4x4 Magazine Australia - May 2024

FIRST DRIVE
TURBO
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MAY 2024
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Contents
www.facebook.com/4x4aus www.4x4australia.com.au
MAY 2024
THINK TANK
Can the GWM Tank 500 blow a hole
in to the big seven-seat 4x4 wagon
market?
28
2025 Ram 1500
36
LC 80 Series hides
says goodbye to a 4.5L twin-turbo
the Hemi V8. V8 diesel within.
FIND US
PAGE ONLINE AT
1 6 ˸;˸$8675$/,$&20$8
1
e best new 4x
4
Th
products out n
ow!
46
2024 Ford F-150 4cast
shows us its 4x4
credentials. 10 4WORD
12 LATEST NEWS FROM THE 4X4 WORLD
16 TRAVEL BULLETIN
4x4 Drive
20 LAUNCHED: GWM TANK 500
28 2025 RAM 1500
36 CUSTOM: 80 SERIES LANDCRUISER
46 2024 FORD F-150 XLT LWB
62
GVM upgrades -
122 READERS’ RIGS
what to look out

for. 4x4 Explore
72 K’GARI, QUEENSLAND
82 PILBARA, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
92 SA’S BEST OUTBACK PUBS
4x4 Gear
58 4X4 BUILT: TRITON’S MSA TOWING MIRRORS
60 4X4 BUILT: TRITON’S CEL-FI GO BOOSTER
62
72
Drive the beaches
102
104
4X4 BUILT: RANGER’S GVM UPGRADE
TESTED: CTEK CS ONE BATTERY CHARGER
TROOPCARRIER PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
on this Qld island 108 TESTED: LIGHTFORCE BEAST LIGHTS
‘paradise’. 112 TESTED: PERTRONIX ELECTRONIC IGNITION
116 NEW PRODUCTS OUT NOW
THE SCORE
124 ALL THE STATS, FIGURES AND
PRICES OF EVERY 4X4 YOU CAN BUY
;
82 130
maxtrax partinG pic
YOUR SHENANIGANS CAUGHT ON FILM
The ancient
landscape of WA’s
Pilbara awaits.
EDITORIAL
Editor Matt Raudonikis
4WORD
Art Director Jamie Burgess
Sub-Editor John Panozzo
Staff Journalist Tristan Tancredi
Editor-At-Large Ron Moon
Brand Sales Manager Scott Crowley
Staff Photographer Ellen Dewar
MATT RAUDONIKIS WHEELS MEDIA

Finance Director Marena Paul
Finance Business Manager Margaret Clantin
Accountant Sasha Wein
Head of Client Partnerships Paul McCaig
COAST TO COAST
General Manager – Technology Tim Kenington
Publishing Director – Digital Mike Stevens
Chief Executive Officer Christian Clark
A
CONTACT US
SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES:
T THE end of each magazine Lake McKenzie contrasting boldly Ph: (02) 8315 2092 - Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM (EST)
production cycle, in the final with the rich red dirt and rocky Email: subscriptions@wheelsmedia.com.au
Web: secure.whichcar.com.au/4X4Aus
days before we send the files terrain of the far west, the country Post: Wheels Media, PO Box 161, Hornsby, NSW, 1630
off to the printer to create couldn’t be more diverse!
the magazine, I sit down to You could spend a lifetime GENERAL ENQUIRIES
support@wheelsmedia.com.au
write this page. Sometimes I’ll have exploring the dusty tracks of
something in mind and occasionally Australia and not see it all, but what ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Scott Crowley
it will have been something that would travelling be without our scott.crowley@wheelsmedia.com.au
spurred me on to write the column iconic outback pubs? Like an oasis
earlier in the process, but more in the desert, an outback pub is not
often than not I’ll look back over only somewhere to wash down the
what’s going to the printers to find dust of the day’s travels, but a place
my inspiration. to connect with locals and other
Sometimes it’s a mind-blowing travellers, where you might just pick Published by Wheels Media,
custom build that I wish I could up some local knowledge from the a division of Are Media Pty Limited,
ABN 18 053 273 546
make my own, while at other times publican, or tips on places not to be © 2023. All rights reserved. ISSN: 0726-2418
it’s a new product or an engineer missed on your journey ahead.
that I’ve met that has left an Not only have the team at Off
impression that I want to share. Track Wines created a great product
This month it was our destinations for overland travellers with their
and the diversity and uniqueness wine in a can, but they regularly
of the Australian outback and get around the outback in an old
coastline that took my breath away. FJ47 LandCruiser, visiting hotels,
From the World Heritage listed chatting with publicans, and
K’gari (Fraser Island) in the east conversing with other travellers.
to the red soils of the Pilbra region OTW’s Anna and Brett have shared
in the west, you couldn’t imagine some of their favourite South
two more different places to go
adventuring. Both regions are
Australian pubs with us for this
issue, to whet your appetite for SUBSCRIBE TO
magnets for overland travellers
for their natural beauty and their
unique landscapes. The azure waters
somewhere to stop in between
Fraser Island and the Pilbara. ˸;˸$8675$/,$
and snow-white sands of K’gari’s Save up to 37%
Head to
4x4.subscription.com.au
or call (02) 8315 2092
10 4x4Australia.com.au
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For information visit terraintamer.com or call 1300 888 444

4CAST
NEWS AND VIEWS
’25 INFINITI QX80 PREVIEWS NEW

PATROL WITH TURBO V6 POWER
TWIN-TURBO V6-POWERED INFINITI QX80 PROVIDES A GLIMPSE AT WHAT TO
EXPECT WITH THE INCOMING NISSAN PATROL
I
NFINITI has lifted the lid on its seven-speed auto. all models will have Standard, Eco,
QX80 in the USA, 4x4 wagon that These claimed outputs of 336kW Sport, Snow, Tow and Personal driving
will share componentry with the and 698Nm represent an increase of modes. Refining the ride of the burly
highly anticipated Nissan ‘Y63’ 38kW and 138Nm on the current Y62’s SUV is the option of Electronic Air
Patrol. V8 engine (298kW and 560Nm). For Suspension and Dynamic Digital
The QX80 – not slated for release comparison’s sake, the 3.3-litre V6 Suspension, with the air suspension
in Australia – will utilise a 3.5-litre turbo-diesel that powers the 300 Series lowering the vehicle by 30mm at
twin-turbo V6 petrol engine capable LandCruiser generates a claimed speed.
of delivering up to 336kW of power 227kW and 700Nm. The premium styling of the
and 698Nm of torque, verifying earlier The four-model QX80 line-up vehicle is headlined by the newest
reports that indicated the Patrol would consists of Pure, Luxe, Sensory and iteration of Infiniti’s double-arch
ditch its naturally aspirated 5.6-litre Autograph variants, with the lower- grille, supposedly “inspired by the
V8 in favour of a twin-turbo petrol spec models equipped with either organic shapes of a bamboo forest,
V6. The V6 is mated to a nine-speed rear-wheel drive or Infiniti All-mode the grille shape hints at a powerful,
automatic transmission, offering two 4WD. Top-tier Sensory and Autograph commanding driving experience” (I
more ratios than the Patrol’s current variants feature standard 4WD, and want what they’re smoking!)
WHAT YOU GET
LUXE (ALL PURE SENSORY (ALL LUXE AUTOGRAPH (ALL
PURE
FEATURES PLUS) FEATURES PLUS) SENSORY FEATURES PLUS)
SEMI-ANILINE LEATHER-APPOINTED
VR35DDTT ENGINE WITH 9-SPEED
DYNAMIC DIGITAL SUSPENSION SEATING FOR FIRST AND SECOND PROPILOT ASSIST 2.1
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ROWS
INFINITI INTOUCH WITH DUAL 14.3-
ELECTRONIC AIR SUSPENSION BIOMETRIC COOLING SECOND-ROW MASSAGING SEATS
INCH SCREENS
SECOND-ROW CONSOLE WITH
KLIPSCH 14-SPEAKER PREMIUM KLIPSCH 24-SPEAKER REFERENCE
HEAD-UP DISPLAY TOUCHSCREEN HVAC AND SEAT
AUDIO PREMIERE PREMIUM AUDIO
CONTROL
SEMI-ANILINE LEATHER-
CLIMATE-CONTROLLED FIRST- AND
FLUSH DOOR HANDLES INFINITI LIGHT PATH APPOINTED, HEATED THIRD-ROW
SECOND-ROW SEATS
SEATS
3D AROUND VIEW MONITOR REMOTE CONTROL REAR SEAT MASSAGING FRONT SEATS FRONT CONSOLE COOL BOX
PERSONALISED AMBIENT LIGHTING
PROPILOT ASSIST 1.1 22-INCH WHEELS IN-CAR CAMERA
(64 COLOURS)
DARK BROWN OPEN PORE ASH WOOD
GOOGLE BUILT-IN TWO-TONE ROOF
TRIM
20-INCH WHEELS FRAMELESS SMART REAR-VIEW
DARK CHROME EXTERIOR TRIM
• 8 USB PORTS MIRROR
OPEN PORE ASH WOOD TRIM

WITH METAL INLAY
22-INCH WHEELS WITH UNIQUE
STYLING AND FINISH
The four-model Infiniti
QX80 line-up consists
of Pure, Luxe, Sensory
and Autograph
variants.
INFORMATION ON THE NEXT-GEN PATROL

IS SCARCE AT THIS STAGE, WITH OFFICIAL
WORD EXPECTED IN THE COMING WEEKS
Interior upgrades include the room up 18 per cent behind the
addition of a 14.3-inch digital second-row seats up and 30 per cent
instrument cluster and a 14.3-inch behind the third-row seats.
infotainment touchscreen, which The QX80 will officially debut at
are positioned side-by-side. Situated the 2024 New York International
below this is a 9.0-inch screen Auto Show, and it will arrive in US
for climate controls, heated and dealerships toward the end of the US
ventilated seat functions and drive- summer (August-September). Pricing
mode selection. Google is built into for the QX80 starts at US$82,450
the centre console, and the top-of-the- Information on the next Patrol is
line Autograph includes a coolbox in scarce at this stage, with official word
the centre console. These changes, expected very soon. A prototype was
while unconfirmed, could be mirrored spied testing in the USA (where it’s
in the next-gen Patrol. known as the Armada) in October last
Luggage space has also increased year.
from the outgoing QX80, with cargo
4x4Australia.com.au 13
4cast NEWS AND VIEWS
INEOS QUARTERMASTER
CHASSIS CAB RIPE FOR
CUSTOMISATION
INEOS LAUNCHES CHASSIS CAB VARIANT OF ITS
DOUBLE-CAB GRENADIER QUARTERMASTER
I
NEOS Automotive has launched a “Launching the Quartermaster Chassis (183kW-550Nm) six-cylinder engines,
Chassis Cab variant of its Grenadier Cab is a natural step to take our off-road both mated to an eight-speed automatic
Quartermaster, with pricing in expertise into many commercial areas transmission.
Australia to begin at $102,000 plus that need a class-leading 4x4. The Chassis Cab features a
on-road costs. “The Grenadier’s body-on-frame 3227mm wheelbase, the same as the
The five-seater double-cab 4x4 is aimed construction already provides huge Quartermaster pickup but 305mm longer
at conversion specialists and has been versatility for customisation, and we know than the Grenadier wagon. The vehicle
developed alongside the Quartermaster from customer configurations that our retains a maximum towing capacity of
pickup revealed in 2023. vehicles are being used equally between 3500kg, but payload capacities are yet to
However, unlike the pickup, the commercial and leisure users,” Ratcliffe be announced.
Chassis Cab variant features an exposed added. The Quartermaster Chassis Cab will be
ladder frame behind the cabin as a blank “The ‘blank canvas’ Chassis Cab variant built on the same production line as both
canvas for both commercial and leisure allows even greater versatility, from the Grenadier wagon and Quartermaster
WORDS TRISTAN TANCREDI
aftermarket conversions. the basic trayback for agricultural use pickup, in Hambach, France.
“In the first year since the Grenadier through recovery and emergency services As is the case with the pickup variant,
launched, we have already seen a number to tourism, presenting an ideal platform the Chassis Cab will share a full box-
of specialist conversions, particularly for an overlanding camper.” section ladder-frame chassis, heavy-duty
with emergency services such as fire, Just like the Grenadier and live axles, two-speed transfer case, and
police and inshore rescue,” said George Quartermaster pickup variants, the feature up to three locking diffs.
Ratcliffe, commercial director, Ineos Chassis Cab will utilise BMW-sourced Timing for Australian deliveries has not
Automotive. petrol (210kW-450Nm) and diesel yet been revealed.
INEOS QUARTERMASTER
DIMENSIONS
LENGTH 5440mm
WIDTH WITH MIRRORS 2146mm
WIDTH WITHOUT MIRRORS 1943mm
VEHICLE HEIGHT 2019mm
TRACK WIDTH 1645mm
FRONT OVERHANG 847mm
REAR OVERHANG 1328mm
WHEELBASE 3227mm
WEIGHTS PETROL DIESEL
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT 3550kg 3550kg
KERB WEIGHT 2643kg 2718kg
DYNAMIC ROOF LOAD 120kg 120kg
STATIC ROOF LOAD 375kg 375kg
MAX UNBRAKED TRAILER LOAD 750kg 750kg
MAX BRAKED TRAILER LOAD 3500kg 3500kg
MAX TRAILER NOSE WEIGHT 350kg 350kg
OFF-ROAD SPECS
GROUND CLEARANCE 264mm
APPROACH ANGLE 35.5° petrol; 36.2° diesel
RAMP BREAKOVER ANGLE 26.2°
DEPARTURE ANGLE 22.6°
GRADEABILITY 45°
WADING DEPTH 800mm
FRONT AXLE ARTICULATION 9°
REAR AXLE ARTICULATION 12°
WHEEL TRAVEL 585mm
TRAVEL
ALL THE LATEST 4X4
NEWS AND EVENTS
BULLETIN
Now is the time to get out and about to enjoy this great land and
support the communities. Experienced adventurer Ron Moon has listed
a few upcoming highlights, as well as essential track info.
As always, check with event organisers before locking in your plans.
Mount Little Station is just one

of many attractions you’ll find in
South Australia’s Flinders Ranges.
RACING OUTBACK (NSW) MUNDI MUNDI BASH (NSW)

CAMP IN THE FLINDERS see and do as well as The PJ O’Brien Memorial Race As with previous events, this
RANGES (SA) exploring the Elder Meeting in Walgett is a six-race year’s Mundi Mundi Bash will
It’s now time to enjoy the Range or Mayo Gorge gathering which this year will be be located just out of Broken
Flinders Ranges and all or the Harvey’s Rocks held on June 15. Hill, and will run from August
the area has to offer. or heading to the top Apart from the races, there will 15 to 17, but it’s best to buy
Mount Little Station of Mount Little for an be fashions on the field for men tickets soon before they sell out.
– just 15 minutes expansive 360° view. and women and children, along The line-up of artists will
from Hawker via the Among other things with an bar and luncheon, as well include James Reyne, the
Outback Highway – is to do, is pay a visit to as smaller food stalls, novelty Living End, Daryl Braithwaite,
a working sheep and the Goat & Goon Saloon, races, live music and activities Diesel and a whole lot more.
cattle station. It offers which was erected by for the kids. The entertainment Mundiville is on private
tourist accommodation, a relative of the the continues after the last race too property, a working sheep
camping, tours, and station’s previous owner with dancing into the night. station, and camping is not
access to 4WD, hiking for ‘lad’s trips’ away There is ample parking and usually permitted, so organisers
and biking tracks with hunting goats in the shaded areas. Betting facilities will are privileged to have the
varying degress of mountains. be available on the day. owner’s permission to hold the
complexity, plus a unique For more information, Head to www.facebook.com/ Bash on the area’s beautiful red
station life experience. check out mtlittlestation. walgettjockeyclub for the latest dirt outback plains.
There’s plenty to com.au details on the club’s only race Click on mundimundibash.
meeting for the year. com.au for all information.
Good time is now
to check on road
conditions if you’re
planning to head to
Cape York.
GOLDFIELDS ADVENTURE (WA)

The Goldfields Woodlands crosses the park from CAPE YORK TRACK
National Park is located 60km Diamond Rock to Coolgardie, UPDATE (QLD)
west of Coolgardie, to the and is a great way to explore If you’re heading to
Great Eastern Hwy. the park. Cape York and want to
This park lies within the Boondi Rock use the Bloomfield or
Great Western Woodlands Campground CREB Tracks, both north
which is the largest remaining and Woolgangie of Daintree, it’s best to
area of intact Mediterranean- Rock are close to the check if they’re open
climate woodland left on earth. Great Eastern Hwy, while after the rain and floods
A highlight is the spring a 4x4 vehicle is that wrecked so much
wildflowers, but autumn is also required to access infrastructure south of
a great time to visit. the park’s other Cooktown late last year.
There’s a natural landscape recreation and The Facebook page
of eucalypt woodlands, sand camping sites. ‘Local CREB Track
plains, granite outcrops, salt See exploreparks. conditions’ is a good
lakes and freshwater swamps, dbca.wa.gov.au/park/ place to start, while the
and the area is great for goldfields-woodlands- Douglas Shire road report
bushwalking, bird watching national-park for further is another at douglas.qld.
and nature appreciation. details. gov.au
The 4WD Holland Track
THE ALL NEW
MSA POWER FOLD TM
TOWING MIRRORS
THE POWER TO FOLD
When extended the large, single mirror allows

the driver to see beyond the caravan, trailer
or boat and avoids the confusion of multi-lens
mirrors for everyday driving.
U s
Take With Yo u ®
MSA4X4.COM.AU | GEAR FOR LIFE

Available from over 800 stockists Australia wide.
MSA 4X4 has reached an exhilarating milestone,
by taking the next step in the development of the
highly popular, patented, SEMA award-winning, MSA
4X4 Towing Mirrors. The introduction of the much
anticipated, MSA POWER FOLD™ Towing Mirrors,
NOW bring the power to fold at your fingertips.
H ROM E
Crafted with an unwavering dedication to precision, the
MSA POWER FOLD™ Towing Mirrors offer a cutting-
edge solution that enhances functionality and safety
DC
during off-road travels.
AN
C K Featuring the same, large single mirror that pivots on
AV LA
AI LA a heavy-duty extension slide, as the original MSA 4X4
BL E I N B
Towing Mirrors. Thus allowing the mirror to extend out
when towing and return to a normal driving position,
when not towing. Available in black or chrome.
FOUR DIFFERENT MIRROR

POSITIONS PERFECT FOR
ANY DRIVING SITUATION
MIRROR FOLD
CONTROLLER
Works with the original
fold in and out switch
FEATURES
• Power fold at the touch of a button
• Four different mirror positions
• Large, single mirror lens
• Adjustable viewing angles
• Vertical and horizontal adjustment
• Unique pivot design
• Fold inwards or outwards
G
W
THE AY
• ADR Compliant
IN
S AFETY
LEAD
• Injection moulded and die-cast

LK
L E T’S
TA
aluminium components
DRIVE
GWM TANK 500
WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS
GWM EXPANDS IT TANK 4X4 RANGE WITH THE LUXURIOUS TANK 500 WAGON
WM, the brand formerly known as Great Wall, has

launched a serious assault on the large 4x4 wagon
segment with its three-row, seven-seat, body-on-frame
Tank 500. Set to go head-to-head with the likes of Ford
Everest, Toyota Prado and Isuzu MU-X, the Tank 500
is a large 4x4 wagon measuring 5078mm in length and
1934mm wide. Thanks to its dimensions, some might even see it as an
alternative to the Toyota LandCruiser 300 and Nissan Patrol wagon.
To get your head around the size of the Tank, the soon-to-be-
superseded segment-leading Toyota Prado 150 is 4930mm long and
1885mm wide, while the Ford Everest comes in at 4914mm long by
2207mm wide. Yep, the Tank is a big wagon, and you appreciate it when
you climb into its well-appointed cabin.
DRIVE GWM TANK 500
Ultra cabin feels

well-appointed,
but a lack of dials Driving modes for on-
and a reliance on and off-road use include
the screen makes Eco, Normal, Sports,
the interior not so Snow, Sand, Rock, Mud,
easy to use. Auto and Expert.
WHAT YOU GET phone mirroring, and an eight-speaker

THE Tank 500 is available in two grades; the audio system.
500 Lux at $66,490 drive away and the 500 Step up to the Ultra and you’re adding
Ultra at $73,990 drive away. Both of these a panoramic sunroof, power deploying
three-row, seven-seat models are powered side-steps, heads-up driver’s display, black
by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine Napa leather accented interior trim (with
hybrid powertrain that produces a claimed the option of blue/cream Napa leather),
combined 255kW of power and 642Nm 64-colour ambient interior lighting, a
of torque, with a claimed combined fuel heated steering wheel, ventilated and
consumption of 8.5L/100km. massaging front seats with memory, 6-way
Standard equipment in the Tank 500 Lux power adjustment front passenger seat,
includes auto-levelling LED headlights, ventilated second-row outer seats with
18-inch alloy wheels, a powered sunroof, window shades, power-folding third-row
faux leather interior trim with heating and seats, a 12-speaker premium Infinity audio
8-way power adjustment on the driver’s system, active cabin noise cancelling, and a
seat and 4-way power adjustment on the soft-touch closing tailgate.
front passenger’s seat, 14.6-inch touch
infotainment screen with 360° view monitor
and clear chassis view, 12.3-inch digital
gauge cluster, wireless CarPlay and Android
The Tank 500

is a big vehicle,
it's exterior
dimensions are
bigger than a
Prado 150, and
it's longer than an
Everest.
The 14.6-inch
infotainment
The seven-seat screen has 360°
Ultra comes with view monitor and
a panoramic clear chassis
sunroof. view.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? to find the buttons to adjust cabin centre and curtain airbags, EPS, ETC
OUR drive was in an Ultra and the temperature. Despite the many buttons forward collision and lane-departure
cabin feels well-appointed and the both on the dash and in the screen, warnings, and all the other ADAS
layout is anything but easy to use. A there are no tactile dials for regularly features required to gain that top-level
lot of the HVAC controls are on the used functions like cabin temp and rating.
screen but some of them are doubled audio volume, so you need to take your One so-called safety feature is the
up with real buttons, albeit silver ones eyes off the road to make adjustments. driver monitor which we found to be
that aren’t always easy to read when on The steering wheel has more buttons more of a frustration than anything
the move. It’s the same for the finish on than a typewriter. else, as it was constantly barking out
the plethora of buttons on the steering The Tank 500 has not yet been warnings and advice that were worse
wheel. Once familiar with the set-up ANCAP tested but GWM’s internal than a nagging passenger. If this is
it’s relatively easy to use but initially testing predicts it will achieve a 5-star what new car-tech has come to then you
it took two of us several minutes rating when it is. Standard safety kit can count me out. GWM is not alone in
includes AEB, TPMS, and front, side- providing this annoying technology.
Likewise the lane keeping was
also annoying when driving on gravel
roads without side marker lines,
again constantly spruiking warnings,
and occasionally making some wild
steering adjustments.
GWM TANK 500

ULTRA
D
A DEPARTURE ANGLE 24˚
B RAMPOVER ANGLE 22.5˚
C APPROACH ANGLE 30˚
A C
D WADING DEPTH 800mm B
E GROUND CLEARANCE 224mm E
DRIVE GWM TANK 500
POWERTRAIN Warner full-time, dual-range transfer the drive modes and it got on with the
AS opposed to most of its large 4x4 case, while a rear differential lock job with relative ease.
wagon competitors, the Tank 500 only is standard on both models and the On sealed roads the Tank 500 delivers
comes with a petrol-hybrid powertrain Ultra adds a front locker as well. The a level of refinement that none of
and before you scoff at the idea of a LandCruiser GR-Sport and 70 Series its diesel-fuelled rivals can match,
2.0-litre Miller-cycle petrol engine, the range are the only other large 4x4 especially not the four-cylinder diesel
648Nm torque peak should make you wagons to offer front and rear lockers powered ones, while the performance of
think again. The turbocharged petrol as standard kit, so it’s impressive to see the combined hybrid powertrain would
engine produces 180kW and 380Nm it on the Tank 500. be a revelation to anyone used to diesel
on its own but when boosted by the Off-road performance is bolstered performance. Acceleration feels more
78kW-269Nm electric drive it more than by the usual ETC but the Tank also has like a Nissan Patrol when you put your
makes up for any capacity deficit to its crawl control and tank-turn functions, boot down but without the heavenly V8
diesel-fuelled competition. again features only found elsewhere on engine roar.
The hybrid system is seamless and LandCruiser. The suspension is firm and the Tank
something the driver doesn’t need to Driving modes for both on- and can get a bit flustered over small
consider. It has a few modes to suit the off-road use include settings for Eco, bumps and corrugations but it deals
driving you do including a sport mode, Normal, Sports, Snow, Sand, Rock, with larger holes and bumps much
which cuts back off-throttle power Mud, Auto and Expert. The Expert better, while body roll is well-controlled
regeneration, while in normal/eco mode modes allow you to tailor the settings when cornering. Low-speed suspension
you can really feel the deceleration of of the throttle control, steering feel, compliance is better than higher speed
the regenerative braking system. transmission and other parameters to treatment of smaller bumps in the road.
The engine is backed by a nine- your own specific tastes. Just because it’s a tech and feature
speed automatic transmission with the The off-road component of the launch loaded hybrid vehicle doesn’t mean
electric motor housed up front with drive included some rutted and rocky that the Tank 500 is light duty. It uses a
the torque converter. An electronic climbs that would have been a test traditional body-on-ladder-frame chassis
gear shifter sits in the console and for any standard modern 4x4 vehicle and has a 790kg payload capacity and
shift paddles are mounted behind the and the Tank 500 conquered them all 3000kg towing capacity. While the
steering wheel. without needing to engage the lockers. towing might not match the 3500kg that
Four-wheel drive comes via a Borg In fact we left it in the Auto setting on many of its rivals offer, it’s still decent.
Among the Ultra-model

features are power-
folding third-row seats.
5 YEAR
WARRANTY
DRIVE GWM TANK 500
SUMMARY The GWM Tank 500 carries GWM TANK 500 ULTRA
its spare on the back door, PRICE $73,990 (drive away)
THE GWM Tank 500 might not be ENGINE Petrol-electric hybrid
everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s something the new Prado will CAPACITY 1998cc
no denying it offers a lot of features, not have. MAX POWER 225kW at 5500 to 6000rpm
space, comfort and capability for MAX TORQUE 648NM at 1700 to 4000rpm
TRANSMISSION 9-speed automatic
the money, giving buyers access 4X4 SYSTEM Full-time, dual-range 4x4
to features and luxury that cost CRAWL RATIO 54.45:1
a lot more in its rivals’ top-spec CONSTRUCTION 5-door wagon on ladder-frame chassis
FRONT SUSPENSION IFS, double wishbones, coil springs
models. REAR SUSPENSION Live-axle, multi-link, coil springs
Where the Tank falls short is in TYRES 265/60R18
the calibration of some key systems KERB WEIGHT 2605kg
GVM 3395kg
such as steering feel and autonomous GCM 6705kg
steering, suspension refinement, and TOWING CAPACITY 3000kg
some of the switchgear and controls PAYLOAD 790kg
The Tank 500 rolls on 18-inch SEATS 7
that are not as simple as they should alloy wheels, while Ultra- FUEL TANK 80L
be. specific features include ADR FUEL CONSUMPTION 8.5L/100km
The Tank brand is still emerging and automatic electric side-steps. ON TEST FUEL CONSUMPTION N/A
we’re sure that it will improve these
shortcomings in future updates and
new models.
The smaller Tank 300 is already
proving popular with buyers, thanks
no doubt to the value-for- money
equation. The Tank 500 continues
along this path but in a bigger,
more feature-laden segment that
is a favourite with Australian
families.
TOUGH REDEFINED.
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DRIVE
2025 RAM 1500
WORDS AND PHOTOS CHRIS COLLARD
FEW years ago I drove a Ram stops … on the ice) I hoped the brand
Rebel 1500 from California would never change this platform.
to Tuktoyaktuk, a small Inuit At the launch of the refreshed
settlement on the frozen shores of fifth-generation 1500 in Texas, I about
the Arctic Ocean. For three weeks fell out of my boots when I cracked
I relished the sweet timbre of the the hood and read Twin Turbo on
5.7-litre HEMI V8 as I navigated the engine cover. Did Ram turbo the
more than 11,000km of snow-covered HEMI? Not the case, my V8-loving
pavement, the desolate Dempster friends. We’ll get into a host of other
Highway, and the famous Mackenzie upgrades, but the big news is that
River ice road. With heated seats and 2025 marks the end of a multi-decade
steering wheel (nice when it’s -30°C), run for the HEMI-powered 1500.
solid handling, and a phenomenal ABS The question is, have they buggered
system (100km/h to zero, no-hands- things up?
on-the-wheel, dead-straight full-brake
DRIVE 2025 RAM 1500
EYE OF THE HURRICANE and a common-rail direct-injection system

IN the HEMI V8’s place will be a version primed by a high-pressure pump that
of the 3.0-litre Hurricane I-6 SST (Straight generates up to 350 bar. Output numbers
Six Turbo) introduced with Jeep’s are impressive, but more impressive is its
Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. Scoff smooth and balanced run-up from idle to
if we will, but this pint-sized mill out- the 5800rpm redline.
produces the 5.7 by a stretch, churning out For those who like to push the
313kW and 638Nm versus the HEMI’s adrenaline envelope, the optional HO
295kW-558Nm respectively. But curious variant (Longhorn, Limited and Tungsten
minds want to know how they did it. models only) generates a G-inducing
Tapping the latest in technology and 403kW and 706Nm of torque. Both
engineering practices, they started powerplants are backed by the venerable
with a forged crank and connecting TorqueFlite 850RE 8-speed automatic and
rods, which are mated to cast 10.4:1 Borg-Warner transfer case, which offers
compression cast-aluminum pistons on-demand or full-time four-wheel drive
wrapped with DLC (diamond-like depending on model. An electronic rear
carbon) coated rings. Main bearing caps locker is standard on Rebel and available
are cross-bolted (vertically and laterally) on all models, and all I-6 versions have
to a deep-skirt cast aluminum block, 3.92:1 gearing. The Pentastar 3.6-litre V-6
and cylinders are plasma spray-bored eTorque mild hybrid is the baseline engine
to minimise friction. An aluminum head in the USA, and while I’m a fan of the
supports hydroformed tubular cams that Pentastar, if I’m buying a full-size truck I’d
independently manage four valves per opt for the performance and grunt of the
cylinder. Aspiration is via a pair of turbos more powerful mill.
Part of the Hurricane’s

magic is a pair of small-
diameter, high-rpm turbos.
A passenger-side LCD, which
The new 14.5-inch centre
is not visible to the driver,
screen features higher-
allows the co-pilot to manage
resolution LCD, and all vehicle
navigation, monitor the 360-degree
controls and apps are within easy
camera system, or watch a
reach of the driver.
movie.
TECH, INTERIOR & TOYS all set for a tracklside nap.

BEING a blue-collar guy at heart, I started Although we take cutting-edge safety
the weekend in a RAM Tradesman, moved features for granted, Ram is introducing
to the luxurious Tungsten, and ended up in more advanced autonomous driving
my happy place off-piste in the Rebel. The systems in the USA; Active Driving Assist
Tradesman is a work truck and appointed and Hands-free Driving Assist (Level 2). On
accordingly, but the Tungsten and Limited select sections of highway it utilises radar,
up the ante when it comes to luxury and 360-degree cameras, and lane-centering to
technology. Premium models include a 14.5- literally drive itself. But if you reach back
inch high-resolution Uconnect 5 command to swat your rugrats, the annoying drowsy
centre with multiscreen capability. A driver alarm will bring your attention back
new 10.25-inch passenger-side LCD to the road. Fun fact. I trust a computer to
allows the co-pilot to manage navigation, land a 747 at night in low-vis conditions, Hand-stitched leather seats
entertainment and monitor exterior but taking control of my vehicle on a and steering wheel, aggressive
cameras. The instrument cluster has also highway filled with knuckleheads? No bolsters and good view of your
been enlarged to 12.3 inches, and steering- thanks. Besides, I actually like the ‘driving’ surroundings, give the Rebel’s
wheel thumb controls allow you to toggle part of driving. cockpit a race-truck feel.
through a dozen screen options. All are The 1.8kW inverter makes charging
interconnected via an advanced electrical devices or running power tools a breeze.
architecture, which boasts higher operating I also like the fold-back rear seat, which
speeds and enhanced memory capacity. provides flat, door-to-door storage. Optional
At the front of the console is a dual- Ram Boxes on the bed rails are great for
station wireless phone charger, and a stashing tools or fishing gear, but I’d wager
heads-up display on the windscreen offers they could also hold a case of coldies.
five data zones. If you want to rupture Lastly is the multifunction tailgate. It opens
an eardrum, crank up the bazillion-Watt like a standard gate or ambulance style,
(1228), 23-speaker Klipsch audio system. features power open and close, and has key
Add 24-position adjustable seats, back fob remote operation.
massager, power lumbar support, leather,
and multi-zone climate control, and you’re
DRIVE 2025 RAM 1500
Tire package for the Rebel

ROAD & TRAIL change scenarios – settling after one full includes 275/70R18 Goodyear
WITH plenty of seat time in the Rebel, we cycle. The Tungsten, with its low-profile Wrangler Duratrac all-terrains
are well familiar with its dirt performance. tyres and stance, excelled over the Rebel wrapped around 18-inch alloy
It’s not a rock crawler, but does admirably in this genre, but both are simply fun to wheels.
well for a full-size truck. In my opinion, its drive. Turbo lag is almost a thing of the
happy place is Baja-style high-speed desert past, and the Hurricane will spin the
roads. Multiple drive modes, a nimble speedo well past the legal limit at a nearly
suspension and rear e-locker remain intact, linear rate.
and the camera system allows you to view We hooked up a 2800kg Airstream
oncoming obstacles when they disappear trailer to a Limited for a drive through a
under the end of the bonnet. In short, it mix of country roads and 100km/h highway.
retains the off-road capability we’ve come Towing capacities range from 3675kg
to appreciate from the Rebel. Pentastar to 5245kg with the standard 3.0
The most notable change from the Hurricane (the HO drops to 4870kg). My
HEMI is the Hurricane’s quieter notes and personal tow rig is a ’99 Dodge Ram 2500
smoother transition through the power with a Cummins 5.9-litre and am chagrined
curve. Interestingly, with the sunset of the to say the Hurricane-powered 1500 would
TRX and its fire-breathing 523kW Hellcat leave my old 24-valve in the rearview
mill, the Rebel steps in as the brand’s mirror. Optional Ram Boxes
primary dirt offering. But rumour has it Whether braking hard, carving turns are the ideal place to store
that Ram will be releasing the RHO in or accelerating, I could definitely feel the tools, fishing gear or recovery
2025 (Rebel High Output?) which is said to load, but never was the tail wagging the equipment.
be incorporating the TRX’s suspension. dog. Although I don’t have issues backing
The Hurricane 3.0 is no slouch on the up or navigating tight corners the Auto
tarmac, pulling off the line with purpose Hitch Assist which guides the receiver to
when you squeeze the skinny pedal. On the ball, is super handy. And, when you
twisting two-lane roads, the 1500 displayed activate a turn signal the rear side-camera
predictable tracking and reasonable body view is displayed on the centre LCD. A 100-
roll during aggressive constant-radius litre fuel tank is standard, but the optional
turns, an example of well-balanced front 125-litre unit will extend your range by
and rear damping. I’d rate yaw damping 200km (or so) on the highway – EPA fuel
at 0.5 – how quickly the vehicle returns to economy estimates are forthcoming.
a neutral position during emergency lane
Though nowhere near the

1500’s maximum towing
capacity of 4990kg, I was
pleasantly surprised with how well
the Hurricane six-banger hauled
a 2800kg Airstream.
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WHY IS THE COOPER RUGGED TREK AUSTRALIA’S MOST TRUSTED 4WD TYRE?
When choosing a 4WD tyre you would normally pick between an all-terrain or a mud tyre. An all-terrain would be good on-
road, gravel and some off-road, but would lack traction in the mud. A mud tyre would be great off-road, noisy on-road, and
give you lower mileage. Cooper has solved the age-old problem by introducing the RUGGED TREK as a hybrid tyre.
The Cooper RUGGED TREK has all the characteristics you look for in an aggressive mud tyre, while still giving you the mileage
and performance from an all-terrain. It features a 4-rib design, open shoulder blocks and sidebiters for off-road traction.
The Cooper RUGGED TREK comes with a massive 14.7mm of tread and a mileage guarantee of up to 80,000kms*.
MORE TREAD DEPTH LARGER FOOTPRINT MORE LOAD CAPACITY

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DRIVE 2025 RAM 1500
COMPLAINTS WHAT’S NEXT?

DEPARTMENT IN addition to the RHO, 2025 will reveal
OUR world of 18- and 20-inch wheels drives the first fully electric 1500, the REV, along
me nuts. Although they (and their low- with the extended-range Ramcharger, in
profile tyres) reduce road noise and rolling which a Pentastar 3.6-litre petrol mill will
resistance, enhance fuel economy and generate juice to power a pair of electric-
are great in most conditions, when in soft drive motors.
mud, snow or sand there is no substitute RAM Truscks Australia tells us that the
for airing down and increasing the tyre’s Hurracane powered 2025 RAM 1500 will
footprint. On the flipside, big-wheel be arriving sometime in ’25 but couldn't
packages accommodate massive 380mm confirm timing/ We suspect that they
twin-piston disc brakes, one of the many already have prototypes here undergoing
factors that contribute to the 1500’s solid the conversion to RHD
road manners and towing stability. Another
beef is the lack of a console shifter … and
manual cogs. Call me old school, but a truck Standard output for the 3.0-litre
with the sportiness of the Rebel deserves mill is 313kW (420hp) and 638Nm
a proper shifter. A few other grievances (469 lb-ft) of torque. Move up to the
include the HO requiring 91-octane fuel, HO variant and the numbers rise nearly
and there’s no replacing the guttural tone of 20 per cent to 403kW (540hp) and
a good ol’ HEMI (RIP). 706Nm (521lb-ft) respectively.
POWERTRAINS BY THE NUMBERS
HURRICANE TWIN-TURBO HURRICANE HO

3.0-LITRE I-6 Power: 403kW
Power: 313kW Torque: 706Nm
Torque: 638Nm Payload: 621kg
Payload: 866kg Towing: 4870kg
Towing: 5245kg
Superior construction and performance;
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ÃÙôɈÊÂɈéɕe¼åªÂ
CUSTOM
80 SERIES LANDCRUISER
WORDS DEX FULTON IMAGES ELLEN DEWAR
WHAT LURKS
BENEATH
IT MAY LOOK LIKE A FAIRLY STANDARD (IF CLEAN) 80
SERIES, BUT DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER AND YOU’LL FIND
A MONSTER BELOW THE SURFACE
J
ASON Robson is what
psychiatrists like to call a nut.
A Toyota nut that is. To label Cruiserheads is the pick of the model run).
him a fan of the brand would He found this beaut example with 350K
be underselling his passion on the clock and an upgraded Sahara-spec
for these vehicles. In fact, at the time of interior. The ideal blank canvas.
writing, this tidy HDJ80 is his 16th Cruiser. Looking to build a tourer and a bit of a
He’s owned them all too, from an old fun toy for quick missions into the High
V8-converted HJ47 to utes to Troopies to Country and longer trips up to Queensland,
several 80s to no fewer than six (!) 200s to Jason set about turning this wagon into
the 300 Sahara … get the picture? the 80 Toyota really should have built from
Right around when COVID was locking the get-go. The result? Pretty damn hard
us all up and the Great Toilet Paper Wars to fault, really. Heaps of power, plenty of
of the early 2020s were being waged, Jason comfort and the timeless sex appeal of
decided he wanted a project to distract him 1990s body panels. Perfection.
from the Spicy Cough, so he went hunting Here’s how he turned an old favourite
for a factory turbo-diesel 80 (which for non- into an unassuming monster …
CUSTOM TOYOTA 80 SERIES LANDCRUISER
THAT ENGINE built by Off Track as were the numerous things. One of the biggest challenges
THE first stop was made at Off Track other little mounts for things like the was getting around the immobiliser
Concepts in Cobram, where the 1HD-FT turbo and injector drives, the ECU and the and CANBUS system on the 200, which
was surgically removed from the engine custom intake piping. Race Radiators built needed extensive ECU tuning to get
bay and the frame rails were prepped a new cooling pack around a PWR core, Mickey Mouse. Then a custom loom
for its replacement. Now, you could be while custom AC lines and a vacuum pump had to be made in order to get all of
wondering why you’d rip out a perfectly from an LC79 were recruited to supply the dash and factory features working
good 1HD, and what you’d even replace it vacuum to the brake booster. harmoniously. But that’s the price you pay
with, but after having owned half a dozen The fun was only just getting started. when you’re pushing the envelope.
200 Series Cruisers Jason knew just how From there the sump was exchanged for After all of the countless hours, custom
good the 1VD-FTV 4.5L quad-cam twin- an LC79 unit to clear the front diff, but parts and freshly made-up swear words,
turbo V8 diesel could be. that too required extensive custom work the final package is nothing short of
The team at Off Track got to work. to miss the turbo and allow the turbo oil amazing. With a Just Autos tune (with
Being the first 1VD into an 80 Series, pickup and a drain tube to be grafted in. multiple maps able to be dialled in)
there was a lot to contend with. As with Oh, and then the dipstick hole was covered the VDJ280 is now punching out an
most conversions, getting the engine up, so that needed to be relocated as well. impressive 340hp at 3100rpm and 875Nm
mounted (on custom mounts) is actually The auto transmission did not fit in on the dyno rollers. To top it all off, a
the easiest part. Wholesale Automatics the 80 Series tunnel, so that necessitated VDJ79 Scoop was grafted into the 80’s
provided the AB60 six-speed auto from reshaping and plenty of modification bonnet, which is really the only giveaway
the two-hundy to factory 80 transfer for the shift lever and new transfer- (other than the cranky burble from the
case adapter, and once that was sitting case location – which in turn led to custom three-inch exhaust) that this thing
in the chassis, all that was left to do was the tailshafts needing shortening and is an absolute ball-tearer. It all looks
everything. lengthening respectively. factory too; such is the quality of Off
A one-off airbox and fan shroud was This was all before the wiring side of Track’s work.
Jason's 80 Series is as Behind the ARB Deluxe

much a solid tourer as it bar are cool-looking and
is a fun toy. super-bright JTX LED
headlights.
The 1VD-FTV 4.5L quad-
cam twin-turbo V8 diesel
now pumps out 340hp
and 875Nm.
IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE The 3D scanned, designed and CNC cut

THAT COUNTS and folded set-up features a pull-out table
JASON’S 80 had copped a Sahara interior with cutlery storage, pull-out pantry,
upgrade by the previous owner, which is inbuilt cargo barrier, and a parcel shelf,
the fancy-pants Cruiser model. As such, and it’s powder coated in gloss white
he didn’t really need to do much to the with black accents. It even has space to
cockpit to make it a nice place to spend a incorporate the Boab water tank and
few hundred kays. The Sahara seats look the 200Ah of lithium battery goodness
after the lower back, the Sony head unit tucked down the side. The 12V trickery
with Pioneer sub and speakers take care is overseen by a Renogy 50amp DC-DC
of the ears and the 340hp under the right charger and Victron battery monitor,
boot takes care of the mental health. while a 2000W Renogy inverter supplies
The cargo area was massively churched 240V should Jason feel like plugging in
up with the addition of an Off Track a microwave or charging up any stranded
Concepts aluminium twin-drawer system. Teslas.
Sahara seats look
after the lower back,
and Sony head unit
with Pioneer sub
and speakers take
care of the tunes.
The cargo area

includes an Off Track
Concepts aluminium
drawer system with
fridge space.
JASON’S 80 HAD COPPED A SAHARA

INTERIOR UPGRADE BY THE PREVIOUS
OWNER, WHICH IS THE FANCY-PANTS
CRUISER MODEL. AS SUCH, HE DIDN’T
REALLY NEED TO DO MUCH TO THE
COCKPIT TO MAKE IT A NICE PLACE
THE BOLT-ONS
AN ARB Deluxe bar leads the way, with
after-dark illumination by a pair of Stedi
LED driving lights. Speaking of lights, the
stock kerosene lamps were ditched and
replaced with some JTX headlights, which
score all of the cool points and put out a
butt-load more light while they’re at it.
There’s also a Carbon 15,000lb low-mount
winch should Jason find himself door-
handle deep in the High Country mud,
something that doesn’t happen too often
thanks to the Air Lockers slotted in the
diffs at either end.
The suspension, given the rest of the
vehicle’s modification level, is surprisingly
stock. Jason bolted in a set of 50mm coils
and Pedders shockies, which was enough
to clear the 315/75R17 Maxxis Razrs
wrapped around the trick 17x9 Dirty Life
Roadkill beadlocked alloys. Larger brakes
from a late-model 80 were also bolted up
in order to bring the whole show to a halt
in a timely manner.
Jason also made his own rear bar from
an SDF Bars DIY kit … because it wouldn’t
be right for a welder’s vehicle not to have
some sort of custom bar work.
A fresh paint job had the VDJ

Cruiser looking shmick for
our photos shoot.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
IT’S been a long and extensive process
to get the big 80 to where it is, so Jason
wants to get out and enjoy the fruits of
his labours, with a couple of trips up
north in the works as well as his usual
forays into the Victorian bush.
Jason wanted to thank the guys from
Off Track Concepts, Race Radiators,
Wholesale Automatics. Laurie Alan from
PPG Australia, Just Autos, and Rheece
Whitehead from Diffco in Frankston for
their help along the way. And we’d like
to thank Jason for setting the bar, if not
for 80 builds, then at least for engine
conversions for the next little while.
Onya mate!
The 315/75R17 Maxxis Razrs are

wrapped around trick 17x9 Dirty Life
Roadkill beadlocked alloys.
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DRIVE
2024 FORD
F-150 XLT LWB
WAR
N DE
ELLE
OTOS
IS PH
AUD ONIK
ATT R
O R DS M
W
N F O RD NEW
CA RALIA’S
AUST BE AN D OFF-
F-150 MPLISHE 4X4?
ACCO TOURING
ROAD
F
ORD Australia’s relaunch of Ford’s chosen partner RMA Automotive.
the iconic F-150 pickup in this The most recent recall was for side
country has come with a few indicator lights on LWB F-150s that were
hiccups, with several recalls not ADR compliant.
so far in 2024 including a ‘stop Notwithstanding the hiccups, we were
ship and sell’ notice, and alerting owners keen to get back behind the wheel of the
to stop driving them immediately, F-Truck following our initial launch drive
interrupting sales and owners’ usage. last year. More specifically, we were keen
Some of the recalls have related to test its off-road capabilities as there
directly to the left- to right-hand drive was no off-road component to the initial
re-engineering that was done locally by launch drive.
DRIVE 2024 FORD F-150 XLT LWB
While the Ford F-150 and its full-size

‘half-ton’ competitors, the Ram 1500
and Silverado 1500, are not great off-
road vehicles due to their size and
weight, many buyers will still purchase
them and modify them to improve that
situation, delving in to the extensive
range of aftermarket equipment
available for them.
The SWB F-150 XLT is the lowest
priced full-size American pickup
offered by the manufacturers in
Australia at $106,950 plus ORC. For
this drive we had the slightly more
expensive entry-level LWB F-150 XLT,
which starts at $107,945 plus ORC.
Long-wheelbase Effies are 304mm
longer between the axles and offer
a larger cargo bed than their short-
wheelbase counterparts.
There's an engine
underneath all that plastic
and it's a cracking twin turbo
V6 mill.
All F-150s sold by Ford Australia are trucks do well and the F-150 will haul up PULLING POWER
powered by a 3.5-litre petrol-fuelled twin- to 4500kg when equipped with a 70mm THE 298kW and 678Nm petrol engine
turbo V6 engine backed by a 10-speed tow ball or 3500kg on a standard 50mm is powerful and smooth delivering
automatic transmission. There is no V8 or tow ball. The GCM for the Effie is 7765kg, heaps of get-up and go when unladen,
diesel engine offered by Ford AU, nor any so even if you were to load the trailer to and plenty of grunt for towing and
hybrid nor EV option … yet! the maximum rated 4500kg you would carrying loads. It’s reasonably frugal as
The local Effies are 4x4, with the XLT still have a usable 700kg+ payload for well considering the truck’s 2450kg heft,
making do with a conventional part-time passengers and cargo. Try doing that in a returning 12.1L/100km over our week of
dual-range four-wheel drive system, while Ranger or any other midsize 4x4 ute. driving with a day off road.
the Lariat is equipped with a transfer We didn’t tow anything on this drive but The 10-speed automatic transmission
case that adds a 4x4-auto setting to have done previously, and the F-150 made does its thing without bringing
allow all-wheel drive on sealed and hard- light work of a 3000kg trailer. attention to itself. The XLT has a
packed road surfaces, just like the system All Australian delivered F-150s come column gearshifter with manual control
found in the higher specification Ford equipped with the Tow Pro pack which buttons on the end of the stalk that are
Ranger models. The added traction of includes a reinforced chassis, Australian- less than ideal, but otherwise the set-up
the on-demand/full-time 4x4 on the Lariat spec tow bar and a trailer-reversing system is well-suited to day-to-day use as it’s
model is especially beneficial for anyone that allows the driver to guide the load right there next to your hand on the
towing a heavy trailer, a task many will be backwards using a dial on the dash while steering wheel. The F-150 Lariat model
calling on their F-150s to do. viewing the screen for guidance, instead of gets a console mounted T-bar shifter in
Towing is what these full-size American using the steering wheel. its more up-spec interior.
ALL F-150S SOLD BY FORD

AUSTRALIA ARE POWERED BY A
3.5-LITRE PETROL-FUELLED TWIN-
TURBO V6 ENGINE
The entry-level LWB F-150

XLT will set you back from
$107,945 plus ORC.
WHAT’S INSIDE? and a kick-arse B&O sound system with

SPEAKING of the interior, the XLT active noise cancelling and synthetised
misses out on a few features that the engine sound, the latter providing the V6
Lariat gets as standard, and some of with a fake V8-like bellow under load.
these might be deal-breakers for some The big cabin provides plenty of room
buyers. Notably, the 8-inch infotainment for passengers, especially across the back
screen in the XLT is far less legible and seat that will comfortably accommodate
usable than the 12-inch one in the Lariat. three adults. As someone who drives a
Both models have Apple CarPlay and lot of Ford Ranger and Everest models, I
Android Auto phone mirroring as part certainly appreciated the extra space in
of their kit, as well as inbuilt satnav the F-150’s driver’s compartment.
as part of Sync4, but the XLT lacks Safety kit includes AEB, pre-collision
the 360° camera and wireless phone assist, ABS, ETC, six airbags, ESC, BLIS
charger of the top model. Also missing with cross-traffic alert and trailer tow
from the XLT is the Lariat’s adaptive coverage, rear-view camera and parking
cruise control with stop-and-go and sensors, lane-keeping aid and driver alert
lane centering evasive steering assist, system that doesn't nag you.
speed-sign recognition, and front parking The XLT comes with halogen
sensors. headlights that are adequate but can’t
The XLT gets cloth seats and a hold a candle (pardon the pun) to the
standard but acceptable audio system, LED lights that the Lariat is equipped
while the Lariat gets acres of leather with.
I CERTAINLY APPRECIATED THE

EXTRA SPACE IN THE F-150’S
DRIVER’S COMPARTMENT
It's a big cabin providing plenty of room for

passengers, especially in the back seat that will
comfortably accommodate three adults.
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DIRTY STUFF lieu of the factory steps would be a great

WE said from the outset that these trucks start to your off-road modifications.
are not great in off-road conditions, but The view over the big bonnet (or hood
we still wanted to test its capabilities if we’re talkin’ trucks) can be challenging
for ourselves, so we pointed the F-150 at when negotiating and cresting hills and
some familiar dirt tracks and climbs. humps. This is where the Lariat’s 360°
Although the XLT misses out on the camera comes in handy, but you have to
Auto 4x4 setting of the Lariat, it is easy plan ahead for yourself in the XLT.
enough to switch between 2WD and 4x4 Steep climbs pose no problem for the
high range while on the move once you’ve F-150’s powertrain, however, the traction-
left the sealed roads. Straight away this control system feels and sounds like it’s
reduces the wheelspin and axle tramp a few generations old and as such it can
from the rear end, making the vehicle far be a bit slow to react and limit wheelspin.
more balanced on loose surfaces. There’s a standard differential lock fitted
The 6.2m length of the LWB Effie in the rear axle which helps, while a If it was up to us, we'd dtich the factory side-
makes it a challenge to manoeuvre front locker is available from the usual steps for more rugged side-rails.
in tight spaces and it requires more aftermarket suppliers.
multi-point turns than you’d be used If you are planning to do a bit off-road
to in smaller utes. The LWB model also driving in your F-Truck you will want to
rides 14mm lower than the SWB model, become good mates with your off-road
meaning that not only is ground clearance store and start talking about suspension
affected but also the approach, departure and tyre upgrades. The standard
and breakover angles, the latter more so suspension does what it’s meant to do
because of the greater distance between and dynamically it is surprisingly good,
the front and rear axles. This means but increased ground clearance will be
the side-steps and undercarriage are high on your agenda prior to any off-road
particularly vulnerable to scrapes and adventures.
damage, so you need to be extra careful
in uneven terrain. A set of side-rails in
FORD F-150 XLT LWB

PRICE $107,945 +ORC
ENGINE Turbocharged petrol V6
CAPACITY 3496cc
MAX POWER 298kW at 6000 rpm
MAX TORQUE 678Nm at 3100 rpm
TRANSMISSION 10-speed automatic
4X4 SYSTEM Part-time, dual-range 4x4
CONSTRUCTION Aluminium 4-door ute cabin and tub on a steel ladder-frame chassis
FRONT SUSPENSION IFS w/ coil springs
REAR SUSPENSION Live axle on leaf springs
TYRES 275/60R20
WEIGHT 2451kg kerb
GVM 3220kg
GCM 7720kg
TOWING CAPACITY 4500kg
PAYLOAD 794kg
SEATS 5
FUEL TANK 136L
ADR FUEL CONSUMPTION 12.5L/100km combined
ON TEST FUEL CONSUMPTION 12.1L/100km
FORD F-150
XLT LWB
D
A DEPARTURE ANGLE 26.3˚
B RAMPOVER ANGLE 19˚
C APPROACH ANGLE 24˚
A C
D WADING DEPTH N/A B
E GROUND CLEARANCE 225mm E
PRACTICALITIES on smaller utes, they are standard fare on
WITH acres of interior space, a huge these US trucks, and there are plenty of
cargo tray and massive towing potential, off-road tyre options to suit them.
the F-150 is a practical truck for anyone The cargo tray is massive and includes
wanting to travel the country … and who tie-down points and a 12-volt power outlet
doesn’t have to negotiate supermarket in the Lariat grade, but not offered in the
car parks. Where it falls short, as do most XLT. The clever step that slides out of the
of these 1500 trucks, is in its payload and tailgate is standard fare in both models,
GVM. however, and you’ll be surprised at how
Put the maximum trailer on the back easy it makes accessing the tray.
with around 400kg on the tow ball and Want more functionality from
you’ll already be eating into most of the your F-truck? Several service-body
available 794kg payload. This is where manufacturers are now offering
your new best mate at the off-road configurable rear storage/accommodation
accessories shop comes in with upgraded options for these trucks, transforming
suspension giving a GVM increase, in them into formidable full-size touring
addition to extra ground clearance. He or vehicles.
she will also have a catalogue full of other Like everything these days, the options
useful accessories that they will be only for building your perfect F-150 are
too happy to sell you for your truck. only limited by your budget and
While 20-inch wheels might be large imagination.
A step in the right direction is this nifty access

system for accessing the tub. LIKE EVERYTHING THESE DAYS,
THE OPTIONS FOR BUILDING YOUR
PERFECT F-150 ARE ONLY LIMITED
Cargo bed is massive and includes tie-down
points, with the Lariot getting a 12V outlet.
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GEAR
FITTED – MSA TOWING MIRRORS
LOOKING BACK
A PAIR OF MSA 4X4 TOWING MIRRORS ENSURE WE ALWAYS KNOW
WHAT’S GOING ON BEHIND US WHEN WE HAVE A TRAILER HITCHED
TO OUR MITSUBISHI TRITON
A
FTER gearing up our tradie Triton with a Pedders horizontal positions.
GVM and brake upgrade to ensure it was raring The mirrors offer four easily adjustable positions
DESIGN
to go for towing, it was time to fit a set of MSA that can be set to suit the type of towing you’re doing,
The MSA
4X4 towing mirrors so we could see exactly what because they can be rotated as well as extended. In other mirrors are
was going on behind us. words, they can be retracted or extended, and set with a another worthy
It’s easy to overlook the significance of gear like vertical aspect or a horizontal one. On the driver’s side, edition to our
decent towing mirrors when you’ve been focused on the mirror can be extended and rotated without even Triton Tradie Ute
the bigger-ticket items like suspension and tray. The getting out of the seat, which proved particularly handy Project.
legalities here in Australia state that the driver must at the boat ramp, and when backing the excavator into
be able to see 20m past the widest point of the towed the shed.
vehicle which, with standard factory mirrors, is not Regardless of the extension or rotation, the mirrors
possible when towing wide trailers. retain nearly all of their factory electric adjustment
MSA 4X4’s award-winning towing mirrors provide capability, thanks to a mirror actuator that automatically
WORDS AND PHOTOS JAMIE GRAY
an excellent rear view when you need it but don’t stick adapts to the selected position.
out like most other towing mirrors when you don’t. This The large single-lens mirrors provide a fantastic,
is because the mirrors simply extend on a heavy-duty undistorted view, and a dual-action folding mechanism
extension slide, which allows them to be quickly and minimises the chance of damage if the mirrors are
easily pulled out when towing or slid back in once you bumped in a car park or when driving off road.
have unhitched the trailer. It’s easy to think of traditional towing mirrors as being
To test the mirrors, we hooked up an excavator great for towing but a bit of a pain for everyday use,
to the back of the Triton, then for something really particularly when parking in tight spaces, but the
wide we hitched up a catamaran, and the mirrors adjustability of the MSA 4X4 towing mirrors overcomes
provided excellent visibility in both the vertical and any such drawbacks.
EXTENDED
The extendable
MSA mirror
does away with
the need for
separate towing
mirrors.
FOUR VIEWS
The mirrors
offer four
adjustable
viewing
positions.
AVAILABLE FROM: msa4x4.com.au

RRP: $889
RATED
WE SAY: Great looking towing mirrors that don’t

look like elephant ears when you don’t need them
and offer a fabulous rear view when you do.
GEAR
FITTED – CEL-FI GO MOBILE BOOSTER
RRP
$1429.69-$1520.23
AVAILABLE FROM:
RATED
powertec.com.au
WE SAY:
An out of sight and unobtrusive mobile
phone booster that provides improved
reception where signals are weak.
NOW HEAR THIS

THE CEL-FI GO MOBILE BOOSTER WILL KEEP EMAILS, MESSAGES AND CALLS
COMING THROUGH TO YOUR DEVICES WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS HEARING
CRICKETS
W
HEN on the hunt for improved mobile reception in need to be connected to a 12V power supply.
our Triton, Powertech guided us to the all-new Cel-Fi On the 4X4 Australia Triton we fitted the external antenna
GO, a 5G roaming vehicle cellular mobile signal on the passenger side of the vehicle, between the base of the
booster/repeater amplifier. The Cel-Fi GO Roam R41 is windscreen and the rear edge of the bonnet. This antenna picks up
compatible with both Telstra and Optus allowing users to any available phone signal. The second antenna mounts inside the
switch between networks, so future-proofing the device should an vehicle and in the case of the Triton, it fit neatly behind the gear
owner decide to switch providers at any stage. lever on the centre console. This internal antenna retransmits the
The Cel-Fi GO Roam R41 is claimed to be the first Australian- boosted cellular signal within and around the vehicle. Once fitted,
approved multi-carrier 5G-ready cellular signal booster device. To the whole set-up is unobtrusive as it is mostly hidden from view.
be clear, the Cel-Fi booster won’t give you a signal where there isn’t Although we are yet to fully test the Cel-Fi GO Roam R41, I have
one, but it will provide improved connectivity on your cross-country driven through a few areas around town where the mobile coverage
trips when limited coverage might otherwise cause issues. is usually a bit patchy, and the phone signal remained strong
The Cel-Fi GO Roam R41 selects either 3G, 4G or 5G depending throughout.
WORDS JAMIE GRAY
on the best signal available in the area for voice and data This system is ideally suited to anyone who works out of their
applications. This improves reception for those working in regional vehicles and who rely on a strong mobile phone signal to conduct
or rural areas where there is patchy coverage. their business, as well as those who regularly travel outside of
The Cel-Fi GO Roam R41 comprises a central unit that can be major centres on a recreational basis. Even where there is poor
concealed anywhere in your vehicle, such as under the seat, behind mobile phone reception, the Cel-Fi GO Roam R41 allows for the
the glovebox or under the dash, and two antennas, both of which free-flow of messages, emails and calls so you can stay in touch.
3G 4G
performance to overcome poor cellular coverage.
This innovative device ensures uninterrupted
communication wherever your journey takes you.
GEAR
TESTED – FORD RANGER GVM UPGRADE
WEIGHTLIFTING
INCREASING THE GVM OF YOUR 4X4 SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY,
BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN SHOULD NOT BE AVOIDED IF YOU NEED IT. WE
GO THROUGH THE PROCESS ON OUR FORD RANGER TO EXPLAIN HOW TO
GET IT RIGHT
G
VM (Gross Vehicle Mass) upgrades seem to be a engineered the vehicle to safely and competently carry
subject of constant conversation whenever you’re on and off road.
hanging out with anyone building up a new 4x4 to The figure relates to many things including the weight
carry lots of gear and tow large trailers. But what of the components, the driveline’s capability, the rating of
is GVM and why does it matter? And do you really the axles, the tyres fitted to the vehicle, which have their
need to upgrade the GVM on your vehicle? own load rating, and what the vehicle is designed to do.
After recently jumping through the hoops of a GVM Load your vehicle in excess of the stated GVM and you
upgrade on our FordRanger we thought it time to look at are taking it beyond its safe rating, and should anything
the topic again, and ghopefully make your choices easier. go astray when driving over weight, you could be liable
Gross Vehicle Mass is the maximum weight your for any damages, injuries or even deaths that might occur
vehicle can legally be when driving on the road, including as a result of your actions.
fuel, accessories, passengers, cargo and any weight on It’s up to the driver to know the GVM of the vehicle
the towbar. The GVM is not a figure that the authorities they are in control of and the weight it is carrying at any
pluck out of the sky to ping you on, but is set by the time. Pleading ignorance on the side of the road after
vehicle manufacturers as to what they have designed and an accident won’t hold sway with authorities, or your
KIT
In the Tough
Dog kit are 500kg
rated leaf springs and
front struts with new
springs and foam
cell shocks all
around.
insurance company, and you could be in for a world of

PRO job
The team at Opposite
pain as a result. Lock is a Tough Dog
Before we go on we’ll mention Gross Combined Mass approved fitter and took
(GCM). This is the maximum weight your vehicle and on the job of replacing
trailer can be including all cargo, passengers, fuel, our suspension.
accessories and everything else. Again this weight is set
by the vehicle manufacturer and must be strictly adhered
to for all the same reasons as with GVM.
Let’s look at our 2022 Ford Ranger V6 Sport as an
example here. Ford lists the kerb weight of the Ranger
at 2264kg and gives it a GVM of 3280kg, so theoretically
you can put 1016kg of people, luggage, cargo, and ball
weight on and in it. But that doesn’t always correspond
with the rated payload, which in the case of the Ranger
is listed at just 934kg. Confusing? Yes, but this is the grey
world we live in.
HEIGHT
RIGHT?
Checking ride height
following the upgrade
is fitted.
LASTLY
When we built
the Ranger
we left the
suspension
selection and
installation as
late as possible
so that we knew
what we were
dealing with.
BUILDING IT BIG you could be looking at a couple of hundred kilograms on

FOUR-WHEEL drive accessories are big business, and the front axle.
we all love to equip our rides to tackle more difficult The same out back; replacing the ute tray with a
tracks and rugged terrain, protect them against animal canopy like we did on the Ranger not only adds weight
strikes and tree branches, and to extract ourselves from but moves the mass rearwards so it’s further behind the
tricky situations. We also like to take everything away rear axle. Mount a spare tyre or two up high on the back
with us when we travel, including the kitchen sink, and of the canopy and it’s in the worst place you could want it,
also load the family in the vehicle, and all this stuff hanging off the back of your chassis.
quickly adds up and eats into your payload and GVM. Where you put your fridge, drawers, water tanks
A bullbar with winch and steel underbody protection and everything else inside the canopy also needs to be
adds a heap of weight to the front of the vehicle and considered, and ideally mounted forward of the rear axle.
much of it is hanging out in front of the axle where it’s Even your oversized mud-terrain tyres add to the
really felt when driving. Throw in some scrub bars and a vehicle’s overall weight, even though they are carrying
few spotlights and an extra battery in the engine bay, and the vehicle and not being carried by it.
NEW LEAFS
Fitting the new
500kg rated rear
leaf springs.
canopy
carrier
New rear leaf springs
and shocks in place.
WEIGHING IT UP
WHEN we built the Ranger we left the suspension
STRUTS
selection and installation until as late as possible so that Front struts
we knew what we were dealing with, and could choose now with new
the ideal suspension kit accordingly. The replacement springs, foam
springs and shocks supplied by Tough Dog were chosen to cell shocks,
carry the weight comfortably, and were the components and Tough Dog
used in the brand’s GVM upgrade kit for Rangers. upper control
The Tough Dog kit includes 500kg rated rear leaf arms.
springs and complete replacement front struts with new
springs and foam cell shocks on all corners. A centre
bearing kit is part of the package to accommodate
the raised ride height, and we chose to add Tough
Dog’s replacement upper control arms to keep all the
alignment angles in check.
Once equipped with its new suspension the vehicle
was wheel aligned, and it rode better than ever over all
the terrain we could throw it at. We were happy as Larry!
But when we put the Ranger on the scales it came in at
3152kg, which didn’t leave a lot left of our 3280kg GVM.
More worrying was 1436kg across the front axle, which is
only rated to 1450kg, and 1716kg across the 1959kg rated
rear axle. If we loaded up the Ranger with any gear we
would soon be exceeding the legal limit.
No worries, we thought; the upgrade kit takes the
GVM up to 3750kg so we’ll just get it certified and be
right as rain … or so we thought.
PRE- OR POST-REGO UPGRADES? were all affixed to the driver’s door

WHEN people talk about GVM upgrades you might hear jamb. The kit also includes the front
them refer to both pre- and post-registration approvals. side indicators that are needed for
As the names suggest, the main difference here is one vehicles with a GVM of 3500kg
is performed before (pre) the vehicle is first registered, or more, and these come with the
while the other is done at any time post registration. wiring patch and a template to suit
Pre-rego upgrades are the way to go if you have your the vehicle that makes it easy for
kit in order as this is a nationally approved, and done as the guys to drill the holes and fit
part of the SSM (Second Stage Manufacturer) scheme. them in the right place on the front
Post-rego GVM upgrades are done at a state level, and guards. All in a day’s work for the
need to be approved by a local state-approved engineer proficient team at Opposite Lock.
or company. The approval still goes on a national register Once the GVM upgrade hardware
against the vehicle’s VIN but the certification may need has been fitted, it needs to be
to be updated if you move or sell the vehicle interstate. inspected and approved by an
We bought our Ranger as an ex-demo model and it was approved engineer, who in our
already registered with 6000km on the clock, so a pre- case was Linda Hitch of Hitch
rego GVM upgrade was obviously not possible. But this Engineering Services.
gave us the benefit of building up the Ranger first and Linda first checked the vehicle’s VIN and chassis
knowing exactly what weights we’d be working with. numbers, to make sure they match what is in the system,
Whether pre- or post-registration, your approval goes then she sighted all the part numbers of the suspension STAMPED
through the relevant state and national bodies and, as components to make sure they matched those that The all-
important GVM
with any big show, things are never as simple as they are approved in the upgrade kit. She also checked the
upgrade docs
should be. Our Ranger was fitted with all the correct ride height of the vehicle at each wheel to ensure it is
for VicRoads.
components for the Tough Dog GVM upgrade but as within the allowed specification, sighted that the new
they were ordered individually and not as the approved placards and indicators were in the correct places, and
GVM kit (which carries its own specific part number) we checked the tyres for clearance on the body, ensuring
couldn’t get approval on it. that they don’t rub on anything at full steering lock and
This meant we had to get the Tough Dog GVM-upgrade suspension travel.
kit with its specific kit part number and show that that Driving tests are not required at this point as the
was what was fitted. It also had to be fitted by someone kits are tested and approved beforehand by the
approved to fit the GVM-upgrade kit; unless you are an manufacturer, in this case Tough Dog Suspension.
approved GVM-upgrade kit fitter you can’t do it yourself. This federal pre-approval and certification means that
Luckily for us the team at Opposite Lock in Epping individual vehicles needn’t be put through test drives
is a Tough Dog approved fitter and took on the job of provided that all the exact components of the kit are REQUIRED
replacing our suspension. The front struts, rear shocks utilised; you cannot mix and match parts in a GVM- Front side
indicators are
and leaf springs all carried the exact same part numbers upgrade kit.
needed for
as those that were removed, but they were now from the Once Linda had all her information logged into the vehicles with a
GVM-upgrade kit. system, it was just up to us to take the paperwork and GVM of 3500kg
What we didn’t have, which is included in the kit, vehicle to VicRoads, where an inspector again gave it a or more.
were the blue approval sticker, the replacement tyre once over before the updated weights were entered into
placard, and the new vehicle weights sticker, which the system.
EASY FIT
Front side indicators
came with a template
to make fitting easier.
Piranha's new driving lights are built tough with
die-cast aluminium housings, OSRAM chips,
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SCAN TO VIEW
MORE PRODUCTS
DO YOU NEED A GVM UPGRADE? suspension to a vehicle that is not carrying a load will
SPENDING the day with Dave Hadley and the team at ruin the factory ride quality and dynamics. In the case
Opposite Lock and later with Linda, it gave us a chance of our Ranger’s Tough Dog kit the rear springs are rated
to ask what sort of people were asking for and fitting for a constant 500kg load and as such are very firm and
GVM kits. stiff, but they are perfect for the weight of our canopy
Dave was quick to tell us that GVM upgrades were and everything that is permanently carried inside it. The
some of the most common products he gets asked about, Tough Dog kit even comes with a recommendation to
but first he questions customers why they think they have a “permanent payload of no less than 300kg to assist
need one, and what are their plans for the vehicle. in safe and stable driveability”.
“People come in and say they have bought a new 4x4 “Some people fit a GVM upgrade because they read
and that they need a (pre-registration) GVM upgrade,” online that they need it, and then they complain that the
said Dave. “I ask them what they are going to be fitting car rides like an old cart,” said Dave.
to the car, what are they towing and what sort of use will It pays to speak to the right people before you get your
the car get.” new 4x4, go through your plans for it and what you want
Installing a GVM upgrade to fit and carry in it, and get a true indication of what
with its heavier rated your vehicle needs.
Linda does a lot of work with Caravan Industry
INSPECTION Victoria, so she deals with van manufacturers and the
TOUR READY
Engineer Linda Hitch people who tow vans. She pointed out that someone
of Hitch Engineering towing a heavy van might want to look at a GVM Now with our
Services insepcts the upgrade. Tough Dog GVM
new upgrade. upgrade, our
“If you have a big van and are putting 300kg
Ranger is ready
download on your towball, that (weight) comes
to tour our vast
straight off your GVM,” said Linda. For many new continent.
4x4 wagons, 300kg is a large percentage of the
payload.
BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR NEW 4X4 IN FOR A PRE- OR POST-
REGISTRATION GVM UPGRADE IS TO KNOW WHAT’S INVOLVED IN
THE UPGRADE, AND WHAT TO EXPECT OF THE MODIFIED VEHICLE
TAKE AWAY
THE thing we took away from this experience, and we
hope we’ve passed on to you here, is that before you
book your new 4x4 in for a pre- or post-registration GVM
upgrade is to know what’s involved in the upgrade, and
what to expect of the modified vehicle.
Do your research and find out the weights of the
accessories you plan to fit to the vehicle, how many
passengers you will be carrying and how much cargo you
will load up with. This will give you a rough guide as to the
overall weight of your built 4x4, and how close you might
be to its GVM.
If you are not close to GVM or won’t be carrying the
weight all the time, you might want to reconsider the
upgrade to find an alternative that better suits your needs,
rather than impacting negatively on the ride and handling
of your vehicle.
TOUGH DOG LOAD CAPACITY

GROSS VEHICLE MASS (GVM) 3750KG
GROSS COMBINATION MASS (GCM) 6400KG
FRONT AXLE CAPACITY (FAC) 1650KG
REAR AXLE CAPACITY (RAC) 2100KG
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EXPLORE
K’GARI, QLD
ISLAND
PARADISE
NEAR THE TOP OF THE BUCKET LIST FOR EVERY
AUSSIE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVER, K’GARI IS PACKED
WITH STUNNING HIGHLIGHTS AND BOASTS SOME
OF THE BEST BEACH DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY
WORDS DAN GREC PHOTOS KATIE HARRIS AND DG
F
OR decades many have referred UNESCO World Heritage Listed in 1992,
to Fraser Island as paradise, and virtually the entire island can be
which coincidentally is the explored with a well-equipped four-
meaning of the island’s original wheel drive vehicle.
Aboriginal name K’gari, which it has Always on the lookout to include
recently readopted. family, Katie and I meet up with my
K’gari is the world’s largest sand Uncle Ron, and together we load up on
island, and is made of 113 cubic all the supplies we can carry in nearby
kilometres of the stuff. Much more than Hervey Bay. We have 10 days on K’gari
just sand, however, K’gari also boasts ahead of us, including a criss-crossing
rainforests, wildlife, 1000-year-old trees route from south to north with the aim
and more than 865 species of plants. of visiting all the highlights and out-of-
This incredible island paradise was the-way corners the island has to offer.
EXPLORE K’GARI, QLD
FERRY TO
enormously and will provide plenty
of grip in the soft sand. It’s reassuring
PARADISE
to know we can still go a lot lower
if the need arises, but for now we’ll
walk the line between traction, fuel
consumption and speed.
K’GARI sits barely a kilometre off the While crossing the island I’m
mainland, and multiple barges and impressed to see enormous eucalyptus
ferries regularly make the crossing, trees forming a dense jungle that
transporting an armada of 4x4s and allows very little light to penetrate to
their grinning drivers. Many of the the forest floor. Tracks are rutted sand
decked-out vehicles could easily be on criss-crossed with tree roots, washouts
the cover of a magazine, and they’re and rubber matting designed to
all packed to the brim, ready for prevent further erosion.
Dan and Ron adventure. We arrive on the far eastern side of
on the ferry to The excitement is palpable as we the island during a rising tide, almost
‘paradise’. join the line-up of vehicles before the worst possible time to start our
reversing on to the ferry. Loading the first beach drive. We must drive a
ferry in reverse means we’re lined up few kilometres south to our first of
to drive straight out on arrival, which many beach campsites, and we’re all
makes life much easier. The crossing on edge as we race the incoming tide.
takes barely 20 minutes, and we are Thankfully we make it through with
quickly off the ferry and on the island. only one small splash of saltwater,
Driving on an island entirely made and we’re elated to see we have our
of sand means we need to air down to pick of the sites tucked in behind the
16psi all around. At these pressures dunes – there’s not another living soul
the contact patch is increased in sight.
Driving K’gari’s east

coast sand highway
Sunrise to another stunning day
on K’gari.
PARADISE ON
Queensland while being towed to a and yellow that can be imagined, we’re
scrapyard. The ship became beached more than happy with our plan to camp
EARTH
on the east coast of the island where it here for consecutive nights.
has remained ever since, slowly rusting At sunrise Katie and I hike inland
away in the corrosive saltwater. to an enormous sand blow, a unique
Swimming in the ocean off K’gari natural feature created by strong
FROM top to bottom, K’gari is dotted is ill-advised due to the toothy locals winds that endlessly blow sand inland
with spectacular places to visit, each and massive swell, but thankfully where it accumulates into huge pristine
of which are a worthy destination in mother nature has provided the perfect sand dunes. In a constant battle with
their own right. After just our first alternative to combat the intense vegetation these dunes grow and shrink
night camping behind the dunes I Australian sun. A series of inland each year, shifting with the wind. It
wonder if 10 days will be enough to see lakes boast white-sand beaches and takes us almost an hour to walk up just
everything we want to see, and so to crystal-clear water, and are the ideal a small part of the sand blow, and we’re
squeeze the most out of every day we places to spend time during the heat staggered by the size of the enormous
rise before the sun and don’t crawl into of the day. Just north of the Maheno dunes.
bed until long after sunset. wreck on the east coast, Eli Creek flows Back on the east coast we continue
The aptly named 75 Mile Beach runs into the ocean and provides not only north, rounding Indian Head for a visit
along most of the east coast of the a refreshing swimming hole, but also to Champagne Pools. This series of
island, and is designated a main road hours of entertainment for the whole natural rock pools provide a sheltered
complete with speed limits and police family. The crystal-clear creek flows swimming area in the otherwise
radar. The sand road is so consistently at a rate of 80 million litres per day, unforgiving ocean. When the tides are
good it is also used as a runway for which provides plenty of flowing water timed just right, the largest waves crash
light planes, which makes for some allowing you to drift downstream on over the rocks into the swimming pools
interesting decision making while just about any kind of inflatable or pool in spectacular fashion, creating plenty
navigating its length. It’s not often I noodle. of foam and excitement for those
have to also concentrate on the sky Cutting across the island to the west swimming in relative safety.
while driving. coast we arrive at the breathtaking Each night we tuck in behind the
Halfway along the east coast of the Awinya Creek camping area where dunes to camp, and each and every
island we stop at the famous wreck of paradise is elevated to a whole new night we are alone, with just the sound
the passenger ship, the SS Maheno. In level. With white sand stretching to the of the crashing waves to lull us into a
1935 the ship was caught in a strong horizon, and sunset painting the sky deep sleep.
cyclone about 80km off the coast of and sand every shade of red, orange
The Jeep in the keyhole.
It’s wave-dodging time at

Ngkala rocks.
NGKALA ROCKS and videos of vehicles hopelessly stuck

to the chassis rails in this very sand, and
I feel a strong sense of déjà vu despite
CAREFULLY studying tide tables, we never having been here before.
arrive bright and early at the infamous On the far side I find another large
Ngkala Rocks, one of Australia’s most group assessing the damage to an older
notorious 4x4 obstacles. Immediately Nissan Patrol. The clutch has burnt out in
we are greeted by a scene of carnage. the soft sand, and the team are devising
A group of young guys are standing a plan to use three vehicles to pull the
around looking sheepish while they wait dead Patrol up and over the sandy climb,
for a very expensive tow truck. It takes which they do with plenty of engine
a good deal of coaxing to get the story revving and wheel-spinning.
out of them, which finally comes out in When our turn comes we time the
a flood. Using a huge amount of right crashing waves and drive on the beach
foot through the rocks, one of the drivers below the rocks, darting around just
managed to tear a front wheel and hub before the next wave crashes in. While we
off his HiLux, completely blocking the avoid the rocks, the extremely soft sandy
narrow rock canyon. With no better section is mandatory. Lowering our tyres
option they used the other vehicles to to 14psi increases the contact patch, and
drag it through the rocks, folding the I have no trouble moving forward through
wheel underneath and ripping the tyre the soft sand up and over the climb. Ron,
off the now severely battered and scarred on the other hand, is not so fortunate, and
rim. The tow truck is en route from the I dash back with recovery boards in hand
southern tip of the island, and will cost to help extract his bogged HiLux.
upwards of $1000, even before any repair After lowering tyre pressures to 12psi It’s sundowner time on
K’gari’s western beach.
work can begin. Ron has no problem moving forward,
Ron and I are already thinking of and together we drive down the other
skipping the rock section, and when we side on to the remote northern beaches.
learn of another stricken vehicle at the Continuing north the coastline becomes
far end of the sand climb our decision much more wild and remote, and my
is easy. Wanting to see the entire sandy jaw drops as we round Sandy Cape at
climb and descent for myself, I walk the the northern tip of the island where
length of the rough rock section and enormous sand dunes drop right into the
then the very long, soft and steep sand ocean, leaving just a small strip of beach
corridor. I’ve seen hundreds of photos sand for us to squeeze past at low tide.
AT THE INFAMOUS NGKALA

ROCKS, IMMEDIATELY WE ARE
GREETED BY A SCENE OF
CARNAGE
FAMILY TIME
best to soak in every minute we have
together.
We find a stunning campsite just
above the high-tide line at the northern
AFTER exploring the remote corners tip of the island, and the sense of relief
of the Americas and Africa, I chose to that washes over Uncle Ron is clear to
explore Australia so I could include see. I pushed to get us above Ngkala
family in my adventures. There’s Rocks and he was a bit stressed racing
no doubt my Uncle Ron had a huge the waves and driving in the soft sand.
influence on me growing up, and I We’re all happy we made it through
have fond memories of fishing, hunting with no damage, and so we cook a feast
and camping with him as a teenager. to celebrate our stunning campsite.
Ron was my only relative with a four- After dinner the skies open and let
wheel drive, and he always took me loose with a torrential downpour, and
out on adventures when we spent time we scramble to set up our awnings to
together. I’m certain my love of remote enjoy the night while staying warm and
exploration is in no small part thanks to dry. We tell stories and reminisce late
him, and I’m extremely happy to spend into the night, listening to the gentle
10 days together on this adventure. swish of small waves while soaking in
One of the downsides of being a the incredible stars as they peek out
global traveller is the lack of time I from behind the retreating storm clouds.
spend with my family, and so I try my
Dan and Uncle Ron with

their respective off-
roaders of choice.
Bird prints in the sand.
VISITORS TO
and baring their teeth. Maybe they morsel they come across. In the late
heard his snoring as a challenge, or afternoons and evenings they have
CAMP
maybe they just want us off their learned that humans and campsites
turf. Whatever the reason, Ron went mean food, so they move up into the
from dead asleep to wide awake dunes where they inevitably come
in a single heartbeat, and it took a into close contact with people.
AFTER brewing a pot of coffee lot of convincing to get the dingoes Attacks on adults are exceedingly
early the next morning, Ron tries to move off. Not surprisingly, Ron rare, though dingoes have attacked
to quietly tell me about unwelcome says he lay awake for many hours and seriously injured children on
guests in camp overnight, hoping afterwards. more than a few occasions over the
that Katie won’t overhear. Of course Dingoes are extremely common years. During the daylight hours we
Katie instantly hears our whispers, so across the island, and sadly the three are not scared of the many dingoes
we all sit down to get the story. hundred or so resident animals have that come towards our camp, and
While we slept soundly in our new become quite habituated to humans. so far yelling, clapping and shooing
campsite, Ron explains how he woke While driving the beaches it is all but has moved them along. Overnight,
in the night to find the three dingos guaranteed you’ll see them prowling however, they are not so easily
standing over his swag, growling the shoreline searching for any tasty deterred.
FISH THE BITE

that have passed. Try as we might, the
days roll by without catching a single
BACK
thing – in fact, they roll by without so
much as a single bite.
With pride on the line, it all comes
down to our final night on the island,
K’GARI is famous for its superb fishing, and as Ron casts out our final strip of
especially along the eastern coastline bait into the dark night we both agree
directly into the South Pacific. Some we have done everything we can. A few
of my earliest memories of fishing are seconds later the line is screaming off
with Uncle Ron, when we would four- the reel and the fight is on.
wheel drive along sandy tracks before Over the next 15 minutes Ron plays
continuing on foot into remote beaches the game of allowing the fish to run
around Southern Australia. Ron is a before winding in whenever possible. It’s
master at reading the waves, tides and a fine balance to avoid breaking the line,
beach sand to find the deep channels and he works hard at the fight. Under
and gutters to fish, and more often than the glow of our headlights we finally
not we trudged off the beach carrying a land a thresher shark that is about one
fish too big for me to carry. metre long. Catching the shark on our
Eager to relive past fishing trips Ron last strip of bait seems fitting, and we’re
brought all his gear and each afternoon both happy we can call it quits. Back in
we set up on the sand, throwing our lines camp we spend an hour carefully cutting
out repeatedly into the crashing waves up the delicious flesh before packing
as we enjoy catching up on all the years Ron’s freezer to the brim.
The boys hook dinner

on the last bait of
the day.
Rounding Sandy Cape,

the most northerly point
of K’gari.
I’VE SEEN
COUNTLESS
PHOTOS AND
VIDEOS OF
ALL GOOD
dunes night after night is impossible
to beat, and tackling the continuously
K’GARI, AND IN
THINGS …
shifting sand and changing conditions
kept us on our toes behind the wheel.
With bacon and eggs for breakfast, RETROSPECT
I’VE seen countless photos and
tales of world adventures, beach
fishing, hiking and plenty of laughs
I HAVE NO
videos of K’gari over the years, and and smiles around the campsite, Uncle HESITATION IN
SAYING NOT ONE
in retrospect I have no hesitation in Ron was a welcome addition to our
saying not one of them did the island time in Australia, and I’m immensely
OF THEM DID THE

justice. From my very first minutes happy we were able to spend so much
on the island I was constantly blown time on this adventure together.
away by the breathtaking beaches, the
enormous inland forests, the lakes,
Naming an island ‘paradise’
might seem a bit over the top but in ISLAND JUSTICE
the rivers, the rocks and the wildlife. this case, I think it’s completely
Camping directly behind the beach justified.
FRASER ISLAND
K’GARI FACTS
ABORIGINAL NAME:
K’gari (pronounced ‘gurri’)
EUROPEAN NAME: Fraser Island
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE

LISTING: 1992
COASTLINE: 316km
AREA: 1840km²
PERMANENT INHABITANTS: 182
DINGO INHABITANTS: About 300
Our beach camp on the

island’s western shore.
P
EXPLORE
THE PILBARA, WA
WORDS AND PHOTOS KEV SMITH
THE PILBARA IS THE VERY

DEFINITION OF BIG COUNTRY,
AND THERE IS PLENTY TO SEE,
DO AND ENJOY IN THIS ANCIENT
LANDSCAPE IN WA’S RUGGED
NORTHWEST
EXPLORE PILBARA, WA
MAGINE a destination Millstream Chichester NP and across

that covers more than to the mining area near Pannawonica,
170,000km² and is made up and then back to Onslow to explore the
of ancient landscapes, an coast.
idyllic coastline, heritage- Nicknamed ‘Cyclone City’, Onslow has
listed sites, some of the been subjected to more than a dozen
oldest rock art on earth and, cyclones in which wind speeds have
importantly, contains some been measured as high as 232km/h.
great four-wheel driving Originally built for pearling, mining
opportunities. and pastoral use, Onslow is a sleepy
The Pilbara region of town that attracts tourists year round.
Western Australia dates back 4.3 billion Officially, Europeans travelled through
years and is twice the size of the United here in 1861 when an expedition was
Kingdom. It is regarded as the oldest led through the Pilbara, but prior to
place on earth and has deep red rock that Abel Tasman visited the islands off
formations so ancient that it predates Onslow in 1644.
fossil remains. Onslow is an interesting town with
It is thought Pilbara is the Aboriginal a heritage trail and free riverside
name for a mullet that’s found in a camping at Five Mile Pool. As well as
creek off the Yule River. As the area is a visit to the old Onslow town ruins,
so vast, I wasn’t sure how to tackle it, make sure you check out the huge
and really wasn’t expecting to see as salt lakes that cover 90km², and from
much as I did. I spent a few days in the which 2.5million tonnes of table salt is
southern part of the Pilbara exploring produced every year.
Four-wheel driving
around Dampier.
My remote riverside
campsite.
Off-roading through
pristine Pilbara
wilderness.
EXPLORE PILBARA, WA
A statue pays homage
EXPLORING to Pilbara’s famous

Red Dog, the inspiration
THE COAST for the film of the same

name.
HEAD north and you’ll arrive at
the fast growing city of Karratha,
which is not only the base for
the Pilbara’s massive iron ore
operations, but also the gateway
to the rich Dampier Archipelago.
Established in 1968, Karratha is a
busy city that is home to 40 per cent
of the region’s population. Built to of the operation and view the giant
provide accommodation and services domes that hold natural gas before
for the massive mining operations, it is shipped overseas. Not far down
Dampier Salt and the NW gas and oil the road at Burrup Peninsula you’ll
projects, Karratha has a lot to offer. be able to study up to an estimated
The Yaburara Heritage Trail to the east 10,000 indigenous rock engravings
follows steep hills, passes a number of that are said to be 30,000 years old.
Aboriginal sites and overlooks the town These petroglyphs include animals
and out to the coast. and human shapes, as well as some of
Another must-do is a visit to the extinct animals that once roamed the
North West Shelf Project Visitors area. Notably, these are claimed to be
Centre where you can view models the oldest and largest concentrated
BUILT TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION AND SERVICES FOR THE

MASSIVE MINING OPERATIONS, DAMPIER SALT AND THE NW
GAS AND OIL PROJECTS, KARRATHA HAS A LOT TO OFFER
KARRATHA
CUSTOM TRAY BODIES
CUSTOM CANOPIES
CUSTOM VEHICLE FITOUTS
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21 Wolston Road, Sumner QLD 4074
EXPLORE PILBARA, WA
It’s 4WD only along

the Banjima Road.
collection of petroglyphs on earth. Not far north of Dampier are the

There’s also plenty to see and do towns of Roebourne, Cossack and
at nearby Dampier, where you can Point Samson. Cossack was once the
not only overlook the huge port that original port for the pearl luggers
has been constructed to cater to the before they moved north to Broome,
mining activities in the area, but and with this the town slowly died.
also head to a lookout that provides Today the beautiful old buildings
a spectacular view of the 3km-long are being restored for the growing
trains that cart ore from the mines tourism trade and the history buffs
Rail carts taking ore
to the port. Make sure you visit the that visit the area. Roebourne, the
to Karratha.
Red Dog statue, made famous by the oldest settlement in WA’s north
movie of the same name that tells the west, has a fascinating heritage trail
story of a dog that roamed across the to explore and was once the most
Pilbara region. For those who like to important town in the Pilbara …
cast a line, the offshore fishing here before a rail line was built to Port
is next-level, and there are dozens Hedland. Head out to Point Samson
of islands lined with stunning white for a wander along the stunning white
beaches all throughout the Dampier beaches and spot the lighthouse that
Archipelago. was built here in 1888.
FORTESCUE RIVER
OFF-ROAD
ADVENTURES
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EXPLORE PILBARA, WA
HEADING INLAND to discover the pastoral history of the horizon in all directions.
AS soon as you head inland, the region and learn about the Yindjibarndi Nearly 300km away to the east, and
Pilbara’s red dust gets into your skin, people. The latter, Karijini NP, is the again on the fringe of the Hamersley
your clothes and every nook and cranny second largest national park in WA Range, is the town of Newman, the
of your 4x4, but a highlight of travelling and it attracts visitors from around the largest inland town in the Pilbara.
through the Pilbara is driving along world. In it you will find amazing rock Predominantly a mining town, where
one of the many rail-access roads and formations with pools of cold water that BHP pulls thousands of tonnes of iron
seeing the enormous 3km-long iron-ore never see sunlight, dramatic waterfalls ore out of the ground every day, it’s still
trains that run 24/7 from the mines and amazing colours when the sun hits a good base from which to explore the
to the facility plants at either Port spectacular gorge walls. surrounding area. Mount Whaleback is
Hedland or Dampier. You need a permit Nearby is Tom Price, WA’s highest the largest open-cut mine in the world –
to drive these roads, but they are easily altitude town, which is tucked in beside it’s so big that it can be seen from space
available online after watching an the Hamersley Range. The range itself – and there are daily tours into the
induction video and answering some is considered to be one of the earth’s heart of the operations. Away from the
safety questions. oldest weathered surfaces, and this area mines, the 4x4 track to Eagle Rock Falls
Two notable and popular national dates back to the Ice Age. Activities is a great drive as the narrow winding
parks in the area are Millstream in the area include mine tours and track heads into the hills of the Pilbara,
Chichester NP and Karijini NP. In the a drive up the 4x4 track to Mount passing Kalgan Pool where volcanic
former you can relax beside tree-lined Nameless, which is one of the highest rock has been pushed out of the ground
pools, swim in crystal-clear rivers and mountains in WA. From the top you’ll millions of years ago, resulting in an
camp in remote areas, and in the heart enjoy views overlooking the area’s amazing backdrop to the pool.
of the park you’ll find a homestead that mining operations, the town itself and Just over an hour away the tiny
was built in 1920 and is open to visitors the beautiful Pilbara landscape to the township of Nullagine sits idle,
AS SOON AS YOU HEAD INLAND, THE PILBARA’S RED DUST

GETS INTO YOUR SKIN, YOUR CLOTHES AND EVERY NOOK AND
CRANNY OF YOUR 4X4
HARDING RIVER
The rich red of

Pilbara’s rocks is stark
in colour.
Karijini NP, is the second largest
national park in WA.
KARIJINI
PILBARA, WA
ESSENTIALS
surrounded by red granite hills, gorges short-lived as richer fields were soon WHERE
and waterholes. Gold was found here in found at Kalgoorlie. The Marble Bar The Pilbara region is 1500km north of
the mid 1880s, but it’s also known for Heritage Trail takes you around town, Perth in Western Australia. It covers a
being the first place in Australia where visiting 18 places of interest, heading up huge 170,000km² and the landforms
diamonds were found. Heading west to lookouts and dropping by the Marble date back 3.6 billion years. It is known
from Nullagine, the Skull Springs Road Bar Pool at Coongan River. It was here for the biodiversity across its ancient
takes you to the remote yet stunning that a rich coloured rock was found landscape. It is extremely rich in
Running Waters waterhole where warm that was thought to be marble, but mineral deposits. There are major
water seeps out of the ground year disappointingly was jasper. When wet, airports at Karratha and Port Hedland,
round. Up the road, Carawine Gorge the colours come alive in the Archaean with direct flights from across the
offers one of the best riverside camp rock, which has been classed as some country that make exploring this area
areas I found in the Pilbara, where of the oldest in the world. Big fines are easy.
a massive water system is lined with issued if rocks are stolen.
sheer rock walls that are lit up by the I only spent four weeks exploring the WHAT TO SEE AND DO
morning sun. Pilbara and I don’t think I even The deep red landscape and
iridescent skies make the Pilbara
My last stop was at Marble Bar, known scratched the surface. This area feels
a photographer’s dream. There are
as Australia’s hottest town, where back like the soul of the earth and it holds
National Parks to explore, stunning
in 1924 the daytime temperatures never many hidden treasures, and no matter
waterfalls and swimming holes to cool
dropped below 38°C (100°F) for 161 where you roam you’ll be pleasantly
off in, beautiful coastal campsites to
days. Today it’s a quiet town compared surprised with what the Pilbara has to enjoy and plenty of history and ancient
to the gold rush of 1891, which was offer. rock art to absorb.
OTHER INFORMATION
Both Port Hedland and Karratha
are the main centres of the Pilbara,
and both towns service the mining
companies that operate in the area.
There are major shopping centres and
most services are available. Smaller
towns such as Tom Price, Newman,
Roebourne, Dampier and Onslow
have basic services for travellers.
Information centres in most towns
can offer advice and steer you in
the right direction for tours and
attractions. Planning, permits and
other information can be found online
at exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au
PUBS
OUTBACK PUBS, SA
OUTBACK
WATERING W
HEN travelling
in the outback,
there’s no more
welcome sight than
HOLES
a pub. For Aussies, the pub is the
ultimate symbol of civilisation and
hospitality, often the only remaining
commercial building in a small rural
town, and a place where you can cool
WORDS ANNA FISHER PHOTOS BRETT FISHER & GLENN MARSHALL down with a cold cold beer or warm
up with a hot meal. The pub is also
SINCE OFF TRACK WINES WAS LAUNCHED, a fantastic resource where you can
find out what is happening in and
OWNERS ANNA AND BRETT FISHER HAVE DRIVEN around a town, from the bartender
MORE THAN 20,000KM UP, DOWN AND ACROSS and the locals.
AUSTRALIA SPRUIKING THEIR WINES-IN-A-CAN Here are our five favourite pubs in
MADE FOR CAMPING. THEY DROPPED INTO PLENTY outback South Australia.
OF OUTBACK PUBS ALONG THE WAY AND THESE
ARE THEIR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FAVOURITES
PUBS OUTBACK PUBS, SA
The Cradock is a grand

outback pub operated
by Dave and Amy.
1 CRADOCK
HOTEL
WE love the Cradock Hotel. It is a quaint the dining room. It’s rustic timber with Ghosts aside, Cradock as a town is on
pub in the Southern Flinders Ranges a group swing and balancing beams the up. The pub was renovated about
where we always feel at home, so much and climbing nets. The kids will be eight years ago, and someone has just
so that we often plan our trip itineraries entertained while you relax with a drink bought the old church and it has been
so we can stay at the Cradock. It’s a great while waiting for your meal. That’s worth renovated too. Like many towns, the
place to drop in on the way to/from the a lot when you’re travelling as a family. pub provides a real focal point for
Bendleby Ranges, which we’ve visited It offers good pub food with a changing the community to come together and
several times to drive their fun and menu – burgers, parmies and pies, that socialise. It runs a Christmas pageant and
challenging 4WD tracks. kind of thing, cooked by Dave. The Big Anzac Day ceremony, with the pub still at
We first met Dave and Amy at the pub Hat right out the front is always good for the heart of the town’s activities.
a while back, when they were relatively a photo at sunrise too.
new there; this was long before we had The hotel was built from stone in the
created Off Track Wines. Their warm early 1880s when the government opened CRADOCK HOTEL
hospitality is amazing and genuine. We settlements for crop farming north of
reconnected when they visited us at the Goyder’s Line. Sadly, after the initial WHERE: Main Street, Cradock, SA
Adelaide Caravan & Camping Show and ‘wheat rush’ were four years of crop WEBSITE: www.thecradockhotel.com.au
they became our first outback customer. failures which led to a sharp decline in PHONE: (08) 8648 4107
The Cradock Hotel has three hotel the town’s population. The historic town PUBLICANS: Dave and Amy Wallis
rooms with air-con, three without, with is a testament to the difficulty faced by OPEN: 6 days 11am to late. Closed Mondays.
free camping out the back for patrons for farmers in our drought inclined land. BEERS: On tap, includes the Coopers range
the cost of a very welcome beer or meal. If you love a good ghost story, the locals FOOD: Lunch and dinner - all good; typical pub
The camping is pretty basic – it is just a swear that old Lorrie walks the hallways fare, with prices ranging from $14 kids meals to
flat area really, but the toilets are always of the pub and you can hear his footsteps steak at $36
ACCOMMODATION: 3 hotel rooms with air-con,
clean and there are coin-operated hot creaking the floorboards late at night.
and 3 without. Prices range from $90-$140 a
showers for a couple of bucks. Apparently, publican Laurence Reardon
night. Or camp for the cost of a beer.
If you’re a parent of younger kids, passed away at the hotel in the early
WIFI: Good Wi-Fi available
you’ll love the fact that there is a fenced 1900s and loved the place so much he
Other services: n/a
outdoor nature playground coming off never left.
2 MUNGERANNIE
HOTEL
MUNGERANNIE Hotel is the self- vying for water rights, the birds are too! goods to stations along the Birdsville
proclaimed ‘Centre of the Universe’, For nature lovers, there is a seasonal Track in the 1930s to 1950s.
halfway along the Birdsville Track, wetland out the back of the pub that Publican Darren Murray loves talking
about 200km north of Marree and supports an impressive array of birdlife. about vehicles, especially Land Rovers,
313km south of Birdsville. It’s the only Mungerannie Hotel has a fantastic and his partner Vivienne is from Chile
fuel stop on the Birdsville Track, but campground and facilities with hot and she loves talking about wine, so we
there are lots of other reasons to stop showers and toilets. It’s a huge camping all had a good yarn about both.
and stay. area with some protected sites amongst We give the food a big thumbs up.
New owners took over in 2023, giving the trees if you need the shade as it can During the season (April to November)
the pub a freshen up while maintaining be pretty dry and dusty out there. There there is breakfast (toasties and coffee)
its outback character. If you’ve been to is also accommodation on site with 16 as well as a lunch and dinner menu.
Mungarannie in the past, you need to basic but clean and air-conditioned Apart from a wide selection of burgers,
go back and experience it now. We are motel rooms available. there are some interesting international
thrilled to see people investing in small If you are into motor history like dishes like jambalaya, butter chicken,
towns in the middle of nowhere. my husband Brett (who restored his beef cheeks and slow cooked lamb
The hotel is separately owned from vintage HJ45 Troopie ‘Borr’ himself) ragout to tempt the taste buds. If you
the adjacent Mungerannie Station, there’s a cool collection of old rusty miss meal time, you can always get a
with whom there has been a bit of a trucks there. They reflect the era of toasted sandwich.
water fight over access to the bore at vehicle that would have been used by Apparently, Mungerannie is an
the station which had been previously famed outback mailman Tom Kruse (the Aboriginal word for “big ugly face”, but
shared with the pub. subject of the 1954 documentary film we only found friendly faces here!
The humans are not the only things The Back of Beyond) to deliver mail and
MUNGERANNIE HOTEL
WHERE: Lot 10, Birdsville Track, Northern SA FOOD: Breakfast, and lunch and dinner menu
WEBSITE: www.mungeranniehotel.com.au ($25-$35)
PHONE: (08) 8675 8317 ACCOMMODATION: 16 motel rooms available from
PUBLICAN: Darren Murray $95 basic double or $120 en suite. Camping is $10
OPEN: 7 days per head per night
HOURS: 7 days a week from 8am until the last WIFI: Free Wi-Fi in pub and motel via Starlink
patron leaves. Sometimes closes over the off OTHER SERVICES: Post service (via weekly mail
season/summer plane) a service station with diesel and ULP, tyre
BEERS: Good range of beers and Off Track Wines sales and repairs.
Patrons whoop it up at the Tranny.
3 TRANSCONTINENTAL
OODNADATTA
EVERYONE knows the Pink Roadhouse menu consists of your basic pub fare: fish the airstrip to town; or jump in for the
at Oodnadatta, not just because of its paint and chips, schnitzels, etc plus whatever short trip between the Roadhouse and the
job. It’s open during the day for travellers Simon decides to cook that day. In terms Tranny; or call for an Oodna-UberEats
to get fuel, takeaway, supplies and the of accommodation, the pub has five air- pizza delivery around town. Locals can
necessary souvenirs for the Oodnadatta conditioned rooms with shared en suite even get a lift home if needed after pub
Track. It also has a caravan park with bathroom. If you are trying to phone to closing time.
unpowered and powered sites ($25/$40 book a room using the number shown in There are very few hotels still trading
respectively). A bit up the road there is the Google listing, forget it. The place in Australia that can boast a well-
free camping. is so remote that Telstra says they can’t documented and colourful history over the
The awesome people behind the find it on a map so they cancelled the last 133 years like the Transcontinental,
famous Roadhouse – Peter, Jenny and number. Ahh, the joys of being in the which Peter shared with us recently:
Simon – renovated and reopened the outback! Anyway, it’s best to just call the “Built in 1890 to provide food,
Transcontinental Hotel Oodnadatta at Roadhouse which is the telephone number accommodation, entertainment and
the start of the 2023 season, after it had provided in the breakout column. alcohol to Overland Telegraph and Railway
been closed for a few years. The Tranny One totally unique thing is the ‘Oodna- personnel, it soon became a thriving if
is a tiny pub that literally consists of a Uber’ which is the local version of a not boisterous hub for outlying cattle
bar, a pool table and a small seating area. ride-share service, in a vintage Land stations within a 400km radius. Tall tales
They serve dinner during the season; the Rover. Fly-in visitors can get a lift from and true as told by descendants of station
TRANSCONTINENTAL
OODNADATTA
WHERE: Main Street, Oodnadatta, SA

WEBSITE: No website but this is the unofficial
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/
profile.php?id=100091509540753
PHONE: (08) 8670 7822 (The Pink Roadhouse)
PUBLICANS: Peter and Jenny Moore
MANAGER: Simon
OPEN: During the season, open Wednesday to
Sunday. Wed-Fri 4pm to close, Sat-Sun 1pm to
close
Out of season, hours are very limited
MEALS: Dinner only Wednesday to Sunday. (See
the Roadhouse for lunch!)
They are happy to open outside of these times
(including for dinner) by appointment for
bigger groups so it’s best to call them via the
Roadhouse.
Accommodation: 5 air-conditioned rooms
available with shared en suite at $50 a head
WIFI: Nope. When you can’t get a phone number,
Wi-Fi is a pipe dream!
OTHER SERVICES: Oodna-Uber Pub Truck ride
share.
Pete and Jen with

Oodnadatta's version of a
ride-share service, the Oodna
Uber Pub Truck Land Rover.
barons droving their cattle to Oodnadatta of good, bad and indifferent managers. “In 2022, after rebuilding and
for the next 40 years until the railway After the cessation of the railway, Adam renovating, two experienced publicans
finally continued to Alice, their families and Lynnie Plate created the identity with 50 years in pubs between them
would be waiting for up to three months of the Oodnadatta Track which has (Simon and Peter) have leased the Tranny
in their Oodnadatta holiday homes. While sparked ongoing interest in exploring the and are continuing in true outback
the drovers took it in turns to frequent indigenous and colonial history of the area. tradition with tall tales and true, making
the pub, stories of brawls, gunfights and “The story does not end here, my the pub and Oodna a must-do on anyone’s
altercations with locals abound. friend. In 2003 a local police officer was bucket list.”
“(In) 1932 saw the pub destroyed by fire forced to fatally shoot a patron who was It’s definitely worth a stop in
in suspicious circumstances and a new discharging firearms into the pub, and the Oodnadatta, and if you can, try to coincide
modern premises was hastily erected. And bullet holes are still obvious. Then in 2017 your visit with one of the various events
then, during the Second World War, the another patron who was refused service the town has throughout the year such as
hotel and town became a major staging belligerently drove his car right into the races, outdoor cinema, or a football
point for aircraft, troops, equipment and the bar, narrowly missing drinkers and match between stations versus local
American scientists on their journey to destroying the bar. residents. Call the Roadhouse or follow on
Darwin. “It was also central to the filming of Facebook to find out what’s happening.
“In 1980 the hotel was purchased by the the Last Cab to Darwin film which was The management are fun people and the
local Dunjiba people and had a succession released in 2015. Tranny provides a real hub for the locals.
MOUNT DARE HOTEL

WHERE: Witjira National Park, SA
WEBSITE: www.mtdare.com.au
PHONE: (08) 8670 7835 or contact via UHF
Channel 6
PUBLICANS: Graham and Sandra Scott
MANAGED BY: Shayme
OPEN: 7 days (during summer 8am-7pm only)
BEERS: None on tap but a big range of stubbies
and a good wine selection including Off Track
Wines cans
FOOD: Pub menu including signature scotch
fillet. Cooked breakfast (ranging from $14-$30),
lunch ($6 to $22) and dinner ($28-$42), and all-
day snacks available
ACCOMMODATION: 8 renovated units including 6
standard units starting at $100-$115 per double
and 2 en suites starting at $140 a double.
Camping costs $25 per car
WIFI: No public Wi-Fi
OTHER SERVICES: Post office (mail service
comes on Wednesday), National Parks and
Witjira passes, mechanic service station, 4x4
recovery service, airstrip, UHF repeater
Remote Mt. Dare Hotel,

almost smack bang in the
middle of Australia.
LOCATION. Location. Location! If you drank them together and they still tasted it’s just a great place to stop. In terms of
were to draw a dot in the middle of great, with Graham calling the wine accommodation, there are basic cabins:
Australia, you’d pretty much put a pin in “restaurant quality”, which is exactly two with en suites, four without and some
Mount Dare Hotel. It is 10km south of the what we intended when we created them. dorm-style too, and bookings are essential.
SA-NT border, on the edge of the Simpson We wanted to drink the same quality wine The campground is set in native bush in
Desert. It’s probably our favourite outback when camping as we did when at home, in a protected area and has unpowered sites
pub because it is such an amazing location, the convenience of a can. with shady trees, and close to amenities
just 70km from Australia’s best natural In terms of history, Mount Dare was including toilets and hot showers. You can
hot tub of Dalhousie Springs. originally a remote cattle station, but the see dingo prints where they have patrolled
So many of our most memorable land was bought by National Parks in 1984 the perimeter fence around the camp.
adventures have started and ended here. and became the Witjira National Park. Camping is available even when the pub is
If you haven’t already, do the Binns track Five years later, the homestead was leased closed and bookings are not required.
to the north of Mount Dare; you can drive out for tourism and became the Mount Generous meals are served at the bar,
all the way to Alice Springs and it is one of Dare Hotel. It pretty much serves as a NP’s with scotch fillet being the signature dish
most beautiful tracks in Australia. office where you can purchase park passes – it was a cattle station, after all – and the
Anyway, back to the pub. We’ve been to visit Dalhousie Springs and the Simpson fully cooked brekky is a godsend before
to Mount Dare Hotel many times over the Desert and get up-to-date information on you pack up and head in to the Simpson.
years, seven times we think, as we’ve done the local road/track conditions there. Alarmingly, Mount Dare was hit by a
multiple trips through the Simpson with This is a really important place when it huge storm recently; apparently it was like
different groups of friends. Previously, comes to safety in the central Australian a cyclone and brought 75mm of rain. The
back in 2021, we’d left some prototype outback. Mount Dare Hotel has a wind knocked all the accommodation off
samples of our red wines in a can with workshop for vehicle repairs and a 4x4 their blocks and smashed all the windows;
one of the staff at Mount Dare Hotel for recovery service if you get stuck. It has one unit was completely destroyed, and
them to try. In November 2022 when Brett two airstrips and avgas available to buy by the pub flooded. Fortunately, some of the
arrived with the new Off Track Wines the 200L drum. The Hotel also operates a guests stranded there helped them clean
cans, Graham remembered that he had UHF Repeater for long-distance comms up, and some of their tradie friends flew in
the earlier samples and pulled out the and monitors Ch6 for safety. from Melbourne so everything is fixed up
prototypes from two years earlier. They Even for visitors not needing help, and ready to go for the coming season.
5 INNAMINCKA
HOTEL
INNAMINCKA means “watering hole”, which are nice for single travellers.
and there is no better name for this little You can also pay at the pub to camp on INNAMINCKA HOTEL
gem on the banks of the Cooper Creek the town common, which is the camping WHERE: Lot1 South Terrace, Innamincka,
surrounded by the Strzelecki Desert to area next to the Cooper Creek. The pub is Northwest SA
the south and Sturt Stony Desert to the walking distance from the common if you WEBSITE: innaminckahotel.com.au
north. want to return for a counter meal once PHONE: (08) 8675 9901
From the outside, the hotel looks you’ve set up camp. PUBLICANS: Kym and Jo Fort, and David and
like a big square iron hut. The Front Along the creek there are some bigger Nell Brook
Bar remains largely untouched since permanent waterholes where you can just MANAGER: Nichelle
1999 and is adorned with outback and about always catch a fish or two. OPEN: Monday to Friday 10am to 9pm. Saturday
historical memorabilia. The original pub was built in 1885 at 12 pm to 9pm. Closed Sundays.
You can dine in the front bar or at which time it was popular with drovers RESTAURANT: Breakfast 7.30-9am, Lunch 11.30-
the ‘Outamincka’ bar which is a large and shearers working up and down the 2pm, Dinner 6pm-8.30pm. Closed Sundays.
air-conditioned restaurant area, with Strzelecki Track, but this was washed (These hours are during tourist season)
different lunch and dinner menus. It’s away in a massive flood in 1956. The BEERS ON TAP: One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale,
the normal pub-style meals, with some hotel wasn’t rebuilt until 1973 when 4x4 Carlton Draught, XXXX Gold, Great Northern
creative changes whenever supplies visitors to the region revitalised the town. Super Crisp
of some ingredients run short due to At that time, it was called Cooper Creek FOOD: Normal pub menu with steak, parmies,
schnitzels, burgers. Lunch: prices start at $8 for
unpredictable road conditions. There is Hotel-Motel and renamed Innamincka
wraps, $22 burger. Dinner from $30
an awesome roast served on a Sunday. Hotel in 1989. The current owners bought
ACCOMMODATION: 16 motels rooms starting at
There’s even a mini golf course coming and began renovating the iconic pub in
$180 for a double. 6 single huts starting $130.
off the restaurant area, so the kids have 1999, with later additions being newer
Bunkhouse has 8 bedrooms at $105 for a single
something to do at the pub too. motel rooms, water filtration system and WIFI: No public wifi available but there is good
Accommodation is motel-style rooms, solar power. 4G phone reception in the town
with modern facilities which out here The Innamincka Hotel serves Off Track OTHER SERVICES: None. But the pub is next
means air-conditioning, hot shower, Wines on their Cooper Creek riverboat door to the shop that sells fuel
TV and a bar fridge. They also have cruises. The team also arranges tours to
bunkhouse-style accommodation for visit the memorial sites for Burke and
large groups or for people who are happy Wills whose tragic outback tale brings
to enjoy communal-style living, which many a history loving visitor.
makes it cheaper but also a lot more
social. Finally, there are separate huts
The Innamincka
Hotel's front 'beer
garden'.
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GEAR
TESTED – CTEK CS ONE BATTERY CHARGER
MONITORED
Countdown
function shows
when you have
enough power to
start the vehicle
and the remaining
time until the
battery is fully
charge.
SMART CHARGER
CTEK HAS INVENTED ONE CHARGER TO RULE THEM ALL …
W
HEN you own multiple vehicles including some that housing has no buttons so there’s no way to manually select what
don’t get driven all the time, a quality battery charger type of battery you are connecting it to, and nor can you manually
becomes an invaluable piece of kit. And if your vehicles select a charging mode. But you don’t need to, as the CS ONE does
range from your family car to your weekend 4x4, and it all for you.
your motorcycles and boat, you can end up needing Also foreign are the alligator clamps that attach to the battery,
multiple chargers to suit the different vehicles and their batteries. as they are both black and there is no differentiation between
Not only that but with 4x4s we will often have different types positive and negative. You can fit them to either pole on the
of batteries in the one vehicle, with a lead-acid or AGM starter battery and the unit automatically senses the polarity and adjusts
battery and a lithium auxiliary battery, and these will require to it. That’s ONE less thing that the user needs to think about,
specific battery chargers to suit. not that it was ever that difficult to match red to red and black to
The latest charger from Swedish manufacturer CTEK is a game black; + to + and - to -.
changer in that it adapts to whatever battery type it’s connected When you plug in the CS ONE and power it up, it ‘talks’ to
to. the battery to find out its type, the polarity you have hooked the
I have run a couple of its CTEK battery chargers over the years, clamps to, the state of charge or condition of the battery, and what
swapping between bikes and cars that don’t get used enough to is needed to charge it. CTEK calls this APTO Technology.
keep the batteries charged and maintained. One of the great The CS ONE is suitable for charging any 12V lead-acid or
things about these chargers is how easy they are to use, but you lithium (LiFePO4) battery, and APTO automatically selects the
still need to choose the right charger to suit the battery being charging program to suit according to the information it has
charged. gathered. There is a circle of LEDs on the top indicating the state
The new CTEK CS ONE, however, simplifies charging even more charge and how long it will take to fully charge the battery.
by automatically adapting to whatever battery you connect it to. Once the battery reaches full charge, the LEDs start to pulse,
The CS ONE is an 8amp, 12-volt charger with multiple modes indicating that the CS ONE has switched to a battery management
automatically chosen depending on the needs of the battery it is program to keep the battery in peak condition.
hooked up to. It looks like no other battery charger; its sleek black It really couldn’t be any easier to use!
CORRECT
CONNECT
You don’t have
to worry with
hooking up the
black leads to
the battery.
The CTEK
adjusts itself
to the correct
polarity.
APTO also recognises if the battery

has a dead cell or has de-sulphated, and
will indicate such a fault. If your AGM or
lithium battery has dropped to a state of
charge where it has entered ‘sleep’ mode,
you can access ‘Wake Up’ mode via the CTEK
app. Also in the app is a RECON mode to
recondition batteries that have sat discharged
for excessive periods and a SUPPLY function
that provides 12-volts to maintain the vehicle’s which saves me from having to remove the seat whenever I need
clock and settings if and when you need to disconnect the main to access the battery for charging. That cable is also available
battery. separately, as is a wall mount and storage case that fits the charger
Unfortunately, I was unable to connect the CTEK app to the CS and all accessories.
ONE despite trying many times, using a few different methods as Despite my troubles with the Bluetooth connection to the app,
per the user manual and the online tutorials, so unlocking those the CTEK CS ONE remains the cleverest and simplest battery
extra features, some of which would be useful for four-wheel charger I have ever used. It takes away any guesswork when
drivers using auxiliary batteries, weren’t available to me. hooking the charger up and diagnosing battery faults, and its
Another thing that might be an issue for some users is the CS ability to operate with all the popular battery types makes it
ONE is only made to charge 12-volt batteries and not the battery priceless. I’ve been using it on my motorbike and my 4x4 (with its
in your old 6-volt car or bike. dual AGM batteries) and it’s worked flawlessly.
With this experience, I reckon that the CS ONE would be That said, the CTEK CS ONE ain’t cheap; it will cost you $399
better off having buttons and controls on it so that it can be fully from your local Repco store and other auto parts outlets, but it is a
functional without the need to use a phone app. quality product backed up by a five-year warranty.
What I am left with is a great, simple to use battery charger but
one that I can’t use to its full potential.
There is a range of accessories available from CTEK for the RRP: $399
CS ONE including a rubber ‘bumper’ that fits around the unit’s
RATED
plastic case to protect it. We reckon this should be standard and AVAILABLE FROM: www.ctek.com/au
it gives the CS ONE a feeling of higher quality. A CS Connect
adaptor cable allows you to use other CTEK products with the CS WE SAY: A clever battery charger that’s easy to use
and automatically adapts to all 12V battery types,
ONE; in my case this allows me to fit the CS ONE directly to the but Bluetooth app connectivity is problematic.
CTEK plug I have permanently fitted to my motorcycle’s battery,
GEAR
TESTED – TROOPCARRIER PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
ON THE DEFENSIVE
RON FITS BAR WORK AND A WINCH TO HIS TROOPCARRIER TO PROTECT IT
FROM THE DANGERS OF OUTBACK TRAVEL AND OFF-ROAD TREKKING
W
HEN the ARB bullbar finally arrived for our (without a winch) but the Troopy will soon be given a
TroopCarrier – it had been on order for several GVM upgrade, so the added weight of the bullbar won’t
months – we took the Troopie to Outback be problematic.
4WD in Bayswater and had it fitted as soon as Fitting a bullbar is not as straightforward as it once
possible, along with a set of ARB side-rails and was. As well as having to consider winch fitment, airbag
side-steps. compatibility and inbuilt LED lighting, even the 70
WORDS AND PHOTOS RON MOON
This bullbar is unique to the 70 Series in that it is Series now comes with forward-facing radar as standard,
large tube version of ARB’s Deluxe Bar, so it has 60mm adding to the complexity of bullbar fitment. As a result,
tubing for the outer frame and 47mm tubes for the lower the list of extra parts required has also lengthened, and
crossbar sections, resulting in a gutsy bar that’s up to includes a wiring extension harness for the radar unit
the rigours of off-road work that 70 Series Cruisers are and a wiring extension kit for the winch.
called upon to do. We opted to fit a Carbon Tank 12,000lb electric winch
Large driving-light tabs allow for the fitment of a wide for a number of reasons. Firstly, it weighs less than most
range of lights, while three tabs on the upper bar allow other 12,000lb winches, and secondly, my son Trent has
for up to three antennas to be fitted. Of course, this all- been using one for the past 12 months while leading
steel bar isn’t light, tipping the scales at around 80kg expeditions for Moon Tours and he swears by it. We’ll
RADAR
The 70 Series
ARB bar now
comes with
forward-facing
radar as
standard.
KAYMAR
BAR
Fitting up the
Kaymar rear-
step tow bar.
bring you a full report once we have put this unit bars for 200 and 300 Series Cruisers are
through its paces in the back blocks of Australia. more appealing to the eye than they once were,
As well as the bar itself, we fitted a set of ARB side- and they blend harmoniously with the vehicles to which REAR
rails and side-steps, and these are about the only things they’re fitted. SENSORS
that don’t require an electrical wiring harness or an We’ve added a couple of swing-away spare-wheel The four-
additional ECU to be added. I’ve run ARB side-steps on carriers and a high-mounted work light to the rear bar, sensor Kaymar
reverse-sensor
all of my vehicles since 1988 (at least) and I wouldn’t the latter for those evenings in the bush when we’ll
kit.
drive my vehicles off-road without the protection they need some extra lighting to carry out repairs or just to
add. cook an evening meal. While I opted for the twin spare-
Down the rear end of the Troopy we fitted for a wheel carriers, you can also choose to fit a double jerry-
Kaymar rear-step tow bar. Over the years I’ve run three can holder instead of the left-side wheel carrier for
Kaymar rear bars, one on an earlier Troopy and a couple those times you are travelling long distances between
on my GU Patrols. The Kaymar rear bar is impressive fuel stops, or when you want to carry a bit more water.
and I can’t fault it for strength and reliability. The Kaymar bars are now available with auxiliary
machining processes have improved over the years and reversing sensors, which locate four sensors in the bar
while not so obvious with the 70 Series bars, Kaymar’s with a warning buzzer under the dash. We went with
TESTED – TROOPCARRIER PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
Outback 4WD: www.outback4wd.com.au

REAR END
FITTING & EQUIPMENT
ARB: www.arb.com.au The Kaymar bar

Bullbar: $2285; fitted with two
Side Rails and Steps: $1662 wheel carriers
although just
Carbon Winches: carbonoffroad.com.au
the stock spare
Carbon Tank 12,000lb winch: $1499
is mounted
Kaymar: kaymar.com.au there for now
Wheel carriers: $2507
Rear sensors: $225
Work light: $344
Kaymar: www.redarcelectronics.com/au
Brake controller kit: $593
this option and although we wondered if it would be 4x4 vehicle. And, we’ve also added an Anderson plug
more of an annoyance than anything else, it has proven outlet for when the camper is on the back of the Troopy,
to be beneficial, especially when reversing into a tight to help keep its batteries charged and the fridge cold.
parking space. It also makes it safer to reverse when Fitting the bullbar, winch, rear-step bar and tyre
people, especially kids, are around. The power for the carriers demands a lot more equipment, time and
sensors is picked up off the vehicle’s reversing light expertise than what most people have at home, and I
wire, and while the control box can be located basically never fail to be surprised at how much electrical work is
anywhere, it will fit thanks to long leads; the warning required these days for fitting just about anything.
buzzer needs to be positioned under or close to the Luckily the crew at Outback 4WD know what they are
dash. In addition to the wiring for the reversing sensors, doing and have plenty of experience in fitting
the LED lights in the bar need a resistor box so they will equipment like this. While I’ve been taking my vehicles
work correctly. to Outback 4WD for years, wherever you are, make sure
When wiring in the trailer plug for our camper, we you have a good 4x4 workshop as your backstop for all
added a Redarc Tow-Pro Elite brake controller, which accessory fitting, repairs and servicing.
I reckon is the bee’s knees of brake controllers for any
SOLID
Wrap arond
protection for
the front end.
D O N ’ T G E T B O X E D I N W I T H O U T D AT E D D E S I G N S
1300 AFN 4x4| www.afn4x4.com.au

sales@afn4x4.com.au | 85 Kabi Circuit, Deception Bay, Qld 4508
facebook.com/AFN4x4australia
VISIT WWW.AFN4X4.COM.AU FOR A DEALER NEAR YOU

GEAR
TESTED – LIGHTFORCE BEAST DRIVING LIGHTS
UNLEASH THE BEAST

LIGHTFORCE BEASTDRIVING LIGHTS AREN’T AFRAID OF THE DARK, NO
MATTER THE CONDITIONS …
T
WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS PHOTOS CRISTIAN BRUNELLI
HE team at South Australian maximum reach and spread of light. on the breather, and Lightforce claims
lighting manufacturer Lightforce While the ability to offer multiple- the Beast driving lights will operate at
has been at it again, raising the bar beam outputs from a single LED light is a depth of 1.5m under water for an hour
for vehicle auxiliary lighting. not new to the auxiliary lighting market, without leaking; will run continuously
The newest product from it’s new to Lightforce, and in this product between -40°C and 85°C; can survive
Lightforce is the Beast, a 222mm round- it comes with the brand’s Australian-made temperature spikes up to 125°C; and
ish driving light that uses 36 Osram LEDs solid design and construction. In fact, the will handle a 400g rock strike on the
to offer a light with multiple modes team came up with a whole new light to lens at 100km/h or a 1kg rock strike
of beam to suit the conditions you are implement the multi-beam feature. at 60km/h. The lights are made to US
driving in. The Beast features a lightweight die- Military standard MIL-STD-810H 514.4
Rather than having a specific lamp cast aluminium housing for optimal for vibration and shock, and claimed to
with a flood beam and another one for strength and heat dissipation, while the resist seven days of the IEC 60068-2-52
spot, the Beast allows you to select modes 36 LEDs sit in front of a black reflector salt spray with no rust or damage to the
for each via a simple press of the dash for a unique look in the almost octagonal coating, so they should be able to cope
button. Alternatively, hold the button housing. with the rigours of sitting up the front
in for a few seconds to engage Beast The lights are rated IP69K for dust and of your 4x4 for many years. Lightforce is
Mode which gives you both at once for water ingress and use a Gore membrane confident enough in the Beast to offer a
BEAST KIT
Everything you
need is in the
box to have
your 4x4 looking
like a Beast.
LIGHT DUTY
The Lightforce
Beast utilises 36
LEDs through
three lighting
modes.
five-year warranty on them. function which is designed to illuminate

The wiring harness that’s supplied in as soon as the ignition is switched on.
two-light kits contains everything required With the vehicle’s high beam on, a
for fitment and use of the Beast lights, single tap of a dash button activates
and the harness is easy to understand and the long-range spot mode of the driving
instal, featuring high-quality plugs and lights, punching out a claimed 1 LUX at
components. Only a single cable needs to 1497m with a beam width of 60m.
run through to the dash for the switch that A second press of the button engaged
is supplied with the harness. flood or wide beam, projecting a claimed
The depth of the lights has been kept to 1 LUX at 778m with a 140m beam width.
a minimum to allow fitment between the Holding down the button for a few
grille and bullbar of most 4x4 vehicles. seconds initiates Beast Mode, resulting
The solid mounting brackets are reversible in a claimed 1 LUX at 1375m with a wide
for more mounting options, and anti-theft 140m beam width.
mounting bolts are available as an option. On the bushy Victorian tracks we’ve
The Beast lights have four modes in total been driving lately in the LandCruiser, the
including the daytime running light (DRL) flood mode has proved most suitable, while
TESTED – LIGHTFORCE BEAST DRIVING LIGHTS
BEAST
SPOT
FLOOD
the long-range spot beam will no doubt come in

to its own out in wide-open spaces.
These are the best driving lights I’ve had BEST BEAST
on the Cruiser since the original HTX lights Beast mode will
from Lightforce, which combined older HID have you seeing
technology with LEDs. The improvements in long and wide.
LED technology and reflector design have
made HID redundant, and the Lightforce Beast
offers even better lighting performance, all in a
tough Australian-made package.
The Beast is available in a single-lamp or
two-lamp kit with harness. There’s a range of
accessories available including black, tinted
and clear filters/covers, and the aforementioned
anti-theft lock nuts.
Australian-made quality doesn’t come cheap
but at $599.50 for a single Beast lamp or $1349
for the two-lamp kit, covers, harness and
instructions that make installation simple, they
are comparable to other products in terms of
cost.
RRP: $599.50 (one lamp);

$1349 (two-lamp kit)
RATED
AVAILABLE FROM: au.lightforce.com/products/

beast-driving-light
WE SAY: A top-quality Aussie-made driving light

with variable lighting modes to suit all conditions.
GEAR
TESTED – PERTRONIX ELECTRONIC IGNITION
RRP: $295
RATED
AVAILABLE FROM: patrolapart.com.au
WE SAY: An easy and quick replacement for points

ignition systems in older petrol-powered rigs
resulting in more reliable ignition and smoother
running.
BUT FIRST ...

The metal collar
will require a little
grinding down to
accept the new
Pertronix parts.
Use a die grinder
and you’ll knock it
over pretty quick.
SPARKING FURY
KIAN GIVES HIS GQ PATROL’S IGNITION SYSTEM A MUCH NEEDED UPGRADE
P
OINTS ignition is the automotive equivalent of Latin – grommet for the wiring in the side of the dizzy, and then
so outdated nobody out there can understand them, and reassemble.
there’s no bloody reason to have them around anyway. Wiring is easy, but for the TB42 you will need to extend it
Unfortunately, Nissan didn’t get that memo with the slightly. Connect the black negative wire from the Pertronix
GQ Patrol. My ’88 wagon and its carby TB42 was slung to the negative on the coil, and the red positive to the
with points from the factory, and it has been the only major positive (white) wire on the ballast resistor, and that’s it. Easy
downfall of this rig. If I had a dollar for the amount of times peasy!
I’ve jumped on the UHF mid-track to ask for a ‘spark break’ Hit the key, and you should have life. I noticed the
because the points had stalled out on me, I’d be able to afford difference straight away, with no more rough running, and
a new set of points. the tacho had stopped jumping around (a common sign of an
Luckily, an electronic ignition conversion is pretty easy ignition fault). I took it for a quick drive around the block
for these Patrols. Pertronix makes a universal kit that fits and the engine ran super smooth compared to how it ran with
WORDS AND PHOTOS KIAN HEAGNEY
the Patrol distributor with some minor modifications, which the points. For the first time ever I could take off from an
I sourced from Patrolapart for $295. There isn’t much in the intersection with the air-con on (yes, it actually works in my
kit, just the electronic ignitor, a few ring terminals and that’s ol’ GQ) without stalling and making a melon of myself.
about it. Once I got to my mate’s, we checked the timing and found
Nissan put the TB42 dizzy in a pretty good spot, and there’s it was sitting at 20 degrees before top dead centre (TDC).
plenty of instructional videos online showing the fitment Nissan recommends it to be more around 10 degrees before
process. In short, you’ll need to remove the cap, rotor button, TDC, so we set it there and she was purring. For the sake of
dust cover and the points. If you have a 1762 kit like mine, around $300 and a few hours work, it’s a no brainer for
you’ll need to grind down the shaft of the distributor a few anyone still running points in an old petrol rig. Now, to hit
millimetres to fit the magnetic excitor for the Pertronix. the tracks!
That can be done with a basic die grinder. Reuse the rubber
THE
ULTIMATE
JUMP STARTER
W e’ve all experienced that dreadful
feeling of getting in your car only to
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JUMP STARTER
CALL THE POWER EXPERT
4X45
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iTechworld.com.au 291 Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood,WA

1300 483 249 Monday - Friday | 8:30AM - 5:00PM AWST
THE AUSTRALIAN AUTOMOTIVE 4X4 MARKET HAS A RICH AND PROUD HERITAGE. FOR YEARS LOCAL DESIGN, INGENUITY
AND MANUFACTURING HAS CREATED MANY FANTASTIC FOUR WHEEL DRIVE RELATED PRODUCTS.
AT 4X4 AUSTRALIA WE ARE PROUD TO SHOWCASE AND SUPPORT TRULY AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERED AND MANUFACTURED
PRODUCTS - HERE ARE A FEW AUSSIE MANUFACTURERS KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE, HELPING TO KEEP THE LOCAL MANU-
FACTURING INDUSTRY THRIVING AND KEEPING PEOPLE IN REAL JOBS.
SO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL AUSSIE MADE PRODUCTS.
THIS MONTH WE TALK

FLASHLUBE
What makes you different
from your competition?
Flashlube’s strength has always been in
being able to think through the problem
and really offer the vehicle owner a unique
solution many years ahead of competitors
that naturally follow in. Several times this
has meant that we have been the first to
Tell us a little bit about the his- market, and created a category that did not
exist previously.
tory of the Flashlube brand? We are also the only company in our indus-
Flashlube’s original Valve Saver Fluid try that can take a hardware solution and
and Valve Saver Kit was developed in match it with a fluid solution to approach a
Melbourne by German CSIRO Scientist, problem more completely, and that isn’t an
Wolfgang Kluenner in 1986, easy thing to bring together as they are two
Wolfgang had purchased a vehicle that very different fields.
ran on LPG and was suffering from Valve
Seat Recession, where the valves wore
down due to the vehicle not being de- Where is the company at now?
sign to run on the very hot and dry LPG, What products are in
so he set about finding a solution. We have 18 warehouses internationally, with
Wolfgang retired in 1995 but the Flash-
development now?
our 8th overseas branch having opened in
lube Valve Saver kit remains the only Chile this year, however all these years later, We are always developing more fitting kits
proven solution to Valve Seat Recession Flashlube products are still almost all made for our Catch Can and Diesel Filters, for new
in the world. These kits continue to be in our head office here in Melbourne. vehicles as they’re released.
100% made in our Head Office in Mel- Our kits are all put together by our team In 2022 we expanded the range to include
bourne, and over 1 million of them have in Tottenham and our fluids are all bottled some really great Grease products and
been sold into motor vehicle, farming, there. already this year we have added Radiator
industrial and transport markets across The product has evolved over time, in partic- Coolants, both Concentrate and Premix,
the world, including Australia, Europe, ular when the fuel industry began to modify as well as Distilled Water. We’ve also got
North America, South America, South its Diesel Fuel and supply only Low Sulphur AdBlue being launched very soon, and a
East Asia and India. Diesel Fuel. Although environmentally ben- number of other products in the works.
In the late 1990’s a 50ml Valve Saver eficial, the new standard caused concern for In this industry there are so many ways we
Fluid bottle was created for the Lead Re- older diesel vehicles, and Flashlube Diesel can improve a vehicle. We do try to hold
placement market, that could be added Conditioner was introduced into the market back and focus on one project at a time un-
directly into the tank of older vehicles after extensive R&D, using a sulphur free for- til we’re happy that we’re putting the best
when filling up with unleaded fuel, and mulation to lubricate older Diesel engines in product out to market, but we have some
can still be found in many petrol stations the way that original diesel fuel had done. exciting things happening with Flashlube
in Australia today We are heavily into Diesel Technology at the at the moment.
moment and have added what we call the
“Next Generation” of Flashlube products, con- What’s your greatest
2 words that describe your sisting of hardware such as Catch Cans and
Product or Service? Diesel Pre-Filters, which work cohesively with achievement?
the existing range additives and lubricants.
We have won the Australian Automotive Af-
Innovative and necessary It has been interesting to see Australia really
termarket Innovation Award several times
leading the way in this field in the aftermar-
for products such as our Diesel Condition-
ket.
er and Catch Can Program, as well as the
Who uses your products? Poland LPG Awards 5 times for innovation
in that field.
Anyone who really cares for their vehicle. Awards are always nice, but to see our
There are Flashlube products to suit pretty address on a product made in our build-
much any vehicle, from the older show and ing, sitting on the shelf of filling stations in
club vehicles that run on LPG, right through places like Germany, Norway and Portugal
to newer diesel engine 4WDs. So really, any always makes us smile!
owner or fleet operator who can’t afford
down time or is simply smart enough to see
the long-term financial gains. For more info visit: flashlube.com
FLASHLUBE DIESEL FLASHLUBE FLASHLUBE ADBLUE ®
CONDITIONER HIGH TEMP GREASE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID
¾EWLPYFIGSQ ¾EWLPYFIGSQ ¾EWLPYFIGSQ

Call 1300 888 444
FLASHLUBE RADIATOR PROMOTE YOUR

COOLANTS AUSTRALIAN MADE
PRODUCTS HERE
0410 221 434
¾EWLPYFIGSQ
Scott Crowley Brand Sales Manager 4x4 Australia
Call 1300 888 444
E Scott.Crowley@aremedia.com.au
PROMOTE YOUR
AUSTRALIAN MADE Scott Crowley
Brand Sales Manager 4x4 Australia
PRODUCTS HERE E Scott.Crowley@aremedia.com.au
ASK US HOW M 0410 221 434
GEAR
PRODUCT TESTS & NEW STUFF
YAKIMA MAJORSHADY 270 AWNING

The Yakima MajorShady 270 awning provides 7.4m²
of sun and weather protection and is made from
420D ripstop poly-cotton fabric with a PU waterproof
coating for protection from sun, rain or snow.
The awning features robust aluminium support
poles with solid bolted pivot points for durability. A
taut line offers additional stability, connecting to the
awning’s crossbar for windy conditions, and
additional support poles and stakes
are included.
The awning mounts to
vehicles via rugged off-road rated
L-brackets that are easily attached to
Yakima’s HD Bar, JetStream, LockNLoad
Platform or any other aftermarket T-slot crossbar.
The MajorShady 270 is available in driver-side
or passenger-side models (RH and LH), and
there is a wall kit available, offering further
protection from the elements and added
privacy.
RRP: $1099
WEBSITE: www.yakima.
com.au
HEMA GREAT DESERT TRACKS supply points.

ATLAS & GUIDE In addition to its practical track
Hema Maps has released the 6th Edition of its information, this edition provides crucial
bestselling Great Desert Tracks Atlas & Guide. pre-trip reading, guiding you on how
This latest edition features three new tracks to effectively prepare for your desert
– the Buntine Highway, Sandover Highway trek. Learn about safety measures in
and the Talawana Track – plus extensive the outback and master essential driving
research from author Glenn Marshall based techniques, making this guidebook a
on his years of desert travel experience. must-have for those contemplating desert
Whether you’re a seasoned desert exploration. It also includes essential
enthusiast or gearing up for an adventure on emergency information such as latitude/
Australia’s iconic 4WD tracks, this guide is an longitude, what3words positioning,
indispensable companion for traversing the detailed fuel types, opening times,
arid heart of the continent. contact numbers, permit information, and
Within its pages, discover comprehensive much more.
track profiles that detail elevations, distances RRP: $69.95
and key points of interest, along with WEBSITE: www.hemamaps.com
essential information on camping areas and
TIE IT DOWN TIGHT WITH
TORKSTRAP M500 RED
The TorkStrap M500 is said to combine the
best features of a ratchet, bungee and lashing
strap in one, making it the ultimate cargo
transport solution.
The TorkStrap M500 Red has a safe working
load of 225kg and a maximum breaking
strength of 680kg. It is 3m long and 25mm
wide, and as there are no clunky mechanisms,
you can say goodbye to complicated, heavy
ratchets and hello to TorkStrap’s simple and
easy-to-use pull design.
Ratchet straps provide a static tension, so
they rely on a fixed amount of force to hold
cargo in place, and if the load shifts or sinks
during transport, the straps can come loose.
TorkStrap’s proprietary power-band technology
is claimed to provide dynamic tension, so you
can drive with peace of mind knowing that your
load is secure and that the strap won’t come
loose … even if cargo shifts or sinks during
transport.
RRP: $76 (two-pack)
WEBSITE: www.essential4x4.com.au
MSA DELUXE COFFEE KITS

The Deluxe Coffee Kit is the perfect solution
for the coffee lover who wants a quality cup
of coffee anytime and anywhere, whether at
home, in the office or on the go.
The kit consists of a French press-style
coffee plunger; two cups with a clear rubber-
sealed lid; two sealable storage canisters to
hold coffee, sugar or creamer; a measuring
spoon; two teaspoons; and a cleaning cloth.
All components are presented in a stylish,
spill and water-resistant storage bag. A mesh
pocket on the underside of the lid creates an
ideal place for the unique MSA 4X4 branded
teaspoons and sugar sachets. The durable
powder-coated stainless-steel construction,
with double-wall vacuum insulation, is designed
to keep coffee or other drinks hot or cold.
The coffee plunger allows for a rich and
flavourful brew … anytime, anywhere.
RRP: From $230
WEBSITE: www.msa4x4.com.au
GEAR
GVM UPGRADES FOR FORD provides a lift of 40-50mm depending on vehicle

RANGER load and weight distribution. Single- and space-
DMW’s 3800kg and 4250kg GVM upgrade cabs will require chassis bracing at extra cost.
packages for the Ford Ranger provide increased The 4250kg GVM upgrade adds chassis
load-carrying capacity without compromising bracing to essential sections. Diff bracing is also
performance or handling. Both upgrades are installed on the rear housing, and axle loads are
claimed to have been meticulously engineered reinforced. To certify, upgraded wheels and tyres
through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and with a minimum load of 1320kg are required.
comprehensive brake testing. Available via DMW’s Australia-wide network.
The 3800kg upgrade comes with Federal RRP: From $7925
SSM Certification (pre-rego), a Dobinsons WEBSITE: www.dmwindustries.com.au
suspension package, enhanced shackle pins
and U-bolts, polyurethane bushes, a tailshaft
spacer, HD airbags,
Cat 6 indicators, and
engineering. It
OPPOSITE LOCK PREMIUM

BULLBAR FOR AMAROK
The Opposite Lock bar to suit the Volkswagen
Amarok offers maximum frontal impact
protection and features for the fitment of a wide
range of off-road accessories.
The Three Loop Premium Bullbar is
constructed with 50mm tube for the top loops
and heavy-duty overriders to protect the front of
the bar against nudging. There is a central split
air dam to help maintain airflow and improve
strength in frontal impacts.
The front underbody protection plate is a
three-piece design and the bullbar has three
antenna mounts and high-lift jacking points.
Driving light mounts are standard and the bar is
compatible with all tech features of the Amarok.
RRP: $1999
WEBSITE: www.oppositelock.com.au
MORRFLATE TENSIX PSI PRO
PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSOR
When paired with the MORRFLATE 4 Tyre
Inflation and Deflation Kit, the TenSix PSI Pro is
claimed to air up a set of 35-inch tyres from 10
to 40psi in less than five minutes.
The TenSix PSI Pro is programmable for
inflation via a digital panel, and tyre pressures
can be set via plus and minus buttons to
automatically inflate from 10 to 120psi, or you
can inflate manually from 1 to 150psi. During
auto inflation, the TenSix PSI Pro will shut down
for a few seconds as the manifold pressure is
higher than the tyres, and will pause to equalise
before continuing. The TenSix PSI Pro also has
a thermal cut-off switch and purge valve.
Rated at 10.6CFM at 0psi, this dual-cylinder
compressor can pump out a claimed 6.5CFM
at 30psi. The extended braided hose has a
quick-connect fitting, and the universal coupler
is suitable for ¼-inch fittings. At its peak, the
compressor pulls 90amp.
The MORRFLATE TenSix PSI Pro is supplied
with a canvas storage bag with pockets.
RRP: $499
WEBSITE: www.essential4x4.com.au
STRATUS OUTDOORS BENCH Barry has a simple and compact fold-flat INVICTA 200AH SUPER SLIM
NAMED BARRY design, is easy to carry and move around LITHIUM BATTERY
Barry, a utilitarian piece of camp kit as needed, and has open dimensions of The Invicta Super Slim lithium battery has
that’s the newest member of the Stratus 400mm (h) x 270mm (w) x 1000mm (l), a slim 65mm depth for easy fitment in tight
Outdoors range, is a lightweight bench and folded down it measures 50mm (h) x spaces. Housed in a metal case it is designed
made with 3mm bead-blasted aluminium 270mm x (w) x 1000mm (l). to handle any knocks or bumps and it features
and stainless-steel fixings. An optional heavy-duty rPET waxed a prismatic cell construction.
Weighing in at 5kg with a seated weight- canvas bag fits two Barry benches. Stratus Features include an integrated BMS with
load capacity of 200kg, Barry can be Outdoors offers a three-year warranty, and protections, high-discharge rate with overrated
used as a step-up, a bench seat, a coffee Barry is recyclable at the end of life. Anderson plugs, Bluetooth monitoring, 1800W
table or a handy out-of-the-dirt campfire RRP: $275 Barry; $69 canvas bag or 3000W inverter compatibility, and a five-year
cooking companion. Hot pans won’t hurt WEBSITE: www.stratusoutdoors.com. full replacement warranty.
Barry, and he won’t overheat in the sun. au Thanks to its Bluetooth monitoring platform
you can monitor battery performance on your
Android or Apple smart devices, including
current, voltage, status, cycles and capacity.
RRP: $3099
WEBSITE: www.invictalithium.com.au
GEAR
APEX DESIGNS COMPACT REEL

SYSTEM
The Apex Designs USA Compact Reel System
is a game changer when it comes to mobile air
TOP END CAMPGEAR GAS inflation. Compact and universal, the reel works
BOTTLE HOLDERS in a wide variety of applications.
Travelling with gas bottles has never been an The high-impact DuPont glass-filled nylon
easy task, but Top End Gas Bottle Holders have 66 reel guide is highly resistant to UV and
been designed to make it safer, and they have chemicals, while the body is made from
been tested on the dustiest corrugated roads 6061-T6 aluminium with a wear resistant and
throughout Australia. fade-free hard anodised surface. Viton seals
The Gas Bottle Holders are designed to are used to perform in high-temperature
accommodate various sizes of Swap ’n’ Go environments and are resistant to chemicals.
gas bottles. The 3kg, 4kg and 9kg Base Mount The Compact Reel System can be used with
Gas Bottle Holders are all compatible with compressed air or fresh water and is available
platform-type roof racks, and attachment slots in 6m or 10m versions.
on the base allow them to be mounted in any RRP: $429 (6m): $575 (10m)
orientation or position on your roof rack. WEBSITE: www.ovs4wd.com.au
RRP: From $169
WEBSITE: www.topendcampgear.com.au
HEADSPACE CAMPERS not only stand up and get changed upstairs, Prices include installation, with the ability to
ROOFTOP CAMPER but also sleep with their head at the hinge mix and match features from various packages
The Headspace Campers Rooftop Camper is end, thus making exiting the bed as simple as such as timber or suede lining, ceiling fans,
available for Land Rover Defender 90 and 110 shuffling along and climbing down. USB charging ports, wrap-around side
models, and Toyota LandCruiser TroopCarrier The total mattress area is roughly 1250mm awnings, insect-repellent lights, and air-assist
75/78 models, and all retain the vehicle’s wide x 2500mm long, 500mm of which are lifting apparatus.
original roof to maintain a factory aesthetic. the access doors. Headspace claims its Headspace Campers also manufactures a
Headspace Campers conversions weigh tallest customers to date (6ft5in) have been large 270-degree awning sold exclusively to
in at only 95kg for the TroopCarrier and add able to stand up on the mattress when the roof conversion customers.
a mere 70mm of height to the vehicle with a roof is open, as well as sit in the driver’s seat RRP: From $15,825
roof tilt of 43 degrees. This allows the user to comfortably, even with a hat on. WEBSITE: www.headspacecampers.com
TAGE OUTDOORS UPRIGHT
FRIDGE CADDY
The Upright Fridge Caddy from Tage
Outdoors is made from quality Australian-
made 12oz canvas and features a range
of different mesh pockets to keep your
camping set-up organised. Each fridge
size has slightly different-sized pockets
with the same concept in mind; large
caddies (650mm or higher) have four rows
of pockets, and small caddies (shorter than
650mm) have three rows.
The Caddies are designed to suit small
and large Bushman upright fridges, small
Kings upright fridges, and small Dometic
upright fridges. They allow you to store
things right where you need them, and they
attach using Velcro hooks and loops.
RRP: $110
WEBSITE: www.tageoutdoors.com
CGEAR QUICKSAND MAT

The Quicksand Mat is a ‘sand-free’ soft and
lightweight beach mat that easily folds away
into a small bag when not in use.
CGEAR says that thanks to ‘SANDLITE’
technology, the Quicksand Mat provides a
completely sand-free experience.
Available in a range of vibrant colours and
eye-catching patterns, the mat mat is also
non-absorbent, UV stabilised, lightweight and
portable.
As well as at the beach, the Quicksand mat
can be used for picnics or any other outdoor
occasion. CGEAR says a spilt drink will bead
on the surface and wipe off easily, and the
mat’s patented construction means the open
weave allows wind to go through the mat rather
than the mat flying up on windy days.
RRP: $149
WEBSITE: www.cgear.com.au
READERS WANT TO SEE YOUR 4x4
PUBLISHED IN THE MAG?
RIGS SEND US A PIC VIA OUR

FACEBOOK PAGE!
WILL KARAS
2015 TOYOTA
PRADO 150
I only recently purchased the vehicle and have
only been as far as Mount Buffalo, Victoria, but
I’m planning a trip from Melbourne to Perth at
the end of the year, so slowly gearing up for that.
A few more upgrades and we should be ready.
It currently has an ARB bullbar; Stedi light bar
and spotlights; Tough Dog lift kit; Ultimate9
EVC throttle control; and Maxxis RAZR A/T
tyres.
MICHAEL THOMPSON
2005 NISSAN GU
PATROL
I’m currently building a 2005 Series 4 GU Patrol
super tourer with all the goodies, and I will have
it finished within 10 to 12 weeks. Mods include
Dobinson remote res shocks and springs;
heavy-duty arms all around; all braided lines;
rear tower braces; Emuwing gullwings; 35-inch
tyres; custom bar work built by myself; four-
inch snorkel and airbox combo; roof rack with
270-degree Darche awning; LRA long-range
tank; 24V lithium battery system; 12V dual-
battery system; and plenty more!
4X4AUSTRALIA.COM.AU @4X4AUS @4X4AUSTRALIANMAG
BEN ANDERSON
2021 MITSUBISHI TRITON

Mods include a PIAK Elite front bar, rear bar and side-steps/brush
rails; 9-inch spotties and underbody lighting; Wedgetail platform;
Ironman 4x4 2-inch lift and GVM upgrade; Kuluin Mufflers 3.5-
inch DPF back exhaust; Rhino lined rear tub; GME UHF; and a
Kenwood head unit upgrade with speakers and sub.
CHRIS DORR
TOYOTA
LANDCRUISER
TROOPCARRIER
This Troopy has travelled 1,200,000km and is
still going today, and it has been the best 4x4 I
have ever owned!
EMMA-LEE COLE
1993 TOYOTA
LANDCRUISER
PRADO VX GRANDE
She is sitting on a constant two-inch lift that
sits around three inches tall. She is equipped
with a roof rack; side awning; high-lift jack;
rear drawer set-up; snorkel and diff breathers;
an RGB light bar; and whips with LED halo
headlights. One of my favourite memories is
when I took the wrong line and got bogged to
my door steps, and my 4x4 ended up a different
colour covered in mud. It wasn’t fun to clean
off!
THE ESSENTIAL NUMBERS AND PRICES OF EVERY 4X4 ON SALE IN AUSTRALIA
REAR VIEW
4X4 AUSTRALIA LOOKS BACK AT THE CHANGES IN THE INDUSTRY, THE RISE IN
OUTBACK TOURING, THE EVOLUTIONARY SOPHISTICATION OF 4X4S, AND MORE
30 YEARS AGO – MAY 1994

Headlining this issue was an in-depth yarn on Meanwhile Craig Lewis wandered along the Old
two diesel contenders, the then latest Land Rover Andado Track in our monthly trek series. All those
Discovery versus the latest Mitsubishi Pajero, places are still well worth visiting, even though
with our reviewers giving the Pajero the nod. they would be a little more crowded today.
Other vehicles tested included the Discovery V8 You have to have a bit of a chuckle over
and Isuzu’s top-spec Monterey. the GPS units we examined back then; while
Getting the travel bug itching we enjoyed yarns they were class leading for the time, now they
the length and breadth of the Northern Territory wouldn’t even rate. Other technical stuff we
with Murray White taking us around the more looked at included independent front suspension
remote places surrounding Alice Springs, while systems and how to look after spark plugs. Do
tropical north expert, Dick Eussen, gave us an you even have to worry about spark plugs these
in-depth look at the Kakadu region of the Top End. days?

With our love affair of 4x4 utes just beginning to a somewhat treacherous beach to the Victorian
explode we took a look at the marketplace and border where the sand became a no-go zone with
tested and rated every ute available in Australia. a big sign stating such.
Back then Ford had the Courier and Holden had In other adventurous stories we explored the
the Rodeo, and while those nameplates are gone Brindabella Ranges, and took a Holden Adventra
most of the others in the line-up are still around (remember that short-lived model?) along the
today, albeit in more powerful, roomier and safer Gunbarrel Highway to see if it would make the
versions. We also checked out some entry-level journey and return in one piece.
Jeeps, and we were sad to lose our long-term Equipment wise we tested the latest camper
test vehicle, a top-of-the-line Prado. from South Africa, the Oryx, while we went and
Amongst our destination yarns Moonie saw what work was involved in fitting a turbo to
continued his journey to the sea driving along an old HiLux.

With 4x4 utes setting the sales figures alight (even On the tech front we had a look at the Harrop
back then) we compared the three top sellers: ELocker, Ride-on tyre sealant, a Sy-Klone pre-
the HiLux SR5, the Triton GLX-R and the Navara cleaner, and Trailblaza Fridge, while Scott Heiman
ST-X. While today the HiLux battles it out with the checked out a range of largish and large knives, ideal
Ford Ranger for top billing in the sales charts, both for survival in the jungle or desert.
the Triton and the Navara languish well behind. It Talking of deserts, we had a yarn on travelling the
shouldn’t come as a surprise either, that the HiLux mighty and still super popular Simpson Desert, and
took the top spot amongst our tired and road-weary also headed to Cape York with Moonie and Steve
judges. Starling. Farther south we explored the Deua National
Other vehicles we drove and reviewed this issue Park in southern NSW and the Little River region of
included a 79 Series Cruiser-cum-camper, a Toyota Victoria. Just reading those names gets us wanting to
Kluger and a Porsche Macan. pack the truck and head out on to the open road!
JUST THE FACTS RANGER & EVEREST ON TOP
THE Ford Ranger continues to blitz the sales charts and was Australia’s best-
Top-selling 4x4s in March 2024 selling overall vehicle in March 2024. A total of 5661 new Rangers (4x4 and
Source: VFACTS 4x2) were sold in in March, placing it well ahead of the Toyota HiLux which sold
3995 units. As a result, the HiLux slipped out of the Top 3 on the sales charts,
VEHICLE UNITS falling behind the Toyota RAV4 (5070 sales) and Tesla Model Y (4379 sales).
1: Ford Ranger 5135 Even excluding 4x2 variants, the Ranger remains atop the sales charts
2: Toyota HiLux 3555 with a total of 5135 4x4s sold in March 2024. Specific to the 4x4 charts, it’s
3. Ford Everest 2264 followed by HiLux (3555 sales) and Isuzu D-MAX (1847 sales). Year-to-date, the
Ranger 4x4 has now outsold HiLux 4x4 by 3320 units (14,240 versus 10,920).
4: Isuzu MU-X 1886
In another tick for the blue oval, Ford’s Everest wagon had a stellar month,
5: Isuzu D-MAX 1847 selling a total of 2264 units (up 129.8 per cent compared to March 2023).
6: Mitsubishi Triton 1675 This result made it the best-selling 4x4 wagon for the month, ahead of the
7: Toyota LC300 1219 Isuzu MU-X (1886) and Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series (1219). And, as Toyota
8: Mazda BT-50 1105 prepares for the launch of its nex-gen Prado, sales of existing Prado stock
continues to decline, with only 446 units sold in March 2024.
9: Nissan Navara 993
Zooming in on the budget offerings, GWM’s Ute sold a total of 774 4x4 units,
10: Toyota LC70 940 placing it ahead of the LDV T60 (446) and SsangYong Musso (306).
At the other end of the market, the RAM 1500 (313) just pipped the
Chevrolet Silverado (309) and Ford F-150 (238).
Top-selling 4x4s to March 2024
The total number of sales for Light Commercial Vehicles landed at 23,061
Source: VFACTS for the month, which was up 1049 units (+4.8 per cent) versus March 2023. As
a result LCVs accounted for 21 per cent share of the total market for March. So
VEHICLE UNITS far in 2024 the LCV market has a 22.1 per cent share, with 67,426 units sold.
1: Ford Ranger 14,240 Breaking it down further, 17,629 4x4 utes (PU/CC) were sold in March 2024,
2: Toyota HiLux 10,920 up from 16,474 sales in March 2023, for a 16.1 per cent slice of the market.
3: Isuzu D-MAX 6382 Across the board, the SUV market is up a whopping 20.7 per cent compared
4: Isuzu MU-X 4854 to March 2023; the Passenger Vehicle market is up 2.5 per cent; and the Heavy
Commercial Vehicle market is down by 4.1 per cent.
5: Ford Everest 4499 The strength of the market is unprecedented, with the best-ever first-
6: Toyota LC300 4260 quarter results for new vehicles (January to March) – a total of 304,452 sales,
7: Mitsubishi Triton 3920 representing an increase of 13.2 per cent versus Q1 2023.
8: Toyota Prado 3210 “This is a terrific result for the sector; however, all car brands are well aware
9: Toyota LC70 3133 that these results cannot be taken for granted,” said FCAI chief executive,
Tony Weber. “We need to factor in the ongoing cost of living pressures and the
10: Mazda BT-50 3104 challenges for industry and consumers that will emerge with the introduction of
the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) in less than nine months.”
thescore
4X4 MARKETPLACE
FORD 5-year/unlimited km www.ford.com.au INEOS www.ineosgrenadier.com/en/au/

GRENADIER
RANGER
The next-gen Ranger took the best-seller crown away from HiLux in 2023. Full-time 4x4 is offered on Ineos brings back the simple, durable 4x4 vehicle that adventurers and organisations want for serious off-
all V6 models and the 2.0TD Wildtrak X. There is a price hike across the range this month. road travel, available with both petrol and diesel powertrains and two-seat (2s) or five-seat (5s) interiors.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
Single XL C/C 47,980 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 1903 1327 3500 80
Utility wagon 2s 109,000 I6P/3.0 A8 450 210 2618 932 3500 90
Super XL C/C 50,480 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2007 1223 3500 80
Fieldmaster 2s 122,000 I6D/3.0 A8 550 183 2693 857 3500 90
Super XL P/U 52,380 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2167 1063 3500 80
Trialmaster 2s 122,000 I6P/3.0 A8 450 210 2643 907 3500 90
Double XL C/C 48,980 SiT4/2.0 A6 405 125 2046 1144 3500 80
Station wagon 5s 110,000 I6P/3.0 A8 450 210 2643 907 3500 90
Double XL C/C 51,780 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2072 1158 3500 80
Trialmaster 5s 123,000 I6P/3.0 A8 450 210 2643 907 3500 90
Double XL P/U 50,880 SiT4/2.0 A6 405 125 2190 1000 3500 80
Fieldmaster 5s 123,000 I6D/3.0 A8 550 183 2718 832 3500 90
Double XL P/U 53,680 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2216 1014 3500 80
Double XLS P/U 55,430 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2216 1014 3500 80 ISUZU UTE 6-year/150,000km www.isuzuute.com.au
Super XLT P/U 61,390 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2178 1052 3500 80 D-MAX
Double XLT P/U 63,390 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2225 1005 3500 80 D-MAX has cut its links with GM and is an all-Isuzu affair. The latest model is a huge step up with
class-leading safety tech, more power and torque from the 3.0L, and fresh, aggressive styling.
Double XLT C/C 65,690 V6/3.0 A10 600 184 2129 1151 3500 80
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
Double XLT P/U 67,590 V6/3.0 A10 600 184 2285 995 3500 80
SX Single c/c 40,200 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 1780 1310 3500 76
Double Sport P/U 65,890 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2242 988 3500 80
SX Single c/c 42,200 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 1790 1310 3500 76
Double Sport P/U 70,090 V6/3.0 A10 600 184 2300 980 3500 80
SX Space c/c 43,700 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 1850 1250 3500 76
Dbl Wildtrak P/U 69,390 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2295 985 3500 80
SX Space c/c 45,700 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 1860 1240 3500 76
Dbl Wildtrak P/U 73,590 V6/3.0 A10 600 184 2353 997 3500 80
LS-M Crew c/c 53,800 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2030 1070 3500 76
Dbl Wildtrak X P/U 76,890 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2432 918 3500 80
LS-U Crew c/c 59,500 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 1970 1130 3500 76
Dbl Platinum P/U 79,390 V6/3.0 A10 600 184 N/A N/A 3500 80
LS-U Space p/u 58,000 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2000 1100 3500 76
Dbl Raptor P/U 89,190 V6P/3.0 A10 583 292 2431 753 2500 80
SX Crew c/c 48,700 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 1910 1190 3500 76
EVEREST
SX Crew p/u 49,900 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2035 1065 3500 76
Second-gen Everest’s four variants are joined by a fifth – the Wildtrak – sitting between Sport and
Platinum and available with the 3.0-litre TDV6 donk. There’s also a price increase for this month. LS-M Crew p/u 53,300 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2030 1070 3500 76
LS-U Crew p/u 59,000 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2045 1055 3500 76
Ambiente 58,990 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 154 2367 733 3500 80
LS-U+ Crew p/u 63,500 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2115 985 3500 76
Trend 66,790 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 154 2383 717 3500 80
X-Terrain Crew p/u 67,500 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2130 970 3500 76
Sport 720,490 V6TD/3.0 A10 600 184 2454 696 3500 80
Wildtrak 74,704 V6TD/3.0 A10 600 184 2488 662 3500 80 MU-X
Platinum 79,490 V6TD/3.0 A10 600 184 2492 658 3500 80 Isuzu’s seven-seat wagon based on the D-MAX ute underpinnings, but with a smooth-riding coil-
spring rear suspension. Uses Isuzu’s respected 3.0-litre TD engine.
F150 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
Ford Australia has brought the F150 back to our shores with two models available in two wheelbases. LS-M 54,900 L4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2092 658 3500 80
The long wheelbase adds $995 to the price and also gets you a longer cargo bed.
LS-U 61,400 L4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2142 608 3500 80
LS-T 65,900 L4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2157 593 3500 80
XLT 106,950 V6TP/3.5 A10 678 298 2451 769 4500 136
Lariat 139,950 V6TP/3.5 A10 678 298 2555 710 4500 136
JEEP 5-year/unlimited km www.jeep.com.au
GWM 7-year/unlimited km www.gmwute.com.au

WRANGLER
JL Wrangler has true off-road credentials and great versatility. In Rubicon-spec, the Wrangler is an
UTE absolute off-road weapon.
Formerly Great Wall but now calling itself GWM, the brand's latest Ute is available in double-cab and cab- PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
chassis configurations – all with the 2.0-litre engine and eight-speed auto.
Rubicon (2D) 83,950 I4TP/2.0 A8 400 200 1762 551 1497 81
Overland (4D) 84,950 I4TP/2.0 A8 400 200 1900 560 2495 81
Cannon 38,990* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A 1050 3000 75
Rubicon (4D) 90,450 I4TP/2.0 A8 400 200 1992 570 2495 81
Cannon C/C 39,990* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A 1130 3000 75
Cannon-L 42,490* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A 1050 3000 75 GRAND CHEROKEE
Cannon-L C/C 43,490* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A 1130 3000 75 Jeep’s fifth-gen Grand Cherokee five-seater runs a grunty V6 petrol engine across most models, with
a PHEV powerplant available on the new 4xe variant.
Cannon X 45,490* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A 1050 3000 75
Vanta 46,490* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A 1050 3000 75 Night Eagle 77,950 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2167 N/A 2813 87
Cannon-XSR 52,990* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A N/A N/A 75 Limited 83,950 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2167 N/A 2813 87
TANK 300 Overland 98,450 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2167 N/A 2813 87
The Tank 300’s duo of 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid versions are now joined by two 2.0-litre petrol-only Summit Res. 4xe 129,950 L4PHY/2.0 A8 637 280 2536 N/A 2722 72
powered rigs at significantly lower asking prices.
GRAND CHEROKEE L
The seven-seat Grand Cherokee runs V6 petrol power exclusively. Four variants on offer, with Over-
Tank 300 Lux 46,990 L4TP/2.0 A8 380 162 2155 N/A 2500 75 land and Summit Reserve featuring Jeep's Quadra-Lift air suspension.
Tank 300 Ultra 50,990 L4TP/2.0 A8 380 162 2155 N/A 2500 75 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
Tank 300 Lux H 55,990 L4HY/2.0 A9 640 224 2331 N/A 2500 75 Night Eagle 82,750 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2190 N/A 2813 87
Tank 300 Ultra H 60,990 L4HY/2.0 A9 640 224 2331 N/A 2500 75 Limited 88,750 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2190 N/A 2813 87
Overland 103,250 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2270 N/A 2813 87
GMSV www.gmspecialtyvehicles.com.au Summit Reserve 119,450 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2270 N/A 2813 87
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 GLADIATOR
For 2023 Chevrolet dropped the previous entry-level model, the LT Trail Boss. A new hero ZR2 model is Jeep's double-cab pick-up comes in two spec levels, with the Pentastar V6 and 8-speed auto in both.
now positioned at the top of the two-model range. Both powered by a 6.2-litre petrol V8. The Night Eagle is the entry level while the Rubicon is the better equipped off-roader.
Night Eagle 78,250 V6/3.6P A8 347 209 2104 693 2721 83
LTZ Premium 130,500* V8/6.2 A10 624 313 2543 757 4500 91
Rubicon 87,250 V6/3.6P A8 347 209 2215 693 2721 83
ZR2 138,000* V8/6.2 A10 624 313 2583 717 4200 91
LAND ROVER www.landrover.com.au P530 LWB 7s A/B
P615 SV
330,400
385,100
V8/4.4
V8/4.4
A8
A8
750
750
390
452
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3500
3500
90
90
DEFENDER 90
P615 LWB SV 432,050 V8/4.4 A8 750 452 N/A N/A 3500 90
Defender 90 range closely mimics the 110 wagon range but in a shorter three-door wagon body. Right
from the four-cylinder petrol motors, through the various diesels, and up to the stonking V8.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LDV 7-year/200,000km www.ldvautomotive.com.au
D90 P300 $80,540 I4/2.0P A8 400 221 2074 N/A 3500 90 T60
D90 S P300 $88,870 I4/2.0P A8 400 221 2074 N/A 3500 90 Chinese ute brings five-star safety to the budget-priced dual-cab segment. Revamped in 2021, with the
Pro variants bringing more power and redesigned front-end.
D90 S D250 $96,170 I6/3.0D A8 570 183 2303 667 3500 89
D90 SE P400 $110,870 I6/3.0P A8 550 294 2141 N/A 3500 90 Max Pro (manual) 41,042 I4/2.0 M6 500 160 N/A 935 3000 73
D90 X P400 $146,920 I6/3.0P A8 550 294 2141 N/A 3500 90 Max Pro (auto) 43,148 I4/2.0 A8 500 160 N/A 925 3000 73
D90 P525 $220,020 V8/5.0P A8 625 386 2470 N/A 3000 90 Max Luxe (manual) 45,780 I4/2.0 M6 500 160 N/A 935 3000 73
DEFENDER 110 Max Luxe (auto) 47,884 I4/2.0 A8 500 160 2900 925 3000 73
A Defender by name only. The new wagon from Land Rover is all-new and shares nothing with its Mega Tub 49,463 I4/2.0 A8 500 160 N/A N/A 3000 73
predecessor. Still a bare-bones 4x4 with plenty of ability, just now wearing a shiny new suit.
P300 S
PRICE
91,270
ENGINE
I4/2.0P
TRANS TORQUE
A8 400
POWER
221
WEIGHT
N/A
LOAD
N/A
TOWING
3500
FUEL
90
LEXUS 5-year/unlimited www.lexus.com.au
LX
P400 S 97,970 I6/3.0P A8 550 294 N/A N/A 3500 90
Now with two powerplant options – the diesel is a trick twin-turbo V6; the petrol is rorty, if not as glo-
D300 SE 106,720 I6/3.0D A8 650 220 N/A N/A 3500 90 rious as the previous-gen V8 – and improved dynamics, this is now capital “L” for luxury with bite.
P400 SE 114,120 I6/3.0P A8 550 294 N/A N/A 3500 90 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
P400 HSE 128,370 I6/3.0P A8 550 294 N/A N/A 3500 90 LX500 151,561 V6TTD/3.3 A10 700 227 2690 TBC 3500 80
D300 HSE 121,520 I6/3.0D A8 650 220 N/A N/A 3500 90 LX500 SL 168,561 V6TTD/3.3 A10 700 227 2690 TBC 3500 80
D300 X 148,420 I6/3.0D A8 650 220 N/A N/A 3500 90 LX500 SL (7-seat) 171,161 V6TTD/3.3 A10 700 227 2690 TBC 3500 80
LX500 F Sport 174,561 V6TTD/3.3 A10 700 227 2690 TBC 3500 80
P400 X 150,620 I6/3.0P A8 550 294 N/A N/A 3500 90
LX600 155,061 V6TTP/3.5 A10 650 305 2660 TBC 3500 110
P400e SE 126,275 I4PH/2.0P A8 640 297 N/A N/A 3500 90
LX600 SL 172,061 V6TTP/3.5 A10 650 305 2660 TBC 3500 110
P400e HSE 137,975 I4PH/2.0P A8 640 297 N/A N/A 3500 90
LX600 SL (7-seat) 175,861 V6TTP/3.5 A10 650 305 2660 TBC 3500 110
P525 V8 224,970 V8/5.0P A8 625 386 N/A N/A 3500 90 LX600 F Sport 178,061 V6TTP/3.5 A10 650 305 2660 TBC 3500 110
DEFENDER 130 LX600 Ultra Lux 213,561 V6TTP/3.5 A10 650 305 2660 TBC 3500 110
The largest-ever Defender is here and brings with it a lot more rear cargo space, along with some
sweet powerplant options for this biggest of Brit off-roaders. MAHINDRA 5-year/unlimited www.mahindra.com.au
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL PIK-UP
D300 X-Dyna SE 126,670 I6/3.0D A8 650 220 N/A N/A 3500 90 Now dual-cab only and still with the option of tub or no tub, this tough and reliable farm truck is prov-
ing popular out bush and is good bang for your workhorse bucks.
P400 Outbound 136,870 I6/3.0P A8 550 294 N/A N/A 3500 90 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
P500 240,270 V8/5.0P A8 610 368 N/A N/A 3500 90 Dual Cab 39,990* L4TD/2.2 A6 330 103 1940 1210 2500 80
DISCOVERY SCORPIO
Land Rover Discovery combines excellent on-road dynamics with impressive off-road capability. It may be missing some key safety technology, but the Scorpio six-seater isn’t just a good value-for-
Strong performance comes courtesy of state-of-the-art four-cylinder and V6 turbo-diesel engines. money package, it’s a good rig overall.
D300 S Dynamic 108,670 I6TD/3.0 A8 650 221 2109 831 3500 89 Z8 41,990* L4TD/2.2 A6 400 129 1900 525 2500 57
D300 SE Dynamic 122,920 I6TD/3.0 A8 650 221 2236 814 3500 89 Z8L 45,990* L4TD/2.2 A6 400 129 2100 510 2500 57
D300 HSE Dynam 129,020 I6TD/3.0 A8 650 221 2236 814 3500 89
*This is a nationwide drive-away price, not a list price, and includes on-roads.
P360 S RDynamic 105,200 I6TP/3.0 A8 500 265 2236 814 3500 89
D360 SE Dynamic
D360 HSE Dynam
122,070
128,220
I6TP/3.0
I6TP/3.0
A8
A8
500
500
265
265
2236
2236
814
814
3500
3500
89
89
MAZDA 5-year/unlimited km www.mazda.com.au
BT-50
RANGE ROVER SPORT
The BT-50 has stepped away from its Ford roots, as Mazda partnered with Isuzu for the new
There are six Rangie Sport models to choose from in this latest incarnation, with both the diesel (in three model. That means Isuzu powertrains and class-leading safety wrapped in a svelte Mazda skin.
different outputs), and petrol powerplants featuring mild-hybrid tech.
Dual XS p/u 52,930 I4TD/1.9 A6 350 110 1935 1165 3500 76
D250 SE 157,046 I6TD/3.0 A8 600 183 2390 830 3500 80
D300 SE Dynamic 170,116 I6TD/3.0 A8 650 221 2390 830 3500 80 Single XT c/c 43,370 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 1186 3500 76
D350 HSE Dyn 188,966 I6TD/3.0 A8 700 258 2435 785 3500 80 Single XT c/c 46,733 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 1186 3500 76
D350 Autobio 213,851 I6TD/3.0 A8 700 225 2435 830 3500 80 Extra XT c/c 46,870 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 1135 3500 76
P460 SE Dynamic 194,060 I6P/3.0 A8 660 338 2730 720 3500 71 Extra XT c/c 49,953 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 1135 3500 76
P460 HSE Dyn 203,355 I6P/3.0 A8 660 338 2730 720 3500 71 Dual XT c/c 51,960 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 1096 3500 76
RANGE ROVER Dual XT c/c 49,460 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 1106 3500 76
Bespoke personalisation and new hybrid powertrains herald in revised Range Rover line-up. Dual XT p/u 52,580 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 1095 3500 76
Dual XT p/u 55,080 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 1090 3500 76
Dual XTR c/c 57,730 I4TD./.0 A6 450 140 1910 1190 3500 76
D350 HSE 250,350 I6/3.0 A8 700 258 N/A N/A 3500 80
Dual XTR p/u 56,630 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 1080 3500 76
P460e HSE 254,516 I6e/3.0 A8 660 338 N/A N/A 3000 72
Dual XTR p/u 60,623 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 1070 3500 76
P460e LWB HSE 263,100 I6e/3.0 A8 660 338 N/A N/A 3000 72
Dual GT p/u 57,090 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 1075 3500 76
P530 HSE 282,500 V8/4.4 A8 750 390 N/A N/A 3500 90
Dual GT p/u 62,510 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 1065 3500 76
P460e A/B 286,850 I6e/3.0 A8 660 338 N/A N/A 3000 72
Dual SP p/u 63,090 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 2198 902 3500 76
D350 A/B 289,700 I6/3.0 A8 700 258 N/A N/A 3500 80
Dual SP p/u 68,510 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2208 892 3500 76
P460e LWB A/B 290,750 I6e/3.0 A8 660 338 N/A N/A 3000 72
Dual Thunder p/u 73,945 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2213 887 3500 76
D350 LWB A/B 295,400 I6/3.0 A8 700 258 N/A N/A 3500 80
D350 LWB 7s A/B 296,900 I6/3.0 A8 700 258 N/A N/A 3500 80
P530 A/B 322,750 V8/4.4 A8 750 390 N/A N/A 3500 90
P530 LWB A/B 328,750 V8/4.4 A8 750 390 N/A N/A 3500 90
thescore
4X4 MARKETPLACE
MERCEDES
Dual SL p/u 47,350 L4TD/2.3 M6 450 140 1823 1087 3500 80
3-year/200,000km www.mercedes-benz.com.au Dual SL p/u 47,550 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1928 982 3500 80
Dual ST-X p/u 55,945 L4TD/2.3 M6 450 140 1917 993 3500 80
G-CLASS
Dual ST-X p/u 58,270 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1921 989 3500 80
With triple diff locks, long-travel coil suspension and rugged construction, Merc’s Gelandewagen is off-
road heritage writ large. Unfortunately, so is the price tag on an updated 30-year-old design. Dual SL Warrior 58,750 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 2169 1081 3500 80
PRO-4X 58,905 L4TD/2.3 M6 450 140 2186 724 3500 80
PRO-4X Warrior 68,265 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 2151 1019 3500 80
G63 AMG 259,600 V8/4.0 A9 850 430 2560 640 3500 100
G400d 233,776 I6/2.9 A9 700 243 2489 661 3500 112
RAM 3-year/100,000 km www.ramtrucks.com.au
MITSUBISHI 7-year/150,000km www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au RAM 1500

You'll find Ram trucks here from various importers, but the official distributor is Ram Trucks Australia.
Currently selling the DT Ram 1500.
PAJERO SPORT
Pajero Sport replaced the Challenger in Mitsubishi’s 4x4 range. It’s still on a Triton ute chassis but with
rear coils under the back and bespoke bodywork. 2020 refresh added Dynamic Shield front end. Express 98,950 V8P/5.7 A8 556 291 2620 830 4500 121

Warlock 109,950 V8P/5.7 A8 556 291 2630 820 4500 98
Laramie 137,950 V8P/5.7 A8 556 291 2617 833 4500 98
GLX (5-seat) 49,940 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2145 630 3100 68
Laramie Sport 141,950 V8P/5.7 A8 556 291 2671 779 4500 98
GLS (7s) 55,190 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2195 580 3100 68
Limited 153,950 V8P/5.7 A8 556 291 2749 701 4500 98
GLS Deluxe (7s) 57,440 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2204 571 3100 68
TRX 209,950 V8P/6.2 A8 882 523 3033 767 3500 125
Exceed (7s) 60,690 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2209 566 3100 68
RAM 2500
GSR (7s) 62,440 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2209 566 3100 68
The 2500 is the first of the heavy duty Ram models and is only available in Laramie specification in
Australia. Powered by the Cummins in-line six, the 2500 is a torque monster and towing champion.
TRITON
MR Triton consists of a four-model line-up that tops out with the GSR. All models get a 2.4-litre, 2500 Laramie 172,950 I6d/6.7 A6 1152 276 3660 835 4500 117
turbocharged diesel engine with a six-speed transmission.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL RAM 3500
The 1500 is the standard model while the 2500 and 3500 Rams are the Heavy Duty versions packing HD
GLX Single c/c 33,240 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1660 1235 3000 75 drivelines, Cummins diesel engines and huge lowing capacities. New HD models also coming soon.
GLX Single c/c 37,490 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1665 1235 3000 75 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
GLX Club c/c 39,940 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1765 1135 3000 75 Laramie Crew 177,950 I6TD/6.7 A6 1152 276 3596 1713 6170* 132
GLX ADAS Club c/c 39,040 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1780 1120 3000 75
GLX Dual c/c 41,440 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1795 1105 3100 75 SSANGYONG 7-year/unlimited km www.ssangyong.com.au
GLX ADAS Dual c/c 39,790 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1795 1105 3100 75 MUSSO
GLX+ Club p/u 45,440 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1930 970 3100 75 Thrifty South Korean dual-cab has been reborn with more subdued styling and an unbeatable warranty.
XLV variant adds segment-topping tray length to the line-up’s killer pricing.
GLX Dual p/u 37,490 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1920 980 3100 75
GLX Dual p/u 44,690 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1920 980 3100 75 EX $30,490 L4TD/2.2 M6 400 133 2177 703 3500 75
GLX ADAS Dual p/u 38,540 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1951 949 3100 75 EX $32,490 L4TD/2.2 A6 400 133 2192 688 3500 75
GLX ADAS Dual p/u 41,040 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1956 944 3100 75 ELX $40,000 L4TD/2.2 A6 400 133 2192 688 3500 75
Ultimate $45,000 L4TD/2.2 A6 400 133 2192 688 3500 75
GLX+ Dual p/u 44,940 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1915 985 3100 75
ELX XLV $33,990 L4TD/2.2 M6 400 133 2160 1025 3500 75
GLX+ Dual p/u 43,490 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1915 985 3100 75 ELX XLV $41,500 L4TD/2.2 A6 400 133 2170 1025 3500 75
GLX-R 41,990 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 N/A N/A 3100 75 Ultimate XLV $46,500 L4TD/2.2 A6 400 133 2170 880 3500 75
GLX-R 47,940 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 N/A N/A 3100 75 Ultimate Luxury 48,000 L4TD/2.2 A6 400 133 2170 880 3500 75
Ult. Luxury XLV 49,500 L4TD/2.2 A6 400 133 2170 880 3500 75
GLS Dual p/u 45,440 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1935 965 3100 75
GLS Dual p/u 49,690 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1935 965 3100 75 REXTON
GLS Premium 52,790 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 2042 848 3100 75 The South Korean manufacturer’s large wagon now has three variants and a smooth-shifting eight-
speed auto gear box. It is loaded with kit and comes with a lean price tag.
GSR 56,940 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1999 901 3100 75
NISSAN 5-year/unlimited km www.nissan.com.au

ELX
Adventure
50,000
54,000
L4TD/2.2
L4TD/2.2
A8
A8
441
441
148
148
2233
2233
727
727
3500
3500
70
70
PATROL Y62 Ultimate 58,000 L4TD/2.2 A8 441 148 2233 727 3500 70
In a segment that drinks diesel, top-spec Patrol is available in V8-petrol guise only. Fully independent Ultimate Sport 60,000 L4TD/2.2 A8 441 148 2233 727 3500 70
suspension is backed by electronic traction aids. Updated model launched late in 2019.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL SUZUKI 3-year/100,000km www.suzuki.com.au
Ti 84,900 V8/5.6 A7 560 298 2812 688 3500 140 JIMNY
Ti-L 97,600 V8/5.6 A7 560 298 2708 746 3500 140
Pint-sized cult classic returns in fourth-gen guise. Live axles front and rear and retro styling means it
PRO-4X Warrior 101,160 V8/5.6 A7 560 289 2884 736 3500 140 will remain a favourite on the off-road scene.
NAVARA D23
3-door Hardtop 28,490 L4/1.5 M5 130 75 1095 340 1300 40
The latest iteration of Nissan's D23 Navara ute range arrives with a bolder look and a revised line-up. 3-door Hardtop 29,990 L4/1.5 A4 130 75 1110 325 1300 40
Pro-4X Warrior has to be the best navara produced ever!.
Single SL c/c 45,550 L4TD/2.3 M6 403 120 1614 1296 3500 80 TOYOTA 5-year/unlimited km www.toyota.com.au
King SL c/c 46,550 L4TD/2.3 A7 403 120 1727 1183 3500 80 PRADO
The 150 Prado has been Australia's best-selling 4x4 wagon for the better part of 10 years. In late 2020 it
King ST-X p/u 58,445 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1908 1002 3500 80 copped a welcome power/torque upgrade. An all-new replacement is on the way in 2024.
King SL p/u 48,350 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1941 969 3500 80 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
King ST-X p/u 58,445 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1944 966 3500 80 GX 62,830 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2150 835 3000 150
Dual SL c/c 45,550 L4TD/2.3 M6 403 120 1759 1147 3500 80 GXL 69,530 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2325 665 3000 150
VX
Kakadu
76,848
87,468
I4TD/2.8
L4TD/2.8
A6
A6
500
500
150
150
2435
2435
555
555
3000
3000
150
150
VOLKSWAGEN 5-year/unlimited km www.volkswagen.com.au
AMAROK
FORTUNER
Toyota’s HiLux-based seven-seat wagon competes with Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Isuzu The second-gen Amarok shares much of its underpinnings with the next-gen Ford Ranger. Four engines
MU-X. Smaller than a Prado but still a proper 4x4 wagon. are on offer in the line-up including the V6 shared with the Ford, as well as a 2.3-litre petrol.
GX 53,775 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2175 625 3100 80 TDI405 Core 50,990 L4TD/2.0 M6 405 125 2185 1065 3500 80
GXL 58,895 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2185 615 3100 80 TDI405 Core 52,990 L4TD/2.0 A6 405 125 2208 1042 3500 80
Crusade 66,755 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2190 610 3100 80 TDI500 Life 2.0 56,990 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 154 2242 988 3500 80
LAND CRUISER 300 SERIES TDI500 Style 66,990 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 154 2271 1009 3500 80
TDI600 Style 70,990 V6TD/3.0 A10 600 184 2319 1031 3500 80
It's out with the V8s and in with an all-new V6 diesel engine in the new 300 Series Land Cruiser. There
are now six models in the range including the new GR Sport and Sahara ZX models. TDI600 PanAm 75,990 V6TD/3.0 A10 600 184 2319 1031 3500 80
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD –TOWING FUEL

TDI600 Aventura 79,990 V6TD/3.0 A10 600 184 2332 858 3500 80
GX 94,301 V6TD/3.3L A10 700 227 2495 785 3500 110 TSI452 Aventura 79,990 L4P/2.3 A8 452 222 2228 872 3500 80
GXL 106,101 V6TD/3.3L A10 700 227 2580 700 3500 110
VX 118,301 V6TD/3.3L A10 700 227 2630 650 3500 110
Sahara 135,501 V6TD/3.3L A10 700 227 2630 650 3500 110 2024 JAC T9 PRICING
GR Sport 142,101 V6TD/3.3L A10 700 227 2630 650 3500 110 MODEL Price
JAC9 OASIS $42,662
Sahara ZX 143,101 V6TD/3.3L A10 700 227 2610 670 3500 110
JAC9 HAVEN $45,630
LAND CRUISER 70 Prices exclude on-road costs
The 70 Series Cruiser’s torquey TDV8 makes it a load-hauler extraordinaire. Available as long-wheelbase
Troopie or five-door, mid-wheelbase wagon.
WorkMate Troopy 74,950 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2320 980 3500 180
GXL Troopy 78,150 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2335 965 3500 180
WorkMate wagon 71,000 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2220 780 3500 90
GXL Wagon 75,100 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2190 810 3500 90
LAND CRUISER 70 CAB-CHASSIS

With its TDV8 powerplant, the Land Cruiser ute is better than ever. Optional Toyota diff locks make it
super-capable off-road.
WorkMate single c/c

GX single c/c
PRICE
72,550
74,550
ENGINE
V8TD/4.5
V8TD/4.5
TRANS TORQUE
M5
M5
430
430
POWER
151
151
WEIGHT
2045
2010
LOAD
1003
1013
TOWING
3500
3500
FUEL
180
180
JAC OUT OF THE BOX
GXL single c/c 76,650 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2020 1023 3500 180 THE 2024 JAC T9 four-wheel-drive has arrived in Australia as another budget-
focused ute entrant.
LAND CRUISER 79 DOUBLE CAB
JAC Motors – short for Jianghuai Automobile Group – is a Chinese brand,
Tough-as-nails and with room for five, the LC79 dual-cab has the same V8 manual torque and diff-
lock option as other 70s to make for an almost unstoppable off-road workhorse. which has launched in the Australian market with the T9 ute via a new third-
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL party distributor, LTS Auto.
WorkMate dual c/c 75,100 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2205 900 3500 130 It is available in two variants, which are priced between $42,662 before
GXL dual c/c 79,200 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2215 900 3500 130 on-road costs for the base ‘Oasis’ and $45,630 before on-road costs for the
– top-of-the-range ‘Haven’.
HILUX Under the bonnet, the JAC T9 features a 125kW-410Nm 2.0-litre single-
The N80 Hilux with a new 2.8-litre engine, six-speed transmissions and a beefed-up towing capacity. turbo four-cylinder matched to an eight-speed automatic and a part-time
A facelift and more power for the 2021 model adds to its appeal.
four-wheel-drive system. It has a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity.
Fuel consumption is rated at 7.6L/100km on the combined cycle with a
W'Mate Single c/c 40,965 I4TD/2.4 M6 400 110 1775 1225 3200 80 76-litre fuel tank, allowing for a theoretical 1000km range.
W'Mate Extra c/c 46,665 I4TD/2.4 A6 400 110 1890 1110 3000 80 Standard equipment for the JAC T9 Oasis includes 18-inch alloy wheels,
W'Mate Dual c/c 48,735 I4TD/2.4 A6 400 110 1915 1085 3000 80 highway tyres, a 10.4-inch infotainment system, six speakers, Apple CarPlay
W'Mate Dual p/u 48,235 I4TD/2.4 M6 400 110 2045 955 3200 80 and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, keyless entry and push-button start, and
W'Mate Dual p/u 48,790 I4TD/2.4 A6 400 110 2045 955 3000 80 a wireless phone charger.
SR Single c/c 44,035 I4TD/2.8 M6 420 150 1795 1205 3500 80 The Oasis is also equipped with exterior LED lights, black leather-accented
SR Single c/c 44,590 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 1795 1205 3200 80 upholstery, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a cooled or heated centre
SR Extra c/c 48,695 I4TD/2.8 M6 420 150 1890 1110 3500 80 console, rain-sensing wipers and tyre pressure monitoring.
SR Extra c/c 48,250 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 1895 1155 3200 80 Active safety features include forward and reverse autonomous
SR Dual c/c 48,510 I4TD/2.8 M6 420 150 1955 1045 3500 80 emergency, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, lane-change assist,
SR Dual c/c 50,660 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 1955 1045 3200 80 blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, a driver
SR Dual p/u 52,455 I4TD/2.8 M6 420 150 2050 950 3500 80 monitoring system, and adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist.
SR Dual p/u 52,010 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2045 955 3200 80
All variants have seven airbags, including a front-centre airbag. It is
SR5 Extra p/u 59,970 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2045 1005 3200 80
understood that JAC is aiming for a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
SR5 Dual p/u 57,920 I4TD/2.8 M6 420 150 2040 960 3500 80
All JAC models will be covered by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre
SR5 Dual p/u 60,490 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2045 955 3200 80
warranty. The brand will also offer roadside assistance and capped-price
Rogue Dual p/u 70,760 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2174 826 3200 80
servicing coverage, though exact details haven’t been confirmed.
Rugged X Dual p/u 69,990 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2252 748 3200 80
Customer deliveries of the 2024 JAC T9 four-wheel-drive ute will
GR Sport 73,990 I4TD/2.8 A6 550 165 N/A N/A 3500 80
commence in Australia around May or June.
PARTING We all have that one mate who manages to get in to
PIC
strife on every 4x4 trip, whether they are the first one
to get bogged, roll the car or just get lost. Well, here’s
your chance to show the world their embarrassing
predicaments and give yourself a chance to win a
SEND TO OUR FB PAGE: @4X4AUS $300 voucher for MAXTRAX recovery gear.
CAUGHT UP
AT K’GARI
DAVID
BEARMAN
> K’GARI (FRASER ISLAND)
David Bearman was touring the
majestic K’gari (Fraser Island) in his
2016 Toyota HiLux. And, as luck would
have it, he drove all over the island and came across to lend a hand but didn’t people got bogged at the same spot,
never got bogged – until he sunk down have any success either. even the truck that pulls people out.
to the axles near a shop entrance, right “I was going to get my winch out, “Funny part was, he got himself out but
in front of a tour bus. but the bus driver jumped out and said everyone behind him got bogged and he
“It was my own fault,” David said. “I he would snatch me out, so he hooked drove off,” Dave said.
came in on an angle and not straight-on me up,” Dave added. “So he pulled me Dave’s 2016 HiLux has a two-inch
and didn’t think it was that soft. I got out backward, which was great, then lift kit; snorkel; bullbar; driving lights;
three-quarters along, then that was hooked me up again and snatched winch; tow bar; roof rack; awning; diff
it. I tried going back and forward and me through the entrance ... the breathers; dual-battery system; long-
started to get deeper.” embarrassing part was people on the range fuel tank; CB radio; and a drawer
He had no luck attempting to dig out bus and everyone else was taking video. system.
of trouble with a set of MaxTrax, and I was so grateful, I went and bought him “I still haven’t learned. I’m too lazy to
by then traffic had started to build up a few beers.” drop the air pressure on my tyres,” he
behind him. Rangers near the entrance Dave told us that more and more said.
T&Cs
• Voucher can only be redeemed through
www.maxtrax.com.au
• When using the voucher, any outstanding
balance can be paid as normal.
• If you don’t spend the whole thing, the
remaining balance can be used on your
account in the future.
• The voucher will expire 3 years from the
date of activation.
RAZR SHARP. CUTTING EDGE.
RAZR MT772 RAZR AT811
MAXXISRAZR.COM.AU
MAXXISTyresAustralia @Maxxis.Tyres.Australia Maxxis Tyres Australia
For a full range of suspension components and packages visit our website.
4X4ABC11122023
www.ironman4x4.com

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MAXXISTyresAustralia @Maxxis.Tyres.Australia Maxxis Tyres Australia

what to look out

MATT RAUDONIKIS WHEELS MEDIA

Chief Executive Officer Christian Clark

INTRODUCING THE FORTIFIED PLUS CLUTCH

Originally engineered for armoured vehicles, the TERRAIN TAMER FORTIFIED

For information visit terraintamer.com or call 1300 888 444

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OPEN PORE ASH WOOD TRIM

INFORMATION ON THE NEXT-GEN PATROL

Mount Little Station is just one

RACING OUTBACK (NSW) MUNDI MUNDI BASH (NSW)

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MSA POWER FOLD TM

When extended the large, single mirror allows

MSA4X4.COM.AU | GEAR FOR LIFE

FOUR DIFFERENT MIRROR

• Injection moulded and die-cast

WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS

WM, the brand formerly known as Great Wall, has

Ultra cabin feels

WHAT YOU GET phone mirroring, and an eight-speaker

The Tank 500

GWM TANK 500

Among the Ultra-model

AVAILABLE NOW – AUSTRALIA WIDE

WORDS AND PHOTOS CHRIS COLLARD

EYE OF THE HURRICANE and a common-rail direct-injection system

Part of the Hurricane’s

TECH, INTERIOR & TOYS all set for a tracklside nap.

Tire package for the Rebel

Though nowhere near the

Developed in the USA and tested in Australia’s toughest conditions,

MORE TREAD DEPTH LARGER FOOTPRINT MORE LOAD CAPACITY

COMPLAINTS WHAT’S NEXT?

POWERTRAINS BY THE NUMBERS

HURRICANE TWIN-TURBO HURRICANE HO

BRAWN: Ultima Light Bars

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SCAN TO SEE THEM IN ACTION

WORDS DEX FULTON IMAGES ELLEN DEWAR

Jason's 80 Series is as Behind the ARB Deluxe

IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE The 3D scanned, designed and CNC cut

The cargo area

JASON’S 80 HAD COPPED A SAHARA

A fresh paint job had the VDJ

The 315/75R17 Maxxis Razrs are

The most connected DC-DC charger ever made is

While the Ford F-150 and its full-size

ALL F-150S SOLD BY FORD

The entry-level LWB F-150

WHAT’S INSIDE? and a kick-arse B&O sound system with

I CERTAINLY APPRECIATED THE

It's a big cabin providing plenty of room for

SEE MORE. GO FURTHER. GO SAFER.

DIRTY STUFF lieu of the factory steps would be a great

FORD F-150 XLT LWB

A step in the right direction is this nifty access

Scan the QR code or phone our

AVAILABLE FROM: msa4x4.com.au

WE SAY: Great looking towing mirrors that don’t

12,000lb Winch ready

Optional extras include driving lights, light bars and colour-coding.

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