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Overlanding is becoming ever more popular because of its broad appeal to outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy extended vehicle-based adventure travel and off-grid backcountry exploration. The overland style of camping offers all the challenges of off-road driving and discovery with the comforts of an improved-campsite experience.
With the right upgrades and accessories, any truck or SUV can be transformed into an overlander that will carry you to destinations most only dream about. With retail stores and installation centers located from coast to coast, 4 Wheel Parts is your partner in getting the best of everything for your overlanding explorations. Here are seven essentials to get you started on your way to overlanding adventure.
The Fab Fours Overlanding Rack is designed to carry all the overlanding essentials needed to get your vehicle on its way to becoming the ultimate backcountry explorer. Its welded 12-gauge steel construction offers support for a rooftop tent and the rack's expandable capability makes it perfect for all your additional overlanding accessories. Featuring integrated pod mounts, multiple mounting points, numerous tie-down points, and integrated roof access steps, the Fab Fours Overlanding Rack is the foundation upon which you can begin transforming your truck into a long-distance, off-grid adventure vehicle. Shop Now
The Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander Tent is the next step to building an overlanding vehicle. Designed to be comfortable and easy to set up, the tent features anodized aluminum frame poles and stainless-steel hinges to hold the 51-inch-tall tent open. The Smittybilt GEN2 tent fabric is waterproof, and for extra protection from the elements a waterproof rainfly can be deployed. The Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander Tent is rated to sleep 2-4 people, easy to open, convenient to use, and simple to close. The Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander Tent gets you another step closer to overland exploration. Shop Now
If you're traveling overlander style, you definitely need the ultimate overland-travel camp seating comfort of the Smittybilt Camping Chair with Cooler and Table. Its lightweight aluminum construction and collapsible design make it easy to carry and store but strong enough to provide a 300-pound weight capacity. The chair also features a removeable insulated cooler bag and a fold-up table with an integrated cup holder. The Smittybilt Camping Chair with Cooler and Table is a comfy and convenient camp chair for sitting around the campfire with friends talking about the day's explorations. Shop Now
Two models of Smittybilt Dual Zone Fridge/Freezers are part of our seven overlanding essentials list. The best choice will depend upon your needs. For a weekend getaway, the all-new Smittybilt Waypoint 55L Dual Zone Fridge/Freezer features 55 liters of storage space, while the larger Smittybilt Basecamp 75L Dual Zone Fridge/Freezer offers 75 liters of icy-cold roominess for longer adventures. Each can run on internal rechargeable batteries, the vehicle's 12V accessory power, or a standard 100-watt solar panel. Portability is made convenient by the fridge/freezer's extendable handles and removable wheels. Both offer touchscreen control via Bluetooth and the Smittybilt Connect Smartphone App. Shop Now
A good set of aftermarket shock absorbers are number five on our list of overlanding essentials. Overland adventures tend to favor dirt roads, and a set of Pro Comp PRO-M monotube shock absorbers or Rubicon Express monotube shock absorbers will help your vehicle adjust to its new adventures. The Pro Comp PRO-M and Rubicon Express shocks feature nitrogen-gas charged internals for optimum compression and rebound performance, and multi-stage valving to tailor the ride and handling characteristics to the terrain or road surface. Fitments for stock and lifted trucks are available in the Pro Comp PRO-M and Rubicon Express monotube line of shock absorbers. Shop Pro Comp Now and Shop Rubicon Express Now
Tough wheels that can take a beating are an overlanding essential, and one of our favorites is the Black Rhino Abrams wheel. Available in all the popular sizes and bolt patterns to match a multitude of overlanding vehicles, the Black Rhino Abrams is a military-inspired cast-aluminum wheel with a deep lip. It's available in 17-, 18-, and 20-inch wheel fitments to enhance the look of any overlanding truck or SUV. Depending upon wheel size, a number of offsets, backspacings, and load ratings are available in the aggressively styled wheel. The Abrams wheel can be ordered in Gloss Gunblack with a machined dark-tint lip, Textured Matte Gunmetal, or OD Green to best suit your overland vehicle's overall look. Shop Now
Number seven on our overlanding essentials checklist is a set of really good off-road tires. The Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T is an all-terrain tire featuring the company's exclusive PowerPly XD construction for improved puncture resistance, steering reaction, and stability. It's available in a range of sizes (all the way up to 37x12.50R17LT) and load ratings. The tread is designed with angled shoulder blocks and large voids; staggered, irregular center blocks; and Mickey Thompson's patented Extreme Sidebiters on the upper sidewalls, creating a suite of traction features capable of handling a variety of terrain and road surfaces. Shop Now