Words: Marco A. Hernandez
Photos of 2015 Jeep Overland Rubicon: Roman Racela | Marco A. Hernandez
STARTING ON TWO WHEELS

ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER
My Jeep also does have a lot of custom parts like the drawer system in the back which I designed and built myself using aluminum extrusions and bracketry, wood and carpet lining materials. Also in the works is a custom air down/up system that I’m working out the kinks on.
My favorite mods on the Jeep would have to be the wheels, tires, and suspension. Oh, and the rooftop tent. I can safely go to remote, picturesque and uncrowded places without the risk of getting stuck and I can spend more than a day doing it by having a safe and comfortable sleeping area. As a member of the overland community, I’ve learned a lot from others in the scene over the years. This community is like a family and I’ve met the most wonderful people ever! I’ve met several of my best friends through overlanding.
A while back, my pals and I discovered that eating good and tasty food was totally possible while camping or on the trails during our overlanding trips. Since I don’t eat meat, there aren’t many options out there for easy-to-prepare camping food. It didn’t take long before I brought the home kitchen to the trails and campsites. Almost everything you see in the trunk of my Jeep is my devotion to outdoor cooking, good food and healthy eating. The ARB freezer keeps perishables fresh and my drinks cold. The custom cabinetry holds my pots, pans, plates, cups, roasted coffee and spices, which are all nicely organized in separate drawers. I installed a Powertank propane bottle mount on the C-pillar for my skottle.
Because of my love for cooking gourmet meals on the trail and with the admonition of close friends, I published a book called “The Overland Cook” to give outdoor adventurers some of the food possibilities while they’re out enjoying nature. People shouldn’t limit themselves to eating Mountain House on the trails. I have a tuna dish in the cookbook that you’ll love and is easy to prepare at camp. So far, the cookbook has been selling well!
FAIL TO PLAN, PLAN TO FAIL
TECH SPECS – 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Hardrock Edition
SUSPENSION
- TeraFlex CT-4 Alpine Long Arm Suspension System
- TeraFlex Outback Coils
- TeraFlex Speedbump Bumpstops
- TeraFlex HD High Steer System
- TeraFlex HD Drag Link Flip Kit
- TeraFlex HD Tie Rod
- TeraFlex HD Ball Joints
- Falcon Series 3.3 Shocks
- Falcon Nexus 2.2 Stabilizerc
RECOVERY GEAR
- WARN Zeon 10S Winch
- Deadman Off-Road Earth Anchor
- Deadman Off-Road Murder Spork
- 40,000-lbs 4″ Tow Strap
- Factor 55 Flatlink Shackle Mount
- Safe Jack “The Sergeant” Off-Road Kit
- TRED 4X4 TRED Pro Recovery Ramps
- ARB On-Board Twin Compressor
- RotopaX 2 Gallon Fuel Pack
- RotopaX 2 Gallon Water Pack
- Custom Air Management System
- WARN Shackles and Snatch Block
- Blueridge Overland Soft Shackles
WHEELS, TIRES, AND DRIVELINE
- Custom Made Drawer System
- Teraflex Wasatch Cargo Rack
- Blueridge Overland JKU Attic
- Blueridge Overland Air Tools Bag
- Blueridge Overland Tool Bag
- Blueridge Overland Utility Pouches
- Blueridge First-Aid IFAK BagÂ
- Blueridge Trip Planning Bag
- Blueridge Molle GP Pouches
- Blueridge Beard Tamer Bag
- Blueridge Molle Seat Back Panel
- Blueridge Headrest Storage Bag
- Blueridge Tire Storage Bag
- Blueridge Cooking Kit Bag
COOKING GEAR
- TembotTusk Regular Skottle
- TembotTusk Adventure Skottle
- Flatpit Grill Kit
- Lixada Portable Gas Stove
- Camp Chef Professional Knife Set
- Cosimini Custom Knife
- Goose Gear Cutting Board
- Full Spice Rack
- Bialetti 12 Cup Espresso Maker
- Snow Peak Field Barista Kettle
- Ukumari Outdoors Utensils
ARMOR
- WILCO Off Road MC2X Bumpers
- ARB Differential Covers
- Falcon Shocks Skid Plates
- EVO MFG ProTek Skid System
- AEV Corner Guards
- Offroad Elements M8 Limb Risers
- GOBI Ranger Roof Rack
- Rubicon Hardrock Rock Rails
- Kargomaster Safari Hinge Step
- Falcon Rear Shocks Skid Plates
- Under the Sun Grille Insert
- GenRight Off Road Aluminum Fenders
LIGHTS
- KC HiLiTES G6 Pro Sport Gravity LED Lights
- KC HiLiTES Gravity LED Headlights
- KC HiLiTES G4 Gravity LED Fog Lights
- KC HiLiTES C2 LED Area Floodlights
- KC HiLiTES 2″ Cyclone Auxiliary LED Lights
- KC HiLiTES 28″ Rear-Facing Chase Bar
- KC HiLiTES 7″ Carbon Pods
- KC HiLiTES 10″ Flex Array Amber
- Switch-Pros 8 Switch Controller
- Custom Made Rear Window LED
ELECTRONICS AND MOUNTS
- Vector Offroad JK E-Dock
- 67 Designs Aluminum Device Holder
- 67 Designs Carbon Fiber Arms
- 67 Designs GoPro Camera Mount
- 67 Designs 3D-Printed iPad Holder
- 67 Designs Vector Bar Clamps
- 67 Designs Overland Pack
- 13″ iPad for Navigation
- Dual XGPS160 GPS Antenna
- YAESU FT-7900R HAM Radio
CAMPING GEAR
- Freespirit Recreation Adventure Series Auto Roof Top Tent
- Freespirit Recreation ReadyLight
- Front Runner Expander Camping Chairs
- Waterport Potable Water Day Tank
- Fold To Go Portable Toilet