Overland Journal Summer 2009

Lost and Found Two emails we received recently: I was wondering when the 2009 Gear issue went out. I have not received mine as of yet. I renewed last year and my address is still the same. Or am I jumping the gun a little because it just shipped? Several minutes later: Please ignore my previous email. My daughter just pulled my Gear Guide out of her toy box. Gotta love little girls. Alvin Kuenster Land Cruiser 80-Series More Please I thoroughly enjoyed the G-Wagen article. May we have more please, and some information on accessories vendors? I wait in anticipation for each and every issue . . . they are all top notch! Jeff Geier 1983 LWB 300GD Good Point Regarding the painting of a photograph in Overland Post (Spring, 2009): It’s important to note that copying a photograph without…

Jennifer Coogan & Isaac Taylor Besides their featured drive through Uttarakhand, Jennifer and Isaac’s recent 4WD journeys include Hawaii’s Big Island, Oman’s Musandam peninsula, and the west fjords of Iceland. They married in 2007, then moved from New York City to northern California via Hyderabad, India. Jennifer drives a turbocharged Subaru Forester. She’s a freelance journalist who’s worked for Reuters and Bloomberg. Her reporting has appeared in the International Herald Tribune, Boston Globe, USA Today, Forbes.com, and Travel + Leisure Magazine. Isaac drove from Massachusetts to Yellowstone before receiving a driver’s license. He’s since explored 47 U.S. states. Isaac works on mapping projects at Google, and drives an old Plymouth while trying to talk his wife into an EarthRoamer. Lois Pryce Weary of the daily grind in jargon-infested London media-land, Lois Pryce jacked…

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense.” - Alice If someone had told me, five years ago, that in five years Land Rover (and Jaguar) would be owned by an East Indian conglomerate, Chrysler would be controlled by Fiat, and General Motors would be bankrupt . . . well, I might have nodded sagely at the thought of a bankrupt GM, as I flipped through a mental slide show of offerings from the disposable Vega through the lackluster Citation to the ghastly HHR. But in terms of other automotive industry developments we have definitely stepped through the looking glass. What will it all mean? In the end, I think it will mean good things (not, you’ll note, “I’m convinced,” or even, “I’ll bet”). Hopefully there will be…

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon In the United States, exactly one vehicle manufacturer has stayed true to the formula many experienced travelers believe to be the ideal for an expedition vehicle: • A separate, box-section, ladder-type frame, which creates a durable chassis resistant to damage, to which separate body panels are attached, simplifying repair compared to a unibody structure. A boxed frame simplifies adding heavy-duty front winch and rear tire carrier bumpers. • Solid axles front and rear—the simplest and strongest way to build an axle. The differential housing can be sized to contain a sturdy, large-diameter ring and pinion assembly, and complex CV joints are reduced to a minimum. In contrast to an independent suspension, differential clearance does not decrease when one wheel deflects over an obstacle. • Supple coil-spring suspension, which can produce…

Lost opportunities, and new ones The U.S. automotive industry is in turmoil. Companies are being bought and sold on an hourly basis, and it’s difficult to put a finger on what guiding force will be pushing any given brand. Certainly the oddest news is that Hummer now belongs to China—which could be a good thing if smaller platforms like the HX concept get pushed along. On the other hand, the new GM 4.5 engine that might have been a possibility for a more ecological Hummer is now collecting dust somewhere, as is Ford’s mid-sized diesel. The German auto makers are the only ones continuing to push clean-diesel technology in the states, and they’re being rewarded with brisk sales. Volkswagen’s TDI Jettas have been practically flying off the shelves, as have the diesel…

Pelican 0450WD Mobile Tool Chest $540 We’ve been carrying tool rolls and repair kits in Pelican cases for a long time, so we’re excited to see Pelican’s Mobile Tool Chest, specifically designed for storing and easily accessing tools in field conditions.Born out of a requirement for the U.S. military, the 0450 features a customizable drawer arrangement, with up to eight shallow drawers in the main compartment, plus a large top tray. When closed, the 0450 is water- and dust-proof, and constructed to endure years of serious work. The unit measures 24 by 14.75 by 18 inches, and weighs 41 pounds. pelican.com, and available from expeditionexchange.com, 310-618-1875 Viking Off-Road Recovery Hitch $110 Thor Jonsson at Viking Off-Road set out to design and produce the ultimate receiver-mounted shackle bracket. Designed with SolidWorks CAD software and…