Table of contents for September/October 2022 in TREAD

What’s more important to you, form or function? For some form edges out function because to them, it’s all about style. While for others, there’s nothing more important than functionality. What are looks good for, if the wheel doesn’t enhance a rig’s performance? Luckily for all of us, wheel makers are all about both factors. They are capable of creating wheels that can increase performance of your ride while making it look oh so good. Here is a look at a few of the latest rollers available to hit the trail. Which set will you be mounting on your rig? Black Rhino Wheels / Aliso The Black Rhino Legion wheel features an advanced full-face design that embraces a modern aesthetic with geometric detailing. Black Rhino Aliso is a cast monoblock…

Having been a still shooter for decades, I will admit I had a hard time syncing with the video world. The still images I’m used to shooting must convey elements of a storyline captured a fraction of a second at a time. Video, on the other hand, allows us to share that story with multiple animated clips which span 15 seconds to several minutes. When strung together you end up with a movie, and modern post-processing software allows for infinite transition, audio and animated effects. Although we could write volumes on the subject, for this Viewfinder, we’ll dive into the basics of animating your adventures with video capture. Technique My first big video assignment was documenting Expedition 7’s crossing of Antarctica. Although filming in -30o F came with a learning…

We’ve all heard the phrase, “pics or it didn’t happen,” at some time or another. Technology and social media have made it easier to connect to others and share photos and videos while traveling. Whether you’re looking to share your best sunset selfie or an epic magazine cover photo, you’ll need the right gear. While having the latest photo gear may not make you a better photographer, it can certainly make shooting photos more enjoyable during the journey. Having the right accessories can provide a solution to clean, protect, organize, and safely store your precious equipment. It can also help to inspire confidence as a photographer knowing that you are well equipped to capture the moment. Professionals and hobbyists alike can appreciate products that make their time on the trail…

When we think of Moab’s Easter Jeep Safari, we think of Jeeps—and tons of them. What people may not immediately imagine, however, are the unique Jeep concept vehicles that roll into the public’s view for the first time during the event. For over 80 years, Jeep has manufactured cool and capable 4x4 vehicles. This year was no exception. The off-road giant’s trek towards electrification was evident, with five of the 10 total concepts electrified. We look at four of our concept favorites. Jeep Wrangler Magneto 2.0 Concept After a smashing success with last year’s first full-EV concept debut, Jeep pushed the electrified envelope with an improved all-electric 4x4: Magneto 2.0. Jeep built Magneto 2.0 as an open laboratory to study the mannerisms of all-electric off-roading vehicles and as a gateway…

O1.WARN / SPYDURA NIGHT-LINE WINCH ROPE Spydura Nightline Synthetic Rope features 3M light-activated reflective strands for high visibility and is constructed with an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene material that provides tremendous tensile strength and abrasion resistance. This rope is made with a dual-color weave and is coated with a protective, high-temperature urethane and is available in 80’ or 100’ lengths of 3/8” diameter. Includes gusseted thimble, forged hook, and Nomex heat sleeve. For use with winches 12,000 lbs. in capacity and under. MSRP: Starts at $446 warn.com O2. SCOSCHE / POWERUP 32K PORTABLE POWER HUB For serious power needs on the go, we present Scosche’s PowerUp 32K. Thie portable power hub is equipped with a 32,000 mAh/115Wh Lithium- Ion battery with 110V AC output. Its independent USB/AC switch design makes…

“BECAUSE THE MARKET IS CURRENTLY PUSHING EVERYONE TO OWN FULL-SIZED TRUCKS WITH SLIDE INS OR FLATBED CAMPERS, DOES NOT MEAN THAT’S THE WAY FORWARD.” There’s no such thing as a perfect travel vehicle, though claiming that has quickly become a social media strategy to get those precious, precious clicks. Overlanding is a very personal type of lifestyle. No one truck or single setup can be considered perfect for a wide swath of people with very different outdoor lifestyles, cultures, interests, or ways of living. Not everyone wants to rock crawl for endless miles just to have to poop in a hole. Some prefer the calmer routes that let them experience the world around them. Everyone brings something different to the table, and everyone has different needs from their vehicles. Just…

Lucky 8 Off-Road continues to unlock the full potential of modern Land Rover vehicles for proper off-road and overland adventures. Its approach to vehicle modification is all about functional upgrades that work in harmony with the OEM vehicle systems and are nearly all reversible to OEM spec. That all sounds easy, but it is anything but to do correctly. Proud Rhino is Lucky 8’s in-house Land Rover parts brand. The latest build to get the Proud Rhino treatment is this 2022 Defender 90 V8 Carpathian Edition. Justin Monnin, Lucky 8 founder and lead troublemaker, says they “set out to make the Defender to dominate overland trails and class 4 roads, while still being able to play in the rocks at the off-road park before a speed run to Starbucks for…

IT’S BEEN YEARS AND MULTIPLE ITERATIONS IN THE MAKING. VINOSKI’S VEHICLE IS THE CATALYST FOR HER LIFESTYLE. Don’t judge a book by its colorful cover, otherwise you may mistake Alissa Vinoski as a pretty face who’s nothing like you’d think. She’s led an interesting life. She’s experienced more than most put together. In Vinoski’s words, her resume will give you whiplash. Her customized 2017 4Runner SR5 has been years, and multiple iterations, in the making. Vinoski’s vehicle is the catalyst for her lifestyle—both on the road and off it, too. Pivotal Moments Coming from a military family, Vinoski was always on the move. She was used to nomadic means, however, one constant was her grandparents’ house in South Carolina’s “low country.” Nana and Papa lived on a small island surrounded…

“STOPPING THAT ROLLING MASS…WAS NOT TO BE OVERLOOKED. A POWER BRAKE X-LINE 4X4 BIG BRAKE KIT WAS INSTALLED TO GREATLY IMPROVE STOPPING PERFORMANCE.” After three years of gentle nudges, Brian Fulton talked Douglas Delong out of his custom 1986 Land Cruiser 60 Series. Fulton, of course, then went all-in on modifying the truck further to dial it in for use on his many North American overland adventures. Fulton is the owner of Southern California-based Goose Gear, who make custom interior cabinetry for a wide range of vehicles. Delong is the owner of Well Sorted, a Land Cruiser restoration and modification specialist based out of Buena Vista, Colorado. Buying The Cruiser In 2018 at the Rocky Mountain Overland Rally, where the two had company booths and met for the first time,…

01 PERFORMANCE MOTOR. This e-bike is mighty powerful. Quick Haul P9 comes equipped with a Bosch Performance Sport, 300% Assist, 65 Nm Torque motor that boasts a max speed of 28 mph. Make way! BATTERY. Keep on going and then some. This e-bike is equipped with a Bosch PowerPack 400 that is rated for a range of between 31.7-62.1 miles on a full charge. TRANSMISSION. The bike runs on a transmission that includes quality components made by Shimano such as an Alivio, 1 x 9 speed, trigger shifter, Alivio Shadow rear derailleur and a 11-34T, 9-speed cassette. The crankset is a custom Tern unit that is made from forged 6061 aluminum. 02 FRAME FRAME & FORK. A frame that will last the test of time. The Tern Quick Haul P9…

The moment one looks over the edge and out to the horizon at the Grand Canyon is always an emotional one, whether it’s the first time or the tenth. However, looking over the edge and out to the distance from the North Rim away from all structures and people is both centering and life changing. Immediately one understands why the Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Convoy To Overland Expo West, The Fun Way When asked if I’d be interested in joining a small group of journalists on a trip through the North Rim Grand Canyon to Overland Expo West, I couldn’t say no. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon once before with my family, doing the tourist South Rim trip. While it included…

The road circles the base of a pine-crested mountain, undulating though stream beds and over crags of rock. From your windshield, the mountain’s peak appears rugged, breathtaking and inspiring; the cool air at the top must be crystal clear and pure. But to your dismay, the road begins to descend and twist back under the canopy of the forest and the views from the summit of the mountain become lost. What’s up there? What’s the view like? Your Jeep can’t traverse the narrow trail, so you’ll never know if you stay behind the wheel that you could have experienced the best views or the highest peak or the sweetest mountain spring on foot. Sometimes it’s best to leave the rig behind because hiking can be a cathartic, purifying, and liberating…

“AS DRIFTING BECAME A SIGHT IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR, THE GX BUILD BECAME MORE PROMINENT AND HIS FOCUS. WHAT HE THOUGHT WOULD BE A SIMPLE CAMPING BUILD EVENTUALLY CHANGED TO THE FULL-BLOWN OFF-ROAD BUILD YOU SEE TODAY.” Those who dabble in photography know that, at times, getting just the right shot can be a challenge. Similarly, when building a vehicle, getting just the right build can take some time and lots of tweaking. Such is the case with Chase Gardner and his 2009 Lexus GX470. Already a fan favorite on Instagram due to his epic shots of the white SUV in spectacular landscapes, Gardner still wasn’t completely satisfied with his build and needed to tweak it a bit more… or a lot more. The newest rendition of his GX build…

Having just completed the build of my house-on-wheels Australian Gladiator, it was time for a shakedown run to find any shortcomings and iron out any bugs. Ready for possible vehicle mishaps, I did not expect to encounter a man wanted for murder. While confident in the systems I designed and built into my new Jeep, there really is no better test than the real thing, and living out of the vehicle in the wilderness is the only way. Over the next 12 months I plan to tackle the Simpson Desert, Cape York, remote Western Australia and everything in between. Starting out by exploring Victoria also means I’m not far away from parts and tools, should the need arise. With my partner Katie, we fill the new water tank, spend a…