Here in Sicily people drive some different vehicles than in the states.  One of the most common is the Toyota Patrol (above). This truck is a diesel powered SUV with leaf springs and seats five.  It's similar to a Jeep Cherokee.  Many people like to install a snorkel and it's easy to do on this truck due to it having a diesel engine.  All that is needed is a pipe connected to the intake.  No electrical to worry about.

Below are pictures of Massimo, without a snorkel, big tires or fear.  I'm not sure if he thought he would be able to cross the river or not but he quickly became stuck.  Some time later a rescue helicopter showed up but Massimo wanted them to take his truck too.  Only after they agreed to find some help to pull out his swamped truck did he take the ride in the heli.

    Another common truck here is the Suzuki Santana.  This is more commonly known as the Samurai in the States.  It's the same leaf sprung little 4x4 that will float over most soft terrain and with smallish tires, it's axles hold up to the even smaller horsepower.  People drive this vehicle the same the world over; mash the right foot and rev the angry little engine till it thinks it's making power then dump the clutch.

The black Santana below is well equipped with a winch, lockers, roll cage and mud tires.  The blue one is less equipped with what ever it came with from Japan (it does have a few extra stickers on it though).

    Defender 90's and 110s make a nice showing at the club outings.  The 90's being smaller get taken on the rough stuff while the 110s that seat seven people don't sit around, they are also a very capable machine.  With diesel torque and nice low gearing the Defenders make tricky trail situations look easy.  One thing some have in their arsenal is a locker in the rear, that more than makes up for the lack of articulation. 

    I was happy to see both the classic and newer Toyota Landcruisers.  The classic FJ-40s that are driven here are the same leaf sprung trucks that you can find anywhere, again diesel powered.  One in the Catania off-road club still has the original pto winch on front.  This newer 'Cruiser is a little on the stiff side...