The Tokyo Auto Salon is one of the premier vehicle customizations shows in the world. It also has a reputation for featuring some wild custom builds, many of which with a distinctly Japanese flair. The event happens every year, and damn it, someday I’ll get there. I’ve followed TAS for as long as I can remember. I mean, this event is right up Crankshaft Culture’s alley: Crazy-customized JDM 4WDs and vans? My heart be still.
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Old-School Adventuring: Using a Suunto Global MC-2 G Compass
The advent of modern technology has brought about smartphones, tablets, and other gizmos outfitted with navigational programs. These include Gaia GPS or OnX Offroad for off-pavement usage or even Waze for on-road travels. However, carrying a compass with you, like the Suunto Global MC-2 G Compass can help you find your way when technology fails….
Continue reading →Dangerously Slow New Cars?
I was recently reading a post on a Facebook group about the Subaru Crosstrek. We all know this lifted Impreza isn’t going to set any land-speed records. They’re not going to light up the drag strips on Saturday nights, right? They’re designed to let people go down rutted gravel roads or just as easily hop…
Continue reading →Lifted Toyota Yaris
After seeing a host of lifted cars at the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, I proclaimed on Subcompact Culture that lifting would be the new lowering. In other words, we’d see more cars getting the off-road/rally treatment rather than the slammed-in-the-weeds look. Well, it’s 2021, and we’re seeing just that. In fact, this lifted…
Continue reading →You Know You’re on the Alcan When …
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…
Continue reading →Review: Coastal Offroad Mitsubishi Delica Off-Road Bumpers
Review: Coastal Offroad Mitsubishi Delica Off-Road Bumpers
Continue reading →Our 4D56 Pajero Gets a D4BF Engine Swap
A little over a year ago, our 1992 Mitsubishi Pajero XR-II, aka the Ralli Tractor, suffered a cracked block due to a fouled thermostat. Today, it has a new Hyundai heart courtesy of a D4BF engine swap. How does this compare to the original 4D56? Does all this make any sense? If not read on….
Continue reading →Crankshaft Culture Gear Garage: Helinox Lite Cot
It’s critical to get a good night’s sleep, especially after a hard day of off-roading, hiking, biking, or other adventure activity. Your body is tired and achy; your mind longing to waver into a deep and peaceful euphoria of sleep.
Continue reading →I Hate Replacing Gear Oil. Here are Tips to Make it Less Terrible.
One of my least favorite maintenance practices is having to replace the gear oil in a vehicle’s axles. It’s often smelly, messy, and an overall pain in the butt. So when it came time to replace the 80W-90 oil in our 1991 Mitsubishi Pajero‘s axles, I wasn’t exactly looking forward to it. But I had…
Continue reading →1991 Pajero Updates and Upgrades
Back in November, 2018 we flew to Texas for the second time in 12 months to pick up yet another second-generation Mitsubishi Pajero. We drove it back from Austin without incident, but we’ve had to put some work into the rig since.
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