TOP 5 EASY & CHEAP Overland Vehicle mods everyone FORGETS!

Everyone gets so caught up in wheels, tires and bumpers, they forget about the small stuff that will have a real impact on your overall happiness during a long-term expedition.
These five items made a world of difference for me, and I wish I knew about them before I drove the length of the Pan-American Highway!

DIY Kill Switch for 6-speed JK Jeep Wrangler:
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Small $15 12V battery fan on Amazon:
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MSR Dromedary Bag for shower - 10-Liter
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Keep the wheels turning on Patreon from $2/month:
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The Camera Gear I use:
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Stay in touch:
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Checkout my books on Amazon:
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999 Days Around Africa: The Road Chose Me

The Road Chose Me Volume 1: Two years and 40,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina

Overland Travel Essentials: West Africa: Myths, Misconceptions and Misnomers

Work Less to Live Your Dreams: A practical guide to saving money and living your dreams

#Overland #OverlandVehicle #VehicleMods

[GustafN]

Great points Dan!

I was told before my Pan-Am motorcycle trip that it's somewhat common for police to hold your license-plate at a ransom to extort you. While i never had a problem with it, i had two copies made (lot's of companies offering the services on online) that are the same as the original (license-plate number, but not the small details like VIN and registration sticker). Drive with the copies except for border crossings. A great insurance policy that didn't cost much, in case a plate gets stolen or confiscated i still have one copy extra and the original.

[captainradz]

Another great video! I loved this one because it was REALISTIC. Often when I’m checking out videos about overlanding, I’m being told how I need 37” tires, insane suspension, etc. what I appreciate in this channel is the removal of your ego when it comes to what’s needed for your Jeep, and the practical approach to all of this. I just went on my first big adventure this year. While it want remote, I drove across the country from DC to Yellowstone, and camped in the park for 10 days. What an adventure! I’m going to keep watching here to see what I can do with my car to prep for the next expedition.

[MichaelNatrin]

These are all so practical and nobody else talks about them. Thank you!

[daveweber]

I'm not a world traveler, but I wish I had one of those little fans the night I was in East Texas this past July. Wow! The humidity was off the charts! Made sleeping impossible. I couldn't deal with it so I cut my trip short and returned to Arizona a week early. Definitely going to get one of those fans.

[spexae]

You made some good points and especially for the winch, my first TJ didn’t have one but my second JK certainly did :) Thanks for the tips on avoiding bribes that is quite smart and true petty crimes for vehicles is an easy way to get someone pulled over. Btw the shower was an ingenious idea and would be a great way to clean off at the end of the day.

[chrisgfly]

Great video, i have 2 kill switches. The only problem you can have (depending on switch design), if you have to press a button for a number of seconds, here in South Africa, imagine sitting watching a herd of elephants, you scare them (or one is on heat) or they just decide to come your way, you panic and before you know it, Mrs Elephant has rolled you over or at the very least damaged your vehicle. So wise to have the ability to disable the kill switch for when you are in the middle of the bush with only big animals for friends!!!

[benkanobe]

Fantastic tips! Only someone like you (not many) could have the life experience to pass this on to us. Thank You!

[LocoCoyote]

That was some good, solid advice. I knew most of them, but the daytime running lights was something I have overlooked. Also, making the kill switch momentary is an intriguing idea! Thanks for sharing!

[coryhodge]

You have the most amazing videos! I'm binge watching them all as I start preparing for a life on the road. Your information is so extremely valuable, because these are things you don't even know to look into unless you've experienced it. Great stuff, keep making videos!

[acidburn]

Real quality content mate. Killswitch is intriguing. Defo gonna be researching on that.

[TopanKJ]

Hi! Again i really like your 5 tips. The front head light was a killer for me as it reminds me how kids would jump almost in the middle of the road screaming "lights lights ! " when ridding my Tenere in Ghana for 2 years. At the end I prefered they don't see me than having kids jumping in front of me. The killer switch idea is awesome! 👍👍. I will have it fixed on my 2018 JKU! GREAT idea! Thank you and be well !

[jcy]

Dan, you offer a wealth of practical information - Thank you! I enjoyed your first book and I'm now half-way through your second one (Africa). I'm currently planning my Pan-American journey (on a budget) and truly appreciate the wisdom that you share! All the best to you as you explore your homeland of Australia!

[juancarloscruz]

Good videos, thanks. The only thing I think I would add is that instead of having your DRL programmed on or off, it is better to have a switch to turn them off. Also in Chile, daytime running lamps are required by law on every vehicle.

[vernonbennettiii]

Great tips! Have had friends who were shaken down by local police in Guatamala and Honduras for having no front license plate. I was not aware of the "daytime running lights" issue -- appreciate that very much +I have only used local rental 4x4s in Costa Rica). There is also a black "tube" shower available that mounts similar to a side awning that will heat water while you drive -- yeah, I know, probably more weight and one more thing to break it be tampered with outside the vehicle. Great video. You really do provide a lot of practical and excellent content!

[brentp]

Great tips! Thanks for another informative video.
"Security" bolts work well for license plates too. They're basically a Torx head with a protrusion in the middle. The tools aren't impossible to find, but it's unlikely anyone in Africa or South America is going to have one lying around.
In some vehicles like my Nissan, the daytime running lights can be disabled as simply as pulling the appropriate relay at the fuse box.

[SoberNomad]

Great comments here too, several of them were helpful in addition to the fantastic video. Just found your channel, first video I’ve watched, but very likely going to become a Patreon supporter because it’s pretty clear that this is great and practical stuff. Thank you

[tonychamberlin]

After moving to Nairobi I turned on my running lights for safety. Quickly got tired of get flashed and waved at. Good way to get stopped by cops too. Here in Nairobi though you a lot of new land-cruisers with auto running lights. So it’s likely becoming less of an issue in the city.

[deanj]

LOL "...you spent all that money on it, might as well have it on..." (light bar) Great info about the kill switch mod.

[endlesssaturday]

The license plate suggestion is gold. I had never really thought about how it would be an appealing souvenir to a local. It does surprise me how people neglect comfort in favor of appearance. I bought a fan when I bought my butane stove, to me they are both indispensable. A fan is not just to keep cool at night but also blow bugs away or camp fire smoke, plus the one I got can use its battery to recharge something like a phone in a emergency and has a light. It's important to know what matters most to you as an individual though, personally a good pillow is mandatory as a game changer in comfort (no inflatable types or balls of clothing!) but you will never see a vendor at an overland expo.

Although it is only relevant to local trips, the first thing I did to my truck when the pandemic hit was remove the license plate frames for plain black ones. I didn't want potentially upset locals seeing "Krazy Karl's Kars of Kalamazoo" in a small town hundreds of miles away. Avoiding confrontation will certainly make my trip more enjoyable.

[RoyZuniga]

Great tips, hadn't thought about some of them, such as the license plate rivots, etc.