January 2014 | Volume 7 | Issue 1
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- By Jonathan Harris
In 2010 my wife Tiffany and I were excited, surprised and terrified to find that we would be welcoming a child into the world. Eight weeks after the initial shock, we were informed that not one, but two girls were on their way. Of course my mind went to all of the things that we had grown to love as a couple and what we wanted to continue to enjoy with a family. Many of the activities that we enjoyed: camping, hiking, biking, skiing etc., revolved around a four wheel drive vehicle. In fact, I had been driving 4x4s since high school, primarily as a means of access to remote areas but also for the fun and challenge of the drive. I set out to find a vehicle that provided a blend of off-road performance while transporting four people and a dog in comfort. Jeep, Land Rover and Toyota immediately came to mind.
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- By Wes Craiglow
Our Toyotas are more than a simple mode of transportation. They are an extension of ourselves, both in personality and functionality. Besides the obvious reason of dashing good looks, we choose a particular make and model based on how we expect it to perform in the myriad conditions we’re likely to encounter during ownership. And when factory offerings are not generous enough, we’ll spend thousands in hard-earned dollars on aftermarket accessories to ensure that our vehicle is as close to ideal as possible. This principle rings true whether hanging some seatback DVD players in the Swagger Wagon or plumbing nitrous into a Supra for track days.
It’s certainly true for we adventurous, backcountry travelers, who depend on our Yotas to not only get us out there, but more importantly, to get us back. So considering the levels of investment and expectation we place on our overlanding vehicles, it’s imperative to our wallets, our well-being, and our pleasure that we choose wisely.
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- By Phillip Jones
After climbing into the 2014 Trail Edition 4Runner and sliding onto the seat, it takes a minute to soak in the rather lavish interior. Starting the engine brings the colorful gauges and a mid-console screen to life. Gripping the steering wheel is a treat. A glance across the dash and console assemblies and one quickly realizes that Toyota has upped the ante with interior treatment. Toyota has brought elegance to off-roading in ways that were previously experienced only in the upscale Lexus models.