Table of contents for September/October 2023 in TREAD

As we embrace the spirit of adventure, the newest issue of Tread Magazine brings to you a collection of thrilling stories that celebrate the off-road lifestyle and the joy of exploring the great outdoors. This edition is packed with exciting content, from remarkable off-road vehicles to essential overlanding gear, useful skills for off-roading, and our keys to memorable weekend adventures. Off-Road Warriors: Toyota Tundra, Isuzu Vehicross, and the Ultimate Custom Jeep For all of us, off-roading and overlanding are more than just hobbies—our pursuits are fueled by a passion that connects us with nature and pushes the boundaries of exploration. In this issue, we’re thrilled to feature some exceptional off-road vehicles that exemplify the spirit of adventure. The Tundra, always stalwart off-road, is showcased for its remarkable capability to handle…

The stunningly beautiful country of Scotland is home to interesting and unforgettable geography. Scotland includes rural lowlands and unspoiled uplands, sparsely inhabited islands and large lochs, as well as large cities and small villages. The country comprises the northern third of Great Britain and only shares land with England. It was in the Highlands that INEOS Automotive held its first-ever Global Media Drive Event, named Expedition 1.0. Approximately 140 journalists from around the world tested production-ready Grenadier 4x4s during an overlanding trip of beauty, history, and all things Scotland. The INEOS Global Media Drive Event I was one of less than 10 journalists from the U.S. and Canada invited to Scotland to test the production-ready INEOS Grenadier — the first international media group to do so. The INEOS Grenadier is…

We’ve talked about podcasts in the past, but we all know there’s no shortage of great minds out there. Now it’s time to put the spotlight on some casters who are educating and encouraging women to get out more, either with their spouses or solo. Meet the women of the Lady Overlander Radio (LOR) podcast: Misti Tokarsky and Arla Cress. And of course, meet their rigs, too: Arla’s 2018 Jeep JKU and Misti’s 5th Gen 4Runner. After serving 20 years in the United States Coast Guard, Misti retired and started homeschooling her three children. She and her husband, Joe, were “so used to moving every few years that no one place really felt like home.” So, they sold their house and most of their belongings and began traveling full-time, roadschooling…

“WITH KATE THE JEEP, THE EVOLUTION TOOK PLACE AS PARTS BROKE, CAPABILITY WAS PUSHED, AND OWNER ALI SEDAGHAT DECIDED HE WANTED IT TO DO MORE AND MORE AND MORE.” As many overlanders and off-road enthusiasts experience, a vehicle build is rarely ever finished. It starts with one goal in mind that often changes either upon completion or after some time passes and the driver wants change. Most often, owners are constantly fine tuning their builds to their desires over time. Sometimes vehicle owners veer down a new path, either wanting to go faster, drive on tougher terrain or need to accommodate to an expanding family. With Kate the Jeep, the evolution took place as parts broke, capability was pushed, and owner Ali Sedaghat decided he wanted it to do more…

01. HELLA AUTOMOTIVE/BLACK MAGIC LED LIGHT BAR Expanding on their already-successful line of Black Magic light bars, Hella Automotive delivers 16 awesome new designs. They offer up to 20,000 maximum effective lumens, making them ideal for off-road applications, when proper illumination is an essential. Both the single- and double-row lightbars, with their distinctive look and all-black design, are an eye-catcher on any off-road vehicle, SUV, or truck. MSRP: from $195.00 myhellalights.com 02. SHERPA EQUIPMENT CO./ THE STARLIGHT RACK This modular roof rack for the 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler JL expands on Sherpa’s lineup of tried-and-true rack systems. Industry-leading ¼-inch thick aircraft-grade aluminum side panels, 3/16-inch steel gutter mounts, and nine extrusion crossbars secure your gear. Since it’s constructed in two separate sections, you can choose to remove the Freedom Top and…

What are the odds of finding a stray push rod in the middle of the Nevada desert? Pretty thin, right? And the odds of it laying in such a position to pierce a hole in your tire? Well, you probably have a better shot at finding a Bitcoin in your backyard, but there we were pulling the offending metal shaft from my buddy’s tread block. Back then (we’re talking late ‘80s) we didn’t carry tire plugs or patches, so we swapped in his spare and continued on… spareless. But times they are a changin’, and with the tools now available to repair a tire in the field, running spareless should be a thing of the past. In this Backcountry Skills, we are going to review a few high-quality tire repair…

“ARMED WITH A FULL QUIVER OF ACCESSORIES AND UPGRADES AND MODIFIED TO SUIT HIS EXACT NEEDS, THE FRONTIER IS HIS KEY TO GETTING OUT FASTER AND STAYING OUT LONGER, TOO.” Those of us who are constantly on the go (and we’re confidently betting that’s most of us) know just how much easier life is when your mode of transportation is always ready to go. There’s great satisfaction in investing time and effort into building a vehicle that doesn’t only just do its job but actually plays a part in getting you out the door quickly and more often. That’s what Johnathan Smith’s 2022 Nissan Frontier does for him. Armed with a full quiver of accessories and upgrades and modified to suit his exact needs, the Frontier is his key to…

“BUILT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS FROM STOCK TO THE OFF-ROAD ADVENTURER YOU SEE HERE, THE VEHICROSS HAS SLOWLY TRANSFORMED INTO THE TESTERS’ IDEAL OVERLANDING BUILD.” More than 20 years of off-road wheeling around the Pacific Northwest has brought James and Molly Tester to their 2001 Isuzu Vehicross. Parents to four daughters who decided to kick the fun into 4WD when their children were young, they are now empty nesters who spend their free time exploring the unknown through the PNW and beyond. Vehicross Does It All Built over the last two years from stock to the off-road adventurer you see here, the Vehicross has slowly transformed into the Testers’ ideal overlanding build. It’s their dedicated overland rig, and they’ve added on just about anything a camper could want. “We’ve…

“BEYOND SHARING KILLER CAMPING GEAR WITH THE CREW, BROOKS HAS A BEVY OF SWEET RIG ACCESSORIES FROM LEITNER DESIGNS, DECKED, AND IKAMPER MOUNTED ON HIS TUNDRA.” Though you’d never guess it today, looking through these pages or scrolling through his Instagram feed, this 2018 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD Off Road is the rig that catapulted Nick Brooks into the overlanding community. Although a lifelong avid camper and outdoorsman, the only vehicles he owned before the Tundra were sedans. Bulking up into something more capable was the key to unlocking some serious adventure. Though he initially wanted a Tacoma, the Tundra quickly became the more obvious choice. “I was hesitant to buy a Tundra as it was the biggest vehicle I had ever driven,” Brooks explained. He had some concerns about…

Each year, the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) hosts an on-track and off-road test-drive event called Mudfest. In its 28th year, this press-only gathering evaluates some of the latest and greatest all-wheel drives and 4x4s the market currently offers. What is Mudfest? This year, 23 journalists, including myself, evaluated 22 crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks over a two-day period. From Mazdas and Mitsubishis to Fords and Toyotas, each model endured tarmac testing and mud mayhem. Each vehicle was vying for the overall Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year award, as well as seven sub-classification acknowledgments, which included a new “Best Value SUV or Pickup” category. Journalists were given booklets containing in-depth vehicle information, pricing, and scoring worksheets that categorized each group: pickup trucks, two-row family SUVs, three-row family SUVs,…

We’ve agonized over the decision for two hours, and I can’t procrastinate anymore. We’ve half-walked, half-swum the Pascoe River more times than I can count; it’s finally time to bring the Gladiator across. As I inch into the current, I run through the list of reasons I don’t like this crossing: Firstly, it’s deep. The channel comes up to my belly button, and when I stepped in a hole while wading, it nudged my armpits. I fully expect to rely on my snorkel for this one. Secondly, large boulders litter the riverbed, making the bottom unpredictably uneven. We tried to scout the best line through the boulders, even moving a few around, but the sunlight and flowing water make it difficult to see. Any of the larger boulders could easily…