Planning Your Overland Vehicle Build: What to Do And What to Avoid

1. Start with a Clear Plan

• Define Your Goals: Consider where you want to travel and what activities you plan to do. Whether it’s fishing, exploring national parks, or backcountry camping, your vehicle build should support and enable these goals.
• Have a Strong Vehicle Mobility Plan: Think about basic items that are always in the vehicle to ensure it will stay mobile such as basic tools, tire repair, personal and emergency items. Also stay on top of vehicle maintenance both routine and preventative.
• Accept Compromises: Understand that no vehicle will be perfect. Each comes with trade-offs, and it's about finding a balance that fits your adventure style and budget. Think of your vehicle as your four wheel drive adventure back pack.

Tip: Start with creature comforts and organization that make camping more enjoyable—comfortable sleep setups, easy and efficient camp setup, and reliable shelter. Getting this right will naturally encourage longer duration trips and more frequent adventures.

2. Budget Wisely

• Create a Budget: Factor in your current vehicle, potential upgrades, and gear. Consider costs for new or used vehicles, modifications, and essential accessories.
• Track Expenses & Weight: Use a spreadsheet to log the costs of modifications and the additional weight they bring. Weight affects vehicle performance, so knowing these details is crucial.

Mistake to Avoid: Over-spending on flashy upgrades and off road parts before ensuring the basics (like reliability and comfort) are covered.

3. Consider Vehicle Type & Purpose

• Understand Your Current Vehicle’s Features: Know what your vehicle is equipped with from the factory, such as recovery points, low-range gearboxes, or lockers. Then go on some short trips with it to test and determine if it will suit your needs.
• Dual Purpose Vehicle: Decide if your current vehicle option will also be your daily driver. If so, take careful consideration not to ruin it by overmodifying to one extreme, for example do not do a cargo area full custom build out when you need that space to also haul the kids and gear to their baseball games during the week.
• New vs. Classic: Each has its pros and cons. Modern vehicles may offer more features and reliability, while older models might be easier to repair in the field. Factor this into your overall build budget.

Tip: Avoid unnecessary engine modifications; keep it simple for reliability. The factory setup is often proven and well-tested, and over-modifying can lead to complications.

4. Keep an Eye on Vehicle Weight

• Understand Weight Ratings: Know your vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). These will help you stay within safe operating limits, do not exceed these.
• Track Modifications: Keep track of the weight added by each modification, including front and rear weight distribution. This impacts suspension, steering, and overall performance and will help you make better decisions on what to carry.

Mistake to Avoid: Overloading your vehicle without considering how it affects handling, braking, and fuel efficiency.

5. Comfort and Convenience Improvements

• Storage Solutions: Organize your gear to make setup and breakdown quick. Use labeled bins or a well-thought-out drawer system. Make sure that your cargo is secured and not bouncing around in the back of the vehicle.
• Navigation & Electronics: Ensure you have adequate charging ports for devices and reliable navigation tools. Consider adding extra USB or 12V ports if necessary.
• Lighting & Cooking: Think about camp lighting for night setups and easy-access cooking gear. Make sure these setups are efficient and not a hassle to use.

Tip: Focus on making the experience comfortable so you can enjoy longer, more relaxed trips.

6. Cargo Management

• Secure Your Gear: Use ratchet straps, cargo nets, and anchor points to keep items from moving around during transit. Safety is key, especially when driving off-road.
• Organize Efficiently: Aim for quick camp setups. Having an organized system and process will let you set up camp in under 10 minutes, leaving more time to relax.
• Roof Rack Considerations: Only store lightweight gear on the roof to avoid raising the vehicle’s center of gravity, which affects stability.

Mistake to Avoid: Haphazardly placing heavy items on the roof rack, increasing the risk of rollover on off-camber trails.

7. Tires & Suspension

• Choose the Right Tires: Consider the terrain you’ll traverse including the amount of highway driving. Mud-terrain tires may be overkill for regular gravel roads and long expanses of highway; all-terrain tires might be more versatile.
• Avoid Overloading Suspension: Every added pound affects suspension performance. Track your vehicle’s total weight and ensure the shocks and springs can handle it.
• Tire Size Matters: Larger tires can offer more ground clearance but may strain the drivetrain. Consider this trade-off carefully and don’t forget a full size matching spare.

Tip: Select tire and suspension upgrades that match your primary adventure locations and driving habits.

Conclusion

Building an overland rig is a rewarding experience, but it requires careful planning. Keep the fundamentals—comfort, reliability, and safety—at the core of your decisions, and let your adventure goals and budget shape the modifications. Plan smart, and your vehicle will be ready to take on the journey.