The 25 Most Outrageous and Well-Equipped Overlanders of SEMA 2021

The AMC American Eagle debuted on the scene as the first crossover SUV way back in 1979. The factory 4x4 actually boosted AMC sales considerably. As silodrome.com said: "Astonishingly the AMC Eagle proved to be an instant best-seller, they sold 46,379 of them in the first year which increased AMC's total vehicle output by almost 20%. The Hail Mary turned into a cash cow and AMC quickly developed a number of similar models using the same basic formula—a 4×4 drivetrain and lifted suspension fitted to an AMC road car." The first ones had 258 cubic-inch straight-sixes and three-speed automatics. Goodness knows what Krueger Kustoms put in this one, but it has a rooftop tent so it qualifies as an overlander.

Remember the Jeep Mighty FC forward-control concept of 2012? Back then we begged and pleaded with Jeep to build it. But alas, Jeep did not. However, Jeep used to build forward control vehicles, and this is one of them—a 1964 M677. Jeep made 500 of them for the Navy and Marines. It's maybe one better than the Mighty FC since it has a crew cab configuration where the Mighty FC was just the single cab.

"Instead of bolting on a slew of readily available aftermarket parts, almost everything had to be hand-built for the Jeep Forward Control," said SEMA of the build. "The modification list seems endless, but powering the Jeep is a Chevy 350 cubic-inch V8 with a Holley fuel injection system. Custom leaf springs with Sway-A-Way shocks make enough room for 37-inch Falken Wildpeak tires on Raceline wheels. The original interior was junk and replaced with a new one using seats from a Jeep JK. Giving the M677 overland cred is the mandatory roof-top tent and awning from HIT. There are lots of other modifications that are hard to spot on the M677. Hidden away in a hand-built storage panel is a remote welder and a York onboard compressor hides under the cab with an air storage tank behind the rear bumper. The amount of thought and time that went into building the Jeep M677 is staggering, but the result is a rare overlander that turned lots of heads at the 2021 SEMA Show."

The carbon fiber-bodied Earthroamer LTi rides on a mighty Ford F-550 Super Duty and carries 95 gallons of diesel, 100 gallons of fresh water, 1320 watts of solar power stored in an 11,000 watt-hour lithium-ion battery bank. The world could end and you'd be happy! Base price is $620,000.

This Mitsubishi Fuso camper is a promotional vehicle for Antigravity's new LiFePo4 (lithium iron phosphate) battery.

This Jeep promotional vehicle for Dana's Ultimate 60 axles sure got everyone's attention. I think it would look better with a .50 caliber on the roof instead of a tent.

This Raptor is set up nicely with a Dometic refrigerator and a Front Runner roof top tent over the bed.

Surco has been making SUV, RV, and truck accessories for over 30 years. The family owned business makes roof racks, trailer hitches, and those bolt-on ladders that allow you to climb up on top of your Winnebago. There are now three generations of the Surkin family at work designing and making parts in LA.

Rugged Ridge is another brand sold by Truck Hero. They make rock rails, front bumpers, tube doors and tire carriers.

Smittybilt was started in 1956 by Basil Smith, known to everyone as "Smitty." You gotta love Smittybilt just because of all those years of sponsoring the Smittybilt Everyman Challenge at King of the Hammers. The company makes everything from air compressors to winches.

Rhino-Rack was founded in Australia, where just about every snake, spider, and roo wants to kill you. Hence, the rooftop tent. Also, check out the Bat Wing awning that surrounds the back of this Chevy. They now have an office in Colorado, so don't worry about having to learn to speak Australian or anything.

Tuff Stuff Overland makes tents, awnings, truck bed racks, and lighting for adventurers. At some point a tent is no longer a tent but becomes a small apartment. This may be that point.

Here's another angle on a great Jeep build, from Dirty Dog Off Road. It's called Optimus. It's the second build on the website so scroll down to see specifics. If there's something missing from this parts list, we don't know what it is.

This rig is for sale on our sister site Bring a Trailer. All proceeds from the sale, including the BaT buyer's fee, will go to the Overland Expo Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that funds groups and individuals who help protect and advance the overland community.

Expedition One makes gear for just about any vehicle that goes off road, including their Mule Roof and Bed Rock systems.

The Thule Tepui is officially built for three but could probably hold more.

Dometic makes everything from coolers and refrigerators to air conditioners and toilets for living off-grid in style and comfort.

This one looks a little like a vehicle they'd use in The Hobbit if they did any 4-wheeling in Mordor.

The GOAT Overlanding Trailer can be towed by a side-by-side, thus expanding your range of adventure considerably. Some models will support a rooftop tent.

Pittman Outdoors is the maker of the original AirBedz truck bed air mattress, as well as a host of gear, most of it shown on this truck.

Ford Expedition loaded for adventure.