This heavily modified Smart Fortwo is probably the smallest overlander in the world. The video above shows a pint-sized off-roader on a camping trip. The clip below narrates the build from a stock vehicle into this sturdy machine.
One of the interesting features of the Smart is that the plastic body panels are easy to remove. This is especially useful for this build as removing the pieces provides easier access to the suspension and wheels. Modifications include installing spacers to raise the ride height by 1,969 inches (50 millimeters). There’s also room to load much larger, off-road-focused tires.
This Fortwo is a soft top, and the builders wanted to pitch the tent on the roof. The convoluted solution was for the builder to have his friend build an external roll cage. It makes the Smart look a lot more rugged, especially with the addition of spotlights and LED bars. A winch is also mounted to the front. The recovery board on the side doesn’t work but looks cool.
Change is not only on the outside. The builder also made a special box that houses the two burner gas stove and sink. Unfortunately, the man built the structure before lifting the car’s suspension. The result is that the stand is a bit too high for comfortable use.
When it’s time to eat, there’s a set of cutlery in a box that fits right in. The setup means nothing shifts, even when driving on rough terrain.
While turning the Smart Fortwo into an overlander doesn’t make much sense from a usability point of view, this project is an interesting example of what’s possible. Judging by this video, one could actually use this little rig on an occasional camping trip.
Earlier in 2022, we saw the off-road modified Smart Fortwo come up for sale. It had an eight-inch suspension lift and 30-inch tires for climbing rough terrain. To protect small vehicles, there is an external roll cage and skid plate. With just 70 horsepower (52 kilowatts), the top speed is thought to be only about 65 miles per hour (105 kilometers per hour).
