Newbie wanting overland build advice

[Redneckish]

Hi all,

I have a stock Rubicon rig that I like to build into an overland rig.

I'm a new jeep owner and bought it as a toy.

My questions are for the overlanders.

If you could rebuild your rig or build the perfect rig what mods would you do?

What would you prioritize?

For context I live in Ozarks, so lots hills and backwoods banjo playing areas.

 

[Dirty Dog]

I'm not an overlander, because Mrs. Dog likes her comforts, so it's places with spas for us.

All builds are about compromise. An overlanding build will, of necessity, result in limitations to your trail capability. Most overland builds result in mounting a lot of stuff on the top, which raises the center of gravity, affecting your ability to sidehill. They also commonly mount things on the rear, which affects your departure angle.

The other popular alternative is a small trailer. There are plenty designed specifically for off-roading. The drawback there is that the JK is not exactly a powerhouse. It has 200HP (3.8L) or 285HP (3.6L). Toss in some extra weight from your off-road gear, and they can quickly become a rolling roadblock.

So what would I do? Mrs. Dog and I are not spring chickens. The rooftop tents don't appeal. Because of the extra cargo room, I would say a Gladiator might be a better choice. For a trailer, I'd recommend a V8. Depending on the terrain in your area (I'm in Colorado, and even the highways are vertical) you might be happy with the V6.

 

[tJKrider]

I have a stock Rubicon rig

2 door or 4 door? When all is said and done I think the 4 door provides a better platform for this type of usage.

Gladiator might be a better choice.

Agree.

Of course, it really depends on the actual terrain you anticipate encountering and how much stuff you'll bring along, including people. I think some of the overlanding rigs I've seen could take some lessons from the thru-hiker community (AT, PCT, etc) that value weight and volume over creature comforts. It's like they (overlanders) want everything + the kitchen sink on their rig. Wait, I think some do have sinks, too.

When I used to dry camp out of an Escape-sized vehicle I could go 4 days for two people, including room for musical instruments. Granted, It was pretty stuffed, but didn't have a need for extra fuel, that would change things a bit. I could probably do that out of my 2dr Wrangler for one person.

Not a fan of the rooftop tents, I think a regular tent with a inflatable mattress is plenty comfy and more efficient. The newer tents setup in no time at all. That being said, we pull a 28' RV now (not with the Jeep) so I'm not one to talk about lack of creature comforts.

 

[JeepJeezy]

Hi all,

I have a stock Rubicon rig that I like to build into an overland rig.

I'm a new jeep owner and bought it as a toy.

My questions are for the overlanders.

If you could rebuild your rig or build the perfect rig what mods would you do?

What would you prioritize?

For context I live in Ozarks, so lots hills and backwoods banjo playing areas.

So far, I wouldn't change anything with my rig and setup. I built my sleeping platform so I can still keep the rear seats and be able to still setup in minutes. My platform is high enough to keep small totes of camping gear and food under it while still leaving enough room for my inflatable air mattress on top. My tailgate table is perfect for my 2 burner Colman stove when a fire is not allowed. I also have the AT Overland propane tank mount to feed the grill. Keeps the need for those 1lbs bottles at a very minimum if at all. I've slept in -2°F with snow and in 80°F at night. I have a little buddy heater I modified to keep me warm in cold nights. I also made a solar window fan to keep me cool at night too. Right now I'm saving up for a roof rack and a 270° awning. I'm really happy with my setup.

 

[Redneckish]

So no mods?

No winch, skid plates, lights, etc?

I failed to tell you guys I have a 4 door wrangler

 

[JeepJeezy]

So no mods?

No winch, skid plates, lights, etc?

I failed to tell you guys I have a 4 door wrangler

6in lift
JKS quicker disconnects
37x12.50r17 tires
17" Bawarrion beadlocks
Smittybilt Stinger front bumper rear bumper
Smittybilt red D-rings front & rear
APEX winch
Auxbeam yellow pillar, bumper & knuckle lights
Auxbeam headlights
Gatekeeper knuckle light mounts
50" lightbar
Limb risers
Smittybilt magarmor
Deegan38 side step/sliders w/ KC puddle lights
Dana 30 truss kit
Dana 30 SOLID diff cover
Cobra CB but swapping to Midland 50 watt GMRS soon
I know im forgetting some other things but those are most of them.

Steel/Aluminum Flat fenders are on the list of next mods. I have popped the front and rears off at full flex.

 

[Anybodyhome]

The Rubi has clearance for a set of 35s. The rest is up to you and you'll figure it our as you go, but secure storage is a priority- don't need stuff rolling around the back.
Anyway, we're older and the weekend trips are more our thing. I have a SmittyBilt Defender rack on top- has a 200lb weight capacity. I found a rooftop carrier made by Reese that measures about 4x4 and 16" tall, fits perfectly in the rack, that I can put a lot of stuff in to keep at least half the back open for the dog. We're simple- tent, camp chairs, lantern and stove, cooler, air mattress and sleeping bags.
I think you just have to figure out what you need. You take a couple weekend trips and keep a "lessons learned" list and, like I said, figure it out as you go.

Guy lives near me has a Gladiator with a rack, top tent, awning, 8 traction boards (?), water can, hi-lift, winch, etc. You get the picture. He bought the Jeep 3 years ago, put all that money in it, has all that gear mounted all over it only to discover his kids and wife aren't into the camping thing after 2 trips.

 

[tJKrider]

I think you just have to figure out what you need. You take a couple weekend trips and keep a "lessons learned" list and, like I said, figure it out as you go.

Good advice. I think just saying "overlanding" paints a really broad picture so it's hard to provide a one size fits all answer.

@Redneckish no disrespect meant and I appreciate your initial question and effort to obtain some lessons learned. More info on what your actual usage would look like would help, however.

 

[Danarch]

So far, I wouldn't change anything with my rig and setup. I built my sleeping platform so I can still keep the rear seats and be able to still setup in minutes. My platform is high enough to keep small totes of camping gear and food under it while still leaving enough room for my inflatable air mattress on top. My tailgate table is perfect for my 2 burner Colman stove when a fire is not allowed. I also have the AT Overland propane tank mount to feed the grill. Keeps the need for those 1lbs bottles at a very minimum if at all. I've slept in -2°F with snow and in 80°F at night. I have a little buddy heater I modified to keep me warm in cold nights. I also made a solar window fan to keep me cool at night too. Right now I'm saving up for a roof rack and a 270° awning. I'm really happy with my setup.

Pictures of the platform / sleeping area? Been thinking about options for trips we might want to head up the night before hitting the trail.

 

[Danarch]

has all that gear mounted all over it only to discover his kids and wife aren't into the camping thing after 2 trips

Find some buddies / jeep club!

 

[JeepJeezy]

Pictures of the platform / sleeping area? Been thinking about options for trips we might want to head up the night before hitting the trail.

All the wood is covered in speaker box carpet. The rear platform is bolted to the floor. The height of the platform was based off of my totes so i was able to keep totes stores under it when overlanding. Everything is able to disassemble and stoe in the Jeep when not in use. Everything cost me like $28 and that was for the carpet. The wood, screws, and 3M spray glue was free from my work.

 

[Anybodyhome]

This is what I had back in the 80s. Owned a 1980 Toyota pickup longbed with an insulated camper shell. These carpet kits were all the rage back then. The seat cushions are hinged so you have storage inside, and when you set the floor boards up for the bed, storage underneath. Was a good night sleep, too on what is a little larger than a queen size bed. This is a current version offered by SoCal Trucks, but it's the same set up I had 40 years ago

I camped all over the California and Oregon coast with this and loved it. The camper cap was aluminum, insulated with smoked plexi windows, roof vents with a boot thru the sliding rear cab window, wood grain interior... I miss that truck!

 

[Danarch]

S

All the wood is covered in speaker box carpet. The rear platform is bolted to the floor. The height of the platform was based off of my totes so i was able to keep totes stores under it when overlanding. Everything is able to disassemble and stoe in the Jeep when not in use. Everything cost me like $28 and that was for the carpet. The wood, screws, and 3M spray glue was free from my work.

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Thank you. I like how you supported the portion over the rear seats. I assume that portion is completely removed when not in use? It doesn’t look like you have it folding over onto the rear cargo area.

 

[JeepJeezy]

S

Thank you. I like how you supported the portion over the rear seats. I assume that portion is completely removed when not in use? It doesn’t look like you have it folding over onto the rear cargo area.

Thanks. The boards on top of the rear seats are cut to mimic the seat split and just lay on top of the rear part that's bolted down and on top of the 2x6. When not in use, the 2x6 and straps are under the rear seat and the boards are layed across the rear and I use a cinch strap to keep them in place. Hope this makes sense. If not I can take some pictures to show what Tim talking about.

 

[pc1p]

Before giving too much advice, I'd have to first ask what is your current level of outdoor camping experience? Are you a cot type of person or is an air pad okay?

There are many ways to skin a cat. If you've never slept on a platform before, I'd first start there (if that's what you're thinking). Also, consider how long you plan to sleep outdoors, proximity to "resupply" areas, and what level of "creature comforts" will you need. This is what ultimately will drive your build design.

I've known and wheeled with a lot of guys who did plenty of car camping, trail camping, and true, multi-week (month!) overlanding trips (I was also a Cub Master for 3 years). The thing I have seen consistent with those that I know of that are very happy with their setups: modularity. Almost everyone I know with a RTT has ditched it after a few years. A combination of difficulty getting in/out, the constant beating of wind and sun, taking it on and off when not in use (unless you're "one of those guys"), and general annoyance of having to pee in a Gatorade bottle at night or early in the AM gets old (note that I've never done it being a 6'3", 350 lbs, and a former D1 football player haha). Nearly all have switched to either a overland trailer setup, or have ditched the sleeping bed altogether and went with some high quality cots with bug guards. Most of my buddies that do long-range backpacking trips have also ditched their rollouts and inflatables for a quality cot and cover.

Another trend that I've noticed in both general travel as well as overlanding/long-range camping trips: simplicity. Ditching the "one item, one use" things in favor of tools and equipment that serves multiple uses has been a big driving force for overlanding and backpacking (it always ways, but has seen a surge the past few years).

My advice is to simply start camping (remote) out of your Jeep first and see what you need. Make note of things you used and stuff you didn't use. You'll be surprised at how light you can pack. Also be honest with yourself about sleeping. This is the #1 killer-of-joy on camping and backpacking trips. If you're not okay with stiff and perhaps less than comfortable sleeping arrangements, plan accordingly. Don't try to "tough it out" as you'll never want to do it.

 

[JeepJeezy]

My advice is to simply start camping (remote) out of your Jeep first and see what you need. Make note of things you used and stuff you didn't use. You'll be surprised at how light you can pack. Also be honest with yourself about sleeping. This is the #1 killer-of-joy on camping and backpacking trips. If you're not okay with stiff and perhaps less than comfortable sleeping arrangements, plan accordingly. Don't try to "tough it out" as you'll never want to do it.

This is exactly how I started.

 

[tJKrider]

This is exactly how I started.

Same! I refined my technique for the conditions I encountered over 10+ years. Now I do something totally different, but the advice above is solid.

 

[Danarch]

Before giving too much advice, I'd have to first ask what is your current level of outdoor camping experience? Are you a cot type of person or is an air pad okay?

There are many ways to skin a cat. If you've never slept on a platform before, I'd first start there (if that's what you're thinking). Also, consider how long you plan to sleep outdoors, proximity to "resupply" areas, and what level of "creature comforts" will you need. This is what ultimately will drive your build design.

I've known and wheeled with a lot of guys who did plenty of car camping, trail camping, and true, multi-week (month!) overlanding trips (I was also a Cub Master for 3 years). The thing I have seen consistent with those that I know of that are very happy with their setups: modularity. Almost everyone I know with a RTT has ditched it after a few years. A combination of difficulty getting in/out, the constant beating of wind and sun, taking it on and off when not in use (unless you're "one of those guys"), and general annoyance of having to pee in a Gatorade bottle at night or early in the AM gets old (note that I've never done it being a 6'3", 350 lbs, and a former D1 football player haha). Nearly all have switched to either a overland trailer setup, or have ditched the sleeping bed altogether and went with some high quality cots with bug guards. Most of my buddies that do long-range backpacking trips have also ditched their rollouts and inflatables for a quality cot and cover.

Another trend that I've noticed in both general travel as well as overlanding/long-range camping trips: simplicity. Ditching the "one item, one use" things in favor of tools and equipment that serves multiple uses has been a big driving force for overlanding and backpacking (it always ways, but has seen a surge the past few years).

My advice is to simply start camping (remote) out of your Jeep first and see what you need. Make note of things you used and stuff you didn't use. You'll be surprised at how light you can pack. Also be honest with yourself about sleeping. This is the #1 killer-of-joy on camping and backpacking trips. If you're not okay with stiff and perhaps less than comfortable sleeping arrangements, plan accordingly. Don't try to "tough it out" as you'll never want to do it.

Thanks for the thoughts. We have a A-Frame camper we use for the typical camping.

I’m trying to decide what to do for one nighters. Our club will wheel in one day and wheel back out the next day. A good example is our club maintains Barrett Lake trail. They wheel in one day doing trail maintenance, camp overnight and then back out the next day. They plan overnight trips to Hell Hole Reservoir and back out. So do I do something like @JeepJeezy or simply get a two man tent and a cot, which I am leaning towards that route as some of the trips will be in the LJR instead of the wife’s JKU. The wife already said “I’m not taking my Jeep down Hell Hole, not for me!” She joins me in the LJ.