This is pretty much the way the Jeep GC looks now, minus the overlanding trailer that I will get to toward the end of my Jeep GC Build series. In this series, I will focus on the modifications we made to this stock 2000 Jeep GC to make it the overlanding vehicle we use.
As I mentioned in my first Travel/Outdoor post, we began our overlanding hobby with our 2-wheel drive Dodge Ram 2500. While it would drive the forest roads just fine, we knew we wanted something 4-wheel drive. We looked through Craigslist for several weeks until both of us independently found this. We drove to the little used car lot and took it out on a test drive. We knew it would need some transmission work, but for the right price it was worth it.
The first thing we did was get rid of the street tires in favor of this Mastercraft all terrain tires. We knew we would not be mudding in this Jeep GC because mud is so hard on vehicles, so we just wanted a good solid tire that would grab in most situations. We have been incredibly pleased with these tires! They work great even on paved roads. (We recommend QuikWay Lube and Tire in Malvern, AR. Great people, great help, great selection, and great deals.)
When we purchased the Jeep GC, it would not go into 4-low. We had the transmission and transfer case rebuilt to fix that problem, but we knew we would need more help to get out of possible jams. Later, Mud Connection in Little Rock, AR, installed electric lockers to help us get out of jams even more.
We got with the guys at Mud Connection, and they fixed us up with a winch bumper with a Smittybilt winch, a swing-away rear bumper, and a Frontrunner Slimline 2 roof rack. A few additions to the roof rack and spare tire to the back, and we were ready for adventure!
These photos together show most of the items on the roof rack. We have an ax on one side and a shovel on the other side. On the front are radio antennas for our communications devices (that will be in another post). Starting from the front and forefront: Frontrunner Monsoon Bag; Frontrunner water tank; large ammo can with various liquids and miscellaneous parts for the Jeep GC; tools (kit bought from Tractor Supply Company because it fit perfectly); 2 gas cans; and another monsoon bag is beside the gas cans. The last photo is a better look at the water tank.
Next...the evolution of the table.
~Julie
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