The Suburban and Excursion are both excellent choices for a stock vehicle to overland with. They are both easy to work on, lots of room in the engine bay, simple electrical systems compared to other brands, lots of afermarket bolt on products for boh platforms. Sart wih simple bolt on upgraded accessories. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. Travel, travel, travel.
Back when I was young, I would buy a rig and see this imaculate souped up 4x4 in my mind and set out to build it up to exactly what I had invisioned with the original purchase of said rig. I spent thousands of dollars making that dream come true, only to find the rig didnt meet my needs and would sell itmfor a huge loss to get my next rig. Fast forward about 15 years. I was looking for my 5th Jeep (didnt care if it was a wrangler, cherokee, or J series pickup) when I found a 1995 Dodge Ram extra cab. It was already slightly lifted running 35" tires, chrome wheels, nice stereo, bla bla bla. I drove it as it was for about a year through all the harshest conditions I could think of to find any shortcomings. I ended up braking a leaf spring, and the gas tank fell out going down the highway. Then on a trip from Syracuse NY to Colorado Springs Colorado, I lost 3/4 of the truck along side the hihhway due to unseen cancer. I used duct tape to patch the important holes and drove on to Oregon (where I am currently residing). I stared saving up money to fix the cosmetic damage when I found a steel on another Ram identical to the one I had in the drive for less than half of what I was going to pay for body replacment panels alone. I used the cancer patient for parts to finish the new Ram, got some off road lights, installed a winch and drove the "new Ram" for about 6 years until the engine and steering let loose. I love my Ram so for the first time ever, I just parked it and got another rig with the I tent to go back and build a motor and fix the steering problems when I have the time and money,
In the mean time, I found a 1989 Ford Bronco for under a grand that needed a rear u-joint. Digging into the drive line I found out hat the ujoints were fine, but all 6 wheel bearings were shot. I fixed those, as well as a slough of other mechanical things that popped up.
The Bronco started its life as a Califonia rig, with a 302 engine, 4 speed AOD automatic transmission, manual shift NV1356 tranfer case, Dana 44 front TTB axle, and a 8.8 axle in the rear. Somwhere down the line, all the California emissions stuff was removed. The AOD was replaced by a newer 5 speed manual out of a F250, the tranfercase was swapped for an older np205 that was twin sticked and married to a NP300 transfer case.
With all the drivetrain swapped I was surprised to find the bronco rolling on stock suspension to include the oem shocks, wheels, and even tires (even though the tires had obviously been replaced a least once or twice). The tires were however bald and I decided to upgrade those right a way.
It's been about 11 months since I purchaced the Bronco, and I have a clear idea on wha I want to do to her to makemher capable of what I need to do he kind of adventuring I wan to do. Add more storage by building a platform in the back for my tooos and recovery gear and making a system for allowing the top to be removed while sill keeping a cargo baske on top. I will get lights for all 4 sides of the cargo basket (mainly to help aid in setting up camp, I can never quite stop exploring early enough to get camp set up before dark). My stock radio works when ever it feels like it, so I am going to replace it with someing more modern, while he rest of he dash gets reworked to look more like something made in the 70's. The dash is also going to house my Cobra 29 LTD pro, a electric brake controler, usb charging ports, two 12v accessory sockets, and winch switches. The center console is getting reworked for more storage as well as housing 2 auxiliary fuse/relay boxes for all my aftermarket gadgets. Lastly I plan on making a overhead "T" console that on the driver side is going to house a couple of gauges, switch panel, and possibly (if enough room) a small compartment to hold loose gear like flashlights, multi tools, and such. The Passenger side of the "T" will be used for holding paper maps, mag light, first aid kit, and what ever my wife wants to put up there. The center part of the "T" will house a GRMS radio, HAM radio, interior map and courtesy lights, more charging ports, and bungee net pockets to secure tablets and hand held gps devices when not in use.
Moving into the back passenger compartment, I am adding under seat tool box, 2 gun racks (my wife, step daughter, and I are all avid hunters and overall gun nuts), overhead fishing pole holders, and some kind of Molly system for securing our backpacks. The rear seat armrests are going to get cup holders along with a usb charging port and 12v accessory socket.
Lastly the rear cargo area, like I mentioned earlier, I am going to build a platform with a drawer system under it for tools, recovery straps, shackles, tow hitches, and other miscellaneous items that are now taking up valuable floor space. I am relocating the spare tire to the rear bumper to also help maximize interior room at this time. Where the spare tire was I am installing my RC Car LiPo smart charger, another 12v acessory plug (hey I want to be sure I can use my 12v compressor all around my rig as well as have a place to hook up my other home made 12v accessories), and lastly a tool rack along the driver side cargo wall.
To finish out the interior build I will be installing a full 8 point roll cage for safety.
Stock suspension seams adequate, so if I do anything, I will probably put long arms up front with 2wd F250 Springs to help out articulation and comensate for the MileMarker Hydraulic Winch. Also along the lines of the winch I will hav to either install a PTO and hydraulic pump, or swap my powersteering pump to a GM or Mopar unit.
This is just an example of a build that will work for my needs, your needs will dictate how your build will go, if you even need to modify anything. Take what ever vehicle you end up purchasing through its paces doing everything you plan on doing during its span in your family. Take it down the trails for day adventures. Take it for an overnight road trip. Take it camping. Most importantly get to know how it handles in the form you originally buy it, taking notes on each outing of things that need adressed, from mechanical issues, to storage problems, to the baby crying because thier bottle is burried some where under all the sleeping bags. No matter how big or small the problem, write it down. When you get back home, or stop for the night start brain storming solutions, and unless its absolutely necessary, don't go out right away and buy something to fix the problem at hand. There is always more than one way to skin a cat, and what looks like it may work right now I have found that a better solution that fixes several issues will present itself if given enough thought.
