Indholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2008 i Overland Journal

Our best letter yet Don’t want to take up your time, just credit where it’s due. Your magazine and everything you guys write about and recommend is fantastic. My friend who claims to dislike 4WDs and camping for some reason can’t put your magazine down every time she gets near my coffee table. After reading the latest issue, she wants to get a Hi-Lift jack for her Audi. I tried to tell her that she doesn’t have workable jack points on her A4, but I’m afraid she’s too far gone. Renew my subscription forever. You guys are even making me consider $275 shoes for the first time in my life. What economic crisis? David Rapkin 1998 Grand Cherokee 2005 Nissan Xterra Broken springs and things Prompted by your fine article…

If I were asked to name the single best feature of the KTM 950 Adventure, it would be adaptability. From dragging a knee on a road course with slicks to mounting a set of DOT knobbies and tackling single-track, the big twin from KTM is most certainly flexible. All that is typically required to transition from one mode to the next is a few bolt-on components, and a different set of tires. Now that I have tested the KTM on the Trans-America Trail (TAT), with great success, I’ve turned my attention toward longer adventure touring, which requires extended riding on tarmac to reach our desired exploration destinations—Baja Sur for example. This shift in riding focus requires a few minor compromises in technical dirt performance to gain economy and cruising comfort…

It’s that sinking feeling you know the one. You’ve rolled up the camp and packed everything into the vehicle; you jump into the driver’s seat, turn the key and . . . click. Overland travelers are equipping their vehicles with more and more aftermarket products that rely on electrical power—everything from two-meter radios to GPS units, fridges to laptops, winches to driving lights. The power required by these devices can be substantial, and adds to that needed by the factory equipment: computerized engine management, OEM stereo systems, OEM lighting, perhaps power locks and windows—and one of the most important: the starter. You are ultimately putting a lot of trust in electrical components that operate in unison to keep you moving when you want to move, and comfortable when you’re parked.…

Headlamps are great for certain tasks. There, I said it. When you need both hands free, and light right in front of you, they do the job. But it’s a slippery slope. Get used to having one implement on your head, and the next thing you know you’re out in public with a Borg cell phone headset stuck in your ear, talking loudly about your lab results. While there are some excellent headlamps on the market, even the best of them make awkward flashlights. They lag behind in brightness too, for the simple fact that they have to be small and light enough to be carried on your head. You’ll have a difficult time convincing me that a light source can be too bright. So while a headlamp or two…

“Wouldn’t it be hilarious if we got a speeding ticket in an FJ60?” I joked to Jonathan as the new turbodiesel effortlessly pulled 75 mph in fifth, passing a Lexus RX330 and two 18-wheelers on a steep grade near Riverside. “We would have been in third praying for 45 with the old 2F!” Little did I know how prescient this statement would be. But that’s another story (see page 10). Meanwhile, the conservation 60 finally made it home from getting its makeover at TLC in Los Angeles (see Spring 2008 and Fall 2008, Overland Journal), and the verdict is indisputable: amazing. With the confidence bestowed by a modern new International NGD 3.0E turbodiesel, 5-speed Toyota H55F transmission (also new), Old Man Emu suspension, ARB lockers, dual batteries, and heavy-duty front…

The names may sound humorous: Montezuma’s revenge, the Aztec two-step, Delhi belly, Turista, the Hong Kong dog. But no matter what you call it, traveler’s diarrhea can be a pretty miserable experience. Virtually everyone has experienced an acute infection of the gastrointestinal tract, commonly (and incorrectly) called “stomach flu.” At home, the organism is usually viral, self-limited to a few days, treatment is straightforward, and medical care is nearby if needed. But the organism you may get while traveling abroad may be significantly more virulent, negatively impacting your travel plans and enjoyment. Not to mention, it’s a pain in the butt . . . literally. So, what’s the poop about traveler’s diarrhea? The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that up to half of the 20 million travelers visiting developing…

We were heading east on I-10 from California , not far into Arizona, after those long up and down grades over the Dome Rock and Plomosa Mountains. Going the other direction, five months previously, they had slowed the FJ60 and its tired 2F engine down to 45 mph and third gear. This time, with a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel installed by TLC under the hood, it was 65 and fifth, effortlessly—in fact, a push on the pedal going uphill produced quantifiable acceleration. Add to this the fact that the fuel gauge on the 40-gallon tank had barely budged from the full mark since we topped up in L.A. We would continue to Prescott, do a few trail runs, and drive home to our place 40 miles southwest of Tucson—600 and some…

Toby Savage Toby Savage is, by profession, an advertising photographer based in Leicester, England, but most winters he escapes the confines of his studio to accompany an international group of scientists working in the Libyan Desert. A lifelong Land Rover enthusiast and keen overlander, Toby has combined his skills to offer logistical support and photography to archaeologists, geologists, and geographers seeking to unravel the mysteries of how mankind migrated across the Sahara Desert to populate the world over the last million years. Toby’s much-modified Series 2A Carawagon has made nine Sahara trips and is renowned amongst academics for its on board espresso making facilities. Toby is a regular contributor to Land Rover World and co-presenter of Desert Driving, an instructional film shot in Algeria with Chris Scott. Lorraine Chittock Within…

Electrical loads are measured by amp-hours (AH). One amp-hour equals a load of one amp for a period of one hour. Batteries are commonly specified based on a 20-hour rate, whereby they are discharged down to 10.5 volts over a 20-hour period, and the resulting amp-hours supplied are measured. However, that’s unrealistic for our calculations, because typical batteries should not be discharged lower than 50 percent of their capacity, or they will suffer premature wear. In a 12-volt system, 12.7 volts is considered a 100 percent state of charge, while 12.06 volts is considered 50 percent. (To calculate amps, divide watts by volts; e.g., a 60-watt, 12-volt light draws 5 amps. Multiply that figure by time used to get amp-hours) Here is a sample calculation of a typical vehicle’s electrical…

Pierre Michaud Pierre Michaud is a system specialist and project manager at a CANDU6 nuclear power station in New Brunswick, Canada (at least, until recently—we hear a move to Australia is in the immediate offing). So he’s used to dealing with electrical currents of slightly higher amperage levels than those discussed in this review. With a job like that, we imagine relaxation time is vital for his blood pressure. Until very recently, Pierre relaxed with the help of his 1999 Toyota Tacoma, which took him fishing, hunting, mountain biking, and hiking. But apparently he’s now on the hunt for a new Toyota somewhere in Oz. Dan Streight From an early age, a desire to explore the outdoor world was instilled in Dan and his siblings by their parents. Whether fishing,…

Brunton Vapor AF – All-Fuel Expedition Stove $227 What makes a great idea a world-class product? At least for the over-lander, it is most certainly reliability. The Toyota Land Cruiser is the choice of many expeditions for one primary reason: ultimate reliability and durability. Our long-term field tests are designed to prove or disprove the reliability and durability of a product that impressed us initially. The Brunton Vapor began its life with us as an Editor’s Choice winner (Winter 2007) by not only looking great on a specification sheet, but also performing well in all our tests. We were more than a bit enamored by its “all-fuel” capability, which promised world-wide versatility. During our long-term test, the Vapor proved very durable, since Brunton spared no expense on the fuel lines,…

“ . . . the roughest country you or anybody else ever seen; it’s nothing in the world but rocks and holes, hills and hollows. The mountains are just one solid rock as smooth as an apple.” The words of Elizabeth Morris Decker came to me deep in the Utah desert, where the road came to a steep slickrock climb. Elizabeth had been on the original Mormon San Juan Mission in 1879, and could well have written those words to her parents right where I was engaging the clutch in my Land Rover. The 300Tdi chugged confidently as we hit the bottom of the slope in low range first, the slickrock towering before us at a frightening angle. It was a confidence that I did not share. The slope stretched…

Expedition for Malian children While most expeditions focus on benefits to the participants, some focus on bringing benefits to people or wildlife. The British expedition company Saharan Exploration Ltd. is leading a Mali expedition in 2009 to raise £10,000 for education in the village of Mopti. Teaming with the world’s largest orphan charity, SOS Children’s Villages, Saharan Exploration’s Laura and Hugh Martin are offering a limited number of spaces on the expedition for people with expedition-ready 4WDs; participants will contribute their fees to the charity fund. The Martins are also seeking corporate sponsorships. “Nearly one-third of Mali is part of the Sahara Desert,” said Laura. “It is one of the least-developed countries in the world. Sixty percent of the population is illiterate, and life expectancy is low—52 years.” SOS and…

“In sweet water there is a pleasure ungrudged by anyone.”Ovid, 13 A.D. It was at a camp between Kayes and Bamako, in Mali (on a road with the worst corrugations I have ever experienced), that I finally admitted how badly I’d designed the water system on our Defender. Connie and I—hot, dusty, and sweaty after a long drive—were counting the strokes it took to produce five gallons of potable water with a Pur backpacking filter. By 15 strokes my arm was tired, by 50 hers ached, and by 200 I admitted that this was not the way to do things. We had all the components of what should have been a perfectly adequate water system: a simple gravity feed from a seven-gallon stainless steel tank behind the rear quarter panel…

James Beard wrote: “Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts.” Hard to argue with that. Unfortunately, baking bread is often seen as too complex, messy, and difficult even at home, let alone at camp. Indeed, at home I used to make bread every few days, and I labored over a carefully tended sourdough starter, and religiously kneaded and coddled and coaxed the dough into crusty loaves. So I was shocked to find out that “batter” bread recipes, particularly this one that was perfected by New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman (“The Minimalist”), are actually tastier than my nurtured artisan bread. And so easy you’ll wonder why anyone does it the long way. Try a batch or…

All those hundreds of movies you’ve seen where a hurricane lantern tips over and starts a fire? Can’t happen. I tried it with mine. Outdoors. We’ve all seen them, usually in mass quantities at discount camping supply stores. Hurricane lanterns—glass-globed tin kerosene lanterns, usually red. Probably more often used as never-lit home decorating accents in these days of propane and fluorescent camp lighting. If you pay more than 10 or 15 bucks for one made west of the International Date Line you’ve been cheated. It’s a sad fate for what was once the most advanced portable lighting device on earth—probably more advanced than you realize. Archaeologists estimate that crude lamps were in use over 30,000 years ago. A naturally hollowed rock, filled with moss soaked in animal fat and ignited,…

Overland Journal’s first SEMA Overland Journal was sponsored by Baja Rack and Extreme Outback Products at this year’s SEMA, including access to a 10-foot by10-foot booth display, and two feature vehicles. Thanks so much to all of our readers (and new subscribers) who stopped by to say hello. Look for an even larger presence at next year’s show. New ARB Fridge Freezer line ARB Australia has developed an all-new line of Fridge/Freezers for the overland traveler. The redesign incorporates several features not available on their previous models, such as a locking and retained lid, recessed handles, plug clips, baskets, a drain plug, and a durable case constructed from powder-coated steel and high-impact plastic. The fridge is cooled by a Danfoss compressor, and should yield impressive performance. Look for a complete…

If you install an inverter to run typical 120V appliances and accessories, choose one that will waste as little power as possible. This includes selecting a size appropriate for your intended use. You don’t need a 2,000-watt inverter to run a 100-watt laptop. Inverters waste power in the conversion process, in addition to requiring power just to operate. Large inverters can be very inefficient at inverting small loads. Many list a peak efficiency of 90 percent, which means 10 percent of the power used is wasted, and that’s a best-case scenario. Run a small load through a 2,000 watt inverter and the efficiency could drop precipitously, wasting much of the power consumed from your battery. That means a loss of precious amp-hours, and less time that can remain stationary without…

Due to the remote location of the trail, supplies need to be well-considered beforehand. We planned for three full days on the trail, so all water, fuel, and food had to be accounted for. Hall’s Crossing has a fuel station, and that is the last stop before the trail, and the first stop after. Neal’s Jeep had the most limited range, so I had a jerry can of fuel on board for him. Josh also had a jerry can, just in case. We all had extra water and food, and were prepared for a relaxing and slow-paced expedition. Turning off the highway to access the trail can be somewhat confusing. Easiest is to take the track directly to the west of the small Hall’s Crossing airfield. There is another track…

bolic springs, power steering, and front and rear winches. The team finished second in 2004, 2005, and 2006 (when only three vehicles finished at all); in 2007 they were DNF after a 12-foot nose-dive into a riverbed; in 2008 they placed third. “Surprisingly, a Land Rover has never won,” said Patrick Avery, now a doctor completing his residency in England. “We aim to be the first!” In 2009 they hope to meet or break their best fundraising to date, $50,000. To make a pledge and find out more about the Rhino Charge and the Averys, see firstgiving.com/car38-2009; the Overland Journal blog also has photos and a story about the event at overlandjournal.com/blog. No braking for rhino conservation: Kenya’s grueling 4WD Rhino Charge, famous for raising over $1 million annually for…

“It’s true,” said Rod. Then, “At least, it could be.” It’s been said that the first car ever seen by half the people in the developing world was a Land Rover. The line has been repeated for decades, so when it was coined there’s a darn good chance it was true. Sadly, I doubt it’s the case any more (I’d put my money on a Toyota pickup with a bed-mounted .50-caliber machine gun). But there’s no denying the huge impact Series I and II Land Rovers have had on world exploration, and on the cultures for whom an 88 or 109 was their introduction to motorized transport. In some places, depending on which legends you believe, the Land Rover had more impact than in others. I first heard about what…