Here’s the gold bus as we call it now. This is how I bought it, with the lift on it but basically nothing else really changed (wheels and tires aren’t stock I know). Soon I’ll post its current state. Mid transition from gold bus to HK apocalypse vehicle! I know these are **** pics but I forgot to take some before we started the process and these are screen grabs from the video the dealer sent me lol. Stay tuned for phase 2 photos!

 

Congrats on the new EX.
Engine?
4 wheel/2 wheel drive?
What are your plans for your ride?

 

So this is a 2004 v10 4x4 fresh from Texas. The engine is a Jasper reman with less than 2k miles. Body is clean and no major repair is needed for it cosmetically. I’ve already had to replace the lift gate as someone had done a very crappy job of putting new glass on it and nothing was working(defrost, sprayer, wiper, etc). I’ve added an Aluminess rear bumper with brush guards, swing out tire holder and storage rack. Front bumper is now Ranch Hand Legend. Funny story when the body shop saw the front bumper they asked, “where are u driving this thing, Afghanistan?!?!”. Added a roof visor and a cervinis ram air hood. Amp research drop step running boards (I’m short,
it’s tall lol). Black Rhino Arsenal wheels going on next week. Gibson side swept single out exhaust with the patriot exhaust tip. We are still looking for someone to fabricate a roof cage with a ladder. The paint will be HK grey with black LineX coating the underbody and up 4” all
around. To include the bumpers. Will add lighting to the roof rack once we’ve got it. My husband wants to mount a 50 cal to the roof but I feel like law enforcement might have an issue with that. It’s currently getting a new CAT and then it will be home for its photo shoot in its mid transition state. Probably won’t get to paint and LineX till April.

 

The downside to the .50 is the brass & links chip the roof down to bare metal pretty quick & becomes a serious rust problem.
Black rhino really makes some nice wheels, I've had my eye on the Armory for a while, just putting money elsewhere at the moment. (stepping up the transmission game).
have you considered comms set up for it? CB/Ham?
Sounds like a good build. Following

 

Would should LineX the roof to prevent brass and link damage. Also husband says “fire for effect” in response to your call name here. We do like the CB/HAM comm idea. We will get with a local, um, chapter here in Michigan to go about that. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Looks great, congrats!

 

Welcome to the fam, ma'am.

 

so here it is so far. The only thing I forgot to mention in the original post was the upgraded side mirrors.

 

Curious about those mirrors, the arms look like the ones on the duramax trucks.
Dig that hood too.

 

The mirrors I ordered from TopGearAutoSport.com, they are Excursion tow mirrors switchback part # A128AB81221. I realize I should’ve added a photo with the tire actually mounted to the rear bumper since that was the whole reason I got it! I’ll have to get that one up today when the sun comes up.

 

Getting the spare out of the cargo area, especially when it's an oversized tire makes all the difference in the world. What are your plans for the interior & organization?
I've got intentions for a slide-out cargo rack in the rear that I'd like to get done if all the other surprises have run their course.
Always looking for ideas on sorting out the cargo area.

 

So far I’ve not gotten into interior storage stuff as I have a hockey player (goalie) and a softball player that I am constantly carting people and gear around so having the big open space works. I’ve seen some awesome storage set ups on YouTube after searching Excursion overland builds.