My Dirty Easter Jeep Safari Fantasy: Bringing a Mitsubishi Jeep
The 60th annual Easter Jeep Safari (EJS) starts this week in Moab, UT, and runs through April 5. We’ve been 15+ times, despite only owning one Jeep, a 2001 Cherokee…
onX & Toyota Expand Trail Revial Project to 24 Nationwide Trail Restoraion Events
If we don’t respect the off-road trails that are out there, they get shut down—period. Having good trail etiquette and picking up your trash is a great first step to…
Tested: The Women’s Cotopaxi Abrazo Fleece Full-Zip Jacket
When seasons change, it’s always handy to keep something warm nearby. Spring days fool you with warmer temps, but the mercury quickly drops when sunset hits. That’s exactly why I…
Crankshaft Chronicles: Need Some Trailer Wiring? Let Me Get the Wine.
It was June of 2014, and we were preparing our 1995 Suzuki Sidekick, affectionately known as The Teal Terror, to make the 600-mile round-trip trek from our home in Portland,…
Oregon’s Kei Truck Bill, HB 4063: Dead (Again)
Despite bipartisan support, Oregon House Bill HB 4063 did not pass in the House’s short session, which adjourned March 6, 2026. In fact, it never got to a vote. On…
We’re at the 2026 Dakar Rally with Defender Rally Team!
We’re at the 2026 Dakar Rally with the Defender Rally Team! Our very own Mercedes Lilienthal was invited to Saudi Arabia to cover Stage 2 and Stage 3 happenings, Defender and…
Saudi Arabia: Hegra, Maraya, and Harrat Viewpoint
My first morning in Saudi Arabia was stunning. I woke up before the sun rose above AlUla’s huge rock formations, which are reminiscent of Moab or Sedona in the United…
Getting to Saudi Arabia for Defender and the Dakar Rally
We’re kicking off our on-the-ground 2026 Dakar Rally and Defender recap reels! So much to share, we (Mercedes Lilienthal) didn’t posted them all as social stories (although a few hundred videos/photos are…
Peak Design’s Everyday Slim Wallet is a Minimalist Card Carrier
For years, I carried a bulky wallet in my back pocket. About 10 years ago, someone gave me a minimalist wallet: a metal tray with a nylon strap to hold…
Kubota Continues Partnership with American Rally Association
We love all things rally at Crankshaft Culture. Last year, Kubota—yes, the orange tractor company—became a major sponsor of the American Rally Association (ARA). The ARA is the largest rally…
Guest Posts
America’s Deadliest Roads and Stories Behind Them
The deadliest roads in America claimed more lives in 2022 than any year since 2007, with the U.S. reaching a fatality rate of 1.37 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. This paints a sobering picture of road safety across the nation. Among the most dangerous highways in America, Interstate…
Driving Older Vehicles Comes With Responsibilities Many Ignore
Driving older vehicles offers charm and character, but it also comes with responsibilities many drivers tend to overlook. Unlike newer models, aging cars demand closer attention to safety, maintenance, and overall roadworthiness to prevent avoidable risks. Neglecting these aspects can impact not just the driver, but others sharing the road…
How Modern SUVs Are Raising the Bar for Road Safety
Sport utility vehicles have evolved into some of the safest machines on the road today. What began as a category built for durability and off-road performance now stands at the forefront of automotive safety innovation. This shift comes at a time when broader road safety trends are showing measurable progress.…