Ulisse – 1997 Ford F-350 Camper Bringing Dreams to Life

1997 Ford F-350 Camper Bringing Dreams to Life

Featured Vehicle on Expedition Portal, by Graeme and Luisa Bell

Graeme Bell is an author and explorer who has dedicated his life to traveling the planet by land, seeking adventure and unique experiences. Together with his wife and two children, Graeme has spent the last decade living permanently on the road in a self-built Land Rover based camper. They have explored 27 African countries (including West Africa), circumnavigated South America, and driven from Argentina to Alaska, which was followed by an exploration of Europe and Western Asia before returning to explore the Americas. Graeme is the Senior Editor 4WD for Expedition Portal, a member of the Explorers Club, the author of six books, and an Overland Journal contributor since 2015. 

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.

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).

The transformation process was long and costly, but Antonio and Valentina were involved in it every step of the way, applying their engineering backgrounds to help design and implement the necessary modifications. The end result is a vehicle that truly embodies their adventurous spirit. It is a spacious, comfortable home on wheels, capable of traversing the most rugged terrains and enduring the most extreme weather conditions. While the vehicle was, without doubt, a significant investment, it is obvious that this vehicle has been built to take on global adventures over a long period of time, and the end product is, in the couple’s words, “a masterpiece”; an impressive offroad vehicle uniquely suited to their adventurous lifestyle.

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)
    • Yokohama Geolandar A/T 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)

Graeme Bells’ original article, 1997 Ford F-350 Camper Bringing Dreams to Life :: Featured Vehicle, has been posted on Expedition Portal, on June 7th, 2023

Expedition Portal

The global resource for overland and adventure travels: https://expeditionportal.com/

 

About Graeme, Luisa and A2A Expeditions:
 
Graeme’s Books: 

Where is Ulisse now?

Follow our Overland Adventures with Ulisse on our Socials

    • January 13th, 2023

CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES:

Prescott, AZ – Chiricahua National Monument, AZ – White Sands National Park, NM – Big Band National Park, TX – Seminole canyon State Park, TX – San Antonio, TX – NASA Center, Huston, TX – New Orleans, LO – St.Augustine, Fl – Miami, FL – Key Largo, FL – Key West, FL – Everglades National Park, FL – Orlando, FL – Nebraska National Forest, NE – Badlands National Park, SD – Wind Cave National Park, SD – Custer State Park, SD – Devil’s Tower National Monument, WY – Grand teton National Park, WY – Yellowstone National Park, WY – Glacier National Park, MO

    • May 27th, 2023

CANADA:

Waterton Lakes National Park, AB – Calgary, AB – Lake Louise, AB – Lake Moraine, AB – Banff National Park, AB – Joho National Park, AB – Jasper National Park, AB – Terrace, BC – Salmon Glacier, AB – Stewart Cassier Hwy, AB – Yukon Hwy, YT – Klondike Hwy, BC – Whitehorse, YT – Alaska Hwy, YT

    • Jun 29th, 2023

ALASKA:

End of Alaska Hwy –  Fairbanks – Dalton Hwy – Deadhorse – Prudhoe Bay –  Denali National Park – Valdez – Werangell St. Elias National Park – McCarty – Kennicott Glacier – Anchorage – Cook Inlet – Kenai Fjords National Park – Homer – Exit Glacier – Top of the World Highway

    • August 11th, 2023

Back to CANADA:

Top of the World Highway, YT – Dawson City, YT – Dempster Hwy, YT-NT – Telegraph Road, BC – Hyder, AK – Terrace, BC – Sea to Sky Hwy, BC

    • September 19th, 2023

Back to CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES:

Seattle, WA – Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA – Portland, OR – Indian Beach, OR – Cannon Beach, OR – Rockaway Beach, OR – Cape Kiwanda, OR – cape Perpetua, OR – Lone Beach, OR – Redwood National Park, CA – Fern Canyon, CA – Lost Coast, CA – Black Sand Beach, CA – Fern Canyon,  CA – Sonora and Napa Vineyards, CA – Yosemite National Park, CA – Kings Canyon National Park, CA – Sequoia National Park, CA – Pinnacle National Park, CA – Monterrey, CA – Big Sur, CA – Trona Pinnacles, CA – Alabama Hills, CA – Death Valley, NP – Mojave Preserve and Kelso Dunes, CA Prescott, AZ

    • January 3rd, 2024 Back to Prescott, AZ
  •  
    • February 2024 – Next Stage

Central and South America

 

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