Barry Bonds’ Overland Adventure with the 2023 Bronco Raptor

Barry Bonds’ Adventuremobile

It all started with a conversation in 2021 about getting outside during the Pandemic. Barry Bonds, one of the greatest baseball players of all time, still resides in the San Francisco area where the city life was a tough life to lead during Pandemic lockdowns.

Online Revelations

Nobody was immune to the pandemic blues, not even Bonds. Going a little stir crazy just like everyone else, he turned to YouTube to kill some time. Not historically much of a viewer of the platform, YouTube had to come up with some suggested content for Bonds on its own.

Randomly, and since its suggestion tools didn’t pick up that baseball videos likely would have been a good fit, a list of videos based on camping and overlanding was served up. Bonds was immediately taken back to childhood family trips in the outdoors, and went down the rabbit hole of what has become overland life in the U.S.

His interest in the videos on YouTube quickly translated into popular overland related posts pouring into his Instagram account. Not a heavy social media user, Bonds unknowingly followed and liked a post made by a popular California-based overlanding account. When the account owner reached back out via DM thanking him for the follow and the like, Bonds wondered how the user got his info and thought his phone had been hacked. Once he realized that was actually a pretty common way to communicate on IG, Bonds and the account owner actually started chatting it up about the outdoors.

Through a couple talks about what traditional camping has really turned into for so many people, it all came down to a simple four question checklist. Have you ever slept outside?  Check. Have you ever had a meal outside? Check. Have you ever cleaned up or showered outside? Check. Have you ever stayed in a hotel or motel that was so bad you packed up and went home? Check.

“While a build like this usually takes quite some time to put together, Bonds was highly motivated and prepared to get it done quickly. With such a long wait time for delivery, he was able to really do his research.”

That last question really sealed the deal, and Bonds was intrigued enough to get a taste of overlanding. If it just wasn’t for him, he could always just pack up and go home. Once Bonds came to the realization that he could go outdoors and get off-grid and still sleep, cook, clean, and live with the comforts of home, he was hooked on the overland life.

“Once I figured out the bathroom and shower, the rest was easy,” Bonds said.

Defender to Bronco

The overland journey didn’t start for Bonds with this impressive 2022 Bronco Raptor build, but instead with a 2021 Land Rover Defender 110. At the time the new Defender seemed like the obvious choice for overland adventures.

The Defender was built up with an RTT, rear Goose Gear drawer system, full camp kitchen setup, hidden front winch, and more. Bonds quickly found the vehicle’s limitations, however, as he couldn’t easily remove the second row, and a number of other factory parts, as it would have caused wiring/safety sensor issues. Another limitation was the aftermarket support, which just isn’t as prevalent as found on other SUV overland platforms, like the Wrangler, 4Runner, and Bronco.

A Wrangler was considered for a hot minute, but Bonds is a tall, well built athlete and he found that he didn’t fit nearly as well as he did in the much wider and more spacious Bronco. This led him to buy a Bronco Raptor. The larger factory 37-inch tires, aggressive fenders, and upgraded suspension were big selling points for the Raptor model.

“Keeping the clean look of the Bronco was also very important to Bonds, even when adding a lengthy list of mods and add-ons. Every bracket, mount, accessory, and piece of gear needed to fit just right and have a place to call home.” 

After a long 9 months of waiting after placing his order, Bonds took delivery of this 2023 Oxford White Bronco Raptor in November of 2022. While a build like this usually takes quite some time to put together, Bonds was highly motivated and prepared to get it done quickly. With such a long wait time for delivery, he was able to really do his research.

Bonds’ close friends call him “B.” Since this new build is a Bronco Raptor, it quickly got nicknamed the “B Raptor.”

B Raptor Plans

As a ball player, Bonds studied and practiced the game harder than anyone else. During the off season when other players took vacations, he was still working to perfect his craft on the field. That mindset never changed, and Bonds applies the same level of effort and dedication into everything he thinks is worth doing, especially his hobbies of today.

Really digging into reviews, walkthroughs, how-tos, and DIY channels, he was able to create a solid list of build parts quickly, preorder all the parts, and line up the install times with trusted shops and brands. Once he took possession of the B Raptor, the build came together quickly over a short two months.

With all the research and connections in the overland industry made through the Defender build, camping trips in it, visits to events like Overland Expo, and a lot of YouTube videos, Bonds had a pretty clear idea of exactly how the Bronco Raptor build was going to come together to best suit his needs.

Bonds wanted a build that would allow for various sleeping setups. Sometimes he stops in one place for only a short period. Other times, he likes to set up more of a complete camp and enjoy a great spot for a bit longer. The combination of the Goose Gear storage system and platform, coupled with the TrailRacks roof rack, allows Bonds to easily carry his Gazelle tent on the rack for ground camping, attach a RTT when needed, and even sleep inside the cab on his DeepSleep Mattress when he wants to get in and out of a camp quickly.

Keeping the clean look of the Bronco was also very important to Bonds, even when adding a lengthy list of mods and add-ons. Every bracket, mount, accessory, and piece of gear needed to fit just right and have a place to call home. Everything that was needed for a comfortable trip in the wild was added, but nothing more. The B Raptor looks just as much at home pulling up to a Giants game at Oracle Park as it does deep in the Redwoods of Northern California.

Build a Bronco

Bonds is a bit OCD about being clean. On his first overland trips he’d take a case of bottled water along, set it out in the sun at camp to get hot, and then use the bottles and a sponge to get clean each day. Of course, with the B Raptor build, a proper hot shower system, a Kakadu Shower, was added, and used with a portable shower tent for privacy.

Bonds says his favorite piece of kit on his Bronco is the Redarc Manager 30 and RedVision systems, which he says is “the heart of the truck.” The system keeps everything running and makes all the electrical gadgets super easy to manage. With the addition of a shore power outlet in the rear bumper and portable solar panels, Bonds keeps the fridge cold around the clock and never has to worry about power for his air compressor, camp lights, and power outlets to charge his drones and other toys. Rhino Adventure Gear in San Francisco did all the custom electronics installs.

One slick feature on the B Raptor is a GMRS Radio mounted in the center console on a custom one-off STEP 22 Gear mounting plate that includes a quick release system for easy removal and storage when not in use. To finish off the build and protect it from the elements, the entire vehicle, including fender flares, was wrapped in PPF by A Shade Darker in Santa Rosa, CA.

B Raptor Adventures

Bonds has been taking trips to some of his favorite spots in Northern California to get used to all the systems and gear, and work out minor kinks that any new build endures. With everything now dialed in, Bonds is looking forward to some more extensive overland trips to Utah, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest.

Bonds says he did his research on this build and learned his lessons on the last build, so there is little that he’d change about his Bronco Raptor adventure machine. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect, though. He admits he wishes there was more sound proofing in the roof panels – and that there was a V8 under the hood.

As with all builds like this, it’s never really done, either. Next up is a low profile winch bumper, once one is available for the Raptor. Bonds is also thinking about adding some roof mounted solar panels depending on what he decides for a part time roof top tent. Another big possible addition to his adventure setup is a Patriot Campers X3 GEN 2 overland trailer. Only time will tell what additions this refined build will see, but what is for sure is that Bonds will be out using it regularly with all of his newfound overland adventure friends.

Platform: 2023 Bronco Raptor

Engine: 3.0L V6
Suspension: HOSS 4.0 with FOX Live Valve 3.1 Internal Bypass Semi-Active Dampers
Wheels & Tires: Nitto Recon Grappler

Interior Accessories: Redarc Manager 30 & RedVision; 100ah Battle Born Battery, 1000W Redarc Inverter; Wouxun KG-1000G GMRS Radio with STEP 22 Gear Quick Mount, SwitchPros, 67 Designs Dash Mounts, Garmin inReach Explorer; Dometic 45L CFX

Exterior Accessories: RockSlide Engineering Rocklsliders/Powered Side-Steps; ARB Dual Compressor, Fuel & Water Rotopax,  Axe & a Shovel w/Rhino Rack Locking Mounts; Heratic Light Bar/Bumper Lights/Ditch Lights/Rack Light Bar; Gazelle T4 Tent on Adventure Lab Mount, Roam Adventure Company Gear Box w/Rack Mount, STEP 22 Gear Boxes & Bags, RockSlide Spare Tire Propane Canister Carrier, 1UP bike rack with Rack Attack 2.0, Kakadu Outback Shower

Additional Modifications: 4 Portable 100W Jackery Solar Panels & 1500 Electric Generator; Shore Power Plug in Rear Bumper, USB/12V/120V Outlets in Cargo Area; GooseGear Rear Seat Delete/Fridge Box/Single Drawer/Tailgate Table, TrailRacks Roof Rack