Just steps from the main entrance at Overland Expo West 2026, the DIY Showcase area is one of the first and most engaging stops for attendees. It offers a direct look at how real enthusiasts design and build their rigs for life on the road. From rugged military platforms to compact campers and unexpected custom builds, this curated collection highlights the wide range of what overlanding can be.
More than a static display, this area is built around interaction. Many owners camp alongside their vehicles and welcome attendees in for walk-throughs and conversations. It is a chance to ask questions, understand design decisions, and see how different setups function in the real world.
Vehicles on display in the DIY Showcase area include:
- 1994 Stewart and Stevenson LMTV M1079
- 2010 Toyota Tundra
- 2017 Jeep Wrangler with 2024 Boony Stomper teardrop
- 1988 Mitsubishi Delica
- 2003 Stewart and Stevenson M1083 6×6
- 1967 Pontiac Firebird with overland trailer
- 2011 Toyota Custom Camper
- 2019 Toyota Tacoma with DIY off-road camper
- 1987 Toyota Van
- 2026 Nomad Euphoria XLQ with 2023 Aprilia Tuareg 660 custom
- 2006 Sterling Marmon Herrington AWD conversion ex Canadian military vehicle
- 1997 Chevrolet K3500
- 1986 Toyota Mirage
- 2011 Subaru Forester
- 1994 Stewart Stevenson
- 1998 Chevy Tracker
- 2024 Tesla Cybertruck
- 2008 Toyota Tacoma
Whether you are planning your first build or refining your current setup, the DIY Showcase is one of the best places at the event to gather ideas, compare approaches, and connect with the community behind the builds. Here are a few of the vehicles that will be seen at Overland Expo West in the DIY Showcase area and the stories behind the build.
1988 Mitsubishi Delica
YogaSlackers’ Sam Salwei and Raquel Hernandez bring a unique blend of overlanding experience and movement-based living to the DIY Showcase. Long before settling into their current rig, Sam spent more than 15 years crisscrossing the country in a modest 1988 Ford Festiva, racking up miles and stories along the way. After Raquel joined him, the two spent five years sharing life on the road in that tiny platform before stepping up to their 1988 Mitsubishi Delica. The upgrade gave them just enough room to stretch out, both physically and creatively, while carrying the gear that supports their active, adventure-driven lifestyle.
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Their 1988 4×4 Mitsubishi Delica L300 Exceed is a compact but capable overland platform built for versatility. Powered by a 2.5L turbo diesel mid-engine setup and paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, it features a high and low range gearbox along with a limited-slip differential for added traction. Fully loaded at around 7,400 pounds with both occupants and gear, the Delica strikes a balance between mobility and function, offering the durability needed for extended travel with just enough space to support their unique way of life on the road.
1967 Pontiac Firebird
Mark Slobom is an experienced explorer with many years of travel and exploration under his belt. His 1967 Pontiac Firebird build started with a simple goal: create something unique, capable, and affordable. Working within a tight budget and a clear set of rules, tires had to stay within the body, there could be no bulky frame hanging below, and the rig needed strong approach and departure angles. What began with a $200 body in 1979 evolved through years of fabrication, upgrades, and real-world testing. By 1982, the Firebird hit the trail, and over time, it was strengthened with custom Dana 60 and Dana 44 axles, an NV4500 transmission, a Dana 300 transfer case, lockers, a winch, and a roll cage. Mark has since taken it across much of the western U.S., back when navigation meant USGS paper maps and remote travel came with far fewer crowds. His experience even extended into assisting off-road recoveries throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Rather than retire the Firebird, Mark expanded its capability with a purpose-built overland trailer to support longer and more comfortable trips alongside his wife. Starting with a Smittybilt platform, the trailer was transformed through thoughtful fabrication and electrical work into a fully equipped mobile basecamp. It features a rooftop tent with annex, 270-degree awning, full kitchen setup, refrigerator, 20-gallon water system with freeze protection, hot water, shower tent, heater, solar, and a 300Ah battery system. The setup allows them to travel farther with more supplies, and when trails get more technical, the trailer can be staged as a remote camp while the Firebird continues on.
2003 Stewart and Stevenson M1083 6×6
Rodger Schneidau and Cyndee Schneidau are avid travelers and hands-on builders whose shared passion for exploration has taken them across all 50 states multiple times and to more than 15 countries. Since retiring from the public sector, Rodger has logged over 100,000 miles in a 100 Series Land Cruiser as @gettingoutwithgrace, bringing with him a deep skill set that spans project management, welding, wiring, sewing, amateur radio, and more. Cyndee is just as comfortable navigating solo travel abroad as she is embracing remote desert living, balancing a portable career with life on the road. A self-proclaimed foodie, she brings creativity to camp cooking and enjoys connecting with others over great meals, whether at a campsite or beyond.
Their 2003 Stewart and Stevenson M1083 6×6, known as @bigbeaufort, marks the next chapter in their journey as they transition into full-time travel. The platform offers the space and capability to support extended adventures, while serving as a rolling reflection of their combined experience, curiosity, and love for the road. Whether you stop by to talk travel, swap stories, or catch Cyndee mid-meal prep, their setup embodies the spirit of overlanding through connection, capability, and a willingness to go wherever the road leads.
1986 Toyota Mirage
Angela Giuliano and Nick Giuliano, aka @theoffroadedit, are a husband-and-wife team building and wheeling their Toyotas across Arizona and beyond. Angela’s dream of owning a vintage Toyota RV led them to a 1986 Toyota Mirage they found online with minimal photos and one grainy video. Trusting the vision, they drove from Arizona to Colorado, bought it sight unseen, dropped in a new battery, swapped the tires, and drove it home without issue.
Once summer hit, the real build began. The Mirage was transformed with an engine swap, axle upgrades, new transmission with a 4.7 transfer case, 4×4 conversion, lockers, and a suspension inspired by rock crawlers. Inside, they scrapped the outdated interior and started fresh, creating a functional off-grid living space using pre-made components, updated electrical, and modular storage. The result is a vintage RV turned serious off-road rig, built to leave pavement behind and reflect the same bold mindset that got them there in the first place.
The DIY Showcase highlights some of the most unique vehicles at Overland Expo West 2026, so grab your tickets and experience them up close.
