Overland Vagabond - Cool Global Expedition Vehicle

[OverlandVagabond]

Hi there,

This is to introduce a slightly different build of an expedition vehicle - European size, Ford Ranger 2016 base platform and Geocar CondorPlus cell.

I’ve quit my job and cut short my career to become a full-time Overlander, and I've opted to document on various channels our adventures, misfortunes, and experiences whilst on the journey - a multi-year odyssey planned to start in a few months. In the meantime, I’m sharing through my videos the preparation works, and in particular the build of the vehicle that we will drive.


Raw build - Before rendering and transformation

I've posted a series of videos on my YouTube Channel documenting my build, and it would be great to welcome you there. You can watch all the Season 0 videos posted so far, and you can also Subscribe to get notified of the upcoming episodes.


Season 0 Episodes - Posted and upcoming

Depending on your preferences, you can follow me also on the following platforms - would be cool to connect there:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- Patreon

The last one (Patreon) is a closed group of supporters that amongst other enjoy to watch video clips, which I can NOT publish to the general audience on YouTube.

Thank you!
Marcel

 

[zip]

Wild looking rig.
Good luck on your journey.

 

[OverlandVagabond]

Hi there,

Here a few pics of the Overland Vagabond vehicle transformation:


Initial state - Autumn 2016


Permanent removal of loading bay


New EMU suspensions and shocks


Porthole to the cabin


Cell build - not yet adapted to Ranger


Very first marriage

For more details, pics, clips and explanations, please visit my YouTube channel and watch all the posted Season 0 Episodes - thanks!

Cheers,
Marcel

 

[OverlandVagabond]

Hello,

Next set of pics:


Modelling the juncture Ranger-Cell


Cell painted, ready for installation


Precision work - don't let it fall!


Better boots - will be mounted only at the end


Need to make some room for the new boots


Raw state, before rendering and transformation begins

For more details, pics, clips and explanations, please visit my YouTube channel and watch all the posted Season 0 Episodes - thanks!

Cheers,
Marcel

 

[OverlandVagabond]

Wild looking rig.
Good luck on your journey.

Thank you - I will need that!

 

[OverlandVagabond]

Hi there,

I thought it would be worth to share here Episode 3 of my Season 0 videos, dedicated to the vehicle that we will drive while on the journey.
I'm giving an overview of the most common cells available in Europe, explain my own choice and introduce you to the raw build of our expedition vehicle.


Enjoy!
Marcel

 

[Darwin]

Mercel, thank you for contributing to the website, I love seeing the work that is done over in Europe as far as expedition vehicles go. I think the Europeans have been out way ahead in this area and the US has a lot of catching up to do. The videos are awesome and describe nice detail about the camper.

 

[OverlandVagabond]

Mercel, thank you for contributing to the website, I love seeing the work that is done over in Europe as far as expedition vehicles go. I think the Europeans have been out way ahead in this area and the US has a lot of catching up to do. The videos are awesome and describe nice detail about the camper.

Thank you, Darwin - really appreciated!

I will be posting new videos regularly, please subscribe to my YouTube channel to get notified when these will be available.

 

[erstwild]

Does Geocar export to the US or have any distributors? Also, what is the general pricing?

 

[s.e.charles]

this is wild stuff.

Q: how tall is the rear end of the cabane? it looks quite high both from the side and rear, but I have no perspective since I am not familiar with the truck part. I assume there is nothing of weight built in this far past the rear axle so it is just standing room?

subscribed to the YT channel to keep up with this project. thanks

 

[OverlandVagabond]

Does Geocar export to the US or have any distributors? Also, what is the general pricing?

Hi Erstwild,

Although I'm not representing Geocar nor am I paid to advertise them, I don't believe they've a distributor in the US. They may export though, the best is to contact Arno, founder and owner of Geocar - same goes for the pricing. You can find his address at the end of my video S00E04 - Geocar Interview: Meet the founder and constructor of the CondorPlus.

.

 

[OverlandVagabond]

this is wild stuff.

Q: how tall is the rear end of the cabane? it looks quite high both from the side and rear, but I have no perspective since I am not familiar with the truck part. I assume there is nothing of weight built in this far past the rear axle so it is just standing room?

subscribed to the YT channel to keep up with this project. thanks

Hi Charles,

The rear end is about 2.85m / 9.35ft with the roof lowered, the latter can be lifted to gain another 50cm / 20" of room - it gives an even more spacious feeling and provides fresh and cooling air. The requirement was to fit it into a high-cube container, which is feasible with a few tricks. You can find more details on my cell choice in my video S00E03 - Vehicle Cell: What's the right cell choice?.

You're right, behind the rear axle there is still plenty of space and room, but all the heavy equipment and gear is placed before the former. Also here more details on my video S00E05 - Cell Build: How to build a cell from scratch.

.

 

[s.e.charles]

thanks. I intend to catch up with the video over the upcoming weekend.

ps: love the forelorn expression on the logo bird. when will stickers be available?

 

[OverlandVagabond]

thanks. I intend to catch up with the video over the upcoming weekend.

ps: love the forelorn expression on the logo bird. when will stickers be available?

Welcome! Enjoy the videos... and subscribe to my Overland Vagabond YouTube Channel to get notified of new uploads - Episode 8 will be up in about one week.

The 'bird' is supposed to be a condor, a bit miserable like a 'vagabond'... I've no stickers yet, will make them as soon as this venture will pick up some momentum - stay tuned!

 

[OverlandVagabond]

Hi there,

Here a few new pictures pertaining to the exterior build.


Masking for the paint job


Drying in the paint chamber


Custom fenders adapted to the new tires


Custom rear bumper... functions also as compressed air tank


Installing the custom front bumper

For the full video, please click on my latest Episode 08 - Exterior Build: Finally we see what's going to look like.



Enjoy!
Marcel