Gear and Rigs of the 2019 Overland Expo West
If you love adventure vehicles, off-roading and traveling—chances are you’re into the associated gear that goes with them. Proper gear can make you more prepared, smarter and self-reliant both on…
2019 Inaugural Texas Off-Road Invitational: Who’s Top Dog in the Texas Dirt?
The inaugural Texas Off-Road Invitational event was held by the Texas Motor Press Association at General Sam’s Offroad Park in Huntsville, Texas. Nearly three dozen automotive journalists came together to…
2019 Oregon Trail Rally: Racing and Rally Culture.
Oregon Trail Rally is the state’s biggest stage rally event. It brings out both the big dogs, such as the Subaru Motorsports USA team that includes David Higgins and Travis…
Mudfest: The 2019 NW Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year
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…
Super Sleepers
I’ve long wanted to build some sort of super sleeper. You take one car that is not anywhere near a high-performance vehicle from the factory, add in some sort of…
Remember: We’re All Gearheads
I’ve long said that most people love to belong to something. Whether it’s a club, a devout loyalty to a brand, or whatever. Everyone likes to belong somehow when it…
ARB Classic Series II Fridge Freezer Unboxing
We just picked up a brand-new ARB Classic Series II portable Fridge Freezer. This new fridge comes in a new color, but it also has new features such as Bluetooth…
Lifting the Traxxas TRX-4 Bronco RC Crawler
Spring is here and we survived the overblown Snowpacalypse in the Pacific Northwest. The weather is getting nicer with gorgeous sunshine, tolerable drizzles, and breezy cloudy days, which means it’s…
Crankshaft Culture Gear Garage: ARB Single Portable Air Compressor
Having accessible air is a necessity when off-roading. Deflating tires is a must in order to allow for a comfortable off-tarmac ride and additional traction, and quick inflation offers up…
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…
Guest Posts
What’s a Good Brand for UTV Storage Boxes That Don’t Leak and Can Handle Being Pressure Washed?
Anyone who uses a UTV regularly knows how quickly gear can get dirty, wet, or damaged. Whether you ride muddy trails, work on a ranch, hunt in remote areas, or spend weekends exploring backroads, keeping your equipment protected is a priority. Along with other essential UTV accessories, a reliable storage…
Hidden Winch vs Standard Hilux Bullbars: Which Setup Suits You?
Choosing the right bullbar for your Hilux is not just about how it looks from the front. It affects protection, recovery options, weight, airflow, accessory mounting and how practical your ute feels day to day. For many owners, one of the biggest decisions is whether to go with a hidden…
Cat-Back vs Axle-Back Toyota 86 Exhausts: Which Is Better?
The Toyota 86 is one of those cars that almost begs for a better exhaust note. It is light, balanced, fun to drive and built for people who actually enjoy being behind the wheel. But from the factory, the exhaust can feel a little too quiet for some owners. That…