Nomad Overland Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X

One man’s dream rig

Building a dream overlanding vehicle, operating a successful content creation business, and growing a social media community all at once are only possible with the right person at the helm. When it comes to this 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X and Nomad Overland, that person is Chris Keller.

Chris goes by Nomad Overland online, and he’s made quite a few friends while building his brand, posting photos of the Jeep on Instagram, Facebook, and other social platforms. While it’s true that it takes one person with the determination and skills needed to have it all, we’ve all probably also heard the phrase “It takes a village to raise a child.” It’s in part thanks to the contributions of a truly massive “village” that Chris’ Jeep is what it is today.

Overland Community

“This vehicle has helped me meet and work with some amazing people and companies over the last 6 years,” Chris tells us. The Jeep you see on these pages is fully decked out with gear and accessories from brands we all know and love like Front Runner Outfitters, Hard Korr lighting, GearAmerica, Midland Radio, Gaia GPS, Beyond Clothing, and plenty of others.

What’s more, Chris has made some great friends with other overlanders online. Trips taken with Antonio Verrone of @derty_offroad and Marco Hernandez, otherwise known as @ovrlndx, who runs a famed Wrangler JK are some of his favorite memories. In fact, Marco’s JK build was one inspiration for Chris when he started this build back in 2016.

Dream Jeep

Like so many of us, Chris had dreamed of a Jeep since high school. He was driving a truck, a 2005 GMC, until it was stolen in 2016. Making the best out of a bad situation, Chris tells us, “I decided to make that happen… after the insurance check cleared.”

Like so many of us, Chris had dreamed of a Jeep since high school.

Having a vehicle stolen might not seem like something you’d look back on as a good thing. But for Chris, the loss of the GMC opened doors that might never have otherwise. Chris has a true love of the outdoors, fostered by parents and grandparents alike, that he’s tried to pass on by camping and hunting with his own kids. Having a ready-to-rumble dedicated overland rig is the key to getting him out the door.

Having a ready-to-rumble dedicated overland rig is the key to getting him out the door.

Lighting Up the Desert

Chris’ Hard Korr lighting setup is one of the first things we notice on his Jeep at first glance — especially at night. His six circular lights each measure 7 inches round, giving him a wide sweep of illumination across both his front bumper and up in front of his Front Runner Outfitters roof rack.

So where are you most likely to find Chris in his Jeep? “Anywhere I can get out and explore with it,” he says, “Since I live in Phoenix, the desert is the most accessible for me. There is so much BLM and State Trust land around Arizona to explore.”

Quick to Hit the Road

While the Jeep isn’t Chris’ daily driver, he does get out in it pretty often for a guy who juggles so much. “It was such a great concept to have everything you need in the vehicle and be able to get out of town quickly,” he explains, adding that it’s always possible the Jeep could be turned into a bugout rig if necessary.

“The build has increased my going out and camping tenfold,” Chris tells us. “For me to get out now it is only a matter of loading clothes, food, and water… I can be ready to leave in 30 minutes or less.” When you’re as busy as Chris is, efficiency is the magic sauce that keeps everything moving.

Exterior Accessories

Over the past 5 or so years, Chris has customized the Jeep to work perfectly for him. For his off-road needs, a 1.5-inch Teraflex lift in both front and rear gives him optimal ground clearance. The addition of Teraflex outback springs in the rear plus Fox 2.0 shocks rounds out the Jeep OEM suspension.

Chris has stuck with the wheels that were on when he bought the Jeep, MB Motoring TKO 17-inch, but has added a set of Milestar Patagonia XT tires. He’s also added a set of Cree LED headlights in addition to the full kit of Hard Korr lights that we talked about earlier. To top it all off, he’s also added some DIY rear LEDs to the rear glass.

For protection, Smittybuilt XRC armor wraps the front bumper, while Quadratec protects the rear. Bushwhacker fenders bulk out the Jeep’s lines, and GearAmerica Mega Shackles ensure the Jeep is easy to tow in a pinch. An ever-reliable Smittybuilt XRC 9500 winch caps off Chris’ front bumper add-ons.

Roof Top

Up top, Chris’ Front Runner Outfitters Extreme Slimline roof rack holds onto a ton of other gear, including his roof top tent, which is also from Smittybuilt. It also secures his Tuffstuff overland shower enclosure, Front Runner double jerry can holder, and a Maxi Trac awning.

“I love my Front Runner roof rack,” Chris says. “It has been a big upgrade from my old roof rack. The fact that it ties into the roll cage makes it super stable. The deck goes the full length which gives me plenty of storage. The other selling [point] is that it is so easy to mount accessories to it. Front Runner offers a bunch of bolt-on accessories.”

Interior Add-Ons

Chris’ dash is fully outfitted with navigation and communications tech. A holder from Bullet Point secures his Samsung Tablet, on which he runs Gaia GPS. He’s also been using a Garmin inReach to stay connected while out in the desert. Midland Radios MX500 GRMS help with that, too, and a Jackery 240 battery keeps the whole setup powered.

Popping the trunk reveals a complex setup that Chris has narrowed down to a science. His Opar rear shelf slides to keep everything accessible, including his DIY kitchen slider and Snomaster Classic Series 60L fridge (a recent upgrade from the Tuffstuff 52L you see on these pages).

Popping the trunk reveals a complex setup that Chris has narrowed down to a science.

In the backseat, Chris stays organized with a Fieldcraft Survival GO Bag. The back of the Jeep also houses his Masterflow MF-1050 onboard air.

Working with Friends

All the gear piled on Chris’ Jeep makes it droolworthy to most overlanders out there. With Nomad Overland as his basecamp, relationships with friends in the overland community have helped to make all of the gear and accessories possible.

Chris’ setup suits the dark red Jeep well, and we’re sure we’ll continue to see improvements and partnerships with popular overlanding and outdoor brands as he continues to adventure.

The chance to play and work with other overlanders and in his dream Jeep comes in part thanks to Nomad Overland’s online presence. Antonio Verrone of @derty_overland has been a traveling buddy of Chris’ on trips in the past, including to the San Juan mountains in Colorado back in 2020. “It was amazing to drive the shelf roads, see the old mining buildings, and camp at altitude.” Chris reminisces of their trip, which included Alpine Loop, California Pass, Cinnamon Pass, Gypsy Gulch, Hurricane Pass, Imogene, and Black Bear.

Plans for the Future

Chris even has some dreams to that effect, saying, “I have been super happy with my tent, but it would be nice to have an easier setup like the iKamper Mini 3.0.” (Get together, guys! We support it!)

While he reports being content with the rig at the moment, we all know that being “done” building only exists in dreams, especially when you’re as driven as Chris. And the next adventure? He tells us that while hauls to Colorado and Utah are on the docket, “I would love to drive to Alaska someday.” That’s a big dream… but in a rig like his, anything is possible.

Be sure to follow Chris Keller and his Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X via Nomad Overland on Instagram @nomadoverland

Nomad Overland Jeep UPGRADES

2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X

Engine: Pentastar 3.6L V6 205hp with 240 ft. lbs.

Suspension: (front) OEM Dana 30 with 1.3-inch Teraflex lift; (rear) OEM Dana 44 with 1.5-inch Teraflex lift, Teraflex Outback springs; Fox 2.0 shocks

Wheels & Tires: MB Motoring TKO 17-inch wheels; Milestar Patagonia XT tires, size 285/70/17

Interior Accessories: Samsung tablet with Gaia GPS; Bullet Point phone and tablet holders; Garmin inReach; Opar rear shelf; Midland Radios MX500 GRMS; Jackery 240 portable battery; Snomaster Classic Series 60L fridge; Fieldcraft Survival GO Bag

Exterior Accessories: 7-inch Cree LED headlights; 4 Hardkorr BZR-X 7-inch round lights in roof rack; 2 Hardkorr BZR-X 7-inch round lights in front bumper; DIY rear LED lights on rear glass; Smittybuilt XRC 9500 winch; Front Runner Outfitters Extreme Slimline roof rack; Smittybuilt XRC mid-width front bumper armor; Quadratec mid-width rear bumper armor; Maxi Trac 8×8-foot awning; Tuffstuff Overland shower enclosure

Additional Modifications: DIY custom rear drawer and kitchen; Masterflow MF-1050 onboard air; Smittybuilt Overland roof top tent; GearAmerica Mega Shackles; Teraflex Heavy Duty tire carrier; Front Runner Outfitters double Jerry can holder; Bushwacker fenders

Editor’s Note: A version of this story previously appeared in the May/June 2023 print issue of Tread Magazine.