A few words come to mind when you mention Armor Tech Offroad (ATO): craftsmanship, strength, and customer loyalty. ATO offers an array of products for the late model Tacoma including full skid plates, stock replacement rear bumpers, leaf spring shackle flip kits, and there claim to fame, the bullet proof, wrap around high clearance rear bumper. Future products include front plate bumpers and sliders; in addition ATO also plans to venture into developing products for the early (1995.5-2004) Tacoma.

Originally published in the November 2010 Issue of Tacoma Magazine http://www.tacomamag.com

There’s no doubt that the Mojave Road, located within the confines of the Mojave National Preserve, is one of North America’s quintessential overland routes. The 140-mile desert track, located in California, is the remnants of a wagon trail once connecting the old Mojave Fort along the Colorado River, to Camp Cady, about 20-miles east of Barstow. When it comes to "the road", most articles will tell you that the road takes between 2-4 days to traverse, requires 4WD, occasionally low range in rare situations, and extensive planning. Without a doubt, that's safe and sound advice—follow it. But what if you only have a single day?

If you're looking for a reliable and capable vehicle with "throw back" looks and a modern twist, chances are that the FJ cruiser has caught your eye. Reminiscent of the FJ40's that earned Toyota fame in the overland world; the Cruiser adds modern comfort and off road technology with the classic spirit of the 40 Series. You'll find a washable interior, short wheelbase, and impressive 4WD system ready for anything you throw at them, with climate control and modern suspension to make the trip more pleasant than any 40 ever could. Of course like many popular vehicles, this truck has given rise to an abundant selection of aftermarket modifications and parts, many of which can be seen on the well-equipped example we have found today.

Quite frankly, this is the kind of invention that leaves you a bit frustrated because you didn’t think of it first. You can think of the ICEdot as a SPOT device for your noggin’—but if you’re incapacitated due to a crash (it’s geared towards two-wheels) it’s smart enough to call for help on its own. When a bad crash resulting in a pre-determined level of critical force activates the simple bluetooth-enabled accelerometer. The ICEdot, which can be mounted to any helmet of your choice, then triggers a countdown through an application on your smart phone of choice. If you don’t stop the countdown (which apparently signals that you’re coherent) the application will automatically notifies pre-determined emergency contacts with your GPS coordinates...just hope that you have cell service. 

A modern rack for modern vehicles.

My apologies if I’m the first one to tell you this, but overlanders have developed a bit of a reputation amongst the 4WD crowd; especially when it comes to choosing gear. Our choices have sometimes been described as a bit antiquated or over-the-top—maybe it was the buffalo hyde campaign chairs? Shocking, I know. With our propensity for featuring other eclectic 1960s African safari gear, I’ll admit that we haven’t exactly helped with that stereotype. Here’s the thing, it’s 2013...no one in Africa is rolling around in a Land Rover Series I, they’re hopefully still not dressing like Jack Hanna, and they’re certainly not bolting archaic roof racks that weigh hundreds of pounds to their vehicles.

The Russian expedition, AMAROK. The Path of the Northern Wolf, has just been entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for completing the longest journey through one country by a team aboard a vehicle. Six vehicles took part in the expedition with three of them, named "Northern Wolves" being specially modified for polar conditions they encountered above the Arctic Circle. The expedition started in Moscow on February 7th, exactly one year before the Sochi Winter Olympics and took 60 days to cover the record breaking distance of 15,793 km, which was previously set at 8,047 km. The vehicles passed through Yakutsk and Anadyr before arriving in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on April 8th.

The 100 Series Land Cruiser has served as an excellent platform, for many overlanders and off-roaders alike, by providing a fantastic balance of reliability, and comfort. It's no slouch when it comes to capability either. Ample power, respectable clearance, and of course renowned Toyota durability, have made it a favorite among travelers and helped it earn the number one spot on the list of Top 10 Used Overland Vehicles by Scott Brady. Sure it lacks some of the stock capability of other vehicles such as the Jeep Rubicon or even the 80 series, but after some well-chosen modifications these wonderful cruisers can take you just about anywhere you want to go. But unlike most 4WD's they will do so in total comfort while delivering superior handling and ride quality on the road. If you've been in the market for one of these excellent trucks, take a look at this thoroughly modified, and practically unused, 100 Series.