The Best Upgrades For Your Dad’s Overlander

In the world of overlanding, there’s no such thing as “overprepared.” When you’re heading out on a four-wheeled adventure, the more tools you have at your disposal, the more ready you are be for any situation. Whether those tools are hand-held or bolted to the rig, your dad may not always put them to use on every trail ride — but when he finds himself needing them, he’ll be glad you gave them to him for Father’s Day this year.

Maxtrax MKII

It’s all but guaranteed that your adventure vehicle will wind up searching for traction when you head off-road. If there’s one thing most overlanders swear by in those situations, it’d be the MAXTRAX MKII. Whether dad is stuck in sand, snow or mud, having a set of incredibly tough yet flexible MKIIs under the tires is a quick way to claw back grip and get him back on his way.

Warn M8000 Winch

A winch might seem like overkill to the average driver, but any off-roader knows to have one can make or break a trail ride. If your dad (or one of his buddies) is trapped in a bog or can’t make it over a rock ridge, he’ll quickly find a winch like the Warn M8000 is the industry standard for a reason. Capable of pulling 8,000 pounds with its 100 feet of cable, the Warn M8000 can yank even a big SUV free from between a literal rock and a hard place.

Warn 88900 Winching Accessory Kit

While you’re helping your dad upgrade his overlander, you might as well upgrade the upgrades too, right? Warn has an accessory kit to go along with its winch, which includes a 20,000-lb maximum capacity snatch block, gloves, D-shackles, recovery strap and tree trunk protector. Did we mention there’s no such thing as being overprepared?

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

This basic idea isn’t just for off-roaders: If you want to improve the handling and performance of any automobile, get better tires. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires are the gold standard of overlanding rubber. For adventure seekers looking to evenly divide their time between dirt and pavement, there’s no better tire with the same bang-for-buck value.

ARB Air Compressor

Lightweight and durable, the ARB Air Compressor is a high-output compressor designed to live on board your truck, so it’s there when you need more air in your tires. If he “aired down” (or, as you might know it, “let air out of the tires”) to cross a sand pit or forge through deep snow before finding himself back on solid asphalt, he’ll want to get the pressure in his tires back up for on-road safety and handling — which is where this comes in handy.

ARB ARB505 E-Z Deflator

In fact, dad will no doubt come across terrain where he’ll need to air down for better grip and traction — and when he does, he won’t want to be eyeballing each tire’s air pressure. The ARB ARB505 E-Z Deflator has a solid brass fitment and an accurate, easy-to-read gauge, so your dad knows exactly how much he needs to air down — making this a natural pairing for the ARB Air Compressor you also bought him.

KC Pro-Sport Gravity LED

Sometimes, you don’t always get back to base camp before the sun goes down. When that, good happens lighting is critical. KC Pro-Sport Gravity LED six-inch spotlights fire 2,300 lumens into the distance, so in the event dad does find himself four-wheeling in the dark, he won’t have to worry about not seeing the way home.

Hi-Lift XT-485 Jack

If your dad’s overlander has a lift kit and larger-than-stock tires, chances are a regular hydraulic jack won’t be able to reach the bottom of his truck, let alone lift it to a useful height. If you ever need to work on a vehicle with high ground clearance, the Hi-Lift XT-485 Jack is an essential tool to have. As a bonus, you can also use it as a manual winch, clamp, and spreader. And given the XT-485 will likely see duty in all kinds of climates and environments, the rust-resistant gold zinc coating handily extends the life of the jack.

Wavian NATO Jerry Fuel Can

Out on the trail, fuel stops are almost non-existent — so bringing reserves along with you is the only way to make sure you don’t get stranded. The Wavian NATO Jerry Fuel Can is, as the name suggests, the same can NATO forces put to use, so you know it’s battle-proven. Indeed, it’s the only military-grade fuel can on the market.

Magellan eXplorist TRX7

The Magellan eXplorist TRX7 was designed with off-roading in mind. There are more 44,000 trails to choose from pre-loaded into the TRX7 database, and you can search for and customize routes based on location and trail difficulty. Your dad can even record and save his own routes and waypoints and share trails others using the system, in case he feels like helping other fathers fulfill their own off-road dreams.

Midland MXT115 2-Way Radio

The middle of nowhere might be the ideal place on a proper overland adventure, but if something goes wrong or dad needs to contact base camp, run-of-the-mill walkie-talkies won’t cut it. The Midland MXT115 2-Way Radio has 15 high-low power GMRS channels and eight repeater channels for more efficient communication and better range, allowing it to communicate to others across a 50-mile radius. The MXT115 also has a NOAA Weather Scan and alert system, providing a look-out for sudden, severe incoming weather.

McMurdo Fast Find 220

The McMurdo Fast Find 220 is one of those gadgets you hope dad never has to use — but if he needs it, he’ll be glad to have it in his arsenal. Once activated, the McMurdo Fast Find 220 alerts search and rescue personnel to the device’s exact location. (Obviously, it’s only meant to be used in the event of an emergency.)

H3R Performance HG250R

Dry environments and campfires (or gas stoves) don’t mix, so it’s best to take precautions against runaway flames. But no matter where your adventure finds you, the importance of having a fire extinguisher can’t be overstated.

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