It's time we introduce you to Josh and Jess from Adventure Intel Australia. This adventurous duo have been Club 4X4 customers for a while now, and have recently partnered with us as brand ambassadors. This year they set off on their biggest adventure yet, full-time travel life with their Ford Ranger and Snowy River Caravan in tow.
We caught up with Josh and Jess to get an inside look at their life on the road and hear about their favourite destinations.
Q. How did you get into camping & touring?
A. When you love Australia as much as we do you’ll find any way to explore it. It became evident early on that the best way to see this country is in a well setup 4X4 that allows us to go off-grid while we explore the most remote and inhospitable locations on offer.
For Josh being outside and going back to basics makes him happy. Having to put in effort and planning to make it to the places no one else is etc. it’s the quintessential Aussie past time you can’t not love camping.
For Jess it’s similar. Being out of the city and in nature where the skies sparkle brighter and you’re in tune with the rising and falling of the sun each day. Touring is a big passion of hers as it makes her feel even more patriotic about being Australian and experiencing all that our home country has to offer.
adventure intel australia ford ranger and snowy river caravan gibb river road
Q. What inspired you to take the leap for your first big lap?
A. We’ve both experienced some really low times throughout our young lives. Jess for example has been diagnosed with 3 different types of cancer since she was 15 years old and has undergone a whole heap of debilitating treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and radioactive iodine. It’s these dark times and brushes with death and illness that have really brought home the fact that life is short and there’s so much more to it than working a 9-5, paying bills and owning a mortgage. We are both passionate about travel and experiences so a big lap was always on the cards as we love our country. The inspiration for the leap was that you never know what life has around the corner for you, so you need to live for the now and experience as many adventures as you can. We want to take nothing to the grave but incredible memories!
Q. What's your favourite destination to date?
A. They’re different for each of us. Josh has seen a lot of this country and keeps coming back to the WA coast where the red dirt outback meets the vibrant blue oceans. For Jess it’s the rugged Northern Territory! She doesn’t know why but it’s wriggled its way into her heart like bull dust does to your canopy interior.
Q. Bucket list destination on your list
A. Jess’ bucket list destination was Uluṟu, which we ticked off last year. A place so sacred you can’t help but feel moved when you’re there! For Josh a bucket list item for him is collecting all the corner countries in Australia.
Q. How did you settle on buying a Ranger?
A. The Ranger offered everything needed for long term remote area travel. Plenty of power, decent fuel economy and ample space as well as a massive towing capacity. It has just the right amount of tech and more than enough off-road capability. To date it’s been the most versatile and capable 4X4 we’ve had in the fleet.
modified ford ranger touring australia
We Go Wherever You Can
From beaches to bush tracks to water crossings, we cover 4X4s anywhere they’re allowed to go & can recover them when things go wrong
Q. What other vehicles did you consider at the time?
A. Like most people on the market for a dual cab 4X4 Ute we browsed the entire range and it came down to either a Ranger or a 79 Series Land Cruiser. Having been behind the wheel of an LC79 for long stints, the agricultural nature and high ticket price for what you get in return led us to settle on the Ranger.
Q. What's your modifications list look like? And what's your favourite?
A. The Ranger has been decked out to go off-grid and stay there with most of the components housed within the tray and canopy. Our favourite mod has to be the huge Victron Energy 12V setup with 800Ah of power, a 3000W inverter and solar array. It’s got an air-fryer, rotisserie oven, upright fridge and a coffee machine as well as Starlink, an Ecoxgear soundbar, hardshell rooftop tent, 270 degree awning, a rear recovery bar from Tag Towbars, Uniden UHF radio, custom made rock sliders, custom front bar with three 9” variable beam pattern driving lights by Bushranger 4X4 Gear and two ditch lights, a remote roof mounted switch panel, custom lift kit by Superior Engineering, Radar Renegade RT+ tyres, custom rear storage, a stainless snorkel, ECU and gearbox tune, twin diff-locks, custom made hand-laid carbon fibre steering wheel and interior pieces, a heavy duty diff-drop, colour matched Lenso M79 wheels, 3” turbo back exhaust by Redback, towing mirrors, onboard air compressor and 20M retractable hose-reel (game changer), a water tank and pump and too much more to mention!
snowy river off road caravan and ford ranger heavily modified 4wd 4x4
Q. Anything unique about your set up to others that you love
A. Its been said that the Ranger is the most modified in Australia (not our words). What’s probably most notable, despite its title is its distinct lack of a front winch. Truth be told, it’s never needed one. Famous last words!
Q. How long it took you to set it up from start to finish
A. Are builds ever really finished? We’re always researching ways to enhance the Ranger but from delivery to how it sits now was a transformation period of around two years and WELL over $100K.
Instagram: @joshleonard @jessicaleaolson @adventureintelaustralia
Youtube: @adventureintelaustralia
Facebook: @adventureintelaustralia
