2026 OVERLANDING SHOWCASE SPOTLIGHT: Benjamin France and his 2019 Subaru Forester Sport

Ben puts his Forester—affectionately dubbed the Wildernot—through its paces on off-road journeys across the country. Purpose-built from day one, this rig has tackled demanding terrain nationwide, from local trail cruises through the New Jersey Pine Barrens and AOAA, to iconic Western landscapes like Grand Staircase-Escalante, Capitol Reef, and Ophir Pass.

Equipped with an ADF 1″ spacer lift, the Wildernot clocks in at 9.7 inches of ground clearance and rides on 17″ Reika Seeker 15 wheels with Falken Wildpeak A/T4W tires. RalliTek skid plates protect the front, CVT, and rear differential when the trails get rowdy, while Nilight light bars and pods illuminate dark routes. To stay connected on the trails and on the interstate, Ben relies on a Midland GMRS and RadioCity CB setup with a retractor mic mount for easy chatting on long drives and technical terrain.

With nearly 100,000 street miles and over 1,000 miles of rugged off-road exploration, the Wildernot is more than just a trail rig. Ben regularly uses his vehicle to give back to the community—participating in forest cleanups with Off Road Roos, fundraising for the National Park Service, and joining the annual 48hrs of Tri-State event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.