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.

I find myself answering dozens of repetitive questions each day - the majority (99%) are all the same three, with an occasional fourth added in by those who know their geography more than most. Not quite the variety one would hope for. The first three are, in this order; What size is your engine? How much did your bike cost? Where are you from? That last one doesn’t get asked as often as you might think. Locals are usually too busy staring at my massive machine to care about me. Can I blame them? No, I spend a lot of time drooling over the diesel Toyotas down here and rarely notice who is driving either! That fourth question is the subject of this article however; How did you get across the Darien?