It’s hard to believe it’s been almost one year since Andy and I competed in the 2020 winter Alcan 5000 Rally. Who would have thought an old 1991 Japanese Domestic Market right-hand-drive diesel Pajero would be competing in temps that reached -40, much less finish strong in a rally that lasted 10 days and over…
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It’s hard to believe it’s been just over a month since we finished the 2020 Alcan 5000 Winter Rally. It was an incredibly challenging and rewarding adventure! We’ve returned from driving the Pajero over 5,400 winter Arctic miles. There’s so much to talk about, so much to share. So, here’s our first feature story via…
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ABOVE: Still one of my favorites, the runner up in the Subcompact and Compact Family class, the 2019 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk. Photo: Ryan Douthit, MediaSpigot LLC The Northwest Automotive Press Association’s Mudfest event brings in the newest 4WD/AWD vehicles for judging by a host of automotive writers. Now in its 25th iteration, this year’s event…
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We all have different objectives when it comes to vehicle builds. Some want the most off-road capable vehicle they can build. Others are looking to go as fast as possible. Jon Wilder built his 1999 Jeep Cherokee, Rusty the TexJ, for another more personal reason: his family.
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The Jeep Wrangler is a legend. That almost goes without saying. So when Jeep goes to redesign the Wrangler, they need to get it right. Behold, the all-new Jeep Wrangler JL. And while we haven’t driven a JL yet (stay tuned), we did get a chance to check out a fully equipped 2018 Wrangler JL…
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It’s been a while since my last update to the Project ZJ. We installed a new suspension and took it off-roading through Tahuya ORV last summer and it spent most of the fall plugged into a battery tender while my Dodge Durango gets driven more since the independent front suspension and 5.7-liter HEMI gives it better…
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I grew up watching my dad fix cars and handing him tools as a wee lad. He’s been a mechanic since our family immigrated to the United States and tended to buy cars with mechanical issues to fix and drive. He worked as a master technician for a Mazda dealership, but we were a Mopar…
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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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Words by Andy Lilienthal; photos by Mercedes Lilienthal As we work on The PDXJ (project ’01 Jeep Cherokee), we’ve had an outpouring of support and help to get it upgraded, maintained, and well, fixed. Whether it’s the crew from ARB USA, the team at Nitro Gear & Axle, Jason from Outlaw Xpeditions, or our friends…
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Yesterday was the first day of spring. Frankly, after a nasty winter in Portland, we’re looking forward to some much-needed sunshine and better weather. We’ve already done lots of work on The PDXJ in preparation for spring, summer, and a host of upcoming events.
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