Overlanding

    The platform we used for our newest overlanding 'Adventure Rig' is a 2017 Thor 24’ Class C motorhome.

 This small ‘C’ cabin sits atop of the very rugged, heavy framed Ford E-450 chassis (this is the same chassis used on box-trucks and mid-sized busses!). It’s powered by Ford’s massive, big block V-10 with six-speed transmission. 

 With this truck as our base, we began the Overlander build.  The first step was to gain some ground clearance. Doing a ton of research, we decided to have a custom lift kit built and installed from 'Weldtec Designs' in El Cajon, California. 

  They built us a custom 6” lift specific to the weight of the truck.   

  This suspension lift included; 

 -Ford E-series Custom Lift Kit for Class-C  

 -Ford E-series Extended Radius Arms and Brackets   

 -Ford E-series Sway Bar Drop Brackets  

 -Fox Shocks Rear & Fox Reservoir Shocks Front   

 -Fox Shock Steering Stabilizer Kit   

 -Rear shock Mounts   

 -Skyjacker 188 coils   

 -7 BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 235/85/16 Load E tires  

 (These tires raised our overall lift an additional 1.5in for a total lift/clearance of 7.5in)      

The next step was to add functional bumpers. We had 'Weldtec designs' build us a custom rear bumper. The left-side swing arm was designed to carry the oversized spare tire. The right-side swing arm was designed with a platform to mount a large cooler and extra gear. The platform also doubles as a grill platform.  

 Our choice up front was an Aluminess front bumper with a built-in lockable box for a Winch and Recovery Tool Storage.  The bumper provides plenty of protection with a massive 'Brush Guard'. 

The Winch we chose as part of our Recovery gear is a 12,000lb Warn Winch model VR EVO with synthetic cable.   

Our Recovery gear also includes;  

 -Black Off-road Traction Boards   

 -20ft 1.25in Kinetic Recovery Rope rated at 52,000lbs  

 -2 -8ft Tree Saver Straps with a 10 Ton Snatch Block  

 -4 Heavy Duty D-Ring Shackles/ 2 Mounted on the Front Bumper    

We also upgraded some tech gear and creature comforts.   For navigation we installed an Alpine Stereo navigation system with a 6.5in screen for the rear camera.   We also have a Garmin RV 780 Advanced Navigation System with front record camera.   Passenger seat rear swivel bracket for more functional seating in the cabin.  Kitchenette & Bath remodel/upgrade- backsplash, faucets, etc.

The truck also came equipped with an onboard Onan 4000-watt generator, and we have solar on the roof married with a Cobra Pro 2500-watt inverter.  We refer to our rig as 'The Adventurer', and Mike lovingly calls this truck 'Hercules'.     

This build has truly enhanced our overlanding experience, and the rig is about the same size as an extended cab pick-up with a bed camper installed. It’s not a jeep, but it has enough ground clearance and power to tackle some truly rough back country roads.

We've recently completed the transition from using our Jeep- full-time for overlanding adventures,

 to the incorporation of 'Hercules'.

We have lots of footage to share with you. Stay tuned.