Offroad News

I’ve always been drawn to natural flora and fauna so it was an easy yes to admiring nature at Lankester Botanical Gardens on our Orosi Loop. The Jardin Botanico Lankester was founded in the 1940s when the British naturalist Charles Lankester expressed interest in the cultivation of epiphytic plants in Costa Rica. Although an amateur botanist, Charles dedicated his life to a private garden on his estate. The gardens flourished under his care and study and after his death,

For the second time in just as many years I did not teach a single class at Overland Expo East (go ahead and gasp). Last year didn’t leave me with much choice. For those that don’t know, on the first weekend of 2023 I was hit by a car leaving me on the sidelines for […]View the full article

Ah, the pickup truck. Is there anything more American? It is the most versatile of vehicles - ready for work or play at a moment’s notice. Jeep’s current pickup offering - the Gladiator - is one of the most popular trucks on the market (they can barely make enough of them), and for good reason. With powerful V6 and diesel engine options, excellent off-road chops, and all the utility that comes with having a pickup bed, the Gladiator ticks a lot of the right boxes. It’s also a great platform for

When planning our trip to Costa Rica, I knew one highlight for me would be a couple of days touring the Orosi Valley. This lush valley set only two hours from the capital features a small town surrounded by adventure. As we crested the hills towards this tranquil town lovingly positioned in a scenic valley I knew I was in love. The lush hillsides were ablaze with the orange-red flowers of the Coral Trees that grow randomly where coffee is grown. The town of Orosi is easily walkable w

When planning our trip to Costa Rica, I knew one highlight for me would be a couple of days touring the Orosi Valley. This lush valley set only two hours from the capital features a small town surrounded by adventure. As we crested the hills towards this tranquil town lovingly positioned in a scenic valley I knew I was in love. The lush hillsides were ablaze with the orange-red flowers of the Coral Trees that grow randomly where coffee is grown. The town of Orosi is easily walkable w

As summer fades and fall rolls in, the outdoor experience takes on a whole new vibe. The warm breezes are replaced by crisp air, the long...View the full article

After recently attending a local off-road park, I concluded that not one vehicle I saw was void of some type of modification. Modifying Jeeps and Trucks is almost a necessity for outdoor adventure seekers, but not all mods are the same. I saw everything from massive builds, rendering the vehicle unrecognizable to its original design, to simple modifications that were designed to represent the owner’s personality and style. I also saw the impact of modifying with inferior parts. In my opinion

Tailgaters just got hotter! Introducing our Tailgate Table for your JK Wrangler! Bust out the patties, buns, and drinks with this must-have adventure companion.  This 1/8in steel plate unfolds into a sturdy kitchen and storage table.   Covered in a durable black powder coat, the table features a set of cup holders, partnered with a much need bottle opener to keep the party rollin’.   Show off your rugged lifestyle and show everybody your tailgating parties are the best, or that fishing wi

284 volunteers doing 1,136 hours of work, collected a total of 19,820 pounds of trash during the the West Virginia Tread Lightly! Day for 2024. Needless to say this year surpassed all expectations. Absolutely blown away by the volume of trash and tires that was pulled out of the woods. The night before the cleanup […]View the full article

“What we do in life…echoes in eternity.” ​ – Maximus Decimus Meridius (Gladiator) I couldn’t agree more with the General. Isn’t that why we choose to drive a Jeep? And when it comes to wanting the very best for (and out of) your Jeep, many owners ​love​ to add accessories. Some to make them withstand the elements, some to simply make them more user-friendly for their specific needs, and many…just to armour them up to last. This is when ​Fishbone Offroad​ can serve as an excellent resource to

When the fall air rolls in and the leaves just start to fall it’s time for me to get excited. I get excited for a few reasons. First, let’s be honest, I am not built for summer. Second, fall is east coast event season. Adventure X Fest in West Virginia is the first event of […]View the full article

In the off-road community in recent years there has been a - pardon the pun - big shift toward full size trucks. Why is this? And how can a robust and well-designed off-road bumper turn your full size pickup into a tougher and more capable trail monster? The Full Size Revolution While there are some limitations to making your off-highway adventure vehicle a one-ton or ¾-ton pickup, such as difficulty navigating narrower trails, large turning circles, and challenging break-over angles, the adva

If you’re an avid night rider or just like lighting up your competition, then keep reading to hear about our latest lighting solution for your JL and Gladiator! We here at Fishbone HQ believe a light bar is an essential piece to any rig.  But mounting it to the top leaves your hood empty and barren and also makes it harder to see during rain storms at night. Introducing our Cowl Light Bar brackets.  These steel and foam padded mounts are perfect points for your favorite cube lights, or a 40

If your Jeep Wrangler JL is a trail blazer or your rig is lifted with new tires, then keep reading to hear about our latest JL upgrade to keep your Jeep Wrangler JL looking like new. Introducing the Fishbone Offroad Rocker Guards and Step Sliders for 2 Door and 4 Door Jeep Wrangler JL's. Hardcore trail riders understand that tall rocks are your body’s worst enemy. One wrong turn could send dents and scratches up your rocker panels and doors.  These 2in steel tube guards mount easily to factor

Why do we buy trucks? There are many reasons, but the most common one is the need to haul things. From work to leisure, the more we can bring with us, the better. For midsize trucks such as Toyota Tacomas, the need to maximize the payload capacity is paramount. Fortunately, Fishbone Offroad has the solution with their Fishbone Tackle Rack for Tacoma long and short beds. Made from 1/8” Black Powder Coated Steel and Stainless Steel Hardware, this rack can hold up to an additional 500 pounds of

While installing my front bumper I started to wonder where to put the license plate. I have a synthetic rope winch, so it uses the Hawse-style fairlead. I did a quick Google search for a bracket and low and behold Fishbone Offroad has the fix. Fishbone’s Hawse Fairlead License Plate Mount stows away the fairlead while giving you a safe place for your license plate. It bolts directly to your fairlead, and flips up with its integrated hinge to access your winch line. This is a black powder coat

Have you scuffed the entry jam on your Jeep? Sick of seeing the paint slowly leave with every entrance? Fishbone Offroad has the dix for your paint loss with their JL/JT Entry Guards. Fishbone made their entry guards out of flexible TPU plastic. This plastic is design to resist oil, grime, debris, and added traction. These are a no drill design held on by a sticky 3M adhesive tape. Fishbone’s quality and unique tread grip design shows through on these beautiful Entry Guards. With all that s

Can’t decide if you like the JT Gladiator?  Keep reading for our Pros and Cons review. Thanks for joining us here at Fishbone Offroad.  We’ve had our JT since May 2019 and there are definitely some things that we are just crazy for, and others that really make us cringe.  Hopefully we can help you figure out if this is the right Jeep for you, as we walk through and talk about what we love, is sort of so-so, and what was a total miss. A lot of us here talked a bit about this review and one thi

Exploring Colorado’s Breathtaking Fall: Your Guide to an Unforgettable Overlanding Adventure As the vibrant colors of summer fade and the kids settle back into their school routines, it’s the perfect time to start planning your next great adventure—an overlanding trip through the awe-inspiring landscapes of Colorado in the fall. With the summer vacation crowds retreating and the crisp, cool air settling in, overlanding in Colorado offers an unparalleled experience of solitude, beauty, and rugge

Leaving camp the next morning, we made our way to El Paso, TX where we had our first ever glimpse of the southern border and Mexico. We have never been anywhere even close to either and found it quite intriguing. It was definitely not what we were expecting and the mountains off in the distance around Ciudad Juárez seemed to call out to us with their beauty. Stopping at a shopping center to resupply and fuel up, we were enthralled by the atmosphere and the culture.

Embrace the Last Days of Summer: Overlanding in Colorado Before Fall Arrives As the sun starts to set earlier and the days grow a bit cooler, it’s a reminder that the end of summer is just around the corner. But don’t pack away your adventure gear just yet! Colorado, with its stunning landscapes and diverse terrains, still offers plenty of opportunities for an unforgettable overland trip before the fall season arrives. Whether you’re a seasoned adventure traveler or a weekend warrior, now is th

About ten years ago I was in the market for a reliable, foolproof anti-theft system for the Porsche 911SC Roseann and I owned at the time. I didn’t want the usual complex electronic type, with the siren everyone ignores. After quite a lot of research I landed on a device called the Ravelco. The Ravelco, visually, comprises a plug installed in the dash or elsewhere, incorporating a cluster of 16 female pin receptacles. A male plug, which rides on one’s keychain, fits into it, completing a cryptic

After renewing our spirits and getting some much needed rest in San Antonio, we were ready to load up our vehicles and begin our journey west toward El Paso. Up to this point of our trip we really hadn't had to worry about anything other than fuel and a final destination for the day, since everyone had been sick. Each evening Jennifer and I would plan out a route that allowed for four to six hours of driving that would ultimately end at a hotel in which we would make reservations in advance for.

The Art of Airing Down: Unlocking the Benefits for Your Overland Adventure Embarking on an overlanding journey promises the thrill of exploration and the serenity of nature. However, navigating off-road terrain requires more than just a capable vehicle; it demands an understanding of how to optimize your ride for comfort, safety, and performance. One of the most effective techniques in the off-road arsenal is airing down your tires. In this blog, we’ll delve into the benefits of reducing tire p

Overlanding in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado: An Adventure Awaits Introduction Nestled in the southwestern corner of Colorado, the San Juan Mountains are a paradise for overlanding enthusiasts and our favorite summer destination. This rugged and remote region offers breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and a network of trails that cater to adventurers of all skill levels. From towering peaks to lush valleys, the San Juan Mountains promise an unforgettable experience for those seeking to

Our trip west to Nevada didn’t start exactly as we’d hoped. Before we could leave Virginia, we needed to wrap things up on our rental home and do our final walk throughs with the property management. This meant we needed a place to stay, since we couldn’t be in the house and all of our things were in a container. So we rented a cute little cottage on the York River. However, cute doesn’t always mean a good idea. Well that’s not fair, it was a great place to stay, just not at the time we did it.

There’s been a lot going on in our personal lives lately, and that unfortunately has led to a lapse in sharing what we’ve been up to. As some of you may already know, we made a huge decision in late 2023 to move across the country, quite literally leaving everything we knew and loved behind. It wasn’t an easy decision, but then again, when are they ever? The way we looked at it was that the opportunities that awaited us far outnumbered the risks involved. This move would ultimately allow us to g