If you peruse Instagram or the many overlanding groups popping up on Facebook these days, they might lead you to believe that every time you camp or travel, you’ll be rewarded with the perfect forest backdrop, an amazing waterfall at your tent’s door, or picturesque mountains outside of your van’s tailgate—just the thing to photograph…
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Photos by NWAPA / Josh Mackey Every year the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) gathers 30 journalists together to test SUVs, crossovers, and pickup trucks to determine the Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year at Mudfest. The members-only event is a playground for journalists and automotive manufactures alike, because it takes place at The…
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I’ve seen lifted Subarus before, but nothing quite like this. And while jacked-up, dirt-covered Subarus thumb their Pleiades-badged noses at traditional 4WD vehicles, this lifted Subaru Outback is more like a throat punch.
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During Portland Snopocalypse 2017, I’ve been driving The PDXJ (project 2001 Jeep Cherokee) quite a bit; it’s been pretty much unstoppable in the snow. Then again, vehicle is only as good as its tires. I must say, I’ve been very impressed with our Yokohama Geolandar M/T+ tires during this snowy mess.
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Portland doesn’t usually get big snow storms. We’re one of those cities that shuts down if an inch falls. So when a storm comes that that dumps 13″ of heavy, wet snow, the city becomes paralyzed.
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It’s official: Ford will offer the Bronco as a 2020 model. However, that’s about all the info that’s out there. Ford has said that it’ll be a mid-sized 4×4 vehicle, and they did use the word “off-road” in describing it. Well, those are all good things. But will it be the retro concept it teased…
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This meme: This is my New Year’s resolution. We picked up our 2001 Jeep Cherokee, aka, The PDXJ, in July 2016. Almost immediately, we started working on it, and we haven’t slowed since. Whether it was standard maintenance things, minor repairs, or aftermarket upgrades, I feel like all we’ve done is work on the thing….
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There are a few specific things many look for in a truly off-road capable four-wheel drive vehicle. This includes a two-speed transfer case with low range; solid axles or at least a solid rear axle; a durable ladder frame vs. unibody construction (with the exception of the Jeep Cherokee (XJ), of course); and arguably a manual transmission…
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“You modified a Toyota Yaris? Why bother?” Yep. Heard that one before. “You drove from Oregon to Colorado in that?” [points at our Suzuki Sidekick and trailer] Uh huh. Got that multiple times. When talking cars, some peoples’ eyes glaze over when I’m telling them we have a customized Toyota Yaris as our “go kart,” and a lifted…
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When one mentions New Zealand, what immediately comes to mind for most people is Lord of the Rings, kiwi birds, bungee jumping in Queenstown, or perhaps the odd wonder of glow worms. But not for me.
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