Crankshaft Culture Gear Garage: AO Coolers Carbon Series 36 Pack Cooler Review

November 13, 2023 / Andy Lilienthal / 1 Comment

Words by Andy Lilienthal; photos by Mercedes Lilienthal When we got our first ARB fridge/freezer, I said if I ever needed to use a cooler again it’d be too soon. Well, that was a stupid thing to say. There are simply times when you need a soft-sided cooler. We found ourselves in such a situation…

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Our Favorite Vehicles From the 2023 SEMA Show

November 11, 2023 / Andy Lilienthal / Leave a comment

The SEMA Show is sometimes referred to as the pulse of the automotive aftermarket. It’s where brands and manufacturers showcase their latest and greatest aftermarket accessories. And every year there are hundreds—if not thousands—of cool custom vehicles to be seen. From hot rods and imports to trucks and vans, SEMA has some really awesome vehicles….

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Photos from Boxerfest 2023: York, PA

November 10, 2023 / Andy Lilienthal / Leave a comment

Boxerfest is one of the premier Subiefest events. There were hundreds of Subarus and thousands of Subaru enthusiasts in historic York, PA for this show. This year’s event happened in August 2023 and had an excellent layout to showcase both vendors and show cars. Heck, even the parking area at Boxerfest was impressive.

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Step-by-Step Guide: Installing a Trailer Hitch on a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek

October 23, 2023 / Andy Lilienthal / Leave a comment

After a year of owning our 2022 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0 Premium (6-speed), we decided to bolt up a hitch for a multitude of reasons. It turns out installing a trailer hitch on a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek is easy and can be a very versatile accessory, and not just for towing.

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A Trio of Honda TrailSport SUVs Compete in the 2023 Rebelle Rally

October 12, 2023 / Andy Lilienthal / Leave a comment

Honda today unveiled its trio of rugged TrailSport SUVs that will compete in the grueling 2023 Rebelle Rally. This is an eight-day off-road competition through the unforgiving desert conditions of the American Southwest. The vehicles are Piloted by Honda associates and automotive journalists—including Crankshaft Culture’s own Mercedes Lilienthal who also took these photos. Vehicles include two 2024 Pilot TrailSports and…

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Is Mitsubishi Teasing a New Delica?

October 11, 2023 / Andy Lilienthal / Leave a comment

Today Mitsubishi Motors teased out a new image of a concept vehicle that will debut at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, held from October 28 to November 5 in Tokyo. Frankly, this looks like it could be a prototype of a new Delica van concept. Is Mitsubishi teasing a new Delica?

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2023 Big Northwest Subaru Meet is How You Do Subiefest in Oregon

October 8, 2023 / Andy Lilienthal / Leave a comment

After our first Subiefest show of 2023, Big Wicked Meet, we traveled back to Oregon and went to the 2023 Big Northwest Subaru meet. Yes, a Subiefest in our own backyard. We could even drive our own Subaru Crosstrek to it!

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Review: 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit. A Hype-Worthy Future Icon

October 6, 2023 / Andy Lilienthal / Leave a comment

Every now and then a car comes out that has a ton of hype built around it. Once and a while, it lives up to the hullabaloo. The Toyota Corolla GR is one such case. So when I was asked if I’d like Toyota Corolla GR Review vehicle, the answer was easy.

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Crankshaft Culture Gear Garage: AeroPress Coffee Maker Comparison

September 19, 2023 / Andy Lilienthal / Leave a comment

AeroPress Comparison

Coffee is a daily ritual for me both at home and while traveling. Most mornings, whether at my house or on the road, I use an AeroPress coffee maker, the oldest I got in 2015. They make damn good coffee, are a cinch to clean, and are easy to travel with. Mine have been with me to Canada, Mexico, and Iceland (twice) not to mention multiple states. My only complaint? they don’t make enough coffee. Apparently, I wasn’t the only person who felt this way as AeroPress recently released the AeroPress XL which makes significantly more coffee than before. So what’s the difference between the AeroPress XL, the classic AeroPress, and the travel-ready AeroPress Go? Well, I made an AeroPress comparison video.

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Orphans And Oddballs: How I Became The Car Enthusiast I Am Today

September 8, 2023 / Andy Lilienthal / Leave a comment

When I was a kid growing up in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, University Avenue was the prime cruising spot. When I was in my early teens in the early 1990s, I went to this place for the first time with my buddy, Dan. I often think this is where I really found…

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