Gearhaus

Gearhaus

Gearhaus is a car podcast for anyone who loves speed, style, and stories from the streets and beyond. Each episode unpacks everything from first rides to dream cars, drag races to Dakar, and matatu culture to motorsports. Hosted by car enthusiasts with plenty of banter and brazen opinions, the show explores how cars shape identity, culture, and community. From newcomers to lifelong petrolheads, there’s always something for you under the hood. New episodes drop every week. Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

  1. 1d ago

    1 Year Later: Is This Rebuild Still Worth It?

    It has officially been one year since the Nissan Patrol project landed in the workshop. What started out as an optimistic "three-month job" quickly unraveled into discovering hidden rust beneath thick body filler, pressure-washing mud out of the chassis, and facing the realities of a full, ground-up rebuild.In this late-night episode, we catch up right next to the stripped-down chassis to reflect on Year One of the Patrol project, followed by an unfiltered breakdown of the latest automotive news and debates:• Jaguar Type 00 / Design Backlash: Does the actual car live up to the polarizing launch campaign, and why build a massive, long bonnet with no V12 underneath?• The British Military 4x4 Showdown: Ineos Grenadier vs. Land Rover Defender vs. Toyota Land Cruiser / Hilux. Can the Defender’s unibody hold up under military punishment, or does Toyota's legendary bush-repairability take the crown?• Modular Platforms & Engine Swaps: BMW’s move toward deeper parts-sharing across platforms, and the absurdity of putting V8s into electric vehicles.Drop your thoughts in the comments: Who takes the win for the military contract—Ineos or Toyota? And what should our next major step be with the Patrol?If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more garage updates and unfiltered car banter.Follow Gearhaus on:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25ielSDMaSPZYAw4nKxhCf?si=DxpdI6UPS_uYnQc2lk8dgQApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gearhaus/id1839239303WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7MoK22Jl8Epvkjrz2IGearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.#Gearhaus #nissanpatrol #ineosgrenadier #landroverdefender #toyotalandcruiser #carbuild #automotivepodcast

  2. Aug 26

    Special Episode: We Almost Got EATEN By Lions In Africa

    What does it take to drive halfway across the world? In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla meet Sam and Em, better known as The Adventure Way, who spent 222 days driving from London to Nairobi in a 1976 Toyota Land Cruiser. Through this special episode, we learn everything including preparation, border crossings, breakdowns, mechanical challenges, and the sheer determination required to complete a 20,000km overland roadtrip across two continents. Some of the things to expect: - The '76 Land Cruiser: Why the Toyota Land Cruiser was chosen for a trans-continental expedition and how it was modified to survive 7 months on the road. - The Route: Following the journey through Europe, the Sahara, and East Africa, including the toughest terrains and most rewarding stops along the way. - Border Realities: What it really takes to cross international borders with a vehicle, from visas and Carnet de Passage to the logistical challenges of moving between countries. - Mechanical Survival: How to deal with breakdowns in remote locations and the essential spare parts and tools needed for a journey of this scale. - The Human Side: The kindness of strangers, unexpected friendships, and encounters that shaped the journey across dozens of cultures. - 222 Days on the Road: What 7 months of continuous travel teaches you about resilience, independence, and seeing the world differently. If you had 222 days and one vehicle, where would you go? Guest: The Adventure Way: https://www.instagram.com/the.adventure.way/ Special thanks to Geco Cafe for hosting us and being so gracious: https://www.instagram.com/geco.cafe/ Follow Gearhaus on: Website: https://www.itsgearhaus.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/ WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7MoK22Jl8Epvkjrz2I Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

    Special Episode: We Almost Got EATEN By Lions In Africa
  3. Aug 5

    S4 E11: Is Kenyan Manufacturing a Myth? The Truth About Local Assembly

    Can Kenya really build its own automotive industry? In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla discuss the current state of Kenya's automotive sector, exploring local vehicle assembly, government policy, market trends, and what the future could look like for manufacturing in East Africa. From the realities of "Made in Kenya" production to Isuzu's market dominance, the conversation explores why local assembly has struggled to reach its full potential, whether government policy can change consumer behavior, and how Chinese manufacturers and electric vehicles could change the industry over the coming years. Some of the things to expect: - The "Made in Kenya" Reality: Understanding the difference between CKD and SKD assembly, Kenya's production capacity, and why local plants remain largely underutilized. - Isuzu's Winning Formula: How Isuzu East Africa captured over half of Kenya's new vehicle market through product strategy, after-sales support, innovative financing, and a deep understanding of local customer needs. - The National Automotive Policy: A discussion on the government's proposal to gradually phase out used car imports, and whether encouraging local assembly requires incentives as much as restrictions. - The Chinese Wave & EV Opportunity: How emerging Chinese brands are changing the commercial vehicle market, and why Kenya could position itself as a future hub for EV manufacturing in Africa. - The KES 11 Million "Bullet": Why buying a luxury car is often hardest the first time, and how Kenya's trade-in culture helps owners move up the automotive ladder. - The Ineos Grenadier Journey: The remarkable Nairobi-to-UK expedition and what it reveals about the capabilities and reliability of the Grenadier. - Motorsport's New Chapter: What recent changes within Kenya's motorsport federation could mean for rallying and the future of local motorsport. - Farewell to the W16: Reflecting on the end of Bugatti's legendary W16 engine and the close of an extraordinary engineering era. - Our Top Locally Assembled Picks: The team's favorite vehicles built in Kenya, including the Isuzu M-UX and the iconic Toyota Land Cruiser 79. Guest: Robert Mwirigi: https://www.instagram.com/Mwirigi Follow Gearhaus on: Website: https://www.itsgearhaus.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/ WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7MoK22Jl8Epvkjrz2I Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

  4. Jul 30

    S4 E10: What I Wish I knew Before Buying a Land Rover Defender

    If you've ever dreamed of owning a Defender, this might be the reality check you need. In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla are joined by CJ, a filmmaker and lifelong Land Rover enthusiast whose blood group is "Land Rover." From the unmatched heritage and undeniable cool factor to the constant battle against rust, leaks, and endless repairs, CJ shares what it's really like living with one of the world's most iconic 4x4s. Through stories from his own builds and years of ownership, we learn why so many people fall in love with Defenders despite knowing they'll never be the easiest vehicles to own. Some of the things to expect from this episode: - Land Rover News: Our thoughts on Ferrari's new "fake manual" transmission and Audi's shift toward China-specific vehicle designs. - The Defender Reality: Why buying a running, driving Defender is the golden rule, and the biggest mistakes to avoid when shopping for a project. - The Puma Engine: Why CJ prefers the 2.4 and 2.2 Puma engines, the compromises they come with, and the truth behind popular 3.2 Ford engine swaps. - Building the Perfect Defender: A closer look at CJ's two very different builds, including a black utility-focused daily driver and an open-top beach cruiser built for Sunday adventures. - Life With a Landie: From fitting into the cabin at 6'4", to driving without A?C, and why your right arm will always need sunscreen. Guest: CJ: https://www.instagram.com/athena_defender/ Follow Gearhaus on: Website: https://www.itsgearhaus.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/ WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7MoK22Jl8Epvkjrz2I Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

  5. Jul 15

    S4 E08: Why NTSA’s New Instant Fine System is Completely Broken

    Is NTSA actually making our roads safer, or is the rollout creating more problems than it solves? In this episode, Kalasinga and Vanilla are joined by a special guest (the original Gearhaus host) to unpack one of the biggest topics in Kenya's motoring scene: the new NTSA instant fine system and the upcoming mandatory private vehicle inspections. While fair, automated traffic enforcement is something many motorists have supported for years, how it's been implemented in Kenya has raised serious concerns. From confusing 50 km/h speed limits to poor signage and unclear communication, we explore whether the system is ready for nationwide enforcement. We discuss: - NTSA's Love-Hate Relationship: Why removing human bias from traffic enforcement is a positive step, but poor communication and inconsistent implementation are undermining public confidence. - The 50 km/h Debate: We examine roads like the Northern Bypass and Lang'ata Road, where missing, obstructed, or unrealistic speed limit signs leave drivers questioning whether enforcement is truly fair. - Mandatory Vehicle Inspections: What the new KS 1515 standards could mean for private vehicle owners, including how common modifications such as lift kits, bull bars, and DPF deletes may be affected. - Why Red-Light Cameras First Made More Sense: We discuss why focusing on dangerous intersections could have built stronger public support before introducing widespread highway speed enforcement. - Lessons from the Michuki Era: We take a look back at how stakeholder engagement and public participation helped make past road safety reforms more successful and why that approach feels absent today. - The Big Question: Is Nairobi's current road signage adequate for automated enforcement? And should driver re-testing come before mandatory vehicle inspections? Guest: Mwirigi: https://www.instagram.com/Mwirigi Follow Gearhaus on: Website: https://www.itsgearhaus.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/ WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7MoK22Jl8Epvkjrz2I Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

About

Gearhaus is a car podcast for anyone who loves speed, style, and stories from the streets and beyond. Each episode unpacks everything from first rides to dream cars, drag races to Dakar, and matatu culture to motorsports. Hosted by car enthusiasts with plenty of banter and brazen opinions, the show explores how cars shape identity, culture, and community. From newcomers to lifelong petrolheads, there’s always something for you under the hood. New episodes drop every week. Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

You Might Also Like