Ed's Epic Moab Adventure: 1,000 Miles in a $3k Mini Jeep

When you think about epic off-road adventures, most people picture lifted trucks with knobby tires and rooftop tents. Ed March from c90adventures had a different vision - one that involved a Chinese mini Jeep, an amphibious conversion, and enough British stubbornness to power a small village. His “Will the mini jeep make it to Moab?” series proves that sometimes the most ridiculous ideas make for the best adventures.

Starting near Salt Lake City, Ed’s mission was simple in concept but bonkers in execution: drive 1,000 miles off-road to Moab in what’s essentially a motorized shopping cart. The Coolster mini Jeep he picked up for three grand wasn’t exactly built for overlanding - it had eight HP, the structural integrity of a wet cardboard box, and suspension that would make a park bench feel luxurious.

The build phase alone showcased Ed’s commitment to questionable engineering decisions. After discovering the stock Honda 90 engine was woefully underpowered, he and fabricator Nate Gold swapped in a 25-HP Daytona racing engine. The swap required custom work, including cutting holes in the chassis and fabricating a clutch pedal from scratch. They added an oil cooler to prevent the engine from turning into expensive scrap metal and laser-cut a luggage rack that could survive the beating ahead.

The journey itself became a masterclass in adventure riding resilience. Ed battled everything from frozen water bottles at minus 25 degrees to chassis rails snapping clean in half. The desert sections tested both man and machine, with temperatures soaring over 100 degrees while Ed pushed through desolate stretches where running out of fuel meant serious trouble.

The snow sections were particularly brutal. Watching Ed push a 400 pound mini Jeep uphill through deep powder at 10,000 feet elevation makes you appreciate the comfort of a heated cab. His technique evolved from “scooty scoot” to “pushy push” to the dreaded “Superman” maneuver - essentially becoming a human sled dog for his mechanical companion.

But the real genius move came when Ed discovered the Lake Powell ferry wasn’t running due to low water levels. Instead of taking a 150-mile detour on pavement that would have destroyed his tires, he built an amphibious conversion. Working with Nate again, they designed and fabricated a pontoon system that turned Willie into a floating off-road vehicle.

The engineering behind the amphibious conversion was surprisingly sophisticated. They calculated center of gravity, designed custom frames using laser-cut steel, and created a system that could be assembled and disassembled in the field. The pontoons provided enough buoyancy to keep the mini Jeep afloat while still allowing the wheels to provide propulsion in shallow water.

The actual lake crossing became one of the series’ most memorable moments. Ed’s expression of pure disbelief when the contraption actually worked was priceless. The mini Jeep puttered across Lake Powell at a whopping three miles per hour, with Ed occasionally paddling to maintain course. When the engine died mid-crossing due to water in the electrical system, he had to paddle the remaining distance - a scenario that would have been terrifying if it wasn’t so absurd.

The technical challenges kept mounting throughout the journey. The chassis cracked, requiring emergency welding in a small Utah town. The swing arm snapped, leaving Ed with a mini Jeep that handled like a shopping cart with a broken wheel. Each repair became an adventure in itself, often involving the kindness of strangers who couldn’t quite believe what they were witnessing.

What made the series special wasn’t just the mechanical mayhem - it was Ed’s commitment to documenting every miserable, hilarious moment. His self-deprecating humor and genuine surprise when things actually worked created a viewing experience that was part adventure documentary, part comedy show. The production values were surprisingly high for what started as a ridiculous idea, with drone footage that showcased the stunning Utah landscape.

The finale brought everything together in typical c90adventures fashion. After nearly 1,000 miles of punishment, Willie and Ed rolled into Moab battered but victorious. The mini Jeep had survived conditions that would challenge proper off-road vehicles, held together by determination, zip ties, and the occasional prayer to the gods of questionable Chinese engineering.

Ed’s adventure highlighted something important about the off-road community - it’s not about having the biggest, baddest rig. It’s about getting out there and making the most of what you have.

For the off-road community, the mini Jeep adventure became a reminder that the best adventures often come from the worst ideas.It proved that sometimes the journey really is more important than the destination - especially when that journey involves floating a Chinese mini Jeep across a lake in Utah.

The series stands as a testament to the fact that adventure is accessible to everyone. You don’t need a $100,000 overlanding rig to have epic experiences. Sometimes all you need is a terrible idea, a three-thousand-dollar mini Jeep, and the willingness to see where the trail takes you.