Overland Adventures New Zealand

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    • Project Troopy Update

      Project Troopy Update

      Project Troopy delayed start this morning with the Boss testing out the bed! Bed, bed wall mounting, air compressor and hinge sidewall panel almost finished ✅Time to start on fridge/freezer, Toilet pivot mount and sink/cupboard assembly.

    • More Autumn Colours And Light

    • So What Is Canicross?

      Here you go, I’m lucky to have trained Mr Z 🐕‍🦺 to know his Left and Right months ago and now working on slowing and Mr Z Back (behind me) for steep technical downhills.It’s so much fun and my ankle injury is finally settling down after six months. 🐾❤️

    • Autumn Colours Three

      I’m so much enjoying manual focus photography again. I find it much more relaxing taking photos with manual focus because my Brain does not have to think about how to get the auto focus to focus on the part of the photo that I’m trying to photograph.

    • Autumn Colours Two

      Autumn in Taupo New Zealand

    • Autumn Colours

      A beautiful morning walk with the autumn colours starting to come.

    • Project Troopy Part One

      Is the first part of my Troopy build the Security Mesh/Molle Panels window covers to keep out the wild crazy possums and giant spiders we have in New Zealand Plus being able to sleep safely in the back with the windows wide open.

    • How To Save The Bicycle Industry?

      Very interesting video below Haven’t been a bicycle nut since the 1970s I feel. I’ve got good insight into how the bike industry has gone from what it was to what it is now in most parts of the world. So in 1970s with had a bicycle boom with BMX bikes. A number of brands…

    • Project Troopy Update

      What have I been doing to my Land Cruiser Troop Carrier this week?

    • My April Fools Day Joke

      First day of the return of Milk Bottles and Milk rounds in Taupo today.I’m lucky to still have one of the original Mail/Milk boxes.A lot of people in Taupo over the last few months have been upgrading to a new Mail/Milk box ready for today and the return of the Milk rounds in New Zealand

    • Canon R5 Upgrade

      So I have owned my Canon R5 camera for almost two years and have not used it much because I prefer a manual focusing Camera.Then a friend posted about his new camera and manual focus lenses. This made me sunny think that I should look at manual lenses and a new camera but somehow came…

    • Bristol Lodekka

      One of the best driving buses I’ve ever driven and I’ve got to drive many other sorts including some preproduction vehicles when driving for a different European tour company.Love the crash gearboxes that TD had in them, the hum of a Gardner engine flat out at 80 kph (on a good day)were far better than…

    • Keep New Zealand Clean

      Please be a responsible Kiwi when away from home Most people don’t know how to look after our environment in New Zealand. It was extremely short video explaining how to be responsible away from home.

    • Aussie Road Train/Overland

      The first Australia Road Train (truck) history.

    • To Fail Is Part Of Life

      Is life not about taking an adventure and the possibility of failure? I have lived my life with a passion and a calculated risk of failure but if there’s no risk of failure is there a point in doing it in the first place?A number of people have told me I do high risk activities?White…

    • Bush Trail Run

      Weekends short Bush trail run only 50 kilometres from my home.

    • Video Of My Design Plans For My Troopy

      So here is a short video about a different way of building an Overland/Camper Troopy. More videos to come as the build comes along and hopefully I learn to edit the videos better become more confident in front of a camera. My profession is being a motorcycle engineer and had years of experience helping with…

    • Life ❤️

      Well I have done this all numerous times over the years.So I can’t complain about my Brain Injury!That’s life

    • The Start Of My Life Of Adventure

      Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s we had true adventures.I travelled with Top deck Travel in 1987 as a passenger.It made such an impression on me that I applied to be a tour manager for the 1988 season which I was unsuccessful.But they asked so many questions about my life racing sportscars and motocross (tail…

    • Update: On XPLR & The Future Plans

      So I have been working on the new XPLR (explore) vehicle and photos are coming in a future post. So I have been and only have to finish off an adapter plate to make a rear door table from a different vehicle fit my Land Cruiser. I have fitted a dash mount to my dash…

    • New “XPLR” Here

      Hi so my new Explore (adventure) vehicle is in my hands and I have already clocked up over 200 kilometres in the first two days of ownership. I also have already had a nap in the back. She’s gonna work out perfectly for the two of us. Adventures are coming.

    • Ready To Explore

      Well Mr Z (my dog) and I are ready to Explore the back roads of New Zealand. At long last I have a vehicle that I feel at home in. I have missed windup windows, and the simple things in life.

    • Update On The Ultra Micro Overlander & More

      So a few weeks ago I sold my Suzuki Jimny back to my local Suzuki Dealership after finishing her off. Why? Well when I started the project it was for just myself and I had not planned to share my life with someone else. I also had no need for a refrigerator (years of experience…

    • Learning Things From YouTube

      It’s amazing what you can learn watching YouTube! Well despite my Brain Injury I can still learn new things but it takes me much longer to do a simple job. This is taking me all day today, and I’m exhausted mentally. Fitting the two locking plates to the front section of my bed base of…

    • Ultra Micro Overlander Update

      Well my sleeping/storage system is complete aside from some finishing touches/paint. No drawers because of the size and to keep the weight down. Front section of the bed is removed in only a minute and stored behind the front seats and this in closes the rear storage space (so it’s got a dual roll). Drivers…

    • Living With A Brain Injury

      This is and has been my life for the last 6+ years and my future is looking forwards.

    • What Is A TBI?

      What is a TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury? This may help you understand what one is and remember most people can recover from one. But unfortunately, some of us will never fully recover from a Brain Injury again.

    • New Alu-Cab Jimny Build Options Coming

      Alu-Cab are coming out with some new accessories for ourselves who enjoy the outdoors I’m looking forward to seeing more details

    • Live Life Now And Not Later

      Take the opportunity when you can, And live life to the max before it’s too late! I’m so glad to have travelled overseas extensively years ago, not of waited until I was older in life to do so. There’s nothing stopping you sell things and just do it. It’s called having an adventure.

    • Life Without Spare Wheels

      Live life to the fullest possible! So why not try reducing your wheels on your vehicles?

    • My Old Titanium Geared Mountain Unicycle

      Myself 2011, with old custom made 26” Titanium Geared Mountain Unicycle. Sold in late 2011 too help fund my 2012 Africa Misadventure. I would love to be able to go out again and enjoy a good 20+ kilometre Uni ride, but I’ll be happy to manage 10 minutes of riding before having to take a…

    • Freedom

      The freedom of riding on just one tyre is hard to give up and a load easier than it may look. I had to stop riding my mountain unicycle after my 2017 bicycle accident because it was too much of a brain overload and extremely frustrating. But now after 6 years and a load of…

    • Drive In The Green Zone Is More Efficient & Better

      As a former Motorcycle Engineer and Mechanic it was very surprising, how many customers motorcycles needed to have the Italian tune. In fact, once I had a visit from the local police officer about a motorcycle going along the bypass putting out so much smoke that no one could see where they were going? Bobby…

    • Leaning Tree

      Mid winter’s day ride over 2 years on my Retro build up Ritchey Ascent, with Nitto Bullmoose handlebars, NOS 1990’s Ritchey Brake Levers, Brooks C15 Cambium saddle, Kent Erickson Titanium seatpost, Paul Components Thumbies Shifter mount’s and Shimano 9 speed Barend shifters. Build the retro way with Shimano XT 3×9 mixed set-up.Wheels are DT Swiss…

    • My Zippy’s dream day out 🐕‍🦺 ❤️ 🏃‍♂️

    • Overlanding With Your Dog

      Here is a video that I have come across with a number of different ideas that have me thinking about my Dogs things and setup.

    • JUE Story

      This very first Land Rover Number One was known as JUE and this is the finding and it’s restoring to keep its original history. An awesome story behind the very first true four-wheel-drive outside of the army built jeeps one designed for everyone to use every day. The doors are opened.. I must watch. Note:…

    • Wide vs Narrow – Four Wheel Drive Tyres

      Maybe it’s my background in engineering or it maybe my love of the first Suzuki Jimny back in the early 1970’s ? I have always wanted and asked for tall narrow 4×4 tyres, if I had the money I would import a full set of 195R16 and/or 185/85R16 tyres and new light weight offroad 16”…

    • Suzuki Jimny CarPlay USB Data Socket Reposition

      Well I have found that having the CarPlay USB port in the centre of the lower dashboard and having my Co-Driver (Zippy my Dog) in the passenger seat the USB cable was not in a safe place and no where for my phone! So I cut the two cable ties holding the USB to info…

    • Fact Or Fiction

    • Project Ultra Micro Overlander July Update

      My Ultra Micro Overland project is at long long last taking shape.This is my first test off my storage/sleeping system. The front section that covers the front passenger seat is very easily removed in under 40 seconds. The rear opening lid is to access soft bag storage. This design is lightweight, make maximum use of…

    • Are EV’s Bad For Our Environment

      Extremely thoughtful provoking video. Well worth a good watch, looking forward to hydrogen coming.

    • Live Life To The Fullest When You Can

      In July 2017 (before my Brain Injury) I used to go out and enjoying Mountain Unicycling. On this day I was riding part of the Great Lakes Mountain Bike Trail. I do miss being able to ride and enjoy the simplest form of cycling ⛰️

    • Suzuki Jimny – Driving Setup

      This is the best video explaining how to set up your Jimny for sand driving. I have noticed most people get confused between traction control and electronic stability control (ESC). This helps explain it.

    • A Sunny Day Out In Middle Of Winter

      A day out in XPLR and a short walk/jog with Zippy along part of the Great Lakes Trail on a beautiful sunny afternoon today over looking Lake Taupo.

    • The Day’s Of Music In Motorsport

      The incredible engines, made some of the best music ever heard in the world. Sadly not ever coming back but can still be heard and recordings and some very cool engine components are in this video.

    • Tumbleweed Persuader Handlebars

      12 months ago arrived from the USA one of the upgrades planned for my Jones LWB Spaceframe 29+ upgrade project! Yes I’m going to be running a pair of Tumbleweed Persuader handlebars. I sold off my Titanium Jones Loop H-Bar handlebars because of my discomfort riding with them. I’m looking forward to hopefully being able…

    • The Pie’s 🥧 Of New Zealand

      One of the best things about Touring in New Zealand is the World’s best Pie’s and the Hunt for them

    • Re-Purposing MTB Lights For Dog Walking

      So for the last few months I have been looking at replacing my broken head torch, as it’s dark out walking with my Dog in the early morning and evening. Was not happy with the low power red light options with any Headlamp available. A few weeks ago I remembered I had a Mountain Biking…

    • A Shocking Experience

      This week’s adventure with Zippy was a short 4+ kilometre walk. It also was his first time to see Sheep in paddock’s Here Zippy’s sitting/standing watching the Sheep eating away at the grass Unfortunately Zippy also touched a live electric fence! despite explaining to him, not to touch it! He jumped about two metres, cried…

    • Great Business Ideas

      Does not have to be a Bar, any business could do. This in the app was more customers per parking spot by allowing Cycles to park safely outside your own business. Come on give it ago

    • Exhaust Design & Performance

      With my background as an ex motorcycle engineer and now having a brain injury it’s extremely hard for myself to explain how a more open and noisy exhaust does not equal more power. Now I’m not sponsored or use any Magnaflow exhaust systems! But I believe this video explains a lot of the engineering and…

    • Do You Need Every Option Before Driving Offroad

      Having owned 3 Jimny’s before my JB74 I have learned that lifting is not necessary and that a good tall set of tyres are all that’s required for moderate to serious offroad adventures in NZ. The past Jimny’s needed a bigger fuel tank, but with the much better range of the JB74 in NZ we…

    • The Perfect Bicycle Stand

      Are you still looking for the perfect bicycle stand?The best one is just around the corner!

    • Project Ultra Micro Overlander Update UHF CB Radio Install

      Today was all about mounting my new GME XRS-370C Compact UHF CB Radio unit to the underside of infotainment/radio unit in my Suzuki Jimny. Yes it does fit into the standard dashboard! I have added the mounting bracket and how I fitted the XRS-370 bracket to the mounting bracket (without the faceplate of course) and…

    • Overlanding Morocco

      I loved my time in Morocco and North Africa back in 1993. It’s the one place that I have always wanted to return too. This video is inspiring 👍

    • Saving The Mechanical Bicycle Business

      One of the oldest bicycle companies in the USA and still going strong.Extremely interesting story of their company and Soma bikes and a lot more.

    • Snorkel Fitted – One Upgrade To Come

      At long last I finished fitting an Ironman Snorkel to my Jimny named “Explore“

    • True NZ Adventure Video

      Are you looking for some inspiration and/or ideas of places to go and see in the South Island ? Here is a awesome and raw video about two guys having fun and adventure. I’m planning to drive my Jimny in the next year along some of the same routes (if you’re in the USA it’s…

    • Ultra Micro Overlander Progress

      Busy few days (with a number of naps to rest up my brain)So the hay basic basic frame structure is complete.(Have to add mounting taps etc) Fit into my Jimny, a perfect fit. Fit my hinged top (half of bed base) and open up the top to allow the storage of soft bags. Run into…

    • Ultra Micro Overlander – Update

      So just over 12 months ago I started prototype one of my light weight sleeping/storage system for my Gen4 (2022) Suzuki Jimny.Now why not a drawer system? Too heavy! Why not just run with the plywood base instead of a light weight thin wall steel box tubing? The steel tubing design is lighter! Yes that’s…

    • You Would Not Believe It – History

      When I worked in Wellsford (Northland) in the local Honda motorcycle shop the Honda Car dealership across the road could not believe that he just sold a brand new Honda City to a local customer who had a Honda City that was two years old and the Vin number (chassis number/production number) off the new…

    • Five Reasons Why You Should Ride A Hardtail Mountain Bike

      So right! Mountain biking becomes so much more fun riding with less. Why have rear suspension? I switched to running a suspension forks in 1990 for hand comfort, substantial increase in speed and control. But my first full suspension mountain bike in 2013 just added service costs and I loss the feel of the ride…

    • My Suzuki Jimny Affair Started With A LJ10

      My love affair started in 1972/3 with a LJ10 as a youngster in the local engineering supplies that were selling Suzuki four-wheel-drive’s and motorcycles at the time in Wellsford. In the 1980 as a Motorcycle apprentice going to Petone for six week block courses I member being impressed for the three cylinder two-stroke LJ50 engines…