A 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 built to rock crawl, overland, speed through the desert, and commute to work.

It’s a crawler, it’s a prerunner, it’s…an overlander? At first glance this wild Chevy Colorado looks like some sort of race truck or maybe some sort of rock crawler. Then you realize this truck has a long bed, a roof top tent, gear cases on the cab roof and is packed with enough gear to go off grid for months—this thing is an overlanding rig.

One might think the builder of this creation is confused or just can’t make up his mind, but in fact, Matthew Girgis knew exactly what direction he was going when he went full tilt with this build. Girgis wanted a rock crawling, desert running, overlanding rig that can still act as a reliable daily driver. So what does Matt consider himself? To answer that, all we have to do is check out the bright livery and logo on his truck for the tent company he co-owns. You will see “Overland(ish),” which perfectly describes the amalgamation of styles all wrapped into one.

“Being an overlander, though, means that Girgis has all the essentials. This includes tons of storage in his twin 83L Roam Adventure Co. rugged cases and a Leitner bed rack with dual Gearpod XLs with an Overland(ish) Summit roof top tent on top.

What is Overland(ish)?

Pronounced [OH-ver-LAND-ish] (adj.), it comes from the Germanic language and describes an overlander who identifies as a pre-runner or rock crawler but still dons a roof top tent and packs their pour over coffee, skottle, full-size hibachi-style grill, refrigerated cooler, and all of the creature comforts of home.

“Does that race truck have a shower on the back of it? That’s the most Overland(ish) thing I’ve ever seen.”

“The Cement color paint on the truck offered a clean look, and would better hide the inevitable pinstriping from the tight off-road trails ahead.”

An Early Love for Off Road and Camping

From the first time Girgis hit the dirt in Anza-Borrego, California, as a kid with his dad, he was hooked on off roading combined with camping with his family; it’s only logical he got into the overland world. While his dad inspired him to go off road, it was Girgis’ passion for travel and photography that pushed him to build such an extreme rig. Following his father’s footsteps, who owned a Chevy, he jumped into a Chevy Colorado and went nuts. He made an incredibly versatile overland vehicle that can camp for as long as he likes, and then turn around and run the desert at high speeds. Girgis loves the feeling of the suspension articulating and tackling the rugged terrain of his favorite spots like Anza-Borrego, California.

Girgis’ passion for off road combined with his passion for photography and videography came together in 2020 when he co-founded a small company called Overland(ish). Girgis says, “The true identity of Overland(ish) is rooted in just having fun, being goofy, making fun of ourselves and overall just having a good time.” He continues by saying, “We make content that doesn’t take itself too seriously and gear that does. We made so much fun of ourselves for having all these amenities from home that we ended up making tents that seem more like hotel rooms for the outdoors…what could be more Overland(ish) than that!”

Along with running Overland(ish), Girgis also lends his photography skills to outlets like Tread, industry partners, and Sprinter Overland Trips. Tread has used his talents for several features; it helps when the photographer truly understands his subject matter. Girgis can capture the right look and vibe of an overlander or off-road enthusiast because he is one himself. As lead photographer with Sprinter Overland Trips, this same notion applies. He captures Sprinter owners enjoying their time in the outdoors, challenging themselves with tougher terrain, and having a great time with friends and family.

“Girgis wanted a rock crawling, desert running, overlanding rig that can still act as a reliable daily driver.”

A Signature Look

When you look at Girgis’ creation the first things you notice are the lights, the wrap, and the wheel and tire combination. KC Hilites is responsible for the truck pumping out more lights than the Vegas Strip. Controlling those lights are two SwitchPros 9100 series controllers that Girgis set with custom settings. Josh Daley of Daley Visual was able to take inspiration from an iconic ‘80s race car and make a striking wrap that blows minds and gives that nostalgic look that makes us smile when we see it. The 17×8.5 Fuel Block wheels wrapped in 35 x 12.5 Maxxis RAZR A/Ts finish off the look and give this wild ride its style and its grip. King shocks and secondary bypasses paired with Baja Kits and Timbren give this beast its ability to rip through all the whoops in the desert like a bat outta hell. An MBRP full exhaust gives this truck its rumble, and the custom wide Fiberwerx fenders let Girgis stuff those big Maxxis 35s in there and get that coveted stance every off roader strives for.

Overland Accessories

Being an overlander, though, means that Girgis has all the essentials. This includes tons of storage in his twin 83L Roam Adventure Co. rugged cases and a Leitner bed rack with dual Gearpod XLs with an Overland(ish) Summit roof top tent on top. In the bed, Girgis uses the Decked drawer system for all of his photo gear and more. On top of that is his Overland(ish) Basecamp insulated tent along with his full camp kitchen, all the way down to the kitchen sink, or in this case an EZ-sink.

For recovery, Girgis has a 12,000-lb. DV8 Offroad winch mounted to his DV8 steel bumper, a full Deadman Off Road setup paired with some goodies from Factor55. His spare is mounted on a Rig’d Supply Ultraswing with all the overlanding accessories, including a kitchen table. Also, in case the need arises, Girgis has a Pro Eagle 1.5-ton jack on deck. For underbody protection, Girgis has a full set of CBI Offroad skid plates and rock sliders, an AEV differential skid plate, and 589 Fab shock skids so he can romp on the rocks worry free. His engine mods include an engine tune from Trifecta Performance and a cold air intake from S&B filters. Not to be overlooked, his stopping power comes from a set of R1 Concepts brake pads and rotors.

Inside Cockpit Accessories

The overland goodies don’t stop with the outside of this crazy Chevy Colorado. Girgis uses Midland’s MXT 500 Micromobile Two-Way Radio, MXTA25 3dB Ghost Antenna and a pair of Midland handheld radios to communicate with all of his buddies. For interior storage he uses a ColoradoCanyonEnthusiast rear attic system and a set of Greyman Tactical rear seat MOLLE panels. On the dash he uses a ColoradoCanyonEnthusiasts dashboard tray and 67Designs phone mount with carbon fiber arms and a 55 series rail. For extra power he has, not one but two, Blackfire portable batteries, one 500 watt and one 1000 watt, and a solar panel to charge them. They come in clutch when he is off grid and needs some extra juice to run his Dometic CFX3 45 all day. Hey, a guy needs a cold beer and maybe even an ice cream after running the desert all day.

“While his dad inspired him to go off road, it was Girgis’ passion for travel and photography that pushed him to build such an extreme rig.”

Girgis was inspired by all the Chevy prerunners on one side and his family camping trips on the other. What came from that was this Frankenstein’s monster you see before you. Just like a real race truck, when something breaks (something always breaks) Girgis doesn’t just fix it, he upgrades it. Girgis puts in the wrench time himself, doing most of the installations, along with some help from Toys For Trucks who installed his Baja Kits long travel setup, DNA Wheels and Tires who mounted and balanced his tires and keeps his truck aligned, and Brandon from 1T4 Fabrication who is responsible for keeping Girgis’ truck on the road (and off). These shops and fabricators did some impressive things to Girgis’ truck but there is more to come as his future goals and plans include a four-link suspension and full cage. Now that sounds like something we want to see!

To see more of Girgis’ adventures in overlanding be sure to check out his Instagram @Rad_Z71. Or visit his company page @Overland.ish. 

Editor’s Note: A version of this story previously appeared in the May/June 2022 issue of Tread Magazine.

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UPGRADES

2017 Chevrolet Colorado Z71

ENGINE: 3.6L V6 (308hp, 269 lb.-ft.)

SUSPENSION: Baja Kits Chevy Colorado 4×4 Prerunner Kit (front); Upgraded Secondary triple bypass shocks, custom valved by Onyx Motoring; Timbren Industries Active Bumpstops (front and rear); Deaver Suspension Inc. Expedition Leaf Pack (rear); lift shackles (rear)

WHEELS & TIRES: Fuel Offroad Block wheels 17-inch with +1 backspacing; Maxxis RZR AT 35×12

ARMOR: CBI Offroad undercarriage skid plates (engine, oil pan, transmission); DV8 front and rear bumpers; 589 Fab/Ultraskids shock skids; AEV differential skid; Fiberwerx widebody fenders, custom rear fiberglass fenders for long bed

INTERIOR ACCESSORIES: ColoradoCanyonEnthusiast rear attic system; Greyman Tactical seat MOLLE panel; ColoradoCanyonEnthusiast dashboard tray; 67Designs phone mount; Midland USA MXT 500 Micromobile Two-Way Radio, MXTA25 3dB Ghost Antenna, 1500W Portable Powerstation, 500W Portable Powerstation; 60W folding solar panels (2); SwitchPros 9100 (2) w/power tray engine mount;

EXTERIOR ACCESSORIES: Bison Grill; Anderson Composites Type ZL Carbon Fiber hood; Akkon Headlights; Syper Auto taillights; KC HiLites 50” Gravity Pro6, Flex Era 4 (4); DV8 Offroad 12000lb winch; Factor 55 Ultrahook and Fairlead; Leitner Designs , Gear Pods; Roam Adventure Co. 83L storage cases; Overland(ish) Summit roof top tent & Base Camp; Rig’d Supply Ultraswing; Dometic CFX3 45; ProEagle 1.5 ton jack; Mountain Hatch Tailgate Table; MBRP catback exhaust; Prinsu roof rack; Daley Visual Camel GT Livery wrap; Decked Drawer System; R1 Concepts brake pads and rotors; Leitner Designs Forged Active Cargo System; EZ Sink portable wash and shower station;

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Editor’s Note: A version of this article appeared in TREAD Jan/Feb 2024.