purchase and maintainPoor fuel economy for North American models (i.e. non-diesel)#9 2000-2003 Ford Excursion 7.3L Power Stroke1,950 lb Payload | $12-28,000ProsMassive interior volume7.3L Power StrokeExcellent payload for an SUVConsIt is a large vehicle for technical terrainFailure-prone transmissionFactory suspension unsuitable for backroad travel#10 2010-2016 Land Rover LR41,488 lb Payload | $12-28,000ProsExcellent trail performance with air suspension and center/rear locking differentialsMost reliable Land Rover we have ownedComfortable and quiet for long-distance travelConsStill lags Toyota in reliabilityHighly technical, which limits field repairabilityOur Experience: Overland Journal built a project 2012 LR4, and the author has also traveled Southern Australia by diesel Discovery 3.Honorable Mentions:2011-2015 Nissan XTerra PRO-4X974 lb Payload | $12-20,000ProsExcellent durability and reliabilityGood aftermarket supportGood trail performanceConsLimited payloadModel no longer sold1997 FZJ80 Land Cruiser1,719 lb Payload | Over $20,000 for clean examplesProsClass-leading durability and reliabilityExcellent aftermarket supportAround the world service infrastructureConsPoor fuel economyProne to overheat with FZJ motorSlow acceleration, even slower brakingThere are better 80-series options now available for import

Clay E. CroftClay Croft, currently residing in beautiful Bozeman, MT, has been making movies for 17 years, however Wulff Land is his first feature film. Travel has been a part of his filmmaking life since the beginning and has enabled him to participate in projects and expeditions across the globe. Clay, along with his wife Rachelle, currently owns and operates the wildly successful online adventure travel series, Expedition Overland. His love for daring adventure runs deep and when he is not producing content, you can likely find him wrestling with his three boys, hunting in the mountains or trying not to crash his powered paraglider. XOverland on the web: www.xoverland.com/Hiline Productions on the web: www.hilineproductions.com/Social Media:Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/ExpeditionOverlandFacebook: www.facebook.com/xoverland/Instagram: www.instagram.com/xoverlandHost Bios: Scott BradyScott is the publisher and co-founder of Expedition Portal and Overland Journal, and is often credited with popularizing overlanding in North America. His travels by 4WD and adventure motorcycle span all seven continents and include three circumnavigations of the globe. His polar travels include two vehicle crossings of Antarctica and the first long-axis crossing of Greenland. @globaloverlandMatthew ScottMatthew is a leading expert in automotive adventure. He has extensively explored the world's most-remote places by 4WD, and is considered an industry authority on overland travel. Matt is the only American to ever become an editor of a major Australian 4WD publication, and has over 15 years of competitive auto racing experience. @mattexplore

With special guest Rob Boegheim of HEMA Maps, we discuss the wonder of overland travel in Australia, including favorite destinations, and tips and tricks for exploring AU. HEMA Maps20 Things You’ll Learn Driving Across AustraliaWhy 4x4s Are Better In AustraliaDriving Australia’s Most Challenging Off-Road Trail (By Matt Scott) 

Dan Grec :: The Road Chose MeDan is an adventurer, snowboarder and photographer based in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. Growing up in Australia gave Dan a passion for travel and exploration, and years of family road trips around the continent re-enforced that passion. In 2011 Dan set out in his Jeep Wrangler and drove 40,000miles from Alaska to Argentina, passing through some 16 countries over 22 months. The Road Chose MeRead his interview on Expedition Portal here: https://expeditionportal.com/adventure-interview-dan-grec/The Road Chose MeWiki Overland@theroadchosemeAbout Dan's Jeep Wrangler JK: https://expeditionportal.com/39488/ Host Bios:  Scott BradyScott is the publisher and co-founder of Expedition Portal and Overland Journal, and is often credited with popularizing overlanding in North America. His travels by 4WD and adventure motorcycle span all seven continents and include three circumnavigations of the globe. His polar travels include two vehicle crossings of Antarctica and the first long-axis crossing of Greenland. @globaloverlandMatthew ScottMatthew is a leading expert in automotive adventure. He has extensively explored the world's most-remote places by 4WD, and is considered an industry authority on overland travel. Matt is the only American to ever become an editor of a major Australian 4WD publication, and has over 15 years of competitive auto racing experience. @mattexplore