For a company that has not much of a heritage in the UK, it may surprise some to discover that SsangYong is now celebrating its 60th Anniversary. Established back in 1954, it is Korea’s oldest manufacturer and the only one making 4x4s and SUVs. The company is now majority owned by Indian manufacturing conglomerate Mahindra and Mahindra, and its history even back in the Fifties has always involved collaborations, including Mercedes-Benz, Daewoo and the Chinese SAIC company. The first model to come to the UK was the Musso.
If you want to confirm the company’s 4×4 heritage, take a look at this jeep (right). Looks familiar? It’s hard to understand how companies managed to produce vehicles that shamelessly looked like someone else’s vehicle. This is the Shinjin Jeep of 1974, and yes we think it looks like a Wrangler.
Well known for an extensive range of high quality overland adventure gear, Front Runner has a great range that is ideal for Challenge competitors. Front Runner has a recovery range that includes Sand Traxs right through to canvas recovery bags. The company also makes this exquisite titanium shackle, and it’s a work of art! Rated for 4.75ton it does the job as well. Now available in the UK from Front Runner dealers. To find your local dealer just email 
It is worth remembering when travelling abroad, there are different regulations in different countries and if you are crossing Europe this year for a holiday, it would pay to check up on the law. Ring actually produce a European Travel Kit, reasonably priced at £29.99 that should have you covered for most trips. Some of the products that you need are pretty obvious such as having a GB sticker for the vehicle, but do you know you need alcohol breathalysers when driving in France? The kit also includes a warning triangle, high vis jackets, universal bulb kit, beam convertors, GB sticker, first aid kit, foil blanket, twin pack of breathalyser tests, all in a compact carry bag. Available in many motor factor outlets or check the website.
Changing suspension bushes on older models of Range Rover can significantly improve the vehicle’s handling and ride quality. The problem can be that they are difficult to remove. These two new rear suspension bush tools are designed for the Range Rover L322 (2003-2012), the Range Rover Sport and Land Rover Discovery 3 and 4. The lower hub bush tool and the upper hub bush tool have been developed to allow you to remove and refit these rear suspension bushes with the minimum of dismantling required. Being able to perform the task on the vehicle saves considerable time over the more traditional use of a workshop press and the requirement that the hub be completely removed. Check out the website to find out more.
We have a detailed feature this month (October 2014) on Overland Cruisers, the company that specialises in converting Toyota Land Cruisers for overland trips and expeditions. It is fitting, therefore, that we can report on one trip that fully endorses the tough character of the model. Domenic Senger-Schenk drove a 1993 model for a 4600 mile trip from Afghanistan to the Goodwood Festival of Speed and in the process raised a significant £22,000 for Mission Motorsport, a group that helps the recovery and rehabilitation of those affected by military operations by offering a chance to get involved in the business of racing cars and bikes. Domenic was joined on the trip by ex-Royal Marine Chris Short, who actually completed the route on a motorbike; between them they traversed 17 countries and some of the most demanding desert landscapes in central Asia. The Toyota did the job as Domenic explained: “The only issue was a radiator problem that we easily fixed. Although I had never driven on roads anything like as rough as those in the Afghan and Kazakh deserts, and despite the fact the car was top-heavy with its load, the Toyota coped with it fine.” Looking for an inexpensive machine for a planned expedition? Worth considering the good ol’ Toyota Land Cruiser it would seem.
Bob Cooke – contributor
I watched with a certain amount of awe as Axel Seedig drove his Grand Cherokee up the narrow, steeply angled climb. It was more like a gulley than a track, with a couple of big humps and dips on the left which looked as if they’d not only get a car cross-axled, but would also tip it sideways into the steep gulley wall to the right if you weren’t very careful. Axel’s car, a well-modified off-roader (that has previously appeared in our Your 4×4 Life section), made it look easy, partly because the rear diff was locked up and partly because it didn’t look as if Axel cared one jot about smacking his truck sideways into the earth wall if it all went wrong.
The Ranger is going well. In fact, better than well, I love it. The Ranger has that rare quality these days of driving enjoyment. Most modern cars have the driver involvement engineered out of them like the taste is processed out of food. But the Ranger has that certain interest, that feel that appeals to the enthusiast in me. I can’t quite identify what it is exactly, so it must be the sum of a few parts. Certainly the steering has the right amount of feel, and it’s true the car isn’t as refined as many wagons, but that means you are more part of the car and less isolated above it all. Either way, I love driving my Ranger.
Hils Everitt – Editor at Large
This month our columnist has been ‘off-road’ in two-leg drive, traversing the Italian Dolomites, where she spotted some very interesting 4x4s – but very few of them being posh SUVs
