New member from Orange County California

[MedDevGeek88]

Hey Everyone, I'm a new member (well, joined a while ago actually, but never posted anything until now) and I'm in the OC area in SoCal. My current rig is a heavily modified 2010 Ford Escape that has been converted in to a micro-camper complete with a sink with running water, stove, solar power system, refrigerator, pop-top dome vent, and the ever-useful ham radio. It is lifted on 2" spacers in the front to balance the taller suspension in the rear. When I got the vehicle from a wholesale lot, it was a used fleet truck with taller rear springs from the factory (supposedly that was common on the fleet version of the Escape), so all I had to do was add the strut spacers to the front to balance it out. I am currently riding on General Grabber AT2 tires, and I've gone up a size to 245/70R16 with absolutely no rubbing issues. Grabs like a champ off road!

My son and I use this rig almost every weekend to get away to the deserts, mountains, and just about everywhere else out here. We've taken it to Utah on the hard jutting rocks with no issues, and slogged it through the sleet and snow in the midwest with no issues at all. And the best part...it averages almost 30MPG! Far better than the old '87 Dodge Ramcharger of years past.

I hear that there are meetups around the SoCal area every so often, so I'll have to keep a look out for some upcoming get-togethers. Thanks for taking the time to read, and I'm looking forward to expanding my overland horizons soon!!

Here are a few pictures of my setup:

 

[Raul B]

hell yah! Love the setup man.... People get so caught up in what mods they need or fixing up their rig that they forgot to just get out. I love what your doing ....

-Raul

 

[VCeXpedition]

Welcome! A lot of folks down your way, there's a meetup pretty regularly, check the calendar for those, seems like down by the 405/5 intersect area.

Nice rig, as long as it gets you where you want to go, its the right car for you, envious of your mpg!

I'll keep an eye out for you!

Dan.

 

[Chadlyb]

Hey Everyone, I'm a new member (well, joined a while ago actually, but never posted anything until now) and I'm in the OC area in SoCal. My current rig is a heavily modified 2010 Ford Escape that has been converted in to a micro-camper complete with a sink with running water, stove, solar power system, refrigerator, pop-top dome vent, and the ever-useful ham radio. It is lifted on 2" spacers in the front to balance the taller suspension in the rear. When I got the vehicle from a wholesale lot, it was a used fleet truck with taller rear springs from the factory (supposedly that was common on the fleet version of the Escape), so all I had to do was add the strut spacers to the front to balance it out. I am currently riding on General Grabber AT2 tires, and I've gone up a size to 245/70R16 with absolutely no rubbing issues. Grabs like a champ off road!

My son and I use this rig almost every weekend to get away to the deserts, mountains, and just about everywhere else out here. We've taken it to Utah on the hard jutting rocks with no issues, and slogged it through the sleet and snow in the midwest with no issues at all. And the best part...it averages almost 30MPG! Far better than the old '87 Dodge Ramcharger of years past.

I hear that there are meetups around the SoCal area every so often, so I'll have to keep a look out for some upcoming get-togethers. Thanks for taking the time to read, and I'm looking forward to expanding my overland horizons soon!!

Here are a few pictures of my setup:

View attachment 52311View attachment 52314View attachment 52312 View attachment 52313

Hello and welcome to the OB crew...nice rig and set up...look forward to seeing your adventures

 

[@llouie246]

Welcome! Definitely love your rig and I too am envious of your MPG :-)