TGO - The Overlander Build

[emulous74]

How do you like the Garmin Overlander and Tread? I've been REALLY on the fence about one of those products (leaning towards Overlander because it seems like it's more of the 'pure' Garmin Explore app/device combo). I've fiddled with OnX Off-Road but between my Garmin Fenix 6X and using the Garmin Explore app on my iPad mini, I've been dying to get a users thoughts on the Overlander

If you don't need the Garmin inReach functionality I would say go with the Overlander, unless you want or need a larger screen. What pushed me to get the Tread was I could have more functionality with my full size inReach, which is a pain in the butt to try to type a message, having the large screen (on the Tread0 to do messages was a game changer for me.

The Overlander/Tread are not a necessary IMO as all that functionality is available through other means and usually cheaper, but I like the ideal of limiting items and when it comes to these things, I'm the suspender and belt type of guy. What I've found is I'll run maps/navigation in the IHU as well as the Tread and run them at the same time, the Tread gives more road information and (speed limits, school zones, etc.) and it integrates very well with iOverlander and gas pricing apps, so being able to see all that in your navigation is a very nice luxury. But overall, it's a luxury that I find beneficial of having all that functionality in one device and downloading maps is slow but easy and that's probably the biggest things I found is for me it's easier to figure out than Gaia, I like knowing if I'm on private or public land and it's really easy to find a place to camp, see the reviews and navigate there.

The bad or not so nice, IMO they are way overpriced, the inReach subscriptions have changed majorly and you can no longer get the optional insurance and recovery features, their phone apps are less than desirable and the built in browser will not let you stream netflix or movies even though it's android based. Also the cameras are not interchangeable between the Overlander and Tread, which ended up costing me a lot of extra money.

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[Kjbeggs]

Garage floor is crazy nice.
Build list is extensive and thought out.
Great work on both.
The rest, just details. Doesn't have any bearing on anything except for those who want to fixate on it and let it be some defining thing.
You do you.
And that Bison setup is sweet.

I can't decide what I'm more impressed by, The Bison or that floor!

 

[George Ellis]

The only complaint about any of this I have is a 2.5lb fire bottle. For a real fire, that is next to useless. There is a 3A:40BC 5# extinguisher (uline has it) that is a bit more realistic.

IRL - I have dumped 2 5# on a simple engine fire with just not enough to maintain it out until it would be cool enough to break the triangle. I have also dumped 2 20# on a fuel fire in a useless attempt to control a racing fuel fire (5# went on the driver first). That fire took light water from the fire truck.

You just want a little more duration. 2.5 will work for a little electrical fire (until you can get a battery terminal off). But fuel/oil based fire, it is just not enough.

 

[Dusty]

Welcome to the group! Congrats on choosing a 2-door

 

[Rick Astley]

I'm just surprised that I'll be able to have an RTT and Awning on the stock roof rack and still meet the miserable dynamic weight limits.

We'll see how it goes. There are many skeptics about how robust and durable the pressboard roof will turn out to be in the long run.

Personally I'll be treating the roof as if it has 1/2 the capacity it's rated for.

BTW, in reading your OP what surprised me the most was that your bison is white.

Killer color combo on the recently departed Miata, plus the HPR actually looks good on Bronco (It looks terrible on Ranger, so color me wrong when initially saying it would also suck on Bronco). But a dishwasher-white truck.

All your mods and builds seem to have a cohesive and focused strategy rather than just throwing whatever at the wall and seeing what sticks. Excited to see where your "minimal mods" Bronco ends up!

 

[emulous74]

The only complaint about any of this I have is a 2.5lb fire bottle. For a real fire, that is next to useless. There is a 3A:40BC 5# extinguisher (uline has it) that is a bit more realistic.

IRL - I have dumped 2 5# on a simple engine fire with just not enough to maintain it out until it would be cool enough to break the triangle. I have also dumped 2 20# on a fuel fire in a useless attempt to control a racing fuel fire (5# went on the driver first). That fire took light water from the fire truck.

You just want a little more duration. 2.5 will work for a little electrical fire (until you can get a battery terminal off). But fuel/oil based fire, it is just not enough.

I hear ya and thanks for your post. the 2.5lb is actually an upgrade for me and won't be the only extinguisher in my vehicles. I will also have the Element 100's under each front seat and I have a second 2.5lb that I can attach to the other roll bar, I just want to see how much it's going to block vision in the rear. If I don't install the 2nd one, I'll look into a 5lb one.

At the end of the day, I'm not interested in saving the vehicle, just want to be able to get everyone and my dog out safe and keep the surrounding area safe. Unfortunately there is a balance here between weight/storage and safety and know I'll rarely not be able to put out a large fire, so I'm focused on the above for now.

 

[emulous74]

We'll see how it goes. There are many skeptics about how robust and durable the pressboard roof will turn out to be in the long run.

Personally I'll be treating the roof as if it has 1/2 the capacity it's rated for.

BTW, in reading your OP what surprised me the most was that your bison is white.

Killer color combo on the recently departed Miata, plus the HPR actually looks good on Bronco (It looks terrible on Ranger, so color me wrong when initially saying it would also suck on Bronco). But a dishwasher-white truck.

All your mods and builds seem to have a cohesive and focused strategy rather than just throwing whatever at the wall and seeing what sticks. Excited to see where your "minimal mods" Bronco ends up!

Thanks, when I ordered the Bison back in late '18 I worked for GM, the Bison was only offered at that time is White, Black, Grey, and Red. I asked if I could get a special yellow color that they offer fleet customers, but was told no. GM used to offer a deepwood green color on the ZR2, that's what I would of gone with, if they offered it. But I'm happy with the White on the Bison.

 

[AKBronc49]

As a guy married to a guy it's nice to see other people like myself in the car community. I've been on car forums for 20 years and to see how accepting it is to be yourself now is so refreshing.

Nice Bronco, love the color. Can't wait to follow along with the build.

Also the garage floor...drool!

 

[Rick Astley]

Thanks, when I ordered the Bison back in late '18 I worked for GM, the Bison was only offered at that time is White, Black, Grey, and Red. I asked if I could get a special yellow color that they offer fleet customers, but was told no. GM used to offer a deepwood green color on the ZR2, that's what I would of gone with, if they offered it. But I'm happy with the White on the Bison.

Ahhhhhh P-magnet yellow, a classic! Nice job getting an employee deal on the rig, and yea, that's not a great color pallet.

Deepwood green is one of the better greens out there. GM has a history of putting out good shades of green.

I'm a bit partial to the single stage metallic greens from the 50's, having one in the garage and all.

BTW, could you please post a few more pics from about 15' with the Squatch fender flares and your standard Badlands 33's?

Im curious how they look at a 3/4 angle.

 

[GToddC5]

Damn - what a great list of items, planning, documentation and attention to detail! Definitely a thread worth following.

 

[waveform55]

If you don't need the Garmin inReach functionality I would say go with the Overlander, unless you want or need a larger screen. What pushed me to get the Tread was I could have more functionality with my full size inReach, which is a pain in the butt to try to type a message, having the large screen (on the Tread0 to do messages was a game changer for me.

The Overlander/Tread are not a necessary IMO as all that functionality is available through other means and usually cheaper, but I like the ideal of limiting items and when it comes to these things, I'm the suspender and belt type of guy. What I've found is I'll run maps/navigation in the IHU as well as the Tread and run them at the same time, the Tread gives more road information and (speed limits, school zones, etc.) and it integrates very well with iOverlander and gas pricing apps, so being able to see all that in your navigation is a very nice luxury. But overall, it's a luxury that I find beneficial of having all that functionality in one device and downloading maps is slow but easy and that's probably the biggest things I found is for me it's easier to figure out than Gaia, I like knowing if I'm on private or public land and it's really easy to find a place to camp, see the reviews and navigate there.

The bad or not so nice, IMO they are way overpriced, the inReach subscriptions have changed majorly and you can no longer get the optional insurance and recovery features, their phone apps are less than desirable and the built in browser will not let you stream netflix or movies even though it's android based. Also the cameras are not interchangeable between the Overlander and Tread, which ended up costing me a lot of extra money.

Thanks much for the insight hoss! I dug a little bit on the garmin website -- aside from price point, seems Tread ekes out a little more capability than Overlander. I'll have to chew on this more, but thanks again!

 

[RedDawg]

I share concern about the hardtop capacity. Over the years I strapped various items on my CJ hardtop without issue - boats, lumber, sheets of plywood. I'll want to put my canoe and kayaks on top of my Bronco (if it ever arrives). But don't feel so comfortable doing that.

Was thinking about welding up a Bronco carrier that fastens to the windshield (like the stock carrier), and in back will have two poles that go up from the back bumper (also will fab up that bumper) to hold items on top. That way, I can put a boat on top, regardless if the hardtop, soft top, or no top is on the Bronco.

Bronco holds a canoe nicely!

 

[emulous74]

Beautiful 75 degree day here in Austin, so took the front tops off, picked up some thread locker and some lunch and ate it at Lake Pflugerville.

Going to work on the mudflaps while it's still nice out.

 

[emulous74]

Ahhhhhh P-magnet yellow, a classic! Nice job getting an employee deal on the rig, and yea, that's not a great color pallet.

Deepwood green is one of the better greens out there. GM has a history of putting out good shades of green.

I'm a bit partial to the single stage metallic greens from the 50's, having one in the garage and all.

BTW, could you please post a few more pics from about 15' with the Squatch fender flares and your standard Badlands 33's?

Im curious how they look at a 3/4 angle.

Here are some rear 3/4 shots, the sun was at weird angle so I'll take some more when I have good lighting.

 

[RedDawg]

Cool that looks like a nice setup. And the canoe is a decent match for the Bronco color!

I don't have the top rack though. What do you think of the area where the rack attaches directly to the hardtop in back, does that seem solid and fine with the weight of the canoe (which probably only weights 40lbs or so) and vibration while driving distances?

Am I correct the front of the rack, does not attach to the hardtop, rather it attaches to the front metal windshield frame? I'm thinking of fabbing a rack that attaches same way in front, but in back will have a couple poles coming up from the rear bumper for support. That way the hardtop will not be used at all to support weight, and I could use the rack without a top, or with a soft top.

Yes, the rack attaches to the windshield frame in the front, and hardtop in the back. Both connections seem very sturdy without any shifting or rattling. I’ve carried my canoe, a twin mattress and box spring, a dozen 8’ long 2x4’s, and a small bookcase. (not all at once )The top feels solid. I even sat on the clam shell (front panels were off) during a traffic jam.
Even though some hardtops have had cosmetic issues; warping, cracking, honeycombs, etc, I think it’s structurally sound.

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