Suburban Overlander

Work Completed

This was quite an interesting and fun project to work on. Our client, a photographer and author, wanted to outfit his Chevrolet Suburban as an all-terrain overlanding rig, with the capability for full-time living. Once we had completed all of the work he wanted, he used this rig to follow thru-hikers along the Appalachian Trail, take their photographs and interviews, and publish a photography book detailing their journeys and telling their stories. If you want to learn more about his work, go check out localexposuremagazine.com.

We made the following modifications for his rig:

- After removing the rear seats, we built out a storage compartment that would fit in the existing area and create a continuous, level surface to the back of the vehicle. The levelness allowed this area to be used as a bed when camping.
  - The compartment lids were attached using stainless steel piano hinges for strength and durability in the elements.
  - Gas struts were installed to make the lids stay open.
  - All plywood was treated with spar urethane, which is rated for exterior use.
  - The compartment was bolted to the vehicle using machine bolts in existing threaded holes in the floor.
- Installed a heavy-duty on-off switch to enable isolation of the vehicle and house batteries.
- Ran heavy-duty wire under the vehicle to the rear for a DC fuse panel and 120 V AC inverter.
- Installed a 400 W power inverter to convert 12 Vdc power to 120 V AC.
- Mounted and wired ARB off-road lights to front bumper.
- Created a solar power system for off-grid charging including the following:
  - 100 W monocrystalline, flexible solar panel installed on front hood.
  - Waterproof charge controller installed in front engine compartment near house battery.
- Installed a 12 Vdc ICECO refrigerator on a lock-in/lock-out sliding tray. This included building a stand for the sliding tray so that it would clear the rear tailgate.
- Mounted and wired a 12 Vdc fan to the passenger central column.