Books. What technical 4x4 and off road books encouraged you to want to learn more about off road vehicles?

[NQ94]

There are a lot of four wheel drive repair and history enthusiasts, some new, some old hats and some industry professionals on this forum and their technical discussions are some of the most followed threads on this forum. So for something different to discuss but related to Grenadier; What technical off road and 4x4 related books got you interested or are still used for 4wd operation, repair or history? There is plenty of information on YT and other digital platforms, but for many of us the traditional word cartridge was the the main way we learnt about 4wds and off roading and purchased these books as an extension to the documentaries we saw on TV possibly before we even owned a 4x4.
New, old or reprints, training books, technical manuals, 4wd mechanical oddities and brand histories are all of interest.
Maybe keep the travel guide books to their own thread to make later searches easier.

 

[Tom109]

The Vehicle-Dependent Expedition Guide, by Tom Sheppard. I read that cover-to-cover many times when the first edition was released. Still a fantastic resource.

 

[NQ94]

The Vehicle-Dependent Expedition Guide, by Tom Sheppard. I read that cover-to-cover many times when the first edition was released. Still a fantastic resource.

A quick search and new books top dollar, hard to find with second hand versions also still pretty expensive.
These speciality books in Australia were expensive back in the day and some if you knew about them were special orders.
Definately a book I would like to add to my collection.

From Amazon

 

[Badger_4x4]

Much of the stuff on YouTube is questionable.
Social media followers doesn't equal deep knowledge and expertise. I have even seen a government dept. fall in to that trap. The look of horror on the dept rep's face when the numerous issues were high lighted and explained, priceless.
Two key books from my collection.

 

[Tazzieman]

That RP work is gold.

 

[Tom109]

A quick search and new books top dollar, hard to find with second hand versions also still pretty expensive.
These speciality books in Australia were expensive back in the day and some if you knew about them were special orders.
Definately a book I would like to add to my collection.

From Amazon

View attachment 7918384

Yes, it is a fantastic book. I think it was around US $100, and subsequent Editions coordinated by Jonathan Hanson were $80, but always in limited runs.

 

[BenTN]

The Vehicle-Dependent Expedition Guide, by Tom Sheppard. I read that cover-to-cover many times when the first edition was released. Still a fantastic resource.

I second this recommendation.

It was first published in 1998, so some of the technical info (electrical systems, lighting) has become obsolete, but the core information about the world and teams and the philosophy of adventure travel is timeless. Plus the book is just gorgeous to look at.

I bought my copy the year it came out, just after I returned from my 2nd big "road trip". This was before the term Overlanding was common. After driving first to Belize and then to Alaska, I was dreaming of Argentina.

I still am.

 

[NQ94]

I second this recommendation.

It was first published in 1998, so some of the technical info (electrical systems, lighting) has become obsolete, but the core information about the world and teams and the philosophy of adventure travel is timeless. Plus the book is just gorgeous to look at.

I bought my copy the year it came out, just after I returned from my 2nd big "road trip". This was before the term Overlanding was common. After driving first to Belize and then to Alaska, I was dreaming of Argentina.

I still am.

Old tecnichnical books are never obsolete, they're a good reference and training aids to show the evolution of the fundamental techniques and ideas we use today.
I have a small technical library ranging from 1940 to today covering back to when diesel engines in vehicles was the newest technology. The old books show how much and how little vehicles have changed in nearly a century.

 

[Clark Kent]

I was in an independent automotive workshop today and this was on their service counter. One for you LR tragics.

 

[parb]

i have that book @Clark Kent , the author sent it to me as i am exploring doing a trip in Australia with him!