How to Build the Ultimate Overlanding Vehicle | Off-Roading Encyclopedia

If you enjoy traveling, but driving only on paved roads and sleeping in hotels or Air BnBs just doesn’t cut it for you anymore, it’s time you go the overlanding way. 2020 reminded us of how much we need to appreciate freedom, nature, and the big outdoors while we can, and one way to do that is to embark on a new kind of journey.

As you might already know, overlanding is a form of motorized traveling that recently gained in popularity, which includes spending days, weeks, or even months off-the-grid, in harmony with nature. The main difference with regular camping is that, when overlanding, the goal is the journey rather than the destination.

If you’re intrigued about overlanding and what it takes to enter this world, we’re here to help.

But before you embark on your first overlanding trip, you’ll first need a suitable vehicle. To help you with that, we’ve compiled an extensive list of some of the most essential tips to acquire, customize, and prepare your first overlanding truck.

Define your Needs and Aspirations

Before browsing through endless ads on the internet, you must have a general idea of your vehicle’s expectations and travel style. If you are traveling solo or as a couple, a smaller SUV will probably do just fine, but family overlanding will require a more spacious, thus costlier rig.

Also, as a beginner in this vast world, you won’t need a truck that can ensure months on the road or be ready for tough off-roading, but still, if you’re confident that your appetites will grow, you’ll probably want a vehicle you could easily upgrade for more demanding adventures.

Establish a Budget

Custom off-road trucks can be an endless money pit that fits (or drains) every budget, so it’s always best to precisely define your budget and try your best to keep control of all subsequent expenses, both planned and unplanned. You should also bear in mind that vehicles built for overlanding wear down quicker than road-only models. Consequently, they’ll need servicing and other checkups more often.

Don’t forget that you really don’t want to get stuck with a stalled engine or broken suspension component when you are miles away from civilization. Tow trucks are already expensive enough; you don’t want to have to call one to come to pick you up when you are 20 miles down a mud trail.

What Makes a Good Overlanding Vehicle?

Choosing the right overlanding vehicle to start your adventure is the most important step towards embarking on your first overlanding expeditions. Generally speaking, what you need is a tough and reliable all-wheel-drive vehicle that can endure unwelcoming terrain.

Points to Consider

Then, unless you have a massive budget, you’ll want to look for a vehicle that is affordable to run and maintain. Another important trait you should consider is the availability of OEM and aftermarket parts. Since you’ll need parts both to upgrade and fix your overlanding vehicle, it’s always better to choose one that you could fix without a hassle, even when on the road. Also, you’ll probably want to add additional storage racks, higher suspensions, and such. In that case, it’s also a good idea to get your hands on a truck that aftermarket manufacturers already offer a wide array of off-road accessories for. No matter how awesome they look, you might have a real hard time finding replacement parts for one of those rare JDM Subaru Domingo and Mitsubishi Delica.

Common Overlanding Vehicles

Many beginner overlanders lean towards mid-2000s Japanese SUVs and pickups, as well as Jeeps and US-made pickup trucks. Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner, and Land Cruiser are a good starting point, and if you prefer American-made vehicles, Jeep Gladiator, Wrangler, or Dodge Ram could do just fine. Generally speaking, all these cars have superb build quality, making them ideal and reliable off-road companions. They are also affordable, and chances are that you’ll find an example that’s ready to be modified.

Next-Level Overlanding Vehicles

Next, there are more hardcore vehicles catering to more demanding overlanding needs. There, overlanders branch into two directions: ones drive longer and tackle more demanding off-road trails, while the others are spending more time off-grid. In fact, all that really depends on whether you prefer to spend your time traveling between locations and driving off-road or stay in the same location for more extended periods.

The first group will most likely travel in an extensively modified 4×4 truck, while the others will need a larger build with a bigger camping unit, more tanks for fuel and water, and other features for added sustainability. For example, Mitsubishi Fuso is a good foundation for a multi-person, multi-purpose overlanding vehicle, as its naked chassis can both accommodate a large camping unit and advanced suspension modifications. However, building such an overlanding vehicle is a lot costlier than other options in this post.

Modded Off-Road Vehicles

If you’re lucky and patient enough, the other option is to browse for somebody else’s project. As we previously mentioned, overlanding ambitions tend to grow, and people sometimes choose to move onto another bigger, more capable vehicle. In situations like these, you can sometimes even find a fully modded truck and start your adventure sooner than initially planned.

Luxury Overlanding Vehicles

Finally, you can buy a fully-equipped overlanding vehicle from specialized businesses like EarthRoamer, Sportsmobile, or Global Expedition Vehicles. These vehicles usually come at premium prices but require little to none hassle and are instantly ready for an adventure.

Mods

If you’re buying a stock truck or SUV, or a very lightly modified one, you’ll probably have to invest in a few mods. First and foremost, you’ll be looking for suspension lift kits and more capable springs and dampers. These modifications will increase ground clearance and approach and departure angles, allowing you to cross bigger puddles of mud and climb bigger rocks.

It goes without saying that good off-road tires are also a must, and so are additional lights. Last but not least, it’s smart to invest in sump and gearbox guards to keep the underside of your car safe from rocks and debris, which could prematurely end your journey.

Of course, the list of potential mods is almost endless. The deeper in the woods you’ll go, the more mods you’ll need. With that being said, the items listed above should give you a good starting point.

Gear

Next, there’s the camping unit. It’s one of the most important pieces of gear because you’ll spend your days and nights in it. Depending on your vehicle, a camping unit could be a roof-mounted tent, a truck bed unit, or a complex traveling home mounted on a truck’s bare chassis. Full camping units will set you back several thousand dollars if new, but you can probably find it for cheaper if you look for second-hand items.

Even if you’re not a hardcore overlander, you’ll need some gear that will enable you to spend days in remote locations and return home safely. So, water tanks and cans of fuel are a must, and if your plans include spending weeks or even months on and off the roads, you’ll have to consider investing in solar panels, cooking gear, and additional storage compartments.

Finally, don’t forget to bring whatever you may need to make sure your trip is a beautiful experience. These miscellaneous parts are not integral for your adventure but will add a cherry on top of your trip. Coffee makers, barbecues, projectors, sports gear, or whatever you can think of. After all, it’s not because you’re on an overlanding trip that you can’t have a little comfort, right?

Last Words

These are the basics for what makes a good overlanding vehicle. However, overlanding is a very personal adventure, and different people will prefer different accommodation types and comfort levels. Some will drive as far as possible, while others will just camp in a fixed location. With time, you’ll learn to discover what suits you, and from trips to trips, you’ll learn what can be done to make the next journey even better.

We’ll follow up with more details and insights into this world since there’s always more to know and more to explore!