Overland Expo Debuts ‘Ultimate Overland Vehicle 2023’

Overland Expo has revealed a 2022 LX600 that they're calling the "Ultimate Overland Vehicle 2023." What do you think of the build?


About the Build
The 2022 LX600 was chosen as the base vehicle because of its GA-F body-on-frame platform, potent 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, luxurious cabin, and myriad of standard safety and off-road aids. What’s more, it’s the perfect size for a long-distance overland adventure rig; the LX600 is just slightly wider than a midsize pickup and boasts an ideal 112-inch wheelbase and impressive 64 cubic feet of cargo space. These dimensions make the LX600 ideal for maneuvering down tight trails while returning maximum cargo-carrying capacity — all in an incredibly capable and well-appointed package.

Hooked to the rear of the LX600 is the Off Grid Trailers’ Pando 2.0. It offers eight inches of wheel travel, 24 inches of ground clearance, and 360-degree articulating hitch. It features queen-size sleeping quarters, air conditioning, 23ZERO Shower Enclosure, hot water on-demand system, 1,000-pound capacity integrated roof rack, and a rear galley kitchen with a dual-burner cooktop, hot- and cold-water sink, and up to 33 gallons of onboard potable fresh water. In the Pando’s slide-out storage compartment sits a Pi Duale Pizza Oven from Solo Stove.

Up front, the LX600’s front fascia has been transformed by the ARB Summit MKII front bumper behind which is the new SOLO Series 12.5 winch from Comeup. Lighting the trail ahead are a pair of ARB’s new Intensity IQ lights. The Summit MKII also supports Midland Radio’s new Bull Bar Antenna, which enhances Midland’s MXT-575 GMRS radio that is mounted inside the cabin.

Up on the roof is the first-ever Prinsu roof rack for LX600. It holds the Armadillo A2 rooftop tent as well as the Peregrine 270 awning, both from 23 ZERO. Look closely and you’ll spy camp and scene lighting, Vision X’s Overland Area Lights, along the side.

The stance, as well as the off-road capability, of the LX600 has been increased by suspension components from Total Chaos and Radflo. Total Chaos developed upper and lower control arms and rear links for the LX600. Front and rear shocks and struts have been replaced by Radflo’s 2.5 Diameter Remote Reservoir shocks and coilovers. The result is a suspension height more than 2.5 inches taller than stock with much greater travel.

The elevated suspension height enabled the fitment 33/12.5R17 Kenda Klever R/T tires. These are wrapped around 17-inch Compression wheels in Satin Black from ICON Dynamics. Off-road trail navigation is managed by onX Offroad Trail Maps app, which is running through Apple CarPlay on the LX600’s 12.3-inch touchscreen.

The LX600 is further transformed in the rear by an all-new dual swing-out rear bumper from CBI Offroad. It’s carrying the truck’s full-size spare wheel and tire on one arm and on the other a five-gallon jerry can and a set of traction boards. Swing open the bumper and lift the rear hatch, and you’ll discover Goose Gear’s new Ultimate Chef Package for LX600, which includes a CFX3 45 fridge from Dometic.

Meals prepared using the Ultimate Chef Package can be enjoyed on Tactical Tables and Chairs from Helinox. Additional water for drinking and washing up is stored in two of Dometic’s Go Hydration Water Jug and Water Faucet.

Also mounted to the Ultimate Chef Package is a custom box crafted by MULE Expedition Outfitters, which houses the rig’s auxiliary power management system, the Smart BMS CL 12/100, from Victron Energy. The job of starting the LX’s 3.5-liter V6 comes from an Optima Batteries Yellowtop DH7 battery mounted under the hood. The twin-turbo six’s deep rumble has been unleashed by the first-ever MagnaFlow Overland Series Cat-Back Performance Exhaust System for LX600.

The official tool kit of the Ultimate Overland Vehicle is the Off Road Tool Bag with Tool Roll from BOXO USA. And Forrest Tool’s Max Tool Kit is on hand in case off-road recovery requires a shovel. And should an emergency strike, there’s a Self-Reliance Medical OTK 1450 First-Aid Kit onboard.

All components were expertly installed by MULE Expedition Outfitters.


Official Partners & Gear

• 23 Zero — Armadillo A2 Rooftop Tent
• 23 Zero — Peregrine 270 and Shower Awning
• ARB — Summit MKII
• ARB — Intensity IQ front Auxiliary Lights
• BOXO USA — Off Road Tool Bag with Tool Roll
• CBI — Rear Dual-Swing Out Bumper
• Prinsu — Roof Rack
• Comeup — SOLO Series 12.5 Winch
• Dometic — CXF3 45 Fridge
• Dometic — Water Jug & Faucet
• Forrest Tool — Max Tool Kit
• Goose Gear — Ultimate Chef Package
• Helinox — Tactical Chair
• Helinox — Tactical Table
• ICON Alloys — Compression wheels
• Kenda — Klever R/T Tires
• Off Grid Trailers — Pando 2.0
• onX Offroad — Trail Maps
• MagnaFlow — Overland Series Cat-Back Performance Exhaust System
• Midland — MXT575 GMRS Radio
• MULE Expedition Outfitters — Official Builder
• Optima Batteries — Yellowtop DH7
• Radflo — 2.5 Diameter Remote Reservoir Shocks & Struts
• Self-Reliance Medical — OTK 1450 First-Aid Kit
• Solo Stove — Pi Duale Pizza Oven
• Total Chaos — Upper & Lower Control Arms + Rear Links
• Victron Energy — Smart BMS CL 12/100
• Vision X — Overland Area Scene Lighting
• Zero Breeze — Mark 2 A/C

The Ultimate Overland Vehicle 2023 will make its in-person debut at 9 a.m. MDT on May 19, 2023 at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona. It will appear at two additional Overland Expo events in 2023, including Pacific Northwest in Redmond, Oregon and Mountain West in Loveland, Colorado. The Ultimate Overland Vehicle will also be on display at the first-ever Outdoor Adventure X show June 17-18 in Huntsville, Utah.

At the conclusion of the show season, the Ultimate Overland Vehicle LX600 and Off Grid Trailers Pando 2.0 will be auctioned off separately on Bring a Trailer with 100% of the proceeds going to the Overland Expo Foundation.

Readers can find details about the build and follow along with its travels on social media using the hashtag #ultimatebuild2023 and on the official webpage: www.overlandexpo.com/ultimate-overland-vehicle-2023/