Ready to Rough it: Modified Ford Ranger may be the bug-out vehicle fit for your budget.
Roughing It
Off-road vehicles mean different things to different people depending on their taste in an adventure. Some like to take their 4x4s to the beach to play in the sand while others like to go mudding or rock crawling. For some, it’s not so much the thrill of the drive as it is enjoying the destination. If you’ve ever planned to purchase an off-road vehicle for deep woods camping, hunting or fishing trip, you know the options can get pricey. Hellwig Products debuted a Ranger Overland Camper Conversion vehicle at The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas. The modified Ranger is loaded with camper comforts and slated to be a more affordable option for setting up in the great outdoors.
Overlander
So, what is an overland truck? The outdoorsman will recognize the set up quicker than the average car enthusiast. An overland truck is a pick-up with either a camper or a tent attachment. While large campers are filled with creature comforts, you can’t take a Winnebago across low water streams or up a rocky mountainside. That’s where the overland vehicle comes into play. Usually, a 4x4 truck, the overland vehicle lets you take your campsite as far off-road as you dare to go.
>>Join the conversation about this Ranger Overlander right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Creature Comforts
Hellwig Products modified the 2019 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 with a Tepui Hybox roof tent, a Yakima bed rack and awning and a Bed Slide that holds a Trail Kitchen and an ARB Fridge. With additions and upgrades, the base price of the truck should be in the $45,000 range. Although that isn’t exactly cheap, it’s lower than the cost of many new full-sized 4x4s without camping modifications.
>>Join the conversation about this Ranger Overlander right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Picking the Right Truck
Picking the Right Truck. Hellwig Products specializes in towing and suspension equipment for trucks and SUVs. The company has modified a 2019 Ford Ranger XLT, which is the middle Billy goat of the Ranger family, with a basic XL work truck a little lower on the evolutionary scale and a fancier Lariat trim option available. The Overland Ranger is based on a crew cab with a 4x4 configuration to allow the truck to go over rough terrain.
>>Join the conversation about this Ranger Overlander right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Camping in Style
We all want to customize our trucks in some way or another. The base price of $45,000 can get left in the dust if you choose to option up. Hellwig had an Icon Vehicle Dynamics Suspension installed (a good idea for rough trails), 17-inch Icon Alloy wheels, 35-inch Falken off-road tires and a Rigid Industries Light bar added to shine through the dark night. They topped off their Overland truck with a T-Rex metal grille and Bushwacker fender flares. The end result may not be as affordable as we hoped but it sure is cool.
>>Join the conversation about this Ranger Overlander right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
For help keeping your truck in great shape, check out the how to section of Ford-Trucks.com
