ULTIMATE OVERLAND PRODUCTS

EXCLUSIVE AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR

For your nearest distributor, call 1300 731 137

info@ironman4x4.com or alu-cab@ironman4x4.com
4X4ASP100419

www.ironman4x4.com #alucab
 A trip to Cape York with Ron Moon – see page 24* AUSTRALIAN
RESIDENTS
ONLY

BUDGET UTES

NEW TRITON
TAKES ON D-MAX
AND NAVARA

KS !
FORD RANGER

U C
MITSUBISHI TRITON

TOP TR
TOYOTA HILUX

x4s kitted out and tested in the High Country

Australia’s best-selling 4
COMPACT CUSTOmS MAY 2019
ISSUE NO.426
ZUKI SIERRA AND FJ CRUISER BUILT FOR FUN $9.95 (NZ $10.95)
SU
 WITH CENTRAL LOCKING
REAR WINDOW
Reinforced structural design
Smooth finish vinyl ester fiberglass
Lockable and tinted lift-up windows
Central locking rear window
Suits 4x2 and 4x4 dual cab models
Central Locking Large Access Windows

$
2775

for a full range of 4x4 accessories visit our website

4X4ADPS100419

www.ironman4x4.com
3300
$

In-built metal supporting frame

Smooth finish 9mm ABS plastic
Lockable and tinted lift-up windows
Plug and play wiring loom
Internal Sliding Window Gas Strut Openings
Suits 4x2 and 4x4 dual cab models

Prices do not include freight or fitting and are subject to change without notice.

#ironman4x4canopy
contents
www.facebook.com/4x4aus www.whichcar.com.au/4x4australia
MAY 2019

26 UNLEASH HELL
All hail the JT Gladiator, an
exciting new four-door 4x4 ute
from Jeep.

34
Three value-
52
FJ Cruiser does go
for-money utes as good as it looks
compared. ... and farther too.
 OW ON
TABLET
PAGE a 4X4 Australia app

1 3 6 -up
AUSTRALIAN R

New kit to jazzls.

your 4x4 trave
Hilux, Ranger
and Triton get
Ironman kitted.

4cast
10 4WORD
12 LATEST NEWS FROM THE 4X4 WORLD
16 TRAVEL BULLETIN

4x4 Driven
26 FIRST DRIVE: JEEP JT GLADIATOR
32 FIRST DRIVE: SUZUKI JIMNY AUTO
82
You too can have
34
52
UTE COMPARO: TRITON V D-MAX V NISSAN
CUSTOM: TOYOTA FJ CRUISER
64 IRONMAN 4X4 KIT: HILUX, RANGER & TRITON
a Suzuki Sierra
like this. 82 CUSTOM: SUZUKI SIERRA
152 READERS’ RIGS
154 SHED: NISSAN PATROL
156 SHED: LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

4x4 Explore
76 GUY FAWKES RIVER NATIONAL PARK, NSW
100 SOUTH COAST, NEW SOUTH WALES
112 COPETON DAM, NEW SOUTH WALES

4x4 Gear
100
Trekking through
92
124
TESTED: TRACK TRAILER TVAN
BUYERS’ GUIDE: SHOCK ABSORBERS
the South Coast 136 NEW GEAR ON THE MARKET
trails of NSW. 142 TESTED: TJM PRO LOCKER
146 TESTED: SPEEDLINER
148 TESTED: TERRAIN TAMER BRAKES
150 TESTED: QUICK FIST

4x4 opinion
20 TECH TORQUE FRASER STRONACH
22 FOOTLOOSE RON MOON

The Score
112
There’s a stack
158 ALL THE STATS, FIGURES AND
PRICES OF EVERY 4X4 YOU CAN BUY
on offer at NSW’s
Copeton Dam.

Privacy notice on page 162

www.4x4australia.com.au 9

WHY THE JEEP GLADIATOR IS
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT NEW
4X4 OF THE DECADE
Y
ES, I KNOW, it’s still a Jeep,
and love them or hate them
it seems everyone has their
opinion of the brand behind
the seven-slot grille. To give
them credit, though, Jeep is the only
brand to come out with a new 4x4
vehicle with live axles front and rear,
as well as off-road-focused variants
and options, in recent memory.
Before you say the new Jimny is a
new 4x4 with live axles, it’s pretty
much a re-body of the old one with
added safety tech and functionality.
There’s nothing else like the
Gladiator currently on the market.
The last one was the dual-cab
Land Cruiser 79 Series, and while
some might draw comparisons
between it and the new Gladiator,
they’re different vehicles. Even
though the 79 has proven a success
with recreational tourers and four-
wheel drivers, it was designed as a
workhorse with industry and fleet
sales in mind.
The Jeep Gladiator is aimed
squarely at recreational four-wheel
drivers, and with the availability of
a Rubicon model and the ability to
remove the roof and doors
for open air adventures
it is truly in a class of
10 www.4X4australia.com.au
4WORD
MATT RAUDONIKIS
its own. As a mid-sized truck many
will mark the Gladiator against the
likes of the Ranger, Hilux and other
popular one-tonne 4x4 utes, but the
Jeep is bigger and only has a 725kg
payload. Plus, its locked, live axles
will take it farther up the gnarliest
off-road track than any Hilux or
similar IFS ute. And that’s before
you delve into the wormhole of
aftermarket off-road accessories that
will be available for the Jeep.
Modern 4x4s are universally
becoming softer, more complicated
and less capable, and the Gladiator
bucks that trend. It probably won’t
be as capable as a Wrangler Rubicon
due to its longer wheelbase and
greater rear overhang creating
clearance issues, but being a ute (or
truck, if you like) its versatility will
appeal to a wider audience and not
just Jeep enthusiasts.
Love or hate Jeeps, we should
welcome the Gladiator as it’s a rare
occasion that we get a new off-road
vehicle to join the showrooms full
of soft-roaders. For that reason I’m
calling it the most significant new
4x4 of the decade. Is there a more
significant one? Tell us your
thoughts.
EDITORIAL
Editor Matt Raudonikis
Deputy Editor Justin Walker
Designers Jamie Burgess
Staff Journalist Tristan Tancredi
Editor-At-Large Ron Moon
Road-Test Editor Fraser Stronach
Sub-Editors Trent Giunco, John Panozzo
Digital Daniel Wong
CONTRIBUTORS
Mark Allen, Alastair Brook, Cristian Brunelli,
Chris Collard, Ellen Dewar, Scott Heiman, Mick Hurren,
Dean Mellor, Brad Miskiewicz, Kev Smith
ADVERTISING
Group Sales Manager Matt Rice (02) 9623 9706
Brand Sales Manager Scott Crowley 0410 221 434
NSW Agency Sales Max Kolomiiets (02) 8275 6486
QLD Todd Anderson 0409 630 733
SA Nick Lenthall (08) 8212 6256
WA Greg Boase 0438 905 869
Circulation Manager Stuart Jones
EXECUTIVE GROUP
Group Finance Manager Cain Murphy
Group General Manager, Trader Terry Williams-King
Bauer Media Chief Executive Officer Paul Dykzeul
SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK ISSUES
.
For subscriptions and Back Issues: Web: magshop.com.au;
Email: magshop@magshop.com.au; Ph: 136 116 between 8am to 6pm
(EST) Monday-Friday; Mail: Magshop, GPO Box 5252 Sydney NSW 2000
How To Contact 4X4 Ph: 03 9567 4268
Email: 4x4aus@bauer-media.com.au
Mail: Locked Bag 12 Oakleigh, Victoria 3166
4X4 AUSTRALIA MAGAZINE IS PROUDLY PRODUCED
AND PRINTED IN AUSTRALIA
Our vehicle testing is conducted at the
Melbourne 4x4 Training and Proving Ground, near Werribee, Victoria.
www.melbourne4x4.com.au
ISSN 0726-2418
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE
V
ISITORS to our digital space at 4x4australia.
com.au will notice our homepage resides at
whichcar.com.au/4x4australia.
All remains the same, with up-to-date
news stories, in-depth new-car analysis and
insane custom write-ups. We’ll also tick more travel
items off our bucket-list, and continue to bring
you the best aftermarket product advice from gear
manufactured here and abroad. Alongside our
4x4-related content, you’ll also be able to find the
best of motoring on the new website, with our sister
magazines MOTOR, Street Machine and Wheels all
just a convenient click away.
 ISUZU D-MAX X-RUNNER 4X4 AUTO

GO YOUR OWN WAY IN THE LIMITED EDITION ISUZU D-MAX X-RUNNER

Freestyle through every adventure in the Isuzu D-MAX X-RUNNER! Featuring the legendary Isuzu 3-litre turbo diesel engine with 430Nm of torque and an intuitive
6-speed transmission. Available in Magnetic Red mica and Pearl White, the Isuzu D-MAX X-RUNNER is packed with accessories like a satin black sports bar, rear park
assist sensors, unique X-RUNNER styling inside and out! Plus top of the range features including push button start, SatNav and a reversing camera. The Isuzu D-MAX
X-RUNNER has everything you need to make your next adventure stand out from the crowd. GO YOUR OWN WAY!

Discover the Isuzu D-MAX X-RUNNER at your Isuzu UTE Dealer or xrunner.com.au

*Private & ABN holders only. Excludes government, fleet, rental & non-profit buyers. Includes one year business vehicle registration, CTP insurance, dealer delivery & statutory charges. Only at Participating Isuzu UTE Dealers while stocks last.
^6 years/150,000km (whichever occurs first), for Eligible Vehicles with a Warranty Start Date on or after 1/1/19. Excludes trays & accessories. <6 years Roadside Assistance (unlimited kilometres) for Eligible Vehicles with a Warranty Start Date on or after
1/1/19. >The Capped Price Servicing Program (“CPS Program”) applies to Eligible Vehicles at Participating Isuzu UTE Dealers only. For 19MY & later vehicle models, the Capped Price Servicing covers the first 7 Scheduled Services for up to 7 years/105,000km
(whichever occurs first). CPS Program is subject to change. For full terms & conditions, current pricing & model eligibility visit isuzuute.com.au/service-plus-disclaimer.
 4cast
NEWS AND VIEWS
2019 EASTER
JEEP SAFARI
JEEP DEBUTS SIX CONCEPT VEHICLES AT THE
53RD ANNUAL MOAB EASTER JEEP SAFARI.
E
VERY year Jeep showcases a collection
of fettled custom metal loaded with
Jeep Performance Parts (JPP). And
this year, the brand’s hotly anticipated
Gladiator dominated the collective
minds of Jeep and Mopar … of course.
Six concepts debuted at this year’s Easter
Jeep Safari, and they were joined by the
production Gladiator – as well as thousands
of off-road enthusiasts – on the slick rock
and challenging technical trails of Moab,
Utah, from April 13-21.
“The Moab Easter Jeep Safari provides
the perfect venue to interact with and
gather feedback from our most loyal and
passionate customers,”Tim Kuniskis, Head
of Jeep Brand North America, said prior to
the event. “This year’s Safari will mark the
debut of the highly anticipated all-new Jeep
Gladiator on Moab’s scenic and demanding
trails.To celebrate, we are showcasing six
fun and ultra-capable new truck-based Jeep
concept vehicles that are certain to turn
heads and delight the crowd.”
Keep an eye on 4x4australia.com.
au for our drive impressions of the
Safari concepts.
WORDS TRISTAN TANCREDI
12 www.4X4australia.com.au
JEEP WAYOUT
THE WAYOUT is purpose-built
for off-the-grid endeavours, with a
full roof-top tent, a large canopy,
a 270-degree awning, a Mopar/
The concepts showcased a vast selection Decked bed-drawer system and two
of JPP developed by Mopar, providing custom-fit auxiliary fuel tanks. An
Jeep aficionados with plenty of food-for- ARB on-board air system helps with
thought when flicking through aftermarket remote-area touring; as does the
catalogues. two-inch lift kit, 37-inch muddies and
“Customisation is one of the highest a 12,000lb Warn winch. The Gator
priorities for Jeep brand enthusiasts.This Green paint-job will be available on
is why we have proactively developed production Gladiators.
a portfolio of more than 200 exclusive
parts and accessories for the all-new Jeep
Gladiator,” Steve Beahm, Head of Parts and
Service (Mopar) and Passenger Car Brands,
FCA North America, said. “At the 2019 EJS,
we will be inspiring our customers by
showcasing just a fraction of what
is currently available in our
catalogue and also
some conceptual
accessories
that might
make it into
production
in the near
future.”
JEEP FLATBILL JEEP J6
IF THERE’S any doubt on the intention of the Flatbill, then the motocross livery THE TWO-DOOR J6 is a Rubicon with
and two dirt bikes in the tray should provide a few clues. Designed as the ultimate a stretched rear tray and a wheelbase
hauler of fast toys, the Flatbill has had its tray removed and dedicated wheel ramps that matches the current-gen four-door
installed. It also features a shortened front bumper and a skid plate to improve the Wrangler. A sports bar features JPP
approach angle, Dynatrac Pro-Rock 60 front and rear axles, an Off-Road Evolution LEDs, while the spare tyre carrier is
custom four-inch lift, large rear bypass shocks, and 40-inch rubber. a prototype. The J6 also features a
JPP two-inch lift with 37-inch tyres, a
prototype two-inch steel stinger bar,
rock rails customised with two-inch steel
tubes, and a removable hardtop. The
3.6-litre Pentastar V6 is fed via a JPP
cold-air intake.

JEEP M-715 FIVE-QUARTER

THIS CONCEPT is a re-imagined 1968 M-715 with
changes to its chassis, drivetrain and cargo space.
Additions include a carbon-fibre front end, a bobbed
six-foot custom-fabbed aluminium bed, a 3.5-inch
drop to its convertible soft-top, new HIDs and LEDs,
rock rails, Rubicon steel bumpers, a heavy duty
link/coil suspension system, 40-inch rubber and a
Dynatrac Pro-rock 60 front axle and a Dynatrac
Pro-rock 80 rear axle. A 6.2-litre supercharged
“Hellcrate” HEMI V8 engine powers this resto-mod.

JEEP JT SCRAMBLER JEEP GLADIATOR GRAVITY

ACCESSORIES plucked from the Mopar catalogue include
17-inch slot wheels with a bronze hue, a JPP two-inch lift kit,
JPP rock rails and 37-inch tyres. A Mopar cold-air intake and
cat-back exhaust up performance from the 3.6-litre donk.
THE FULL suite of JPP kit equipped to the Gravity will
be available at launch, including the mounted Mopar cross
rails in the tray, Mopar/Decked truck bed storage system, a
JPP two-inch lift kit, plenty of LEDS, and heavy-gauge
steel JPP rock rails. The Gravity also gets the cold-air
intake and cat-back exhaust system for extra zip.

www.4X4australia.com.au 13
 4cast
NEWS AND VIEWS
CAMP PATRIOT
PATRIOT CAMPERS SETS UP CAMP
PATRIOT, TOURING EVENTS HELD
AROUND OZ TO BRING TOGETHER ITS
EXPANDING COMMUNITY.
YOU’D HAVE to be living
under a rock for the past
five years not to notice the
juggernaut that is Patriot
Campers. From the TV shows
to the Supertourers and the
wild adventures, it seems
Justin Montesalvo and his
team are everywhere.
As big as it has become,
the Patriot brand would be
nothing without its innovative
camper trailers and the
people that use them. With
sales of Patriot Campers
booming, the group of owners
is growing and banding
together for adventures of
their own. There are several
Patriot Campers’ owners’
groups on social media,
with the ‘official’ Facebook
group having close to 3000
members; sharing tips, tricks
and secrets of how they enjoy
bonding
Nothing like camping
with your customers
to build a strong
relationship.
WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS
14 www.4X4australia.com.au
their camper trailers.
Patriot Campers has
recognised this thriving
community and now hosts
Camp Patriot events to
better connect owners with
the business and each other.
Camp Patriot events will be
held around the country, and
we joined them on recent
jaunt in the Victorian High
Country.
Organised by Patriot’s
Victorian distributor Camping
Adventures and led by CA
chief Graham Pryde, the camp
was set up near Sheepyard
Flat outside Mansfield in
readiness for three days of
fun and adventure. A total of
13 Patriot campers attended
the weekend, which included
all the variants from early
X1s to the compact X2 and
even the latest X1H which
www.patriotcampers.com.au
www.campingadventuresoz.com.au
was brought down by the
team from Patriot HQ in
Queensland. They came filled
with families and couples,
behind a wide variety of 4x4s
from three states.
Most of the crew left their
campers set up at camp on
Saturday morning as they
set off to tour of some of the
best local tracks and sights.
The convoy covered steep
and sometimes slippery
mountain tracks, crossed
creeks and rivers, and visited
some stunning lookouts and
historic alpine huts.
It was a full day of driving
before they found their way
FOR MORE INFO
back to camp, where a cook-
off was enjoyed around the
campfire. Some of the crew
went touring on the Sunday,
while others packed up and
headed for home as the event
was over all too soon.
Camp Patriot events
are being set up regularly,
with one scheduled for
Queensland in May. A huge
one is planned to cross the
Simpson Desert in June,
linking up with the Patriot
race team in Finke for the
annual Finke Desert Race.
Check the Patriot Campers’
website for details and to
register your interest.
TRADIE PA CK
4x4 single cab s6
FROM

4x2 single cab s6

ROM
FR

Drive Away
FREE GPA TRAY
Retail value over $2,000

Drive Away
FREE TOWBAR
& Ladder Rack
Retail value over $2,000

BLACK EDITION FEATURES:

• Custom Black Decal Set
• 17inch Black Rims
• Black Alloy Sports Bar
• Black Bull bar Winch Compatible
• Black Side Steps
• 2.2 Litre Turbo Diesel
• 103kw, 320nm Torque,
• 6 Speed Manual, ISO Fix,
• Sat Nav, Reverse Camera
• Black Flares

For details visit mahindra.com.au OR CALL 1800 45 95 75

*Terms & Conditions apply, Pricing valid till 30 June 2019. Optional Accessories shown, like Bull Bar, Tinted Windows, Heavy
Duty Tray, but not limited to are not included in the Price. See Your Participating Mahindra Dealer for Details. DMM8445
 TRAVEL BULLETIN
ALL THE LATEST 4X4 NEWS AND EVENTS

GULF ESCAPE (NT) STEAM RALLY (VIC) HENRY LAWSON FESTIVAL GREGORY RIVER CANOE RACE
Limmen NP is a hidden The Steam Rally Echuca (NSW) (QLD)
gem in the NT’s Gulf Moama is on again over the The Henry Lawson Festival The 44th Gregory River
Country, but one well June long weekend. Held will be held in Grenfell, NSW, Canoe Race, held May 5, runs
worth spending a few at Rotary Park, Echuca, over the Queen’s Birthday over two separate distances:
days at – especially if this year’s event will see long weekend (June 8 to 18km (recreational) and
you’re a keen angler. more than 200 exhibits 10). Henry Lawson, one of 40km (marathon). It’s open
The big park sprawls showcasing the technology Australia’s most famous to all types of paddle-craft,
south from Roper used in the past. Along with poets, was born at Grenfell’s from kayaks and canoes
Bar to just north of working steam engines goldfields in 1867. Reading through to K1 racers.
Cape Crawford and there will be vintage cars, bush poetry by the campfire Enter as an individual or
offers some brilliant working horses and plenty with damper and some a team, with final entries
campsites: Towns River, of family entertainment. billy tea is a highlight of accepted up to May 4. You
Limmen Campground, The event is also a major the festival, while many can race for fun or get a
Nathan River and fundraiser (Rotary Club of punters also enjoy the bit more serious and try to
Limmen River Fishing Echuca Moama) with this Pinnacle Guinea Pig Races; nab some of the $7400 in
Camp. As well as year’s major beneficiary one of Australia’s most prizemoney. The brilliant
fishing on the Towns to be the Echuca Regional unusual sporting events. For race is part of the larger
and Bight Rivers, Health Proposed Cancer and more information on this Saddles and Paddles Festival
there’s the Western and Wellness Centre. For further quintessential Australian run over that weekend.
Southern Lost Cities, information, go to www. event, head to: www. Visit www.northwest
with their tower-like echucasteamrally.com.au henrylawsonfestival.com.au canoeclub.org.au
rock formations.
THE NORTH-WEST IS CALLING CARAVAN, CAMPING & LASSETERS CAMEL
It’s that time of year to TOURING SUPERSHOW (QLD) CUP (NT)
start thinking about the The Queensland Ca cking day out
Kimberley’s Gibb River Camping and Touri ed Centre,
Road. With the region’s Supershow will be h to Alice
jaw-dropping landscape, 5 to 10 at the Brisb prings on
plentiful campsites, brilliant Showgrounds. aturday July
swimming holes, great The Supershow and the
fishing and epic side-trips will be packed ters Camel
(the track to Kalumburu), it’s with the latest mels running
easy to see why ‘the Gibb’ camping and carav are brilliant to
is on bucket lists. From the goodies from hundr nd these big
start-point of Kununurra of manufacturers are running
to Derby – and then on to and distributors, cause as the
Broome and Cable Beach – including camper also a fund-
you can make it as quick or trailers and eld on the
as long an adventure as you campervans. There hemisphere’s
like. Accommodation options also be reps from to pose-built
are dotted along Gibb River destinations to ans cetrack, the
Road, ranging from NP queries. Head onlin has plenty of
campsites to the luxury of El www.queenslandca activities too,
Questro Resort. shows.com.au t www.
p.com.au
XD129 HOLESHOT
SATIN BLACK ON
VEHICLE

XD Series wheels are legends in off-roading. Their style and

performance have made them favorites for off-road racers, rock
crawlers and mudders alike. The designs are race-proven and
feature an unmatched combination of light weight and durability.

XD844 - PIKE XD139 - PORTAL

GLOSS BLACK MILLED SATIN BRONZE/W SATIN
BLACK LIP

XD840 SPY II XD841 - BONEYARD XD842 - SNARE

SATIN BLACK WITH GLOSS BLACK MILLED GLOSS BLACK
DARK TINT W/ GREY TINT

1 800 959 1969 kmcwheels.com kmcwheels

TRAIL GRAPPLER TERRA GRAPPLER G2 RIDGE GRAPPLER

Find out more at

wheelprosaustralia.com.au
1800 959 1969
kmcwheels

ELECTRIC SHOCKER.
A
USTRALIA’S largest motoring
organisation, the National Roads
and Motorists’ Association
(NRMA), reckons all petrol and
diesel cars should be banned from
sale from 2025... really? 2025? In just six
years’ time? Surely it must be an April
Fool’s Day joke.
This idiocy from the NRMA comes
off the back of one of the two major
political parties announcing that 50 per
cent of all new vehicles sold by 2030
must be electric, a far more reasonable
proposition but still largely pie-in-the-sky
stuff and something you would expect
from politicians anyway. But from a
body like the NRMA that supposedly
represents motorists’ interests and
therefore hopefully knows something
about cars... seriously?
Electric vehicles are coming and
need to come. They can make a huge
difference to air quality in cities where
pollution from petrol and diesel engines
is at its worst and has a detrimental
effect on human health, particularly
that of children. Provided those
electric vehicles (EVs) can also run on
electricity generated fully by renewable
sources, they will also benefit the wider,
2019 – 2025?
20 www.4X4australia.com.au
tech torque
FRASER STRONACH
potentially global, environment.
But where is the electricity to power all
these EVs going to come from in Australia
given we barely have sufficient electricity
for our current domestic, commercial
and industrial needs. So-called ‘brown-
outs’, a polite way of saying ‘bad luck, we
switched your power off as we didn’t have
enough to go around’, already happen in
peak-load times in summer. Even without
the extra demand EVs will place on the
national grid, it will be under increasing
pressure going forward with the transition
to renewables and away from coal- and
gas-fired power stations.
If we are charging EVs off a grid that is
still 80 per cent fossil-fuel-powered, as it
is at present, the net environmental gain
is also much reduced, even if it moves the
pollution out of cities to wherever the
fossil-fuel power stations are located.
Much has also been made of the
situation in Norway where some 50
per cent of new cars sold are electric-
powered; good on the Norwegians for
initiating financial incentives dating
back 20 years to make that happen. The
fact that Norway is 20 times smaller than
Australia, and the majority of the five
million people (one fifth of Australia’s
population) are concentrated at one
end of the country, presents a more
EV-friendly situation than in Australia
in terms of travel distances and building
EV-charging infrastructure.
In terms of moving forward towards
EV adoption, governments at every level
in Australia have been largely asleep at
the wheel. Witness the situation where
electric carmaker Tesla has been
allowed to build fast-charging stations
here in Australia where you can only
recharge Tesla cars. Now, that’s forward
thinking on a plate.
In the bigger picture, on-the-run
recharging isn’t actually the best way to
recharge EVs anyway; although, it will be
part of the infrastructure mix. Given the
longer time to charge an EV compared
to filling a fossil-fuel car, and that, unlike
petrol or diesel, electricity is easy to
move around, EVs will be best recharged
whenever they’re sitting still. That means
in parking stations and in carparks in
home units, shopping centres and office
buildings; in fact, carparks anywhere.
That’s where the EV infrastructure is
needed and needs to be planned for
today. Without EV infrastructure, EV
sales won’t move forward.

THE DESERT’S LIFELESS EXPANSE MAKES RON FEEL MORE ALIVE THAN EVER.
I
HAVE JUST returned from a quick
trip up to Coober Pedy along the
Anne Beadell Highway. We only went
as far west as Voakes Hill Corner,
where we turned south before getting
to the coast at Cheetima Beach. It was a
top trip through an area I hadn’t visited
in a long time and I vowed to return
much sooner than my previous visit.
It got me thinking about why I
like desert country so much: Is it
the remoteness or the challenge of
travelling such harsh country? Is it the
seemingly lifeless expanse that hides
such variety? Or is it that sense of
freedom many of us pine for and which
seems to get harder to find as the planet
gets more crowded?
Maybe it’s just the wide open spaces
that attract me, or the incredible
transformation that comes about when
water falls or flows, such as what is
happening along the Diamantina River
and Warburton Creek floodplain all the
way to Lake Eyre.
Then, of course, the desert is a great
leveller. It doesn’t matter who or what
you are, the desert will bring you down
to earth, often with a thud. And it can
be cruel. Do the wrong thing out here
22 www.4X4australia.com.au
footloose
RON MOON
and you’ll have a very hard time of it all
– some may even die.
Being born in Tennant Creek and
living all my early days in the Northern
Territory and northern South Australia
perhaps imbued me with a sense of
‘home’ and belonging. Maybe it is all
those things that attract me.
Over the past 12 months I’ve spent a
fair amount of time in desert country,
on one occasion passing through Corner
Country and ending up at Innamincka
on Cooper Creek, a place every Aussie
should visit at least once in their life.
Water was flowing across the causeway
and we wandered down to the creek
and drove across the shallow stream a
few times; for no reason other than it
seemed like a good thing to do after a
few days of crossing some very dry and
dusty country north of Broken Hill.
Before our Corner Country travels
we’d been driving our RAM 2500
through the high desert country of
Moab, Utah, in the US of A.
There are many delights to be had in
the west of North America, but Utah
and its red-rock desert country would
have to be our favourite and keeps
drawing us back every time.
Edward Abbey, author of Desert
Solitaire knew the Utah back country
like the back of his hand, and an
excerpt from his book reads:
“The desert is nothing. Completely
passive, acted upon but never acting,
the desert lies there like the bare
skeleton of Being; spare, sparse, austere,
utterly worthless, inviting not love but
contemplation.”
Denis Bartell, who named that big
Simpson Desert dune, Big Red, back
in 1977, was struck by the magic of the
desert when he set out on the first of
many trips (see: www.desertwalker.com.
au). He said to me while at Big Red a
couple of years back:
“Over the past 40 years and 70-plus
crossings, mostly solo, a ritual formed
between that dune and me. A sunset
whenever possible from Big Red was
something not to be missed for it was
then that I could easily relive, in a
most vivid form, my past journeys
and scenery from its ever-changing
landscape – I could truly be at one with
the spirit of the desert.”
I know how he feels; in that place of
seemingly lifeless expanse, you feel
more alive than ever.
A lifeless expanse can
make you realise just
how lucky you are.
 Win
A TRIP for two
TO CAPE YORK
or 1 of 2 tyre prize packs
valued at $1,800!
We’re giving away a guided 4x4 trip for two to Cape York, during the period of August 8 to August 21, 2019. The incredible
experience, valued at up to AUD$11,800, will be led by 4X4 Australia’s very own Ron Moon, an Aussie off-road expert.
By travelling with Ron, winners of the major prize will discover Moonie’s best-kept secrets, as well as benefit from his
expansive knowledge of The Cape. Cape York features almost every landscape that is available in Australia, and it will
surprise and delight any avid 4WDer with its abundance of opportunities to test your 4x4* and your off-roading skills.
From rocky mountains, crystal-clear river crossings, bulldust, floodplains, thick bush, beach driving and rainforests,
Cape York has it all. Two runner-up prizes will also be available, with tyre prize packs up for grabs. For your chance to
win, simply subscribe to 4X4 Australia for 100 entries or enter your details online for one entry.
*The winner must have an adequately prepared and insured vehicle for the duration of the trip as per specifications listed online.
 total prize pool
valued at up to

$15,600

HOW TO ENTER:
FOR 100 ENTRIES FOR 1 ENTRY
SUBSCRIBE TO 4X4 AUSTRALIA ENTER ONLINE AT WHICHCAR
magshop.com.au/4x4-Australia whichcar.com.au/CapeYork

Conditions apply, see whichcar.com.au/CapeYork Open to AU res. 18+ who can travel to Cape York, QLD from 8/8/19 - 21/8/19. Starts: 7/3/19. Ends: 23:59pm AEST 29/5/19. Draw: 11am AEST 17/6/19 at 7
Salamander Crt, Mermaid Waters, QLD 4218. Winners at www.whichcar.com.au from 21/6/19. Major prize: Trip for 2 on the 2019 Cape York Moon Tour (valued up to $11,800). Runner up prizes: 2 x set of Cooper
Discover AT3 Tyres or similar ($1,800ea). Promoter: Bauer Media Pty Ltd (ABN 18 053 273 546) of 54 – 58 Park St, Sydney, NSW 2000. Permits: NSW LTPS/18/30533 ACT TP 18/02440 SA T18/2185.
 DRIVE
JEEP JT GLADIATOR
RETURNOFTHEWARRIOR
IS JEEP’S NEW GLADIATOR WORTH THE
WAIT? WE HEAD STATESIDE TO FIND OUT.
T THE END of World War II,
Willys Overland emerged
as a major player in the US
automobile industry. Having
produced more than 600,000
vehicles specifically for the war
effort, its role as a peace-time
manufacturer would need to
expand. In 1947, the first Jeep
‘utility’ truck rolled out of its Toledo, Ohio,
facility and the rest, we will say, is history.
The Willys pick-up was phased out in the
1960s and replaced by the full-sized Gladiator,
which claimed numerous “J” designations
and a 26-year tenure. The mid-size Comanche,
introduced in 1982, ended production in 1994
and the seven-slot grille would be ‘bedless’ for
more than a quarter of a century.
Jeep has since hung a few carrots in front
WORDS CHRIS COLLARD
of pick-up devotees with its annual batch of
concept vehicles. The J12 Scrambler, NuKaizer
and Crew Chief 715 prompted the question:
when was Jeep going to get back in the pick-up
game? Enter the 2020 Wrangler JT Gladiator.
26 www.4X4australia.com.au
CHASSIS, DRIVETRAIN AND
CAPACITIES
WHILE most money would have been bet on
Jeep simply stretching the four-door Wrangler
and dropping a bed on the back, the team in
Toledo knew that being competitive in the ute
market would require, well, building a ute. ENGINE
They worked with Ram to design a chassis Under the Gladiator’s
worthy of solid payload and towing capacities, aluminium bonnet is
as well as Dana and FOX for upgraded axles the reliable Pentastar
and shocks. As with new-generation Ram 3.6L V6 petrol engine.
trucks, the frame is comprised of high-strength
steel to reduce weight and increase rigidity. INTERIOR
Styling cues share
Raising the hood reveals a Pentastar
the DNA of JT
3.6L V6 tuned to an impressive 213kW
predecessors, while the
and 353Nm. The D478 six-speed manual is dash has gauges and
standard fare (manual cog gearheads rejoice), switches all in view and
while the 850RE eight-speed auto is an reach of the driver.
option (US$2000). Gladiator won’t see the
turbocharged four-cylinder found in the JL, STORAGE
but Jeep states that 2020 will bring the 3.0L There are lockable
EcoDiesel in US models. However, Jeep isn’t compartments below
giving specifics on powertrains for the AU and under the rear
market just yet. Transfer case options are the seat, which can be
locked in the up or
down position.

POWERPLANT
NV241 Command-Trac (Sport and Overland OUTPUT
models) and the NV241 Rock-Trac (Rubicon). TRANSMISSION
Down below are Gen III Dana 44 axles TRANSFER CASE
AXLES/RATIOS
fitted with 3.73:1 or 4.10:1 gears depending on
CRAWL RATIO (RUBICON)
model. As with its JL sibling, the suspension STEERING
is coil-sprung links with monotube gas shocks. SUSPENSION
Rubicon models will host features we’ve TIRES
BASE WEIGHT
grown to love: a 4:1 low-range transfer case, PAYLOAD
electronically actuated Tru-Lok differentials, TOWING CAPACITY
one-button disconnectable front sway bar, Fox WHEELBASE/TURNING CIRCLE
APPROACH, BREAKOVER, DEPARTURE ANGLES
2.0 shocks and 33-inch Falken all-terrain tyres. MANUFACTURED
JEEP JT GLADIATOR
Pentastar 3.6-litre V6
213kW, 353Nm
Six-speed manual, eight-speed automatic
NV241 Command-Trac (Sport/Overland), NV241OR Rock-Trac (Rubicon)
Dana 44, 3.73:1, 4.10:1
52.1:1 (Sport/Overland), 84.2:1 (Rubicon)
Electro-hydraulic
Links, coil springs, stabiliser bars (f/r)
285/70R17 Falken A/T, M/T
2290kg (Rubicon 5-speed)
725kg
3500kg
3480mm, 1356cm
43.4/20.3/26 (Rubicon)
Toledo, Ohio, USA

WALKAROUND, INTERIOR AND the terrain directly in front of the bumper.

TECHNOLOGY
GLANCING at the Gladiator from the front
it looks much like its JL brethren. But closer
inspection reveals wider slots in the grille for
increased air flow when needed (towing). An
aluminium hood, doors and tailgate are other
we ht-reduction measures. Mindful features
re a three-position tailgate, roll-up tonneau
co er and power outlet in the bed. Up front is
eep Trailcam, which allows you to preview
Adhering to its historical roots, the doors and
roof are removable and the windscreen folds
down to provide a full view of the heavens and
track. The entire process takes about 10 minutes
and needed tools are provided in a tool kit. If
you get caught with the top off in a rainstorm,
no worries, the carpet can be removed for
drying and the cab washed down.
The interior takes cues from several of
the JT’s predecessors. The dash is a shorter

www.4X4australia.com.au 27
DRIVE JEEP JT GLADIATOR
aspect ratio similar to an old Willys or CJ,
yet instruments and controls are in full view
and at arm’s reach of the driver. The fourth-
gen Uconnect features up to an 8.4-inch
touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple
CarPlay. Siri, along with steering wheel
controls, allows the driver to keep eyes on the
road and hands on the wheel. Another cool
option is a grab-n-go Bluetooth speaker to keep
the tunes flowing around camp. Numerous
USB and 12V ports are standard. Locker
controls are out of the Rubicon’s playbook; a
toggle below the Uconnect screen allows for
rear, front, or dual locker engagement. A single
button turns everything off.
Seats are quite comfortable, and the rear
provides enough room for a full-size adult.
Grab handles on the A- and B-pillar are solid,
but I prefer the optional soft handles that
mount directly over occupants on the roll cage.
There is plenty of secure storage in the form
of lockable compartments behind and under
the rear s at. The seat can be locked in the up
or down position to keep sticky fingers from
accessing your gear when opless. As with all
new Jee , the Gla or has engine start/
ON THE TRAIL THE
GLADIATOR IS EVERYTHING
WE’D EXPECT FROM A
WRANGLER
28 www.4X4australia.com.au
stop (ESS), ABS, ESC, blind-spot monitoring,
reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, and
a host of modern safety features.
ON THE ROAD AND TRAIL
WITH 160km of pavement before we turn
off on the dirt, we had plenty of time to
evaluate the Gladiator’s street prowess. First
impressions were that the extended wheelbase
and firm suspension provided a very stable
and comfortable ride. Tracking on constant-
radius corners was predictable, simulated
emergency braking and lane changes didn’t
turn knuckles white, and noise levels (soft and
hardtop models) were on par for a Wrangler. It
is louder than its closed-cab competitors, but
lest we forget that in 10 minutes we can take
the top off and kick the windscreen down.
Diving into mid-size truck territory, Jeep
took it to task to ensure capacities would
up to the competition. The Gladiator’s stats
come in at 725kg payload and 3500kg towing
capacities (with Max Tow option). Heavy-
duty progressive-rate coil springs manage
the additional burden, and the track bar and
mounting system are straight from RAM’S
1500 half-ton. Brakes are upgraded, now with
345mm rotors out back and 330mm up front.
The Pentastar V6 is no slouch and merging on
the freeway is effortless, but it did work a bit
harder with a 2270kg ski boat in tow.
We spent the afternoon in a Rubicon,
motoring through March mud and crawling
over rocky technical terrain in the Californian
Sierra Nevada. On the trail the Gladiator
is everything we’d expect from a Wrangler.
THE NEW
GENERATION
ALL-TERRAIN AT3
A commitment to deliver improved performance in all conditions, resulted
in a new engineered AT3, purpose built, based on tyre size, for drivers
seeking reliable and safe performance, no matter what the conditions.

T YRE N
RN O
WO

IS
E

HIP PERFO
C
D
*
RE

0%

RM
N

UC 2
D

CUT A

ANC

ED
BY O V ER
E

EAD LIFE
TR
M
*

%
I

PR 0
OVED B Y1
%*
IM

15

RO
P

E R
VED O V
BY

Take a closer look:

SEARCH AT3 Play Harder

* Based on U.S. outdoor track testing in September 2017 of current Discoverer A/T3™ vs.
v new Discoverer AT3LT™.
Aust. Registered Design No. 201812526.
DRIVE JEEP JT GLADIATOR

2020 JEEP
GLADIATOR PRICE
ESTIMATE
CRUNCHING THE
NUMBERS TO ESTIMATE
HOW MUCH THE
GLADIATOR WILL COST IN
AUSTRALIA.

AMERICAN pricing has been

unveiled for the 2020 Jeep
Gladiator, indicating that
Australians could expect to pay
around $60,000 for the entry-level
model.
Australian prices are yet to
be released, but if we follow
in the footsteps of our mates
across the Pacific – and compare
Wrangler prices in the USA and
Australia – we can take a more
educated stab.
The entry level price for
a Gladiator in the States is
US$33,545 (Sport model), while
the top-of-the-range Rubicon at
2019 JEEP JT Even with 280mm of
US$43,545 will lighten your wallet
GLADIATOR clearance, the longer
further. Sandwiched between
these two models is the Sport A DEPARTURE ANGLE 26˚˚
D wheelbase and reduced
S, priced at US$36,755, and the B RAMPOVER ANGLE 20.3˚˚ rampover angle put
Overland, priced at US$40,395. C APPROACH ANGLE 43˚˚ A C
the skid pans in
The Wrangler Sport in the D WADING DEPTH 760mm B contact with the deck
E
USA fetches US$31,445 E GROUND CLEARANCE 280mm a few times.
(the Gladiator equivalent is
US$33,545); while the Wrangler
Rubicon retails for US$41,445 When needed, toggling the lockers kept all Overland are not available with Tru-Lok
(the Gladiator equivalent is four tyres turning in unison, and the coil-link diffs, I’ve driven Wrangler JLs equipped
US$43,545). So, as you can see suspension did an admirable job of keeping with the Trac-Lok system (optional) over
the Gladiator asks for about
them in contact with the tractive surface. highly technical terrain and found it works
US$2K more than the Wrangler.
In Australia the four-door
While a solid front axle is not as cushy as exceptionally well. I do need to note that
Wrangler JL Sport S retails from its IFS rivals on the highway, this reviewer even with 280mm of clearance, the longer
$53,450; the four-door Overland (who learned to drive on the Rubicon Trail) wheelbase and reduced breakover angle put
asks for $62,950; and the four- feels it is far superior than an independent the skid pans in contact with the hard deck
door petrol-powered Rubicon suspension in cross-axle conditions. It a few times. The turning radius 1356cm also
$63,950. also offers greater latitude with regard to requires some forethought in tight quarters.
Like-for-like and taking into raising ride height and other modifications. However, a mild lift would greatly reduce
account exchange rates, we can Approach and departure angles are 43˚ and any clearance issues.
expect to pay close to $60K to 26˚ respectively (another best-in-class), but We’ve been waiting years for Jeep to
get into the range, and closer to
breakover, due to the 3480mm wheelbase, jump back into the pick-up ute world.
$70K for the four-door Rubicon.
lags at 20.3˚. We didn’t test fording depth, but When it did, its focus was on capability and
When it lands locally the
Gladiator will be available in Jeep states it will clear 760mm of standing capacity. Capability was confirmed when a
Sport, Sport S, Overland and water without issue. pre-production unit was entered in one of
Rubicon configurations, with a The auto’s 4.71:1 first gear combined with the toughest races on the planet, King
3.6-litre Pentastar V6 and eight- the Rubicon’s 4:1 transfer case provides of the Hammers. We love the fact that you
speed auto. At this pint we can Wrangler’s best-in-class crawl ratio of 72:1 can put a canopy and rooftop tent out back
only hope for a manual gearbox (84.2:1 with the manual). The Sport and of a Jeep. After three days behind the
and the 3.0L V6 diesel. Overland offer a respectable 52:1, which to wheel in a variety of conditions and terrains,
The Australian launch is the best of our knowledge also beats most we’d say the Gladiator JT was worth the
expected in 2020. of the competition. Although the Sport and wait.

30 www.4X4australia.com.au
 DRIVE
SUZUKI JIMNY (AUTOMATIC)

THE
MOUSE
THAT
SUZUKI HAS SHOEHORNED A BIGGER ENGINE
INTO ITS LONG-SERVING JIMNY, AND THEN
ROARED
WORDS FRASER STRONACH

ADDED A COOL RETRO BODY AND HEAPS OF

KIT. WE TEST THE AUTO VARIANT.

32 www.4X4australia.com.au
 ERY FEW of today’s 4x4s can
trace a line of ancestry back 50
years like the Suzuki Jimny. What
started in 1970 with the LJ10 and
its 360cc air-cooled twin-cylinder
two-stroke engine, has culminated
in this latest model complete with
its 1.5L petrol four, the biggest
and most powerful engine to ever
grace a Jimny, or a Sierra to use its other name.
Between 1970 and today, plenty has changed
but two things remain a constant over those 50
years, namely a separate ladder-frame chassis
and live axles back and front. That puts Jimny
in unique ‘old-school’ company, with the Toyota
70 Series and Jeep Wrangler as the only other
4x4s currently sold that are similarly equipped.
Compared to the previous generation model
that arrived in 1998 this new Jimny not only
has the 1.5L engine (replacing the previous
1.3) but is marginally heavier, wider and taller,
and it rides on a wider track and skinnier tyres.
More significant with this new Jimny is an all-
new-but-still-retro body that harks back to the
LJ10 and subsequent LJ20 and LJ50 models.
ON-ROAD
THE JIMNY’S 1.5L engine may be ‘new’,
but it’s a long way from cutting-edge petrol-
engine technology where turbocharging, direct
injection and variable valve lift, as well as
variable timing, now define the genre. It makes
a modest 75kW and an even more modest
130Nm, and both those maximum numbers are
only achieved at high engine speeds: 4000rpm
for peak torque and 6000rpm for peak power.
If none of that sounds encouraging the good
news is that the Jimny only weighs 1100kg, so
its power-to-weight ratio isn’t too bad and the
Jimny is nippy enough and even relaxed at
low and medium speeds. At highways speeds,
where power-to-aerodynamic-drag ratio is more
important than power-to-weight ratio, things
go south and the engine needs to work hard to
maintain highway speeds, even on lesser hills.
The five-speed manual is definitely better
than the four-speed auto on-road, for the simple
reason that it has one more gear to play with.
Plus, manual control for a high-revving engine
is always better anyway. The auto isn’t too flash
SUZUKI JIMNY (AUTOMATIC)
ENGINE 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol
MAX POWER 75kW at 6000rpm
MAX TORQUE 130Nm at 4000rpm
GEARBOX Four-speed automatic
4X4 SYSTEM Dual-range part-time
CRAWL RATIO 32.7:1
CONSTRUCTION Separate chassis
FRONT SUSPENSION Live axle; coil springs
REAR SUSPENSION Live axle; coil springs
WHEEL/TYRE SPEC 195/80R15
KERB WEIGHT 1090kg
GVM 1435kg
PAYLOAD 345kg
SEATING CAPACITY Four
FUEL TANK CAPACITY 40 litres
ADR FUEL USE 6.9L/100km
ON-TEST FUEL USE 8.9L/100km
BASE PRICE: $25,990 (Auto + ORC)
in terms of shift quality, while the wide gaps
between the four ratios can be momentum
ENGINE
killers. Top gear with the auto is a bit taller The 1.5-litre petrol
than the manual’s, so the fact it sits at a slightly four-cylinder is the
lower rpm at highway speeds is one benefit of most powerful engine
the auto, even if the engine revs hard with both fitted to a Jimny.
’boxes. It’s a pity Suzuki didn’t junk them and
replace them with six-speeders. The engine is
agreeable, but gets noisy when revving hard,
which is often on highway and country roads.
In terms of on-road dynamics the Jimny
is nippy and fun to drive on tight roads and
at slower speeds, but it isn’t as convincing at
higher speeds where it can be upset by bumps
and crosswinds. Still, the ride is surprisingly
good and the potentially unsettling presence of
the live axles at both ends is well-disguised. INTERIOR
The cabin is ‘old-
OFF-ROAD school’ upright and
IF YOU think the Jimny is fun on-road it’s the dashboard and
even more fun off-road thanks to its clearance, windscreen are both
similarly old-school ‘flat’
short wheelbase and very steep approach
(or flattish).
and departure angles, allowing it to go places
where bigger, longer 4x4s can’t. Its light weight
also makes it just the ticket in sand or mud;
although, the overall small diameter of the
15-inch wheel and tyre package lets it down on
rougher tracks, even if the live axles provide a
decent amount of travel. Larger diameter tyres,
even within the limited legal increase, is the
first modification the Jimny needs for off-road
driving. A snorkel wouldn’t go astray, either.
For off-road use, the auto variant comes into STORAGE
its own as its torque convertor gives a gearing There’s a surprising
advantage (and torque multiplication) for amount of luggage
steep climbs, even if the manual’s crawl ratio space with the rear
is slightly lower. For the new Jimny, Suzuki has seats folded thanks to
also gone back to a traditional transfer lever in the boxy body shape.
place of the push-button transfer selector used
previously, which is a welcome touch.
CABIN AND EQUIPMENT
THE JIMNY is small but deceptively roomy
inside. It only seats four and the back-seat
passengers need to be small, but the room up
front is good for tall drivers.
Good vision, too, from the driver’s seat, but
shorter drivers would be better off with seat-
height adjustment. There’s no steering wheel
reach adjustment, either – only tilt.
The Jimny is surprisingly well-equipped with
a 7-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, Apple CarPlay
and Android Auto. Active safety features
include automatic emergency braking, lane-
departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
SUM UP
THERE’S nothing else like the Jimny on the
road, or indeed off it. Nothing else is this useful
and convenient in the confines of the tightest
city street yet equally at home in the bush,
where it feels like it could just about go
anywhere and is built tough enough to take it.
It’s just a shame Suzuki didn’t see fit to add a
sixth gear to the manual and at least two more
gears to the automatic.
www.4X4australia.com.au 33
 DRIVE
TRITON V D-MAX V
NISSAN COMPARISON

WORDS FRASER STRONACH PHOTOS ALASTAIR BROOK

BAN G BU C KS FOR YOUR

WITH A FEW TWEAKS AND A NEW FACE, HOW DOES
MITSUBISHI’S STRONG-SELLING TRITON STACK UP
AGAINST ITS IMMEDIATE CLASS RIVALS?

ISUZU D-MAX LS-U N I S S A N N A VA R A S T- X MITSUBISHI TRITON EXCEED

M
ITSUBISHI’S new MR new styling, but there’s also new active of the Tritons where the rear of the
Triton. It’s not so much safety kit and – the most significant cabin has the distinctive rounded-off
of an all-new model but mechanical change – the adoption of a styling.
more a mid-life refresh six-speed automatic that replaces the In between then and now new engines
of the fifth-generation previous five-speeder. have been the most notable changes,
MQ that arrived in This evolutionary rather than with a 3.2 diesel making way for a 2.5
Australia four years revolutionary approach is very much diesel and most recently a 2.4 diesel,
ago. Mitsubishi’s way when it comes to the all the while offering more power and
Most obviously the Triton, as this new model can trace its lower emissions. Meanwhile, extra ratios
MR brings distinctive roots back to the ML of 2006, the first have been added to both the manual and

34 www.4X4australia.com.au
automatic gearboxes.
In a very crowded and very
competitive dual-cab market the Triton
is outsold only by the Hilux and Ranger,
thanks largely to pricing only bettered
by Chinese, Indian and now Korean
utes. And while this new Triton is a
little more expensive than the outgoing
model, it’s still the least expensive of
the mainstream dual-cabs, with prices
starting below $40K for a dual-cab
4x4. However, what we have here isn’t
the least expensive Triton but the top-
spec GLS Premium, which is $52K plus
on-road costs.
To keep the Triton honest we have two
of the other less expensive mainstream
utes in the form of Nissan’s Navara D23
and Isuzu’s D-Max. Like the predecessor
of this new Triton the Navara D23 first
appeared in 2015 but has been updated
twice in quick succession, the last
time early in 2018. Here we have a top-
spec Navara ST-X, which is $54K plus
on-roads. The D-Max effectively dates
back to 2012; although, it received a
significant powertrain upgrade in 2017
and some chassis tweaks a year later. Our
mid-spec LS-U test vehicle is $51K plus
on-roads.
www.4X4australia.com.au 35
DRIVE TRITON V D-MAX V NISSAN COMPARISON

ISUZU D-MAX LS-U

ORKING MAN
While not the flashiest or most sophisticated ute on the
market, the D-Max has slowly gained in popularity thanks
largely to its robust and reliable powertrain.

T
HIS generation D-Max arrived in
Australia in 2012 and unlike every other
ute that Isuzu had produced up until
that time – familiar here as the Holden
Rodeo – this D-Max isn’t a 100 per cent
Isuzu product from the ground up. The chassis
and body shell actually owe more to General
Motors; although, the engine, gearbox,
transfer case, rear axle, suspension springs
and dampers, interior fit-out and exterior
body parts are all very different to what GM
sells here as the Holden Colorado.
Unlike Holden, which initiated an
ongoing revision program with its Colorado
right from the get-go – no doubt to help
bridge the gap to Ford’s superior Ranger –
Isuzu left the D-Max alone until 2017 when
mandatory compliance to tougher (Euro 5)
emission regulations brought a significantly
revised engine along with new six-speed
manual and automatic gearboxes (replacing
the previous five-speeders), additional NVH
control measures and equipment upgrades.
The most recent changes for the 2018 model FROM THIS
see all SX, LS-U and LS-T dual-cabs with
more compliant three-leaf rear springs
LOT TO BEST
designed to improve the unladen ride. LS-M IN CLASS
models retain the five-leaf springs.
THERE’S A
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE FAIR GAP IN
THE D-Max’s 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel,
now a big capacity engine in its class, traces OFF-ROAD
back to 2006 when it first appeared here in
the Holden Rodeo. Since that time there PROWESS BUT
have been a number of updates, the most
recent of which has brought higher-pressure THE D-MAX
common rail injection, a new variable-
geometry low-inertia turbo and new pistons.
IS STILL
A diesel particulate filter (DPF) is the key ARGUABLY
Euro 5 technology that is found on all three
engines here. THE BEST
Despite all these MY17 engine changes
maximum power remains at a modest
HERE
130kW (the lowest here) and, while

36 www.4X4australia.com.au

maximum torque is now 430Nm (up from the
previous 380Nm), it’s an equal-low figure here.
On the road there’s not much between these
three utes with pedals to the metal, even if
the D-Max tails the field. In general give-
and-take driving, though, it does better with
strong response from low engine speeds.
With its latest changes the D-Max is
quieter than before, especially on light
throttle running as you reach highway speeds
on level roads. In this sort of environment it’s
quieter than the Navara and a match for the
generally more refined Triton. When asked
to work on steeper hills or when overtaking
it becomes noisy and the most agricultural-
sounding of these three, which could be
attributed to it being the largest capacity
engine here.
The six-speed automatic from Aisin, offers
smooth and generally well-timed shifts and is
notably proactive in the way it downshifts on
off-throttle descents without brake prompts
from the driver. The two very tall overdrive
ratios (like the Hilux) still means the gearbox
is more about economy than performance, and
the D-Max can shuffle back and forth between
fifth and sixth on undulating country roads.
ISUZU D-MAX LS-U D
A DEPARTURE ANGLE 22.4˚
B RAMPOVER ANGLE 22.7°
C APPROACH ANGLE 30˚
A C
D WADING DEPTH 600mm
E GROUND CLEARANCE 235mm
B
E
ON-ROAD RIDE & HANDLING
THE D-Max’s more compliant and slightly
softer rear suspension makes for a
generally agreeable unladen ride, and on
most rough surfaces the D-Max has the best
ride of three utes. It rides better than the
Triton all the time and better than the
Navara most of the time, even if there’s not
much between it and the much-improved
Nissan. Of the three the D-Max has the
heaviest steering and one that lacks the
feel of the sportier Triton.
Unlike its Colorado cousin, with its low-
effort-yet-communicative electric power
steering, the D-Max relies on conventional
hydraulically assisted steering. The D-Max
still handles well, but the bar isn’t set all that
high in the company. VW’s Amarok almost
feels like a sports car against this lot, and
Ford’s Ranger and Holden’s Colorado are also
WHAT YOU GET
ALL D-Max dual-cab 4x4 utes have six airbags, a
reversing camera, an eight-speaker audio with a CD
slot and USB and iPod inputs, a seven-inch or bigger
touchscreen, cruise control, and trailer-sway control as
part of the chassis electronics package.
There are four spec levels, topping out with the LS-T
(auto only) which has leather, electric adjustment for
the driver’s seat, smart-key entry and start, an eight-
inch touchscreen, sat-nav, side-steps, projector head-
lights with DRLs, and 18-inch alloys. Our test vehicle is
a mid-spec LS-U.
www.4X4australia.com.au 37
DRIVE TRITON V D-MAX V NISSAN COMPARISON
well ahead in terms of on-road steering and
dynamics.
OFF-ROAD
THE bar’s also not set particularly high
amongst this trio in terms of off-road prowess;
all three sit at the bottom of the wider class of
dual-cab 4x4s when it comes to getting dirty.
From this lot to the best in class (Hilux,
Ranger and Amarok, not necessarily in that
order) there’s a fair gap in off-road capability
but the D-Max is still arguably the best here.
It could be a lot better if Isuzu would do
what Holden did to the Colorado in 2016,
namely add off-road specific calibration to the
electronic traction control.
As it is, the D-Max’s modest wheel travel,
lack of a rear locker and road-tune traction
control are all limitations, but in this company
it has the best ground clearance and the
added benefit of a solid bashplate, two decent
front recovery points and inner-mudguard
engine air intake. In terms of going off-road
without modification of any type, the D-Max
is the most ready of this trio even if it’s not
technically the most capable.
CABIN & SAFETY
THE recent D-Max upgrades have brought
a noticeably better-finished cabin than
before and more equipment (such as sat-nav
on this mid-spec model), but the general dash
and cabin presentation is still the poorest
here.
38 www.4X4australia.com.au
The D-Max has a marginally bigger cabin
and good driver comfort, even if the steering
wheel doesn’t adjust for reach. At the rear
it’s also the best for three adults with more
legroom, even if it’s no wider than the Navara.
None of these three are all that good for three
adults in the back – two adults and a child at
best.
THE D-MAX
Six cabin airbags help contribute to a five- OFFERS CLASS-
star ANCAP safety rating, but at this stage
the D-Max doesn’t offer active safety features COMPETITIVE
such as autonomous emergency braking.
PAYLOADS
PRACTICALITIES
DESPITE the D-Max getting more compliant
AND A CLASS-
rear springs for most models in the MY18 EQUAL-BEST
upgrade the GVM of 4x4 models increased by
100kg to 3050kg, which is a welcome upgrade 3500KG TOW
for fitting accessories or carrying a load.
The D-Max offers class-competitive
RATING
payloads and a class-equal-best 3500kg tow
rating and, while we tested neither here,
when put to the test previously with a big load
the D-Max has performed honestly without
being a front-runner.
In more general practical terms the D-Max
offers a surprisingly wide dealer network (142
dealers nationally at last count) despite Isuzu
Ute only setting up shop in Australia in 2008.
In the meantime the D-Max has earned a good
reputation for reliability, simplicity of service
and low service costs. Plenty of aftermarket
support off the back of its strong sales, too.
ISUZU D-MAX LS-U
Dueler All Terrain 697
The ultimate 4WD all terrain tyre, designed and tested to
withstand Australia’s harshest outback conditions.
n Light truck construction delivers superior puncture resistance.
n Advanced tread compound resists cuts and chipping.
n Optimised tread depth delivers a perfect balance between
ZHDU}OLIHKDQGOLQJDQGGXUDELOLW\

bridgestonetyres.com.au 131 229

DRIVE TRITON V D-MAX V NISSAN COMPARISON
MITSUBISHI TRITON EXCEED
IXED MESSAGE
A new six-speed automatic gearbox and extra safety kit are
the headline changes to the Triton, but not the only things
Mitsubishi has changed.
Y
OU can’t help but notice the new
MR Triton given its radical re-style
from the previous MQ Triton that’s
been around since late 2015. Behind
the new face it’s more familiar, with
the engine, chassis and unique 4x4 system
largely carried over from the MQ.
Where the MQ was more a generational
change from the 2009 MN, bringing a new
engine and significant chassis changes, this
is largely a mid-generation facelift. Leading
the changes is a new six-speed automatic
that replaces the previous five-speeder;
while a new six-speed manual arrived with
the MQ, so that’s carried over to the MR.
Changes to the rear suspension means that
low-spec GLX and GLX+ models get an
extra leaf in the rear springs to improve
load-carrying compared to the GLS and GLS
Premium, which also get new rear springs.
Larger diameter dampers are also fitted at
the rear.
40 www.4X4australia.com.au
Non-mechanical changes include the
introduction of terrain-specific modes to
the 4x4 system and safety features such as
blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert
and partial autonomous braking. MORE
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
NOTICEABLE
IN THIS company the Triton’s 2.4-litre AND
diesel doesn’t have the benefit of size (as
does the D-Max) or an extra turbo (as does SIGNIFICANT
the Navara) to get the job done. On paper
it’s still competitive, effectively falling IS THE
between the other two in power output and
matching the bigger D-Max for torque, even
SUPERIOR
if it needs more revs to make the claimed REFINEMENT
430Nm.
On the road things played out even better OF THE
and the Triton proved the zippiest of the
three, perhaps helped by the closer ratios
TRITON’S
of its new six-speed automatic. Last time we ENGINE
tested these utes together the Navara edged
the Triton in acceleration, but this time the
tables were reversed.
More noticeable and significant is the
superior refinement of the Triton’s engine
compared to the other two. It’s especially
quieter when all three are working hard, and
even under light load it’s noticeably quieter
than the Navara. It’s generally smooth, even if
it needs more revs than the other two engines
to get the job done, and the new and long
overdue six-speed automatic is nicely
refined.
ON-ROAD RIDE & HANDLING
THE Triton Super Select 4x4 system sets it
apart in this company, as it does generally
across the dual-cab ute class where part-time
4x4 is the norm. Super Select’s special trick is
its full-time 4x4 mode, which can be used on
any surface – wet or dry, sealed or unsealed
– and is most useful for mixed road and
mixed weather touring where road conditions
constantly change.
Unlike other full-time 4x4 systems (such
as VW Amarok and Mercedes Benz X-Class
V6) Super Select allows the driver to select
two-wheel drive, as you may do for highway
cruising on dry, sealed roads.
With the benefit of Super Select’s full-
time 4x4 included, the new Triton continues
MITSUBISHI TRITON
EXCEED D
A DEPARTURE ANGLE 23˚
B RAMPOVER ANGLE 25°
C APPROACH ANGLE 27.5˚ A C
D WADING DEPTH 600mm B
E GROUND CLEARANCE 220mm E
where the old one left off, in as much as
it feels generally smaller and nimbler in
the wider dual-cab market. However, the
changes to the rear suspension, even on this
GLS Premium with the theoretically lighter-
duty rear springs, have brought a noticeable
deterioration in the unladen ride quality and
a less harmonious relationship between the
front suspension and rear suspension than
there was before. On smooth roads the Triton
is fine, but on bumpy roads the unladen
ride and stability has taken a backwards
step.
OFF ROAD
THE Triton’s new ‘Off-Road Mode’ system
with terrain-specific settings becomes
available when the Super Select system is in
‘Low Four’ or ‘High-Four Locked Centre’, so,
in other words, when the mechanical centre
WHAT YOU GET
ALL Triton dual-cab 4x4s get seven airbags, tilt-and-
reach steering wheel adjustment, cruise, voice-
controlled Bluetooth, a touchcreen, USB port, trailer
sway control, and the usual electronic chassis controls.
Through five equipment grades the Triton tops out with
the GLS Premium, which gets smart-key entry and
start, leather, heated front seats, power-adjust driver’s
seat, smartphone connectivity, auto wipers, auto LED
headlights, and safety features including forward-crash
mitigation, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitor-
ing and rear cross-traffic alert. GLS and GLS Premium
models also get selectable full-time 4x4 instead of
part-time 4x4. The Premium gets a rear locker.
www.4X4australia.com.au 41
DRIVE TRITON V D-MAX V NISSAN COMPARISON
diff is locked. The modes cover Mud/Snow,
Sand, Rock and Gravel.
Otherwise the Triton is as it was before
when off-road, which isn’t special due largely
to its modest wheel travel. This top-spec
model gets a rear diff lock, but it’s not always
of benefit as engaging it cancels the traction
control across both axles. Wading depth has
risen from 500mm to 600mm and ground
clearance from 205mm to 220mm – both
welcome changes.
While more time in different off-road
conditions is needed to fully test the
effectiveness of the Triton’s new Off-Road
Mode system, there’s only so much it can do
given the Triton’s diffs are all mechanical and
beyond any electronic control.
In this company the Triton is competitive
enough off-road, but the off-road bar hasn’t
been set too high in the company.
CABIN & SAFETY
THE Triton’s cabin is the smallest here, but
it’s the best finished and best presented. It’s
also the only one of the three that offers tilt-
and-reach steering wheel adjustment for the
driver. The cabin’s relatively small size is most
noticeable if you wish to seat three adults
across the back seat, as the D-Max and Navara
both do a slightly better job.
Only the top-spec GLS Premium model
gets smart key entry and start and heated
front seats, but the Triton’s top-spec is also
42 www.4X4australia.com.au
MITSUBISHI TRITON EXCEED
less expensive than the top-spec D-Max or
Navara. Seven airbags, as per the Navara, help
contribute to a five-star ANCAP rating; while
Triton is the only ute here with blindspot
warning and rear-cross traffic alert, which is
a very useful feature for nose-to-kerb angle
parking found in many country towns. The
new Triton has ‘Forward Collision Mitigation’
which warns the driver of a possible collision PUMP IT UP
and will automatically apply the brakes
if a collision is imminent, but the system The 2.4L turbo diesel does
need more revs to match
apparently only works at urban rather than
the other two here, but is
open-road speeds.
noticeably quieter.
PRACTICALITIES
THE Triton has the lowest payload and IN THIS
tow rating here. The fact that its short
wheelbase means just about all of the COMPANY THE
tray overhangs the rear axle doesn’t help
either when heavily loaded. Surprisingly,
TRITON IS
the Gross Vehicle Mass is the same for both COMPETITIVE
iterations of the rear suspension system,
and at 2900kg is unchanged from the ENOUGH OFF-
previous model.
When the previous model was tested with a ROAD, BUT
heavy load onboard or being towed behind,
the engine did a good enough job but the
THE OFF-ROAD
chassis became very nose-up, tail-down. With BAR HASN’T
the changes to the rear suspension it will be
interesting to see if this has improved when BEEN SET TOO
put to the test with a decent payload or
towload.
HIGH IN THE
COMPANY
 to suit

Airflow
DRIVE TRITON V D-MAX V NISSAN COMPARISON
N I S S A N N A VA R A S T- X
AKE THREE
With its coil-spring rear suspension, Nissan’s D23 Navara has
been controversial from the get-go.
T
HE Navara D23, tagged at the time as
the NP300, arrived here in mid 2015 and
was a significant departure from the
outgoing Navara D40, which was second
only to the Hilux in sales for a good part
of its near decade-long run. All but one dual-
cab D23 feature a coil-sprung live axle at the
rear, a feature unique among all the popular
dual-cabs.
In what Nissan said was response to
“feedback from customers and dealers”
changes were announced a little more
than a year later in October 2016 and
implemented for the 2017 model year.
This included the dropping of the
NP300 tag (replaced by Series II), the
introduction of a new work-spec model
and, critically, new coil springs at the
rear and new dampers front and rear.
Then in early 2018 the rear suspension
was revised again with new coils and
new dampers, the steering ratio and
weighting were changed and the
equipment adjusted.
44 www.4X4australia.com.au
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
THE Navara’s Renault-sourced engine is
the smallest here and is unique in as much
as it has two turbos rather than one, so it’s
both more sophisticated and more complex.
Similar bi-turbo systems are not uncommon
on other small-capacity European diesels.
At 140kW and 450Nm it claims the most
power and torque of the three engines here,
while also reaching its 450Nm maximum ON TRACTIVE
torque output at just 1500rpm, 500rpm
before the D-Max and a full 1000rpm before ABILITY ALONE
the Triton reach their respective 430Nm
best. All this is the benefit of having two THAT PUTS
turbos, where the small, quick-spooling
one is there specifically to enhance off-idle
THE NAVARA
performance, leaving the main turbo to get IN FRONT OF
on with the job at higher engine speeds and
under higher engine loads. THE D-MAX
On the road the Navara proved stronger
in acceleration than the D-Max, as it always
AND THE
has done, but was outdone by the Triton TRITON
which, despite the new six-speed auto,
still looked the slower on paper. After all,
the Navara has a seven-speed automatic, is
fractionally lighter than the Triton and has
slightly shorter overall gearing.
The Navara’s engine is still effortless
enough in general driving, but it gets noisy
and more fussed when worked hard. Its overall
refinement is behind that of the Triton, and
even the usually gruff D-Max engine beats it
for refinement under light engine loads such
as level-road highway cruising.
ON-ROAD RIDE & HANDLING
THANKS to the significant work Nissan put
into the Navara’s suspension and steering
in the 2017 and 2018 upgrades, the on-road
driving experience is vastly improved from
what it was. In its original iteration, the D23’s
unladen ride didn’t live up to the promise
of its coil-sprung rear end, the steering was
heavy and slow, and the 3500kg towing claim
(or indeed the 800kg+ payload claim) was
more marketing hype than anything the
Navara could do with any sort of conviction in
the real world.
Now the Navara feels much better in
terms of its unladen ride and handling.
On poor quality roads in this company it’s
generally better than the Triton in both ride
and stability and, while it’s still not quite as
NISSAN NAVARA ST-X D
A DEPARTURE ANGLE 26.7˚
B RAMPOVER ANGLE 23.8°
C APPROACH ANGLE 32.4˚
A C
D WADING DEPTH 450mm
E GROUND CLEARANCE 228mm
B
E
compliant as the D-Max, its handling is as
good. Still, it’s nothing special as the ride-and-
handling bar isn’t set very high amongst this
trio.
OFF ROAD
THE Navara has never been particularly
capable off-road as it’s not overly endowed
with suspension travel and is relatively low
slung. Compared to every other popular dual-
cab it’s always the first to run out of clearance
off-road.
The lack of suspension travel is in part
overcome by the fact the ST and ST-X models
have a rear locker and, just as importantly,
when the locker is engaged the electronic
traction control remains active on the front
axle. On tractive ability alone that puts the
Navara in front of the D-Max and the Triton,
but the lack of ground clearance and low
WHAT YOU GET
ALL Navara dual-cab 4x4s have seven airbags, a rear-
view camera and a 12-volt outlet in the rear tub. The
SL then adds LED headlights with DRLs, while the ST
gains 16-inch alloys, seven-inch touchscreen, sat-nav,
fogs, side-steps, a chrome ‘sports bar’ and a rear
locker. The top specification ST-X model then gains
leather seats (heated up front), electric adjustment for
driver’s seat, a slide-opening in the rear window, and
fore-and-aft adjustable tub tie-downs unfortunately
mounted too high in the tub to be useful for anything
but tall loads.
www.4X4australia.com.au 45
DRIVE TRITON V D-MAX V NISSAN COMPARISON
recommended maximum wading depth (just
450mm), due to the engine air intake being
located under the bonnet lip, are notable
negatives in this company. The Navara’s raised
bonnet edges are also annoying off-road as
they restrict the driver’s vision.
CABIN & SAFETY
THE Navara’s cabin is a little bigger than the
Triton’s, but not quite as big as the D-Max.
It’s also mid-field in terms of its finish and
presentation; smarter than the D-Max but
not as polished as the Triton. The seats up
front are comfortable, but there’s no steering
wheel reach for the driver. In the rear seat the
shoulder room is as good as it gets, but there’s
not as much legroom as the D-Max and there’s
no centre headrest.
The top-spec ST-X has plenty of kit,
especially for the price, with leather, heated
front seats and lumbar adjustment for the
driver. There’s also the option of a sunroof,
something unique in this class – before the
last equipment adjustment, the sunroof was
46 www.4X4australia.com.au
standard on the ST-X.
A sliding section in the centre of the rear
window is another feature unique to the
Navara, while no fewer than seven airbags
help contribute to the five-star ANCAP safety
THE TOP-SPEC
rating. ST-X HAS
PRACTICALITIES PLENTY OF KIT,
THE Navara claims a 3500kg tow rating. At
300kg, though, its maximum towball download
ESPECIALLY
is the lowest here. The Navara’s GVM (and FOR THE
therefore payload) and GCM figures, like
those of the Triton, are quite low by overall PRICE, WITH
class standards.
Since its run of chassis revisions we haven’t LEATHER,
tested the Navara with a 3500kg tow load
hooked on behind, but we have tested it with
HEATED FRONT
650kg in the tub and three people onboard – SEATS
effectively maximum payload – and while it
was acceptable it wasn’t as good as a D-Max
when subjected to the same test, or most of the
other utes tested at the time. The bottom line
is that if you want a heavy-duty tow and load
ute the Navara is certainly well down the list.
N I S S A N N A VA R A S T- X
 When Everything Counts

CrossContact ATR
The perfect SUV tyre with off-road capability.

> The perfect fit for any driver who spends most of their
time on the road, but requires more traction when
heading off the beaten track.
> Reduce the risk of puncture and improve traction when
driving off-road due to the sidewall protection wrap.
> Enhanced wet and dry braking performance due to
multiple sipes on the tread pattern.
> High on road safety with a silica tread compound for
enhanced grip.
> Comfortable and quiet ride due to the noise blockers in the
shoulder, reducing noise generated in the centre of the pattern.

www.continental-tyres.com.au
DRIVE TRITON V D-MAX V NISSAN COMPARISON
ACROSS THE LINE
THERE CAN ONLY BE
TWO WINNERS
P
ICKING a winner from any group
of dual-cab 4x4s is difficult as
they perform so many diverse
roles: they can be weekday
family transport, weekend off-
road escape machines, tow-tugs for
caravaners, or work, trade or farm
vehicles, or some combination of that
lot. That’s why they are so popular and
lead the sales charts in the overall new
car market.
In many ways the three here are
similar. All of them sit at the more
affordable end of the dual-cab market,
and they can all do the all of the roles
asked of a dual-cab 4x4 with varying
degrees of success.
The least convincing of the three is
the Navara, despite the fact it’s a far
better ute than it was when it first
appeared in 2015. At that time it didn’t
feel like any great advance from the
D40 it superseded and, in terms of
performance, was a big step back given
the V6 diesel that appeared in the
D40’s latter years. For off-road duties
it’s the least suitable of these three
straight out of the showroom, as its
48 www.4X4australia.com.au
various updates have only addressed
tow and load performance and on-road
dynamics.
Separating the other two comes down
to intended role. As a general duty ute
the Triton is the pick. It’s both smaller
and more manoeuvrable, thanks to its
shorter wheelbase, so it can be handier
in confined surrounds. It’s also more
refined, sportier to drive, and nippier
performance-wise than the D-Max.
Its clever Super Select 4x4 system –
particularly full-time 4x4 mode – brings
a significant advantage in terms of day-
to-day functionality and primary safety.
It’s also more sharply priced, better
equipped (new active safety features
included) and is noticeably better
finished inside.
It’s just a pity that with the new
suspension tune the unladen ride and
handling on bumpy roads is poorer than
it was before. Perhaps with this new
rear suspension calibration it will carry
or tow heavy loads better, but it would
have to carry and tow significantly
better to make up for the deterioration
of its unladen performance. Still, this
should be a relatively easy fix via an
aftermarket suspension specialist.
The D-Max is the winner for heavy
load carrying and towing thanks to its
chassis and relatively large capacity
engine. It has a bigger and more useful
tray, too, and more payload and tow
capacity than the Triton.
In this company it’s the easy winner
for any significant tow and load duties;
even in our recent six-way heavy-
duty combined load and tow test,
which comprised all the heavy hitters
including Ranger 3.2 and the V6s from
VW and Mercedes-Benz, the D-Max
performed well. It may have gone into
that heavy-duty load and tow test as
the backmarker, but it came out more
as a mid-fielder.
In more general day-to-day driving its
general refinement and performance is
also much better than it was. At times it
can be quite pleasant to drive,
something that would have been a
stretch before the recent upgrades. A
well-proven, reliable and relatively easy
and cheap to service powertrain is also
a significant ownership bonus.
 ISUZU D-MAX LS-U MITSUBISHI GLS PREMIUM NISSAN NAVARA ST-X
ENGINE 3.0-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel 2.4-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel 2.3-litre 4-cyl bi-turbo diesel
MAX POWER 130kW at 3600rpm 133kW at 3500rpm 140kW @ 3750rpm
MAX TORQUE 430Nm at 2000rpm 430Nm at 2500rpm 450Nm @ 1500-2500rpm
GEARBOX Six-speed automatic Six-speed automatic Seven-speed automatic
4X4 SYSTEM Dual-range part-time Dual-range full-time (+2WD) Dual-range part-time
CRAWL RATIO 33.3:1 39.5:1 44.6:1
CONSTRUCTION Separate-chassis Separate-chassis Separate-chassis
FRONT SUSPENSION Independent/coil springs Independent/coil springs Independent/coil springs
REAR SUSPENSION Live axle/leaf springs Live axle/leaf springs Live axle/coil springs
WHEEL/TYRE 255/65R17 110S 265/60R18 110H 255/60R18 108H
KERB WEIGHT 2021kg 2042kg 1980kg
GVM 3050kg 2900kg 2910kg
PAYLOAD 1029kg 848kg 930kg
TOWING CAPACITY 3500kg 3100kg 3500kg
TOWBALL DOWNLOAD 350kg 310kg 300kg
GCM 5950kg 5885kg 5910kg
FUEL TANK CAPACITY 76 litres 75 litres 80 litres
ADR FUEL CLAIM 7.9L/100km 8.6L/100km 7.0L/100km
TEST FUEL USE 10.2L/100km 10.5L/100km 10.4L/100km
ISUZU D-MAX 4X4 PRICES* MITSUBISHI TRITON 4X4 PRICES* NISSAN NAVARA 4X4 PRICES*
SX dual-cab: $46,600 GXL dual-cab: $39,990 SL dual-cab ute (auto): $46,400
LS-M dual-cab: $48,900 GXL ADAS dual-cab: $40,790 ST dual-cab ute (auto): $49,690
LS-U dual-cab: $50,800 GXL+ dual-cab:$42,490 ST-X dual-cab ute (auto): $54,490
LS-T dual-cab: $54,700 GLS dual-cab: $46,990 * Prices do not include on-road
* Prices do not include on-road GLS Premium dual-cab: $51,990 costs.
costs. * Prices do not include on-road
costs.

www.4X4australia.com.au 49

FREe AUSTRALIA-WIDE DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER $100*
RETURN-TO-CENTRE
STEeRING DAMPER
The award-winning RTC steering
damper is one of our best-selling
products. It helps keep the steering
centred no matter the terrain or road
surface. When compressed, the spring
pushes back to the neutral position.
When extended, the spring gently pulls
back to the neutral position. Makes
your vehicle more pleasurable to drive
and reduces driver fatigue.
$170 (Most Models)
TRED TRACTION RAMPS
The ultimate name in traction ramps!
Innovative TREDs are the best self-extraction
device regardless of price! Bogged vehicle?
No problem. Simply lay down a TRED ramp
in front of your tyres and drive up and out
to safety. With a designated shovel feature,
extreme hex grip nodules, aggressive ramp
entry teeth with amazing wear properties,
TREDs are the best! Made in Australia.
800mm $165 Pair
1100mm $199 Pair
BREATHE! IRONMAN
AIRFORCE SNORKELS
Ironman Airforce snorkel kits look and fit
great! Increased forced air to your engine
for improved vehicle performance. Allows
less dust into your engine. High quality
polyethylene (LLPDE) and UV resistant.
In-built rain deflector design to stop
water intake during heavy rain. Template
and fitting instructions included. An
Ironman Airforce snorkel is an essential
accessory for the 4x4 enthusiast!
$340
 OUR WEBSITE IS INFORMATIVE AND EASY TO USE.  SHOP 24/7.
TOUGH DOG FOAM-CELl
SHOCKS
These shocks feature a larger 41mm
internal bore for heavy-duty use.
Provides more control than your regular
35mm bore product. In an extensive
19-page 4WD magazine torture and
comparison test, these Tough Dog
shocks “collared” the competition, and
were awarded 1st place in a line-up
that included Koni, Bilstein, Old Man
Emu, Ultimate, Raw and TJM.
$170 Each
BEST PUMP! DR AIR
PRO-FLOW
Winner of a gruelling 24-pump
comparison test! In the speed inflation
test of eight tyres, the DR AIR PRO-FLOW
did the job in 25 mins and 30 secs.
Tyre size was 33x11.5x16. The DR AIR
PRO-FLOW did the job in excess of 8
mins faster than the TJM Portable, and
almost 2 mins faster than the Opposite
Lock Twin Tongue pump. ARB’s CKMP12
pump did not finish. 5-Year warranty!
$299 - Includes Carry Bag
IRONMAN LOADPLUS
Ironman LoadPlus Helper Spring kits
really make a difference. Progessive and
adjustable. Maximises vehicle payload.
Improves safety and stability. Economical.
Ideal for light commercial vehicles, 4x4’s,
utes and vans. LoadPlus is the most
economical leaf spring upgrade available,
and yet is extremely effective. Can be
easily fitted (or removed) at home with
basic equipment.
$145 Pair (does both springs)
 1300 004931
RANCHO® RS9000XL
RIDE-ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS
The USA-made RS9000XL is a virtual
satisfaction guarantee. An external
9-position ride-adjustment knob allows the
best of all worlds, no matter the terrain.
How good are they? In an extensive shock
absorber comparison test conducted
by esteemed offroad and adventure
publishers - Overland Journal, Rancho®
RS9000XL shocks outperformed Bilstein,
Fox, Old Man Emu and Icon VD units.
$198 - $220 Each
RULE BREAKER!
Ironman’s Monster winch range is a
rule-breaker. Their component specification
and build-quality is worthy of world-class
recognition. Unprecedented design
features ensure maximum reliability and
long-term performance. Includes remote
motor breather and hose, competition-style
solenoid, premium motor and gearbox
sealing, and a combination wireless or
plug-in controller with in-built LED.
From $795
EFS RECON WINCHES
EFS RECON winches are a serious
piece of equipment. Choose from the
whopping 13000lb 6hp R13 unit, or the
super-fast 7hp, 10,000lb R10 model.
Features include waterproof motor and
gearbox, 18000lb Syntuff synthetic rope
with oversize hook, full load auto brake
located at motor side of drum, plus cable
and wireless remote. Aluminium hawse
and 10 tonne snatch block included.
$1099
RANCHO® RS5000 SHOCKS
Take more than 60 years of experience,
feature precision build-quality likened
to that in micro-surgery, add ‘true’
velocity-sensitive (self-adjusting) valving
that responds to road conditions
instantly, back it with the best warranty
in the industry, and then provide it at
a price that makes some other ‘brands’
look like a rip-off. Made in USA. Long-
travel/customiser lengths also available.
$140 Each
AIRBAG MAN AIRBAGS
Comfort-ride suspensions can’t carry heavy
loads. Heavy-duty springs ride rough
when the vehicle is unloaded. Airbag Man
airbags allow you to tune your suspension
under all load and road conditions.
Simple installation. Good DIY instructions.
Australia-wide delivery. Kits are available
to suit either your factory suspension and
most raised applications. No loss of travel!
Suit Coil Springs from $295
Suit Leaf Springs from $825
DRAGLINKS, TIE-RODS,
CONTROL ARMS
• D40 Navara, KUN26 Hilux, FJ or Prado
upper adjustable control arms $899
Pair. • Patrol whopping 38mm dia.
chromoly adjustable draglink with
damper bracket and over-size rod
ends $385 or get the “Performance”
version for just $295. • Solid-axle Hilux
dropped draglink $250. • Patrol HD rear
upper adjustable trailing arms $298
Pair. • Patrol HD rear lower +11mm or
+16MM trailing arms $298 Pair.
 FREEAUSTRALIA-WIDEDELIVERYONORDERSOVER 100
$ *

AUSTRALIA’S LEADING SUSPENSION SPECIALIST AUSsIE OWNED AND BASED

IRONMAN NITRO SHOCKS
A rugged all-round 4x4 performance
shock absorber. Suits both standard
and raised-height 4x4’s. Delivers
superior ride control and comfort both
on and offroad. Improves stability
when towing or carrying a load. High-
quality materials such as German Fuchs
high-temp shock absorber fluid and
Japanese NOK multi-lip seals are used.
3-year/60,000km Iron-clad warranty.
$121 Each
RANCHO® RS5000-X SHOCKS
All-new RS5000-X shocks include “Cross-
Tuned Technology” - a unique valve design
that allows for increased control and
consistent ride profile with a larger shock
body. When hitting potholes, corrugations
or rocks, Rancho’s ‘Progressive Engagement
Valving’ allows for early flow of fluid. If
needed, the ‘Progressive Engagement Valving’
will further engage to maintain control and
stability. A premium-quality all-rounder.
$180 Each
MOAB®/RS5000-X FAST-FIT
STRUTS
Moab® premium-design coil springs
integrated with the Rancho RS5000-X™
struts to make a one-piece, fully-
assembled quick-fit unit. You just buy
them and bolt them on! No more
struggling! Includes the RS5000-X™
struts and Moab® coil design of your
choice, upper spring seat and bearing
plate, bushes and mounting hardware.
Suit Hilux, Ranger, BT50 and more!
$830 Pair
EFS 40mm BORE XTR
SHOCKS
The EFS XTR shock absorber has
been developed specifically for the
serious outback tourer, and more
heavily-laden 4wd. Features include
an extra-large body, 40mm dia. piston,
Dynamic Motion Control Valve, and a
3-year/100,000km warranty. They are
constructed from high-quality internal
and external components to meet the
demands of the modern 4wder.
$180 Each

IRONMAN 4X4 SUSPENSION
KITS
With exceptional quality and extensively
researched and innovate designs,
Ironman 4x4 products are designed
and tested in Australia and distributed
in more than 120 countries. Whether
you use your 4x4 as a combination
family vehicle and getaway machine,
a dedicated offroad tourer, or in
industry, Ironman 4x4 delivers the
ride, comfort, control and safety
performance you need.
RANCHO®/MOAB®/ROCKCRAWLER®
SUSPENSION KITS
Premium-quality with extensive options
and customisable features, Rancho®/
Moab®/Rockcrawler® suspension
kits are a purchase you will be proud
of. With a speciality in the dual-cab
and ute market, including Crusier and
Patrol, as well as many iconic vintage
4WDs, these suspension kits look as
cool as they are tough. We have one
installed on our PXII Ford Ranger.
EFS 4WD SUSPENSION KITS
EFS designs and develops high-
quality suspension systems to combat
Australia’s harsh offroad conditions.
The EFS range is under constant
development and is put through the
harshest tests with their sponsored
competition vehicles. EFS is not just
a shock absorber, but a complete
integrated suspension package.
3-Year/100,000km warranty.
TOUGH DOG SUSPENSION
KITS
When Tough Dog release a new
suspension system, they buy a vehicle,
spend some time with it, and design
a kit from the ground up. Simon
Vella (senior engineer) develops
the kits based on four principles:
A practical increase in ride-height.
Better vehicle control in any given
situation. Long-term durability of all the
new components, and a better ride.
Available for a wide range of vehicles.

HOW TO BUY
When you buy online at 4WD1.com - or phone 1300 004 931 - we bear the cost of delivery*,
by insured post or road freight, to any town in Australia. We really mean anywhere!
So, no matter where you live in Australia; be it Bamaga, Exmouth, Strathgordon, Byron Bay,
or anywhere in between, we can send your order safely and securely by Australia Post or a
reputable road freight company - at no extra cost!* (*Based on 4WD1 website prices and order
over $100. *Excludes some extra heavy or bulky items such as bullbars).
And, because we are a real warehouse and stock what we advertise, your order can be on its way
the same day or the next business day. You can pay by credit card (American Express, Mastercard
or Visa), Paypal, or EFT to our bank.

OUR STORY
4WD1 was founded at the beginning of the 4WD and off-road recreation boom - way back in
1976. Initially, the business marketed engine kits to allow fitment of Chevy V8s to Landcruisers
and Holden sixes to Land Rovers. Today, 4WD1 is one of the world’s largest 4WD suspension
specialists.
For People Who Know The Earth Isn’t Flat®

 1300 004 931  www.4WD1.com

 CUSTOM
TOYOTA FJ CRUISER

52 www.4X4australia.com.au
 WORDS JUSTIN WALKER PHOTOS BRAD MISKIEWICZ

THIS BEEFED-UP BRUISER OF AN

FJ CRUISER IS A PERFECT
TRACK-STOMPER.

www.4X4australia.com.au 53
CUSTOM TOYOTA FJ CRUISER
I
T WAS with us for only a brief time, but rather
than fade into the 4WD world’s collective memory
Toyota’s FJ Cruiser has acquired a second, far more
exciting lease on life, with a number of modified
examples being spotted on tracks around Australia.
It’s not hard to see why, either, considering the
mechanical DNA is Toyota’s all-conquering Prado,
with that chassis shunted shorter and a decidedly
retro-styled body stacked on top of it.
Add in that sweet 4.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine,
plenty of fuel storage to feed its thirst (on the later
models), short front/rear overhangs and that seriously cool
styling (suicide doors, anyone?) and, again, the explanation
behind so many of them being modified and sent out to
tackle Australia’s toughest tracks is easy. Case in point: this
schmick but stealthy sand bruiser from WA-based Adriano
Piviali.
TO ASK THE REASONS WHY
THE FJ Cruiser may not be every off-road tourer’s choice
when it comes to a vehicle to modify for bush duties, but
that’s probably because they haven’t had a close look at
just what this rig offers. Adriano did just that, and knew it
fit in with his plans, as he explains.
WRAPPED
The removable Rhinohide body
armour can be put in place to
protect the factory black paint.
54 www.4X4australia.com.au
“I liked the unique look and the large selection of
aftermarket parts available,” he says. “It was great value
for money. Not many 4x4s come so well-equipped from the
factory (rear diff locker, crawl control, auxiliary fuel tank),
particularly below $50K new.”
The FJ’s relatively compact size was also appealing to
Adriano, who wasn’t after anything as large as a Land
Cruiser 200 Series but still wanted to be able to throw
himself and his family – plus the dog and all their camping
gear – into the vehicle for weekends away without feeling
too compromised for space.
Adriano has also been very smart with how he maximises
space in the FJ; by not fitting drawers or even a fridge/
freezer (there is just a KAON cargo barrier inside) he
can optimise the cargo area for … cargo. As the FJ is also
his daily driver for work (he’s an architect), having that
space free for work equipment is paramount. This doesn’t
mean the FJ isn’t used as it was intended, as day trips and
overnight camping adventures occur every couple of weeks.
For anything longer, he already has a solution.
“It’s my daily driver, and I often need to use the limited
cargo space. This is why I haven’t installed drawers or a
fridge, etc.” he explains. “The ideal setup for me and my
family to go on long camping holidays would be to tow a
A CLOSER LOOK

01
PEDAL POWER
02
BRIGHT NIGHT
03
HEAR ICOM
04
DEEP BREATH
05
TRACTION PLUS
Controlling accelerator Ensuring good night An Icom UHF radio A veneer of Line-X Big LT295/70R17 Nitto
response is a dash- vision is a pair of for remote area coating helps protect Grappler tyres on
mounted iDrive EVC Lightforce LED spots. communications. the JMAX Engineering 17 x 8.5in Method
throttle controller. snorkel. Mesh Race Wheels.

Ninety-seven-pound weaklings
stay clear when this FJ is
kicking sand about.

www.4X4australia.com.au 55
 SHO
CUSTOM TOYOTA FJ CRUISER
W
AA
camper trailer with everything I need.”
This is exactly what Adriano did on a two-week journey up
to north-west WA.
WALK QUIETLY, BUT…
THE interior of the FJ is pretty much stock, with only that
cargo barrier, an Icom UHF radio, some additional gauges on
top of the dash, and an iDRIVE unit down on the fascia, close
at hand for the driver.
From the outside the FJ looks like a nice, subtly modified
tourer and includes all the essential external mods to fulfil
that role. Up front is a Stealth off-road bullbar, with Lightforce
spotties ensuring plenty of visibility when Adriano and family
are returning from their regular sojourns. Under the front
end are three Monster Hook Reaper recovery shackles (with
a Monster Hook recovery hitch out back), while a JMAX
Engineering snorkel (with Line-X coating) keeps that punchy
FROM THE OUTSIDE THE FJ LOOKS LIKE A
NICE, SUBTLY MODIFIED TOURER
56 www.4X4australia.com.au
V6 running cool. Further assisting the already ample engine
performance is a set of Manta extractors running back through
a Manta cat-back 2.5-inch mandrel-bent performance system,
complete with high-flow centre muffler. Assisting the engine
in all its duties is a Richards Auto Electrical torque converter
lock-up kit, transmission cooler, and a Harrop breather kit
taking care of the diff, gearbox and transfer case.
The roof is well protected thanks to a satin black vinyl roof
wrap. Adriano has also fitted a Rhino-Rack Pioneer
Platform roof rack, and this is where his recovery tracks,
shovel and high-lift jack are stored. The rear end features
a GME antenna and a TRD Trail Teams black rear bumper,
while that sweet black paint is protected when the FJ does go
off-road by Rhinohide body armour. The exterior is
definitely cool,
but it’s what lies beneath – and directly contributes to the FJ’s
enhanced off-road performance – that is even more impressive.
 ENHANCED OPTIC
L.E.D DRIVING LIGHTS
175 & 225

Goodbye
weekday
comm ute...
HELLO
WEEKEN
ESCAPE D

Superior technology
meets premium style.
Part of Narva’s top-of-the-range Ultima L.E.D family,
the all-new 175 & 225 Driving Lights utilise enhanced
free form ‘Optic Drive’ L.E.D technology to capture and
harness light output, precisely focussing it for maximum
volume and penetration.
Available with pencil or broad beam patterns in two sizes,
these premium unique styled lights transform everyday
4x4s and SUVs into luxurious weekend escape vehicles.
• Latest Cree XHP50.2 L.E.D Chips • Powerful white light (5000°K)
• Built-in ‘Active Thermal Management System’ (ATMS)
• Signature L.E.D Front Position Light Pipe

For more on the Ultima L.E.D 175 & 225’s visit

narva.com.au/enhanced
Take the VR Driving Light Experience at
narva.com.au/VRexperience

CUSTOM TOYOTA FJ CRUISER
The Icon Vehicle Dynamics
Stage 7 suspension system is a
purely bolt-on affair.
CREATING THE UNSTOPPABLE
IT’S HARD to miss that Icon Vehicle Dynamics Stage 7
suspension system under the FJ and, according to Adriano,
this is definitely a case of appearance is everything in
terms of how it performs.
“I wanted to create a one of a kind FJ,” he says. “I
wanted a go-anywhere 4x4 and spent plenty of time
researching the various options available for the FJ. In
the end I decided to go for the top of the range with the
suspension.
“I liked the fact this kit was completely bolt-on
and required no welding or modification to the chassis.
This kit allows me to drive like a stadium truck or
crawl over ruts. Aside from the damping attributes,
it’s the increased downward wheel travel that really
assists when off-road. Other FJs lift their wheels and
lose traction way earlier than I do. For an IFS 4x4, it has
great articulation.”
58 www.4X4australia.com.au
S
Making the most of all that articulation is a set of 17
x 8.5-inch Method Mesh Race Wheels shod with equally
sizeable LT295/70R17 Nitto Grappler rubber, ensuring
every single piece of tractable terrain is utilised when it’s
time to get serious in the FJ.
You wouldn’t know it by looking at it now, but fitting
this big wheel/tyre combo wasn’t a straightforward process
(and Adriano had already tried with an even bigger set of
35s), as any wheel/tyre combo much larger than standard
can cause fouling underneath, which means serious
engineering work to make it fit properly … and legally.
“I took it to On Track Fabrication, who is licensed to
do a compliance mod for the BMC,” Adriano explains. “I
have a compliance plate in my engine bay for this work;
they need to cut the body mount on an angle and re-weld
a plate to the face of the body mount. It’s pretty much
the first mod you need to do on the FJ if you want to fit
33-inch or larger tyres.”
 ADVANCED OPTIC DRIVE
L.E.D DRIVING LIGHT BARS

30% brighter than a

conventional L.E.D light bar*
The all-new Explora range delivers Narva’s superb quality
‚Ä•æËꤩ•êڂŽ¬½¬æü‚æ‚Ä‚ąËڕ‚Ž½™×Ú¬™Ɍ
Utilising ‘Advanced Optic Drive’ technology, Explora L.E.D
½¬¤©æŽ‚Úޏ‚×æêڙɇ©‚ÚęÞÞ‚Ä••¬Ú™æ½¬¤©æÃËڙ™Ć¬™Äæ½üɇ
resulting in a brighter, more focused beam.
Available in a 14” & 22” single row or 22” double row,
ask for them at your automotive or 4x4 retailer.
• 5 Watt Osram high power L.E.Ds (5700°K) • Suitable for 12 & 24V vehicles
®

• One piece diecast aluminium housing • Fully sealed & submersible (IP68 & IP69K)
• Virtually unbreakable polycarbonate lens • Pre-wired weatherproof DT connector

For more on the Explora L.E.D Light Bar range visit

narva.com.au/explorabars
*Explora L.E.D light bar when compared with a
conventional L.E.D light bar of the same length.

Take the VR Driving Light Experience at

narva.com.au/VRexperience
 SHO
W
CUSTOM TOYOTA FJ CRUISER
AND GO
IT’S UNSTOPPABLE. IT’S TRULY AMAZING
WHAT TRAILS IT CAN CONQUER
MOVING ON
THIS FJ is definitely a keeper according to its very
satisfied owner, who’d only make space in his garage for
another vehicle if it was an original FJ40 with a long-
travel kit for the front end; although, it would mean more
engineering work to ensure it fit properly.
Other than that, Adriano is keen on switching the
current bullbar to a lighter-weight, pre-runner-style bar
with an integrated winch. Add in a matching light bar rack
across the top of the windshield and he’d be even happier;
although, he’s still searching for a local fabricator to make
that mod become a reality. The last future mod – following
that lottery win, of course – would be to fit a Harrop
60 www.4X4australia.com.au
supercharger to the 4.0-litre. Dreams aside, Adriano is
more than stoked with his FJ.
“I love my FJ Cruiser and will never sell it,” he affirms.
“It’s unstoppable. It’s truly amazing what trails I can
conquer. I’m often cruising up tracks first time that other
4x4s can’t make.”
It’s hard not to get caught up with Adriano’s pride and
enthusiasm for his unique rig. The subtle styling, clever
mods and engineering work all aimed at producing a
top-notch tourer makes us want to start perusing the
classifieds for a low-kay FJ ourselves.
To see more of Adriano’s FJ, check out his Instagram
feed at: @roguefj
 FUTURE FANCY
Forthcoming mods may include
fitting a Harrop supercharger to
the 4.0-litre V6.

www.4X4australia.com.au 61
 RIDE TO ENJOY. ENJOY THE RIDE.

VEHICLE PROTECTION
& ACCESSORIES
BULL BARS

CLASSIC BLACK CLASSIC BLACK DELUXE STAINLESS LOOP DELUXE

f (¢ ѵ T¢H !{ož·Tg/ f (¢ ѵ T¢H !{ož·Tg/ f (¢ ѵ T¢H !{ož·Tg/
f WINCH COMPATIBLE f WINCH COMPATIBLE f WINCH COMPATIBLE
f /¢Tg o{¿r·ª ѵ OTВgTF· c!eTrH ž{Tr·ª f /¢Tg o{¿r·ª ѵ OTВgTF· c!eTrH ž{Tr·ª f /¢Tg o{¿r·ª ѵ OTВgTF· c!eTrH ž{Tr·ª
f ¢{¿ª· ª·//g !{rª·¢¿!·T{r f ¢{¿ª· ª·//g !{rª·¢¿!·T{r f ¢{¿ª· ª·//g !{rª·¢¿!·T{r
f (¿¢g/ ž{gÝ ¿ož/¢ª f (¿¢g/ ž{gÝ ¿ož/¢ª f (¿¢g/ ž{gÝ ¿ož/¢ª
f ͷͶͶoo F{H gTHO·ª f ͷͶͶoo F{H gTHO·ª
f ͹Ͷͺ H¢(/ ª·Trg/ªª ª·//g g{{žª

FROM $1135 FROM $1325 FROM $1515

ACCESSORIES

WINCHES SIDE STEPS SNOR

RKELS
f ¢/(/ªTHr/( ¡¿T!e FgTž Or(g/ f COMPATIBLE WITH MOST BRANDS f ROTATIONALLY o{¿g(/( ¿ªTrH ž¢/!TªT{r
f F¿ggÝ ª/g/( OTHO ¡¿gT·Ý ª{g/r{T( {F ¿gg¢ª !r! ªOž/( g¿oTrT¿o (T/ª
f ×Tr!O O{¿ªTrH ž¢/ªª¿¢/ ¢/·O/¢ f O/ÖÝ (¿·Ý ª·//g ·¿/ !{rª·¢¿!·T{r f Tr!¢/ª/ª T¢ Tr·e/ O/THO· ·{ gg{×
f ª·¢/rH·O/r/( ѵ !{ož!· O{¿ªTrHª f ·×Tr Trr/¢ ѵ {¿·/¢ ·¿/ (/ªTHr F{¢ ªF/¢ ×·/¢ !¢{ªªTrHª ѵ ¢/(¿!/
f IMPROVED MOTOR POWER oÜTo¿o ªTgg ž¢{·/!·T{r (¿ª· Tr·e/
f (¢ ѵ ªT(/ T¢H !{ož·Tg/ f or¿F!·¿¢/( F¢{o OTHO ¡¿gT·Ý ¿Ö
f r{rВªgTž !O/!e/¢žg·/ ·¢/( ª·/žª STABILISED LLDPE
STEEL 9,500 LBS $799 f (¿¢g/ ª·Tr g!e ž{×(/¢ !{· FTrTªO f ªr{¢e/g eT·ª Tr!g¿(/ ·/ožg·/Ϩ FT··TrH
ROPE 12,000 LBS $899 f F¢{r· ª×TÖ/g ª/!·T{r F{¢ T¢H Trª·¢¿!·T{rª ѵ gg o{¿r·TrH O¢(×¢/
COMPLIANCE Ї×T·O T¢H !{ožgTr· ¿gg¢ªЈ
SYNTHETIC 9,500 LBS $999
ROPE 12,000 LBS $1050 FROM $726 FROM $293
LIGHTS
155 W
WATT DRIVING LIGHTS FRIDGE / FREEZERS
f 4 x ͸Ͷ ×·· ͼͶͶͶe g{rH f ªTrHg/ ç{r/ ѵ (¿g ç{r/ {ž·T{rª
DISTANCE CENTRE LED’S f OTHO ¡¿gT·Ý (rF{ªªϻª/!{ž !{ož¢/ªª{¢
15 x ͻ ×·· ͼͶͶͶe ªž¢/( f !{{gTrH !ž!T·Ý {F Вͷͻѻ
LEDSANCE CENTRE LED’S
f F¿r!·T{rª ª F¢T(H/ {¢ F¢//ç/¢
;ϭ͸ͻК o¿g·TВFTrr/( O/· f ͷ͸ϻ͸ͺÖ (!Ϩ ͸ͺͶÖ !
(Tªž/¢ªTrH gg{Ý O{¿ªTrH

H
40L $879 50L $958
PAIR $585 60L $1,072, 80L $1,18
www.dobinsonsprings.com
*Pr
Price
ices
ice s excl
excl
xclude
ude fr
freig
eight
eig ht and fi
fitti
tting
tti ng, pr
ng price
ice su
subje
bject
bje ct to cha
change
nge wi
witho
thout
tho ut not
notice
ice. ‡‡Pic
Pictur
Pic tures
tures for il
illus
lustra
lus tratio
tration
tio n purp
purp
urpose
oses
ose s only
only

HEAD OFFICE BRISBANE SYDNEY MELBOURNE ADELAIDE

58 Hollingsworth Street, Unit 118B/193 South Pine Road, Unit 2/63 Hartley Road, Unit 1/13a Abbotts Road, 572 North East Road,
NORTH ROCKHAMPTON QLD 4701 BRENDALE QLD 4701 SMEATON GRANGE NSW 2567 DANDENONG VIC 3175 HOLDEN HILL SA 5088
Phone: 07 4927 7444 Phone: 07 3205 6979 Phone: 02 4647 8295 Phone: 03 9706 5200 Phone: 08 8369 1377
 www.dobinsonsprings.com

SUSPENSION KITS

KIT TYPE 1
CONTAINS: FITMENT:
x!{Tgªž¢TrHª
f4 ·{Ý{·gr(!¢¿Tª/¢;ͶϻͷͶͻª/¢T/ª
xªO{!eª{¢/¢ª
f4 rTªªrž·¢{gH¡ϻH¿ϨrTªªrrÖ¢(͸͹
gr(¢{Ö/¢(Tª!{Ö/¢Ýͷϻ͸ª/¢T/ª
gr(¢{Ö/¢ͿͶϻͷͷͶϻͷ͹Ͷª/¢T/ª

Kit with TWIN TUBE GAS Shocks FROM $1180

Kit with MRR Shocks FROM $1900

KIT TYPE 2
CONTAINS: FITMENT:
x!{Tgªž¢TrHª
f2 O{g(/r¢H!{g{¢({
x¢/¢g/Fªž¢TrHª
f2 Tª¿ç¿(oÜ͸Ͷͷ͸{r×¢(ª
xªO{!eª{¢/¢ª
f4 ·{Ý{·OTg¿Ü͸ͶͶͻ{r×¢(ª
rTªªrrÖ¢(ͺͶϨ(͸͹
f1x ž{gÝ¿¢/·Or/¿ªOeT·
oç(·ͻͶ͸Ͷͷͷ{r×¢(ª
x¿В{g·ª
f4
F{¢(žÜ¢rH/¢͸Ͷͷͷ{r×¢(ª
xH¢/ªg/ªO!eg/ª
f2 oT·ª¿TªOT·¢T·{r͸ͶͶͼ{r×¢(ª
xH¢/ªg/ªO!eg/žTrª
f2 Ö×o¢{e

Kit with TWIN TUBE GAS Shocks FROM $1920

Kit with IMS Shocks FROM $2220
Kit with MRR Shocks FROM $2561

KIT TYPE 3
CONTAINS: FITMENT:
x!{Tgªž¢TrHª
f4 ·{Ý{·ž¢({ͿͶϻͷ͸ͶϻͷͻͶ
fͺܪO{!eª{¢/¢ª
 HOLDEN COLORADO 7
Tª¿ç¿o¿ВÜ
NISSAN R51 PATHFINDER
FORD EVEREST
·{Ý{·͸ͶͶª/¢T/ªgr(!¢¿Tª/¢Їх͸ͶͶ/Ü·¢Ј

Kit with TWIN TUBE GAS Shocks FROM $1200

Kit with IMS Shocks FROM $1550
Kit with MRR Shocks FROM $1840
*Pr
*P
Priice
Pr ices excllude
ices d fr
freig
ight and
d fi
fitti
tting
tti ng,
g pr
p ice
ice su
subj
bje
j ctt to
to cha
change
h nge
g wi
with
ithoutt not
noti
tice
ice.
ice.

FOR THE ULTIMATE IN OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE, CONTACT US AT ONE OUR

STORES, OUR NATION WIDE DEALERSHIP NETWORK OR VISIT US ONLINE

*Coil Spring & Top Cap Not Included

 DRIVE
BEST-SELLING UTES

IN DEM A ND WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS PHOTOS CRISTIAN BRUNELLI

THEY’RE THE BEST-SELLING 4X4 VEHICLES SO

FAR THIS YEAR, BUT WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO
MAKE THE HILUX, RANGER AND TRITON THE
BEST OFF-ROAD TRUCKS? WE HEAD FOR THE
HILLS IN A TRIO OF KITTED-UP UTES TO PUT
THEM THROUGH THEIR PACES.
64 www.4X4australia.com.au
www.4X4australia.com.au 65
DRIVE BEST-SELLING UTES
FOR THE first three months of 2019 there has been a clear
top three in the new 4x4 sales charts. Not only are the Toyota
Hilux, Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton utes the best-selling
4x4s in the country, they rank among the top-selling new
vehicles overall, clearly showing the current appetite for this
style of vehicle.
Due the current popularity of the 4x4 one-tonne ute we are
seeing more frequent model updates from manufacturers.
Not only are the utes getting new and improved features and
safety tech to ensure they’re more appealing for everyday and
family transport, but new models are coming around faster with
shorter lifecycles, bringing new models every seven or so years.
While the Hilux and Ranger mightn’t look so new they both
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE THE LATEST
HILUX, RANGER AND TRITON THE BEST
OFF-ROAD TOURERS?
66 www.4X4australia.com.au
received model upgrades in 2018, resulting in minor visual
changes and differences under the skin and in the technology
used. The Triton copped a more extensive update with
pretty much all-new sheetmetal and safety tech, putting the
Mitsubishi at the head of the field in that regard.
While Australia’s world-leading 4x4 aftermarket accessory
manufacturers relish the popularity of these utes as it leads to
more demand for their products, the ever-changing model line-
ups create headaches for them, too. Even minor changes can
require an all-new bullbar or other equipment that off-road
enthusiasts want.
To take a look at the latest changes to the three
top-selling 4x4s of 2019, the aftermarket off-road
 FORD RANGER
A new engine and added active safety
tech will see a variety of changes to
Ironman’s Ranger accessories.

TOYOTA HILUX
A new front-end for Hilux in August
2018 saw Ironman base its bullbar
design around the prominent grille.

MITSUBISHI TRITON
Triton’s new body and safety tech
created a design challenge for the
bullbar, rear protection and snorkel.

www.4X4australia.com.au 67
DRIVE BEST-SELLING UTES

THE TRIO CAME FITTED WITH THE IRONMAN

4X4 ACCESSORIES

68 www.4X4australia.com.au
accessories that people fit to them and the challenges
the aftermarket faces, we lined up a 2019 Toyota Hilux, a
late-2018 Ford Ranger and new Mitsubishi MR Triton to see
how they go off-road.
All the vehicles came from Ironman 4x4 and were fitted
with the Ironman 4x4 accessories typical of the company’s
average customer. We also asked Ironman’s Adam Craze to
come along and tell us about the processes of getting the
product right for the latest vehicles.
“Ironman 4x4 buys at least one of every new or facelifted
vehicle to enable us to start the product development
process,” Adam told us. “Customers want product the day the
vehicles are released, sometimes this is the same time that
we would have access to purchase a vehicle, so there is a fair
amount of pressure around developing product for new or
updated vehicles.
“Once we have the vehicle we start a testing schedule
to create a baseline of the vehicle. This will include dyno
testing the suspension, testing the new or additional safety
and driver assist function.
“We need to ensure that we do not affect the operation
of the vehicles’ safety or driver assist functions. This may
include parking sensors, active park assist, adaptive cruise
control and AEB. With each new vehicle, new features are
added and we need to ensure that we factor these into the
design of the products we manufacture and sell.”
www.4X4australia.com.au 69
DRIVE BEST-SELLING UTES

A CLOSER LOOK

01
BULLBAR
02
LED LIGHTS
03
WINCH
04
SNORKEL
05
SIDE STEPS & RAILS
Includes parker, fog Driving lights have a A 9500lb Monster Winch Airforce snorkel is made Steel construction with
and indicator lights. Spot and Combo. with Synthetic rope. to local standards. checkerplate tread.

TOYOTA HILUX

T
HE ALWAYS popular Hilux was the top-selling 4x4 was around the grille as it comes out further.”
over January to March 2019, with 9786 units hitting the Something the updated Hilux didn’t score, leaving it behind
road in Australia. Couple that with sales of 4x2 Hiluxes the latest crop of utes, is tech such as AEB. We doubt Toyota will
and it is one of the best-selling new cars overall. So it wait too long before bringing its best-selling ute in line with the
comes as no surprise that when a new or updated Hilux arrives, market-leaders, so will this require further updates to items like
the aftermarket swings into overdrive to ensure they have the bullbars? Adam Craze thinks so.
equipment buyers want when they get their new truck. “Yes, I think the Hilux will soon be changed to incorporate
Toyota changed the front-end design of the Hilux in August some of the more standard safety features that are found on
2018, implementing a tougher-looking ‘face’ by way of a bolder other models. The current Hilux doesn’t even have parking
grille and new front bumper. This came sensors, so I am sure a decent update is
on the back of similar treatment applied being worked on by Toyota.
to the new Rugged, Rugged-X and Rogue IRONMAN 4X4 ACCESSORIES FITTED: HILUX “There is normally no reason to try and
Commercial Deluxe Bullbar
models introduced earlier in the year. Driving Lights: Spot (Drivers Side), Combo (Passenger Side) second-guess the vehicle manufacturer
While a new grille and bumper might Rated Recovery Points and try and pre-empt what they may
seem like minor changes to you and me, 9500lb Monster Winch (Synthetic Rope) release. We need to wait until we see
Premium Underbody Protection
for the accessories industry it meant all- Rear Protection Step Tow Bar the vehicle and then start the work
new bullbars and bumpers to suit. Rear Protection Tow Bar Plates from there. You could never guess what
“You can actually fit the old grille to Tow Bar Wiring Loom sensors or AEB systems or adaptive
Side Steps and Rails
the new car and you could, if you wanted Pinnacle Canopy cruise radar will be used, let alone the
to, fit the previous bar (to a new Hilux),” Foam Cell Pro Suspension Upgrade shape and design of the front of the
Adam Craze said. “So the new design Airforce Snorkel vehicle.”
Comfort Canvas Seat Covers

70 www.4X4australia.com.au
D
D
D
ƒ

ƒ
DRIVE BEST-SELLING UTES

W
HILE THE Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger battled exterior changes but the locations of the cameras used to operate
a neck-and-neck sales race throughout 2018, with the new technology meant changes to bullbars and other frontal
the Hilux ultimately taking the win in the end, the accessories over the pre update models.
margin is clearer over the first quarter on 2019 with “Looks can be deceiving,” said Adam Craze. “For the new Ford
the Ford’s 8521 sales to March notably behind and reflecting an Ranger, it is one of those updates where the vehicle manufacturer
overall downturn. also updated parts of the suspension while the new 2.0-litre
Ford updated the Ranger in May 2018 engine affects the airbox and snorkel on
with the introduction of the new 2.0-litre them. So there were a few changes that
IRONMAN 4X4 ACCESSORIES FITTED: RANGER
engine and 10-speed auto being the most Commercial Deluxe Bullbar needed to be updated.
significant change, although the 3.2 and Driving Lights: Spot (Driver’s Side), Combo (Passenger Side) “The front bumper area where the
six-speed transmission remain available. Rated Recovery Points tech pack components are located,
9500lb Monster Winch (Synthetic Rope)
However, the driveline changes also Premium Underbody Protection
has changed location and design from
came with improved safety technology Rear Protection Step Tow Bar the previous model. Also in this new
including the availability of autonomous Rear Protection Tow Bar Plates model new safety functions and driver
Tow Bar Wiring Loom
emergency braking (AEB) on many Side Steps and Rails
assist functions were added. We had to
Ranger models. From June 2019, all Long Range Fuel Tank design around the functions of these
Ranger variants will have the full suite of Thermo-Plas Canopy new features. We couldn’t add a bullbar
safety tech including AEB. Foam Cell Pro Suspension Upgrade that would not work with the active self-
Airforce Snorkel
Only Ranger nerds will pick the Comfort Canvas Seat Covers parking for instance.”
different grille that marked the extent of

FORD RANGER

A CLOSER LOOK

01
BUMPER
02
BULLBAR
03
WINCH
04
SNORKEL
05
BASH PLATE
Rear Protection Tow Commercial Deluxe 9500lb Monster Winch Ranger-specific Bash plates are 3mm
Bar with Step Plates. Bullbar for new Ranger. with Synthetic Rope. Airforce Snorkel. folded steel built.

72 www.4X4australia.com.au
HIGH PERFORMANCE LED DRIVING LIGHTS

SPOT THE FULL RANGE AT GREATWHITES.COM.AU

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram

@GreatWhites @greatwhitesled
DRIVE BEST-SELLING UTES

A CLOSER LOOK

01
SEAT COVERS
02
BUMPER
03
BASH PLATE
04
LED LIGHTS
05
SUSPENSION
Canvas seat covers are Rear Bar has to work Triton gets Premium Ironman lights include Foam Cell Suspension
tailor-made to suit. with RCT sensors. Underbody Protection. Spot and Combo. upgrade.

MITSUBISHI TRITON

W
HILE THE Ford and Toyota trucks are clearly ahead “The front bumper of the Triton has a unique design which
of the 4x4 ute pack in terms of sales, the Mitsubishi incorporates a rather large indicator and park light and large flat
Triton rolls on in a solid third place. It’s a position wheel arches,” says Adam. “Along with the decreased size and
gained mainly on value-for-money sales and the height of the headlights and inclusion of new safety functions like
Triton is often discounted, but a fresh, new model for 2019 will see forward collision mitigation system with pedestrian detection and
those discounts discontinued – for a while at least. emergency brake assist, it made for an interesting challenge.
The MR Triton went on sale in December 2018 and sales of the “The size of the lights in the OE bumper was a challenge as we
new model combined with run-out deals on the previous -gen saw would normally have more to play with, but the OE lights in the
it hot on the heels of Ranger sales in February. They have slowed bumper ruled out a lot of real estate. On the new model, we felt
in March, but year-to-date the Triton sits at 6733 vehicles sold. that the distance from the chassis up to the headlights was too
The MR Triton represents the biggest large to enable a well-designed, stylish and
change in the 1-tonne ute segment with functional full replacement bullbar.
IRONMAN 4X4 ACCESSORIES FITTED: RANGER
its all-new sheet metal and class-leading Commercial Deluxe Bullbar
“The rear protection on the GLS models
safety tech applied to a pretty much Driving Lights: Spot (Driver’s Side), Combo (Passenger Side) has a large sensor for the rear-cross traffic
carried over driveline and chassis. With its Rated Recovery Points alert,” he adds. “This needed our bar to be
9500lb Monster Winch (Synthetic Rope)
bold and polarising front end design we a total redesign to ensure this function was
Premium Underbody Protection
always knew the Triton would challenge Rear Protection Step Tow Bar incorporated. The GLX version was a little
bullbar designers and with extra radar Tow Bar Wiring Loom simpler with a small tweak in dimensions
sensors for the rear-cross traffic warning Side Steps and Rails from the previous MQ model. The MR’s
Pinnacle Canopy
system (the only 4x4 ute with this tech) Foam Cell Suspension Upgrade new ’guard requires a new snorkel design
even the rear bumper poses new hurdles. Comfort Canvas Seat Covers too, something still in the design process.”

74 www.4X4australia.com.au
UPGRADES
THE IRONMAN 4X4 kit fitted to these three utes represents
the sort of gear most recreational 4WDers will fit to their new
utes. There are all-terrain tyres for improved traction, upgraded
suspension for better load-carrying and added ground clearance,
front, rear and side barwork for vehicle protection, underbody
protection, intake snorkels, rated recovery points, 12-volt winches,
and stylish canopies to keep your gear safe in the trays. The
Ranger also has an auxillary fuel tank to increase its touring
range for extended treks.
The upgrades represent between $13,000 and $16,200 of fitted
accessories on these three vehicles, taking into account that some
of them have more kit than others. The alloy wheels and Nitto
tyres aren’t Ironman products but come from Wheel Pros and
perfectly accentuate the quality look of the additions.
Not surprisingly, picking a favourite from driving these three
kitted-up 4x4 utes plays out much the same as it does when
they’re in standard trim. The 3.2-litre Ranger is the favourite by
far. It has the best engine and transmission combo, with the large-
by-comparison five-cylinder engine loping along and never getting
fazed by anything and the six-speed auto doing what’s needed
without fuss. The Ranger’s cabin feels big and is user friendly and
comfortable for long days in the saddle, but those HVAC controls
are dark and unreadable and we complain about them in every
Ranger/Everest test. The rear end has sufficient articulation to
THE KIT REPRESENTS THE GEAR MOST
4WDERS WILL FIT TO THEIR UTES
drive the Ranger out of deep ruts, and the traction control is well
calibrated and even remains operative if you employ the factory
locking rear differential.
The class-leading rear-axle articulation of the Hilux combines
with its excellent electronic traction control calibration to make
it a formidable off-road weapon. The lack of space in the wheel
arches prevent anything but the smallest increase in tyre size
without having to hack out the inner fender wells, and we’re still
not big fans of the 2.8-litre diesel engine. It’s harsh and buzzy on
the highways and doesn’t deliver what you want when you put
the foot down. Disappointing aspects in an otherwise polished
package.
The MR model lifts the Triton range. The styling is improved
over the last model and made better again with the addition of
a well-designed bullbar. The step up to a six-speed auto over the
previous five-speeder brings the transmission into this decade at a
time when other companies are running eight, nine and 10-speed
autos, but we reckon six is enough. Mitsubishi’s turbo diesel is
the smallest capacity of this trio and delivers the least Newton
metres, but the Triton is also smaller and lighter than the others
so it gets along alright.
Each of these utes is a great basis for building an outback
tourer, but it takes the type of accessories fitted to them here to
make them competent, dependable and capable enough to take
you on the ultimate adventure.
www.4X4australia.com.au 75
 EXPLORE
GUY FAWKES
RIVER NP, NSW

FROM THE BUSTLING COAST

TO MOUNTAIN SECLUSION, IN
JUST A FEW HOURS.

76 www.4X4australia.com.au
www.4X4australia.com.au 77
EXPLORE GUY FAWKES RIVER NP, NSW

Left: You can expect

this type of weather in
winter. Right: Information
boards are plentiful.

A
COUPLE of hours’ drive from the Coffs
Coast, midway between Sydney and
Brisbane, is a wilderness area where you can
camp and explore.This trip begins just out of
Dorrigo on the NSW mid-north coast, an area known
for rich farmland that grows some of the best potatoes
in the world (outside of Ireland, of course). Volcanic
activity in the area near Ebor some 30 million years
ago pushed and formed high peaks that became part
of the Great Diving Range, and it also provided deep-
cut gorges that are inaccessible and rugged.
After visiting several tourist locations in the quaint village of
Dorrigo, where you can still get real meat pies, we headed farther
west towards Armidale.The tar road from Dorrigo twists its way
over rolling hills, green from recent rainfalls, and it’s not long
before we hit Grafton-Armidale Road and headed north to Dorrigo
Plateau, where the views here fall into the distance on both sides of
the road. After a 10-minute drive we soon approached the locality
of Hernani. Population... not a lot. Signposted directions led to Guy
Fawkes River National Park and, still on the tar, we swung
past sleepy farms and the local district school. It didn’t take
long to hit the dirt, and when we did, we passed the last farm
and the last sign of civilisation. Phone signal dropped, too, so
it’s vital to be self-sufficient with spare tyres, food, water and tools.
It was hard to comprehend that just an hour ago we were battling
coastal traffic for parking spaces at the local beach.
When you leave the locality of Hernani you’ll hit Hardens Road,
a good all-weather road that passes through old timber forests.
Keep a look out for several signposted turns – but look closely, as
the signs are ageing with moss and other gremlins. Still, you can’t
go wrong with a good GPS system at your fingertips.
The vegetation starts to change to a more temperate setting as
you climb higher, with vines climbing over ash trees and tree ferns;
while down below at ground level, fragile soft maiden hair ferns
mind their own business. Around the 15km mark an old timber sign
pointed us towards Mount Hyland picnic area. A 4WD is needed
on this narrow track as you’ll need to squeeze past tree ferns, but
it’s worth it for the walk to the trig station which provides awesome

WALK THIS WAY

THERE are several walks from the Chaelundi Rest Area, from
a 500m easy walk through to several hardcore overnight trips
dedicated to those who are experienced. The most popular walk
takes around 30 minutes, where an easy stroll leads where the
Chaelundi Creek drops over the side into the valley below. Other
walks include Lucifer’s Thumb Trail, Jordan’s Trail and Combalo
Trail. There are no bins to keep the area clean and the animals
away, so take out what you brought in.

78 www.4X4australia.com.au
WE PASSED THE LAST FARM AND THE LAST SIGN
OF CIVILISATION

www.4X4australia.com.au 79
EXPLORE GUY FAWKES RIVER NP, NSW

you need to keep an eye out for 4WDs and animals as there isn’t
much room to quickly pull over. A spot where you can stop is
. marked as Misty Creek Lookout, about 6km down the road on
o r r i go, NSWh
:D it the left. A 300m return walk to the edge of some of the most
Above Camp set w are.
w : s p breathtaking lookouts you will ever see provides views across the
Belo f room to
o
plenty rugged Guy Fawkes Wilderness, from the river below that snakes
its way through the valley, to pockets of rainforest tucked in on the
southern sides of the gorges.
The vegetation farther down the mountain is still thick, with
heavily timbered hills and a scattering of tall tree ferns throughout.
Some 6km down you will enter the Chaelundi Rest Area, with tent
areas, a section for day-trippers and bushwalkers, and a pocket for
camper trailers. The well-thought-out camping area has information
boards, a fire box with timber offcuts, pit toilets and barbecue
plates. The site utilises an honesty pay system and general fees
apply for camping and those without an annual vehicle pass.
Once you decide it’s time to leave, wander back to the top of the

TRAVEL PLANNER
LOCATION
The Guy Fawkes Wilderness area is located in northern NSW,
100km inland from the Coffs Coast. This region has a host of State
Forests and National Parks, with lookouts, walking trails and side
roads. With a mining history that dates back to the mid-1880s,
with several gold and gem fields, it’s always exciting to explore.
The plateau was formed some 30 million years ago from a nearby
FUEL & SUPPLIES
The nearest major town is Dorrigo, a friendly place with basic
facilities including several fuel stops, mechanical services,
supermarket and a great country bakery. The local info centre has
all the relevant details. Phone service is limited; and while this trip
is only 200km-long, you need to be self-sufficient. Once you end
the trip at Dalmorton (now abandoned), it is another 80km to fuel.

80 www.4X4australia.com.au
 BIO-DIVERSITY
GUY FAWKES River National Park is regarded as a ‘bio-
diversity hotspot’, with more than 40 different vegetation
communities, 28 threatened plant species, 24 threatened
fauna species and significant areas of old-growth forest. The
diversity of eucalyptus species is especially rich, with more
than 50 species identified within the park.

to be aware of the weather, as it can change from gully to gully.

Several heavy showers in a very short time had turned the road to
slop, but being in a 4WD we just flicked a lever for added traction.
Jumping back on the road we lasted only five minutes before
another marked lookout was posted on the road. This time there
was a twist: the lookout was to the west.
A bit farther down the road, keep an eye out for Hamburger
Rock – maybe if you squint it may look like a hamburger? The road
then meanders downhill through thick timber forests, the soft tree
ferns giving way to grass trees and a host of different cycad palms.
It’s evident that there’s less road maintenance out this end of the
trail as it was rough, with small ruts and rocks, but nothing a little
ground clearance or some good all-terrain tyres wouldn’t fix.
As we approached the 100km mark we realised our trip was
nearly over. A last stop beside the Mann River for afternoon tea
left us with several decisions: do we turn around and do it again, or
do we swing right and head back to the hustle of the coast?

GUY FAWKES RIVER NP, NEW SOUTH WALES

www.4X4australia.com.au 81
 CUSTOM
SUZUKI SIERRA

RESTO-MODDED
CLASSIC SUZUKI
4X4 IS A HELL OF A
LOT OF FUN.
WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS PHOTOS MICK HURREN

82 www.4X4australia.com.au
www.4X4australia.com.au 83
CUSTOM SUZUKI SIERRA

T
HE NEW Suzuki Jimny experience with the brand. The grey and orange colour scheme
might be stealing hearts and has earned the Sierra the name ‘Jaffa’, and the end result was
headlines at the moment, so good a customer made an offer too good to refuse – before
but there’s a long waiting Alan even got to enjoy the fruits of his labour.
list to get into one and it “It was never intended that we would sell this car,” says
could be up to six months Alan with his usual infectious enthusiasm. “But a customer
before you actually get your wanted it and kept asking me how much it would take to get it.
car. Thankfully, Suzuki has I threw a high figure at him and he took it!”
a long history of excellent We managed to score a day with Jaffa just before it went
and capable 4x4 vehicles, so for its final engineering and registration procedures and was
there are plenty of options delivered to its new owner. It also gave Alan a day to enjoy it
out there on the used car market that could be right for you. on his property near Melbourne.
Piranha Off Road’s Alan Johnson is bit of a Suzuki 4x4 The 1988 Sierra is a short wheelbase soft-top, which was
fanatic, with part of the workshop at Piranha dedicated to a stripped back to a bare chassis before work started on it.
side business he calls Seriously Suzi (SS). While many of the Suzuki 4x4s of this vintage are pure and purposeful, with little
tiny tots that pass through the shop are part of Alan’s own regard for safety and comfort and more focus on functionality
collection of Suzukis, he also creates a range of products, and purpose. From their diminutive size to their ladder chassis
modifications, accessories and even turn key 4x4s for and leaf-suspended live axles, the early Suzuki 4x4s have a lot
customers. in common with the first mass-produced 4x4 vehicle, the iconic
One such creation is this Suzuki Sierra, which copped Willys Jeep.
a ground-up rebuild with the benefit of Alan’s years of The Sierra’s chassis was cleaned up, painted and fitted

84 www.4X4australia.com.au
THE END RESULT WAS SO GOOD, A CUSTOMER
MADE AN OFFER TOO GOOD TO REFUSE

The team at Seriously Suzi

refitting the body to the chassis.
Lucky it’s lightweight.

www.4X4australia.com.au 85
CUSTOM SUZUKI SIERRA

WANTING MORE CUBES, A MONSTER 1.6L

MILL FROM A SUZUKI VITARA WAS FITTED

POWER TRANSPLANT
As well as the 1.6L engine SS
fitted the Piranha dual battery
system and diff breather kits to
the engine bay.

86 www.4X4australia.com.au
 Everything
orange is all
Seriously Suzi
parts.

with new bushes in readiness for its revamped, rebuilt and
bigger capacity hardware. Alan says he’s tried all the readily
available suspension kits for leaf-sprung Suzukis and none of
them really get it right. With this experience he developed
his own leaf packs under the Seriously Suzi brand and,
after driving Jaffa around the paddocks, we have to say he’s
definitely nailed it.
Leaf springs under a lightweight, short-wheelbase car
tend to produce a bouncy, harsh ride for passengers, but the
Seriously Suzi kit under Jaffa is supple enough to soften
the ride and allow a modicum of axle articulation, while
being sturdy enough to handle on the road. The springs are
matched to new shackles, shocks, bushes and bump stops for
a fully fresh setup. The original diffs were rebuilt and fitted
with new wheel bearings and brakes, before the Suzuki
Vitara alloy wheels and 235/75R15 muddies were fitted to
each corner to get it rolling again.
Removing the lightweight body tub from the chassis made
it easier to engineer the front and rear bars and rock sliders.
These are all Seriously Suzi parts, and the front bar mounts
an Ultra Vision light bar and a Warn Tabor winch with
Dynamica line. The rear bar incorporates a swing-away wheel
carrier for the spare tyre. The hitch under the rear bar isn’t a
tow hitch but is simply there to mount a recovery point.
The bare chassis also makes life easier when working
on the mechanicals. For Jaffa, that involved a ‘big block’
engine swap. The Sierra came out with a little 1.3-litre
four-cylinder petrol engine, but Alan wanted more cubes.
He threw caution to the wind and fitted a monster 1.6-litre
mill yanked from a Suzuki Vitara which, when mated to
the five-speed gearbox, is sure to step up the car’s highway
performance. Alan says it’s a fairly straightforward swap but
one that really improves any Sierra, even though there’s only
a handful of kilowatts difference between the two engines.
The added horsepower of the engine is truly unbridled
thanks to a set of Redback exhaust extractors and sports

www.4X4australia.com.au 87
CUSTOM SUZUKI SIERRA

exhaust system that give Jaffa a rorty note. A new radiator,

clutch and all ancillaries help to complete the rebuild and
make the Sierra better than new.
Also better than new is the refurbished body. There mightn’t
be a lot to it, but it was massaged back into shape and scored
a set of Seriously Suzi checker-plate protection panels before
it was hit with the fresh coat of grey. All the badges and
body plastics were colour-coded in either grey or orange, and
any items in poor condition were refurbished or replaced
with new or better ones. The headlights were updated with
halogen replacements for better night vision, while LED lights
are fitted at the back. Flexible flares are fitted to cover the
oversize mud terrain tyres.
The tube doors were made in-house at SS and will get some

A CLOSER LOOK

01
ALLOY HOOPS
02
NITRO VISION
03
PEDDLING PARTS
04
ROCK OFF
05
PULLING POWER
A Vitara donated the The Seriously Suzi The colour-coded non- Seriously Suzi rock A Warn Tabor winch
engine and the alloy front bar mounts an slip alloy pedals had sliders are available with Dynamica line
wheels, fitted with Ultra Vision Nitro Maxx to have rubber pads for both long and short resides within the
235/75R15 muddies. LED light bar on top. fitted for the RWC. wheelbase Sierras. front bar.

88 www.4X4australia.com.au
 POWER SOLUTIONS
FUNCTIONAL DURABLE AFFORDABLE

key features
• Trigger 6 Shooter Wireless Switching
• Enerdrive ePower 40 amp
DC2DC+ Battery Charger
• Enerdrive ePRO Plus Battery Monitor
(Screen to be remote mounted)
• All circuits protected via
circuit breaker or fuse
• Pre mounted to powerboard for
easy fixing into your project
• 5 Year Warranty on
Enerdrive DC DC unit

contact us for a quote 1300 308 873

trigger six shooter BATTERY BOX POWER HUB power hub pro

did you know SPINIFEX

also has canopies
and tray bodies?
CUSTOM SUZUKI SIERRA

The tube doors were made in-house at Seriously Suzi and the brand’s
roll bar/hoop was added for extra protection.

canvas covers to match the soft top and offer protection

for occupants in inclement weather. There’s a Seriously
Suzi roll bar/hoop for added protection, just in case
anyone decides to roll this Jaffa down the aisle.
New seats, carpets and full re-trim complete the
interior and add some comfort to what is basically a
very utilitarian cabin. It’s all weatherproof for when the
owner is enjoying the Sierra sans roof and full doors,
appreciating the full open-air driving experience.
A ground-up, turn key rebuild like this doesn’t come
cheap once you factor in the purchase price of a second-
hand Suzi and all the labour involved. It can be made
considerably more affordable depending on the car you
find and how much of the work you can do yourself. If
anyone is thinking about undertaking such a classic
Suzuki 4x4 rebuild, then it’s nice to know that people like
Alan and Seriously Suzi have already done the hard yards
and have the products and knowledge to help you get it
done right.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on the Seriously Suzi
workshop to see what they come up with for the new
Jimny, and we’re sure many of those lucky enough to score
a new one will be too.

90 www.4X4australia.com.au
 gear
PRODUCT TEST – TRACK TRAILER TVAN
OLDIE BUT A GOODIE
LIKE A FINE WINE, THE TVAN JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER WITH AGE.
T
HE TRACK Trailer Tvan is 20 years
old this year and in that time has
built an enviable reputation for
quality, reliability and unequalled
WORDS AND PHOTOS RON MOON
off-road ability. In 2017 the Mk5
was released, featuring some 250
sheetmetal changes from the previous
incarnation and four different models
to choose from. While the Mk5 is still
distinctly a Tvan it is better in nearly
every way than its predecessors, and
it has stayed true to its reputation of
delivering unparalleled ride, great
92 www.4X4australia.com.au
comfort and off-road capability.
All Tvans share the same key
characteristics including the somewhat
idiosyncratic looks, the unique MC2
suspension, a hot-dipped galvanised
chassis, durable riveted steel and
aluminium construction of the cabin and
lower body lockers, an aluminium rear
folding deck, off-road electric brakes,
and a fully articulated off-road coupling.
There’s also the quick-erect tent that
drops down easily and quickly from
its own compartment and never gets
RATED
AVAILABLE FROM:
www.tracktrailer.com.au
RRP: Canning from $67,490
WE SAY: Costly, but well
designed and exudes
quality, comfort and
reliability.
anywhere near the bed.
While the tare weight of the
Murranji (the top-of-the-line variant)
is 1100kg the standard suspension is
rated at 1500kg, providing a payload
of 400kg. An optional upgrade to the
suspension (and 12-inch brakes) ups
the rating to 1800kg, giving a mammoth
800kg payload. Fitted to our rig were
265/70R17 tyres and, while you can go to
33-inch rubber, these are about as big as
you can go on the Tvan.
The most noteworthy changes of the
Mk5 over its predecessors include a
taller roof design to provide more head
room, more cabin space with a slightly
wider interior, a lighter weight rear
deck, a host of electronic and electrical
improvements and equipment, a more
refined tent with easy-to-use magnetised
clamps around the floor, and many other
smaller modifications. The Murranji also
gets the unique Skyward Rear lift-up
deck, among a host of other goodies.
We recently took a Canning (below
the Murranji on the Tvan line-up) model
on a gruelling two-week jaunt through
the South Australian outback. This unit
had been optioned up with a few choice
accessories including a diesel hot water
system and sliding glass windows.
Both Canning and Murranji models get
the Premium Kitchen, which is a beauty
and offers a three-burner cooktop, three
large drawers for everyday items from The Tvan is ideal for the couple who want to
cutlery to coffee, a large stainless steel tour the hardest and most remote tracks on
preparation area, a glass-top sink with the continent.
mixer tap, and the brand’s easy-to-lift-
into-place windshield. Both models
also get Track’s Quick Cover swing-out
awning that covers the kitchen area
quickly and effectively; it’s one of the
best and most clever awning designs I’ve
ever used.
The kitchen stove, protected by
the lift-up shielding, works in all but
the windiest of situations, when extra
tall shielding or all-round shielding is
required – the awning helps in many
of these situations (depending on wind
direction). The kitchen area and its
stainless steel preparation surface is
more than adequate for preparing the
www.4X4australia.com.au 93
GEAR TRACK TRAILER TVAN

biggest of camp meals.

These two Tvan models get as
standard a front storage area which
comes with two sealed lockers, the one
on the left being insulated and fitted
with a sliding fridge drawer, 12-volt
power and filtered venting. It’s suitable
for an Engel 40-litre, ARB Blue 50, or
a National Luna 55-litre fridge, but
there would be some bigger units on the
market nowadays that just wouldn’t fit.
The locker to the right is fitted with an
optional sliding tray ideal for jerry cans,
a generator, a second fridge or whatever
you want. The spare tyre is mounted atop
the front boot, while two 4kg gas bottles
nestle inside their own compartment in
the central area of the boot. A 108-litre
water tank is mounted underneath the
body behind the axle, while an optional
70-litre tank can be fitted.
A lower body locker on the right-hand
side of the camper is suitable for storing
items such as the full annex and walls
(another option), toolboxes or soft bags,
while a small full-width compartment is
THE TWO TVAN MODELS GET
A FRONT STORAGE AREA
WITH TWO SEALED LOCKERS
ideal for carrying extra poles or an axe
(or similar). An open compartment on
the left side can carry a jerrycan, while a
water pump system that has the ability to
draw water from an external source tucks
in beside the jerrycan compartment.
The diesel hot-water system, behind a
lockable lid, was on the opposite side of
the camper.
The drop-down deck can carry up to
four MaxTrax, while a small folding shelf
can carry a surprising amount of wood.
The levelling legs for the deck now lock
within the deck frame and mount quickly
and easily into place. The lift-up hatch
entry door easily and lightly swings up

The Tvan set-up for an overnight stay, the slide-

out Premium Kitchen offering three burners,
drawers, sink with mixer tap, and windshield.

94 www.4X4australia.com.au
Our writer declares the Tvan is ‘extremely
dustproof’ and has never had any dust
issues in any of the Tvans he’s owned.

CRUISER CRUISIN’
ON A 5000km jaunt over a variety
of roads including long stretches of
soft sandy track, the LC79 towed the
camper effortlessly and returned in
the vicinity 17 to 18 litres per 100km.

www.4X4australia.com.au 95
GEAR TRACK TRAILER TVAN

The front of the Tvan showing the gas

bottle storage compartment and the
spare tyre carrier.

to provide access to the inside of the

camper, or it drops down to close the
camper. It’s extremely dust proof and
I’ve never had any dust issues in any
of the Tvans I’ve owned.
A queen-size double bed takes up
most of the room under the hard roof,
and it’s always set up and always away
from any damp canvas. The windows,
rooftop vents and the higher roof of
the Mk5 gives the camper a pleasant,
spacious feel. Three storage drawers
can be found under the bed, while
a roof storage system and side-wall
storage pockets hold plenty of soft gear
including clothes and books. Two three-
speed fans are positioned up high and
on each side of the cavernous entry door
(which is bigger than previous models).
Air conditioning is optional on all
models.
A battery management system, DC-DC
charger, circuit breakers, power outlets,
USB sockets, pure sine-wave inverter
and switches are on the right side of
the interior, while an AM/FM/Bluetooth
Fusion sound system is on the left-

A queen bed takes up most of the room

under the hard roof, and it’s always set up
and always away from any damp canvas.

96 www.4X4australia.com.au
 9” DRIVING LIGHT BEAM PATTERN (MEASURED WITH 2 LIGHTS)

9INCH
100W
ü 100W / DC 9~36V ü UP TO 50,000 HRS LIFESPAN ü -40C ~+80C OPERATING TEMPERATURE
ü IP69K IP RATING ü 30G VIBRATION RATING ü 10080LM RAW LUMENS (9000LM ACTUAL)

1300 AFN 4x4 | www.afn4x4.com.au

sales@afn4x4.com.au | 19B Flinders Parade North Lakes, Qld 4509

facebook.com/AFN4x4australia

VISIT WWW.AFN4X4.COM.AU FOR A DEALER NEAR YOU

GEAR TRACK TRAILER TVAN

hand side. The 105amp/h AGM battery
(lithium is optional, as is a second
battery) is contained in a box beneath
the floor, while a 120W solar panel is
mounted on the roof.
The tent has been refined from
previous models and, while it stores and
drops into place in a similar way, the
floor is held in place by strategically
placed magnets. Packing up is also made
easier by the simple use of pull-down
straps. While it is different to any other
camper-trailer tent on the market, the
Tvan tent is quick to deploy and takes
less than five minutes from go to whoa.
We rarely set the tent up, though,
preferring to use the rear insect screen
which is a 30-second fit to the entry
door area.
proving its suspension is better than most
The diesel hot water system fits neatly into
tow vehicles. Approach, departure and
its outside storage box.
rampover angles are first class, with the
Tvan tracking accurately, only cutting
the sharpest of corners by a tad.
The Tvan Canning sells for $67,490,
but adding the diesel hot-water heater,
sliding windows and a sliding drawer
bumps the price to $76,660 (as tested).
History has shown there is a strong
market for Tvans, where they hold their
value extremely well. For example, the
first Tvan ever built was sold to a friend
of ours 20 years ago for $20K. Today it is
again up for sale for $18K … how’s that
for holding value!

THE TVAN’S SUSPENSION IS

The Tvan is ideal for the couple
who want to tour the hardest and
most remote tracks on the continent,

BETTER THAN MOST OTHER

as it’s capable, more comfortable and
has more features than ever before.
It may be costly, but these units are

TOW VEHICLES
the epitome of design and Australian
manufacturing, exuding build quality,
comfort and reliability. The Tvan
comfortably rode behind the Cruiser,

MOBILE CATEGORY 2
THE MC2 Suspension title comes
from the Australian military spec
classed as ‘Mobility Category 2’,
which is the highest performance
rating for the suspension for an
unpowered vehicle. This spec
remains unmatched by any other
trailer manufacturer I know of, either
here or overseas, and it delivers a
remarkable softer and flatter ride.
The Australian military use it on
their very best trailers, carrying their
finest optical, electronic and satellite
communication equipment.

98 www.4X4australia.com.au
DON’T LET YOURSELF GET BOXED
IN WITH OUTDATED DESIGNS
At AFN we approach things differently, we take into consideration the natural
lines of the vehicle and give the vehicle a look and feel that it so rightly deserves.

OUR RANGE INCLUDES

• Bullbars • Rear bumper with Jerry Can and Wheel Carriers
• Front bumper bars (as per the bullbar but • Side Steps
without hoops)
• Full underbody protection (6mm Aluminium)
• Rear Step Bars
• Hidden Winch Mounts (to suit OEM Bumper)

1300 AFN 4x4 | www.afn4x4.com.au

sales@afn4x4.com.au | 19B Flinders Parade North Lakes, Qld 4509

facebook.com/AFN4x4australia

VISIT WWW.AFN4X4.COM.AU FOR A DEALER NEAR YOU

 EXPLORE
4X4 ADVENTURE SERIES
SE FORESTS, NSW

S , B I G
N TA I N K S .
T M O U T R AC
N D
VERDAA ND RU G G E
ES

100 www.4X4australia.com.au
www.4X4australia.com.au 01
EXPLORE SE FORESTS (PT 1)
up with Calle Road. We had already discovered that Calle Rd was
virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding scrub, so we tried
this faint track just a little farther to the south.
After 30 minutes of travelling less than a kilometre and spending
most of the time removing logs and timber from the old trail, we
decided discretion was the better part of valour and our convoy
of four vehicles retreated, heading north on the main route of the
Reedy Creek Road. That was pretty indicative of many of the trails
we followed on our wanderings through the mountains inland from
the southern coast of NSW. The routes may seem to be well marked
and named on a map, but in practice they proved to be little used
WE DECIDED DISCRETION WAS THE BETTER PART OF
VALOUR AND OUR CONVOY OF FOUR VEHICLES RETREATED
102 www.4X4australia.com.au
Reedy Creek, and then north to the wider valley and rich farmland
of the Tuross River.
The Bega Valley and Eurobodalla shires upgraded the bridle trail
to a formed road around the time of WWI, and they maintained
them until 1958 when the Forestry Department took over. Today,
the very southern section passes through Gulaga National Park
before entering the Bodalla State Forest, with the northern part
seeing very little traffic.
From Reedy Creek we turned south on the Tuross River Road
before taking Red Creek Road deeper into the state forest. On
Red Creek there was a small, little-used camping area and an easy
 There’s plenty to take
in, with a vast array of
different terrain.

The going can get

tough, so remember to
pack all the essentials.
Luckily, we had help
clearing a fallen tree.

www.4X4australia.com.au 03
EXPLORE SE FORESTS (PT 1)

leases, sold shares and lived the high life … until

1907 when his swindle was uncovered. He was
jailed for five years.

Plan your route, watch

out for wildlife and
take plenty of photos.

104 www.4X4australia.com.au
sand-over-rock water crossing. A short time later we arrived at the
upper crossing of the Tuross River on the Peak Along Trail, but
the rain over the past few days had turned the stream into a fast-
flowing torrent. GT, our self-designated camp cook, VW tragic, salt
lake racer and driver of the Hilux in our small group, volunteered
to go into the water to investigate. Hardly able to keep his footing,
and with the water rising to his chest, we decided we’d pass on
the challenge of trying to drive across. Would the crossing have
been possible? Maybe, if you had to, but not without some serious
preparation of the vehicles and recovery gear.
Still, we were tempted to set up camp on the sandy bed of the
river, but we backtracked a short distance taking the Brass Knocker
Track over the range and down into the Wadbilliga River valley
near Yowrie. That night, we threw down our swags at the small but
delightful Lake Creek camping area in Wadbilliga NP.
Our travels in south-east NSW to take in the delights of the
coast and the far less travelled tracks of the nearby mountains had
started a few days earlier when we had left Moruya and headed
inland. Our route quickly took us into the Wandera State Forest and
then on reasonable 4x4 tracks to the crest of Wandera Mountain
and its expansive views over the surrounding mountains, forests,
farmland and coastline.
Following the No Name Mountain Fire Trail we stopped on the
edge of the Buckenbowra River at the rough and small campsite
of the same name, in amongst a patch of temperate rainforest.
In places, we passed through drier eucalypt forest dotted with
scattered stands of Burrawang palms, a member of the ancient
group of plants known as cycads. Through here and until you meet
the main Braidwood Road (Kings Highway) you are on the historic
Corn Trail, which was the first European link across the mountains
joining the settlements along the coast to the remote settlements
on the Monaro Plains.
The major crop of the valley back then was corn, hence the
route’s name, but it was also used to bring cattle down from the
high country to the coast – later, gold prospectors heading inland
used the trail. When a new route was pioneered over Clyde
Mountain in 1854 (which the main highway now follows), the Corn
Trail fell into disuse and was soon overgrown.
That evening we set up camp at the small, enjoyable Berlang
Camp on the north-west edge of Deua NP. The next morning we
took a short walk, first wading across the upper reaches of the
Shoalhaven River and then climbing the gentle 1.5km-long slope
to the Big Hole. It’s hardly an inspiring name, but the deep, circular
rupture is a little more interesting.
www.4X4australia.com.au 05
EXPLORE SE FORESTS (PT 1)

From Berlang we headed south on Snowball Road before taking
the Middle Mountain Trail deeper into Deua NP. This route is not
recommended for anyone with a trailer (in fact, they are banned),
but less than 1km from the main road there is a pleasant campsite
on the edge of Currambene Creek, which can be reached with a
trailer. From here the trail winds through forest and climbs to the
crest of Dampier Mountain and its trig point, before dropping
steeply through a series of tight switchbacks to the valley floor and
the first crossing of the Deua River.
This is the entrance to the magnificent Bendethera Valley, so
named by the first European settlers here who in 1863 established
their Bendethera homestead farther along the stream. Numerous
cleared areas along the valley make for a great and popular
camping area; certainly one of the best in NSW and one we always
love to experience. The grassy clearings are mown to park-like
consistency by the large mobs of eastern grey kangaroos and the
few swamp wallabies that inhabit the ar
we spied a feral pig, and the chimes and calls of the birds during
their ‘morning chorus’ is a delight to wake up to.
After a couple of nights in the valley we headed out via Little
Sugarloaf Road, passing a vehicle towing a camper which was
doing it easily and slowly. We quickly tired of the gravel roads
which were getting better the more we got closer to civilisation,
so we turned onto the little used North Bumbo Fire Trail and soon
came to the first of the fallen trees. We didn’t have a chainsaw (a
bit of an oversight), only a small axe and an even smaller saw, but
we eventually cleared it and pushed on, clearing a few other trees
along the way. Meeting with the Western Boundary Rd, we had a
brew to celebrate making it through and cruised onto the highway
and the coast, pitching our swags that evening in the Brou Lake
camping area of Eurobodalla NP.
The next day we headed to Wadbilliga NP via our fateful meeting
with the Tuross River, before pulling up for the evening at the
. There are easier ways to get here than

SAW IT COMING
BRING a chainsaw.
At one stage we were
stymied by a huge log
across the road and had
turned around when
fl lf

106 www.4X4australia.com.au
INCREASED RIDE LARGER PISTON EXCEPTIONAL INCREASED OIL LARGER PISTON 100,000KM WARRANTY
HEIGHT ROD DIAMETER OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE VOLUME BORE DIAMETER SHOCKS & STRUTS

ADVANCED COOLING FOR AVAILABLE FOR MOST

CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE MAKES & MODELS
ULTRA-TOUGH SEAMLESS IN-STORE EXPERTS FOR
STEEL WELDED DESIGN CHOOSING YOUR PERFECT SETUP

FEEL THE DIFFERENCE

www.tjm.com.au
EXPLORE SE FORESTS (PT 1)
the circuitous route we followed, but we were having fun exploring
and using rarely used fire trails.
A little to the north we turned into the forest again and arrived
at The Cascades, with three other vehicles there it was the most
populated spot we visited away from the crowded coast. Situated
on the Tuross River it is a short but steep walk down a series of
steps to the river-worn boulders of The Cascades, and with the
recent rain it was flowing quite well.
We then took Falcon Road and the Waila Creek Trail, the route
marking the boundaries of both the Deua NP to the north and the
Wadbilliga NP to the south. It’s an easy drive, with spectacular
views as you drop off the high ridges down to the crossing of the
Waila Creek. The farming land here is dotted with magnificent
old trees and patches of forest, and it’s an easy, enjoyable run back
to the coast via Belowra and Cadgee and the lower reaches of the
Tuross River.
THE BENDETHERA VALLEY IS A
POPULAR CAMPING AREA – IT’S
ONE OF THE BEST IN NSW
108 www.4X4australia.com.au
The following day the little-known Pambula Goldfields, just
a few kilometres south-west of Pambula, was our next point for
exploration. I had no inkling of this place until a friend took us to it
some years back, but with any knowledge on how to get there now
forgotten I touched base with Ron and asked him to again guide us
into the old mines.
The area around Pambula was first settled by Europeans in the
1830s when the Imlay brothers grazed cattle on the river flats,
with the town established in about 1843. By 1856 there were five
licensed hotels in town catering for the thirst of farmers, graziers,
loggers, bullock drivers and fisherman. Gold was discovered in 1888
and the resultant flurry of activity created a boom in the town, with
shafts such as the Victory Mine, Top Victory and the Morning Star
producing gold that was reported at times to crush at an incredible
40 ounces to the tonne.
The deepest mine in the area soon reached a depth of more than
 TERRAIN TAMER
GOES MUSTERING

Trusted Terrain Tamer engineers, Allan Gray and his nephew Andrew,
have been working with Jillaroo Jess to get her LandCruiser Bull Buggy
ready for the big muster at Mt. Isa. Tune in to terraintamer.tv and
watch how they make sure it’s up to the rugged task ahead.

terraintamer.tv
 EXPLORE SE FORESTS (PT 1)

making tracks
CLIMBING the range through
the park on the only road – a rocky
track, really – we passed through
Conways Gap, with the only indication
of the gap in this heavily forested
area being a dilapidated sign on the
edge of the track. We then passed
into open country and crossed a
trickle of water which was the very
headwaters of the Tuross River.
This is high plains country, which is
pleasant on a good, sunny day but
can be violent and extreme when the
weather turns cold and windy.

The seagulls didn’t

stand a chance with
this lot around!

110 www.4X4australia.com.au
300 metres, and within months of the discovery there were
a number of crushing mills in the vicinity of the workings.
Interestingly, only a little alluvial gold was ever won by
individual miners working along the nearby creeks; while
today, fossickers with metal detectors are having better luck.
Most of the old goldmine shafts are fenced and all of the old
mill sites have fallen into disrepair, with most of the equipment
plundered or rusted. Still, with some local knowledge you can
find a number of ruins dating back to those days, including mill
sites with the remnants of a five-head stamper, a huge flywheel
from a steam engine along with assorted machinery, dams still
holding water, and ovens used in the production of bricks for
the many buildings that once graced the field.
With time to kill before we returned to our camp at Hobart
Beach camping area on the southern shores of Wallagoot Lake,
we headed along forestry roads into a section of the South East
Forest NP and to the crest of Wolumla Peak. At 776 metres the
peak, with its tangle of radio and repeater towers nearby, is the
highest point for some distance and offers great views.
Descending from our eagle-like eyrie we took the rough and
rugged Wolumla Peak Fire Trail west off the peak, passing
through verdant forest before hitting the main road and turning
north for our coastal camp. Such is four-wheel driving on the
NSW south coast: magic beaches in the morning or evening and
a variety of trails during the day, spiced with rugged mountains
and spectacular views. You can’t beat that for variety.
www.4X4australia.com.au 11
 EXPLORE
COPETON, NSW

112 www.4X4australia.com.au
 WORDS AND PHOTOS KEV SMITH

HIDDEN
TREASURE
IT MAY LACK TRUE OFF-ROAD TRACKS, BUT COPETON OFFERS
PLENTY TO SEE AND DO IN AN AREA RICH IN HISTORY.

www.4X4australia.com.au 13
EXPLORE COPETON, NSW
OPETON Dam up near Inverell in northern NSW is
three times the size of Sydney Harbour when full,
is 104 metres deep, has some of the best freshwater
cod (monsters up to 1.3 metres are caught regularly)
and offers an array of water sports. Plus, it has a rich
history and some of the best waterfront camping
you’ll find.
Back in the 1930s, Inverell and the nearby Gwydir
Valley needed a new water supply, so a proposal
was planned to dam the current location for irrigation to an ever-
increasing agricultural production. World War II came around and
funds dried up, but in 1966 the current location was approved
and work started in 1968. It took five years to complete the wall,
while further improvements have been added the past few years
including external spillways and nine massive gates.
Prior to the valley flooding, two small towns – Copeton
(formally Boggy Camp) and Dasey Town – were busy supplying
workers to the nearby goldmine. The stockyards, cemetery and
THE STOCKYARDS, CEMETERY AND BUILDINGS ARE NOW
UNDERWATER, BUT RELICS RISE FROM THE DEEP WHEN
SEVERE DROUGHT STRIKES
114 www.4X4australia.com.au
buildings are now deep underwater, but relics rise from the deep
when severe drought strikes the area. In 1994 the dam registered
a two per cent water level and it was possible to see some of the
39 cemetery headstones, the mine tower and old fence lines.
Most people head to Copeton for the magical camping and
watersports, where you can fish, sail, jet-ski or swim in this vast
waterway; with around 45km² of water to explore it’s easy to find
a quiet cove. Camping options are pretty good, too, as there are
kilometres of free camping, as well as paid sites at the Inland
Water Holiday Park.
For a small fee the northern side of the dam, along Auburn Vale
Road from Inverell, contains waterfront sites where fires and dogs
are permitted. The serene sites have basic showers and toilets and
plenty of boat-launching spots. Free camping can be found on the
eastern side coming in from Howell, but with no facilities you’ll
need to be totally self-sufficient as it’s a long way into town if you
forgot loo paper.
The Inland Water Holiday Park is nothing short of amazing.
 FOSSICKING
WEEKEND fossickers still flock to this
area to try their luck in the town’s creek
and outer bushland. There are old mullock
heaps beside mines in nearby forests, where
digging for crystals, jelly beans, and smoky
and clear quartz is easy.

ploring Copeton’s environs

wards with old machinery and
mnants of habitation.

www.4X4australia.com.au 15
EXPLORE COPETON, NSW

Here you can camp on the water’s edge or on grassy sites near
facilities, and as far away from others as you please. There’s a
golf course, canoe hire, walking trails, playgrounds for the kids,
and much more. Take a stroll around the park and you’ll see a
vast array of wildlife, from deer, pelicans, emus, kangaroos and
predatory birds like the squawking plovers.
This area is part of the Fossickers Way route, where punters can
scratch around for gems and coloured stones. On the eastern side
of the dam near Howell the Conrad Mine began operation back
at the turn of the century and diamond and tin were discovered,
and some of the original shafts dug by hand are nearly 250-feet
deep. The mine was shut down in the mid-1950s, and safety
procedures are now in place to clean the site up and preserve it
for historical reasons.
While the Conrad Mine was operational other areas within the

ying to make a quick buck,

oking and panning for gems.

THIS AREA IS PART OF THE FOSSICKERS WAY ROUTE,

WHERE PUNTERS CAN SCRATCH AROUND FOR GEMS

116 www.4X4australia.com.au
EXPLORE COPETON, NSW

e trails are easy, and old shafts

n be rewarding for fossickers.

region were explored, and smaller mines were opened with a host
of gems and minerals found. Sapphires were discovered in the area
and by 1970 there were more than 100 mining operations in the
district all searching for this shiny stone. Inverell is now known as
the Sapphire City.
Halfway between Copeton Dam and Inverell on the Copeton Dam
Road, the local shire has put aside a large lump of land where you
can fossick for free. Signposted at Staggy Creek, it’s only a short
drive through several paddocks (keep the speed down and shut
the gates) to the digging fields. Staggy Creek Reserve is part of an
ancient creek bed that has eroded down to what it is today. Even
though the ground has been trawled for the past 20 years it’s still
exciting to scratch around for an alluvial diamond, black tourmaline,
tin or clear quartz. The best way to explore is to walk around and

Taking in the vista from

Copeton Dam’s viewing area.

118 www.4X4australia.com.au www.4X4australia.com.au

 '%( 6;
'8$/ %$77(5< 0$1$*(0(17 6<67(0

‡9ROW$PS
‡&XUUHQW/LPLWLQJ
‡6SLNH3URWHFWLRQ

$XVWUDOLDQ0DGH
<HDU:DUUDQW\

%$77(5<75$<6
+XJHUDQJHRIDX[LOLDU\DQG
PDLQUHSODFHPHQWWUD\V
HOHFWURSODWHGDQGSXUSRVH %$77(5<021,725
'8$/%$77(5< 3527(&725
EXLOW
0$1$*(0(17
.QRZH[DFWO\KRZ\RXU
&RPSOHWHVROXWLRQVWRUXQ %5($7+(5.,76
EDWWHULHVDUHSHUIRUPLQJLQD
DOO\RXU9NLWZLWKRXW $VQRUNHOIRU\RXU:'WUDQVPLVVLRQ
GXDOEDWWHU\V\VWHP )RUGLIIVJHDUER[WUDQVIHUER[
GLVFKDUJLQJVWDUWLQJEDWWHU\

)5,'*(6/,'(
0DGH
7,/76/,'(
7RVXLW(QJHO :DHFR
IULGJHVIRUPRXQWLQJDQG
HDV\DFFHVVWR\RXU
IULGJH

)RUDGYLFHFDOO3LUDQKDRQ ZZZSLUDQKDRIIURDGFRPDX
9LVLWZZZSLUDQKDRIIURDGFRPDXIRUDIXOOGHDOHUOLVWLQJ
EXPLORE COPETON, NSW
check out the amount of holes (shafts) others have dug.
The eastern side of the dam, not far from the hamlet of Tingha,
holds hidden mining history dating back to 1841 when tin was
discovered and mined. With some 6000 people working in the
area tin was soon exhausted and the boom was over by 1890.
Chinese people worked and lived among the miners and their
heritage is prevalent in town, where several buildings and a
museum still stand.
Tingha has a quaint, little caravan park with honest sites and
basic facilities. Here you’ll receive information on where you can
scratch for gems and perhaps some local knowledge on where
the locals and diehard diggers go. First-timers should head to the
Tingha Sands Quarry on Howell Road, where, for a few dollars,
you can dig around for crystals in piles of sand and washed dirt.
The kids will love digging in a safe location.
Deep in the forests at Tingha are relics of an old stone baker’s
oven and a few baking pits. Better still, the site and underground
wine cellar of the Mannix Hotel can be found nearby. The story
goes that shortly after the pub burnt down the owner’s young
daughter fell down a mine shaft and died. Unfortunately, the
owners had enough bad luck in this area and decided not to
rebuild the pub and moved away, leaving only a stark reminder
where their little girl was buried.
It’s not a trip to experience extreme four-wheel driving – you
probably won’t even lock the hubs – but it’s a great fossicking
adventure for the entire family, with some of the best camping
you’ll find.
COPETON, NEW SOUTH WALES
120 www.4X4australia.com.au
TRAVEL PLANNER
LOCATION
Copeton Waters is 35km SW of Inverell, which is 430km SW
of Brisbane. The Inland Park is more than 9km², and there’s
more than 25km of water frontage to camp on.
WHAT TO TAKE
Fuel, takeaway food and basic items can be bought at the
shop. There are no facilities on the northern and eastern free-
camping sides. Fossickers should bring a spade and a sieve.
CAMPING
With powered and unpowered sites available, swags, tents,
camper trailers and caravans are all catered for. The softies
can even hire a cabin for overnight stays.
THINGS TO DO
Fishing, fossicking, birdwatching, photography, walking
trails, exploring, golf, tennis and swimming – the list goes on.
MORE INFO
For more info on facilitates or camping at Copeton Waters
Park, phone: (02) 6723 6269.
The Inverell Information Centre can advise on free camping
areas, places to fossick and explore, or general info, phone:
(02) 6728 8161.
www.hemamaps.com
F E AT U R I N G T E C H N O LO G Y

ELocker electromagnetic locking mechanism is the next generation of aftermarket differential technology.
Performing as an open differential until you need instant traction, when selected to lock, the Harrop ELocker captures
100% of available torque and reliably distributes it equally to both ends of the axle.

Available throughout Australasia from our network of stockists.

SI NC E
1955

HARROPPERFORMANCE HARROPT V W: H A R R O P. CO M . AU P: 130 0 H A R R O P E : S A L E S @ H A R R O P. CO M . AU

 Tried.
Tested.
Proven.
THE
AWARD WINNING
MAXXIS AT700 BRAVO

AT700 BRAVO AT771 BRAVO AT980 BRAVO MT764 BIGHORN MT772 RAZR M8060 (BIAS) TREPADOR

www.maxxistyres.com.au
MAXXISTyresAustralia @Maxxis.Tyres.Australia Maxxis Tyres Australia
 AT700 BRAVO


##




$
3D tread blocks ensure exce
even wear, and high steering stability.

$
"





Multi-pitch tread pattern minimises road noise



and ensures excellent off-road performance. VEHICLE INDICATOR


 


Four U-shaped circumferential tread grooves
ensure excellent hydroplaning resistance and



 

minimised rock retention. UTE TOURING 4WD





!$

Staggered shoulder lugs provide extra bite DRIVING APPLICATION

for exceptional off-road traction.
$$
" 
"


#
ON-ROAD OFF-ROAD
Optimised sipe design ensures improved wet and dry 70% 30%

$


 performance, optimised wear, and excellent mileage.

www.maxxistyres.com.au
MAXXISTyresAustralia @Maxxis.Tyres.Australia Maxxis Tyres Australia
gear
BUYERS’ GUIDE – SHOCK ABSORBERS

124 www.4X4australia.com.au
 SHOCK ABSORBERS BUYERS’ GUIDE

SHOCK TO
THE SYSTEM WORDS TRISTAN TANCREDI

THERE IS A SEEMINGLY LIMITLESS

CHOICE OF SPECIALISED SHOCK
ABSORBERS TO GLIDE THE RIDE FOR
ALL TYPES OF OFF-ROADING PURSUITS.

T
HE CLUE is in the name. A shock absorber ‘absorbs’
the shock transferred from bumps and dampens the
forces a vehicle is subjected to, by controlling the
dissipation of energy within a vehicle’s suspension
– regulating the springs’ energy using friction and
resistance. Put simply, this is achieved by converting
kinetic energy caused by the shock into another form
of energy – heat – which is then dissipated.
“Whilst it is the job of the spring to support the
weight of the vehicle, it is up to the shock absorber to control
the stored energy of the spring, the vehicle body motions and
the sprung and unsprung weight of the vehicle,” Ben Dobinson
from Dobinsons Springs explained. “A shock absorber works
by restricting oil through an orifice, usually a piston and shim
assembly, to provide a damping force which transfers kinetic
energy into heat.”
Ironman 4x4’s Kristian Ristell added that the amount of
damping is critical and carefully set by the manufacturer,
ensuring body movement is controlled to minimise unnecessary
movement. As well as tyres maintaining contact with the road.
“Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but only
transferred,” Tough Dog’s David Cook explained. “In this
case the movement of the spring which is kinetic energy is
transferred into heat energy through the shock’s resistance,
which is then dissipated through the oil of the shock. This is why
shocks get hot as you use them in harsh conditions, because
there is more energy that needs to be dissipated.”
An off-road shock needs to be more robust to handle the
challenging conditions of both arduous tracks and long outback
roads, and therefore capable of withstanding the incredible
amount of heat that’s generated.
“A shock absorber is a critical part of your vehicle’s control
components and its effective operation is integral to the
safe operation of your vehicle,” Adam Gillick from Pedders
Suspension told us.

www.4X4australia.com.au 25
BUYERS’ GUIDE – SHOCK ABSORBERS
TYPES OF SHOCK ABSORBERS
GENERALLY there are two types of conventional shock
absorbers: twin-tube and monotube. Monotube shocks have
one tube (obviously) and the piston runs up and down through
the oil; with a twin-tube shock, one tube is positioned within
the second tube (like a babushka doll, as David Cook put it).
“As the shock moves up and down, the oil inside flows
through the piston and the foot valve, which transfers oil from
the inner tube (or working tube) and the outer tube. This kind
of acts like an oil reservoir, and also as an oil jacket, around
the shock,” Cook said.
You’ll find twin-tube designs in most road-going passenger
cars, utes and SUVs due to their comfortable on-road
characteristics. Monotube shocks are typically used on
performance-oriented vehicles, and are becoming more
popular for 4x4 vehicles – particularly for on-road use.
There are then variants within twin-tube and monotube
designs such as nitro-gas charged, foam cell twin tubes,
single body internal floating piston monotubes, and remote
reservoir shocks which move the additional oil capacity out to
a separate canister mounted near the shock and connected by
an oil line (see page 128).
“There are then additional features such as adjustable
damping and position-sensitive damping that can also be built
into shock absorbers,” Ben Dobinson added.
YOU WOULDN’T BUY AN X-TRAIL AS A
HARDCORE OFF-ROAD TOURER, SO YOU
WOULDN’T BUY SHOCKS THAT AREN’T UP TO
THE TASK EITHER
126 www.4X4australia.com.au
RAMBLER
This LC79’s suspension
set-up runs TJM adjustable
Pace remote reservoir
shocks and upgraded
coil/leaf springs.
Monotube shocks do have a number of drawbacks for
off-road environments, as Ironman 4x4’s Kristian Ristell
explained: “(They are) vulnerable to impact damage, and high
gas pressurisation can lead to a higher risk of leaking and
lower oil volume which can cause overheating.”
Twin-tube shocks, on the other hand, are more protected
from the elements. “Twin-tube shocks are naturally resistant
to damage from rocks and debris due to a second layer of
‘armour’ which protects the piston tube,” Ristell said. “Lower
gas pressurisation also means they are less prone to leaking
and can have a longer service life.
“Twin tube shocks in general are a more reliable and
trouble-free concept for off-roading due to their strong style
of construction,” he added. “Monotube shocks are well-suited
to on-road environments where high precision or tuning is
required. In some cases they can also be more vulnerable to
damage or leaking in an off-road environment.”
When it comes to finding a shock absorber more suited to
the bumps and grinds of serious four-wheel driving, though,
it’s important to ensure your suspension componentry ticks all
the boxes for your 4x4’s intended purpose.
“You wouldn’t buy an X-Trail as a hardcore off-road tourer,
so you wouldn’t buy shocks that aren’t up to the task either,”
said Tough Dog’s David Cook.
WHY GO TO THE AFTERMARKET?
OEM units are built to a cost – and within bureaucratic
parameters – and will be capable enough for most people
who don’t depart the grid in search of the old black stump.
Manufacturers typically cater for the broader population –
which makes sense – but that means the equipment will often
be lacking for specific requirements. For the 4x4 crowd the
aftermarket is where to turn to ensure you are set up properly
for remote travel, hardcore off-roading, or whatever floats your
boat, as the industry has a lot more freedom to target specific
uses – towing heavy loads, for example.
“The aftermarket generally does away with all the
bureaucracy and focuses attention to providing targeted
solutions aimed at real-world customer use,” Ironman 4x4’s
Kristian Ristell said.
Upgrading your 4x4 with aftermarket gear often leads to
a domino effect, and it’s no different for shock absorbers.
Installing a lift kit? You’ll need shocks to suit.
“Think of it this way,” Tough Dog’s David Cook explained,
“if you beef up the spring or lift the vehicle, you need a shock
that is a fair match for that spring, otherwise you have a Pee-
Wee Herman-sized shock in the ring with a Mike Tyson-sized
spring. If you’ve changed the height of the vehicle with a
lift kit, then the corresponding shock will also be longer to
accommodate that.”
Ben Dobinson agreed: “As soon as you are looking to raise the
vehicle, carry constant loads or look to spend a little more time
off the bitumen then the OEM shock absorbers are too short, do
not have sufficient damping and are simply just too small to do
the job. This is where a good quality aftermarket shock steps in
to meet the demands of Australian 4x4ers.”

Tough Dog’s Hilux runs a foam cell

strut set-up (front) with adjustable
shocks (rear), making it a weapon.

bruiser
wrangler
THIS JL copped a JKS
coil-over conversion up
front and Fox 2.5-inch
dampers at the rear.

www.4X4australia.com.au 27
BUYERS’ GUIDE – SHOCK ABSORBERS

COILOVER GAS-CHARGED SHOCKS

WITH A coilover shock absorber, the INSTEAD of using a foam sleeve like a foam cell shock
coil spring is integrated into the des absorber, a gas-charged shock uses a low-pressure
of the shock absorber. “Coilover charge of nitrogen gas. Gas-charged shocks are hugely
for customers who want the ul popular in modern vehicles. “Small-bodied, twin-tube
in performance and tuning a s-charged shocks are great value for everyday us
compression and rebound e why they are popular from the original veh
well as ride height bein turer,” Kristian Ristell from Ironman 4x
Adam Gillick from Pe

RE ESERVOIR FOAM CELL

“REMOTE eservoir shocks can offer similar benefits A FOAM cell shock is similar
than a large-bodied foam cell shock, since the to a gas-charged shock in
intention is to increase oil volume; but this only works construction, the difference
in long travel applications which cycle the fluid in and being use of a foam sleeve
out of the reservoir, such as dedicated race vehicles,” within the absorber instead of
Ironman 4x4’s Ristell said. “Modern vehicles with the gas charge. Ironman 4x4’s
little wheel travel rarely benefit from a remote foam cell shock absorbers,
reservoir shock, as there is simply not enough fluid for example, have the
displacement to transfer the heat into the canister.” capacity to house more oil
due to the sleeve occupying
less space, enabling it to
dissipate more heat. For
Tough Dog’s range of foam
cell shocks, the foam cell
piece is located between the
inner and outer tubes and is
injected with micro bubbles
of nitrogen gas. In this way,
the gas and the oil cannot
mix, which means you avoid
bubbles in the oil (aeration).
Pedders also offers foam cell
shocks that are engineered to
virtually eliminate shock fade,
as the oil in the shock has full
contact with both the inner
and outer housings.

128 www.4X4australia.com.au
 OFF-ROAD MAINTENANCE
ALL of the experts agreed that if you make smart decisions
at installation, it’ll save you from a world of hurt down the
track… literally. Buy a quality product from a reputable
brand, and a shock absorber that suits the kind of driving
you have planned, and you’ll be laughing on your camp
chair in the middle of nowhere.
“There is no point buying the most expensive, flashy
racing shock for a vehicle that is going to circumnavigate
the continent,” Tough Dog’s David Cook said. “They
are designed for high performance but not necessarily
stamina.”
It’s also important to ensure the vehicle is set up
correctly: “Ensuring the vehicle is set up correctly and the
shock absorbers are not being bottomed out or damaged is
the most important factor,” Ben Dobinson told us. “From
there it’s just a matter of keeping the shocks clean and
clearing out any accumulated debris from the seal area as
soon as possible.”
Kristian from Ironman 4x4 reiterated that point: “Any
quality suspension installer should always only tighten
shock absorber bushes at ride height, especially lower strut
bushes. This is referred to as ‘neutralising the bushes’ and it
ensures the bush remains relaxed at ride height to maximise
bush life. If the bush is tightened with the wheels hanging,
the bush is twisted and is subjected to more torsional stress
resulting in shortened life.”
Overheating – especially in rough off-road
terrain – could shorten the lifespan of a
shock absorber, so that’s why it’s vital
bp-51 to always get the correct shock for
your intended purpose. For example,
ARB’s Old Man Emu
BP-51 shock absorbers a small body gas-pressurised shock
are designed for serious off- can overheat quickly due to its
road work. They feature an relatively small oil volume and
internal by-pass and allow surface area; while larger bodied
independent adjustability
of both rebound and shocks – like Ironman 4x4’s Foam
compression. Cell Pro shock absorbers – have a
higher oil volume and larger surface
area than gas-charged shocks.
“This means they are effectively a larger
radiator, expelling more heat in a shorter
amount of time,” Ristell said. “Meaning you can drive for
longer in those arduous outback conditions before shock
fade sets in.”
“Ensuring all of the components of a vehicle’s
suspension system are working is also important, as worn
equipment – springs or bushes – could put shock absorbers
under undue stress,” explained Adam Gillick from Pedders.
To remedy this he recommends punters have brake and
suspension checks at least once a year.

WHAT HAPPENS OVER TIME?

“Precision tolerances within friction surfaces will very
slowly become affected, shedding microscopic metal
particles into the oil during its entire surface life, in
much the same way an engine does,” Kristian Ristell
from Ironman 4x4 explained. “The oil itself will also
break down over many years reducing its viscosity
and suffering due to the effects of heat and particle
contamination.”

www.4X4australia.com.au 29
BUYERS’ GUIDE – SHOCK ABSORBERS
WORN OUT?
HOW DO you know when it’s time to replace your shock
absorbers? It’s inevitable that a shock absorber will eventually
wear out over time, just like any mechanical part that’s
constantly abused. The first and most obvious sign that it
might be time to replace a shock is that your 4x4 won’t ride as
smoothly as it should.
“When driving, worn shocks may cause an unsettled
ride, crashing over bumps as the shock piston is unable to
keep up with the frequency of bumps in the road surface,”
Pedders’ Gillick explained. “Increased braking distance is
also a warning sign. Add to this excessive tyre wear and poor
alignment.”
THE FIRST AND MOST OBVIOUS SIGN THAT IT
MIGHT BE TIME TO REPLACE A SHOCK IS
THAT YOUR 4X4 WON’T RIDE AS SMOOTHLY
AS IT SHOULD
130 www.4X4australia.com.au
Tough Dog’s David Cook affirmed that point: “If the vehicle
is recycling or bouncing more than once after travelling over
a large bump, then the shock is probably due for replacement.
Essentially, when there is a noticeable drop in the shock’s
ability to control the energy of the spring, then they will need
a seeing to.”
Losing large amounts of oil is also a sign that something
is amiss in your springs. Looking beneath your 4x4 will also
reveal issues with your suspension, as Ben Dobinson explained:
“Usually, any signs of obvious damage such as bent or heavily
chipped shafts, (and) large dints in the shock body that may
affect the working tube,” he said.
BUYERS’ GUIDE – SHOCK ABSORBERS

WHAT TO LOOK FOR?

AS MENTIONED, different shock absorbers are designed for
different jobs, so what to look for ultimately comes down to
your four-wheeling intentions. Rather than buying a ‘bad’
shock – as a bad shock will be found out pretty quickly and
pulled from shelves – the biggest mistake is buying a shock
that doesn’t suit your setup and/or your springs.
Still, you get what you pay for, as Ben Dobinson explained.
“A good quality shock will provide a far more comfortable,
controlled ride consistently, with noticeable improvements
in handling, reduced body roll and reduced bottoming out,”
he said. “A poor quality shock will generally result in earlier
failure, shock damping fade early on at low temperatures and a
more uncontrolled ride.”
Having the wrong shock, or a shock of sub-par quality, can
lead to a few issues including shorter lifespan of the shocks,
bad ride quality and increased tyre wear.
“Poor quality shocks often use lower quality materials and
mismatched valving which leads to shorter product life and poor
ride characteristics. It’s worth taking the time to find a product
that perfectly matches your vehicle and driving style and is
backed by a solid warranty,” Adam Gillick from Pedders said.
“A good quality shock will have undergone the necessary
R&D and material development to ensure that it will perform
to its specification throughout its working life. In short – better
ride, smoothness and long-term durability are key benefits of a
good quality shock absorber,” he said.

MANUFACTURING PROCESS
BEN Dobinson from Dobinsons Suspension walked us
through the company’s manufacturing process:
“We start here in Australia by taking all the vehicle
information such as dimensions, weights, spring rates
and suspension geometry, as well as the vehicle type
and market requirements. From there we calculate the
required shock dimensions and damping requirements.
“From there the completed drawings are moved into
pre-production samples which are tested here on shock
dynos, shock destruction and fatigue testing machines,
and then on vehicle testing.
“For monotube shock absorbers the manufacturing
process starts with DOM seamless tubing cut to length
and machined. From there the tubes are precision
honed to +/- 0.04mm. The shock absorber body ends
are CNC-machined to shape and then CNC Robotic
TIG-welded to the shock absorber bodies. The high-
flow pistons, Seal Head Assemblies and spring seat
collars are CNC-machined from T6 6061 aluminium. The
5140 shafts are machined, heat-treated and then hard-
chromed. All components are taken through a three-
step ultrasonic cleaning process where the bodies are
then EDP-coated before moving into assembly.
“The shock absorbers are assembled, filled with
FUCHS oil and charged with nitrogen gas before they
are dyno-tested to ensure that every shock meets the
required damping performance. The shocks are then
fully cleaned before hanging on an inspection rack for a
few days to ensure no leaks occur before packaging.”

132 www.4X4australia.com.au
tva4x4.com.au | 07 3180 4787
 ELECTRONIC DUAL FIND YOUR BEARINGS
BATTERY
WITH OUR AUSTRALIAN REDUCE BODY
MANAGEMENT
MADE GASKETS ROLL WITH

SMART COILS.
Phone: 1300 888 444

AUSTRALIAN MADE
AND OWNED

1300 888 444 terraintamer.com

'ULYLQJZLWKRXWD'LHVHO'RJȴWWHG"

YOU ARE AT RISK!

Don’t risk an inferior knockoff. Insist on the genuine

article, MAXTRAX: Tried, tested, proven and trusted
around the world since 2005.
Australian designed, tested, made and owned:
the original and the best! Call
C ll 180
1800 672 844
Please visit us @ WR VHFXUH \RXU IXHOȴOWHUNLWWRGD\
www.maxtrax.com.au dieseldog.net.au

PROMOTE YOUR
AUSTRALIAN MADE Scott Crowley
Brand Sales Manager 4x4 Australia
PRODUCTS HERE E SCrowley@bauertrader.com.au
ASK US HOW M 0410 221 434
 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 MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY THRIVING AND KEEPING PEOPLE IN REAL JOBS.
SO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL AUSSIE MADE PRODUCTS.

THIS MONTH WE TALK TO DENIS DWYER FROM

P I R A N H A O F F R OA D

Describe your business.
As a Melbourne based manufacturer and
distributor for the range of Piranha Off
Road products, we are best known for Dual
Battery Management systems. Battery
trays and Electronic management suited to
most 4x4 vehicles. We also manufacture or
assemble Fridge Slides, snow chains and
lighting looms.
Tell us some of the history of
your company:
Piranha Off Road started out back in the 1980’s
as Piranha Ignition Systems. This company
focussed on upgrading existing distributor/point
systems with the then new electronic ignition.
Naturally, the technology became common place
and by then Alan Johnson’s established interest
in 4WD eventually led to the development of the
electronic dual battery system in 1987. At the
time the market was confined to mechanical
parallel switching. From the success of the Dual
Battery system the Battery Tray grew as a natural
progression and now Piranha manufacture over
140 different trays to suit most of the 4WD’s
on the market. The business continued to grow
with the addition of other 4WD specific products
that has seen the Piranha business grow to a
national brand with distribution across Australia.
products. In fact the workmanship combined Wide warranty when the system is installed
with the quality products can provide a total by a Piranha trained technician.
solution for the active 4WD touring market
of vehicles and camper trailer/caravans. What products are you developing now?
Recently launched is the IGNsense-12 a
What is your companies or products product designed to allow the auto electrical
unique selling point? community to safely pick up an ignition sense
Buying product from Piranha off Road in the modern vehicles which is increasingly
ensures you are buying products that have difficult to do. The Piranha Tilt Slide that can
been manufactured by Piranha to the convert your Piranha fridge slide into a Tilt
highest quality standards or have been down version to gain easy access to your fridge.
selected by Piranha on the basis they are
the best we can recommend. The Piranha Who uses your products?
manufactured products are built with 4WD Piranha products are used extensively by the
application in mind and are thoroughly 4WD touring market along with the camper
tested within that application. When trailer/caravan market. While these are the
you come to talk to the Piranha people most common user channels there is also
about your needs you are talking to 4WD the more specialised area’s like, marine,
enthusiasts who use Piranha products and forestry, mining and trade vehicles.
will proudly show you the products on their
own vehicles. Products built to suit the What is your greatest achievement?
application will last longer and be reliable Supplying competitively priced Australian
when you are touring “this land of sweeping manufactured 4WD products. Piranha
plains”. manufacture one of the widest range of
auxiliary battery trays in Australia that make
If you could say only two words about a suitable companion to the Piranha Battery
your product or service, what would Management system, which is compatible to
that be? most 4WD vehicles , which is simple to use
Proven, Reliability. and low cost.

Where is the company at now?
Piranha Off Road has firmly established it’s
presence in the market place as a supplier
of Australian manufactured specialist
4WD products. Based in Boronia, Victoria,
Piranha products are now distributed around
Australia via a network of Piranha authorised
dealers. The dealer network, including
the Boronia head office, not only supply
products but now actively install all Piranha
What makes you different from your
competition?
When you purchase a Dual Battery system
from Piranha Off Road you are buying a
system solution. This is a proven blend
of especially developed products to work
in harmony with your modern vehicle
electronics. Right down to exact cable
diameters to ensure all components work
together. Backed up by a 5 year Australia
 gear
PRODUCT TESTS & NEW STUFF ARB CLASSIC FRIDGE SERIES II
ARB has just released the second incarnation of its
popular fridge range, with a new colour scheme and
updated electronics, along with the ability to operate
your fridge via a smartphone app. The new fridges
include a backlit touchpad for optimum visibility and use.
The display is now dimmable (high and low) and there’s
also a 12-volt power input readout. The app requires a
transmitter (sold separately), which is attached to the
fridge’s rear. Once transmitting, you can view the power
input voltage, you can set the temperature (and check
it), and it’ll keep you updated on how the compressor
is going (whether it is at idle or running). The app also
offers a warning if the lid is left open. As well, you can
turn the fridge on/off via the app, adjust the temperature
(or use preset ones), toggle between the various battery
protection levels and display brightness, and even assign
your fridge a name. Excuse the pun, but that’s cool.
Website: www.arb.com.au

LEATHERMAN FREE P2/P4

Just when you thought there was no way Leatherman could
improve on its iconic multi-tool design, the company brings
out the FREE multi-tool series, and packs it full of new tech,
based around a technology as old as the earth: magnetism.
The P2 (with 19 tools) measures 108mm long and weighs 215g,
while the P4 (21 tools) is the same length, but slightly heavier,
at 244g. Both share the same main blade length of 70mm, and
both utilise a magnetic system to enable users to open and
close the FREE one-handed, as well as each individual tool in
the unit. The handles of the FREE are held closed by magnets,
but are easily opened with your thumb even with the FREE in
the palm of your hand – yep, that’s right, no more nail grooves in
the tools are needed. All implements are on the outside of the
tool for easier access. Speaking of which, the usual implements
are included, such as two pliers, scissors, bottle opener, four
screwdrivers (one of which is Phillips-head) and plenty more.
RP: $294.95 (P2); $339.95 (P4)
Website: www.leatherman.com.au

136 www.4X4australia.com.au
HELL OF A TIME
Go back in time to the start of the Great War of 1914-18 with
this publishing of a Digger’s personal diaries. Philip Owen
Ayton was a Sydney tram worker at the time, but answered
the call and joined the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in
August 1914. Ayton experienced Gallipoli firsthand as part
of the AIF’s First Division where he was badly injured. He
subsequently recovered and rejoined the AIF in the mud
and misery of the Western Front in France until war’s end.
From the very beginning Ayton kept notes and then would
transfer these to his diaries that record not only the hardship
and heartbreak of the battlefield, but also the off-duty
shenanigans of the Diggers and their allies. It’s a brilliant
read filled with Ayton’s thoughts and unique archival images,
as well as a postscript written by one of Ayton’s sons.
RRP: $35
Website: www.textpublishing.com.au

BLACKWOLF COMPACT DIRECTORS CHAIR

BlackWolf’s new camp chair adds a bit of luxury and
convenience to your campsite with a heavy-duty steel frame
and handy foldaway side table (with a drink holder; perfect for
the coldie). The chair is built tough and this is reflected in its
130kg weight capacity, while it is also built smart; the non-slip
foot design ensures you and the chair stay put. The seating is
padded and the high back section and wide arm rests add to
the comfort levels. Impressively, the chair is quick to set up and
also to fold down flat and, when stored, it takes up hardly any
room in the back of the 4x4. There’s also a zipped accessory
pocket and the chair weighs a featherweight 6kg. Available in
blue and khaki.
RRP: $140
Website: www.blackwolf.com.au

SPINIFEX MANUFACTURING
POWER PANEL
The Spinifex Manufacturing Power Panel is a
plug-and-play design that allows you to control
all your power needs from the one panel, such as
the battery monitor, circuit protection, wireless
switching, DC-DC charger (prewired for connection
to a house battery, solar or a starter battery) and
more. All this is driven by the Enerdrive ePower
40amp DC2DC+ battery charger, which offers
variable (and programmable) DC charge outputs
of up to 50amp, with three stages of charging on
offer. The Power Panel is solar-ready, thanks to
its input solar regulator that can cope with inputs
of up to 45V with up to 800W of solar panels. As
expected, the Power Panel is compatible with
12V or 24V systems and can be used with Gel,
Flooded, AGM or Lithium batteries. All accessory
circuits are controlled via the Trigger 6 shooter
wireless switch unit (also app-controlled with your
smartphone). Nice!
RRP: $2599
Website: www.spinifexmanufacturing.com.au

www.4X4australia.com.au 37
gear
PRODUCT TESTS & NEW STUFF

LEDLENSER MH11
Head torch tech has advanced super-fast the
past decade; from AA- or AAA-powered small
lights that barely lit up the camp box or fridge
interior, to LedLenser’s new MH11 and its massive
light output. This big bopper is powered by a
rechargeable lithium-ion battery and offers three
light settings – Power (750 lumens), Mid (300lm),
Low (10lm) – an SOS mode, and Boost which
sees this head-torch punch out 1000lm for a
limited timeframe. The light’s housing can also be
removed from the head-strap for use as a hand
torch. Battery life varies according to mode used,
with Power offering four hours, Mid going for
eight and 100 hours available on the Low setting.
Surprisingly, the MH11 is quite light at 179g. You
can even operate the MH11 via Bluetooth and the
LedLenser connect app. Cool stuff.
RRP: $249.95
Website: www.ledlenser.com.au

ITGA PERFORMANCE PRO FILTER

ITGA has drawn on its extensive motorsport past to produce
this new performance air filter for the Ford Ranger PX-I and
PX-II and its Mazda BT-50 twin (2011-2018), covering the
three engine options for those vehicles (2.2L, 2.5L, 3.2L). The
washable/reusable filter comes pre-oiled for an easy install
and is claimed to improve throttle response, fuel economy and
power outputs when compared to the OE filter. The drop-in
design uses a tri-foam system (reticulated polyester foam)
that ITGA says offers better performance in terms of
optimising airflow, cleaning efficiency (can block high
volumes of airborne dust while keeping the engine fed with
clean air), and can absorb large amounts of dust without
affecting its airflow capacity.
RRP: $152
Web: williamsraceservices.com.au/itg-ford-ranger-3.2-air-filter

YAKIMA JUSTCLICK 3
Yakima’s JustClick 3 is one of its latest towball-mount bike
carriers designed to carry three bikes (with the option of four
if you add the JustClick +1, RRP $199) and is built tough. It’s
strong enough to carry e-bikes as well as regular treadlies
(with a max tyre width of 3.25-inch), thanks to its total max bike
weight of 60kg. The JustClick 3 has wheels for transport and
storage, weighs 20.3kg (easy for one person to fit to the towball),
and also tilts for access to the vehicle’s cargo area. The bikes
attach via wheel straps and locking arms and for those bigger,
heavier bikes, there’s an optional drive-up ramp (ClickRamp, RRP
$89). The JustClick 2 two-bike version is also available.
RRP: $1099 (JustClick 3); $999 (JustClick 2)
Website: www.yakima.com.au

138 www.4X4australia.com.au
 LONG WEARING RUBBER MATS
JUST A SMALL SELECTION OF OUR RANGE!
FORD RANGER - PX1, PX2, PX3, RAPTOR TOYOTA PRADO - 150 SERIES HOLDEN COLORADO & ISUZU D-MAX 2015-2019

Which mat looks like it would collect

WKHPRVWVDQGPXGVWRQHVÀXLGVHWF"

TOYOTA HILUX - 2015-2019 TOYOTA PRADO - 150 SERIES FORD EVEREST - 2015-2019

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER - 200 SERIES VOLKSWAGEN - AMAROK 2010-2019 JEEP WRANGLER - 2017-2019

CATCH ALL SAND, STONES, MUD, FLUIDS ETC. 100% WATERPROOF, PATENTED NON-SLIP BACKING
THAT WON’T DAMAGE YOUR CARPET. LESS VACUUMING. BETTER VEHICLE RE-SALE VALUE

CREDIT
CARD
S
ORDER D M
TE MA OST
ACCEP K
03 9791 1777 | www.3dmats.com.au | info@3dmats.com.au MO ES &
AVA DELS
ILA
WIDE BLE
AUST- RY
DELIVE
gear

SACHS MAX SHOCK ABSORBERS

IRONMAN 4X4 90L AIR CHAMP COMPRESSOR
Ironman 4x4’s new portable air compressor pumps out a
healthy 90L/minute of airflow, with a maximum pressure
of 150psi. The 12V 450W motor features a 45mm cylinder
and a 40amp maximum current draw. Ensuring this grunt
all performs at its best, there is an integrated auto shut-off
protection switch. The inline pressure gauge (with an easy-
to-read face) includes an 8m heavy-duty, heat-resistant
rubber hose. The host is easily fitted to the compressor via
a snap-on quick-release head. The compressor’s battery
clamps are insulated and there are three additional screw-in
fitting attachments for other inflating duties, such as your
kids’ rubber pool, soccer balls, etc. The compressor is
built for tough treatment, with extensive moisture and dust
sealing, and it all packs into a cool carry bag.
Website: www.ironman4x4.com
ZF Services Australia has introduced SACHS
4x4-specific MAX shocks – specifically designed
for 4x4 use – to the local market, with the MAX
big bore dampers designed for both standard-
height and lifted (up to 50mm) suspension setups
and will cover some of the most popular 4x4s,
including the Ford ranger, Toyota’s Hilux and Land
Cruiser, as well as Nissan’s Navara and the Isuzu
D-Max. The shocks are of a heavy-duty larger
bore design, which incorporates larger pistons
and cylinders for increased durability. This
larger design means more fluid inside the shock,
helping achieve a reduction in heat levels and a
consistent ride over rugged terrain.
Website: www.zf.com.au

SHERPA 4X4 KINETIC RECOVERY ROPES

Sherpa 4x4’s new kinetic recovery ropes offer a minimum
30 per cent stretch to ensure that slingshot effect
necessary for an effective recovery that doesn’t damage
the stuck vehicle with any jolting or jerking. The rope itself
is constructed of double-braided nylon and the rope eye
includes a protective coating for maximum durability. The
rope is also UV/abrasion and chemical resistant and is
clearly labelled with its rating. The 22mm recovery rope
has a minimum breaking strain rating of 13,300kg so well
within the recommended rating of three times your rig’s
GVM. The 38mm recovery rope offers a huge 33,600kg
rated MBS. Both ropes measure 9m in length. There’s even
a wet/dry carry bag for the rope, meaning it can be packed
neatly in the back of your rig without getting tangled or
taking up too much storage space.
RRP: $229 (9m x 22mm); $449 (9m x 38mm)
Website: www.sherpa4x4.com.au

RHINO-RACK PIONEER GRAB HANDLE

Rhino-Rack has added more to its Pioneer rack system with
this new grab handle, designed to aid in loading/unloading your
gear and for tying it down on the roof-rack. It is also designed
to take your weight if you need something to hold on to as you
drop down from the rack. The Grab Handle is nice and large
and therefore easy to grab no matter hand size, as well as a
super-strong anchor point for securing gear. The Grab Handle
is of diecast aluminium construction and powder-coated. The
handle has a 120kg load capacity and is easy to affix to the roof
rack. The Grab Handle is compatible with the Pioneer Platform,
Tray and Tradie setups and has a three-year warranty. The kit
includes two Grab Handles and essential hardware.
RRP: $59
Website: www.rhinorack.com.au

14
You wouldn’t go hiking in heels.
So when it comes to your tyres, choose wisely.

visit whichtyre.com.au
 gear
PRODUCT TEST – TJM PRO LOCKER
LOCKED UP
TJM PRO LOCKERS TRANSFORM THE TONNER INTO A TOUGH TOURER.
L
ONG suspension and long-travel
sway bars make a huge difference
off-road by allowing all wheels to
keep a firm grip on the ground;
the more grip, the more drive
you maintain and the farther up the
WORDS MARK ALLEN
track you get. But that off-road-honed
suspension is probably going to be
terrible on-road.
That’s where cross-axle diff locks come
into play; while they’re great off-road
for those who like to push the limits,
142 www.4X4australia.com.au
they also allow tourers the safety and
increased ability to easily and safely
tackle any obstacle. They also limit track
damage thanks to less or no wheelspin.
I’m no stranger to TJM Pro Lockers,
having had zero problems in the eight
years they were in my 105 Series
Cruiser. In the process of setting up
my One Tonner I figured I’d stick
with one of the rear diff-mounted, air-
operated Pro Lockers. Using GQ Patrol
diff centres allowed for easy purchase
and fitment; although, there is a good
selection of vehicles that can have Pro
Lockers fitted as standard.
HOW THEY WORK
THE TJM Pro Lockers are an air-
operated locker that forces air into the
diff from an onboard air compressor via
an airline, which engages a locking ring
over one axle gear. This in turn locks the
carrier and pinion gears, forcing drive
to be sent to both left and right wheels
equally. There is no chance of an axle-
set losing drive to one wheel or another
midway through any obstacle.
Once you’re through the obstacle a
flick of the switch will return the diffs
back to standard open units by allowing
the pressurised air to be released
through an exhaust port in the solenoid
valve. The locking ring that joins the
axle pairs together via the internal gears
is released via an actuator, which allows
your diffs to differentiate and then its
drive-time as normal.
Having had Pro Lockers fitted to
my old Cruiser and now the mighty
Tonner I can’t imagine being without
them – they’ve been that good. There
have been plenty of times when perhaps
they weren’t needed, but I’ve used them
anyway as insurance to help through
tough spots.
The Pro Locker’s ability to be switched
‘on’ or ‘off’ at the flick of a switch with
no chance of unlocking when needed
most, whether you’re in forward or
reverse gear, is a positive. Once the
initial air compressor switch is activated
and the airlines are allowed to build
up pressure, the diff lock activation is
near-on instant. Of course, there are
airlines to run under the body of the
Tonner, which, when fitted correctly,
won’t snag. Plus the entry point into the
diff is afforded extra protection with a
second layer of tubing and a solid brass
fitting tapped into the top of the diff.
DOWNSIDES
THE front and rear Pro Lockers fitted
to my Cruiser were brilliant in their
operation, but steering was extremely
difficult when the front was activated.
While not a design fault – and losing
steering with any front manual locker is
to be expected – there were times when
it would be beneficial not to turn the
front locker on. That’s why I’ve opted
to go for a rear-only Pro Locker in the
Tonner, as it’s more useable more often. Tiny ProLocker compressor is fine for
The only gripe with the system is with locking duties, but not much else.
the compressor. The current standard
offering is tiny compared to the larger,
more versatile unit in my Cruiser. It
does a stellar job of activating the locker
when needed, but it can’t be used for
tyre inflation or any other associated
task. This means you need to carry
a second air compressor or swap the
supplied TJM Pro Locker compressor RATED
AVAILABLE FROM:
with a larger unit. Not that I’ve done it
www.tjm.com.au
RRP: $1577 (rear GQ
Patrol Pro Locker); $220
(Pro Locker compressor).
WE SAY: Zero problems
from years of use.
www.4X4australia.com.au 43
PRODUCT TEST – TJM PRO LOCKER
PINION WASHER (4 OFF)
CROSS SHAFT
THRUST WASHER (2 OFF)
POST (4 OFF)
NON-LOCKING
END CAP
SELECTOR RING
ONCE YOU’VE BEEN LOCKED THERE’S NO
GOING BACK TO AN OPEN DIFF CENTRE
Above: Airline is fitted up out of harm’s way
and plumbs into a brass fitting at the diff.
Below: Dash-mounted switches for rear
locker and air compressor.
144 www.4X4australia.com.au
LOCK RING
PINION GEAR (4 OFF)
SIDE GEAR
yet, but the second option of fitting an
onboard, high-flow compressor is what
I’ll be doing.
POSITIVES
WHEN used correctly that rear locker,
or a pair of front and rear lockers, will
be the most advantageous piece of
aftermarket equipment to help your 4x4
go further. Provided you drive correctly
you’ll be able to negotiate more severe
tracks without damage to either your
vehicle or the track. Even though the
locked 4x4 may still lift its wheels off the
ground, the constant and equal drive will
more often than not keep the vehicle
headed the way the driver intended.
While the Pro Locker is said to be
strong enough to handle the comp-
bred driver with oversized rubber, it
is equally at home in any touring 4x4.
Being able to slowly negotiate obstacles
without damaging your pride and joy is
FLANGE
LOCKING SIDE GEAR
CENTRE
a huge plus, as is not damaging the track
itself via wheelspin.
Driving a wrong line or pushing the
rules of gravity may see your 4x4 land on
its lid, so caution must still be exercised
when driving with lockers; you might
have traction, but your 4x4 will keep on
crawling almost regardless of the grade’s
steepness.
There are other uses for a rear-fitted
locker: during steep descents the locked
rear axles won’t allow overrun and will
stop one side speeding up; you’ll get
improved grip during downhill engine
braking; it can be used on slippery boat-
ramp exits; and it can be used to help
reverse a heavy caravan up a hill. It can
realistically be used at any time, even
in 2WD; just remember not to allow axle
windup on solid or high-grip surfaces.
I’ll wager that once you have been
locked there’s no going back to an open
diff centre.
 PODCAST

ALL THE LATEST FROM THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD

Some weeks there’s just too much going on in the automotive universe to cover everything in the pages
of our magazines, on our various websites and in the episodes of WhichCar TV. But now there’s a solution
that means you don’t have to miss out on a single thing: the WhichCar Weekly podcast. From the major
headlines to the smaller snippets that you might have missed, the WhichCar Weekly podcast is our chance
to talk about the stuff that might have got us into trouble had we mentioned it anywhere else.

TO LISTEN VISIT WHICHCAR.COM.AU/PODCAST

 gear
PRODUCT TEST – SPEEDLINER
NOT JUST A UTE LINER
SAY GOOD RIDDANCE TO SCRATCHES, DENTS, RUST,
PAINT OXIDISATION, AND GENERAL WEAR AND TEAR.
B
ACK IN 2015 we conducted a five-
year product test on Speedliner, a
two-pack polymer with a chemical
make-up that’s more secret than the
Colonel’s herbs and spices.
The product was invented in 1995
by US company Industrial Polymers as
a UV-stabilised, spray-on liner for ute
beds. It has since been used in a range of
other applications including hospitality
work areas, floors, horse floats, livestock
trucks, mine vehicles, caravans, boats
and in health facilities. In fact, it’s used
anywhere where a flexible rubber-coated
surface is needed to resist abrasion,
WORDS & PHOTOS SCOTT HEIMAN
impact, corrosion and to provide a non-
slip surface.
Since we sprayed Speedliner on
the back tray of the Hilux it has now
travelled an additional 100,000km on
some of Australia’s greatest tracks, and,
despite some pretty harsh use, there’s
still not a rip, tear or blemish to be seen.
A while back we started thinking about
how else we might use this product, and
146 www.4X4australia.com.au
RATED
AVAILABLE FROM:
www.speedlineraustralia.
com.au
RRP: Varies depending on the
size of the job.
WE SAY: Ingenious and great
value for money.
it wasn’t long before we found people out
on the tracks who were making the most
of what the Speedliner has to offer. For
example, we found an old Holden Drover
that was being used as a bush basher and
gun buggy; its footwell had been sprayed
with Speedliner to make it easier to hose
out the dirt and grime after a long day
in the back paddock. We also found a
supercharged V8 Land Cruiser Troopie
with a Speedliner stone guard sprayed
below the vehicle’s belt line. Then there
were the bullbars sprayed with the
product. In all cases, the Speedliner was
doing a solid job of protecting against
scratches, dents, rust, paint oxidisation,
and general wear and tear.
What’s next? Our fibreglass hybrid
camper was showing signs of oxidation
and cracking after 10 years on the
corrugations past whoop-whoop. The city
runabout then got sprayed head-to-toe
with Speedliner and, for a vehicle that
was starting to look like a candidate
for the knacker’s yard, it has become a
Scratched and
beaten bullbars are a
thing of the past.
Rear steps are
now non-slip.
real head-turner. Then we turned our
attention to the 30-year-old Land Rover
110 6x6 Perentie that’s sitting in the
back shed undergoing a makeover.
We had the entire cabin treated with
Speedliner for less than half the cost of
what we’d pay for a more conventional
respray. A happy by-product of using
Speedliner was that it also dulled some
of the Land Rover’s panel vibration and
associated noises.
Speedliner can be used for a range
of 4x4 applications at a far lower cost
than what you’d pay at most paint-repair
shops, so it’s a great option for protecting
(and/or masking) cosmetic damage to
vulnerable panels. After all, there are
approximately 913,000km of roadways in
Australia – with only 353,331km paved.
That leaves 559,669km of stone-chipping
byways and back tracks. Not to mention
scratches from tree branches and other
vegetation that line many narrow
stretches of track.
Even when our rigs are being used as
city runabouts, a bit of extra duco
protection goes a long way. Particularly in
city car parks where an endless line of
zombie shoppers seem intent on opening
their car doors or pushing their grocery
trolleys into vehicles. Scratches in
paintwork lead to rust, and rust and
dents devalue our rigs.
FOR TOUGHER “Durable “
braking on all types
DRIVING & of surfaces

QUIETER BRAKING.
Across Australia or around the block, wherever they go, Bendix
/
4WD/SUV brake pads get the job done brilliantly.

EXTREME STRENGTH

SURE STOPPING, STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX

STOPPING DISTANCE AT 100KM/H
5MPA LINE PRESSURE BENDIX 4WD/SUV
*STOPPING DISTANCE CALCULATED AFTER TEN CONSECUTIVE
0.5G DECELERATION STOPS FROM 100KM/H DURING B8E4-55
COMPETITOR BRAKE PAD
DYNAMOMETER STANDARD PERFORMANCE TEST.

20 60 100 140 180

*
STOPPING DISTANCE (METRES) - Lower is better.

Bendix Brake Advice Centre 1800 819 666

Choose your perfect braking solution online at www.bendix.com.au Put your foot
f t down with confidence
con ™

Bendix is a trademark of Honeywell International Inc.

NOTHING BEATS
RANCHO
®

1300 004 931


 www.rancho.com.au
 gear
PRODUCT TEST – TERRAIN TAMER BRAKES
TAMIN’ THE TONNER
HITTING THE ANCHORS WITH A SET OF TERRAIN
TAMER DISC BRAKES.
I
T’S ALL VERY well dumping as much
power as possible into your 4x4; the more
you have, the more you want. Brakes on
the other hand often get forgotten about.
This is just what happened when building
my One Tonner – an LS1 or LS2 would have
had my face beaming, but an LS3 complete
with a stat-write-off VE Maloo R8 ute was
too hard to ignore.
Initially I planned to graft the Maloo’s
HSV discs and callipers onto the Tonner’s
GQ Patrol chassis, but after consulting my
engineer I discovered there was no need as
the original four-wheeled disc brakes from
the GQ were in perfect working order. Plus,
the Tonner was kept to a similar overall
weight as a GQ Patrol.
That’s when I cracked open Terrain
Tamer’s brake catalogue, only to find its
high-performance, slotted and drilled rotors
weren’t available for Nissans. However, its
OE replacement rotors, vented for cooling
WORDS MARK ALLEN
and mill-balanced to ensure no vibrations,
were available. So too were Terrain
Tamer’s Nissan GU OE bolt-on replacement
brake callipers and 4x4-specific disc
brake pads and lines. With the huge
power outputs of the 6.2-litre engine I was
148 www.4X4australia.com.au
RATED
AVAILABLE FROM:
www.terraintamer.com.au
RRP: $144 each (front GU
rotors); $100.45 each (rear
GU rotors); $70.30 each (front
and rear brake pads)
WE SAY: Don’t skimp on
using old, worn parts.
Complete Terrain Tamer braking kit
to suit a GQ Patrol.
confident with the complete new brake
system, but the proof would be in the
testing and real life use on- and off-road.
After more than 5000km I’m stoked
with the braking performance of the two-
tonne beast thanks to the Terrain Tamer
GU brake kit. Hitting the anchors hard at
highway speed sees the whole show pull up
quickly and evenly every single time; same
goes for slow off-road driving, with plenty
of dabs on the brake pedal required given
the six-speed auto and petrol engine combo
don’t do much in the way of engine braking.
While I was keen on using the Terrain
Tamer slotted and drilled high-performance
disc rotors – available for the range of
Toyotas – I’m happy with the machined
finish of the standard offerings. Given
they are ventilated through the centres,
there hasn’t been any brake fade and my
engineer doesn’t see the need for further
upgrades. As expected after only 5000km,
the semi-metallic 4x4-specific disc pads
have shown little wear and, importantly,
don’t leave brake dust all over my rims.
If you need replacement brake parts and
don’t want to pay exorbitant prices, the
Terrain Tamer gear is worth a look.
 SUNDAYS ON NETWORK TEN
Check WhichCar.com.au/TV for show times

FEATURING

Everything car buyers need and car lovers want

 gear
PRODUCT TEST – QUICK FIST
STRAP ON
SECURING ALL SHAPES AND SIZES.
I
WAS tidying up some gear in the Cruiser
recently and decided to do a better job
of it than just stuffing the gear where it
would fit and then trying to hold it down
with a bungee strap. I wanted to secure
an axe and a gas bottle, so I went looking
WORDS AND PHOTOS RON MOON
for the best way to contain these two very
different shaped objects.
Enter Quick Fist clamps and straps.
These are widely available from shops such
as Bunnings, Outback 4WD in Bayswater
(Vic) and good camping stores. The
clamps come in a range of sizes and can
hold something between 16 and 32mm in
diameter, to something 760mm in diameter
150 www.4X4australia.com.au
RATED
AVAILABLE FROM:
Google Quick Fist
RRP: From approx $25
WE SAY: Great idea; easy to
mount; keeps gear secure.
and weighing up to 70kg.
Two tie-down belts are also available and,
while both are similar in length (965mm),
they have different mounting systems. Both
are significantly stronger than any bungee
cord. For even heavier items it is advisable
to use two clamps or straps. There’s also a
rifle mount and a roll bar mount available,
which when used in conjunction with a
clamp can be used to mount an item such as
a torch or fire extinguisher to a roll bar.
The two clamps come in a pack and are
ideal for mounting shovels and axes. If
you want to mount a hi-lift jack you need
to drill out the mount to fit a longer and
bigger bolt. For the axe we wanted to
mount, we did a quick measure, ensuring
it would be level and not bind up with
anything. The strap was just as easy
to set up; although, it is best to ensure
the mounting post is fastened so that it
straddles a line along the gas bottle’s edge.
That way there is a minimum of movement
by the gas bottle.
With just a battery drill and few No. 10
bolts we had both the clamps and the strap
set up and the equipment mounted. The
axe is out of the way, while the gas bottle is
held securely in place and in no danger of
falling over.
MICK TIGHE

4 4&
OUTDOOR
 READERS’ RIGS
AN ASSORTMENT OF HEAVILY
AFTERMARKET-KITTED FOURBIES...

GS
WEB: WHICHCAR.COM.AU/READERRIGS FACEBO
FA OOK: @4X4AUS

JAKE RALPH

2008 JEEP
JK WRANGLER
I
IT’S a 2008 2.8-litre turbo diesel four-door Jeep JK
Wrangler, with an ARB front bullbar, Adventure
W
Kings winch, 10-inch Fox remote res shocks with
K
a Teraflex three-inch lift kit, and hydraulic bump
sstops. It’s also got heavy-duty Teraflex control arms,
heavy-duty drivetrain, heavy-duty drive shafts, ARB
h
diff covers, diff breathers, and a Smittybilt Atlas
d
rrear gate/bar. It’s my pride and joy.

JOSH CLACY

MITSUBISHI TRITON
The mods never seem to end, but it has a
two-inch body lift, two-inch Outback Armour
adjustable bypass shocks, 305/70 16 Toyo RTs,
front ARB air locker, four-inch stainless snorkel
to custom airbox, stainless steel intake pipe, alloy
intercooler pipes, heavy-duty Exedy clutch, Catch
Can, three-inch exhaust, and it has been tuned to
164kW and 650Nm. It’s also got custom barwork
all ’round, front and rear scrub bars, sliders, rear
bar and tyre swing-away, winch, 3mm stainless
steel bash plates, tub racks, dual-battery setup,
and a few other bits and bobs. The best place I’ve
taken it so far is Fraser Island, but in July I’ll be
heading on a trip around the Top End from the
Kimberley across to Arnhem Land then down
through Uluru and across the Simpson Desert.

152 www.4X4australia.com.au
 ANDREW STEWART

1977 LAND MACKA WEBB

CRUISER FJ55V LAND CRUISER HDJ78

We need more unique, off-the-cusp vehicles like this
FJ55V. Kit includes 70 Series two-inch suspension,
STEDI halo headlights, custom barwork (front/rear), 55
Series’ factory A/C, 60 Series power steering, 60 Series
diffs, custom sliders, factory rust, ARB Locker and
LEDs. It was built for OCKA 2019.
The setup is mainly for family touring: HDJ78
factory turbo with top mount cooler, exhaust,
snorkel, chip, factory lockers, lift, Dynamic rims,
KO2s, interior consoles, drawers with drop fridge slide,
stainless steel water tank underneath with pump,
hot-water shower, rear wheel carrier and a Rhino
platform… and I’m still modifying the thing. It’s been
to plenty of places, with Tassie a highlight.

ANDREW GARTRELL

JEEP WRANGLER
SPORT UNLIMITED
It has Teraflex suspension, 35-inch mud tyres, Rugged
Ridge front and rear bars (with tyre carrier), TJM winch
and rock sliders, AEV wheels, Lightforce light bars,
snorkel, Fox steering stabiliser, Lightforce rock lighting
and rear camp lights. Electrics run through an sPOD
system with independent relays and circuit breakers. It
also runs Elockers (front and rear diffs), electric brake
controller, air bags in the rear, Long Ranger aux tank
and additional skid plating. A Vector mounting system
looks after the mounting of phones, iPad, GPS, etc. We
try to get out as much as we can, however, one of my
favourite trips is the Vic High Country, and we recently
came back from a week up at Rover Park, Tenterfield.

www.4X4australia.com.au 153

4X4 SHED
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY SD4
ESCAPE ARTIST
IT’S BEEN BUSH AND ’BURBS FOR OUR DISCOVERY SD4 THIS PAST MONTH.
I
T’S BEEN a solid mix of city
commuting and weekend getaways
for the Disco this past month, as we
balance the work/life conundrum.
Thankfully the Discovery does both very
well, delivering a comfortable and easy
to live with vehicle for the weekday
grind, yet one that is both capable and
competent for bush escapes.
WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS
We’ve improved the bush ability of
the Disco somewhat by replacing the OE
highway tyres with a set of Goodyear
Duratracs in the OE 255/55-20 size. This
is the officially approved off-road option
tyre from Land Rover, so we had to stick
to the factory size.
The Duratracs are also available
154 www.4X4australia.com.au
0 0 9 0 1 3 9 KM
DATE ACQUIRED: DEC 2018
PRICE: $103,840 +ORC
KM SINCE LAST UPDATE: 1954KM
AV FUEL: 9.78L/100KM
in a 275/55-20, which we would have
preferred to fit and it still would have
been a legal upgrade, but we didn’t have
that option on the Land Rover test car.
Lucky we fitted the tyres when we
did, as when the guys at Beaurepaires
Chadstone removed the originals tyres
they found a chunk of tread missing from
the inside edge of one of the front tyres.
Being on the inside of the tyre it wasn’t
easily detected, and it was bad enough
that it could have led to tyre failure. It
just shows the need for tougher rubber
for vehicles that go off-road.
We’ll have more details on how well
the Duratracs have performed in a full
report soon, but since fitting them,
people have commented on how good
the Discovery looks, whereas before they
would simply say “it looks good but you
wouldn’t take it off-road”. The Duratracs
gave us more confidence in the car on
weekend escapes up to a bush property
and to the Vic High Country.
Adding to the appearance of the
Discovery has been the fact that I’m
driving it in the raised suspension height
most of the time. The automatic height-
adjustable suspension doesn’t drop
down to the lower setting until you hit
80km/h, when it lowers to its highway
cruising height for improved dynamics
and fuel efficiency. We haven’t found the
higher setting to have any detriment to
everyday suburban ride quality and
handling, while the taller height makes
getting in and out easier. This suits me,
as opposed to the Land Rover ‘access’
height that lowers the car when you put
the transmission in ‘Park’. Plus, it looks
more purposeful, as affirmed by the
comments we’ve had on it. An added
bonus of driving in the higher setting
is that this disables the idle stop-start
function, which I find annoying on any
car... it saves me having to switch that
function off every time I start the car.
We did have a minor hiccup with the
Disco that required a short trip to the
dealership: I was getting out of the car
in our office carpark and was gathering
my phone, keys and satchel for the
day ahead. I dropped the Land Rover
key fob in the driver’s footwell and it
bounced off my heel and under the seat.
More worryingly, though, it landed
with a metallic clunk and not the
muffled sound you would expect had it
IT LOOKS MORE PURPOSEFUL, AS AFFIRMED
BY THE COMMENTS WE’VE HAD ON IT
hit the Disco’s plush carpet.
Looking under the seat the fob had
found its way into a floor cavity and
inside the chassis, where it couldn’t be
reached by hand. I tried a magnet on
a flexible wand hoping it might catch
on the metal key ring, but to no avail.
The Discovery SE has a start button for
the ignition but requires you press the
key fob to lock and unlock the doors,
so I could start the car but couldn’t
secure it. On the drive to the dealer We’re lucky we changed the tyres
the fob must have moved further into when we did, as Beaurepaires
found this rubbery problem.
the chassis as a dash warning came up
to say that the key was not detected in
the vehicle. So now, if I switched the
engine off, I would not have been able
to restart it as the car wasn’t detecting
the proximity key.
At the dealer, the technician had to
remove the seat completely and spent a
while messing around to retrieve the
fob before we could return to normal
service. What an ordeal.
www.4X4australia.com.au 55

4X4 SHED
NISSAN PATROL
BOXED IN
RON’S PATROL COPS A WELL-EARNED SERVICE, WITH A REBUILT GEARBOX AND
NEW TRANSFER BOX AMONG THE CHANGES.
O
VER THE past few months the
Expedition Patrol has been having
a holiday on the south coast of
NSW and up in the high country
of Victoria. On these trips the gearbox
occasionally growled at me and, as we
clocked up more kilometres, it became
more regular. With 400,000km on the
WORDS AND PHOTOS RON MOON
clock I guess I shouldn’t complain, so
before it expired on me completely
and left me stranded somewhere in
the scrub I thought I’d better do
something about it.
Off we went to Outback 4WD in
Bayswater (Vic) and they soon had the
gearbox out and sent off for a rebuild.
It turned out that all the bearings were
156 www.4X4australia.com.au
4 1 3 0 0 0 9 KM
DATE ACQUIRED: 2001 (NEW)
PRICE: $44,000
KM SINCE LAST UPDATE:20000KM
AV FUEL: 16-17.0L/100KM
showing signs of wear, while the gears
themselves were pretty good; so a few
grand later we had the ’box back at the
workshop and ready to go back in.
While the ’box was out we also
machined the flywheel and fitted a new
clutch. Again I went for a Safari Tuff
clutch from Exedy, as the previous Safari
unit had performed faultlessly over
the last 250,000km or so in all sorts of
terrain and towing different sized vans
and campers. The clutch was still okay
and wasn’t causing any problems – and
it probably would have lasted another
20-30,000km – but it made sense to drop
in a new one while the ’box was out.
Previously, I had learned my lesson
with two OE clutches failing in the first
150,000km, so I knew they weren’t the
units I wanted. Exedy claim the Safari
clutch offers 25 per cent more clamping
pressure without any noticeable effort on
your part, and I’ve certainly found that. I
had also been warned on both occasions
that the clutch can rattle and be a bit
noisy, but, again, I haven’t noticed that...
maybe it’s because I’m deaf in one ear.
The transfer box with the Marks 4WD
Adaptors low-range gearing in it was also
overhauled with new bearings; although,
again, it wasn’t really necessary. I’ve
found the extra-low range gearing the
Marks 4WD Adaptors mod has given me
is handy when I’m towing in the really
 WITH400,000KMONTHECLOCK I GUESS I
SHOULDN’TCOMPLAIN
rough stuff, as the extra torque available
and the low speed you can enter an
obstacle with is not only handy, but there
is less chance of doing damage to panels
and vital underneath components.
As well as the gearbox and transfer
box the crew at Outback overhauled the
front axle CV joints, swivel hub seals
and bearings. With the exhaust showing
signs of wear and tear and a few broken
brackets, we patched it up for another
round or two in the scrub. However, it
won’t be long before we’ll have to source
1 2
3
1. Again I went for a Safari Tuff clutch from
a replacement unit and, at this stage,
Exedy; the previous Safari unit had performed
I have no idea which one to go for. As
faultlessly over the last 250,000km.
I intend to keep the old girl for a few
2. Outback 4WD soon had the gearbox out and
more years, perhaps a stainless steel sent off for a rebuild.
unit is the way to go. If anyone has a 3. The crew at Outback also overhauled the front
recommendation, let us know. axle CV joints, swivel hub seals and bearings.
Finally, with a service the old Patrol
rolled out of the workshop ready to
hit the road once more, the first trip
being a quick run up to the scrub
beyond Broken Hill at Easter.
We might see you on
the road.
www.4X4australia.com.au 57
 thescore THE ESSENTIAL NUMBERS AND PRICES OF EVERY 4X4 ON SALE IN AUSTRALIA
Australia’s Ultimate
New Car Comparison Site
whichcar.com.au

FORD 5-year/unlimited km www.ford.com.au HOLDEN 5-year/unlimited km www.holden.com.au

COLORADO
RANGER
Holden’s Thai-made Colorado has received a fresh face and new driver-assistance technology as
Australian-designed, Thai-built Ranger has quickly earned big off-road cred. Raptor's 2.0L part of a mid-cycle upgrade.
bi-turbo diesel now optional on Wildtrak and XLT (the big seller for recreational off-roaders).
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
DX Single c/c 35,990 L4TD/2.8 M5 440 147 1957 1143 3500 76
Single XL c/c 41,890 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 1869 1331 3500 80 LS Single c/c 37,490 L4TD/2.8 M5 440 147 1962 1138 3500 76
Single XL c/c 44,090 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 147 1887 1313 3500 80 LS Single c/c 39,990 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 1959 1141 3500 76
Super XL c/c 44,390 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 1933 1267 3500 80 LS Space c/c 40,990 L4TD/2.8 M5 440 147 2048 1052 3500 76
Super XL c/c 46,590 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 147 1951 1249 3500 80 LS Space c/c 42,990 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2045 1055 3500 76
LTZ Space p/u 48,990 L4TD/2.8 M5 440 147 2034 1066 3500 76
Super XL p/u 48,090 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 147 2085 1115 3500 80
LTZ Space p/u 50,990 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2031 1069 3500 76
Dual XL c/c 46,090 L4TD/2.2 A6 385 118 1938 1262 3500 80
LS Crew c/c 43,490 L4TD/2.8 M5 440 147 2033 1067 3500 76
Dual XL c/c 46,390 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 1995 1205 3500 80 LS Crew c/c 45,490 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2030 1070 3500 76
Dual XL c/c 48,590 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 147 2012 1188 3500 80 LS Crew p/u 44,990 L4TD/2.8 M5 440 147 2019 1081 3500 76
Dual XL p/u 47,590 L4TD/2.2 A6 385 118 2064 1136 3500 80 LS Crew p/u 47,190 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2016 1084 3500 76
Dual XL p/u 47,890 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 2118 1082 3500 80 LT Crew p/u 46,990 L4TD/2.8 M5 440 147 2007 1093 3500 76
LT Crew p/u 49,190 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2004 1096 3500 76 Apr 19
Dual XL p/u 50,090 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 147 2135 1065 3500 80
LTZ Crew p/u 50,490 L4TD/2.8 M5 440 147 2056 1044 3500 76
Dual XLS p/u 49,190 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 2191 1009 3500 80 LTZ Crew p/u 52,690 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2053 1047 3500 76 Aug 18
Dual XLS p/u 51,390 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 147 2209 991 3500 80 Z71 Crew p/u 54,990 L4TD/2.8 M5 440 147 2056 1044 3500 76
Super XLT p/u 56,290 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 147 2178 1022 3500 80 Z71 Crew p/u 57,190 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2053 1047 3500 76 Oct 17
Super XLT p/u 57,790 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 157 2146 1054 3500 80 Z71 Xtreme 69,990 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2053 1047 3500 76
SportsCat 60,790 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2274 876 3500 76 Dec 18
Dual XLT p/u 56,090 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 2212 988 3500 80
SportsCat Look Pack 62,490 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2274 876 3500 76
Dual XLT p/u 58,190 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 147 2230 970 3500 80 Jul 18
SportsCat R 65,990 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2274 876 3500 76
Dual XLT p/u 59,790 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 157 2197 1003 3500 80 Feb 19 SportsCat+ 66,790 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2274 876 3500 76 Feb 19
Dual Wildtrak 60,790 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 2260 940 3500 80
TRAILBLAZER
Dual Wildtrak 62,790 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 147 2278 922 3500 80 Apr 19
Seven-seat wagon based on Colorado sibling refreshed mid-2016 with a new name, new face and
Dual Wildtrak 64,990 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 157 2246 954 3500 80 Apr 19 technology. Seven pews may make it a family favourite, but touring use is limited to five.
Raptor 75,390 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 157 2332 758 2500 80 Feb 19 LT 47,990 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2072 678 3000 76 Jan 17
LTZ 52,490 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 147 2203 617 3000 76 Sum 18
EVEREST

Ranger-based seven-seater was our 2015 4X4 of the Year. Mid-life update saw 2.0L bi-turbo added. INFINITI 4-year/100,000km www.infiniticars.com.au

PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED QX80
Ambiente (5s) 54,190 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 143 2370 730 3000 80 Nissan luxury brand’s bold-looking, tech-laden version of the Y62 Patrol. Like Y62, no diesel offered.
Ambiente (7s) 55,190 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 143 2343 757 3000 80 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
Trend (7s) 59,990 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 143 2407 693 3000 80 Aug 17 QX80 110,900 V8/5.6 A7 560 298 2829 794 3500 100 Sep 18
Trend (7s) 61,190 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 157 2413 687 3100 80 Feb 19
Titanium (7s) 73,990 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 157 2477 623 3100 80 ISUZU 5-year/130,000km www.isuzuute.com.au

FOTON
D-MAX
3-year/100,000km www.fotonmotor.com.au D-Max shares body architecture with Holden Colorado. Powered by Isuzu’s respected 3.0-litre TD
that has been tweaked for more torque, plus new six-speed manual and auto transmissions.
TUNLAND
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
Foton is a Chinese manufacturer responsible for the Tunland Utes. Single cab and dual cabs available in
no-nonsense, single-trim specification and powered by Cummins turbo-diesel. EX Single c/c 35,000 L4TD/3.0 M6 430 130 1657 1293 3500 76
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED SX Single c/c 38,200 L4TD/3.0 M6 430 130 1660 1290 3500 76
Dual Cab Ute 29,990* L4TD/2.8 M5 365 130 1950 1025 2500 76 SX Single c/c 40,300 L4TD/3.0 A6 430 130 1665 1295 3500 76

*This is a nationwide drive-away price, not a list price, and includes on-roads. SX Space c/c 41,000 L4TD/3.0 M6 430 130 1741 1209 3500 76
SX Space c/c 43,100 L4TD/3.0 A6 430 130 1746 1214 3500 76
GREAT WALL 3-year/100,000km www.greatwallmotors.com.au LS-U Space p/u 46,600 L4TD/3.0 M6 430 130 1900 1050 3500 76
STEED LS-U Space p/u 48,700 L4TD/3.0 A6 430 130 1905 1055 3500 76
Great Wall’s face-lifted version of the the V200/V240 continues the cheap and cheerful theme but gets a SX Crew c/c 43,400 L4TD/3.0 M6 430 130 1795 1155 3500 76
new nose, interior and 150mm longer tray. SX Crew c/c 45,500 L4TD/3.0 A6 430 130 1780 1160 3500 76
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
SX Crew p/u 44,600 L4TD/3.0 M6 430 130 1915 1035 3500 76
Single Cab Ute 19,990* L4TD/2.0 M6 310 110 1687 1198 1700 70
SX Crew p/u 46,700 L4TD/3.0 A6 430 130 1920 1040 3500 76
Dual Cab Ute 30,990* L4TD/2.0 M6 310 110 1900 1020 2000 75 Sum 18
LS-M Crew p/u 46,900 L4TD/3.0 M6 430 130 1990 1060 3500 76
*This is a nationwide drive-away price, not a list price, and includes on-roads. LS-M Crew p/u 49,000 L4TD/3.0 A6 430 130 1995 1065 3500 76
LS-U Crew p/u 48,800 L4TD/3.0 M6 430 130 1935 1015 3500 76
HAVAL 5-year/100,000km www.haval.com.au LS-U Crew p/u 50,900 L4TD/3.0 A6 430 130 1940 1020 3500 76
H9 LS-T Crew p/u 54,700 L4TD/3.0 A6 430 130 2026 1024 3500 76 Apr 19
The Chinese-made Haval is a mid-size 4x4 from Great Wall’s luxury arm. A fresh arrival on the Oz market. MU-X
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED 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.
H9 Lux 40,990* L4/2.0 A8 350 180 2250 645 2500 80
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
H9 Ultra 44,990* L4/2.0 A8 350 180 2250 645 2500 80
LS-M 50,200 L4TD/3.0 A6 430 130 2075 675 3000 65
*This is a nationwide drive-away price, not a list price, and includes on-roads. LS-U 50,400 L4TD/3.0 M6 430 130 2075 675 3000 65

158 www.4X4australia.com.au
 LS-U 52,500 L4TD/3.0 A6 430 130 2075 675 3000 65 Feb 18
LS-T 56,200 L4TD/3.0 A6 430 130 2075 675 3000 65 Aug 18

JEEP 5-year/unlimited km www.jeep.com.au

WRANGLER
Two doors or four, petrol V6 or TD4, auto or manual – Wrangler has all the options, although range has
been cut recently. 3.6-litre V6 is a leap forward from the 3.8 and has an optional five-speed auto.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED

Sport soft-top 38,990 V6/3.6 M6 347 209 1745 455 1600 70.4
Sport soft-top 40,990 V6/3.6 A5 347 209 1825 365 1600 70.4
Overland soft-top 49,990 V6/3.6 A5 347 209 1919 n/a 1000 70
Unlimited Sport 42,990 V6/3.6 M6 347 209 1875 450 2300 85.2
Unlimited Sport 44,990 V6/3.6 A5 347 209 2055 370 2300 85.2 April 13
Unlimited Sport 49,990 L4TD/2.8 A5 460 130 2105 345 2300 85.2
Unlimited Overland 53,990 V6/3.6 A5 347 209 2053 n/a 2000 85

TOP
Unlimited Rubicon 53,990 V6/3.6 A5 347 209 1975 395 2300 85.2

CHEROKEE

SELLER
The new KL Cherokee is the fourth generation of the series and has only two dual-transfer models
available: the Trailhawk and Limited Diesel.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
Trailhawk 52,000 V6/3.2 A9 316 200 1862 633 2200 60 Sept 14
Limited Diesel 49,000 L4/2.0 A9 350 125 1854 641 2393 60

GRAND CHEROKEE
Jeep’s Grand Cherokee runs a grunty Pentastar V6, efficient 3.0TD V6, or the Hemi V8. Quadra-lift air
suspension for Limited and Overland, rather than coils. Five seats and tight luggage area.
BY THE NUMBERS
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED Top-selling 4x4s in March 2019
Laredo 52,950 V6/3.6 A8 347 213 2084 865 2812 93 Source: VFACTS
Laredo TDV6 57,950 V6/3.0TD A8 570 184 2267 682 3500 93
Limited 62,950 V6/3.6 A8 347 213 2169 780 2812 93 VEHICLE UNITS
Limited TDV6 67,950 V6/3.0TD A8 570 184 2281 688 3500 93 1 Toyota Hilux 3397
Trailhawk 73,950 V6/3.0TD A8 570 184 2300 650 3500 93 Feb 18
Overland TDV6 78,450 V6/3.0TD A8 570 184 2415 534 3500 93
2 Ford Ranger 3340
SRT 91,450 V8/6.4 A8 624 344 2289 612 2949 93 3 Mitsubishi Triton 2257
Trackhawk 134,950 V8/6.2 A8 868 522 2399 535 2949 93 4 Toyota Prado 1665
5 Holden Colorado 1558
JMC 3-year/100,000km www.jmcmotor.com.au
6 Toyota Land Cruiser wagon 1455
VIGUS
A low-priced Chinese ute imported and distributed by the local arm of JMC and using proprietary 7 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 1231
powertrain components from the likes of Mitsubishi and Getrag.
8 Nissan Navara 1106
Vigus LX 24,990 L4/2.4 M5 201 100 1805 890 2000 74 9 Isuzu D-Max 1100
Vigus LX 27,990 L4TD/2.4 M5 290 90 1947 823 2000 68
Vigus SLX 30,990 L4TD/2.4 M5 290 90 1947 823 2000 68
10 Toyota Land Cruiser PU/CC 852
11 Volkswagen Amarok 841
12 Isuzu MU-X 835
13 Mazda BT-50 755
14 Mitsubishi Pajero 659
15 Ford Everest 437
16 Range Rover Sport 346
17 Toyota Fortuner 314
18 LDV T60 293
19 Jeep Grand Cherokee 268
20 Nissan Patrol 263

MITSUBISHI SALES SURGE Top-selling 4x4s so far in 2019

Source: VFACTS
A SURGE in sales of the Pajero and Pajero Sport has helped give Mitsubishi Motors VEHICLE UNITS
Australia (MMAL) its best March sales result on record.
With the aid of special offers and run-out bonuses, both the Pajero and Pajero 1 Toyota Hilux 9786
Sport posted significant spikes in sales. The Sport posted a month-to-month 2 Ford Ranger 8521
increase of 59.2 per cent and a year-to-date (YTD) lift of 14 per cent; and, despite 3 Mitsubishi Triton 6733
less overall sales, the Pajero has shown even greater improvement with a monthly 4 Toyota Prado 4584
hike of 103.4 per cent and a YTD increase of 21.2 per cent. 5 Holden Colorado 4091
Combined with the sales growth of the brand’s small SUV range, MMAL finished
second behind Toyota on the overall new vehicle sales chart for March. 6 Toyota Land Cruiser wagon 3359
“MMAL is fortunate to have such a strong dealer network and a very competitive 7 Nissan Navara 2896
SUV and LCV range which has helped us build the brand over the past four years to 8 Isuzu D-MAX 2579
achieve such a strong result,” MMAL’s CEO John Signoriello said. 9 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2220
“SUVs consistently outsell passenger cars in Australia and while some are 10 Toyota Land Cruiser PU/CC 2198
starting to see the opportunity, Mitsubishi Motors has been focused on delivering
exceptional SUVs designed and engineered to meet the needs of our customers.”

www.4X4australia.com.au 159
 thescore
4X4 MARKETPLACE
SV Autobio LWB 398,528 V8SC/5.0 A8 680 405 2523 577 3000 105

ENTIRE RANGER RANGE GETS AEB

TD Vogue 194,535 V6D/3.0 A8 600 190 2160 840 3500 85 June 13
SD Vogue 210,628 V8SD/4.4 A8 740 250 2360 840 3500 105 May 13
SD Vogue SE 229,228 V8SD/4.4 A8 740 250 2360 840 3500 105
THE Ford Ranger Raptor now comes standard with Autonomous Emergency SDV8 Autobiog 255,628 V8SD/4.4 A8 740 250 2360 786 3400 105 Nov 18
SDV8 Autobi LWB 265,628 V8SD/4.4 A8 740 250 2360 840 3500 105
Braking (AEB), as do all variants in the extensive Ranger line-up. When the 2018
SV Autobiography 333,430 V8D/4.4 A8 740 250 2360 840 3500 105
updates to the Ranger were released, including the introduction of the Raptor SV Autobio LWB 372,028 V8D/4.4 A8 740 250 2360 840 3500 105
and the option of the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel and 10-speed automatic, some
variants within the range were fitted with AEB as part of their safety equipment.
This included the top-of-the-line Raptor. As of June 2019 all Rangers – from
LDV 5-year/130,000km www.ldvautomotive.com.au

T60
the $28,340 XL cab-chassis 4x2 right up to the $75,990 Raptor, encompassing
some 31 variants – will have the safety tech as standard. Chinese ute brings five-star safety to the budget-priced dual-cab segment.

PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
T60 Single CC 28,411 L4TD/2.8 M6 360 110 1720 1255 3000 75
T60 Pro 30,516 L4TD/2.8 A6 360 110 1980 995 3000 75
T60 Luxe 34,726 L4TD/2.8 A6 360 110 2060 815 3000 75 Sum 17

LEXUS 4-year/100,000km www.lexus.com.au

LX
Take one Land Cruiser 200, give it a nose job, a whopping 5.7-litre petrol V8 and bunch of extra tech
gizmos and voila, you have the Lexus LX570.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
LX570 142,789 V8/5.7 A8 530 270 2740 705 3500 138 Sep 18
LX570 S 168,089 V8/5.7 A8 530 270 2740 TBC 3500 138
LX450 D 134,129 V8/4.5 A6 650 200 2660 TBC 3500 93 Sep 18

MAHINDRA 5-year/unlimited www.mahindra.com.au

PIK-UP
Now has standard airbags and ABS, and recently received a new, more powerful engine. Available
in single- and dual-cab configuration with or without a tub. Easy!
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED

LAND ROVER 3-year/100,000km www.landrover.com.au Single c/c

Dual c/c
26,990*
29,490*
L4TD/2.2
L4TD/2.2
M6
M6
330
330
103
103
1780
1940
1370
1210
2500
2500
80
80
April 18

DISCOVERY
Dual p/u 29,990* L4TD/2.2 M6 330 103 2080 1070 2500 80
Land Rover ends the naming tradition by calling the 2017 version Discovery, instead of Discovery 5.
The TDV6 and eight-speed auto carried over, but two new four-cylinder diesels are now offered. Dual p/u S10 31,990* L4TD/2.2 M6 330 103 2080 1070 2500 80 Feb 19
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
*This is a nationwide drive-away price, not a list price, and includes on-roads.
S TD4 64,300 L4TD/2.0 A8 430 132 2105 750 3500 77
S SD4
S TD6
72,250
76,611
L4SD/2.0
V6TD/3.0
A8
A8
500
600
177
190
2115
2230
750
750
3500
3500
77
85
MAZDA 5-year/unlimited km www.mazda.com.au
BT-50
SE TD4 77,050 L4TD/2.0 A8 430 132 2105 750 3500 77
SE SD4 87,450 L4SD/2.0 A8 500 177 2115 750 3500 77 Developed in Australia in tandem with Ford Ranger. Its big attraction is its sharp pricing. Diff lock
and low-range TC work great. 3.2-litre only.
SE TD6 90,161 V6TD/3.0 A8 600 190 2230 750 3500 85
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
HSE TD4 87,150 L4TD/2.0 A8 430 132 2105 750 3500 77
Single Cab XT c/c 39,480 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 1789 1411 3500 80
HSE SD4 99,750 L4SD/2.0 A8 500 177 2115 750 3500 77 Feb 18
Freestyle XT c/c 43,670 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 1857 1343 3500 80
HSE TD6 100,261 V6TD/3.0 A8 600 190 2230 750 3500 85 Feb 18
Freestyle XTR c/c 50,610 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 2037 1163 3500 80
HSE Luxury TD4 100,950 L4TD/2.0 A8 430 132 2105 750 3500 77
Dual XT c/c 45,510 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 1929 1271 3500 80
HSE Luxury SD4 114,050 L4SD/2.0 A8 500 177 2115 750 3500 77
Dual XT p/u 45,340 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 2044 1156 3500 80
HSE Luxury TD6 114,061 V6TD/3.0 A8 600 190 2230 750 3500 85
Dual XT p/u 47,340 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 147 2061 1139 3500 80
First Edition TD6 131,871 V6TD/3.0 A8 600 190 2230 750 3500 85
Dual XTR p/u 50,450 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 2086 1114 3500 80
*5-seats models (except First Edition). 3rd-row seating adds between $3400 (higher-spec models) and $6400 (lower spec).
Dual XTR p/u 52,450 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 147 2103 1097 3500 80 Feb 16
RANGE ROVER SPORT Dual GT p/u 56,330 L5TD/3.2 M6 470 147 2095 1105 3500 80
New Sport also gets Land Rover’s 3.0SDV6 and a revitalised 5.0 V8 and Supercharged V8. The TDV6 is Dual GT p/u 58,330 L5TD/3.2 A6 470 147 2112 1088 3500 80 Jul 18
the pick of the range for performance and economy.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
MERCEDES 3-year/200,000km www.mercedes-benz.com.au
Si4 S 96,728 L4TP/2.0 A8 400 221 2083 817 3000 104.3 Mar 19 GLE-CLASS
Si4 SE 100,028 L4TP/2.0 A8 400 221 2076 817 3000 104.3 The GLE-Class has arrived to take over from the M-Class. Like the M-Class, you need to select the Off-
SDV6 SE 107,400 V6TD/3.0 A8 600 183 2170 885 3500 86 Road Engineering Package to get a dual-range transmission. This is not available on the GLE 63 AMG.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
SDV6 SE 116,900 V6TD/3.0 A8 700 225 2115 885 3500 89
GLE 250d 93,900 L4TD/2.1 A9 500 150 2150 800 3265 93
SDV6 HSE 136,700 V6TD/3.0 A8 700 225 2115 885 3500 89
GLE 350d 108,900 V6TD/3.0 A9 620 190 2175 775 3265 93
SDV6 HSE Dyn 143,600 V6TD/3.0 A8 700 225 2115 885 3500 89
GLE 400 110,300 V6/3.0 A9 480 245 2130 770 3265 93
SDV8 HSE 149,828 V8TD/4.4 A8 740 250 2398 802 3500 105
GLE 500 127,900 V8/4.7 A9 700 320 2235 715 3265 93
SDV6 Autobio 178,400 V6TD/3.0 A8 700 225 2115 885 3500 89
GLS-CLASS
SDV8 HSE Dyn 157,128 V8TD/4.4 A8 740 250 2398 802 3500 105
GLS is the new name for the GL-Class replacement. Like the GL before it, GLS needs the optional Off-
V8 HSE Dynamic 176,628 V8SC/5.0 A8 625 375 2309 789 3500 105 Road Engineering Package to get dual-range transmission. GLS AMG 63 doesn’t get this option.
V8 Autobiography 203,928 V8SC/5.0 A8 625 375 2309 789 3500 105 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
V8 SVR 237,828 V8SC/5.0 A8 680 405 2333 667 3000 105 GLS 350d 118,730 V6TD/3.0 A9 620 190 2455 795 3500 100
GLS 350d Sport 137,735 V6TD/3.0 A9 620 190 2455 795 3500 100
RANGE ROVER
GLS 500 165,130 V8/4.7 A9 700 320 2445 805 3150 100
Land Rover combines supreme luxury and off-road capability in the Rangie. More power, less
weight and better economy are just some of the improvements to the über-roader. G-CLASS
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
With triple diff locks, long-travel coil suspension and rugged construction, Merc’s Gelandewagen is off-
V6 Vogue 199,828 V6/3.0 A8 450 250 2160 840 3500 105 road heritage writ large. Unfortunately, so is the price tag on an updated 30-year-old design.
S/CV8 Autobiog 268,528 V8SC/5.0 A8 625 375 2330 820 3500 105 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
Autobiog LWB 278,728 V8SC/5.0 A8 625 375 2330 820 3500 105 G350 BlueTEC 164,610 V6TD/3.0 A7 540 155 2570 630 2850 96
SV Autobiography 341,028 V8SC/5.0 A8 680 405 2465 635 3000 105 G63 AMG 247,700 V8/4.0 A9 850 430 2560 640 3500 100 Mar 19

DRIVE HARD,
FROM
BREATHE EASY!
 Australia’s Ultimate New Car Comparison Site whichcar.com.au

G-PROFESSIONAL GLX Club c/c 35,490 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1765 1135 3000 75
Merc’s single cab-chassis Gelandewagen might be the ultimate off-road ute (and load-carrier, with its GLX Club c/c 38,790 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1765 1135 3000 75
massive 2080kg payload) but it’s also the most expensive single-cab 4WD you can buy.
GLX+ Club c/c 40,490 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1890 1010 3000 75
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
G300 CDI c/c 119,900 V6TD/3.0 A5 400 135 2410 2080 2210 96 Sep 18 GLX Dual c/c 36,240 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1795 1105 3100 75
G300 CDI wagon 109,900 V6TD/3.0 A5 400 135 2585 975 3140 96 Sep 18 GLX ADAS Dual c/c 39,540 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1795 1105 3100 75
GLX Dual p/u 37,490 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1920 980 3100 75
X-CLASS
Mercedes-Benz entered the dual-cab market with two four-cylinder diesel powerplants: a single-turbo GLX Dual p/u 39,990 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1920 980 3100 75
2.3-litre dubbed X220d, and a bi-turbo 2.3-litre dubbed X250d. The V6-powered X350d soon followed. GLX ADAS Dual p/u 38,290 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1951 949 3100 75
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
GLX ADAS Dual p/u 40,790 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1956 944 3100 75
X220d Pure p/u 50,400 I4TD/2.3 M6 403 120 2126 1056 3200 80
GLX+ Dual p/u 39,990 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1915 985 3100 75
X250d Pure c/c 51,450 I4TD/2.3 M6 450 140 2010 1172 3500 80
GLX+ Dual p/u 42,490 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1915 985 3100 75
X250d Pure p/u 52,400 I4TD/2.3 M6 450 140 2140 1042 3500 80
X250d Prog c/c 53,950 I4TD/2.3 M6 450 140 1994 1188 3500 80 GLS Dual p/u 44,490 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1935 965 3100 75
X250d Prog p/u 54,900 I4TD/2.3 M6 450 140 2130 1052 3500 80 Feb 19 GLS Dual p/u 46,990 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1935 965 3100 75
X250d Power p/u 61,600 I4TD/2.3 M6 450 140 2155 1027 3500 80 Aug 18 Premium Dual Cab 51,990 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 2042 848 3100 75 Mar 19
X350d Prog d/c 73,270 V6TD/3.0 A7 550 190 2166 1034 3500 80
PAJERO SPORT
X350d Power d/c 79,415 V6TD/3.0 A7 550 190 2190 1010 3500 80 Apr 19
Pajero Sport replaces Challenger in Mitsubishi’s 4x4 range. It’s still on a Triton ute chassis but with

MITSUBISHI 7-year/150,000km www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au

rear coils under the back and bespoke bodywork. An 8-speed auto replaces the ute's 5-slot.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
PAJERO GLX (5-seat) 46,490 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2045 666 3100 68
With all-independent suspension, Pajero has class-leading on-road handling. Effective traction control GLS (5-seat) 49,990 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2060 660 3100 68 Mar 17
and rear diff lock make it very handy off-road, too. Sharp base price makes it a great all-rounder. GLS (7-seat) 50,990 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2105 610 3100 68
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
Exceed (7-seat) 54,490 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2105 605 3100 68 Aug 18
GLX 3.2 53,990 L4TD/3.2 A5 441 147 2273 750 3000 88
GLS 3.2
Exceed 3.2
58,990
65,990
L4TD/3.2
L4TD/3.2
A5
A5
441
441
147
147
2273
2347
750
683
3000
3000
88
88 Oct 16
NISSAN 3-year/100,000km www.nissan.com.au

PATROL Y62
TRITON
In a segment that drinks diesel, top-spec Patrol is available in V8-petrol guise only. Fully independent
MQ Triton is an evolution rather than a revolution, but has a more torquey and refined engine, better suspension is backed by electronic traction aids, but its thirst hinders towing and touring.
low range and vastly improved fit-and-finish over the superseded MN series.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
Ti 71,990 V8/5.6 A7 560 298 2715 785 3500 140
GLX Single c/c 32,990 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1660 1235 3000 75 Ti-L 88,990 V8/5.6 A7 560 298 2746 754 3500 140
GLX Single c/c 35,490 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1665 1235 3000 75
NAVARA D23
The D23 Series 2 has arrived with a much-needed improvement to the coil-spring rear suspension. A
new SL dual-cab p/u model has arrived and RX dual c/chassis is now available with auto transmission.

TRITON ABSOLUTE REVEALED Single DX c/c

Single RX c/c
31,990
32,990
L4TD/2.3
L4TD/2.3
M6
M6
403
403
120
120
1614
1626
1296
1284
3500
3500
80
80
MITSUBISHI unveiled the Triton Absolute at the 2019 Bangkok Auto Show, in Single RX c/c 35,490 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1632 1278 3500 80
an effort to gauge customer interest in a special edition loaded with extras. King RX c/c 35,490 L4TD/2.3 M6 403 120 1727 1183 3500 80
The show car gets uprated suspension that raises the Triton 50mm over
King RX p/u 37,290 L4TD/2.3 M6 403 120 1863 1047 3500 80
standard and allows the fitment of larger, off-road-oriented wheels and tyres,
King ST p/u 43,990 L4TD/2.3 M6 450 140 1908 1002 3500 80
which in turn have widened the wheel track. There is no mention of any
changes to the drivetrain. King ST p/u 46,490 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1911 999 3500 80

More striking is the body work, with additional cladding for protection, body King ST-X p/u 49,990 L4TD/2.3 M6 450 140 1941 969 3500 80
blackouts, underbody protection and LED lighting on a custom roof rack. King ST-X p/u 52,490 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1944 966 3500 80
“The Triton Absolute concept is more robust, dynamic and powerful. It Dual RX c/c 38,490 L4TD/2.3 M6 403 120 1759 1147 3500 80
demonstrates our commitment to exploring a vision of the future Triton that Dual RX c/c 40,990 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1780 1130 3500 80
will deliver on our ‘engineered beyond tough’ commitment to the Triton Dual RX p/u 39,990 L4TD/2.3 M6 403 120 1816 1094 3500 80
series – bold enough to be taken on even more adventurous treks to explore Dual RX p/u 42,990 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1823 1087 3500 80
Australia’s rugged outback, which is one of Mitsubishi’s defining strengths,”
Dual SL p/u 43,990 L4TD/2.3 M6 403 120 1923 987 3500 80
said Mitsubishi Motors Australia CEO John Signoriello.
Dual SL p/u 46,490 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1928 982 3500 80
Factory kitted-out utes have been popular with buyers; special editions
from Nissan, Isuzu, Toyota and Ford all boosting sales for these brands. Dual ST p/u 47,190 L4TTD/2.3 M6 450 140 1862 1048 3500 80

Mitsubishi wants a slice of that action, too, and you can bet we’ll see Dual ST p/u 49,490 L4TTD/2.3 A7 450 140 1865 1045 3500 80 Nov 17
something akin to the Absolute in the future. Dual ST-X p/u 51,990 L4TTD/2.3 M6 450 140 1917 993 3500 80 Aug 15
Dual ST-X p/u 54,490 L4TTD/2.3 A7 450 140 1921 989 3500 80 Jul 18

SSANGYONG 7-year/unlimited km www.ssangyong.com.au

REXTON
After a two-year hiatus, the South Korean manufacturer launched its two-prong attack on the 4x4
wagon market. The family rig is loaded with kit and comes with a lean price tag.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
ELX 46,990 L4TD/2.2 A7 420 133 2233 727 3500 70 Feb 19
Ultimate 52,990* L4TD/2.2 A7 420 133 2233 727 3500 70

SUZUKI 3-year/100,000km www.suzuki.com.au

JIMNY
Pint-sized cult classic returns in fourth-gen guise. Live axles front and rear and retro styling means it
will remain a favourite on the off-road scene.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
3-door Hardtop 23,990* L4/1.5 M5 130 75 1095 N/A 350/1300 40 Apr 19
3-door Hardtop 25,990* L4/1.5 A4 130 75 1110 N/A 350/1300 40 May 19

*This is a nationwide drive-away price, not a list price, and includes on-roads.

YOUR 4x4’s INTERIOR IS NO PLACE FOR DUST OR DIRTY AIR.

A K&N® Cabin Air Filter can make sure of it, helping trap the dust, pollutants and
allergens you don’t want to breathe. And it’s washable and reusable, so after a
day following in the dust cloud of other 4x4’s, you can easily wash and refresh.
KNFILTERS.COM
 thescore
4X4 MARKETPLACE
Australia’s Ultimate New Car Comparison Site whichcar.com.au

GRAND VITARA HILUX

The Grand Vitara has two powerful petrol donks to complement its off-road capability. The last of the The new NG Hilux (built in Thailand) arrived in 2015, with a new 2.8-litre engine, six-speed transmis-
smaller dual-range wagons, but is showing its age. sions and a beefed-up towing capacity.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING* FUEL LAST TESTED PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
3-door Navigator 27,990 L4/2.4 M5 225 122 1489 426 550/1600 55 Single W’mate c/c 36,990 L4TD/2.4 M6 400 110 1775 1225 3200 80
3-door Navigator 29,990 L4/2.4 A4 225 122 1504 537 550/1600 55 Single SR c/c 39,410 L4TD/2.8 M6 420 130 1795 1205 3500 80
5-door Sport 33,489 L4/2.4 M5 225 122 1605 465 750/1850 66 Single SR c/c 41,410 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 1795 1205 3200 80
*Unbraked/braked towing weights.
Extra W’mate c/c 42,490 L4TD/2.4 A6 400 110 1880 1110 3000 80

TATA 4-year/100,000km www.tatamotors.com.au

Extra SR c/c
Extra SR c/c
42,990
44,990
L4TD/2.8
L4TD/2.8
M6
A6
420
450
130
130
N/A
N/A
1160
1155
3500
3200
80
80
XENON
Extra SR5 p/u 54,440 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 N/A 1005 3200 80
The Xenon is Tata’s replacement for the Telcoline and is a tough, budget-buy, Indian-made
alternative to the Chinese utes: Foton, Great Wall and now JMC. Dual W'mate c/c 44,490 L4TD/2.4 A6 400 110 N/A 1085 3000 80
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED Dual SR c/c 45,140 L4TD/2.8 M6 420 130 1945 1045 3500 80
Single c/c tray 22,990* L4TD/2.2 M5 320 110 1960 990 2500 70 Dual SR c/c 47,140 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 1945 1045 3200 80
Single p/u 22,990* L4TD/2.2 M5 320 110 1960 990 2500 70 Dual W’mate p/u 43,990 L4TD/2.4 M6 400 110 2045 955 3200 80
Dual p/u 25,990* L4TD/2.2 M5 320 110 2070 880 2500 70 Dual W’mate p/u 45,990 L4TD/2.4 A6 400 110 2045 955 3200 80
*This is a nationwide drive-away price, not a list price, and includes on-roads. Dual SR p/u 46,640 L4TD/2.8 M6 420 130 2080 920 3500 80
Dual SR p/u 48,640 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 2080 920 3200 80 Jan 16
TOYOTA 5-year/unlimited km www.toyota.com.au Dual SR+ p/u 48,560 L4TD/2.8 M6 420 130 N/A 930 3500 80
PRADO Dual SR+ p/u 50,560 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 N/A 930 3200 80 Jul 18
The 150 Prado has been Australia's best-selling 4x4 wagon for the better part of 10 years. In 2018, a Dual SR5 p/u 54,440 L4TD/2.8 M6 420 130 2075 925 3500 80
heap of safety features were added to all automatic models, from the base-model GX up to the Kakadu.
Dual SR5 p/u 56,440 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 2075 925 3200 80
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
Dual SR5+ p/u 56,440 L4TD/2.8 M6 420 130 N/A 925 3500 80
GX 53,490 L4TD/2.8 M6 420 130 2150 835 2500 150
Dual SR5+ p/u 58,440 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 N/A 925 3200 80
GX 56,490 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 2150 835 3000 150
TRD 60,990 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 2075 975 3200 80 Oct 17
GXL 59,990 L4TD/2.8 M6 420 130 2205 785 2500 150 Dec 17
Rugged 54,990 L4TD/2.8 M6 450 130 2238 765 3500 80
GXL 62,990 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 2325 665 3000 150 Nov 18
Rugged 56,990 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 2238 765 3200 80 Aug 18
VX 73,619 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 2435 555 3000 150
Rugged X 61,690 L4TD/2.8 M6 450 130 2252 748 3500 80
Kakadu 84,119 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 2435 555 3000 150 Jun 17
Rugged X 63,690 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 2252 748 3200 80 Jun 18
FORTUNER Rogue 61,690 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 2174 826 3200 80
Toyota’s Hilux-based seven-seat wagon competes with Everest, Pajero Sport, MU-X and Trailblazer.

PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
VOLKSWAGEN 5-year/unlimited km www.volkswagen.com.au
AMAROK
GX 42,590 L4TD/2.8 M6 450 130 2110 640 3000 80
Amarok is an impressive all-rounder with two Ute Of The Year wins. Bi-turbo engine punches above its
GX 44,590 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 2110 640 2800 80 weight and is very economical. TDV6 is a powerhouse.
GXL 47,490 L4TD/2.8 M6 450 130 2110 640 3000 80 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
GXL 49,490 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 2110 640 2800 80 Nov 18 TDI400 Core c/c 43,090 L4TD/2.0 M6 400 132 1865 1018 3000 80
Crusade 54,990 L4TD/2.8 M6 450 130 2110 640 3000 80 TDI400 Core 44,990 L4TD/2.0 M6 400 132 1873 1018 3000 80
Crusade 56,990 L4TD/2.8 A6 450 130 2110 640 2800 80 Jun 17 TDI420 Core c/c 46,090 L4TD/2.0 A8 420 132 1865 1018 3000 80

LAND CRUISER 200 SERIES TDI420 Core 47,590 L4TD/2.0 A8 420 132 1873 1018 3000 80

With two beaut V8s – petrol and twin-turbo-diesel – the 200 Series Land Cruiser offers loads of TDI420 Core Plus 51,590 L4TD/2.0 A8 420 132 1978 988 3000 80 Aug 18
performance. Big fuel capacity, big space and big ability make one of the best tourers ever. TDI550 Core 52,590 V6TD/3.0 A8 550 165 2091 989 3000 80 Feb 19
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED Sportline 550 V6 56,590 V6TD/3.0 A8 550 165 2078 1002 3500 80 Jul 18
GX TDV8 78,190 V8TD/4.5 A6 650 195 2640 710 3500 138 Jan 12 Highline 550 V6 61,090 V6TD/3.0 A8 550 165 2169 911 3500 80 Oct 17
GXL V8 84,480 V8/4.6 A6 439 228 2555 745 3500 138 Ultimate 550 V6 68,490 V6TD/3.0 A8 550 165 2216 864 3500 80 Feb 17
GXL TDV8 89,580 V8TD/4.5 A6 650 195 2630 670 3500 138 Dec 17 Ultimate 580 V6 72,790 V6TD/3.0 A8 580 190 2196 884 3500 80 Apr 19
VX V8 94,890 V8/4.6 A6 439 228 2610 690 3500 138
VX TDV8 99,990 V8TD/4.5 A6 650 195 2675 625 3500 138
Sahara V8 115,230 V8/4.6 A6 439 228 2665 635 3500 138 Sept 14
Sahara TDV8 120,330 V8TD/4.5 A6 650 195 2720 580 3500 138

LAND CRUISER 70
The 70 Series ’Cruiser’s torquey TDV8 makes it a load-hauler extraordinaire. Available as long-wheel-
base Troopie or five-door, mid-wheelbase wagon.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED

TroopCarrier WM 67,640 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2320 980 3500 180 PRIVACY NOTICE This issue of 4X4 Australia is published by Bauer Media Pty Ltd (Bauer).
Bauer may use and disclose your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, including to
TroopCarrier GXL 70,740 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2335 965 3500 180 Jun 17
provide you with your requested products or services and to keep you informed of other Bauer
Wagon WM 63,740 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2220 780 3500 90
publications, products, services and events. Our Privacy Policy is located at www.bauer-media.
Wagon GXL 67,740 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2190 810 3500 90 Feb 08 com.au/privacy. It also sets out on how you can access or correct your personal information and
LAND CRUISER 70 CAB CHASSIS
lodge a complaint. Bauer may disclose your personal information offshore to its owners, joint
venture partners, service providers and agents located throughout the world, including in New
With its TDV8 powerplant, the Land Cruiser ute is better than ever. Optional Toyota diff locks make it
super-capable off-road. Zealand, USA, the Philippines and the European Union.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
In addition, this issue may contain Reader Offers; being offers, competitions or surveys.
Reader Offers may require you to provide personal information to enter or to take part. Personal
Workmate c/c 65,240 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2045 1003 3500 180
information collected for Reader Offers may be disclosed by us to service providers assisting
GX c/c 67,240 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2010 1013 3500 180 Bauer in the conduct of the Reader Offer and to other organisations providing special prizes
GXL c/c 69,240 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2020 1023 3500 180 Dec 07 or offers that are part of the Reader Offer. An opt-out choice is provided with a Reader Offer.
Unless you exercise that opt-out choice, personal information collected for Reader Offers
LAND CRUISER 79 DOUBLE CAB
may also be disclosed by us to other organisations for use by them to inform you about other
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. products, services or events or to give to other organisations that may use this information for
this purpose.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL LAST TESTED
If you require further information, please contact Bauer’s Privacy Officer either by email at
Workmate c/c 67,740 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2205 900 3500 130 privacyofficer@bauer-media.com.au or mail at Privacy Officer Bauer Media Pty Ltd, 54 Park
GXL c/c 71,740 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2215 900 3500 130 Mar 17 Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.

162 www.4x4australia.com.au
maxtrax.com.au