Ford Overland Trucks Dominate the Landscape at SEMA

Ford Ranger, Super Duty and Expedition are outfitted for camping in remote locations.

Ford got in on the overlanding action at the 2019 SEMA Show. The Motor Company offered up a collection of vehicles that are modified for traveling to remote locations. These trucks and SUVs are also loaded with an array of items needed for comfortable living well off of the grid. This includes sleeping quarters, cooking stations and loads of storage for a lengthy excursion into the wilderness.

What is Overlanding?

According to the good people at Wikipedia, overlanding is defined as self-reliant overland travel to remote destinations where the journey is the principal goal. Overland travel is basically driving off-road for long distances. You set a waypoint that is way off of the grid and head there in your four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Once there, you set up base camp and rely on whatever you have in your vehicle. The Ford trucks and SUVs built for overlanding are modified to go anywhere. Once at the location, these trucks serve as a living space during the trip.

Some overland vehicles are basically motorhomes built to go off-road. These Ford overlanders are tent-based vehicles in a variety of forms, making these more affordable builds.

Here is a look at the five overland rigs that Ford featured at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Ford Expedition Limited Stealth 4×4 by Mad Industries

First up, we have this slick 2019 Ford Expedition Limited Stealth. Built by Mad Industries, this SUV came from the factory with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and the 10-speed automatic transmission.

Engine upgrades include a Borla cat-back exhaust system and a Whipple Stage 1 induction system. Chassis upgrades include an Icon Vehicle Dynamics Stage 2 suspension lift with adjustable coilovers and Hellwig tubular front and rear sway bars. It also has PowerStop high performance behind the big Fuel Off-Road wheels. The tires are from Nitto and the off-road lights are from Rigid.

Once you get to base camp, this Expedition features a Yakima medium rise tent on the roof. Inside, this SUV features a Ford Accessories rear seat entertainment system, a portable refrigerator, a vehicle safe, a first aid kit and floor liners. Watch a movie, drink some cold beverages and go to sleep on the roof-mounted tent.

Ford Ranger XLT Sport Supercrew FX4 by Hellwig Products

Next up, we have a 2019 Ford Ranger XLT Sport Supercrew FX4 that was built by Hellwig Products. This truck came from the factory with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, the 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive.

Performance upgrades include a Ford Performance exhaust system, a Hellwig adjustable rear sway bar, a Hellwig helper spring and an Icon Vehicle Dynamics 3.5-inch suspension lift system. It rides on Icon wheels wrapped in Falken rubber.

The body of this Ford Ranger has been upgraded with Addictive Desert Designs front and rear bumpers and rock sliders, Bushwhacker fender flares and an array of LED lights from Rigid. The camping aspect is enhanced with a bed rack, bike rack and awning system from Yakima, a rack-mounted tent from Tepul, an ARB refrigerator, a Trail Kitchens bed mounted kitchen system, a Goal Zero solar power system, a Rockford Fosgate outdoor sound system and much more.

This Ford Ranger is basically everything that you get from a motorhome in a midsized pickup that will get through tight spaces.

Ford Ranger XLT Sport Supercrew FX4 “Rambler” by RTR

This Ford Ranger XLT Sport Supercrew FX4 was built by the Ready-To-Rock (RTR) crew and it is named Rambler.

It began as an average XLT Sport FX4 pickup with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, the 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive. RTR improved the off-road capabilities with a Ford Performance exhaust system, a Fox by Ford Performance suspension leveling kit and RTR wheels wrapped in Nitto rubber.

The exterior of this Ranger has been upgraded with a Ford Performance by ARB front bumper, hoop-style side steps, an RTR Vehicles upper grille with signature lighting, a Warn Industries winch, RTR fender flares, an RTR air intake snorkel and LED lights from Rigid. Next, a portable refrigerator has been included, along with Wavian fuel and water tanks, an ARB air compressor, snowboard racks and custom bed storage.

This Ranger doesn’t have as many camping amenities, but it would be great for an overnight trip.

Ford F-250 XLT SRW Crew Cab 4×4 “Baja Forged” by LGE-CTS Motorsports

The first Super Duty overlander that we will look at is this 2020 F-250 XLT Crew Cab. LGE-CTS Motorsports built this truck, naming it Baja Forged.

This truck came from the factory with the 6.7-liter PowerStroke V8, the 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive. LGE-CTS Motorsports upgraded the performance with a Borla exhaust system and an elaborate Icon Vehicle Dynamics 4.5-inch suspension lift system. It also has an Icon Vehicle Dynamics dual steering stabilizer, Hellwig front and rear sway bars, Hellwig helper air bag system and an on-board air compressor system.

Exterior upgrades to this F-250 include a new front bumper, roof rack and carbon fiber front fenders from Baja Forged. There is also a spread of Rigid LED off-road lights, but what makes this truck so unique is the cargo box. The stock box has been removed. A modified Pronghorn utility box has replaced it. The storage compartments of this work box are filled with the essentials for a trip into the wilderness, rather than being filled with jobsite essentials.

Once this Super Duty gets to the intended location, a Tepul tent mounted to the roof provides room for two people to sleep. There is also an ARB awning kit, an ARB weatherproof refrigerator, an LGE-CTS custom canopy and much more.

Ford F-350 XLT SRW Crew Cab FX4 by BDS Suspension

Finally, the biggest overlander that Ford showcased in their SEMA display was this 2020 F-350 XLT Crew Cab FX4 by BDS Suspension.

This truck started as an average one-ton pickup with the 6.7-liter PowerStroke diesel and the 10-speed automatic transmission. A Borla exhaust system, BDS 4-inch radius arm lift kit with Fox coilovers and Ridetech air bag system finish off the chassis build. The wheels are Method Race and the tires are Mickey Thompson rubber.

The exterior upgrades of this F-350 begin with the BDS custom bed rack and rear bumper. There is also an Addictive Desert Designs front bumper, a bunch of Rigid LED off-road lights, Fiberwerx fiberglass front fenders, Ford Performance Tremor side steps and more.

This Super Duty also carries a Hardshell tent and awning, an off-the-grid 110V power system, a Dometic electric refrigerator, a 2-burner gas grill, a bed tray system and tons of off-road essentials.

This F-350 will get you deep into the wilderness. Once there, you can live comfortable for a long time, including a place to sleep and cook meals.

Ford was just one of the companies which focused on overlanding at the 2019 SEMA Show. However, the Motor Company did it better than any of the competitors.

Photos: Derin Richardson for Ford-Trucks

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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