Long before Liam Schultz was managing workshop floors or engineering complex 12-volt systems, off-road exploration was simply his backdrop. Growing up in South Africa until age 18, the bush and wildlife parks were where he felt most at home. Joining the Cubs and Scouts early on laid his foundation for outdoor self-reliance, but his exposure to heavy four-wheel-drive platforms ran much deeper. Connected to the early days of South African 4x4 television, Liam was immersed in the world of expedition travel, modified vehicles, and trail logistics from infancy. He grew up learning to drive behind the wheel of "Big Joe"—a converted ex-SANDF Unimog owned by his father—and saw first hand what broke on the trail, how gear held up under harsh conditions, and what true off-grid preparation demanded long before he ever picked up a trade wrench.

That deep-seated connection to vehicle-based travel naturally shaped the identity of Sixteen Expedition and Overland. The name itself reflects that foundation: it ties together 4X4 = 16 as the mathematical formula for balanced four-wheel-drive capability, marks Liam's birth on the 16th, and pays homage to the vast, rugged Southern African landscapes where his passion for off-grid travel began.

At 18, Liam's adventurous spirit pushed him to explore further, taking a gap year to the UK that quickly turned into home. After university—where he fully embraced the culture and played a solid stretch of club rugby—he stepped into the workforce. Looking for a career with genuine substance, Liam naturally found his way back into the 4x4 trade, eventually taking on the role of Operations Manager for a major independent 4x4 and expedition vehicle specialist. For years, he ran workshop operations, designed custom overland platforms, and specified high-end build solutions. In a rewarding full-circle moment, a core part of his role involved importing and supplying premium South African overland brands—the exact equipment he had grown up around and understood inside out.

Living on the workshop floor and orchestrating complex client builds revealed a persistent flaw in the traditional vehicle preparation industry. Most garages and outfitters are bound by supplier quotas, brand tie-ins, or stock sitting on their shelves, meaning clients are often sold what yields a margin rather than what actually suits their journey. Endless forum debates lead well-meaning vehicle owners into costly trial-and-error, while busy professionals simply lack the dozens of hours required to research technical compatibility, monitor build quality, and chase vendors.

Liam founded Sixteen Expedition and Overland to offer a completely independent alternative. Operating with zero dealer contracts or supplier quotas, his recommendations are calculated strictly around your payload, destination, and budget. Whether taking full project management off your desk or providing expert technical validation for a DIY build, Liam’s goal is to save you time, strip away the hassle, and equip you with the practical workshop insight needed to handle your rig with complete confidence off the grid.

Ready to Plan Your Setup?

Whether you’re embarking on a complete turnkey expedition build or need an expert sanity check on your DIY project, let’s make sure your vehicle is properly engineered for the route ahead.