In 2022 we grew tired of squishing a large camper into the standard 8′ truckbox only to be left with no additional packing space. Can’t afford a custom overland truck like Unimog or an MAN8370. Other rationale for sticking with my traditional North American ‘pickup’ is access-ability, weight, availability of parts, fuel consumption (15 L/100km) and the fact that I know every bolt and wire on this truck. Besides, this Dodge owes me too much to replace.
The solution? I’d build my own flat deck, lengthen the bed, add some boxes below and up top. Add some parochial engineering design, lots of drilling and cutting, many beers…
Our overland truck specs…
- 2007.5 Dodge 3500 4×4
- Custom home-built aluminum 9′ x 7′ 4″ flat-deck
- 6.7L Cummins 540hp 1300ft.lb of torque, studded, ringed, deleted, custom ECM tune
- Dodge Off Road front linkages and poly bushes all around
- BD Sway bar links
- On-board air, rear 7500lb air bags
- Coolant filter, diesel pre-heat exchanger
- 18,000lb relocatable winch
Our overland truck camper specs…
- 1997 Bigfoot 1500 C95FS camper
- 600W solar, 2kw GoPower Inverter, 300Ah Lithium
As this website progresses I will publish details of the hundreds of pounds of spares and recovery gear we carry to ensure a return journey. Send me an email if you are interested
Like any ‘home’ this overland truck rig is in a perpetual state of flux. I am always searching for reliability, functional and performance upgrades, comfort.
Pending as at January 2023
- Mishimoto tranny cooler, radiator and charge cooler upgrade
- Grid heater delete
- air locker rear, Detroit spool in the front
- military-wrap rear leaf spring add
- Kelderman front air bags system
- BD tranny rebuild
- Mount winch receiver in front
- overland truck recovery gear list
Lot’s of work yet this spring, then some serious trials and recovery exercises, training closer to home in the summer with some company.
We are considering the idea of finding another couple to join us to Baja 2023/24 in their vehicle, some folk who are of similar ilk to ourselves. Interested? Give me a shout here.
