Outfit Your Jeep for Overlanding

What is overlanding? It’s not so different from backpacking, except that you carry everything with you in your vehicle as opposed to on your back. And like backpacking, the journey is the reward, and established campgrounds are to be avoided. If you’ve ever hiked cross-country or thrown out a sleeping bag on a ridge in a lightning storm, it’s kind of like that—it’s about self-reliant adventure, typically exploring remote locations. If you are considering getting into overlanding, your first step is to visit your local Jeep dealership, because Jeeps are the perfect vehicles for taking you into unfamiliar territory. If you are headed into a remote, under-explored region for multiple days, weeks, or months, you’ll want a vehicle that can get you through anything.

Choosing your mode of transportation is the most important part of planning your next adventure. Luckily, overlanding has come a long way since Hannibal led the Carthaginian army over the Alps—on elephants—in an attempt to surprise the Romans in 218 BC. Now you can visit your local Jeep dealership and find a proper overlanding vehicle. You will want a vehicle that is capable of traversing just about any terrain and weather you might encounter. While the Carthaginian army had to build roads through the mountains, you’ll want a vehicle that can take you far off-road, and there’s no better vehicle than a Jeep for overland adventures.

The Jeep Wrangler

Jeep Wranglers are particularly suited for overland adventures, but the whole lineup of Jeep SUVs—and the Jeep Gladiator—are also known as capable over-landers. While your vehicle must be a capable off-roader, it also must be adept at handling vastly changing terrain, and must be reliable and built for endurance as well as difficult terrain. It also needs to be comfortable. So you can see why the Jeep Wrangler is a popular choice for overland adventures. With many options to customize your Wrangler for your travel needs, the Jeep Wrangler inspires the imagination of adventure seekers everywhere.

The Jeep Wrangler is actually one of the reasons for the surge in popularity of overlanding. With overlanding being a type of recreational activity that combines off-road driving and off-grid camping, the Jeep Wrangler makes this sport accessible for everyone. While the Rubicon model might be the best suited for these adventures, all Wranglers are excellent choices for your next adventure. Even without any modifications, you are ready to hit the open road. But customizing your Wrangler is part of the fun of overlanding. Packing and preparing for your trip can be almost as fun as the trip itself. The anticipation and thought that goes into a trip is part of the journey—making sure you are prepared for anything you might encounter.

So, let’s take a look at some of the things you should be aware of as you plan your trip, and how you can set up your Jeep for a hassle-free venture into the still-wild corners of this planet. Keep in mind; you will most likely be heading somewhere where there are no humans and where your cell phone does not work, so you will want to plan and then plan some more until you are sufficiently overprepared.

Rooftop Tent

The first thing you will want to look into is where you will be sleeping. If you are planning on sleeping in your Wrangler, you might want to reconsider. Your Wrangler will most likely be filled with all of your gear and supplies, so that might not be your best option. One of the most convenient things you can do to your Wrangler before setting out into the great unknown is installing a rooftop tent.

Rooftop tents are secured to a roof rack and look like a thin cargo box. They expand into a comfortable sleeping area, and you will appreciate being off the ground when critters visit your camp late at night. Some of these tents even have hydraulic struts that raise the tent into place, so all you’ll need to do is grab your sleeping bag. And after a day of exploring, you will certainly appreciate the added convenience, as well as the rooftop view of the bears and coyotes passing through your camp.

Kitchen

The next thing you should consider, especially if you are planning on spending more than a night or two in the wilds, is a Jeep kitchen. Yes, it is possible to turn your Jeep Wrangler into a mini-apartment, and there are many options to cook in the wild with your Wrangler, such as an Overland Kitchen. This setup fits seamlessly into your Wrangler and can include a refrigerator, freezer, stove, and storage space, as well as prep space. With many options to customize, the possibilities are endless. With a setup like this, you will be the envy of everyone you come across on your adventures.

Suspension

Modern conveniences aside, you might want to consider some more vital modifications to your Jeep. With all of the gear and supplies you will be carrying, upgrading your suspension is a good idea. While the suspension is critical for rock crawling, it is also important for overland travel. You might be running up against your payload capacity with everything you will be bringing along, so making sure your suspension is up to the task is important. Talk to us at Orange Coast, or your local Jeep dealership, about how you should go about beefing up your suspension for your trip.

Air Compressor

You might also want to consider installing an air compressor, which can be installed under the hood, as this might prove extremely useful as you move through different terrain. Being able to air down—and up—whenever you need to will ensure you are ready for anything. If you get stuck in soft sand, for example, all you will need to do is reduce your tire pressure, and you’re back on the road again—and able to fill up your tires once you hit the road.

Winch

And even if you have a 4:1 transfer case, disconnecting sway bar, etc., you might want to consider installing a winch, because you will inevitably find yourself really stuck at some point, or come across someone else who is stuck. For those moments when a dry lakebed gives way, or snow turns to ice, having a winch on board can be a lifesaver. You might also want to install a heavy-duty battery along with the winch.

Lift Kit

Another thing to consider when customizing your Jeep is a lift kit. Lifting your Jeep increases your clearance, and in rugged, remote terrain, this can be the difference between turning around and keeping going. A 2.5- to 3.5-inch lift is ideal for overland travel, as it will not compromise the on-road performance and will provide enough clearance for most trails.

Start Your Adventure with Orange Coast Jeep

If you are looking to customize your Jeep, Orange Coast Jeep is the place to start. We specialize in all things Jeep and can recommend the best way to personalize your Jeep for both your budget and your needs. If you are just getting into overlanding and are not sure where to start, we can point you in the right direction and get you on the road to your next adventure. Stop by and chat with us and learn about one of the fastest-growing segments in off-roading. We know how to customize Jeeps at Orange Coast—as we like to say: you dream it, we build it.