While not the point of overlanding for us, the vehicles that facilitate the journey are important and a whole lot of fun to select, modify, and use. As our needs and travel style evolve, the vehicle that best suits us also changes. So, while we love Jeeps, we are Jeep-less for the first time in four years.
That’s right; we sold the Gladiator, and we didn’t stop there—we also sold the van!
What led us to this admittedly controversial decision to be a single-car family and what did we replace our two adventure vehicles with? Read on to find out!
The Original Plan
For quite some time, Hanna and I have known that the overlap between the Ford Transit Van build and the Jeep Gladiator Mojave build was a bit redundant. They were built for similar purposes (mid- to long-term overlanding), and aside from differences in capability, comfort, and how they facilitated our journeys, they were too much of the same. After all, we couldn’t use both at the same time, and neither was an exceptional daily driver.
The cost factor was also too high. Building two vehicles for similar uses is expensive, time-consuming, and a wee bit excessive. Not only did we not feel like we had the time to dedicate to both builds, but we also questioned the financial sense.
So, we developed a plan. We would sell the Gladiator, buy a two-door Wrangler, and use the cash difference to finish the van. We could then use the Wrangler as our daily driver, short adventure vehicle, and potentially tow it behind the van on longer trips. We even went as far as to custom order a beautiful Sarge Green JL with Heritage Tan interior (I still drool a little thinking about it).
Naturally, things changed between ordering the two-door Wrangler and actually taking delivery (the process took approximately six months). We took a good, hard look at our finances, our goals, and our needs. While perhaps not what we wanted, it made more sense to eliminate the excess and scale down to one vehicle. Despite the Wrangler being delivered on my birthday (a sign from God, right?!), we opted to refund our deposit and embrace our new direction.
What Actually Happened
With our new, more practical approach in mind, we started making moves. Hanna sold her partially-finished van, and I began hunting for our next do-it-all vehicle. After months of research and intensive searching for the right vehicle for us—quite the challenge in today’s market of upcharges and empty lots, I might add—we made a decision, located a truck, and swooped in as quickly as we could.
The platform for our next overland build would be (drum roll, please) a Ford F-250 with the Tremor off-road package. Yes, it’s a big, expensive truck. Yes, there’s a reason for that. If you know us, you know that we’re very thoughtful about these things and consider every aspect of a purchase we can before committing to a platform.
That being said, let’s dive into why we chose the F-250 and what we plan to do with it.
Why an F-250 Tremor?
If you watched our initial video on the Jeep Gladiator Mojave or read the blog previewing that build, you’re already familiar with our philosophy when it comes to overland vehicles. We like to prioritize practicality, keep things simple, and focus on where the vehicle can take us, not necessarily how it looks (that’s just a nice bonus).
That same philosophy extends to this new truck, leading us to purchase an off-road/overland capable model from the factory (much like the Mojave). The Tremor package will allow us to get out and go with very minimal modifications. While our long-term goals may necessitate more extensive modifications in the future, the truck is pretty much ready to go as-is.
If you are unfamiliar with the F-250 platform, the options available, and what differentiates the Tremor, have no fear—we were in the same boat only a few months ago. As it turns out, full-size trucks have an absurd level of customization from the factory, with trim levels and packages galore. So, rather than diving into the ins and outs of what Ford offers, I’ll just give you a rundown of what we got and why.
Why We Did NOT Custom Order
First, we did not custom order this vehicle. As such, it is lacking some options we would have liked. Instead, I found this particular truck on a lot, and we scooped it up as soon as possible. There were a handful of factors that contributed to this decision.
Severe shortage of heavy-duty trucks available on dealer lots + significant demand = highly competitive market for buyers
Supply chain issues + worker shortages = long and unpredictable lead times for factory orders
The used car market was still hot, and we wanted to take advantage of the strong resale value of the Gladiator
We have plans for the truck that must be completed by the coming Spring—we couldn’t risk not having a truck by then (we kind of backed ourselves into a corner here)
Why We Chose a Ford Over the Competition
Rams are popular among overlanders, have strong aftermarket support, and are the most affordable of the big three right now. GMCs are slightly more affordable, packed with tech, and arguably have the best ride of the big three thanks to IFS. So, why did we go with a Ford?
The answer could be as simple as “we liked it best.” That’s the truth, and it would be enough, but it’s not the only reason. No, it was a difficult decision (we nearly went with a GMC Sierra 2500 AT4) based on the factors below.
Powertrain – We wanted a gas engine (more on this later). Ford had the best options in our minds—the 7.3 “Godzilla” with a 10-speed transmission
Capability – Aside from the PowerWagon, Ford offered the best off-road features with the Tremor package. Our truck has a rear e-locker, front limited slip, rock crawl mode, skid plates, 35” tires from the factory, increased water fording, and more.
Functionality – Speaking of the PowerWagon, we couldn’t even consider it. The payload was far too low, and the Ford provide the best of both worlds—strong towing and hauling numbers with plenty of off-road ability.
Interior Comfort – While we technically purchased a mid-tier trim, the Ford has all the bells and whistles we could ever ask for. The seats are incredibly comfortable, the camera system is great (especially for what we have planned, and the storage is plentiful.
Bed Size – I’m not trying to pick on the Ram, but the 6’4” bed is simply too short. Ford’s 6’9” and GMC’s 6’11” beds offer far more versatility.
What We Bought
After an extensive search and missing out on a number of trucks, we ended up with a 2022 Ford F-250 Lariat with the following options.
Lariat Ultimate Package – Heated/Ventilated seats, Tailgate step, etc.
Trailer Backup Assist – 360 camera system, etc.
Tremor Package – 7.3L gas engine, 35” tires, off-road goodies, etc.
Like I said, it’s pretty basic and lacks some of the factory features we would have liked (Black Appearance Package, Dual Batteries, etc.). However, it is well-equipped as is, and we can make additions and modifications as needed. The platform provides enough power, capability, comfort, and functionality to facilitate our plans with very few changes. It’s exactly what we wanted from a new truck.
Building Our F-250 Tremor
Without giving away too much, we plan to change our overlanding setup drastically. So drastically that we went out and bought a big ol’ truck despite absolutely loving our Jeep. For now, that’s the extent to which I’ll preview the build. Stay tuned for future updates and teasers!
You can also check out the video walk-around I did of the new truck on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe while you’re at it!
Until next time,
-RW