With a shared background in engineering and an unquenchable thirst for adventure, Italians Antonio and Valentina have, since falling in love, embarked on a journey that would not only reshape their lives but also redefine their understanding of travel and exploration. The spirited duo has made a transformational journey, which began in their homeland and has since spanned continents. Their story is about more than the miles they’ve traversed and the vehicle they drive—it is a testament to their passion, resolve, and unique blend of engineering expertise and wanderlust.
Their story begins in Italy, where their shared zeal for mountain climbing, backcountry skiing, and racing mountain bikes were the underpinnings of an inseparable bond. Their first venture was in Asia and South America, where they navigated rugged terrains and scaled daunting mountain peaks. Eventually, they cultivated a deep-rooted love for Africa, a continent they first visited in 1997 to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Since that momentous climb, they have visited Africa regularly, taking their exploration a notch higher than the garden-variety-guided safari by renting 4×4 vehicles and immersing themselves in thrilling self-drive safaris, initially utilizing rentals to travel Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tanzania, and Kenya.
Their journey took a surprising turn when they decided to take over a flagship lodge in Tanzania called Ndutu Safari Lodge. As wildlife enthusiasts, this venture has allowed them to be actively involved in wildlife protection and conservation projects. This passion for wildlife, combined with their love for exploring remote places, gave birth to a business model that to this day sees them travel full-time while planning and selling self-drive safaris to Africa and adventure journeys in the USA.
The decision to permanently move to the US in 2015 saw them living for two years in Manhattan and three years in Connecticut before finally settling in Prescott, Arizona, where the next phase of their adventurous journey began.
Ulisse’s backstory (the soon-to-be-repurposed Ford F-350 ambulance) began when Antonio and Valentina moved from Connecticut to Arizona. They decided to drive the TransAmerica Trail, a renowned track used mainly by dirt bikes and motorcycles but also feasible with an offroad vehicle. At the time, they had a Toyota Tacoma TRD with an Alu-Cab canopy camper. It was this journey that made them realize the need for a different setup if they were to actualize their dream of full-time travel.
When they arrived in Prescott, they found a vibrant overlanding community that ignited new ideas for their forthcoming project (coincidentally, Expedition Portal and Overland Journal are based in Prescott). In this community, they met Jim Ward, an experienced overlander who would become instrumental in their pursuit of building a global expedition vehicle. After discussing their future plans, Jim proposed that they purchase and take over his current project, which involved transforming a recently acquired Ford F-350 ambulance from an Idaho fire department into an overland vehicle. By September 2021, the metamorphosis had begun.
Acquiring the ambulance with some modifications in place (including the suspension and conversion from dually to super single) with a low 37,000 original miles set them back $57,000. An additional $80,000 went into other modifications, including the necessary laser cutting and design of the rear camper box, which was rather costly. The rear suspension had been upgraded with a truss to guarantee extra rigidity to the rear axle and 1999 Superduty leaf springs which added 1,200 pounds of carrying capacity. Timbren bump stops and a RockJock rear sway bar were added to prevent excessive body roll on those undulating off-road tracks and low-speed corners. Dunbar in Phoenix, Arizona, performed a professional re-arch for both front and rear leaf springs, and the front axle was wholly rebuilt. The suspension was then neatly rounded off with a set of Bilstein 5100 Series shocks. The rear drum brakes were replaced with a disk brake conversion kit, including a hydro-boost system to replace the vacuum pump, bringing the braking system up to date.
Several factors inspired and dictated the build, but chief among them was the desire for a vehicle with enough GVWR to store their numerous toys and to carry all the necessary supplies and gear for their adventures, such as camping equipment, personal items, mountain bikes, climbing gear, and the tools they would need to maintain the vehicle on the road. A diesel engine without the need for DEF fluid and ULSD was essential (DEF is used in modern diesel engines to reduce harmful emissions, while ULSD is a cleaner-burning diesel fuel that contains less sulfur than regular diesel). However, DEF can be challenging to find in remote locations, and engines that require ULSD can be damaged if regular diesel is used. Therefore, an older diesel engine that does not need DEF or ULSD would be more suitable for their off-grid adventures. Four-wheel drive with low range was a non-negotiable requirement as the vehicle would need to not only look the part but would have to be able to cover whatever ground stood between the couple and their destination.
Solid walls and proper insulation were absolutely essential for these adventurers, who love to brave different weather conditions and remote locations. Antonio and Valentina needed a vehicle that could not only endure harsh environments but also provide a comfortable space for them to live in for extended periods. The insulation was crucial for this; it would help maintain a comfortable temperature inside the vehicle during both freezing winters and scorching summers. Lastly, it was imperative to the couple that they source a vehicle they could build and modify themselves, as a vehicle built by the owner can be repaired by the owner in the field. There is also significant satisfaction to be found traveling in a vehicle that has been built by you, for you, with blood, sweat, tears, and, of course, joy. The Ford F-350 ambulance checked all the boxes, and it was now up to the capable couple to transform it from a life-saving emergency vehicle into an adventure mobile that could help bring their dreams to life.
Ulisse was equipped with various features to support Antonio and Valentina’s travels during the build process and to provide a degree of comfort. A robust electrical system comprised of lithium batteries and an array of six solar panels (for a total of 600 watts) had plenty of power for their onboard gadgets and essential kitchen appliances, while a water purification system ensured access to clean drinking water. The kitchenette features all the conveniences one expects from a home on wheels, including an induction cooker, storage for cutlery, a suspended drying rack, and a modern sink/faucet combo with an additional filtered drinking water faucet. The internal kitchen is complemented by an external induction cooker built into a modified external storage compartment (who doesn’t enjoy cooking a meal outdoors as the sun sets?). As Italians, meals represent more than mere nutritional needs; cooking and consuming good food is as important as breathing fresh air.
The exterior of the vehicle is boxy, bold, and attractive, with no whitened teeth or superfluous modifications—everything has a well-considered purpose. The interior exudes a European flair, a style that cannot be bought or simply replicated, and there is a convenient walk-through connecting the cabin to the cab, a feature which elevates this camper significantly (a walk-through not only increases convenience but is also a significant security asset).
By January 2023, Antonio and Valentina set off from Prescott in their freshly built adventure vehicle, journeying down to Key West, Florida, experiencing all four seasons along the way. From there, they navigated north, off-roading whenever possible and avoiding RV parks with their sights set on Alaska, a destination they plan to reach around July 2023.
When asked what makes Ulisse special, the couple responded,
“It looks cool and unstoppable. When we go to the supermarkets or gas stations, we have at least two or three people coming around and asking a million questions about the build. The very first question they all ask is, “Is it armored?” Then, on the practical side, we have all that we need inside the camper, while at the same time, we can drive on pretty serious offroad trails or sand. Also, the low mileage and the simplicity of the sought-after 7.3L V8 Powerstroke engine make the platform a unique build.”
Ford F-350 Specifications
Power
- Aspiration: single turbocharger with Garrett TP38 turbo
- Power and torque: 225 horsepower and 450 pound-feet
- Mag-Hytec transmission pan (7.3 quarts additional transmission oil)
Suspension and Drive
- Front: Sky’s Offroad front leaf springs, shackle reversal kit, and 1999 leaf springs
- Rear: Sky’s Offroad rear shackle flip, 1999 Superduty leaf springs (a Sterling 10.25), RockJock rear sway bar, Timbren bump stops
- Bilstein 5100 series shocks
- Disc brake conversion kit
Wheels and Tires
- Method HD wheels, rated at 4,500 pounds max load key to staying beyond the GAWR rear of 8,250 pounds)
- Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, LT285/75R18, load range E, max load 4,080 pounds
Recovery and Armor
- Mile Marker SEC15, 15,000-pound rating
- MaxTrax, custom-made recovery points on all four corners
- Motobilt rear differential cover
- Buckstop front bumper
- Custom-made rear bumper
Accessories
- Scheel-mann Vario heated seats
- Autometer pyrometer, transmission gauge, and turbo gauge
- Custom-made roof rack with Zarges Box
- Step22 organizers inside the cabin
- Ram mounts for iPad, iPhone, and Garmin inReach
- Custom rear swing arm for the spare wheel and Yakima bike rack
- Rotopax fuel
- MaxBuilt lockable central console
Electrical and Lights
- Big Battery lithium batteries (2) for 340 amp-hours
- Custom-made anti-vibration battery trays
- Renogy inverter (3n000-watt)
- Renogy solar panels (six 600-watt) mounted in parallel
- Renogy DCDC charger (50 amps)
- Anzo Black Halo projector headlights and LED tailgate lights
- Tadi Brother’s rear backup camera with Bluetooth connection
- Rigid Industries, six 1×2 65 Degree DC power scene light
- Rigid Industries (2) 360-Series 6-inch LED Off-road Drive lights mounted on the front bumper
Camper Accessories
- Outdoor dual induction cooktop mounted on Expedition Essentials Exo Table
- Heated floor, vinyl planks
- Indoor shower with Bullfinch outlet
- Outdoor shower with Eezi Awn cube, Bullfinch outlet, and custom-made swing arm
- Wrappon toilet system
- Isotherm fridge, 130 liters
- Isotemp water heater, 4.5 gallons
- Planar diesel heater
- Guzzle UV water purification
- Fiamma 80s awning
- Tank Mart 40-gallon freshwater tank, 10-gallon graywater tank
- Lockable MaxBilt Console in the cabin, Ranger lockable safety box
- BlueSea control panel
- MaxxAir Maxxfan (2)
