Welcome to the home of worldwide 4WD Travel and Adventure

4WD Traveller is by, for, and about those who seek 4WD travel, adventure, and overland exploration. Here you'll find off road adventure, 4x4 videos, 4WD and off-road vehicle reviews, overland travel articles, 4x4 news from around the world...and much more.

29.2.08

Overland 4WD Lounge

Add your Overland Travel site
If you're a 4WD traveller and have a website or blog to share, send us an email with a photo, a short summary of your adventure, and a link to your site and we'll publish it here.

Meet the newest members:

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Emiel and Saskia, a Vet and a Counselor, are leaving in October 2009 with Buca, a Landcruiser HZJ78. Lots of information on their trip preparations to Uganda in Africa from the Netherlands via Saudi Arabia, and through Iran, finally to Mongolia. All in one year. www.flipflopsonholiday.com

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Gwyn and the OverlandintheSun team will be driving from London to Cape Town raising money for Solar-Aid. In early 2009 the OverlandintheSun team will leave London in the the "Cum Truck" (?), a 1989 HJ60 Toyota Landcruiser. The trip will raise money for Solar-Aid, a charity that promotes business and the use of Solar energy in Africa.




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Added: August 14, 2008
luangwablondes
luangwablondes is a website about overlanding in Zambia. It has all the essential information for anyone to tour Zambia, onroad and offroad. Whether one ships their vehicle to Africa, buys it it Johannesburg or just rents a 4x4 for a few weeks.



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Added: May 12, 2008
Adventurouspirits.com
We (Tom and Janet) are Canadians who completed Cape to Cairo in 2006 driving taking 8 months to drive over 32,000km through 14 countries. We were badly bitten by the overlander bug and in 2007 we drove from Cape Town to Kinshasa DRC. This September 2008 we are heading back to Africa and are planning to drive south from Morocco to South Africa in our Land Cruiser.

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Added: Mar 11, 2008
ONS4
Well, it's me (Jean), Hannelie, Jean-Pierre (4) and Wilhelm (2) that decided we will take a year out. We are leaving end of March 2008 for Mozambique and will be in Europe for September, then it's down again via the western side. In all our travels around Southern Africa we always ran into Overlanders, the bug bit and it bit hard!
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Added: Mar 11, 2008
Absolute Overland
Welcome to "absoluteoverland.com" a website that will provide you with useful information to plan your overland trip. Based on our own experiences, the idea of this website was born on a lazy day somewhere in Kenya while waiting on our new shock absorbers.

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Added: Mar 5, 2008
Pacific Northwest Backroad Adventures
My name is Steve Bisig and I run the site Pacific Northwest Backroad Adventures. Though I'm not traveling the world as some of the other featured sites, my site concentrates on exploring the Pacific Northwest Northwest region of the United States, and we have many people throughout our region who participate in the forum.
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Added: Mar 5, 2008
Jolly Follies
We are Ollie and Jenny who are planning on travelling around the world in our Land Rover 200tdi 110 Dino. Or at least as far as Australia. The plan was set in motion early in 2006 and we will be leaving in April 2009. We want to be out of work for at least 3 years, and longer if we can, taking our time to leisurely see the world.
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Added: Mar 4, 2008
Gone Wandering
"Travelling is about making memories of the people and the places, travelling is about waking up not knowing where you will sleep, but mostly travelling as about facing the new and unexpected..."

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Added: Mar 3, 2008
The Roaming Yak
I'm a Kiwi who has been living in Europe recently. After overlanding through Asia in the late 90's, I arrived in the UK in classic style - penniless with a tatty pair of silk pants and two t-shirts to my name. I'm on the road again after an extended stay in London and have set this website up to record some of my travel experiences and to help highlight what I consider to be injustices in places I travel through.
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Added: Mar 3, 2008
Panmundo.com
"I'm driving around the world for a couple years,"
Swiss national Tobias Recihmuthhe told me when I met him in Victoria, BC. Not only that, but he's doing so in support of SOS Children's Villages, one of the most worthwhile charities out there. At last update Tobias was leaving Vladivostok for Siberia, and is now somewhere in between.

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Added: Mar 3, 2008
Land Cruising Adventure
At the end of September 2002 we were spending a day at the sauna, enjoying the Indian summer while sitting outdoors in the garden of the sauna complex. "If I go and travel through the world for two years, will you come with me?", Coen asked suddenly. I looked at him: "Yes, right away", I said and an enormous feeling of freedom overwhelmed me...

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Added: Mar 3, 2008
Africa Overland
In 2008 we plan to head across southern Europe to Turkey and then strike north through Russia to North Cape, the most northerly point of Europe. After that we may head east across Russia to Hong Kong via Mongolia, or head south through Norway to Spain and across to Morocco and the west coast of Africa. Who knows?

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28.2.08

4WD Forums on 4WDTraveller.com

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4WDTraveller.com launches free 4WD forums
4WDTraveller.com is pleased to announce our new 4WD Forums, a place where fans of 4WD travel, adventure, and exploration can discuss various 4x4 travel and adventure topics. We're just getting our forums off the ground so there's not much there yet, but we're working hard to create a vibrant, dynamic, and informative 4WD discussion forum. And with your help, we can!

Our free 4WD Forums are located here:

4WDTraveller.com Forums

Have a look around and let us know what you think. Together we can build a 4WD discussion community for 4WD travellers around the world!

Tell us what you think: add a comment and join the discussion!

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4x4 Videos: Toyota Landcruiser Gets Rolled

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I just came across this funny video from (I think) either Pakistan or India showing the wrong way to right an upturned Toyota Landcruiser. Odds are it started right up and drove back up the hill, but they really should have put it in gear, first.



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26.2.08

Aussie Locker Installation: Locked at Last

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Locked at Last
As you may know, I recently purchased an Aussie Locker and installed it in my official trail rig, a 60-series Toyota Landcruiser (HJ60). After looking into locker options, the decision to go with the Aussie Locker was an easy one: it's simple, inexpensive, tough, and effective. There may be no better way to improve the traction of your 4x4 than to install a differential locker, and after finding myself stuck and watching one wheel spin helplessly too many times, a locker is long overdue.

Why the Aussie Locker?
Unlike switch-actuated lockers (air, electric, or cable) auto-lockers such as the Aussie Locker are simple, compact, inexpensive, and easily installed. The Aussie Locke has only 6 parts (not including four small pins and springs) and surprisingly none of them are intimidating. Switch lockers, such as ARB's air-locker, can be engaged and disengaged at will but they also cost much more than auto lockers, contain many more parts, and usually require precision installation by a qualified technician. Installing an Aussie Locker is a weekend job for the average home mechanic--and the traction gains are identical.

Aussie Locker Installation
Installation in the rear differential of my Landcruiser HJ60 took about 6 hours, but much of that time was preparation and clean up. The actual locker install took about 3 hours, and installation instructions that come with the Aussie Locker are easy to follow and understand. Installation of the locker itself was straightforward, and this was my first time inside a differential. I did have a little difficulty getting the axles and spacers to slide far enough apart to allow the pinion back in, but a few love taps on the tires solved that easily.

The most important aspect of the Aussie Locker installation is the tolerances. Follow the instructions carefully and be sure to carefully measure (and record) tolerances with feeler gauges to ensure your differential is within spec. If not you might need to obtain thicker or thinner thrust washers, however mine were spot on--and from what I've read they usually are.

On the Road
With the Aussie locker installed and successfully "roll" tested with the wheels still in the air, I bolted the differential cover back on, refilled the gear oil, and headed out for an on-road test. The Aussie Locker instructions warn of possible clicks, clangs, and bangs during the 200kms run-in period, but aside from some quiet clicking when turning tight corners, the Aussie Locker was silent and unnoticeable on the tarmac, even at highway speeds

On the Trail
I was eager to put the Aussie Locker to the test, so I headed to the trail. Finding a steep, low traction hill, I kept the Landcruiser HJ60 in two-wheel drive and attempted to drive up. Normally, a hill like this would be unclimbable in 2WD—even with 33” BF Goodrich AT tires. But with the Aussie Locker, both rear wheels kept churning, clawing, and pushing the Landcruiser up and over the hill.

With 4WD engaged, the Landcruiser effortlessly crept up and over the same hill with the big diesel 6 barely above idle. The ability to reduce speed while improving traction and control is one of the main benefits of a locker, and I knew then and there an Aussie Locker is one of the best trail mods available today.

Summary
Installing an Aussie Locker is a fantastic and affordable way to vastly improve the traction, control, and capabilities of your 4x4. Installation is straightforward and eminently doable for the average home mechanic, and the results are well worth the time, effort, and minimal cost. While there are several auto-locker brands available, I went with the Aussie Locker because I read good things about it relating to durability and operation.

Neither Aussie Locker nor Offroadlockers.com provided 4WDTraveller.com with any discounts, freebies, or incentives whatsoever for this review. This is not an endorsement of one product over another, but it an objective and honest overview based on personal experience.

What you need
An Aussie Locker installation requires very few tools and supplies. Here's what I used:
  • shop rags, disposable latex gloves (10 pairs)
  • heavy duty jack and axle stands
  • sockets/spanners to remove differential cover, pinion
  • HD grease (wheel bearing, chassis, etc.)
  • rubber mallet, butt end of a large axe
  • prying implements (flat head screwdriver, cut and bent wire coat hanger)
  • torque wrench (optional if you have mechanic's touch)
  • feeler gauges
  • gear oil, oil drain pan
  • gasket scraper, new gasket
Where to get an Aussie Locker
Offroadlockers.com (http://www.offroadlockers.com/) is the exclusive distributor of the Aussie Locker in North America. Aussie Lockers can be ordered online through their website or by telephone. I ordered mine online and it arrived in about two weeks.

Related:
4x4 Videos by 4WDTraveller.com: Aussie Locker Evaluation

Aussie Locker installation: Success

Aussie Locker Installation and Review: Update

4x4 Traction: Aussie Locker Installation and Evaluation


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25.2.08

4x4 Videos by 4WDTraveller.com: Aussie Locker Evaluation

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On the trail with the Aussie Locker (Part I)
After installing an Aussie Locker in the rear differential of my Landcruiser HJ60, I got out on the trails for a quick test run. The full review is coming soon, but for now here's a short video showing the Aussie Locker equipped Landcruiser clawing its way up a rocky hill without four wheel drive (4WD) engaged.



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Aussie Locker installation: Success

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After a couple more hours of wrenching, my Aussie Locker is now successfully installed. I had a few free hours after completing the install yesterday, and got out on some local trails to put the Aussie Locker to the test.

In a word: Wow. What a difference a day (of wrenching) makes. Without spoiling the video to come, let's just say I was able to climb hills in 2WD that used to require 4WD. And when I locked my HJ60 into 4WD, I was able to crawl up low-traction hills almost effortlessly.

The full Aussie Locker write up is coming soon, but for now know this: if you're thinking of ordering and installing an Aussie Locker in your rig, don't wait. It's one of the best mods you can make, and you can do it yourself in a few hours. It will completely transform the off-road traction and capability of your 4x4.

More to come...

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24.2.08

Aussie Locker Installation and Review: Update

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It's a beautiful Sunday morning and I'm elbow deep in my rear differential trying to install a new Aussie Locker. So far, the three hour Aussie Locker install has taken me six hours and it's still not done.

But admittedly, I work slow. And overall, the Aussie Locker install has been painless, straightforward, and frighteningly smooth (I usually expect something to go wrong when it's been going good for too long).

But as usual, I'm stuck at the last step. Before testing the operation of Aussie Locker (with the diff still open and the vehicle still on jack stands) the final step is to install the pinion (the steel rod I'm holding in the photo with the feeler gages).

But although I measured the clearances on the Aussie Locker (as the installation instructions state) and they were all within tolerances (.016 between the pinion and spacers) when I finally put everything together, I was unable to get the pinion to fit between the spacers. At this point, both Aussie Locker spacers "overhang" where the pinion shaft slides in, and so far no amount of prying, pushing, pulling, and cursing has been able to make them move.

Since the original measurement was within spec, the Aussie Locker spacers should move out of the way and the pinion should slide right in. And I really hope they do. Because every hour I spend installing the Aussie Locker today is one less hour I get to spend on the trails testing it.

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21.2.08

4x4 Videos from 4WDTraveller.com

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Our latest featured 4x4 Video:



More original 4x4 videos from 4WDTraveller.com:


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Toyota Landcruiser Biodiesel Adventure

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Driving a biodiesel powered 4x4 Toyota Landcruiser around the world
When I lived in Japan a few years ago, I was surprised to discover that diesel powered cars, trucks, SUVs, and 4x4s were being phased out in many cities in the interest of cleaner air. When I asked why biodiesel wasn’t available instead, most people didn’t even know what it was.

So when I came across the Biodiesel Adventure website, I was surprised (and pleased) to see that a team from Japan is driving a biodiesel powered 4WD Toyota Landcruiser around the world to promote the use of biodiesel in Japan and elsewhere.

While there have been several successful ‘Round the World (RTW) biodiesel-powered expeditions, what sets this one apart is the miniature waste-oil processing plant installed in the back of the Landcruiser 4x4. The entire expedition is powered by donated waste oil which is refined into biodiesel by the onboard processor.

Although this RTW expedition isn’t 4WD or off-road oriented, this same team competed with a Landcruiser 4x4 in the 2007 Paris Dakar Rally, placing third in the commercial, unmodified biodiesel class.

(http://www.biodieseladventure.com/)

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20.2.08

4x4 Reviews: Toyota Landcruiser 60 series

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4WDTraveller.com has partnered with 4WD Reviews to create an all new 4WD review website based on real world experience with 4WD vehicles, not sales and marketing hyperbole. Stop by 4WD Reviews to check out the latest reviews.

19.2.08

4x4 Reviews: Isuzu Trooper / Bighorn

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4WDTraveller.com has partnered with 4WD Reviews to create an all new 4WD review website based on real world experience with 4WD vehicles, not sales and marketing hyperbole. Stop by 4WD Reviews and check out the latest reviews.

18.2.08

Real World 4x4 Reviews

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4WDTraveller.com has partnered with 4WD Reviews to create an all new 4WD review website based on real world experience with 4WD vehicles, not sales and marketing hyperbole. Stop by 4WD Reviews and check out the latest reviews.

4x4 Videos: Top Gear Across Africa

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If you've never seen Top Gear, a UK/BBC car show, you should. It's one of the best car, truck, 4x4, and SUV shows ever produced. I previously posted a link to their episode about trying to kill a Toyota pick-up truck, and not succeeding. Very cool stuff.

The latest link I received (thanks Kurt) shows the boys from Top Gear in Africa, each with 1500 pounds to spend on a car--not a 4x4/4WD or pickup truck of any kind--to drive across much of Africa in.

The motivation, it seems, is to remind all the rich smarmy blokes back in the UK that they don't need a brand new Land Rover Defender or Toyota Landcruiser to drive up their steep, damp driveways. Brilliant. Watch the clips, enjoy the witty bits, and laugh yourself off your seat in the glow of a car-parts bonfire.

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0iVY0IS6wo
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m35i4B7Lfl4&NR=1
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itzvtfBTxp0&NR=1
Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Ig6sh0JCQ&feature=related
Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhXsI6y6uc0&NR=1
Part 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPWox9xXlV8&feature=related

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15.2.08

4WD Features

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Featured 4x4 tech articles, how-to's, 4WD product reviews, commentaries, and 4WD travel articles from 4WDTraveller.com.

The Latest 4WD Traveller Feature(s):

Trail Test: 1999-2005 Suzuki Vitara 4x4 (Part 1)

Trail Test: 1999-2005 Suzuki Vitara 4x4 (Part 2)

Trail Test: 1999-2005 Suzuki Vitara 4x4 (Part 3)

Previous 4WD Traveller Features:

4X4 Essentials: Preparing your 4x4 Kit
Aussie Locker Installation: Locked at Last

Defeating frame rust
To JDM, or not to JDM
More on JDM Vehicles
It's not the gates, but why
Guide to Green(er) Four Wheeling
4x4 Vagabond: Wheeling the World
Thanksgiving (not for the gates)
Aussie Locker Evaluation
Part IV: Clean Diesel for your 4x4
Part III: Clean Diesel for your 4x4
Part II: Clean Diesel for your 4x4
Part I: Clean Diesel for your 4x4
4x4 Traction: Aussie Locker Installation and Evaluation
4x4 Travels: Cape Scott Park
4x4 Life: Why I Wheel

More to come...

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4WDTraveller.com goes Amazon crazy

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Here at the 4WDTraveller.com, we're always looking for deals and easier ways to get the truck, 4x4, and SUV stuff we need (and we always need more 4x4 stuff). So after weeks of searching and experimenting, we found one of the best ways to get what we need (and help you get what you need) is to offer various 4x4 products for sale though our site.

That's what "Shop the 4WDTraveller" is all about. Rather than place annoying banner ads all over our site, we figured: why not offer something our readers might actually want and need? So if you see a truck, 4x4, or SUV product that piques your interest, click on it and you'll be taken to Amazon.com where you can shop safely and securely.

You get what you need (cool truck, 4x4, and SUV products) and we get what we need (happy, satisfied readers who keep coming back for more!). Who could ask for anything more?

8.2.08

4x4 & 4WD Video Links

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4x4 & 4WD Video Links
Since we all love to sit back, click that mouse, and watch other people enjoy a little off-road 4x4 action when we can't, 4WDTraveller.com is pleased to present some of the cooler and more interesting 4WD video links from around the world, and around the web.

Here's the latest:


More 4x4 & 4WD video links:

Extreme water crossing toyota 4x4
Chevy vrs Ford 4x4
serious 4x4 action
Fiat Panda 4x4 vs Range Rover
4x4 Cheburator I
4x4-Jeep off road crash
Nissan 4x4 Naturally Capable ad
extreme 4x4 suzuki samurai
The History of Land Rover (1/5)
Land Rover Discovery - Snow Climb
BMW X5 vs Classic Land Rover
Roadfly.com - 2007 Land Rover Range Rover Off Road
Land Rover Expedition
RC TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 40 トヨタ ランドクルーザー 40
Toyota 4x4 Video Off-road Landcruiser Day Molo Borbera Italy
Toyota land Cruiser UZJ100 jump salto
Off road with the 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota Landcruiser HJ61 12HT Motor idling
FJ 45 Landbruiser mucking around Australia
Toyota FJ45 Landcruiser Rockcrawler at the hammers...
Driving a FJ-45
Fj45 vs Fzj78 - Venezuela Offroad and Adventure - Parte 1
Pauls Isuzu Bighorn In The Snow
Rolling Bighorn
isuzu bighorn drifting o
1994 ISUZU BIGHORN Ad
Pajero in 4x4
Mitsubishi Pajero 1993 commercial Japan
Lada Niva vs Mitsubishi Pajero
Nissan Pathfinder ad
Nissan Pathfinder Fun - Govols74n
Swimming Suzuki
Monster Jimny 4x4 at play
jimny
top-gear jimny
jimny JA11
Nissan Patrol hill climb
Drowning the Nissan Patrol GR
Nissan Patrol rollover!!
Nissan Patrol turbo Dubai
Nissan Patrol
Jeep roll over
Jeep Willys vs. telephone pole
Jeep Cherokee thrashing
Jeep - Heritage
Jeep Cherokee Off-Road Hill Climb Paragon
Crash testing a Jeep Cherokee
4X4 Limo Pulling out Jeep & Chevy Truck!!
Toyota Prado VX Impressions
Expedición Toyota Prado Santander 2007
Toyota Prado Slope Test
2006 Hummer H3 SUT Top 200
HUMMER H3 at Durango
Roadfly.com - 2008 Hummer H3 Off Road

More video links coming soon...

7.2.08

4x4 Imports: Canada's 15 year rule

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4x4 Imports: Canada's 15 year rule
Like many countries, Canada has a 15 year vehicle importation rule. Simply put, this means that almost any vehicle that is at least 15 years old and can be made to meet Canadian safety standards can be imported into Canada.

This rule has been in effect for a number of years now, and has given rise to a booming Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) import industry. What this means for fans of diesel powered 4x4's is that they're able to buy some of the top 4x4 rigs usually only seen in Japan, the UK, and Australia (think diesel-powered Landcruiser, Pajero, Terrano, Delica, Safari, Bighorn etc.).

While this might seem like a common sense rule--vehicles that are at least 15 years old don't really steal business away from domestic industries--there are some in Canada (specifically fans of the US-Canada Auto Pact, protectionists, domestic manufacturers, and insurance companies) who are trying to "harmonize" this rule with the US, which only allows vehicles that are at least 25 years old to be imported.

This rule change, if it happens, will effectively kill a bustling new market and affect the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of people working in this industry--shippers, importers, mechanics, salespeople, hobbiests, etc. It will also deprive people of freedom of choice, something no government should be in the business of doing.

To help in the fight, take a look at the Import Vehicle Owners Association of Canada, and if you have--or hope to someday own--an imported JDM 4x4, get involved now before it's too late.

6.2.08

Suzuki Equator pick up truck

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Seen at the Chicago Auto Show (and now all over the blogosphere): Suzuki's new Equator pick-up. But don't get too excited: it's really just a re-badged Nissan Frontier. But you have to admit it looks pretty sweet decked out in Suzuki Motorcycle yellow-and-blue.

What will power the beast and what will drive the wheels are still unknown, but don't expect to see anything too revolutionary (I doubt Suzuki would be brave enough to throw an Isuzu diesel in there) but since it's built for the U.S. market, expect something with bad-ass street performance and terrible fuel consumption (just a guess).

Still, it's nice to see Suzuki expand their off-road line up, even with a pick-up. And if it does well enough, maybe they'll bring the Jimny to these shores some day as well. On second thought, I doubt a fuel efficient and extremely capable 1.3 litre SUV would have much appeal in a land of the mammoth V8's.