I love budget-friendly overland rigs since they prioritize experiences above all else; recent offerings include this $11,000 1994 Ford F-150, $7,500 2006 Lexus GX470, and $5,500 2006 Mitsubishi Montero. A couple of years back, I bought a bargain 1992 Mitsubishi Delica L300 for under $7,000 as a temporary replacement for my Vanagon Syncro. Despite living inside with little more than a battery system and a bed platform, it turned out to be one of the best years of travel since I hit the road over a decade ago. It was a weight off my shoulders driving a relatively inexpensive vehicle that I could leave anywhere, and I could reach amazing camp spots and crucially, get me home (courtesy of fabled Japanese reliability). Consequently, I spent my free time enjoying nature rather than being stuck in a garage and had more disposable income to plan future adventures. Cue today’s 2006 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 (285,000 miles), which boasts tasteful upgrades, a basic but functional camper interior, and is priced at just $7,000. A great deal of work has been completed to ensure this rig is ready for exploration, with a full list of maintenance documented in the original listing. The Suburban may not be the first 4WD that comes to mind when we think about overlanding, but a quick online search reveals no shortage of adventure-equipped offerings, including impressive builds from Horizon Camper builds, KnightDrive TV, and Suboverland.
From the Seller:
“We purchased the vehicle from Suboverland in September of 2021, and have put 65,000 miles on it. I love this truck, and we have camped all across the West and the Canadian Rockies in it. We just upgraded to a Tundra, so it needs a new home. Despite the maintenance and repairs [performed], I realize it’s not perfect. The paint is flaking on parts of the body (driver’s side), and it has various dings and dents from trail use. It’s high mileage, but the engine runs strong, and based on the oil analysis, I am quite confident in it. I think it would be a great overland build for someone on a budget.”
2006 Chevrolet Suburban 1500
The Suburban is fitted with a 5.3-liter V8 Vortec motor that produces 295 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque. A dependable motor is matched with impressive all-terrain capability thanks to 4WD, high and low range, armor, a lifted and uprated suspension, and all-terrain tires. Inside these rugged backcountry attributes are balanced with driver comforts that include:
- Air-conditioning
- Cruise control
- Power steering, windows, and locks
- Captain’s chairs
- Center console with cupholders
Distinguishing Features
- Bilstein 5100 shocks with Moog HD springs
- Drawer system and wall storage
- BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tires
- Dual battery system with solar panel and inverter
- Roof tray
- Ceiling vent fan
This 2006 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 is listed for $7,000 OBO and is currently located in Twin Falls, Idaho. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.
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