What It Really Takes to Build a Factory Overlander — with Dave Harriton

The Overland Journal Podcast

Anyone can bolt parts to a truck—but building a factory overlander is something else entirely. In this episode, recorded live at Overland Expo, we sit down with Dave Harriton, founder of AEV (American Expedition Vehicles), to explore what it actually takes to engineer an OEM-validated overland vehicle. From Jeep and Ram to full production lines at GM, Dave shares what goes into building expedition-ready platforms that roll straight off the assembly line—vehicles that have to meet the same durability, safety, and emissions standards as any other factory model. It’s a rare look into the world where overlanding meets automotive engineering at scale—and why most aftermarket builds aren’t playing the same game.