I see thousands of rigs posted to our forum, so it takes something special to stop me in my tracks, and today’s 2009 Chevrolet Kodiak C4500 4×4 is one such example. This vehicle started life as a Yellowstone National Park ambulance before being purchased by today’s owner with just 14,000 miles on the clock and transformed into an expedition truck coined “The Lost Box.” The build was meticulously documented on the Lost Box website, Instagram, YouTube, and on the Expedition Portal forum, and is well known and admired within the community. The Kodiak C4500 4×4 that underpins the build was engineered from the factory for rugged commercial applications and is, in all regards, built to withstand daily punishment. With its long-lived and exceptionally powerful 6.6-liter Duramax motor (averaging 12 mpg), heavy-duty 4WD system, and generous payload, it’s the ideal platform for a fully equipped camper or habitation box. This vehicle is the epitome of built-not-bought and has been reimagined from the ground up to be a comfortable year-round rolling home for weeks off the grid. The attention to detail is truly outstanding and needs to be seen to be appreciated (reference this full tour on YouTube). At $159,000, this package represents impressive value when you consider its low miles (65,000), meticulous service history, and almost $80,000 worth of upgrades with receipts (not including labor). Further still, comparable expedition-ready Kodiaks from the likes of outfitter Hunter RMV have a starting price of $235,000. Finally, the seller is offering the buyer “as much orientation as you need and one year of support,” and will include the existing Instagram account with more than 17,000 followers and the YouTube channel. This is a truly incredible overlanding package and would serve as the perfect turn-key expedition truck for domestic or international adventures or full-time life on the road.
From the Seller:
“Many thanks to Global Expedition Vehicles and Earth Roamer for inspiring me to create my own camper. My goal was to have a vehicle with similar features without spending half a million dollars. This camper was built to get out into the wild and survive there. It has all the features of a well-equipped tiny home combined with a robust drivetrain and chassis to ensure peace of mind while exploring the world’s backcountry.”
2009 Chevrolet Kodiak C4500 4×4
The Kodiak is fitted with a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel that, in stock form, produces 300 horsepower and a considerable 520 pound-feet of torque (today’s example has been uprated) and is mated to an Allison transmission. A powerful motor is matched with excellent all-terrain capability thanks to 4WD, high and low range, a lifted and uprated suspension, heavy-duty Dana axles, manual locking front hubs, armor, and a rear limited slip differential. Inside, these rugged attributes are balanced with a well-appointed interior with driver comforts that include:
- Power steering, windows, and locks
- Various accessory mounts
- Captain’s chairs
- Atoto infotainment system with custom speakers, Alpine amp, and subwoofer (and rear surround sound for movies)
- Dash and backup cameras
- Auxiliary accessory switches
- Center console
- Cell phone booster
- Kill switch and GPS tracking with geofence
Distinguishing Features
Please see the vehicle’s Expedition Portal forum thread for full build specifications. Below is a selection of notable highlights.
- Roof rack with spare tire (with winch system) and storage box
- Super single wheels with Continental MPT tires (two-piece wheels for self-management)
- Bathroom with Nature’s Head composting toilet, sink, shower, window, and fan (outside shower)
- Freshwater, 70 gallons, with filtration system and Kuma heater (and recirculation system)
- Victron power system with lithium house batteries 400-amp-hours total, battery protection, Multiplus 3,000-watt inverter, solar controller, 1,300 watts of Panasonic solar, and GX display
- Pass-through
- Kitchen with 2-burner induction cooktop, microwave, sink, Corian countertop, Isotherm refrigerator
- Huge interior and exterior storage compartments with rear garage (space for two mountain bikes) and giant pantry accessible from outside
- Espar diesel heater, heated flooring, Pioneer mini split 9000 BTU air-conditioning
- Custom valved King shocks, Deaver front springs, and rear adjustable air suspension
- Dual air compressors with 5-gallon tank
- Eurovision double-pane acrylic windows with screens and shades, 24-inch Bomar roof hatch, and Maxxair fan
- Queen-size 5-inch memory foam mattress
- Heavy-duty air hydraulic jack
This 2009 Chevrolet Kodiak C4500 4×4 is listed for $159,000 OBO and is currently located in Colorado. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.
Contact Information:
Email: tok2tom@gmail.com
