4x4 Magazine Australia - October 2023

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Contents
www.facebook.com/4x4aus www.4x4australia.com.au
OCTOBER 2023
SILVER SERVICE
The ZR2 heads Silverado 1500 full-size
pickup range from GMSV.
20
We drive Toyota’s
44
Want a Prado?
Tundra pickup in Here’s everything
Australia ahead of you need to know.
it official aririval.
FIND US
ONLINE AT
PAGE ˸;˸$8675$/,$&20$8
1 1 2
e be new 4x
st 4
Th
products out n
ow!
52
Our Ranger gets 4cast
high on Tough
Dog suspension. 10 4WORD
12 LATEST NEWS FROM THE 4X4 WORLD
16 TRAVEL BULLETIN
4x4 Driven
20 TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5
32 2023 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
44 SECONDHAND: TOYOTA PRADO
62 CUSTOM: FJ45-LC80 HYBRID
62
The best of Toyota
72
120
CUSTOM: HOW TO BUILD A RESTO-MOD
READERS’ RIGS
122 4X4 SHED: MAHINDRA SCORPIO Z8L
melds into this
classic FJ45.
4x4 Explore
82 LIMMEN NP, NT
92 ADAVALE HOTEL, QLD
96 KENNEDY RANGE-MT AUGUSTUS, WA
104 CONNIE SUE HIGHWAY, WA
4x4 Gear
72
Tips on building
52
58
RANGER’S TOUGH DOG SUSPENSION
TESTED: TRIG POINT SLIDE OUT KITCHEN
a cool resto-mod 112 NEW PRODUCTS OUT NOW
4x4. 118 TESTED: ARB SKYDOME SERIES II SWAG
THE SCORE
124 ALL THE STATS, FIGURES AND
PRICES OF EVERY 4X4 YOU CAN BUY
maxtrax
82
In the towers of
partinG pic
130 YOUR SHENANIGANS CAUGHT ON FILM
Limmen NP’s
Lost City.
EDITORIAL
Editor Matt Raudonikis
4WORD
Art Director Jamie Burgess
Sub-Editor John Panozzo
Staff Journalist Tristan Tancredi
Editor-At-Large Ron Moon
Brand Sales Manager Scott Crowley
Staff Photographer Ellen Dewar
MATT RAUDONIKIS WHEELS MEDIA

News Editor Kat Fisk
Marketing Specialist Tim McApline
Production Services Di McLarty
4-POT FIZZERS
Finance Director Marena Paul
Finance Business Manager Margaret Clantin
Accountant Sasha Wein
Head of Client Partnerships Paul McCaig
General Manager – Technology Tim Kenington
Publishing Director – Digital Mike Stevens
T
Content Director – Enthusiast Simon Telford
Chief Revenue Officer Joseph Lenthall
OYOTA threw up a couple it will be a big success in Australia, Chief Operating Officer Scott Davison
of surprises with its 2024 no matter what engine ends up Chief Executive Officer Christian Clark
LandCruiser announcements under the bonnet. It’s been an CONTACT US
back at the start of August and overwhelmingly positive story on the SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES:
while we were expecting the look of the next Prado. Ph: (02) 8315 2092 - Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM (EST)
Email: subscriptions@wheelsmedia.com.au
unveiling of the 250 Series Cruiser/ Of course the 250 Series is not just Web: secure.whichcar.com.au/4X4Aus
Prado, the revised 70 Series line-up for Australia; it will mark the return Post: Wheels Media, PO Box 161, Hornsby, NSW, 1630
wasn’t expected. of the LandCruiser badge to the GENERAL ENQUIRIES
We know Toyota had been testing US-market where the 300 Series is support@wheelsmedia.com.au
the four-cylinder diesel and auto not sold. There are no diesel engine
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
combo in the 70 Series range, but we options in the US, and the engine Scott Crowley
didn’t expect to be seeing it this year. line-up over there reveals what scott.crowley@wheelsmedia.com.au
After all, it’s been nigh impossible we can expect if and when Toyota
to get any new 70 Series in 2023, so Australia offers another drivetrain
we hope they will be ramping up here, which we think is a possibility.
production of all variants for the The highest-spec engine Toyota will Published by Wheels Media,
remainder of the year and into 2024. offer in the 250 Series globally is the a division of Are Media Pty Limited,
ABN 18 053 273 546
The surprise of the 250 Series T24A-FTS 2.4L turbo-petrol hybrid © 2023. All rights reserved. ISSN: 0726-2418
Prado announcement was that it will that makes 230kW and 630Nm. Those
only be offered in Australia with the numbers are enough to trump the
carried-over 2.8-litre four-cylinder Ford V6 diesel for both performance
diesel engine, the same one that we’ll and refinement, and this engine is
see in the 70, however fitted with a a proper hybrid combo (not a mild
48-volt mild hybrid backup. hybrid) with boosted performance
We expected – or at least hoped from its electric motor.
for – a V6 diesel in the next Prado On the other side of the coin,
for it to match the performance and hybrid powertrains add weight and
refinement of the Ford Everest with
its V6. Toyota has an engine it could
eat into space and payload, so it will
be interesting to see how this engine SUBSCRIBE TO
use from the LC300 and with the 250
Series now using the same chassis
platform, it would be a relatively
will be accepted if and when Toyota
Australia does introduce it here.
While Toyota is at it, it might also
˸;˸$8675$/,$
straightforward fit. But no, nothing
but the 2.8 diesel for now.
offer up he round headlight front-end
that the Yanks will get, but we’ve
Save up to 37%
The Prado already outsells been told won’t be available here in
everything else in the midsize 4x4 Australia. Head to
wagon class including the Everest,
4x4.subscription.com.au
and by a good measure. Maybe
Toyota doesn’t feel that it needs to or call (02) 8315 2092
upgrade its powerplant for the time
being … or it doesn’t want
the Prado to eat into LC300
sales here.
Whatever the reason,
the feedback we’ve been
getting on the look of the
250 Series indicates that
10 4x4Australia.com.au
terraintamer.tv
For information please visit terraintamer.com or call 1300 888 444
4CAST
NEWS AND VIEWS
2024 LANDCRUISER 70 SERIES

GETS 2.8-LITRE DIESEL
ENGINE, BUT THE V8 REMAINS
NEW INCLUSIONS GIVE THE 70 SERIES RANGE MORE APPEAL TO A WIDER
AUDIENCE
T
HE prices of 1VD-powered Toyota 1200 to 3200rpm. to round headlights. Inside, there’s a new
LandCruisers just spiked as Toyota Big news for many is that the four-cylinder instrument cluster and centre console, with
announced the 2024 LandCruiser LC70 will get an Aisin six-speed automatic a 4.2-inch multi-information display for the
70 Series range will be powered by transmission, and this will be the first time driver and a 6.7-inch touchscreen with wired
the 1GD 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel a factory auto has been offered in a 70 for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
engine backed by an automatic transmission, more than 25 years. Improved safety equipment includes lane
but the good news is that the V8 remains for Rumours of this move have been around departure alert, road speed-sign assist and
the time being. for some time now, with four-cylinder- automatic high beam.
The 1GD engine familiar with us from the powered 70 prototypes being tested in While the retention of the V8 engine in
WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS
current Prado, Fortuner and HiLux vehicles Australia three to four years ago and stories the 2024 70 Series will be a welcome relief
still makes the same 150kW at 3400rpm and of them getting around. for many, particularly the enthusiast market,
500Nm between 1600rpm and 2800rpm. The 1GD-powered 70 will be sold the inclusion of a four-cylinder option will
This gives it 70Nm more torque than the alongside the 1VD V8 manual gearbox appeal to many business operators and
existing V8 diesel engine in its standard models. mining segment users who need a rugged
form, but who leaves their V8 diesel The 2024 70 Series range gets a revised and reliable 4x4 vehicle to get on with the
standard? The stock 1VD engine makes a front end with a move back to more job.
lazy 151kW at 3400rpm and 430Nm from traditional styling and a welcome return This workhorse will become more
usable with the inclusion of the automatic
transmission, which will also appeal to those
who tow or have previously steered away
from the 70 Series range because one wasn’t
offered.
The 2024 LandCruiser 70 Series range will
continue to be offered in three LC79 single-
cab grades (Workmate, GX and GXL), and
Workmate and GXL grades for LC79 double
cab, LC78 Troop Carrier and LC76 Wagon
variants.
Both the 1GD/automatic and 1VD/manual
powertrains will be available in all variants
except for the LC76 Workmate, which will be
1GD/auto only.
Pricing and full specifications will be
available closer to launch late in 2023.
FOUR to the
fore
Toyota adds a 2.8L four-pot diesel
engine and 6-speed automatic
auto among a raft of changes
to the venerable 70 Series
LandCruiser workhorse range.
4x4Australia.com.au 13
4cast
NEWS AND VIEWS
ARB EARTH
CAMPER REVEALED
ARB’S ALL-NEW GO-ANYWHERE CAMPER TRAILER
A
RB has pulled the covers off its aided by Maxxis RAZR all-terrain
Earth Camper off-road camper tyres around 16-inch ARB ‘EC’ edition
trailer, with the unit priced from alloy wheels, and 12-inch electric brakes. fed by 140-litre dual water tanks, while a
$74,500 and available to order now. Adding to its durability is the camper’s Redarc Manager 30 battery management
Utilising a round tube chassis hard-shell exterior made from fibreglass- system controls the power needs.
made of 3mm-thick mandrel-bent steel to reinforced polymer. The electronic rear A tailor-made storage cover is available
maximise strength and ensure there are no door, which doubles as a hard floor for the at extra cost. Four tie-down buckles ensure
weak points, the Earth Camper is packed annex area when opened up, allows for the cover remains secured to the ARB
with features and is a serious all-terrain easy set up at the press of a button – ARB Earth Camper, and it also features a solar
option for a lap of the map. says the camper can be bed-ready in one panel window and zip access to electrics,
Giving the Earth Camper its all-terrain minute. so that the camper can still charge while
capabilities is the implementation of Once set up, the interior boasts a queen- covered.
quality suspension componentry which sized bed, Sirocco fans, internal lighting, Other accessories that can be added or
consists of a 900mm-long trailing arm opening side window, a collapsible dining paired up with the Earth Camper include
and vertically mounted Old Man Emu table, USB and USB-C charging points, awning walls, a Webasto Diesel Heater
Nitrocharger shock absorbers. 240-volt sockets, copious storage solutions, with custom ARB bracketry, an ARB
ARB says it could mount the shocks and an ARB Slide Kitchen. Ensuite Room, a Joolca HOTTAP V2 hot
WORDS TRISTAN TANCREDI
vertically as “the chassis and suspension The full-size freestanding kitchen comes shower, various canvas storage bags, more
on the Earth Camper were designed first, with a stainless-steel bench area, three- Redarc tech, and an ARB air compressor
with the rest built around it”. burner stove, integrated sink and a 96-litre kit
This combination provides the Earth ZERO fridge/freezer, and it’s all covered by Click on www.arb.com.au/earth-camper
Camper with maximum articulation, a 180-degree freestanding awning (280gsm for a full list of features and to place an
improved ride quality and better traction, polycotton ripstop canvas). The kitchen is order.
KEY DIMENSIONS
LENGTH 4667mm
DRAWBAR LENGTH 3254mm
FRONT LOAD SPACE 2318mm
REAR OVERHANG 1413mm
TOTAL HEIGHT 2324mm
TOTAL WIDTH 1990mm
TARE WEIGHT 1475kg
PAYLOAD 425kg
ATM 1900kg
BALL WEIGHT 180kg
MAY 2023 TRAVEL
ALL THE LATEST 4X4
NEWS AND EVENTS
BULLETIN
Now is the time to get out and about to enjoy this great land and
support the communities. Experienced adventurer Ron Moon has listed
a few upcoming highlights, as well as essential track info.
As always, check with event organisers before locking in your plans.
Sunset above Craigs Hut

in the Victorian Alps.
NINDIGULLY PIG RACES (QLD) WORLD HERITAGE STAY AT LARA WETLANDS

HIGH COUNTRY TO The Nindigully Pub, located NARACOORTE CAVES (SA) (QLD)
REOPEN (VIC) 45km south-east of St George, The World Heritage listed Lara Wetlands is a 60km²
After the winter closure, is reputedly the oldest pub in Naracoorte Caves in South station stay accessed 28km
most of the tracks in the Queensland and is famous for Australia are one of the south of Barcaldine on the
Victorian High Country its annual pig races which are world’s most important fossil Landsborough Hwy, and then
will reopen again this scheduled for November 25 sites, acting as pitfall traps via a 13km red-sand access
year on the Melbourne this year. and predator dens for half-a- road. There is plenty of room
Cup weekend which is The big day features live million years. The fossil record for everyone in the unpowered
slated for November music, raffles, auctions, covers several ice ages and bush campground; there are no
7. Depending on the market stalls, a jumping the arrival of humans. Four of allocated sites and no bookings
weather, some tracks castle, fireworks and, of the known 28 caves are open are required, with cash-only
may remain closed for course, the pig races. Money to the public with self-guided, payment. The station’s tourist
a longer duration until raised supports the Royal guided and adventure caving season is from April to the end
conditions are deemed Flying Doctor Service, so it’s tours. Palaeontologists have of September and while there
suitable to reopen them. for a great cause. reconstructed the skeletons of is no camping in the summer
See www.4wdvictoria. Check out the many of the megafauna that months, the station still hosts
org.au for all the www.facebook.com/ lived here. There is camping larger groups and functions.
latest updates and NindigullyPubOfficial page and limited accommodation. Phone 0457 661 243, email:
information. for updates and further See www.naracoortecaves. larawetlands@gmail.com or
information. sa.gov.au for full details. see www.larawetlands.com.au
Sunrise over a Sturt
National Park in the
north-west corner of
New South Wales.
LAKE GOLDSMITH STEAM CAMPING AROUND ALBANY

RALLY (VIC) (WA) STURTS STEPS OPENED experience. Along the way
If you love the smell of There are six nature-based (NSW) there’s plenty of history,
wood or coal-burning steam- campgrounds located within Thanks to the work of some great pubs, fabulous
powered equipment, then the City of Albany Coastal locals and volunteers, camping and the wide
the Lake Goldsmith Steam Reserves that are ideal for the Sturt’s Steps Touring vistas of western NSW. See
Rally is for you. Now in summer camping trips. These Route has been recently visitcornercountry.com.au
its 122nd year, the Lake include Cosy Corner, Torbay completed and opened for details.
Goldsmith Steam Rally Inlet, East Bay, Bettys Beach, to the touring public. It
will run on November 4 Cape Riche and Normans approximates the route
to 5 this year. It features Beach. Some are free camps, taken by Charles Sturt
restored steam engines, while the others are very when his inland expedition
traction engines, steam affordable. Sites cannot be came to Corner Country in
rollers, internal combustion pre-booked and there is a 1845. The route connects
engines, farm tractors and seven-day maximum stay about 1100km of sealed
lots more, including a working during peak periods from and unsealed roads from
90-tonne steam shovel and November through to April. Broken Hill to Milparinka,
a steam-powered ‘power’ Log on to www.albany. Tibooburra and Cameron
generating display. Visit www. wa.gov.au/facilities/recreation/ Corner to create a circular
lakegoldsmithsteamrally.org. camping.aspx for more touring loop and adventure
au for full details. information.
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DRIVE
TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5
WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS PHOTOS ELLEN DEWAR
TOYOTA IS BRINGING ITS TUNDRA PICKUP TO

AUSTRALIA IN 2024, BUT IF YOU CAN’T WAIT
THAT LONG, THE GOOD NEWS IS YOU CAN GET
ONE NOW. WE JUMP BEHIND THE WHEEL OF
A RECENTLY ARRIVED TUNDRA SR5 FOR AN
EXCLUSIVE FIRST AUSTRALIAN DRIVE.
I
T’S no secret that Toyota is Vehicle Sales (AVS) to try out its new
bringing its Tundra full-size pickup Tundra.
truck to Australia. It has 300 of AVS has been re-engineering left-
them undergoing engineering hand drive vehicles for right-hand drive
and development testing here markets around the world for decades,
in collaboration with Walkinshaw and probably supplies more of them
Automotive which will be doing the globally than any other company. Not
left- to right-hand drive re-engineering. just trucks, either – they do muscle cars,
Walkinshaw already does such work for sports cars and even EVs.
GMSV and its Silverado, and for Ateco Back to the Tundra though. This
with its RAM trucks. example is AVS’s first new-generation
While Toyota hasn’t yet confirmed that Tundra in Australia, and it has been used
the Tundra will officially go on sale here, to get all the approvals and certification
you don’t put that sort of development to make it available here. It’s a 2022
program in motion without serious Tundra SR5 model fitted with the TRD
intentions, and several development Premium pack. The SR5 is the second
vehicles have been regularly spotted lowest of six model grades offered in the
running around Victoria. USA. We doubt we’ll get it here from
Having previously driven older model Toyota Australia, which will be more
V8-powered Tundras both in the USA likely to offer the mid-grade Platinum
and in Australia, we couldn’t wait to and high-grade Capstone models.
get behind the wheel of the latest The SR5 gets an 8-inch A/V
generation to see how it stacks up. So we touchscreen in the centre stack and
turned to Melbourne-based American analogue gauges in the driver’s binnacle.
DRIVEN
SCAN TO WATCH THE VIDEO
DRIVE TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5
By contrast, upper spec Tundras get a powertrain and Toyota Australia says that
14-inch multimedia screen and a 13.3- is what it is developing for our market.
inch configurable digital gauge cluster. While the hybrid V6 promises
The SR5 also has cloth seats and a simple increased performance and reduced
audio system, but you can up-spec to full fuel consumption, the standard non-
blown luxury trim and features in the hybrid mill is no slouch. It produces
1794 Edition and Capstone models. a V8-rivalling 290kW of power and
The vehicle tested here has what 650Nm of torque, and with the 10-speed
Toyota USA calls the Double Cab body, automatic transmission it gets along
which is more like an extra-cab with swiftly when you put your foot down,
opening rear doors. In the USA you can even if it doesn’t deliver the V8 rumble of
also get the Crew Max which has a larger a Silverado or RAM. The 325kW-790Nm
back seat and longer doors, like most of V6 hybrid version should be a rocket that
the other American trucks on sale here. will leave the V8 trucks in its wake.
We expect that only the Crew Max will be It’s worth noting here that the locally
offered by Toyota Australia if and when engineered Ford F-150 will be hitting
its Tundra goes on sale here. Australian Ford showrooms in September,
Another thing that differentiates and it will also be exclusivly powered by
this Tundra from what we expect a turbocharged V6 petrol engine. There’s
from Toyota Australia is the engine. no confirmation as yet as to whether Ford
This SR5 is powered by a twin-turbo Australia will offer a hybrid version of
3.4-litre V6 petrol engine. There’s an the Ecoboost Effie here, but you have to
optional drivetrain with the same think that it’s on the cards.
engine combined with a 250Nm hybrid The Tundra’s all new powertrain
1 2
1. The turbo-petrol V6
rivals the power of a V8.
2. Tundra SR5 fitted with
the TRD Premium pack.
3. The Tundra SR5 rides
on spoked 18-inch mags.
Main. The AVS Tundra
Double Cab is more an
extra cab with doors.
is fitted in Toyota’s TNGA-F chassis

which also underpins the LandCruiser
300 Series and the upcoming 2024 250
Series Prado. This platform brings a
lot more strength and rigidity to the
Tundra compared to previous models and
introduces the five-link coil-spring rear
suspension down the back instead of a
leaf-spring set-up.
The use of the same chassis as
the LC300 shuld make it easier for
companies to do the left- to right-hand
drive re-engineering. While some of the
suspension and steering components
might be as simple as swapping over the
RHD LC components, there’s still the
dashboard to be remanufactured, all the
HVAC and other controls to be altered
and a myriad of other items that you may
not even think of but are required for
The cabin is wide
RHD … and to meet Australian Design
and spacious, with
Rules. For example, the trick-looking
a lower windscreen
LED headlights are not a direct swap-over
and seat height that
and in fact took more than a month to disguise its overall
remake for this RHD application, while size.
all the airbags and safety systems have
to work just as they did in the original
vehicle.
AMERICAN VEHICLE
SALES
AMERICAN Vehicle Sales has been
converting and importing American
THIS EXAMPLE IS AVS’S FIRST NEW-GEN
vehicles to Australia for 20 years.
As part of the Australian-owned
TUNDRA IN AUSTRALIA, AND IT HAS BEEN
Autogroup International it sources, USED TO GET ALL THE APPROVALS AND
converts and ensures compliance
for American vehicles not just for CERTIFICATION TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE HERE
Australia, but also other right-hand
drive markets around the globe.
Popular vehicles to pass though the
AVS facilities include all the American
full-size pickup trucks, muscle cars
such as the Dodge Charger and
Challenger, and the Chevrolet Corvette
and Camaro, and more recently the
new GMC Hummer EV, Ford F-150
Lightning EV and the new Ford
Bronco.
Check out the website to see what
vehicles AVS has in stock at any time
or call them to discuss your American
vehicle requirements.
Phone: (03) 9765 1300
Email: avssales@american.com.au
Web: www.american.com.au
ON THE ROAD be touching the back of the front seats.

OUR drive of the Tundra SR5 came As mentioned, we expect that Toyota will
straight off the back of our time in the only offer the Crew Max cabin in Australia
two Chevrolet Silverados also tested with its much more generous rear seat
in this issue, so it was a perfect time to space, but a shorter (1677mm) cargo bed.
jump into another full-size pickup truck. Having the longer (2469mm) bed of the
Coming from the Chev, we weren’t thrown Crew Cab will no doubt be appealing for
by the size of the Toyota, and once behind many buyers, especially those who like to
the wheel we were surprised at how well carry dirtbikes in the tray but still need to
the Tundra hides its size. It doesn’t feel accommodate rear-seat passengers.
nearly as big as the Silverado on suburban The TRD Premium package is mainly
roads and is easy to place in lanes and cosmetics unlike the TRD Off Road Pro
manoeuvre on bush tracks. package, the latter including 2.5-inch
The cabin is wide and spacious, but Fox internal bypass shock absorbers. Yet
my left thigh rested against the centre the shocks in this vehicle are still quality
console in the Tundra where it didn’t Bilstein units and they do an excellent
touch it in the Silverado, or even the job of controlling ride and dynamics. As
bigger midsize utes sold here. The mentioned earlier, all four corners are coil
Tundra has a lower and more laid-back sprung in the same set-up as what’s under
windscreen and lower seat height that a LandCruiser 300, and these Bilstein
disguise its size. The windows still give the shocks feel better than what’s under any
driver plenty of vision around the truck 300 we’ve driven in Australia to date.
but it feels more like a HiLux XXL than
other full-size pickups. But a check of the
dimensions shows that it’s still a big rig. TRD Premium kit
The rear seat in the Tundra Double Cab includes quality
is small by full-size standards, but still Bilstein shocks.
usable for adults even if their knees might
4” | 6” | 7” | 9”
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narva.com.au/EX2
!
@ CUSTOM HARNESS YEAR

1 LUX > TRIMS FREE WARRANTY
J005473 NRV-EX FP Ad 4x4 Oct FINAL.indd 1 30/8/2023 11:18 am

SIZING UP
WHILE we felt that the Tundra didn’t feel as
big as the Chevy Silverado ZR2 we’d been
recently driving, we were sure that it was just
disguising its size. So we looked up a few
key dimensions to see how the two compare
side by side and found that while the Tundra
is actually smaller, the two trucks are closer
in size than they feel. We’ve used the Crew
Max Tundra in this table to offer a more like-
for-like comparison with the Chevy.
TOYOTA TUNDRA CHEVROLET SILVERADO

5933mm 5931mm
2037mm 2074mm
1981mm 1991mm
1651mm 1638mm
1016mm 1092mm
3700mm 3748mm
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2022 TOYOTA

1500 ZR2 TUNDRA SR5
D
A DEPARTURE ANGLE 34˚ A DEPARTURE ANGLE 21˚
B RAMPOVER ANGLE N/A B RAMPOVER ANGLE N/A
A C C APPROACH ANGLE 33˚ C APPROACH ANGLE 28˚
B D WADING DEPTH N/A D WADING DEPTH N/A
E
E GROUND CLEARANCE 224mm E GROUND CLEARANCE 236mm
The Tundra with TRD Premium delivers It will be interesting to see what
a composed and well-controlled ride and specification and price Toyota Australia
dynamics on both sealed and gravel roads. delivers if and when its Tundras go on
It feels a lot stiffer and less prone to axle- sale here, but we reckon the range will be
hop over rough roads than the previous limited to high-specification Crew Max
generations of Tundra we have driven in variants. We’re expecting more news on
the past. We didn’t do any low-range off- the line-up shortly, but in the meantime
roading in this vehicle, but switched the you can get a new Tundra in any model,
part-time transfer case to 4x4 high-range any specification and any colour that
for added grip on loose gravel tracks and Toyota USA sells through American
boggy grass. Vehicle Sales and its dealers.
The twin-turbo V6 petrol engine gets With the local RAM 1500 now available
along strongly, delivering performance in the newer DT model only, the Ford
that would be welcomed by anyone F-150 just landing and the 2023
familiar with the performance of a diesel Silverados already here, the addition of
HiLux. It has a bit of an old-school V6 the Toyota Tundra will provide another
groan to it, but nothing offensive as some full-size pickup truck choice and some
in the past have had. interesting comparisons.
1. The TRD kits adds a leather steering

wheel and gear selector handle but the
SR5 trim is otherwise basic.
2.The SR5 gets an 8" touchscreen while
a 14" screen is available in heigher spec
models. Console space is abundant!
3. The LED headlights were
remanufactured for local compliance.
TOYOTA TUNDRA CREW MAX
OVERALL LENGTH 5933mm
2 OVERALL WIDTH 2037mm
OVERALL HEIGHT 1981mm
FRONT SHOULDER ROOM 1651mm
FRONT SEAT HEAD ROOM 1016mm
WHEELBASE 3700mm
PRICE $159,000 (from AVS)
ENGINE 3.4L turbo-petrol V6
CAPACITY 3445cc
MAX POWER 290kW at 5200rpm
MAX TORQUE 650Nm at 2000rpm
TRANSMISSION 10-speed automatic
4X4 SYSTEM Part-time, dual range 4x4
CONSTRUCTION 5-door pickup and bed on ladder-frame chassis
FRONT SUSPENSION IFS w/ double wishbones and coil springs
REAR SUSPENSION Live axle w/ multi-link and coil springs
TYRES 265/70R18s (TRD pack)
WEIGHT 2524 kerb (US)
GVM 3345kg (US)
GCM N/A
TOWING CAPACITY 4500kg on HD ball
PAYLOAD 821kg (US)
SEATS 5
FUEL TANK Up to 122L (US)
CLAIMED FUEL CONSUMPTION 12.3L/100km combined (US)
ON-TEST FUEL CONSUMPTION N/A
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DRIVE
2023 CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
WE SPEND A WEEK WITH THE 2023 CHEVROLET

SILVERADO ZR2 AND THEN TAKE THE LTZ PREMIUM
ON A TOWING LOOP TO SEE HOW THESE FULL-SIZE
PICKUPS PERFORM IN A RANGE OF CONDITIONS.
DRIVE 2023 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
V8 RUMBLE
Both Silverados
share the same
313kW-624Nm
6.2-litre V8 petrol
engine.
T
HE Chevrolet Silverado full-
size pickup has been coming
into Australia via GMSV for a
couple of years now and while
not matching the sales of the
RAM 1500 with its more extensive
model range, its sales have been
ticking along solidly.
For 2023 the Silverado has received
NEW LOOK a minor refresh with a new-look front-
The 2023
end and bigger changes inside that
Silverados benefit
refreshed interior bring the tech up to expected levels.
styling cues. The local model line-up has also
been adjusted with the previous
entry-level LT Trail Boss axed from the
range and the higher-performance ZR2
added alongside the LTZ Premium
model. These two models are now
much closer in price with the LTZ
Premium opening at $128,000 and the
ZR2 starting at $133,000 .
For this test we’re focusing on the
ZR2 as it is the newest variant, but we
also nabbed an LTZ to see how well
these trucks tow a trailer.
THE ZR2 IS BILLED AS THE PERFORMANCE
MODEL IN THE SILVERADO RANGE AND IT ’S
EQUIPPED AND STYLED AS SUCH
SUPER RIDE
The off-road
focused ZR2 4x4
rides better than
its LTZ rival on all
surfaces.
THE V8 ENGINE DELIVERS PLENTY OF

PUNCH AND A SURPRISINGLY TORQUEY FEEL
IN THE WAY IT ACCELERATES, BUT THERE IS
NO DISGUISING THE NEAR-2600KG HEFT
QUALITY
The Multimatic
dampers react
similar to remote
reservoir shocks.
STEEL BARS
For the rough
stuff new steel
bumpers front and
rear now grace the
LTZ.
PERFORMANCE TRUCK but more notable than that is they give the
WHILE the two models share the same driver confidence in their durability over
313kW-624Nm 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine, rough and rocky tracks.
the ZR2’s performance edge comes thanks The V8 engine delivers plenty of punch
to its clever and very effective suspension and a surprisingly torquey feel in the way
package which centres around DSSV shock it accelerates, but there is no disguising
absorbers from Multimatic. the near-2600kg heft, and even with the
These high-end shocks were originally standard performance on offer, you can
developed for sports cars but were understand why people fit superchargers to
reengineered to suit off-road trucks by these rigs. The V8 experience is intoxicating
General Motors with plenty of input from and leaves you wanting more, even if
Hall Racing in the USA. Chevrolet also more is just a big-bore exhaust system
uses them under its ZR2 Colorado midsize to give that big V8 burble. Walkinshaw
trucks, as well as some high-end Camaro Performance, which does the left- to
models. right-hand drive re-engineering on these
The dual spool valve Multimatic shocks Aussie-market Silverados, also offers
do an incredible job of controlling the mass such powertrain improvements for these
of the vehicle when driven at speed over vehicles.
rough terrain. The performance is akin to The 10-speed automatic transmission
that of high-end bypass remote-reservoir does its thing without giving cause for
shock absorbers, but they come in a more comment; it’s unfussed when left to its own
compact package that is easier to fit in a devices and easy enough to manually shift
production vehicle. The ZR2’s suspension using the steering wheel-mounted paddles.
eats up ruts and rocks and the more you GMSV quotes an official combined fuel
push it, the better it feels. consumption of 12.2L/100km for the ZR2,
The ZR2 suspension also gives it a while over our week of on- and off-road use
67mm ride height advantage over the LTZ it recorded a more realistic 16.4L/100km,
resulting in more ground clearance for off- which given the size and weight of the
road use. The short front bumper also helps vehicle, and the performance on offer, we
here thanks to an improved approach angle. thought was very reasonable.
We can confirm that the suspension does For off-road use the ZR2 has selectable
what it claims to do, and not only is the front and rear locking differentials and
ZR2 incredibly well-mannered at speed multiple drive modes including one that
on dirt tracks, but it rides better than the acts like low-speed cruise control. The 4x4
LTZ under all conditions, whether on or system offers part-time 2WD and high- and
off road. The mud-pattern tyres should low-range locked 4x4, plus all-wheel drive
give more traction in slippery conditions, for general driving on any road surface.
BOTH FRONT AND REAR SEATS DELIVER

PLENTY OF SPACE, NO MATTER WHAT
DIRECTION YOU MEASURE IT IN
INTERNAL AFFAIRS
WHILE heavy towing might be the
drawcard for many full-size truck
buyers, one of the best things about
them is interior space. Both front and
rear seats deliver plenty of space, no
matter what direction you measure
it in – legroom headspace, shoulder
room – a full-size pickup has it all.
For anyone with teenagers using
a midsize ute as a family car, your
children might be more inclined to
travel with you if you upgraded to
a full-size ute. The rear seat offers
space and comfort that no existing
midsize ute can come near. Even with
three adults across the back seat
of the ZR2, there’s heaps of space,
although the higher squab in the
centre seat isn’t the most comfortable
position to ride in on longer trips.
The cabin is well-appointed with
WRANGLER
DURATRAC RT
GO EXPLORE
RUGGED DURABILITY TRACTION
TERRAIN
leather seats featuring heating and ETC, lane keeping alert and a swag of SCREEN TIME
cooling, and an automatic mode in the exterior cameras. We prefer the subtle The dash hosts a
front, power adjustment on the front seat vibration warning in the Chev over big centre screen
and heating for the back seat. For front- annoying beeps for the lane departure and a configerable
instrument cluster.
seat travellers there’s a new-for-’23 dash warning as found in many other vehicles.
with a 13.4-inch colour touchscreen and The Silverados both felt like premium
a 12.3-inch configurable instrument products backed with loads of features
cluster. The centre screen includes some and equipment and quality fit and
clever towing info such as a checklist for finish. The ZR2 is the pick for off-road
hook up, and a trailer-lights check mode. use and styling, however the lower ride NEW TUB
Safety-wise, passengers are protected height of the LTZ could make it more Chev says the
Durabed tub is lighter,
by low-speed AEB (up to 80km/h), appealing for those looking solely for a
stronger and bigger,
TPMS, rear cross-traffic alert, ESC, ABS, capable tow vehicle. with 12 tie-downs.
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO ZR2
D
A DEPARTURE ANGLE 23.3˚
B RAMPOVER ANGLE 23.4˚
C APPROACH ANGLE 31.8˚
A C
D WADING DEPTH N/A B
E GROUND CLEARANCE 296mm E
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TOW TUG the vehicle on the centre screen, virtually

A LOT of people buy these trucks for eliminating any blind spots. We found
their towing capacity, so we took this this more natural for left-side checks
opportunity to sample it for ourselves. when you instinctively turn your head to
For this part of the test we were in the look down that side of the vehicle and
Silverado LTZ Premium and our friends you spot the centre screen, rather than
at Page Brothers RV loaned us a Jayco the right when you instinctively look to
Silverline 24-foot caravan that came in the right-side mirror.
at around 2800kg. The Silverline range The Silverado LTZ had no problems
from Jayco is a premium line of caravans travelling at 100km/h when towing on the
offering luxury features and equipment highway, but it felt somewhat floaty over
to make touring a pleasure. bumps and undulations. It would benefit
The first thing you notice when from better quality shock absorbers than
switching from the ZR2 Silverado to the the ones fitted as standard, as evidenced
LTZ is how low the latter is. Sliding in by a brief tow test using the ZR2 in the
and out of it is more akin to the height of past that revealed no such floatiness
a sports car than a truck compared to the from the suspension.
more off-road oriented ZR2. We pulled the Jayco around for a
Inside, the LTZ gets a couple more morning covering around 170km of
interior features such as a Bose sound various roads and have to say that it
system and powered sunroof, but did the job easily in terms of power,
essentially the cabins and equipment but could definitely benefit from a
are the same. And as mentioned the suspension upgrade if you were towing
powertrains are identical, but the LTZ’s anything heavier than the Jayco we used.
lower suspension doesn’t benefit from Remember, you can tow up to 4500kg
the ZR2’s DSSV dampers. with the Silverado when using a 70mm
Hooking the Jayco up to the Silverado tow ball, but we think the standard LTZ
at Page Brothers’ Moorabbin facility was suspension would struggle with this
made easy using the inbuilt trailer light mass. See Weight Watchers breatkout for
checker and the standard integrated a solution. The fuel consumption over our
electronic brake controller. There was towing loop was 22.7L/100km.
minimal drop in the rear and the weight We owe a special thanks to the team
on the back barely had any effect on the at Page Brothers RV for the loan of the
Chev when pulling out on to the highway. Jayco Silverline. I have to admit that at
The Silverado 1500s standard mirrors are one point I was tempted to take off on
quite small for a full-size truck and are an extended trip as we sat there in the
not ideal for towing. Taller, extendable morning sun with the van hitched up to
mirrors such as those on the 2500 and the Silverado.
readily available from the aftermarket Page Brothers RV has all your Jayco
would be better options when hauling caravan and camper-trailer needs TOUCHY
The centre screen
a wide trailer like theJayco Silverline. covered at their South Road Moorabbin
has a heap of
The view down the sides is made a bit facility. You can phone them on (03) 976 features including
easier when you engage the indicator 1000 or find them online at www. 14 camera views.
and the side cameras display that side of pagebrosrv.com.au
CHEVROLET SILVERADO ZR2

PRICE $133,000 + ORC and options
ENGINE V8 petrol
CAPACITY 6162cc
MAX POWER 313kW at 5600rpm
MAX TORQUE 624Nm at 4100rpm
TRANSMISSION 10-speed automatic
TRANSFER CASE Selectable full-time 4x4 with 4x4 high and 4x4 low
FRONT SUSPENSION IFS, double wishbone with coil-over Multimatic DSSV shocks
REAR SUSPENSION Live-axle, leaf springs, Multimatic DSSV shocks
TYRES LT275/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler
KERB WEIGHT 2583kg
GVM 3300kg
GCM 6851kg
PAYLOAD 717kg
TOWING CAPACITY 3500kg (50mm ball); 4200kg (70mm ball)
FUEL TANK CAPACITY 91L
WEIGHT WATCHERS
WHILE these full-size pickup trucks are nice To achieve the higher capacities, a heavier
and big and able to tow heavy trailers, the duty suspension package was developed using
payloads in the 1500-class are relatively a kit from Rough Country. The suspension
small, and certainly not what you would upgrade includes Rough Country’s premium
expect of their massive cargo and passenger Vertex 2.5-inch, adjustable remote reservoir
compartments. shocks, struts and upper control arms at
The ZR2 has a 771kg payload, a 3300kg GVM the front, and a rear leaf pack from EFS with
and 6851kg GCM. Hook up a trailer weighing airbags for load management.
close to the 4500kg limit you can haul (when While this upgrade is a godsend for anyone
using a 70mm tow ball) and you barely have wanting to haul heavy loads with these trucks,
enough capacity left to put a driver behind the the catch for ZR2 owners is that you would
wheel, let alone any passengers or cargo. lose the excellent Multimatic suspension if you
The aftermarket fix comes from a GVM and fitted the GVM upgrade kit; not that there’s
GCM upgrade, and Queensland’s Rambler anything wrong with the suspension in the
Vehicles teamed up with Touring Solutions upgrade kit. But it would certainly be a massive
Australia to develop a suitable kit that gives the improvement to an LTZ, whether towing or not.
Silverado 1500 an approved 4499kg GVM and a For more information, check out
8999kg GCM. www.ramblervehicles.com.au.
THE TWO SILVERADOS WE TESTED

EACH FELT LIKE PREMIUM PRODUCTS
BACKED WITH LOADS OF FEATURES AND
EQUIPMENT AND QUALITY FIT AND FINISH
DRIVE
SECOND-HAND TOYOTA
PRADO
WORDS JUSTIN WALKER
TH E MI D D LE W EI G HT
THE TOYOTA PRADO HAS BEEN AT THE TOP OF THE 4X4 WAGON SALES CHARTS
IN AUSTRALIA FOR NEARLY 25 YEARS. HERE’S WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR IF YOU’RE
CONSIDERING BUYING A SECONDHAND PRADO, WHETHER YOUR BUDGET IS LESS
THAN $20K OR MORE THAN $80K.
I
T’S been just a few weeks since need to decide whether you want to go specification, but for some the Everest is
the reveal of what will be the first second-hand or nab a new current 150 still seen as a ‘ute-based SUV’, as if that
all-new Toyota Prado in nearly 25 Series – if you can find one/wait for one. moniker suddenly renders it lesser than a
years, with photos and information Going the second-hand route opens up a ‘true 4WD wagon design’, as the Prado is
on the 2024 LandCruiser Prado. raft of options, from the cheap ’n’ cheerful viewed.
The expected wide range of reactions (but long in the tooth) 90 Series, the near- Regardless of all of that, the fact
has followed, from those decrying the iconic 120 Series, or a used version of the is, ever since its official launch in
death knell of the model even before it longest-serving Prado – the 150 Series. Australia back in 1996, Aussie buyers
lands mid next year, through to those Even now, close to 15 years since the have flocked to the Prado. Along the
excited by its style and design, if a little launch of the current 150 Series, the way they have excused some potentially
underwhelmed by the carry-over 2.8TD LandCruiser Prado is still the midsize serious problems that would be deemed
(with hybrid assist) as the engine choice 4x4 wagon king in Australia. In fact, inexcusable in other brands’ vehicles,
for the Australian market. the past five years have seen the best for the Prado to reach a total local
It’s very early days, but to us the new sales results ever for Prado, and you sales figure (as of July 2023) of 380,192
Prado looks exciting and with plenty of could point a finger at a few potential vehicles. Yep, that’s bloody impressive. In
promise, so should prospective Prado reasons why, beginning with the fact short, whether families, off-road tourers
buyers wait for the new model? Well, its major long-term competitor – the or whomever, Aussies are super-keen to
that’s more difficult to answer, and shines Mitsubishi Pajero – is now no more. The get themselves into a Prado, brand new or
the light on the other option: buying a obvious ‘new’ contender is Ford’s latest second-hand. It’s just a matter of deciding
second-hand Prado. To answer this, you Everest, especially in its 3.0-litre TDV6 which one is your best option …
THE BEGINNING, BUT NOT REALLY: PRADO 90 SERIES

IT was 1996, and the Mitsubishi Pajero A diesel version of the 90 Series didn’t
was proving that new-vehicle buyers were lob until March 2000, in the form of the
surprisingly amenable to a midsize off-road 96kW-287Nm 3.0-litre (1KZ-TE) intercooled
wagon that was equally comfortable on the four-cylinder, with indirect injection, and
bitumen. Toyota, of course, already knew backed (initially) by a five-speed manual
this; the first-gen Prado, with live axles gearbox. A four-speed auto box became an
front and rear, and a choice of three- or option in October 2000, bringing the total
five-door variants, had been introduced to number of diesel Prado models to eight of
a number of overseas markets but not into the 16-model range.
Australia.
This short moment of market inattention BUYING A SECOND-HAND
by the Big T was addressed with the 1996 PRADO 90 SERIES
launch of the 90 Series ‘LandCruiser THE 90 Series models are relatively cheap
Prado’, Toyota cleverly leveraging the iconic but come with the caveat of an ageing body
LandCruiser nameplate when badging and mechanicals, as well as lower levels of
this midsizer for the Aussie market. safety tech.
The 90 Series debuted with a live-axle Still, for a relatively low entry point,
rear and an independent front set-up, you can get into a more-than-capable
combining to provide a more car-like tourer, with a simpler, well-proved diesel
driving experience – and a smaller turning powerplant, or that fun V6 petrol engine.
circle (11.6 metres) for those pesky city/ Aftermarket manufacturers still offer some
school carparks – without sacrificing too accessories for this model, though, so that
much off-road capability. This new mini- cheaper entry price leaves wiggle-room for
Cruiser also offered seating for up to eight spending on the fun stuff.
occupants, thanks to third-row seating that Pricing on the major online second-hand
conveniently folded up to the sides (albeit vehicle sale sites sees a private-sale 2001
at the cost of cargo space). The vehicle 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, with 147,000km on
launched with two petrol engines – a 3.4- the odo, at an asking price of $17K, with a
litre V6 and a slightly anaemic 2.7-litre four- jump to a very low-kay (107,000km) ’96 3.4-
cylinder – and a surprisingly large 159-litre litre V6 petrol VX Grande sitting at a dealer
fuel tank, allowing the Prado to lug more with $26,990 on the window. If you want to
fuel than even its big-brother 80 Series haul heavy loads or tow a trailer, steer clear
LandCruiser. of the 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol.
DRIVE SECOND-HAND TOYOTA PRADO
BIGGER EQUALS BETTER: PRADO 120 SERIES

IN 2003, Toyota launched the larger, diff. The model range included the base- notable upping of overall driveability.
roomier, safer, and more refined 120 spec GX (five-seats only), GXL, VX and Perhaps surprisingly, even with a well-
Series, with the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel Grande, with the Grande also featuring proven diesel option, petrol variants
and the 2.7-litre petrol from the 90 electronically controlled self-levelling remained the majority seller for the
Series initially carrying over, and rear air suspension. Third-row seating Prado up until 2006, when diesel sales
being joined by a stonking all-alloy 4.0- was standard from GXL up, while finally accounted for more than half.
litre quad-cam V6 petrol (dubbed the leather seating was only available in VX Coincidentally, it was this year that saw
1GR-FE) that pumped out a claimed and Grande. the 120 Series receive a more modern
179kW of power and 376Nm of torque, The 120 Series proved hugely popular – and more powerful – DOHC common-
while being fed go-juice via a monster in 2003, with sales nearly doubling from rail direct-injection 3.0-litre turbo-diesel
180-litre fuel capacity (courtesy of the previous year to 14,639 vehicles, engine, the 1KD-FTV.
87-litre main and 93-litre sub tanks). and saw the Prado become the best- This new oiler was impressive; a 32
This generation of Prado also received selling overall four-wheel drive vehicle per cent jump in power to 127kW (at
updates to its Driver-Assist Technology (including SUVs) from May of that year. 3400rpm) and higher (by nearly 20
(DAT), featuring Active Traction Control Incremental changes through the first per cent) peak torque of 410Nm was
(A-TRC), vehicle stability control, Hill- few years of the 120 Series resulted in available at a lower point (1600rpm)
start and Downhill Assist Control, and the original four-speed auto backing in the rev range, making it more
the continuation of full-time 4WD, with the 4.0-litre V6 receiving an extra ratio flexible for off-road driving. Backed
the drivetrain now using a Torsen centre for a modest increase in economy, but a by either a six-speed manual or slick
The 120 Series featured models from

the steel wheel-clad GX up to the semi-
luxe VX and Grande models.
With strong
powertrains and
five-speed auto (with a new gated shift), relatively long
this new engine seemed like the perfect travel suspension,
the Prado has
powerplant for long-distance off-road
always been a
touring, with far better fuel economy
good off-road
compared to its predecessor.
performer.
It was this last incarnation of the 120
Series, from 2006 through to 2008, that
saw the biggest boost to the Prado’s
reputation as a great off-road touring
option, and one that was also easy to
drive around town. The comfortable ride,
decent on-road handling, long-travel
suspension, modern engines with well-
matched gearboxes, bush-friendly 17-inch
wheels, copious aftermarket accessories,
spacious interior and extensive
nationwide dealership network all offset
a much smaller list of negatives. These
included the side-mounted third-row seats,
which eat into rear cargo space, the low
2500kg braked towing capacity, the still- BUYING A SECOND-HAND ask if the injectors have been replaced
considerable thirst of the V6 petrol, and PRADO 120 SERIES during the previous owner’s tenure.
the 1KD-FTV’s infamous ‘injector issue’. YES, you will need more dosh to get into Pricing for this engine option is highest
Speaking of which … a 120 Series compared to snaring a nice in the 120 Series range, with low-kay
With modern diesel engines comes 90. But, regardless of whether you are examples asking mid-$30K pricing.
complexity, which can lead to unforeseen looking for one of the ‘old’ 3.0-litre oilers It’s here you may need to do the
problems, and in the 1KD-FTV’s case, (2003 to 2005), that rorty 4.0-litre V6 sums; a 4.0-litre V6 of equivalent spec
this was the engine’s injectors – or more petrol, or the post-2006 update common- and odo reading is around $5K to $10K
accurately, the injectors and their seals. rail 3.0-litre diesel donk, with the cheaper, and that pays for a lot of petrol.
Originally, the seals were made from increased sales of that model, you will Plus, that engine is renowned for its
copper and, when they failed, they would have a wider range to choose from. durability, with no big issues in its
then allow excess gases into the engine If you’re keen on the V6 petrol, do history, and we’ve heard of a number of
where, mixed with oil, it’d create a yourself (and your wallet) a favour examples ticking over 300,000km and
build-up of carbon which would, in turn, and bypass the earlier four-speed auto more, and still going strong.
block the engine’s oil pick-up – and we versions; the five-speed auto (or the For those looking for more luxury in
know what happens when an engine has rarer six-speed manual) behind that their 120 Series, the VX and Grande are
no oil ... The injectors themselves are engine will offer at least a modicum of the two models to focus on, with leather
also known to either outright fail (it is ‘acceptable’ fuel consumption. interiors and better sound systems, etc.
recommended the tolerances are checked Most touring-oriented buyers, However, be aware that the Grande’s
every service and they are replaced every though, will look to the 3.0TD engine. self-levelling rear suspension, while
100,000km regardless) or ‘stick’ open, Even allowing for the injector issue, excellent in operation, makes fitting an
again causing an oft-fatal flood of fuel into this engine’s power and torque, in a aftermarket suspension system a bigger
a cylinder chamber. relatively lightweight wagon and backed (and more expensive) task than the
Yep, it sounds scary – and expensive – by that 180-litre fuel capacity, make coil-sprung models. For any other off-
but it is also a prime example of ensuring for a brilliant base from which to start road touring mods, there are oodles of
your vehicle (regardless of make/model) a tourer project build – just be sure to aftermarket suppliers who produce gear
is regularly serviced and any pre-emptive check the vehicle’s service history, and for this popular vehicle.
modifications are done. It should also be
noted that, for every 1KD-FTV powered
Prado (both in 120 Series and 150 Series
THIS ENGINE’S POWER AND TORQUE, BACKED BY
form) that has failed, there are thousands THAT 180L FUEL CAPACITY, MAKE A BRILLIANT BASE
out there that have happily clocked up
hundreds of thousands of trouble-free
FROM WHICH TO START A TOURER PROJECT BUILD
kilometres.
The Toyota Prado 150 Series range

included the GX, GXL, VX and Kakadu
five-door models.
THE LONGEST ROAD: THE PRADO 150 SERIES

IT’S a credit to Toyota’s designers and and spacious interior (at last, the third- intelligent variable valve timing (Dual
engineering teams that the 150 Series row seats folded flat under the cargo VVT-i). The 3.0TD also copped a small
has, firstly, stayed at the top of its market floor; seating capacity drops to seven, change; with a nod to the injector dramas
segment for close to 15 years up to now though), a lift in standard features per seeing new injectors fitted and moving
and, secondly, during that near decade- spec level (including three-zone air-con the intercooler from the top to the front to
and-half, Toyota has not rested on its sales on GXL, VX and Kakadu), ‘Multi-terrain aid cooling.
laurels, subjecting this model to a number ABS’ (self-adjusting ABS dependent As expected, the Prado’s well-proven
of tweaks over that time. on terrain surfaces), and even adaptive IFS front-end/live axle rear combo
The 150 Series was launched in 2009, cruise control, albeit only on the top-tier carried over (with revised spring and
with both a five-door and three-door Grande and three-door ZR (yep, there was damper rates) in all models bar the top-
model on offer. Five-door badges were a three-door; the ZR and the lower-spec tier Kakadu (which kept its predecessor
GX, GXL, VX and Kakadu (replacing SX). Unfortunately, the extra weight also Grande’s self-levelling rear suspension).
the Grande nameplate), with the 150 meant less payload, the fuel capacity The Prado’s excellent traction control
presenting slightly wider, lower, longer dropped to 150 litres, and the braked system was also (again) improved. Both
and notably heavier than its predecessor, towing capacity stayed at 2500kg. Kakadu and VX now featured Toyota’s
albeit while retaining the approach, ramp- Engine-wise, there was further tickling KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension
over and departure angles of the previous of that big-bopper 4.0-litre V6 petrol, with System – more on that in the 150 Series
gen. That extra heft brought a raft of more power and torque (202kW-381Nm) buying guide, below), with the Kakadu
improvements, including better safety and – hallelujah! – better claimed fuel version of KDSS adding adaptive variable
tech (seven airbags across all models, up economy (11.5L/100km for the five-speed suspension. Kakadu (and ZR) also now
from two), an all-new more comfortable auto) thanks to the adoption of dual included Toyota CRAWL (basically a low-
DESIGNED FOR YOUR JOURNEY
KLEVER KR601 R/T z KLEVER KR628 A/T z KLEVER KR629 M/T
aboutimports.com.au
BUYING A SECOND-HAND 150 especially so with the two diesel engine

SERIES PRADO options. A 3.0TD Prado GXL may look
IF you do have a slightly larger wad of amazing value for money compared to
cash, the 150 Series Prado is well worth the newer 2.8TD, but be sure to ask about
the additional outlay but, as with the 120 the injectors, i.e. have they been checked
Series, comes with those diesel-related regularly at service intervals and/or been
caveats attached, whether you’re looking replaced. Same goes for any 150 Series
at the 3.0TD or the 2.8TD from 2015 to built in the years/months covered by the
2020 (in relation to the DPF). The 150 DPF-related dramas. Both of these issues
Series is – arguably, perhaps – the most sound very dramatic – and they certainly
capable Prado off road straight from the can be that, plus very costly – but on the
showroom floor. It is also probably one of whole, most Prado 150 Series, if properly
the most modified touring vehicles ever serviced/looked after, will provide many
in Australia, with every 4x4 aftermarket years of reliable on- and off-road fun.
manufacturer producing tons of goodies Pricing for Prado 150 Series varies
for this rig. As mentioned earlier, it widely, simply due to this model having
is wider, lower and arguably more been around for so long. A peek at some
comfortable (and capable) on and off online vehicle sales sites sees prices
road, but also heavier. Balancing that include a $30K 3.0TD GXL with
was the increase in safety tech (both 172,000km on the odo, a $49K 2015 2.8TD
speed cruise control for off-roading), along internal and external), better claimed fuel Prado with 106,000km, through to an
with Multi-Terrain Select (with five off- economy, general build and mechanical $80K 2021 2.8TD VX with only 30,000km
road driving ‘modes’) and Multi-Terrain improvements, along with that welcome on the odo (and four more years of new-
Monitor, too. tweak to the 4.0-litre V6 in terms of car warranty). So, in short, there are
It was not until 2015 that we saw the efficiency (if you can find a V6). plenty of 150 Series out there and, as per
next major Prado update – an extra 5kW As with any second-hand purchase, a usual, it will depend on both your budget
for the now low-selling 4.0 V6, and the check of service records is a must, and and your engine preferences.
arrival of the new 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV turbo-
diesel engine, backed by an also-new
six-speed automatic. Offering 130kW and The 150 Series ticks a lot of boxes as
450Nm (in six-speed auto form; 420Nm for a town car, off-roader and tourer all
the six-speed manual) at a low 1600rpm, in one.
the new oiler was also very fuel efficient.
This was attributed to both the new
engine and the new gearbox, although
the six-speed auto’s two overdrive gear
ratios (5th: 0.67 and 6th 0.58) caused a few
dramas as the ’box would not always shift
into that very tall sixth gear unless you
were exceeding some speed limits!
Another update followed in late 2017,
featuring the latest 150 Series exterior
styling, but sadly dropping the beloved
4.0-litre V6 petrol. An easy decision as it
turned out, with only 1.2 per cent of Prado
sales now petrol models. Braked towing
capacity was increased to 3000kg in this
update, too. August 2018 saw a very hush-
hush dropping of KDSS from VX models,
an upgrade of the lower-spec models (GX
and GXL) to the safety tech previously
available only on VX and Kakadu, and the
appearance of a ‘flat-back’ Prado; with
removal of the sub-tank (dropping fuel
capacity down to 87 litres) and fitting the
spare tyre underneath, Toyota could offer
a rear door that, although it still opened
sideways, at least now offered a lift-up
rear window for easy access to the cargo
area. It’s been very popular.
2023 ALL-NEW
PRADO
The 2024 Prado will go on sale mid- year
and continues with what has been a
winning formula for its drive train and
suspesenion set-up..
THE TOYOTA PRADO AND THE GHOSTS OF

4X4 AUSTRALIA EDITORS PAST
RON MOON, DEAN JUSTIN
EDITOR MELLOR, WALKER,
1987-2001 EDITOR EDITOR
“I’ve long contended 2003-2009 2010-2012
that the Toyota Prado “The first Prado “The Prado has
is, and has been, the launched in 1996 always been the
best midsize wagon on was essentially ultimate combo of
the Australian market. a better Pajero, tourer and town
Its longevity and its and with Toyota’s vehicle and proved
sales figures kinda unequalled itself to this overly
bear that out. Why is sales and fussy judge in 2010,
it so popular? First, it service network when I drove a then
comes with Toyota’s legendary reliability throughout Australia, it’s little wonder all-new 150 Series GXL 3.0TD down Len
backed up by its LandCruiser heritage – it was an instant sales success. Over Beadell’s Sandy Blight Junction Road,
even more so now in the soon-to-appear the past three decades the Prado through the Gibson Desert. All I did was
Prado 250. Then the size is just right. Big has remained at the top of the sales fit some M/T tyres and away we went.
enough for the family to go on an outdoor charts, thanks to offering customers Out of the box, the Prado was perfect
adventure or to tow the camper to Cape a family-friendly wagon that is equally for that adventure; equally comfortable
York, while lacking the dominating and as competent on the road as it is off negotiating deep, soft desert sand as it
large appearance of a 200 Series which it, and although it has never excelled was punching along the Stuart Highway,
puts a lot of people off. For a long time to in any one area, it is certainly a jack of I knew then that Toyota had created a
come, the Prado will remain a winner!” all trades ...” brilliant touring vehicle.”
GEAR
TESTED – TOUGH DOG SUSPENSION
WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS PHOTOS OFFROAD IMAGES
OUR FORD RANGER IS FINALLY LOOKING

LEVEL AND RIDING WELL WITH ITS
FULL TOUGH DOG SUSPENSION INSTAL
COMPLETED.
FITTED
A
SCAN TO WATCH THE VIDEO
key component of any touring 4x4
build is a suspension upgrade. Some
might ask why this is necessary
when the OEM engineers have spent
countless man-hours and millions
of dollars developing the suspension for
the vehicle, so why would you ever need to
replace it?
The answer is simple. Like most everything
on a production car, the suspension is a
compromise. It has to meet acceptable
standards for body control, handling,
ride quality and load carrying ability, all
while meeting a cost per unit to meet the
manufacturer’s targets. They are built to a
price and that price is the lowest possible one
while achieving the desired performance.
Some manufacturers invest more in the
suspension of their vehicles than others do
and it shows when you drive them.
This compromise is amplified in a double-
cab 4x4 ute, as these vehicles are the biggest
compromise themselves. They are marketed
to be family vehicles that are capable off
road, able to carry a one-tonne payload, pull
a 3500kg trailer, and be a great all-round
touring vehicle. In reality, they don’t do any
of those things particularly well. Sure, they
do an acceptable job, but rarely do they do a
good one.
Take the current Ford Ranger for example.
BEEFED UP
Its chassis and suspension deliver ride and To cope with
handling that are best in class, but start to extra weight, we
load it up with weight on the back and the added a set of
rear springs sag terribly, and it doesn’t take 500kg constant-
much to have it riding on the bump stops. load rear leaf
So if you want to tow or carry a load in springs.
your ute, you will want to upgrade the rear
suspension at the very least. You might even
want to fit a suspension kit that increases the
GVM of the vehicle to allow for heavier loads.
If you are fitting a lot of heavy accessories
like steel bullbar, side rails, winch, canopy,
rooftop tent and so on, you’ll also want to
upgrade the suspension and might want to
consider a GVM upgrade.
If you want to use your ute for off-roading
then you’ll want to raise the ride height to
give more ground clearance, and maybe
some added tyre clearance. You’ll want
heavier springs to carry the loads required
of a touring 4x4, and better quality shock
absorbers to control those springs and SHOCKED
manage the rough terrain you will experience Tough Dog’s
when driving off road. Foam Cell
It’s all about dialling-in the vehicle to best 40mm shocks
suit your requirements to give you a safe, are great value
competent and reliable rig for the type of use for money.
you need it for.
FORD RANGER SPORT V6 – TOUGH DOG SUSPENSION
GETTING IT RIGHT you need to know how much weight you’ll be

TOUGH TALK THERE are countless companies out there adding to it. Having a definitive list of all
Discussing the with ready-made suspension packages they those added products and what they weigh is
upgrade with are only too willing to sell you for your 4x4 a good start but ideally you want to set the
the team at the but, just as you tailor the vehicle to your vehicle up at full touring weight, with all
Tough Dog’s own specific needs, you need to tailor the the accessories already fitted.
Marsden Park suspension to the vehicle and its use. As with our last two 4x4 builds we again
HQ. The biggest factor here is vehicle weight, turned to the team at Tough Dog Suspension
followed by how you plan to use it, so rather for the kit to go under our Ranger. We
than simply buying an off-the-shelf or online discussed with them what we wanted for
suspension package, you should speak to the the vehicle and what was going on it, and
suspension manufacturer/supplier to discuss planned to leave the suspension installation
your needs and planned use in detail so you until the latest possible moment when most
can tailor a package that will best suit your of the gear would already be fitted, allowing
application. us to dial it all in.
As mentioned, the RA Ranger comes with Our 285/70R17 Maxxis tyres on Fuel
the best off-the-lot suspension for general Ripper pos20-offset wheels fitted on the
driving in the class, but we knew that as vehicle without requiring any suspension
we loaded our Ranger up with equipment, changes, so we were able to run them right
it wouldn’t cope for long. And we were from the outset.
surprised at how soon it fell short of being The TJM Venturer front bar, Torq winch
acceptable! and side steps added a noticeable weight
To get the right suspension for your 4x4, to the front-end, but with no detrimental
effects on the way the car drove. It wasn’t trailers with, and they were having to
until we removed the standard cargo tub and update their suspension.
fitted the Trig Point canopy that we really The team at Tough Dog was still working
started to see and feel the OE suspension on its suspension systems for the new
struggling.
Removing the steel cargo tub and fitting
Ranger and we still had more gear to fit
before we planned to take it to Sydney for
TO GET
the aluminium canopy/service body only the final installation, so as a stop-gap fix, THE RIGHT
SUSPENSION
adds around 230kg or so, but the longer body Tough Dog sent us a set of 500kg constant-
does move the weight of the vehicle further load rear springs to get the back-end back
FOR YOUR 4X4,

back behind the rear axle, especially with up, and tide us over till we headed up
the spare wheel mounted right at the back. north for the full kit. The leaf springs were
This again was noticeable when driving
but still acceptable. It wasn’t until we
selected in line with the weight we had
already fitted to the vehicle, as well as what YOU NEED TO
started loading the canopy up with the
Projecta 12-volt power system, and the MSA
we had planned.
The 500kg springs had the Ranger looking KNOW HOW
Powerslide with the Dometic fridge, that
things started to turn south.
like a ’70s street machine with the rear-end
raised and the nose down, but at least it MUCH WEIGHT
The rear-end sagged so much that the
suspension was bottoming out over suburban
was driveable again. With our Narva lights,
Rola racks, Boss Aluminium awning and
YOU’LL BE
speed bumps and the springs were only
millimetres off the bump stops. This is
a few other goodies fitted, we figured we
were getting closer to our target, so we hit
ADDING TO IT
something we also heard from folks who the Hume and headed north for the trip to
were buying their Rangers to tow 3000kg Tough Dog HQ.
TOUGH DOG SUSPENSION FOR 2023 FORD RANGER

RRP:
$601 EACH Fully assembled 40mm bore/60mm outer casing foam cell strut
$775 PAIR Upper Control arms
$190 EACH Rear Shock 40mm bore/60mm outer casing foam cell
$420 EACH Constant 500kg rear leaf spring
RATED
$40 Centre Bearing spacer kit

$90 Greaseable pin
$105 Greaseable Shackles
$40 U-Bolts
$205 Urethane Bush Kit
TOTAL: $4452
AVAILABLE FROM: www.toughdog.com.au
FORD RANGER SPORT V6 – TOUGH DOG SUSPENSION
HIGH RISE
The new struts
raised the front
ride height by
around 50mm.
FITTING TIME Cell shocks were also fitted to the rear-

ON arrival at Tough Dog’s huge facility in end where the OEM Ford shocks had been
Marsden Park, the team was ready to instal topping out over every bump when made to
a set of front struts they had already built work with the taller leaf springs. The longer
using the information we had supplied shocks allow the springs to work to their full
earlier. Specifically, they were designed travel, and they better control the load and
for a vehicle running a steel bar and winch, movement.
which of course we had. The fully assembled The full suspension installation was a
struts include the dust boot and bump straightforward job for the team at Tough
stop, along with the strut top mounting and Dog. This is, after all, what they do everyday
bushings. … and have been doing for more than 35
The struts are fitted with Tough Dog’s years. Their experience showed once we
Foam Cell 40mm bore shock absorbers. The got the Ranger back out on the road after
Foam Cell shocks are a twin-tube design a wheel alignment. All the alignment
and have a foam insert inside them that settings were brought back to the factory
helps manage the oil flow to reduce shock specifications with a little bit of added
fade from sustained corrugations and rough caster to sharpen up the steering a tad.
roads. They also employ velocity-sensitive The Ranger not only steers and rides
valving so they best react to high- or low- better than it did when we drove in there, BUSH READY
speed frequency bumps. They are a great but it now copes better with bumps, and Our Ranger
value for money, all-round performance thanks to the added control of the new shock now benefits
shock absorber, and our previous experience absorbers, the rear-end no longer tops out off road with
with the foam cells meant we were happy to over every bump. It looks more like a proper extra ground
be using them again. touring 4x4 now as well, thanks to a level clearance.
The Tough Dog struts were installed along ride height and plenty of ground clearance.
with replacement upper control arms. The The drive back down the Hume Highway
latter are not only tougher and stiffer than to Melbourne was a much more pleasant
the OE arms, but more importantly allow the experience than the drive to Sydney, as
suspension geometry to be adjusted back to everything is now working in cohesion and
the factory specifications after installation the weight of the vehicle is much better
of the taller struts. The new struts raised the controlled over humps and bumps. We’ll let
front ride height by around 50mm. you know how it performs off road soon, so
A set of 40mm bore Tough Dog Foam keep an eye out.
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IDC25X has been engineered to withstand the extremes while ensuring the longevity of your
auxiliary batteries. Operating in temperatures from -10°C to 90°C, the reliable IDC25X will
confidently provide output as high as 25A at up to 75°C ensuring it won’t let you down in some
of Australia’s most demanding terrains.
• 5 Year Warranty
• ‘No solder’ high current connections
• High efficient power conversion
• Total safeguard protection
• Designed, engineered and tested in
Australia to suit Australian conditions 5
YEAR
WARRANTY
projecta.com.au/idc25x
ASK AN AUSSIE POWER EXPERT.
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GEAR
TESTED – TRIG POINT CANOPY PANTRY
WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS PHOTOS SHAWN MCCANN
WE COMPLETE THE INTERIOR FIT-OUT OF OUR TRIG POINT CANOPY WITH A
A
SLIDE-OUT KITCHEN.
KEY part of the Ranger build was the side of the Ranger that is covered folds up above the unit when not in use
always going to be the service by the awning and where people will meaning that the front remains open and
body/canopy that we fitted to it, be accessing and preparing food, and accessible without having to unfold the
and we have been very fortunate generally hanging out when in camp. table or slide the unit out.
to partner with the team at The kitchen is designed to be a The overall height leaves space above
Trig Point in Melbourne who designed, pantry where you can store all your non- the kitchen to store your gas stove
manufactured and installed the unit perishable food and kitchenware, where or induction cooktop when it is in a
for us. They went over and above on the it is secure yet remains easily accessible. standard-size Trig Point canopy. From
installation, also fitting the extensive The design allows for direct access to here it is easily accessible, and can be
Projecta power system and the MSA often used sections without having to moved down to the table when needed,
Powerslide fridge mount and rear drawer. slide the whole unit out when you just while elasticised cord holds it securely
From the outset, Murray at Trig Point want to make a quick roadside cuppa. Or in place when stored. There’s more space
had something else in mind for our slide it right out and open it up to give above the kitchen in a LandCruiser 79
canopy and it is a project that he has been you a large workspace table with a sink. canopy, as they are taller overall than a
tweaking the design of over the months The table drops down to place it at a midsize ute canopy like our Ranger’s.
since fitting the canopy itself. usable height that is around 180mm lower The many storage spaces and shelving
The new product is a slide-out kitchen/ than the canopy floor, or wherever the are adjustable to accommodate a wide
pantry and there was space left aside for kitchen is mounted. This is especially variety of different-sized products. The
it on the passenger-side of the canopy important when the pantry is in a lifted large space at the rear of the pantry again
alongside the fridge drop-slide. This is 4x4. The table is rated to 20kg and has a shelf that is adjustable for different
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MOULDED VINYLS piece for a variety of models. 14 colors in our standard range and selected OEM
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Our hard-wearing heavy-duty vinyl is heat molded to suit and super plush.
many factory vehicles ranging from cars, Utes and 4WD’.
Fantastic color range available in 9
different colors to choose
from.
BOOT
BOOT VINYLS
CARPETS Our hard-wearing heavy-duty
The choice to be made in vinyl is available in 9 different
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such as loop, plush or super molded to suit factory
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UNDERLAY KICK PANELS CUSTOM FIT MATS

Wide range of underlays These high-quality replacement kick panels are made to Our non-slip backed protection mats
available to suit all your factory specifications and available in plain black board, are perfectly tailor made for a
needs, from standard to our carpet or vinyl with many full range of vehicles from the
heavy-duty options. Also colors to chose from. 1940’s all the way through until
available is our foam based now. We offer Australia’s largest range of colors
waterproof underlay. with a superb selection of 14 to choose from. To add to this
fantastic color range, we also offer custom embroidery
which includes a variety of options to choose from.
3D MATS UNDER
Looking for some floor mats to keep that dirt and mud
out? Then our heavy duty 3d maxtracs are the perfect buy.
BONNET
Waterproof, high pressure washable and custom molded to
suit each individual vehicle. Including a 3-year wear through
INSULATION
and 5-year manufacturing defect warranty which gives the Installed in just seconds and
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CUSTOM EMBROIDERY road users. Suited to cars, SUV’s and
4WD’S.
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Custom embroidery can be added to your order -We engine and road noise. If your looking for noise reduction,
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and we can write it in. 100s of thread colours available
in the size and position that you choose. Trade / large
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VISION AUTO PRODUCTS

trufitcarpets.com.au 03 9791 1777 1/6 Airlie Ave, Dandenong, VIC 3175
FORD RANGER SPORT V6 – TRIG POINT CANOPY PANTRY
heights, and in the case of our unit has been set

up to mount a Travel Buddy 12-volt oven up top
with a large space underneath for bigger items
like pots and pans. Smaller coffee machines
can also be accommodated in this space.
An option for the Trig Point kitchen is a
mounting kit for the Travel Buddy and a wiring
kit with Anderson plug to power the oven. It
also adds a dual USB power outlet to charge
devices while in camp. In our Ranger, 240V
power is available from the Projecta inverter/
charger at the front wall of the canopy.
The positioning of the kitchen at the rear
of our canopy places it right next to the water
tank outlet and pump switch, making it easy to
use for food prep, cleaning and to fill up the 7L
pop-out sink.
Like the canopy itself, the design, fit and
finish of the Trig Point kitchen are all top
notch. The unit is made in-house at Trig
Point using a mix of 2mm, 2.5mm and 4mm
aluminium, with steel brackets for the pivoting
arms on the table. Little details like mounting
spots for food bags, and the inbuilt bottle
opener, all add to the functionality, and the
fully powder-coated surfaces make them easy
to wipe clean as well as protecting them. At the
moment the Trig Point kitchen only comes in
this grey colour pictured, but soon there there
will also be the option of black powder-coating.
The Trig Point kitchen measures 750mm (w)
x 725mm (d) x 615mm (h) and can be bolted GIVEN THE FUNCTIONALITY EXTENDED
into any canopy or on to any solid surface. The
unit weighs in at 41.5kg without any options. AND QUALITY OF THE TRIG The cavernous
POINT KITCHEN, WE SAY

kitchen, easily
Given the functionality and quality of the slides out and
product, we say that it’s money well spent. It’s
THAT IT’S MONEY WELL
its table folds
certainly made life on the road with our down to a
Ranger an easier proposition.
SPENT
usable height.
SPACE SAVER
The beauty of the Trig Point kitchen
design is the minimal space it
requires when stowed away.
CUSTOM
FJ45-80 SERIES
LANDCRUISER HYBRID
L I TTLE A R TIS TIC

A R D WO R K A NDA
TI ON TO DE TA IL, H T A BO VE TH E R ES T
ATTEN A K E T H I S 4 5 A CU
FLAIR M WORDS DAN
EV ER ET T IMAGES M
ATT WILLIAM
S
HE term masterpiece is hardly new. In fact

it’s something that has been coveted since
the Middle Ages. Something apprentices
and journeymen aspire to create in all realms of
craftsmanship and artistry. Under the old guild
system, young men and women learning the skills
to be goldsmiths and masons, painters and sculptors,
bakers and any number of countless other talents would
work under a master as they honed their skills. Eventually,
with proper guidance and perseverance, they’d produce
a piece of their own work so perfect in all aspects that
they could be admitted to a guild, and become masters
themselves. Their masterpiece.
The LandCruiser you’re looking at on these pages is
a masterpiece in its own right. The result of painstaking
lessons, impeccable attention to detail, and sheer
perseverance. But what the ruddy hell is it, actually?
In short, it’s an FJ45, although it’s also an 80 Series. And
technically, there’s a little 75 Series and some Lexus in
there too, and a seemingly endless supply of box tube. But
let’s start with the chassis, yeah?
CUSTOM FJ45-80 SERIES LANDCRUISER
OWNER
Pat is the man behind
this LandCruiser
masterpiece.
CANOPY
Sure, the canopy is designed to
lift off quickly and easily, but
who could leave Blue and her
mobile kennel back at home?
FROM THE GROUND UP welders and the sizzle of grinders wouldn’t stop for two years.
Despite the 1971 FJ45 cab perched on top like a crown, Peel your eyes off the stunning body for a second, past the
underneath, and on the rego papers, Patrick Savery’s masterpiece custom cab mounts, and you’ll find a surprisingly stock 80 Series
is a 1994 80 Series LandCruiser. “I had begun to restore a short chassis hiding underneath, doing a convincing job it’s meant
wheelbase 40 Series,” Patrick tells us. “But as I progressed I to be there. Up front, two-inch lifted coils slink their way into
realised it wasn’t going to suit my needs. Leaf springs and a thirsty the factory coil buckets, a pair of Superior Engineering remote
2F petrol engine wasn’t my idea of comfort or performance.” reservoir shocks the only giveaway this 45 drives a whole lot
As luck would have it, when a mate reached out with a complete better than stock. Up the back has a similar treatment, with
45 Series Cab, an 80 Series chassis just happened to pop up for the only addition being a pair of adjustable upper control arms
sale in the same town. Some things are meant to be, eh? Another allowing Patrick to dial the pinion angle back in. It’s a real
call to good mate Hugh Ager from Limitless Chassis in Coolum testament to Toyota just how good these chassis are and why
Beach and things really kicked in to gear. A spot was cleared in they’re such a hot ticket item with resto-modders.
the corner of the shop, plans were sketched out, and the roar of
TYRES
The perfect combination of
modern tech and old-school
looks, the 35-inch Nittos look
right at home on the Cruiser.
UNDERBODY
Underneath, it’s hard not
to miss those custom
pipes, and one of best
frames Toyota has ever
built.
CUSTOM FJ45-80 SERIES LANDCRUISER HYBRID
POWERPLANT
While the diffs at either end may remain largely stock, the
drivetrain combo spinning them couldn’t be further from stock if
you tried. Nestled between the rails up front is none other than a
1UZ-FE. “I decided on the 1UZ-FE as I wanted the Cruiser 100 per
cent Toyota,” says Patrick. “I truly love the history of the engine, it’s
still heralded as one of the most reliable V8s ever built.” Not the
kind of mill you’d typically find in a 4x4, Patrick sourced a Lexus
LC400 to pinch the 4.0L V8 from and promptly set about tearing
it down for a full rebuild. A custom alloy sump was welded up at
Limitless Chassis to clear the front diff under full articulation,
while custom engine mounts in conjunction with LC74 rubbers get
the 1UZ bolted in place.
With a gut full of factory forged internals, Patrick knew with a
freshen-up the 1UZ would be more than up to the task of reliable
power and set to work making it a hoot to drive. The solution was a
Dellow Automotive bellhousing mating up a five-speed manual cog-
swapper from a HZJ75 Cruiser – that’s a H55F for any Toyota nerds
eager for all the details. There’s an Exedy heavy-duty clutch linking
the two, while the HF1A transfer case and Aisin free-wheeling-hubs
from the 75 finish the part-time 4x4 conversion of the LC80 chassis. ENGINE
Of course a combo like this doesn’t come together easily; a custom Patrick rates the 1UZ-FE
gearbox crossmember was needed to hold it up in place, and as the 4.0L as one of the most
cab floor was sliced and diced to suit the H55F package, a custom reliable V8s ever built. Fully
cover was fabricated to keep things civilised inside. rebuilt, it pumps out 190kW
A symphony roars out of twin stainless-steel exhaust tips either and 330Nm.
side of the 130L LC79 fuel tank down the back. Modified & Driven
Fabrication expertly pieced together the twin stainless-steel system
snaking its way through the compact chassis. The end result, after
all that hard work, is a 6200rpm redline, an idle so smooth Top Gear
famously balanced a glass of water on the intake manifold without
a hint of vibration, and twice the horsepower, as well as 50 per cent
more torque than an FJ45 rolled off the production line with. When
the clutch drops and the revs pick up, 35-inch Nitto Trail Grapplers
on all four corners scrabble for traction. Inside them, 16 x 9-inch
steel wheels give an old school look, with more precise steering
than the 15-inch rims of yesteryear.
TOUGH REDEFINED.
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ABOVE THE CHASSIS is about the Cruiser not just looking good, but working well too.
Back up on solid ground and that attention to detail throughout “I’m very proud of the canopy,” he says. “Many people told me it’d
the drivetrain is taken to a whole new level. Up front, trick JTX be too tricky to make, but I worked hard on it for three solid weeks
LED headlights and late-model 45 grille are well protected with and got it done just in time for our maiden trip.” Constructed out
some sleek yet strong bar work. Patrick pieced together the custom of a lightweight steel frame with aluminium skins, Patrick worked
stubby front bar including the integrated recovery points and UHF together with Kahn Burrel from Hardarc Engineering to make sure
antenna mount. it would not only have ample room for camping kit, but Patrick’s
Following the body lines back and McKinnon’s Cruisers flat- kelpie pup Blue would be right at home in there. There’s carpeted
pack wheel arches were pieced together at Limitless Chassis, and flooring and roll-down covers for rainy days, and dual air vents and
bracing added including tie-ins to the shock towers for additional a fan for warm summer days. Sure, there’s a shower for Patrick too,
strength and to help close in the engine bay. Matching flat-packed fed from an 85L water tank and 12V pump mounted under the
McKinnon’s Cruisers sliders were welded together at the same tray, but he knows where he sits in the pecking order. A simple 12V
time. system also managed to sneak in, a Redarc BCDC Core charging
Moving past the period correct and oh-so- the 130Ah deep cycle for the fridge, with the 1UZ’s
smooth silver paint to the rear-end really starting battery snuck back there as well.
drives home just how passionate Patrick
PAT'S WAY
No coffee machine,
no worries. Patrick’s
set-up has everything
he needs and nothing
he doesn’t.
D O N ’ T G E T B O X E D I N W I T H O U T D AT E D D E S I G N S
1300 AFN 4x4| www.afn4x4.com.au

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

IT’S THAT ATTENTION TO DETAIL THAT HAS ELEVATED

IT BEYOND ANYTHING YOU’LL SPOT DOWN THE
LOCAL TRACKS
INTERIOR DESIGN console with a few custom tweaks including the Sony
On the inside Patrick has attempted to walk the tightrope touchscreen stereo and faux croc-skin trimming.
between serious improvements in comfort, without “I firmly believe that attention to detail makes a big
butchering the sheet metal and making the place difference,” Patrick says. “This classic interior, with a subtle
unrecognisable. The biggest standout improvement is modern twist, makes for a great place to be.”
the pair of Suzuki Vitara seats. Riding on custom mounts Old bodies on new frames are hardly a new concept, and
they’ve been bolstered, reupholstered, and somehow look Patrick’s is far from the wildest modified Cruiser we’ve ever
period correct and comfortable all in one hit. seen, but it’s that attention to detail that has elevated it
The seats are paired with a Brass Monkey centre console beyond anything you’ll spot down the local tracks. It’s just
fridge and fresh black carpet, making the 52-year-old cab proof that, with a little creativity, a handful of good mates,
a seriously nice place to be. Rather than cut in to the 40’s and a whole bunch of hard work, a masterpiece just might
iconic dash, Patrick pieced together an LCS4X4 overhead be within reach.
SEATS
Retrimmed Suzuki Vitara seats are right
at home next to the Brass Monkey centre
console fridge.
CONSOLE
Up top the LCS4X4 overhead console
mounts the modern electronics.
CABIN
Patrick’s gone to great lengths to
improve the comfort levels inside without
losing that old-school charm.
WHY THE 1UZ-FE IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

Have you ever imagined what you could do with enough time efficiency, 32 valves and quad overhead cams should do
and money? You might dial in the perfect suspension, teach the trick. And it needed to last forever, so a reinforced block
yourself to weld to make the perfect barwork, or maybe learn and forged crankshaft with eight counterweights should
the principles of tuning for the ultimate reliable powerhouse. help there too. Not to mention the six cross-bolted main cap
Or, if you’re a plucky young team of 60 designers, 1400 bearings, and the sintered forged steel conrods holding on to
engineers, and 2300 technicians with no deadline and a blank hypereutectic pistons.
chequebook to build the perfect luxury sedan, you might just A clever yet unconventional camshaft system means the
build the 1UZ. exhaust cams aren’t directly driven by the timing belt, instead,
We won’t bore you with why the LS400 was a game- to keep the package compact, they are gear driven from the
changer for Lexus, but we will bore you with why its engine, intake cam.
the 1UZ-FE, is one of the most highly regarded engines that The UZ-FE is known to handle 1000hp-plus, and there are
most people have never heard of. countless examples with well over a million kays on the clock.
In their pursuit to build the perfect V8 engine, the Lexus On paper, 190kW and 330Nm may pale in comparison
team pushed the limits of what over-engineering even means. to newer engines, but how many of them have been FAA
After 450 different prototype vehicles and 900 engines came certified to be used in passenger planes? The little 4L V8 is
to the only logical conclusion: multi-valve for power and seriously punching above its weight class.
CUSTOMS
HOW TO – RESTO-MODS
SEVEN Y
OU’RE damned if you do, damned if you
don’t these days. There’s no winning. No
matter what type of 4x4 you buy, there’ll be
DEADLY
someone telling you it’s a dud. Buy a wagon
for practicality, and then lose all storage space
with camping kit. Buy a ute, and before you
know it, you’ve turned it in to a wagon, just a lot
SINS
heavier and longer. Build the ultimate tourer, complete
with coffee machine and lithium, and before you know it, you’ve
spent $100K building something too heavy to take to the places
you built it for. So, bugger it. Everyone is going to be mad, and it’s
not going to be as practical as you hoped anyway, so why not build
something that’s epically cool and let the rest sort itself out?
FIRE UP THE INTERNET HATE MACHINE, Resto-modded 4x4s are exploding in popularity and it’s a
THESE SEVEN KEY AREAS WILL TAKE trend that’s filtering down to Australia. Just think, for less than
ANY OLD JUNKER AND TURN IT IN the price of a base model ute you could have an epic FJ40 with
TO AN UBER COOL RESTO-MODDED Fox shocks and an 80 frame underneath, or any other endless
CLASSIC RIG. combination of cool and capable. Talked you in to it yet? Well,
WORDS DAN EVERETT PHOTOS 4X4 AUSTRALIA ARCHIVES
here’s how to do it.
1
MORE LIGHT and ‘ADR approved’, but it’s hard to argue with the safety
WE’VE bumped this one right to the top benefits of actually being able to see where you’re driving.
of the list because, quite frankly, it’s one They’re available in a range of popular sizes like 7-inch
of the easiest to do. Even balls-to-the-wall round, and 6 x 4-inch rectangle, so will suit most old rigs.
expensive options are still cheaper than a If you want to keep the budget under $800, there are a few
basic lithium battery set-up. When it comes options to throw lumens down the road. Pretty much all of
to improving the light out of an old rig, it’s not them look like something out of a bad science fiction movie,
hard. The old incandescent bulbs threw about as but their performance in terms of light pattern and light
much light on the track as a Dolphin torch poked out the output vary greatly.
window. Of course, it didn’t really matter when you were Don’t get caught up with flash features like halo rings,
flat-out doing 80km/h and travelled far fewer kays than the dancing disco lights, or Bluetooth apps that let you change
modern four-wheel driver. the colour of the daytime running lights; none of that relates
to light down the road. If you’re paying less than $200 per
ON A BUDGET individual light, chances are you’re buying junk.
IF you’re on a budget (let’s face it, who isn’t these days?) COST: $400-$800
you do have a few options to gain some light output from
your rig without spending a fortune. No matter what type THE BEST OF THE BEST
of headlight you’re running, if it’s dirty, or the lens is dull, WE won’t mention any one specific brand, but we will say
you’re losing output. If the outside of your lens is smooth, it that over at stateside there are a lot of people with a lot
means the damage is on the inside and you’ll need to replace of money wanting a lot of lighting performance, and the
the housing itself. lighting industry has responded. While you are looking
New OEM-style housings can be picked up for around $80 at three to four times the price with US brands, back-to-
a pair. If the outside feels rough, then you may be in luck back comparisons show two to three times the light output.
and a quick polish will get the globes you’ve got punching Think 4200 raw lumens per headlight vs less than 2000 raw
through. Sounds odd, but toothpaste makes a suitable lumens. It’ll not only give you more bulk light output, it’ll
abrasive with a rag and some elbow grease. also allow you to give your classic rig a classic look without
From here, a pair of quality aftermarket halogen globes needing to hide that chrome grille behind a string of driving
will give you a serious boost in lighting performance while lights.
remaining 100 per cent legal, all for less than $100. Cool High-end lights will typically come with bang-on beam
doesn’t have to cost a fortune. patterns so you’re not blasting other road users, and neat
COST: $0-$100 tech like built-in heaters to keep your headlights snow free
if you’re heading to the alps. We’re yet to come across a light
FLASH A LITTLE CASH with auto-levelling tech, unfortunately, so while you can get
IF you’re keen to flash a little cash, then complete LED ADR-complaint versions, we’re yet to find an ADR-approved
headlight units are one of the most popular modifications offering.
on old rigs and new. Sure, the legalities are cloudy at best, COST: $1000-$2000
especially with the differences between ‘ADR compliant’
LIGHTS
Lighting
upgrades are
one of the
easiest mods
to do.
2
A BETTER RIDE expanse between the performance of a base model Ranger and
LET’S be honest, aside from a few a Ranger Raptor. Looks aside, the difference almost entirely
aesthetics here and there, the ride quality is comes down to suspension geometry and shock absorbers. Both
unarguably one of the defining features that of those things can be changed on your rig if you’re willing to
separates an old rig from a resto-mod. You dig a little deeper.
can throw all the LED headlights you want at Geometry is reasonably straightforward. If you’re running
an old FJ40, if it’s rocking a 2H diesel and leaf something common like an old ’Cruiser, Patrol or Land Rover,
springs it’d be more than a stretch to call it a resto- a halfway decent suspension shop can set you up with all
mod. The good news is, depending on your budget, making your the links and arms you need. For everything else, there are
ride handle a million times better is a straightforward affair. grinders and welders with an appropriate price tag.
The bad news is, even if you are on a budget, a large chunk of You’ll also find yourself stepping up from the lower budget
your cash is going to be chewed up here. shock absorbers to more high-end gear. These will bring
features like bigger piston diameter, adjustable valving, and
ON A BUDGET remote reservoirs for additional cooling capacity in high-
IF you’re aiming to make your rig taller, there are $50 spacers temperature environments. “The off-road handling and control
you can get that’ll jack it up, but if you want to have the that these shocks deliver can be impressive,” Nick says. “If
suspension perform better on road and off in terms of ride serviced, they’ll generally last longer, and perform better.”
quality and articulation, then even on a budget you’ll need to COST: $5000-$10,000
spend a little cash.
“By replacing the factory springs, the vehicle is able to THE BEST OF THE BEST
carry itself and extra load better,” Nick Finch from suspension IF you’re an all-stops-out kinda person, then there aren’t really
experts Solve Offroad says. “Do this in conjunction with the two ways about it: your old rig should have a newer chassis
correct shocks that suit the springs, and you add extra ability underneath it, and for a few more reasons than you’d think.
to control the vehicle through cornering and over uneven Billy McKinnon is responsible for more old rigs on new frames
surfaces.” than just about any other four-wheel driver in the country, and
The actual price you need to pay will largely depend on he offers drive-in drive-out chassis swaps through his business
what the stock suspension is to begin with, and how much you McKinnons Cruisers.
want to change it. The sheer volume of material in leaf springs “The old school leaf springs chassis structurally aren’t the
means they’ll inherently cost more than coil springs, but best; they flex so bad they can actually tear bonnet catches
around the $2500 to $4000 mark should get you a half decent out of the bonnets in a 40,” he says. Swapping in a frame from
comprehensive suspension kit with matching springs, shocks, a later model rig like an 80 Series not only gives you 20- to
bushes and any other ancillary kit like shackles and pins to tie 30-year better designed suspension, brakes and steering, but
it all together. You won’t be winning Finke for $4K, but it’ll be also gives you physically stiffer chassis rails, meaning less body
the best your LN106 HiLux has handled in years. twist, and a more stable platform for the suspension to work off.
COST: $2500-$4000 No matter what brand you’re looking at, a newer platform
will provide huge benefits in driveability and in aftermarket
FLASH A LITTLE CASH support.
SAY what you will about dual-cab utes, there’s a near endless COST: $14,000-$20,000
TAKE NOTE
Suspension is key
for any resto-mod, if
you’re ponying up the
dollars here’s the
place to do it.
OLD NEW
Modern tech
doesn’t need to
mean modern
looks.
3
TECH UPGRADES popular businesses making flash gear like power window kits
WHEN it comes to tech, there is some cool and remote central locking 20 years ago have spent the last few
aftermarket stuff out there, but it’s still decades slowly polishing those product lines to be more reliable
leaps and bounds behind what the OEM has and offer more features.
to offer. Without spending the price of a new For less than a grand or two these days, you can even wire
F150 on something custom, you’re not going up a Model T to have remote start, internal temperature
to get the seamless integration of tech such as monitoring, power windows, keyless entry and even slot in a
stability control like you’ll get in a modern rig, but few parking sensors. Sure, it all adds complexity, which might
it doesn’t mean you can’t spruce up that old GQ to something be the exact opposite of what you’re chasing, but if you want
that’d seem space age back in ’93. those mod cons they’re not hard to add.
COST: $1000-$2000
ON A BUDGET
FORGET the old six-stacker CD player or Bluetooth head unit, THE BEST OF THE BEST
stereos with phone integration either through Apple CarPlay WE’RE not here to tell you how to spend your money, just to
or Android Auto are worth their weight in gold. Depending on tell you what your options are. If those classic gauges nestled
your dash style, a simple touchscreen stereo instal could give deep inside a vintage steel bezel is one of the things you love
you off-road mapping, digital music streaming, hands-free about your old rig, then polish them up and send them for
phone calls, weather updates, or even a heads-up for defect another 40 years. But if you’re after a little more bling on the
stations if you haven’t quite gotten around to engineering your inside of your rig there are options too.
coil-converted 60. If you’re after that vintage styling from a distance but
If your dash doesn’t suit a honking big screen, slimline modern performance, then companies like Dakota Digital make
options are available, as are screen-mounted dash cams that’ll offerings that are nigh indistinguishable in aesthetics, but with
wirelessly connect your phone to your stereo. Systems like modern accuracy and customisability. Paired with a high-end
these can also be tied in with reversing cameras, something steering wheel, you’ll have a seriously classic ride.
that’ll boost safety around town, and can be handy off road too. Or if you’re after the latest and greatest, there’s a variety of
COST: $500-$1000 digital dash clusters available with generic mounts that can
be modified to suit. Going down this path can allow you to
FLASH A LITTLE CASH completely customise what your dash looks like, from digital
IF you’re after a bit more in the way of modern convenience, gauges to inbuilt mapping software. Paired with a later-model
and you don’t mind a little extra complexity, there are a few steering wheel, you’ll have a modern experience in an old rig,
extra odds and ends you can throw behind those beautiful steel but may start losing some of that old charm.
interior panels without getting too over the top. Most of the COST: $2000-$5000
BE SEATED
Reupholstery can
breathe new life in to
tired old seats. This thing
looks a million bucks.
SOUND BARRIER
4
Sound deadening is a
A LITTLE NICER cheap and effective way
to reduce road noise and
WITHOUT a doubt the flashier your insulate your rig in one
suspension and chassis set-up, the nicer hit.
your rig is going to be for the daily commute
or a cheeky run up the Gibb River Road. But
the nicest shocks in the world won’t help if it’s
deafeningly loud inside the cab and your back nice
hurts. In modern rigs, NVH (noise, vibration and solid thud as they
harshness) is the metric they use to measure how nice a place latch shut. Don’t go
it is inside. It should come as no surprise then that focusing on throwing old carpet back
those three key areas will give you a huge headstart to making on either; a full set of new
an older rig a nicer place to be. carpet can be had for just a few
hundred bucks.
ON A BUDGET From here, your next port of call is fixing up the last few
THE best things in life are free, and lucky for you that’s the tired-looking items around the cabin. A trip to a motor trimmer
exact price of running out the vacuum cleaner and pinching for a headliner steam clean, some new door trims in the stock
nan’s old toothbrush for an interior detail (she hasn’t needed pattern, and any damage to the seats repaired, will bump this
it in years anyway). Before you worry about ponying up the whole exercise up into the $3K+ range, but will literally make
cash for a single purchase, spend at least a full day detailing your interior as good as new.
the inside of your rig. You’ll be amazed just how much nicer COST: $1000-$3000
it is after the seats have been shampooed, the Maccas chips
vacuumed up, and the glass given a quick clean. THE BEST OF THE BEST
Once that’s done and you’ve got a good starting base; have THE neatest stock interior may be the dream come true
a look at what’s actually shagged. A couple of hundred bucks for some, but what if you’ve got slightly deeper pockets and
going on OEM gear replacing things like broken door handles, flashier taste? First things first; the stock seats aren’t going to
interior lights that no longer work and perished window cut it.
channel rubbers will get things feeling much more refined. If Sure, you can throw a set of Falcon seats in but most of them
you’re feeling fancy, a few sheets of sound-deadening material are nearly as old as the rig they’re going into these days.
on the floor pan will help cut down road noise significantly. “We find the classic styling and tech-heavy features of our
COST: $0-$800 seats make them a popular choice for older 4x4s,” says Benjy
Davenport, the main man behind Scheel-Man Australia seats.
FLASH A LITTLE CASH “Being able to have a near-factory look, while adding things
IF you’ve got a little extra cash to spend, it’s time to start like heated bases and backrests, armrests, and fully adjustable
ordering up new OEM kit by the wheel barrow load. Gut the lumbar support seriously improves any interior.”
interior down to its bones and buy a complete sound-deadening If you’re feeling really bougie, option up some fancy plaid
kit to line the floor, doors and roof. It’ll not only drastically fabric on the seats then get a motor trimmer to match the rear
reduce noise inside, it’ll also insulate your rig, making it seats, door trims and even a centre-console fridge to suit.
warmer in winter and cooler in summer, and give the doors a COST: $4000-$5000
CUSTOM TRAY BODIES
CUSTOM CANOPIES
CUSTOM VEHICLE FITOUTS
AMVE 4x4
accessories to any 4x4 utility. Our standard range includes Heavy duty custom built steel tray
bodies, Heavy duty custom built aluminium tray bodies, Custom made dog cages, Toolbox’s and
possible standard of service along with a high quality product.
Call us today 07 3277 1008

sales@amve4x4.com.au
www.amve.com.au
21 Wolston Road, Sumner QLD 4074
5
MORE POWER fuel than the old donk you’re pulling out, but can offer more than
THE original upgrade, people have been double the power with very simple upgrades to the new engine.
shoehorning late-model engines into old rigs If you’re after a weekend plaything, love the sound of an angry
since the Ford Model T days. Heck, businesses exhaust, or just flat-out prioritise power over economy, then these
like Marks 4WD have thrived on making it easy are the drivetrains you need to be looking at.
to put a hot-rodded powerplant into a 4x4, but Alternatively, late-model diesel conversions into older rigs are
today there’s more choice than ever before when it also becoming more common. Isuzu’s near iconic 4JJ1 engine
comes to making your rig boogie when the right pedal has developed a massive following in the aftermarket, making
gets squeezed. Below, we look at three very different pathways, conversion kits and upgrades a straightforward process. Sure,
each with their own pros and cons. Sure, they’re still broken up in you’re not going to get the grunt or exhaust note of a bent-eight,
to budget ranges, but the three end up with very different results but with sub 12L/100km fuel consumption and the practical
depending on your goals rather than your budget. power of a new D-MAX it’s an enticing proposition.
COST: $10,000-$50,000
ON A BUDGET
YOUR path forward depends on the base vehicle you’re starting THE BEST OF THE BEST
with but in general, older, simple rigs are straightforward to hot- WE’RE the first to admit that electric vehicles just flat out
rod, whether they are a Range Rover or a Lada Niva. Get more aren’t there yet for serious remote-area travel. There’s simply
air and fuel in, get more spent gasses out. Petrol or diesel doesn’t nowhere to plug in that fast charger on the Tele Track and no
make a huge difference, a simple turbo set-up with an exhaust, reliable way to carry extra juice with you. But for some old
intercooler and some fuel modifications should see you home rigs, an EV conversion can be the difference between a garage
free. relic and a killer daily driver capable of camping trips here and
In most cases, mods like these will not only make your older rig there. Dave Budge from Jaunt Motors in Victoria reckons the
more driveable on the road and off it, but will also see a reduction electric powerplants they specialise on slotting into old rigs are
in fuel consumption as well. Older diesels are definitely the so powerful these days, they’re artificially limiting grunt to
most straightforward for modification, with off-the-shelf gear make them driveable. “You can’t equate kW to kW with a petrol
to suit popular makes and models, but petrols such as the 4.5L engine,” he tells us. “It feels like 20 to 30 per cent more power,
1FZ LandCruiser are gaining in popularity and therefore are you move your right foot and there’s an instant response, not
becoming easier to modify. The power results will typically be far noise and then speed, it’s just speed. The torque is always there.”
less than an all-out engine conversion, but improving the original While the price tag is eye watering, the results often mean
donk is often far simpler to get up and running … and legal. the very definition of turnkey. You can have a 50-year-old 4x4
COST: $3000-$10,000 that’s simpler than it originally was, and starts every time. With
a decent-size battery bank, range can be up around 500km, but
FLASH A LITTLE CASH actually improves off road rather than decreases like an internal
IF you’ve decided, even with a spicy tickle, the stock powertrain combustion engine. They come with the rather unique benefit of
isn’t going to get you the results you want, then you’re going to being able to hear exactly what your tyres are doing at any given
have to start shopping for engine cranes, but there are two very time. Imagine trundling up a rock edge knowing your back right
different paths you can take. Diesel or petrol. Let us explain. is struggling for traction and needs steering input before the 4x4
Jump on the Marks 4WD website and you’ll find a near shows a single sign of slowing. They’re certainly not for
endless combination of adaptors and bell housings all everyone, but if you have the means it’s hard to argue
designed to get a range of late-model engines into with the results.
older rigs. Engines like the GM range of LS V8s, or COST: $80,000-$100,000
Ford’s Barra-sixes will typically use a little more BENEFITS
Late-model engine
conversions into old
rigs promise fuel
efficiency and power.
YOUR PATH FORWARD

DEPENDS ON THE BASE
VEHICLE YOU’RE STARTING
WITH BUT IN GENERAL,
OLDER, SIMPLE RIGS ARE
STRAIGHTFORWARD TO
HOT-ROD, WHETHER THEY
ARE A RANGE ROVER OR A
LADA NIVA
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FROM PIRANHA!
Piranha's new driving lights are built tough with
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MORE PRODUCTS
TRANS FORM
A transmission from
2023 is going to be
worlds apart from one
from 2003, let alone
one from 1983.
6
BETTER SHIFTING reasons, but the reality is, this is well and truly an
LET’S get one thing straight right from the ‘in addition to’ kinda thing rather than an ‘instead of’ pathway.
get-go: for almost every situation in almost If the 4x4 you’re resto-modding is 35 years old max, then chances
every vehicle, automatics from 30 years ago are are the transmission has a few different accessories available that
mostly downright garbage. They were heavy, won’t necessarily modernise it, but will make it shift better, tow
clunky to change gears, constantly in the wrong better, and handle power upgrades better.
gear, and rarely held up to the power the stock There are hard parts for the internals such as heavy-duty
engines made back in the day, so they’re sure as hell valve bodies and torque convertors, external cooler kits that’ll
not up to the task of any modern drivetrain. If you’re going to the bypass the factory cooler in the radiator preventing a serious
hassle of making more exciting things happen when you put your failure point, and then hot-rod kits like aftermarket transmission
right foot down, it makes sense to get a transmission that’ll do it controllers that’ll allow you to not only dial up line pressure for
well. firmer shifts, but control when the transmission will kick up
or down a gear, what it’ll do if you put the boot in, and even set
ON A BUDGET multiple separate patterns for eco/sport or normal/tow modes.
LOOK, if you’re spending five grand on a set of shocks at least COST: $3000-$5000
make sure the old clunky auto gets some of the power from the
engine to the transfer case. You don’t have to go buck wild here THE BEST OF THE BEST
but assume at a bare minimum you’re going to need to run a few A transmission from 2023 is going to be worlds apart from one
fluid changes through it to fully replace the old stuff. Check for from 2003, let alone one from 1983 – it’s as simple as that. “There’s
any fibres in the old fluid as a sign of worn clutch packs. While been a substantial change with our engine conversion customers
you’re in there, it’s worth fitting up a new filter and gasket as well going away from running the original manual or automatic
as running your eyes over the condition of any external soft lines. transmissions,” Elliot Booth from Marks 4WD says. “Late model
If you’re planning on any soft sand work, then an external cooler six-speed and now even eight- or 10-speed automatic transmissions
is an absolute must-have as well. give a low first gear and a good spread right through to top gear
All up, between a few fluid changes and a new pan and filter, for highway cruising. Tiptronic manual gear selection even allows
you should only be out a few hundred bucks. The ’box will shift the driver to hold the vehicle in the gear they choose.” This is
a little tighter, and last a little longer, so it’s worth the effort and something invaluable for steep high-country work.
money. Marks 4WD reckons even a simple transmission like the GM
COST: $300-$500 4L60 or 4L80 will make a massive difference in driveability
and fuel consumption for older rigs, thanks to the addition of an
FLASH A LITTLE CASH overdrive gear bringing those revs right down.
WE’VE slotted this one in the middle for purely budgetary COST: $5000-$10,000
7
BETTER BRAKES FLASH A LITTLE CASH
IF you’re after better than stock, but not keen to go all out, then
YOU can’t add ‘go’ without adding ‘woah’. Not you start finding yourself in a no man’s land between budget
only do the two words perfectly complement and bougie, so you’re going to have to get creative. If you’ve gone
each other, it just makes sense. Having an old through and either rebuilt or replaced the basic components,
rig physically capable of going faster thanks you’ll need to look a little left of field to find more braking
to more power under the bonnet, or physically improvements.
weighing more due to a bunch of camping kit, means “Another popular upgrade is a brake booster upgrade,” Ian
that even a mild brake upgrade is needed to keep things at the Campbell says. “This will not only greatly improve braking
same standard. performance, but also require less pedal effort making for a more
If you want it to actually stop better than it did from the comfortable drive.”
factory, you’re going to have to dig a little deeper to make it From here, you may need to look at later-model gear off a newer
happen. Like everything here, if you’re under a tight budget version of your rig. It’s not uncommon for a visually identical
and spinning spanners in your driveway you can get an old rig vehicle to get larger brakes from one year to the next, and all of
performing well without spending a fortune, and if you want the that can typically be easily retrofitted if you get creative.
best of the best there are plenty of options for that too. COST: $1000-$2000
ON A BUDGET THE BEST OF THE BEST

IAN Campbell, product manager over at Bendix Brakes, STUFF it, you want the best for your rig and no one is stopping
reckons the solution can be quite simple. “Many of these older you – pun intended – the good news is, there are plenty of options
vehicles are starting from a lower base when it comes to for big spenders with big demands. In this price category you’re not
braking capabilities,” he says. “The most cost-effective upgrading, you’re replacing with a new system.
starting point is to select upgraded brake pads such as One of the first ports of call is a Marks 4WD hydraulic brake
Bendix’s Ultimate 4WD disc-brake pads.” At a glance, they booster. These physically replace the old vacuum-assisted booster
may have the same dimensions as the old $20 special fitted with a hydraulic unit and have been shown to reduce stopping
before, but high-tech compounds mean they’ll not only last distances by up to 40 per cent.
longer, but bite harder. You can also tick boxes for physically larger rotors giving your
Pads alone won’t get the job done, so while the spanners are brakes increased leverage, calipers with more pistons for increased
out, fit a pair of new rotors up front, fresh shoes and drums in the clamping power, and rear drum-to-disc conversions. It’s worth
back, braided brake lines and fresh fluid all-round. It’ll get your mentioning though, that some of these modifications can require
old rig stopping better than ever for under $1000. the fitment of larger diameter wheels.
COST: $800-$1000 COST: $3000-$10,000
READING THROUGH THE LAST FEW PAGES MIGHT MAKE YOU

THINK THAT TURNING AN OLD RIG IN TO A COOL RELIABLE
DAILY DRIVER IS AN INSURMOUNTABLE TASK, BUT IT’S
ACTUALLY THE EXACT OPPOSITE
PARTING THOUGHTS
READING through the last few pages might make you think
that turning an old rig in to a cool reliable daily driver is an
insurmountable task, but it’s actually the exact opposite.
Realistically, each one of the seven sections listed only needs one
approach depending on your budget and needs. Sure, if you want
the ultimate resto-modded rig to impress everyone, you can spend
$200K building it, but you could just as easily pick out the budget
options for every category, throw them into an old LN106 HiLux
and have something truly special that’s not only comfortable and
capable, but turns heads everywhere it goes. All for less than the
price of a 10-year-old HiLux.
That’s the beauty of resto-mods; there are no guidelines or
‘keeping up with the Joneses’ required. An old first-generation
Pajero with some trick alloy wheels, a mint interior and a cheeky
turbo under the bonnet is every part as cool as a 600hp
EV-converted Defender. The only limiting factor to what you can
build is your creativity … and budget.
EXPLORE
LIMMEN NP, NT
S T C I T
L O
Y
WORDS AND PHOTOS ROB BOEGHEIM
HE distant thunder rolled
FOR FOUR-WHEEL DRIVERS on as I found a flat site
high on the southern bank
TRAVELLING THROUGH THE NT’S GULF of the Roper River; the bush
campsite within earshot of the
REGION, LIMMEN NATIONAL PARK fresh rainwater, now gently
flooding the old causeway. Overland
OFFERS PLENTY OF SPECTACULAR explorers have been crossing the river
at this natural rock bar for nearly 180
NATURAL AND CULTURAL years, most famously Ludwig Leichhardt
in 1845 (Roper was one of Leichhardt’s
EXPERIENCES … AND LOADS OF crew) on his epic journey from Brisbane
to Port Essington, and Augustus Gregory
ACTION FOR KEEN ANGLERS. a decade later in 1856, from Victoria
River to Brisbane.
By morning, the gentle rain had cooled
the late dry-season temperature, and
the morning air was calm and heavy.
Freshwater crocs combed the causeway
for their morning meal. The nearby
Yurlhbunji Bridge (opened in February
2018) now virtually flood-proofs the new
Roper River crossing on the road east to
Ngukurr.
I had stopped by Gregory’s Tree a day
earlier and 800km to the west, having
just left the Kimberley amidst a two-
inch downpour and on my way home
to Brisbane. I was on a similar-length
journey to Gregory and Leichhardt, but
nowhere near as epic. I came this way for
some respite from the blacktop monotony
and hoped to catch a fish or two before
the pending wet season closed the road.
A few hundred metres up from the
crossing and adjacent to Leichhardt’s
marker is the old Roper Bar Police
Station which operated here in various
forms for more than a 100 years from
1885 to 1990. The Coast Track, as it
was later named, followed sections of
the original indigenous trading route
parallel to the coast and soon became
a significant stock route, the station
playing a key role in keeping this trading
route secure.
Things moved quickly in the early
1870s with the drive to connect this
vast country with the construction of an
Overland Telegraph Line, and Port Roper
was established to support this effort.
Whilst the project was soon abandoned
in favour of the Central Australia and
Cape York lines, the trickle of trade
soon became a flood. By the end of 1885,
drovers had led more than 200,000 cattle
from Queensland into the Top End and
Kimberley.
EXPLORE LIMMEN NP, NT
NATURAL PROTECTION However Limmen NP is still relatively groups, but the region will take decades
PROTECTING more than 9000km² new, having been gazetted in 2012, and to recover from the impacts of a century
of wild river floodplain, estuary and the campgrounds have modern facilities of grazing, recent mining and a host of
range country, Limmen National Park that cater to all types of campers. Clear feral pests.
is in the western Gulf of Carpentaria information boards throughout the Sadly, most of the mammals seen in
between Roper Bar and Borroloola. park detail campground layouts, and the park are either feral or a legacy
Nathan River Road is the only access natural and cultural history, while the of the former cattle stations (or both).
in and out of the park and is subject to information centre at the Nathan River These include wild horses, cattle, water
seasonal closure during the wet season Ranger station has a comprehensive buffalo, pigs, dogs and cats, as well as
(November to March). The park is very summary of everything you need or may the smaller but more populous cane
remote and now that Roper Bar store want to know about the park. toads and European honeybees. At least
is closed, there is no fuel or supplies The national park and adjacent the bees seem somewhat useful, but
available for more than 550km between marine park are managed with the the rest in my view should be open to
Mataranka and Cape Crawford. support of several indigenous owner seasonal hunting.
FISHING FROM THE BANKS IS BOTH LIMITED AND RISKY WITH

PLENTY OF SALTWATER CROCODILES LURKING IN THE MURKY
SHALLOWS
At Lorella Springs, you
FISHING THE WILD RIVERS Limmen Bight Fishing Camp provides
can access the estuaries
THERE are hundreds of kilometres of easy access to the Limmen Bight River from a number of bush
slow-flowing, winding, mangrove-lined with many boats leaving at first light to launch sites.
and nutrient-rich rivers and estuaries to head down to the open river mouth and
explore and fish, but you’ll need a boat beyond. There are low-cost campsites with
with a decent trailer that can handle the basic facilities and you can buy unleaded
rough and dusty roads. The three main fuel here.
access ramps on the Roper River are at Again, be mindful of just how remote
Roper Bar, Munbililla (Tomato Island) you are and self-sufficient you’ll need to
campsite and 80km downstream at Port be. Take plenty of fuel, water, emergency
Roper. food, as well as offline topo maps, an
Fishing from the banks is both limited EPIRB and all the right safety gear.
and risky with plenty of saltwater There’s no volunteer coastguard out here
crocodiles lurking in the murky shallows. to rescue you.
Negotiating the Towns

River crossing.
The Towns River

empties into the Gulf’s
Limmen Bight.
THINGS MOVED QUICKLY IN THE EARLY 1870S WITH

THE DRIVE TO CONNECT THIS VAST COUNTRY WITH THE
CONSTRUCTION OF AN OVERLAND TELEGRAPH LINE
BEST CAMPSITES
WITH a boat ramp to the Roper River and
green grass throughout the dry season,
the pick of the campsites is Munbililla
(Tomato Island). It has a day-use area
with electric barbecues, drinking water,
a large toilet block, boat trailer parking
and a wide selection of campsite options
including for groups and trailers.
Mountain Creek and Didi Baba camping
areas are spacious with large trailer sites,
and with only five to seven sites in each
are private enough for a multi-night stay.
Farther south, the Towns River campsite
has only four sites, but is just near the
boat ramp, so is perfect for vehicles with
a rooftop tent and small boat trailer.
Butterfly Falls and Southern Lost City
campsites are better suited to a one- to
two-night stay for those wanting to enjoy
the swimming (April to July) or explore The Southern Lost City
the area. camping area is within
Campsites are cheap but must be walking distance of the
rock formations.
booked online.
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EXPLORE THE LOST CITIES the doorway to an inner sanctum. These

THE best 4x4 adventure in the park is the ‘lost cities’ are sandstone remnants of the
62km return trip to the Western Lost City. Arnhem Land Plateau, found in several
The narrow bush track wanders through places throughout the park and usually
the open forest of the Limmen Bight trend in a north-south direction.
River floodplain before passing through The narrow track is not overly technical
a narrow gap in a siliceous ridge. Beyond but low range may be needed in some
here, there’s a sense of anticipation as soft sandy sections. Allow four to five
the vegetation thickens and you eagerly hours return, and you’ll need a key code
search for the Lost City through the trees. for the gate from the information centre
Then suddenly, the towering blood- at the Nathan River Ranger Station. I’d
stained sentinels arrest your progress. recommend the afternoon for the best
“Halt! Who goes there?” you hear light and photography.
them call as you search for more stone- Farther south, a 2.5km meander
armoured warriors in the shadows of amongst the towers of the Southern Lost
this ancient fortress. Some balance giant City is a special way to start the day, with
boulders aloft, ready to hurl them down a third lost city to the west visible from
with lethal fury. the outlook, midway. The walk starts and
It’s a privilege to drive through this ends at the adjacent campsite and ducks
natural sandstone city, the trail ending and weaves its way through the sandstone
at a magnificent arch, which stands as monuments, guided by blue markers.
The Southern Lost City’s

sandstone formations.
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LORELLA SPRINGS Farther east, you could explore the

WILDERNESS PARK magnificent range country and lookout
WITH a million acres to explore, it’s a real at Walker’s Rock and there is some
shame that the spectacular family-owned wonderful riverside camping along Rosie
Lorella Springs wilderness sanctuary has Creek – but no swimming here as the
not been open to the general public in creek is home to several saltwater crocs.
2023, and seems unlikely at this stage to There’s some great fishing and crabbing
reopen in 2024. For the time being, it is amongst the many coastal tributaries,
only open to visitors who are part of pre- but it’s wild and remote and there’s no
booked tour groups. fresh water, fuel or help, but plenty of big
When open, the homestead at Lorella crocs, sharks and sandflies. Up-river the
Springs featured a licensed bush bar and numerous rock bars can be fatal for your
pet-friendly campground set against the outboard on a low tide so best to travel
backdrop of the Tawallah Range. There with a mate in a second boat, or at least
are hot showers, heaps of space and take a backup motor.
shade, plus a natural thermal spring for a The rewards are rich for the well-
refreshing swim. The bush bar is usually a prepared with all the tropical favourites
hub of social activities including feeding including queenfish, barra, mangrove
the freshwater croc, star-lit meals and jack, cod, trevally and the ever-tasty mud
cold beer. Basic cabin accommodation was crabs, but with a tag-and-release policy it’s
also available for those who booked well all about the fun.
ahead. Lorella Springs was always closed
There are more than a dozen gorges, during the wet season, from October to
thermal springs and secluded waterholes March, but in the dry season it was a
here. The pick of the swimming holes are must-visit destination for those travelling
Nudie Springs, Teardrop Falls, Nanny’s through this area. Hopefully it will
Retreat and the deep clear waters of reopen to the general public soon, and
Helicopter Falls. The access tracks can in due course we have been assured an
The 1.5km walking trail
be rough, rocky and sandy, so only take a announcement on the wilderness park’s
winds its way through
trailer if it and your tow vehicle are up for future will be made on the Lorella Springs
the rock formations.
the challenge. Facebook page. Keep an eye out …
NT Parks Pass
Website: nt.gov.au/parks/park-pass
Limmen NP
Phone: 08 8973 8888
Website: nt.gov.au/parks/find-a-park/
limmen-national-park
Lorella Springs
Phone: (08) 8975 9917
Website: www.lorellasprings.com.au
www.facebook.comlorellaspringsstation
The Western Lost City IT’S A LONG DRIVE
tracks weaves through BETWEEN DRINKS
some impressive WHETHER your thirst is for water, beer
formations. or fuel it’s a long way between ‘drinks’.
At best it is 550km between Borroloola
and Mataranka, but allowing for side trips
plan for 700 to 800km without a resupply
of fuel, water, or food. Water is available
at the Nathan River Ranger Station but
only take what you need. Roper Bar store
looks to be closed indefinitely, so the only
reliable option is Lorella Springs Station
between April and September.
Like any gulf road, the access road can
get very dusty and corrugated, especially
later in the dry season. The park is closed
for much of the wet season and there’s
little or no mobile phone reception.
THEN SUDDENLY, THE TOWERING BLOOD-

STAINED SENTINELS ARREST YOUR PROGRESS.
“HALT! WHO GOES THERE?”
PUBS
ADAVALE HOTEL,
ADAVALE, QUEENSLAND
PUB, STORE AND

POST OFFICE
THE PUB IN THIS TINY TOWN THRIVES WHEN THE TOURISTS ROLL IN.
A
davale is located in a 1974 and it made sense that the General there is anything you want to know
remote section of outback Store would take over the off-premise about Adavale’s story, Hell Hole Gorge
Queensland around 96km licence immediately after that event, or anything else, he is more than happy
north of Quilpie, with only and eventually the on-premise licence to help out.
Settled around 1865, Adavale was
WORDS AND PHOTOS GLENN MARSHALL
23km of that unsealed, and 187km west sometime later.

of Charleville, along a gravel road that As well as a pub, the Adavale Hotel gazetted in 1878 and at one time had a
is well maintained. Be warned – while is the tourist information centre and population of 300 residents. Back then
there are ice cold beers to be found in post office all in one. The pub is owned they would have enjoyed six pubs, a
Adavale, there is no fuel available here, by Koss Siwers, a former music teacher police station, Chinese market gardens,
with Quilpie the nearest if you need to from Brisbane, and he bought the place a bakery, a general store, a school, a
top up your rig. after driving through town and noticing hospital and a post office. These days
The current Adavale Hotel was a small cardboard ‘For Sale’ sign nailed you could transport the residents in one
developed by chance, only morphing to a tree. minibus, with the township home to just
into a pub when the Green Gates Hotel Koss is a happy fella and keen 15 souls.
burnt down while the townsfolk were historian who has explored this region There is an interpretive town walk
attending a funeral. That was back in extensively during his time here. If that offers some insight into what
Adavale was like when it was booming. One thing you’d least expect to find
The locals have developed a quirky in a place like Adavale is the Elegant
Outdoor Mini Museum in an old meat Emu, where Christina Zito offers a small BEERS:
house, and nearby is the Police Museum, selection of handmade and home-baked Cans of Guinness, XXXX Gold, XXXX
along with an outstanding photographic patisseries, along with a fabulous High Bitter, Great Northern Super Crisp and
ESSENTIALS
display on the external walls of the Tea Experience. You can also purchase Original
Shire Hall. ‘Christina For Fair Trade’ handbags
Free camping is encouraged beside here. For more information check out MEALS:
the Shire Hall and offers a coin-operated www.elegantemu.com or give Christina a Beef Croquettes & Chips $17
gas barbecue, toilet and shower, all just call on 0408 296 404. Fish & Chips $16
a short walk from the Adavale Hotel. The locals don’t visit the Adavale Seafood Basket $18
Make sure you drop some money into Hotel very often but not because of Koss; Outback Pie $7.50
the box for donations that go to the the story goes that the constabulary Sausage Roll $7
Royal Flying Doctor Service. There’s used to wait for the locals to finish Hot Chips $8
Coffee or tea
also free bush camping and fishing enjoying some liquid refreshments and
holes along Brigalow Creek; just ask then pull them over and breathalyse
Koss for directions.
Enjoy a meal and icy beverage

at the bar of The Adavale.
Once a booming outback town

servicing nearby sheep stations,
these days it's tourists that provide a
welcome boost to the local economy.
PUBS ADAVALE HOTEL, ADAVALE, QLD
them. There was also something about a made up of items that can be deep fried It may be remote, but
former owner of the pub mucking things or microwaved, this is a one-man show Adavale is not lacking
up with the locals. This means that these and Koss has to disappear into the small in modern services.
days it’s mostly tourism that keeps the kitchen to watch the frier as he doesn’t
pub going. want this pub to burn down like the
In the old days, Adavale was the end previous ones in Adavale. You can enjoy
of the line for Cobb & Co, and Koss can a meal and icy beverage at the bar, in
draw you a mud map so you can drive out the lounge or on the verandah.
to the hidden mail exchange out on the The pub is open every day from 8am
floodplain amongst a copse of gidgee. to midnight, from April to November,
There are also remnants of the old coach after which Koss returns to his wife in
road that can be seen in Adavale. Brisbane and the pub closes. There is
Grog for the pub comes via Australia someone who looks after the post office
Post, purchased through First Choice, while he is away from town. There are
as well as supplies from Quilpie or other times that Koss returns to
Charleville. Alcohol for the locals also Brisbane, so it is always best to phone
comes via the post and because the the pub to make sure the beers are cold
pub is also the post office, Koss knows and that the pub is open before dropping
exactly what they are buying. in.
While the food menu is limited and
DETAILS
PUB
ADAVALE HOTEL
PHONE: 0408 692 555

EMAIL: manager@adavalestore.com.au
WEBSITE: www.adavalestore.com.au
MANAGER/OWNER: Koss Siwers
ADDRESS: Shepherd Street, Adavale Qld 4474
PUB RATING
Adavale's quirky Outdoor

Museum that was once a
meat safe.
EXPLORE
KENNEDY RANGE-
MOUNT AUGUSTUS, WA
WORDS & PHOTOS KEV SMITH
EVERYTHING IS BIG IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND IF SIZE MATTERS TO

YOU, THEN THIS EPIC AND REMOTE TRIP THROUGH THE KENNEDY RANGE
NATIONAL PARK AND ON TO THE HUMONGOUS MOUNT AUGUSTUS IS A
MUST-DO ADVENTURE.
E are pretty lucky in Highway towards Gascoyne Junction. Kennedy Range turn-off, there are
Australia with so many With a good 450km drive to the remnants of an old cobbled road
‘big things’, whether they world’s biggest rock, I settled in for that early pioneers and drovers used.
be man-made or natural, the long haul on what seemed like an Constructed from local stone, the
so while on tour in our biggest state endless sealed road running beside wool wagon pathway was built around
I thought I’d check out one of the the Gascoyne River. 1920 for wagons on tracks that were
biggest natural wonders in the world: Taking a break at Gascoyne, I read little more than rough clearings
Mount Augustus. up on the Kennedy Range, which through the scrub. When it rained, all
After fueling up, restocking and was just 60km to the north, and but the high or stony areas turned to
a quick service of the Cruiser at where you can view stunning mud, and when it was dry the sandy
Carnarvon on WA’s mid-west coast, rock gorges and hike to natural ridges were almost impossible to
I headed east along the Carnarvon waterholes. On the way to the cross.
EXPLORE KENNEDY RANGE-MOUNT AUGUSTUS, WA
TOP 5 SPOTS
01
TEMPLE GORGE
Camp at Temple Gorge if you are keen
to tackle the many and variued walking
tracks that lead up into the Kennedy
Range.
Kennedy Range
IT’S a good dirt road into the park and for high-clearance 4x4s. Starting at across this unique plateau. My drive
straight away the eastern escarpment the northern end of the park, the track along the Loop Track ended at the mighty
seems to loom above you as you head heads into pastoral stations that over the Gascoyne River … and it should be noted
directly towards it, with its massive years have been bought to make up the that during the wet this river is totally
jagged outcrops and tall columns. To 3200km² park. From the start the track impassable. I crossed it when it was
describe it as an impressive sight would covers a variety of terrain including rows relatively dry but it was still wheel depth,
definitely be an understatement, as the of red dunes, narrow sections following and then there was another 200m of dry
250 million-year-old weathered rocks glow steep cliffs with endless views to the river sand to cross out of the Gascoyne.
in the sun no matter what angle you view east, and a maze of steep-sided canyons It would have taken decades of wet
them from. to drive through over sharp rocks and seasons and cyclone rain to carve the
Camping is allowed at Temple Gorge along washed-out creek beds. All the way river to its current depth, even though it’s
which is a good place to base yourself along the track the scenery is nothing nearly 200km to the coast. Just out of the
for the hikes into the ranges, whether short of spectacular with its ancient Gascoyne River, new campgrounds have
it be the stunning Sunrise, Honeycomb, rock formations, huge slabbed rock and been opened up on Winnemia Station. An
Drapers, Temple or the Escarpment Trail. massive gums. On the western boundary old workers’ cottage has been converted
Apparently this area was a shallow ocean of the range, a number of natural springs for campers with toilets, but it’s still
basin more than 200 million years ago give life to little pockets of the park. a remote camp and you’ll need to be
and with the complicated movements of Free camping is allowed up here but pretty well set up and self-sufficient, as
the earth and ocean receding, marine not too close to the water, as the animals Gascoyne is still two hours away. The Loop
fossils can still be found in the sandstone use it as their only water source, and Track was about 100km long, but with so
throughout this huge mesa that measures to think it was formed by a substantial much to see and do it took a good day to
an impressive 75km long by 25km wide. geological fault millions of years ago. explore it. This is a remote and isolated
Something else that caught my eye More than 400 plant species, more track that should only be attempted by
was the Kennedy Loop Track that covers than 100 different birds, and some 20 high-clearance vehicles and those who are
the top of the range and is only suitable mammal species have been recorded confident with remote-area travel.
HONEYCOMB
ROCK WALK
TOP 5 SPOTS
02
WINNEMIA STATION
Camp at Winnemia Station where an old
workers’ cottage has been converted for
campers with toilets, but be aware that it’s
still a remote camp.
THE LOOP TRACK IS A REMOTE AND ISOLATED TRACK THAT

SHOULD ONLY BE ATTEMPTED BY HIGH-CLEARANCE VEHICLES
AND THOSE WHO ARE CONFIDENT WITH REMOTE-AREA TRAVEL
Sunset casts its light over nearby

country and the ranges beyond.
The natural b
eauty of milli
years of eros ons of
ion.
Mount Augustus
MY priority on this trip was to head
to Mount Augustus, which I did by
heading back to Gascoyne Junction
and taking the dirt Carnarvon-
Mullewa Road and the Cobra Dairy
Creek Road towards the rock for
another 300km.
Of course, most people who have
been to Uluru reckon it’s a pretty
big rock but Mount Augustus is next
level! It’s visible from 60km away and
is two-and-a-half times larger than base of Mount Augustus to both view
Uluru, and estimated to be over 1800 this huge monster from different
million years-old. angles and to explore the variety of TOP 5 SPOTS
Just like the Kennedy Ranges, it hikes into and up the mountain. The
03
was formed by a complex process that hikes are graded 3 and 4, depending
began when the inland sea dried up, on their length. Experienced hikers
the earth moved and a weathering can attempt the summit walk but KENNEDY LOOP TRACK
process started. Marine layers are it’s an extreme and difficult hike; Drive the Kennedy Loop Track that covers
still visible in the area away from the other smaller walks provide access the top of the range, but note that it’s only
rock. to significant areas and are as short suitable for high-clearance 4x4s.
The only place to stay here is on as 200m. The Wajarri people call this
Mount Augustus Station where you’ll area home and once upon a time
have stunning views of the rock from they would roam across the Gascoyne
your camp, especially at sunrise. region, rehydrating at the natural
One of the best things you can do springs at the base of the mountain
here is the 45km drive around the that always provided a reliable water
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source even in times of drought. Mount Augustus is an inselberg

TOP 5 SPOTS Some of the shorter walks around which means it’s an island mountain,
here lead to places where the Wajarri just like one that would rise from the
04
MOUNT AUGUSTUS
people left engravings in the rocks.
These petroglyphs depict an amazing
sea. It bursts out of the arid landscape
of mid-eastern WA and stands an
array of animal, human and dreamtime impressive 715m high, surrounded by a
Take the 45km drive around the base of engravings. There are plenty of areas to mixture of wattles, spinifex and cassia.
Mount Augustus to view this huge monster sit and ponder what the symbols mean, While the underrated rock that is
from different angles and to explore the
as well as who carved them and why Mount Augustus might be figuratively
variety of hikes into and up the mountain.
they did so here. Other walks lead to overshadowed by that other rock called
cattle soaks and across dry waterways, Uluru, it’s well worth the effort to visit
and there are spectacular views across this impressive landmark in the west,
what seem like desolate plains. along with nearby Kennedy Range.
MOUNT AUGUSTUS BURSTS OUT OF THE ARID LANDSCAPE

AND STANDS AN IMPRESSIVE 715M HIGH, SURROUNDED BY A
MIXTURE OF WATTLES, SPINIFEX AND CASSIA
As monoliths go, Mount Augustus

dwarfs its more famous cousin
Uluru in size.
KENNEDY RANGE-MOUNT
MOUNT AUGUSTUS, WA
TRAVEL PLANNER
AUGUSTUS
ROCK ART
WHERE
The Kennedy Range NP entry is almost 200km
east of Carnarvon on a good sealed road, while the
Kennedy Loop Track is unsealed and very much
unmaintained, so driving it is at your own risk.
Mount Augustus is a farther 260km past Gascoyne
on good unsealed roads, which may be closed in
wet weather. Or you can drive in from Meekatharra
which is 350km away.
TOP 5 SPOTS A SEASONAL ADVENTURE

Camping is available at Temple Gorge in the Kennedy
05
Ranges and at Mt Augustus Tourist Park. Don’t
attempt exploring this area during summer, as the
ART daytime temperatures can cause a variety of health
Check out the petroglyphs at Mount issues including death. Drink plenty of water and
Augustus that depict an amazing array of be safe.
animal, human and dreamtime engravings.
MORE INFORMATION
Most information for this area can either be found
online, through the WA Parks and Wildlife Service in
Gascoyne Junction, or by contacting the Carnarvon
Visitor Centre regarding the Kennedy Range or
Mount Augustus Tourist park, phone (08) 9943 0527.
EXPLORE
CONNIE SUE
HIGHWAY, WA
WORDS AND PHOTOS RON & VIV MOON
THE CONNIE SUE
HIGHWAY MIGHT NOT
BE AS FAMOUS AS
OTHER LEN BEADELL
W E had left the tiny
outpost of Rawlinna,
Western Australia in the
mid-afternoon a little
later than expected
as one of the vehicles had developed
alternator trouble. While Rob had
Fortescue Metals Group for supposedly
future green energy and carbon-
reduction projects; not sure if the fence
will be of any benefit for that though!
We had joined the Connie Sue
Highway (CSH) on the eastern side of
Rawlinna siding, where a rough sign
stripped said alternator in an effort to fix indicated we were at the right place
ROADS, BUT IT’S STILL it, it was to no avail, so while he headed and heading in the right direction. The
to Kalgoorlie to get a new one, we struck last time I had been here was more than
A CRACKER DRIVE to the north, and would meet up with 30 years ago and the track wasn’t much
him at Warburton in a few days’ time. different, or at least the start of it didn’t
FOR THOSE AFTER A Rawlinna has been a major railway seem any different to what it was back
siding from the time the Trans Australian then.
REMOTE OUTBACK Railway was established in 1917 to As previously indicated, the road
the demise of the steam engines in that became the CSH had first been
EXPERIENCE. 1951 that had once necessitated a established when Len Beadell (www.
major engine support facility in the lenbeadell.com.au) and his famed
town. With diesel-electric trains now Gunbarrel Road Construction Party
hauling people and freight across the (GRCP) started pushing a track north
continent, the railway siding has seen from the Anne Beadell Highway to
less and less maintenance workers, Warburton in August 1962. In October
but it is not completely abandoned of that year, the party returned to what
with occasional telephone people and Len called Neale Junction and pushed
railway maintenance crews still making a track south to the railway line, all his
use of its facilities. Today, the weekly tracks being part of the A-bomb and
Indian-Pacific train stops here for a ICBM tests that Britain was conducting
barbecue so passengers can get a ‘real’ in the 1950s and ’60s. Today those tracks,
taste of the remoteness. And the hamlet nearly 6000km of them, make up one of
gets a huge influx of people during the great 4x4 desert adventures in the
the annual Nullarbor Muster, usually country.
held during April; the 41st running of For the first 50km or so we crossed
the event is scheduled for 2024 (www. near treeless limestone plains on what
nullarbormuster.org). was the edge of the vast Nullarbor
Rawlinna Station, the biggest sheep Plain, but as we slowly pushed on,
property in Australia (and the world) at more trees and scrub began to appear.
more than 10,000km² (2.5 million acres), Station tracks crossed the Connie Sue at
runs between 60,000 and 80,000 sheep, numerous spots but the ‘highway’, while
and has its main homestead about 11km still not much more than a dozer blade
south-west of the railway siding. It was, swipe across the ground, was distinctive
rather surprisingly in the pastoral history enough that there was no danger of
of Australia, only established in 1962. taking the wrong turn. After an easy run,
That was about the same time as the considering the late start, we pulled up
first tentative steps were made to push for the night’s camp about 90km north of
a track, later to become the Connie Sue Rawlinna.
Highway, south from Warburton to the After we got away the next morning,
railway line. the track condition remained reasonable
Just getting to Rawlinna is an and arrow straight, heading almost true
adventure in itself. The easiest way is north. About 15km from our camp, and
from Kalgoorlie where a good graded 105km from Rawlinna, an Aboriginal
road, paralleling the railway line, runs Business Road (no access) joins the CSH
380km to Rawlinna. A rough track from and immediately the road condition
the east also follows the railway line, improves, becoming wider and more
while another limestone studded route recently graded. A shelter shed and
heads north from Cocklebiddy on the water tank nearby make for a popular
Eyre Highway. No matter which way you campsite, but having just started out
come though, you’ll pass along some of for the day we pushed on, just stopping
the 370km long dingo-proof fence that to see if the tank had water, which it
skirts the Rawlinna sheep property, did. Nearly 70km north from where the
recently sold to ‘Twiggy’ Forrest’s business road joins the CSH, it spears off
EXPLORE CONNIE SUE HIGHWAY, WA
NEALE
JUNCTION
to the north-east and the small remote poplars – the latter having been given a of the Neale Junction Nature Reserve,
Aboriginal community of Tjuntjuntjarra. hard time by the feral camels. Then we we were deep within the 349,000km²
Here again, at this second major crossed the first of a few widely spaced Great Victoria Desert, the largest
junction, there is another shelter and red dunes, making us feel like we were desert in Australia. Much of this desert
water tank. really in desert country at last. country is open woodland with spinifex
The country and vegetation changed We continued on the CSH which was, understory, but the stately marble gum
quite a bit as we cruised north on the at that moment, a well-formed double- is one endemic species, while black oak
CSH – first across bluebush plains with track through the scrub in a near straight trees are more widespread but equally
some large stands of trees here and line, with the road surface as smooth spectacular. The desert supports more
there, into mulga scrub, and then mallee as you could want. Only occasionally than 100 species of reptiles and more
scrub, with a thick covering of spinifex were there any corrugations or a few than 200 bird species, along with 20 or
and hardly any bluebush anywhere. low rocky limestone outcrops to mar the so different mammals, but apart from
We were soon passing through more smooth running, and we made good time the birds, the most common animals
treed areas with native pine and white cruising at around 75km/h. you’ll see are the bloody camels and the
gums along with small stands of desert As we crossed the southern boundary occasional wily dingo.
Kids at Aboriginal family

Warburton near Warburton 1960.
Mission in the
late 1950s.
RAWLINNA
RAILWAY
STATION
Rawlinna railway
station is pretty
quiet these days
Ernest Giles had crossed through where the Anne Beadell Highway corrugations, while thick patches of
this vast desert near here in September (another of Len Beadell’s roads) crosses mulga slowed our group to a crawl.
1875 and he and his party were in a the CSH. Here you’ll find a small We turned off the main track and
dire situation before they discovered campground complete with shelter shed, wound our way through thick vegetation
life-giving water at what Giles called water tank and a few fireplaces, making that got even thicker as white gums
Queen Victoria Springs, some 220km it a good spot to stop. heralded a section of flood-out country,
farther west. David Lindsay, in charge of The next morning we pushed on, our the ground covered in a mat of thick
the Elder Scientific Expedition of 1891- route winding through dunes before grass. Suddenly, we broke out of the
92, crossed a little more to the north, exiting the nature reserve and then foliage and had an escarpment of red
while inveterate explorer Frank Hann heading over vast slightly undulating rock beside us as we made our way
explored much of this area during the sand plains, much of them thickly across a bluebush dotted plain to a small
early 1900s. speckled by ironstone pebbles. With less camping spot tucked in amongst the low
That evening, after travelling a lot maintenance, the track was decidedly carmine-coloured bluffs of Point Lillian.
easier and a lot quicker than those early more demanding and included washouts Frank Hann was the first European
explorers, we stopped at Neale Junction and long stretches of teeth-chattering to reach this spot in June 1903 and on
There was no problem with Len Len Beadell

throwing down his swag on the doing what
new road . he was
famous for.
EXPLORE CONNIE SUE HIGHWAY, WA
subsequent trips he visited here a total of long-ago human habitation, but the around the almost imperceptible
of eight times, the last in September only recent signs were of wallabies and undulations of the Cooper Hills. These
1908 when he was attacked by a small kangaroos. We didn’t find any water in rocky hills give rise to the ephemeral
party of Aboriginal men and was lucky to the gullies but if any did flow through, it Cooper Creek which crosses the CSH
escape with his life. would stay here longer than elsewhere about 5km farther north, where a short
The following morning we found our given the protection from the sun and sidetrack leads to the Cooper Hills
way to the top of the plateau to the east wind offered by the rock walls and thick Bore. We stopped to check out this solar-
of our camp and then wandered south scrub. powered bore, and after a bit of fiddling
where a sharp-edged east-west running Pleased with our exertions and with the wiring got the pump working,
gorge halted our progress. Finding our explorations we headed back to camp rewarding us with a flow of beautiful
way down into the canyon via a smaller and had a brew before heading out to water.
less-steep chasm, we scrambled over the main track and continuing north on Back on the Connie we soon passed
rocks and around and through the the CSH. We passed the track to Point the turn-off to Sykes Bluff and then
branches of pine trees and mulga to Sandercock, another bluff named by Ryans Bluff before taking the track
eventually find a large cave, its walls Hann, and continued along the CSH out to Woods Pass and Woods Gnamma
adorned with ancient Aboriginal painted running north-east for 15km before Hole, all spots named by Hann in his
rock art. The cave floor showed signs tracking north-west for a short distance exploration in 1903. While stopped at
One of the caves in This blue flyer_

the main gorge. or female red
kangaroo are
common here.
CONNIE SUE HIGHWAY,
There’s plenty of WA
action at the night
rodeo. TRAVEL PLANNER
Woods Pass for a bite to eat, we found camp we veered right at a junction and
one of the campers had a broken the route became easier as we left the
camber adjustment bolt on the trailing
arm, so we spent a bit of time replacing
dunes and ironstone hills behind. The
country improved too, with introduced
1. Go to Rawlinna’s Nullarbor Muster
that. buffel grass replacing the spinifex, and

Turning on to the CSH we soon
passed Hanns Tabletop Hill, named in
an indication that this area was once
cattle grazing country, while white-
2. Camp at Neale Junction
honour of the wide wandering explorer barked snappy gums dotted the line of
by geologist H. Talbot in 1916. Farther the briefly flowing Elder Creek just off 3.. Check out Point Lillian Aboriginal art
north a track leads out to Sydney Yeo

Chasm, and then a short distance later
to our east.
Suddenly we came on to the wide- 4 Visit Mackenzie Gorge
to Waterfall Gorge, but sadly both of graded Great Central Road and turned
these places have been declared out-
of-bounds by the Traditional Owners
east for the 4km or so of smooth road
to the large Aboriginal community
5. Don’t miss Woods Pass and Woods
Gnamma Hole
as they are of great importance to the of Warburton. Our journey along the
CONTACTS
local Aboriginal people. We pushed on, Connie Sue Highway was nearly over, Ngaanyatjarra Council – WA
pulling up to camp just off the Connie but with a few things needing repair or To obtain a permit to traverse the Connie Sue
and on the edge of Mackenzie Gorge, replacement we took the opportunity Highway you can apply online at: www.wa.gov.au/
which was an enjoyable spot to watch for a shower and to wash clothes at government/document-collections/apply-permit-
the sun set far to the west. the well-established roadhouse and access-or-travel-through-aboriginal-land
Track conditions the following caravan park. Warburton Roadhouse, phone: (08) 8956 7656.
morning alternated between easy It had certainly been a memorable Western Desert Mechanical, Warburton – basic
going and corrugated, then 50km from trip. repairs and recovery
Outback Recovery – Laverton, phone: 0428 196
Wide open 306
expanses are seen
from each low EMAIL
crest reception@ngaanyatjarra.org.au
WHERE
It’s a 635km drive from Rawlinna to Warburton.
FUEL
There is no fuel at Rawlinna, nor any services.
Rawlinna is 145km north of Cocklebiddy on the
Eyre Highway (the closest fuel).
MAPS
Best maps are Hema’s Great Desert Tracks guide
or Westprint’s The Beadell Roads.
THE AUSTRALIAN AUTOMOTIVE 4X4 MARKET HAS A RICH AND PROUD HERITAGE. FOR YEARS LOCAL DESIGN, INGENUITY
AND MANUFACTURING HAS CREATED MANY FANTASTIC FOUR WHEEL DRIVE RELATED PRODUCTS.
AT 4X4 AUSTRALIA WE ARE PROUD TO SHOWCASE AND SUPPORT TRULY AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERED AND MANUFACTURED
PRODUCTS - HERE ARE A FEW AUSSIE MANUFACTURERS KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE, HELPING TO KEEP THE LOCAL MANU-
FACTURING INDUSTRY THRIVING AND KEEPING PEOPLE IN REAL JOBS.
SO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL AUSSIE MADE PRODUCTS.
THIS MONTH WE TALK

FLASHLUBE
What makes you different
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lube Valve Saver kit remains the only Chile this year, however all these years later, We are always developing more fitting kits
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PROMOTE YOUR
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Brand Sales Manager 4x4 Australia
PRODUCTS HERE E Scott.Crowley@aremedia.com.au
ASK US HOW M 0410 221 434
GEAR
PRODUCT TESTS & NEW STUFF
ARB PORTABLE HIGH
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COMPRESSOR
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while a heavy-duty maxi-fuse provides
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RRP: $579
WEBSITE: www.arb.com.au
DIRECTION PLUS 4WD claimed to meet the specifications set by

FILTRATION leading manufacturers of diesel fuel injection
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DIRECTION PLUS TRANSMISSION COOLER
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The Penthouse is Bushwakka’s latest rooftop tent. It boasts an

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OPPOSITE LOCK BULL BAR

FOR FORD RANGER
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gear
ZEROFIT BASELAYER
The Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate Baselayer is designed to keep hikers,
bikers, campers, farmers, sailors, skiers, anglers and golfers
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ANDERSON PLUG MOUNTS
Off Road Downunder has released two Australian-designed
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The Universal Anderson Plug/Holder mounting brackets are
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coated Australian steel with a zinc enriched undercoat for
corrosion resistance. All the stainless-steel hardware is supplied;
lugs are sold separately. Mounting bracket APHMB-169L
measures 169mm (l) x 40mm (w) x 2mm (h) and APHMB-244L is
244mm (l) x 40mm (w) x 2mm (h).
RRP: $34.99, however they are currently on special for
$29.95
WEBSITE: www.offroaddownunder.com.au
HULK 4X4 ROCK LIGHT RANGE

HULK 4X4 Rock Lights are available as single
lights or in kits of four, and they provide a
brilliant white light with a wide 120° beam to
enhance visibility and create an immersive
atmosphere. For those who want to mix it up
to match their mood, the RGBW Rock Light
kit features 38 different lighting combinations
of shade, brightness, flashing and solid
modes. With Bluetooth connectivity, light
settings can be adjusted from the comfort of
your camp chair using your smartphone.
Whether exploring rocky trails or adding
a lighting boost to your vehicle, the HULK
4X4 LED White and RGBW Rock Lights
are claimed to deliver exceptional lighting
performance and, thanks to durable
construction and advanced LED technology,
are built to withstand rugged conditions.
RRP: $159.95 (4-pack LED RGBW Rock
Light Kit w/ Bluetooth)
IRONMAN 4X4 M-SERIES ICECUBE FRIDGES
Ironman 4x4 says the M-Series portable fridge/freezer is built to
withstand harsh Australian conditions where ambient temperatures
can reach 40°C and above.
Boasting almost twice the capacity of the 43L unit, the new 70L
single-zone fridge/freezer has plenty of space to store enough
food and drinks to keep a family operating off-grid for extended
trips, while the 65L dual-zone fridge/freezer combines two
GOUGH PLASTICS VERTICAL SLIMLINE TANKS independently controlled zones, either of which can be set within
Gough Plastics has released vertical slimline tanks that are suitable the temperature range of -18°C to +14°C; the smaller compartment
for water or diesel. The slimline tanks are available in two options: offers 27.5L of storage and the larger compartment 37L.
a 55L wellbody tank and a 65L canopy tank. The stylish, slimline Both units feature a robust steel exterior, Bluetooth connectivity
design includes a 40mm lockable filler cap and sight-tube level gauge, and an industry-renowned Secop refrigeration compressor. Each
and can be optioned in UV-stabilised food-grade polyethylene or Ironman 4×4 M-Series IceCube portable fridge/freezer also comes
UV-stabilised diesel-grade polyethylene depending on requirements. with with a complementary protective cover.
Mounting brackets or a strap-in options are offered, as are a gravity- RRP: $1179 (65L dual-zone); $1099 (70L single-zone)
feed or pump options, while hose kits are available for water or diesel. WEBSITE: www.ironman4x4.com
Gough Plastic pump options include a submersible low-pressure
high-flow (approx. 12L/min) water pump, a submersible high-flow
(approx. 17L/min) diesel pump or a diaphragm high-pressure (40psi)
low-flow (approx. 3.8L/min) pump.
The 55-litre wellbody tanks fit most dual-cab utes below the
tonneau cover and sit in the gap between cargo drawers and the tub
wall. The wellbody tanks also fit the wheel arches in dual-cab tubs and
measure 1295mm (l) x 175mm (w) x 445mm (h). Outlets use a ½-inch
brass BSP connection.
The 65-litre canopy tanks may be used for drop-side utes, open
tray-backs or inside the canopy, taking up minimal space. The outlet
is a ½-inch poly BSP and the tank measures 1590mm (l) x 120mm (w)
x 590mm (h).
RRP: From $286 (ex GST) 55L Wellbody Water Tank (pumps,
hoses and brackets extra); from $313.50 (ex GST) 65L Canopy
Water Tank (pumps, hoses and brackets extra)
WEBSITE: www.gough.com.au/vertical-slimline-tanks.html
IRONMAN 4X4 RAID BAR FOR

70 SERIES LANDCRUISER
Ironman 4x4 says its Raid series of bullbars
combine a sleek urban design with improved
approach angle and frontal protection,
light mounting and up to 12,000lb winch
compatibility.
Raid bars are made from 3mm-thick steel
and feature 5mm steel for the winch cradle
which is mounted to the chassis for optimum
strength. The bars incorporate 16mm steel
rated recovery points with non-abrasive
radius edges and elongated holes to suit
various types of shackles, and these are
powder-coated red for high visibility and rated
at 5000kg each. There is provision for fitment
of a range of light bars and driving lights.
The Raid series of bars are designed to
work with the vehicle’s OEM safety features
and Ironman 4x4 performs in-house FEA and
ADR-compliance testing.
RRP: $2299
WEBSITE: www.ironman4x4.com
gear
MSA 4X4 LANDCRUISER 100 SERIES

TOWING MIRRORS
MSA 4X4 Toyota LandCruiser 100 Series (1998-2007) Towing
Mirrors can be used for towing as well as everyday driving.
KRIMPED FOLDING ANTENNA BRACKET They feature a large single mirror that pivots on a heavy-duty
The Krimped Folding Antenna Bracket is a heavy-duty fold-down extension slide and can be set in four positions, with the non-
stainless-steel bracket that has been designed to mount anything from towing position ideal for manoeuvring in tight spots and the
large UHF antennas and sand flags to LED buggy whips. towing positions allowing for good visibility towing wide trailers.
The Krimped Folding Antenna Bracket has six points of folding The mirrors which are ADR compliant for the 100 Series
adjustment so squeezing under low-level car parks is a piece of cake. LandCruiser are available in black or chrome, and with manual
The bracket can be easily fitted to a bullbar or roof rack so long as or electric adjustment. On vehicles with the pre-existing
there’s a 16mm mounting hole. electric feature, where the angle of the mirror is controlled
The durable stainless-steel bracket and hardware is powder-coated electronically by a switch, the electric model option is required.
black, and measures 50mm (l) x 60mm (w) x 60mm (h) and weighs Others will require the manual model option.
850g. RRP: $877 (electric); $821 (manual)
RRP: $59.99 WEBSITE: www.msa4x4.com.au
WEBSITE: www.outbackequipment.com.au
79 SERIES REDBACK EXHAUST

Redback Exhausts has engineered a twin exhaust system
that will improve the sound, efficiency and aesthetics of your
79 Series Landcruiser. Redback Exhausts have been in the
exhaust business for thirty years and their systems are proudly
Australian-made.
The Redback Extreme Duty Twin 4-inch exhaust kit for the
79 Series Dual Cab Ute has been engineered to maximise
its usability with a slot on top of the tips brackets that allow
installers to adjust the tips to wherever you want them, allowing
avoidance of items such as toolboxes, mud flaps, water
tanks. Expect to pay from $2099 for this exhaust kit and add
something for shipping and installation.
The 4-inch exhaust system is a twin DPF Back exhaust is
409 Stainless Steel Tubes, coated with premium heat-proof
paint. The flange plates are 10mm thick and use 4 bolts to
connect and the fire ring gaskets are pressed. There is a
removable plug boss for the EGT, and the hanger brackets are
extreme duty.
WEBSITE: www.redbackexhausts.com.au
PRICE: From $2099
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GEAR
TESTED – ARB SKYDOME SERIES II SINGLE SWAG AND BAG
RON GETS HIS

SWAGGER ON
A TOP-QUALITY SWAG AND A BEAUT BAG TO PACK IT IN.
I
HAVE been sleeping in a wide variety of swags for so long, The outer shell of the Swag Bag is made from tough Oxford-
it’s hard to remember when I first caught my slumber in a weave PU-coated fabric, while all seams are heat-sealed and
bed roll protected by canvas. Since then, swags have been taped to ensure protection from rain and dust. The large top
improved and upgraded, and I’ve long-since graduated to opening features a roll-up closure with straps and buckles to
a dome-shaped, tent-like swag. When my previous Aussie- create a good seal from dust and water ingress, as long as you
made swag required replacement, I borrowed my son’s ARB don’t try and stuff too much into the bag – there are no zips or
swag to check it out. Impressed, I went out and picked ARB’s Velcro to help seal this top opening, so you need to ensure the
latest Skydome Series II Single Swag, grabbing a Swag Bag at roll-up is secure.
the same time and throwing both in the HiLux before heading There are grab handles at each end and a removable
out to the desert for five weeks. shoulder strap, which I quickly gave the heave-ho. All in all,
WORDS AND PHOTOS RON MOON
Now, let’s get the elephant out of the room quickly. Yep, the bag is extremely durable, ensuring its contents remain
these swags and bags are made in China, but if China can clean and dry.
launch rockets to the moon it can certainly make a good
quality swag and bag, and there’s no doubt both the ARB swag THE SWAG
and bag are up at the top end of the quality stakes, no matter THE ARB Skydome Swag comes in single and double
how you measure it. configurations, but with Viv insisting she has already spent
way too much time in a swag, I opted for a single swag for my
THE SWAG BAG solitary travels.
THE bag itself is available in two sizes, small and large, with When fully erected the swag is very roomy, measuring
the small one being suitable for the swag I wanted to protect. 2150mm long by 1400mm wide, and having a height at the
head and shoulder end of 800mm, meaning most people Like any canvas product you are strongly advised to wet
would be able to sit up without any issues. Foot height is the swag down before you use it, so I duly erected it and
450mm, and there are plenty of storage options inside with then hosed it down thoroughly before leaving on my trip.
four internal storage pockets, as well as two hanging hooks This ensures all sewing and seams have the thread swell to
and a torch holder. fill each and every sewing hole. Throughout our ensuing five-
For sleeping comfort there is a 75mm thick high-density week trip, even though it was cold and wet on a few nights, I
foam mattress featuring anti-microbial treatment, with a had no issue with water ingress.
machine washable cover. On this trip I set the swag up on my old camp stretcher
The all-important material for the top of the swag is heavy (ARB has its own) and while there are flaps at each end you
-duty 500gsm water and rot-proofed canvas, fully tested to can open to allow more airflow, it was so cold on our trip
meet Australian standards. The 970gsm PVC base with its (below freezing on a few nights) opening any flap was not an
75mm high-tub design offers excellent protection against option. Still, they can be fully opened or partly opened with
water ingress, just in case your swag ends up in a big puddle guy ropes to hold them in place if need be – I didn’t!
– not unknown when camping in our outback. As a second I’m impressed with this swag and I reckon it’s one of the
defence, corners are welded and sealed, and PVC anchor tabs best available on the Aussie market. It’s roomy and
are used to prevent water wicking through the seams. comfortable and proved to be wind- and water-proof. Its top
All doors and windows feature excellent YKK zips, while a quality materials – canvas, tub, zips and mesh – point to a
rain gutter is integrated into the main entry door to inhibit long and durable life and I look forward to many years of
water ingress. The sewing on all seams is first-class, ensuring travelling and sleeping in it.
the best possible wear-and-tear characteristics. The swag also
features additional canvas flaps and insect-proof mesh in
the roof zone and at each end, helping enhance airflow for
increased comfort on those warmer nights.
Durable, elasticised 11mm aluminium bows (way better RRP
than fibreglass bows) keep the swag upright and taught. $549 (SINGLE); $699 (DOUBLE); $159 (SINGLE
However, having three bows and two lengthwise support BAG); $189 (DOUBLE BAG)
RATED
struts mean the swag is a little slower (a minute or so) to

AVAILABLE FROM: www.arb.com.au
erect and pull down than others with just two bows and one
lengthwise pole. But the room inside the swag and its ability
WE SAY: Both swag and bag are top quality, well-designed
to withstand the elements when in the wild makes the extra
and durable. The swag is roomy and comfortable and can
support and time to erect well worthwhile. All up weight of
handle everything nature throws at it.
the swag (without sleeping gear) is 10.5kg.
VENTILATE
Flaps and
guy ropes are
positioned at
either end, to
increase airflow.
ZIP LINE
Don’t overfill
the bag and it’ll
zip-up without
issue.
OCT 2023 READERS WANT TO SEE YOUR 4x4
PUBLISHED IN THE MAG?
RIGS SEND US A PIC VIA OUR

FACEBOOK PAGE!
JACK MACPHERSON
2002 TOYOTA
HILUX SR5
It is the 1KT-ZE 3.0-litre turbo-diesel. The
modifications I have added since ownership include
a steel bar; XTM spotlights; Kingone winch; Uniden
UHF; 31-inch Hankook MT2 tyres; straight-through
exhaust; single rear drawer with a fridge slide; 60-litre
myCOOLMAN; Dune 2.5m awning (270° to come
soon); HD Prorack roof racks with custom MAXTRAX
mounting system; and a two-inch Fulcrum lift kit is
about two weeks away. It also has a 140amp AGM dual-
battery system with a solar controller for solar input. It
came with a Safari snorkel and TJM canopy.
The best places I have taken the HiLux would
have to be Fraser Island (K’gari), and into the heart
of both the Barrington Tops and the Watagans. I’m
planning a trip that will include Robe to Beachport,
the Great Ocean Road, the Victorian High Country,
Kosciuszko and the NSW South Coast.
CORY BECKETT
2019 TOYOTA
LANDCRUISER 200 SERIES
A trip to Cape York was the best place I’ve taken it, but it
was cut short due to COVID lockdowns. We went up in July
2021, hightailed straight to the tip from Western Victoria,
with the plan to take our time home. We just got to Loyalty
Beach when we got the phone call from home saying NSW
was closing the border to Qld. So we had to pack up and
head home. I had to get a service in Cairns, so most of the
group went home through SA, but that border closed before
I could get out of Qld. The car spent three months in Qld battery; tow pack; Safety Dave camera cable; Rhino-Rack
until I could get it home. It was still an awesome trip, but I Tradesman rack with Tred mounting brackets; Rhino-Rack
need to go back at some stage and do it properly. awning; shovel holder brackets; 285/65R18 Toyo A/T II
Mods include a Raslarr rear bar with twin jerry-can Extreme tyres; Clearview Next Gen towing mirrors; Safari
holder and spare-wheel carrier; 4T GVM upgrade with two- Armax snorkel; Drifta rear drawer with fridge slide; Stedi
inch lift; Airbag Man airbags; TJM T13 outback bar; 12,000lb Type-X Pro spotlights; Telstra Cel-Fi mobile repeater; vent-
TJM Torq winch; dual-battery system with a 150Ah lithium mounted GME XRS UHF radio; and more.
4X4AUSTRALIA.COM.AU @4X4AUS @4X4AUSTRALIANMAG
SHAHAB BANGASH
2008 HUMMER H3
ADVENTURE
This picture was taken at Moreton Island, and the best place
I’ve taken it to was The Springs 4x4 Park in Queensland. Lots of
modifications… and lots of accessories.
KAYDE WOODS
2020 FORD RANGER

It’s running Superior Engineering remote-res front struts set
at three inches of lift, with 35-inch tyres and custom sliders. It
also has a dual-battery set-up behind the rear seat that powers
my fridge in the tub. The best place I’ve taken this fourbie is
to Janowen Hills 4WD Park (in Queensland), spent with good
mates and family.
JAMIE ROACH
1997 NISSAN
NAVARA D22
It has the QD32 motor, and mods
include aftermarket suspension; a
large diesel tank; aftermarket
headlights; Stedi light bar and driving
lights; custom-made centre console/
roof console; and a cut-off exhaust
(sounds like a tractor). There are too
many mods to remember. Best trip was
to Split Rock Dam in NSW.
0 1 0 9 5 5 9 KM
4X4 SHED
DATE ACQUIRED: JULY 2023
MAHINDRA SCORPIO Z8L PRICE: $45,990
AV FUEL: 11.2L/100KM
HIT FOR SIX
WE GET A MONTH WITH MAHINDRA’S NEW SCORPIO
SIX-SEAT WAGON THAT REINFORCES OUR INITIAL
IMPRESSIONS AFTER MORE TIME BEHIND THE WHEEL.
F
OLLOWING on from the Australian in both its size and rugged construction. It’s
launch of Mahindra’s fifth-generation comparable to a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport but
Scorpio 4x4 wagon, and having also not as big as an Isuzu MU-X or Ford Everest.
sampled it in India, we were keen to put It’s sold in Australia as a six-seater with
some more kilometres on one as a daily comfortable leather-covered bucket seats
driver and weekend tripper, so we grabbed a for the first and second rows and a two-seat
Scorpio Z8L for a month. pew across the back. While this configuration
Our Scorpio arrived with 9000km on the provides extra shoulder room for second-row
clock and as one of the earliest cars into passengers, the third-row seat is not a great fit
the country it wasn’t equipped with Apple and it massively eats into the cargo space. We
CarPlay. As one of those options that once imagine many owners removing that third-row
you’ve used regularly, you can’t live without, seat, and we feel the Scorpio would be better
we were straight off to the Mahindra dealer to sold as a conventional two-row five-seater.
have CarPlay installed, along with a few other As a driver the Scorpio cabin is comfortable,
computer updates. easy to use and well-equipped, but it is missing
It only took a short time to instal and we’re a few essentials like the rear-row airbags and
happy to say it all works well, and the trip reach adjustment for the steering column.
gave us a chance to hit some backroads in the There’s no AEB, lane-keeping assist or radar
Scorpio. Our earlier drives on the new wagon cruise control, normally considered essential
had already told us that the engineers had safety features. The Scorpio has a five-star
done an impressive job with the suspension, Global NCAP rating, but the omission of these
and hitting some roads that were in pretty poor features will prevent it from achieving this on
condition reaffirmed those beliefs. The Scorpio the ANCAP standard and might keep it off the
handles well for a body-on-frame vehicle with shopping lists of some family buyers.
excellent body control and dynamics. Over our month with the Scorpio it has been
The 2.2-litre diesel engine and six-speed used by a few members of the 4x4 Australia
automatic transmission combination delivers team with a common theme being that after
surprisingly quiet and refined performance, but initial concerns with a relatively unknown
with just 129kW and 400Nm on offer it is no brand, most drivers liked the vehicle the more
rocket ship and you need to plan your back- time they spent driving it. This usage included
roads overtaking manoeuvres well. Our only on- and off-road driving, chasing other test cars
complaint with the driveline is some backlash around on photo shoots, and general family use.
driving at low speeds when on and off the Overall we reckon the Scorpio is a great value
throttle, and this is all too common in stop-start for money package, but needs those now
Melbourne traffic. commonplace safety features and some small
The Scorpio is not a big wagon and could refinements to make it a true competitor in the
be compared to the old XJ Jeep Cherokee 4x4 wagon market.
THE ESSENTIAL NUMBERS AND PRICES OF EVERY 4X4 ON SALE IN AUSTRALIA
REAR VIEW
4X4 AUSTRALIA LOOKS BACK AT THE CHANGES IN THE INDUSTRY, THE RISE IN
OUTBACK TOURING, THE EVOLUTIONARY SOPHISTICATION OF 4X4S, AND MORE
23 YEARS AGO – OCT 2000

What?! Why 23 years ago? Well, Ron headed off to Africa (where Ron is right now, ironically) and an
Africa the other day having supplied copy for the update on the 2001 Outback Challenge.
November issue instead of October, and Deano On the vehicle front there was a diesel wagon
couldn’t find an October 1993 issue in his files, so comparison test that looked at the Land Rover
October 2000 will have to suffice. Discovery TD5, Nissan Patrol ZD30 and Toyota
News in this issue included spy shots of a Prado 3.0TD – with no clear winner – a test of the
Toyota Sequoia being tested in Australia for the Ford Courier diesel and a second-hand guide on
US market, a piece on the Len Beadell Plaque the Suzuki Vitara.
Restoration Project being run by Connie Beadell Allan Whiting travelled to the Broken Hill region
and Maragret and David Hewitt, a story on 4WD of NSW, while Ron and Phyllis Bowers explored the
Interior Accessories exporting product to South Queensland coast between Bundy and Gladstone.

Editor Deano got all excited about 4X4 the 4.2TD Patrol and the 4.8P Patrol … and
Australia winning a category in the Magazine of course recommended the mighty TD24T
of the Year Awards, while Editor-At-Large for those who wanted an expedition vehicle;
Moonie was out bush running his Legendary Moonie tested a Volvo XC90 (strewth!), and Phil
Outback Products Expedition, joined by Lord provided an update on the magazine’s
some of the biggest names in the Australian long-term test Toyota Prado.
aftermarket industry. Destinations included Victoria’s Lake Eildon,
There was a lot of soft-roader news in the Queensland’s Fraser Island (K’gari), NSW’s
issue, but nothing as exciting as the launch Lake Eucumbene and … Iceland, in a Prado
of the new Engel 57L Combi fridge, or the with 38s!
announcement that 16-time Australian Off- We had a tech story on suspension systems,
Road Champion Les Siviour was set to retire. advice on how to check and look after your
Whiting compared the 3.0TD Patrol with tyres, and a story on long-range fuel tanks.

The lead news story in October 2013 was the Greater Bendigo NP in Victoria, visited Sundown NP
unveiling of the Aussie designed and engineered but in Queensland, and hopped on the ferry to check out
Thai-built Ford Everest, a vehicle that in its latest Mt William NP in Tassie.
incarnation has gone on the win Wheels Car Of The On the tech front we looked at engine conversions
Year, making it the first separate chassis 4x4 to have and battery management, and we tested a Thule roof
done so. pod, ARB under-vehicle protection and a Luna fridge.
Road tests included the launch of the Jeep Grand We had columns, too, and lots of ’em: Moonie
Cherokee CRD Overland and a drive of the Mazda had a whinge about the lack of free camping; Fraser
BT-50 Freestyle XTR. complained about ever-shrinking tyre sidewalls;
Justin Walker headed Stateside and crawled Deano explained his fear of water; Lordie looked at
along the Rubicon Trail, Ron and Viv Moon headed second-hand Jeeps; and Viv cooked a sweet Malay
to the Pilbara region of Western Australia, we toured beef curry. Yum!
JUST THE FACTS RANGER ROLLS ON TO 2023 TITLE
DELIVERY delays eased for the best July in Australian new-car sales history.
Official results published by the Federal Chamber of Automobile Industries
Top-selling 4x4s in July 2023
(FCAI) reveal 96,859 vehicles were registered in July this year. That may be down
Source: VFACTS on June (124,926) but is up 14.7 per cent on the same month last year – and it’s
the biggest July ever.
VEHICLE UNITS The Ford Ranger ute was the nation’s best-selling vehicle in July followed
1. Ford Ranger 4828 by the Toyota HiLux, both seemingly unaffected by changes to the instant
2. Toyota HiLux 3777 asset write-off scheme introduced for this financial year. Those positions were
3. Toyota Prado 1836 mirrored in the 4x4 utes segment where the Ford continues to outsell the Toyota.
4. Isuzu D-MAX 1681 Prado had a great month in july and continues to be our best selling midsize
wagon and 4x4 wagon overall, leading the LandCruiser 300 in those ranks.
5. Ford Everest 1288 Toyota sales may be down 20.9 per cent so far in 2023, but it still sold more
6. Isuzu MU-X 1270 than twice the amount Mazda did in second place overall.
7. Toyota LandCruiser 300 1230 Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X showed that wagons are still popular, even if they
8. Mitsubishi Triton 978 can’t match the utes in 4x4 sales, while the Chinese GWM utes had a relativly
9. Mazda BT-50 931 crook month as it dropped down the year-to-date rankings.
Although there have been a lot of deliveries in the last few months, these
10.Toyota LandCruiser 70 892 are effectively delayed orders. FCAI chief executive, Tony Weber, cautioned
that tightening economic conditions may have a knock-on effect in the coming
Top-selling 4x4s to July 2023 months.
An interesting month for full-size American trucks where the RAM 1500
Source: VFACTS
outsold anything else more than two to one. It will be more interesting to see how
VEHICLE UNITS its popularity fairs as the DS RAM leaves the market and the entry-level price has
gone up significantly with the all-new DT RAM line-up.
1. Ford Ranger 28,448
2. Toyota HiLux 25,585
3. Isuzu D-MAX 12,468
4. Toyota Prado 8880
5. Mazda BT-50 8797
6. Isuzu MU-X 8384
7. Mitsubishi Triton 8332
8. Toyota LandCruiser 300 7771
9. Ford Everest 6897
10. GWM Ute 5844
thescore
4X4 MARKETPLACE
FORD 5-year/unlimited km www.ford.com.au

Utility wagon
Station wagon
97,000
98,000
I6D/3.0
I6P/3.0
A8
A8
550
450
183
210
2693
2643
857
907
3500
3500
90
90
RANGER
Station wagon 98,000 I6D/3.0 A8 550 183 2718 832 3500 90
Ford introduces a V6 diesel powertrain for the next-gen Ranger, with the all-new model along with the
carried over bi-turbo 2.0L. Full-time 4x4 is also offered on some models. Fieldmaster/
109,525 I6P/3.0 A8 450 210 2643 907 3500 90
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL Trialmaster
Single XL C/C 47,280 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 1903 1327 3500 80 Fieldmaster/
109,525 I6D/3.0 A8 550 183 2718 832 3500 90
Trialmaster
Super XL C/C 49,780 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2007 1223 3500 80
Super XL P/U 51,680 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2167 1063 3500 80
ISUZU UTE 6-year/150,000km www.isuzuute.com.au
Double XL C/C 48,280 SiT4/2.0 A6 405 125 2046 1144 3500 80 D-MAX
Double XL C/C 51,780 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2072 1158 3500 80 D-MAX has cut its links with GM and is an all-Isuzu affair. The new model is a huge step up with
Double XL P/U 50,180 SiT4/2.0 A6 405 125 2190 1000 3500 80 class-leading safety tech, more power and torque from the 3.0L, and fresh, aggressive styling.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
Double XL P/U 53,680 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2216 1014 3500 80
SX Single c/c 40,200 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 1780 1310 3500 76
Double XLS P/U 54,730 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2216 1014 3500 80
SX Single c/c 42,200 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 1790 1310 3500 76
Super XLT P/U 59,990 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2178 1052 3500 80
SX Space c/c 43,700 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 1850 1250 3500 76
Double XLT P/U 61,990 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2225 1005 3500 80
SX Space c/c 45,700 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 1860 1240 3500 76
Double XLT C/C 63,290 V6/3.0 A10 600 184 2129 1151 3500 80
LS-U Space p/u 53,900 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2000 1100 3500 76
Double XLT P/U 65,190 V6/3.0 A10 600 184 2285 995 3500 80
SX Crew c/c 46,700 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 1900 1200 3500 76
Double Sport P/U 64,490 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2242 988 3500 80
SX Crew c/c 48,700 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 1910 1190 3500 76
Double Sport P/U 67,690 V6/3.0 A10 600 184 2300 980 3500 80
SX Crew p/u 47,900 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 2025 1075 3500 76
Dbl Wildtrak P/U 67,990 BiT4/2.0 A10 500 154 2295 985 3500 80
SX Crew p/u 49,900 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2035 1065 3500 76
Dbl Wildtrak P/U 71,190 V6/3.0 A10 600 184 2353 997 3500 80
Dbl Platinum P/U 76,990 V6/3.0 A10 600 184 N/A N/A 3500 80 LS-M Crew p/u 51,900 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 2020 1080 3500 76
Dbl Raptor P/U 86,790 V6P/3.0 A10 583 292 2431 753 2500 80 LS-M Crew p/u 53,000 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2030 1070 3500 76
LS-U Crew p/u 54,900 I4TD/3.0 M6 450 140 2035 1065 3500 76
EVEREST
Second-gen Ranger-based Everest arrived in 2022 in four variants, with a choice of two diesel LS-U Crew p/u 56,900 i4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2045 1055 3500 76
engines: a carryover twin-turbo four-cylinder or a new single-turbo V6. X-Terrain Crew p/u 62,900 I4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2130 970 3500 76
Ambiente 58,290 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 154 2367 733 3500 80 MU-X
Trend 65,590 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 154 2383 717 3500 80 Isuzu’s seven-seat wagon based on the D-MAX ute underpinnings, but with a smooth-riding coil-
spring rear suspension. Uses Isuzu’s respected 3.0-litre TD engine.
Sport 69,590 V6TD/3.0 A10 600 184 2454 696 3500 80 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
Platinum 77,530 V6TD/3.0 A10 600 184 2492 658 3500 80 LS-M 53,900 L4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2092 658 3500 80
LS-U 55,900 L4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2142 608 3500 80
GWM 7-year/unlimited km www.gmwute.com.au LS-T 65,900 L4TD/3.0 A6 450 140 2157 593 3500 80
JEEP
UTE
Formerly Great Wall but now calling itself GWM, the brand's latest Ute is available in double-cab and cab- 5-year/unlimited km www.jeep.com.au
chassis configurations – all with the 2.0-litre engine and eight-speed auto.
WRANGLER
JL Wrangler has true off-road credentials and great versatility. In Rubicon-spec, the Wrangler is an
Cannon 38,990* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A 1050 3000 75 absolute off-road weapon.
Cannon C/C 39,990* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A 1130 3000 75 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
Cannon-L 42,490* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A 1050 3000 75 Sport S (2-door) 51,950 V6/3.6 A8 347 209 1762 551 1497 66
Cannon-L C/C 43,490* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A 1130 3000 75 Overland (2-door) 61,450 V6/3.6 A8 347 209 1900 560 2495 81
Cannon X 45,490* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A 1050 3000 75 Night Eagle (4D) 60,950 V6/3.6 A8 347 209 1762 551 1497 66
Vanta 46,490* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A 1050 3000 75 Overland (4-door) 65,950 V6/3.6 A8 347 209 1900 560 2495 81
Cannon-XSR 52,990* L4TD/2.0 A8 400 120 N/A N/A N/A 75 Rubicon (4-door) 67,450 V6/3.6 A8 347 209 1992 570 2495 81
Rubicon (2-dr) 64,950 V6/3.6 A8 347 209 1900 550 1947 66
TANK 300
Chinese-built Tank 300 may have similar design cues to the Jeep Wrangler, but it's powered exclusively CHEROKEE
by a 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid system.
The MY19 update for the KL Cherokee – the fourth generation of the series – included a design facelift,
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL modern in-vehicle tech and autonomous emergency braking across the range.
Tank 300 Lux 55,990 L4HY/2.0 A9 640 224 2331 N/A 2500 80 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
Tank 300 Ultra 60,990 L4HY/2.0 A9 640 224 2331 N/A 2500 80 Longitude 41,950 V6/3.2 A9 315 200 1780 678 2200 60
Limited 46,950 V6/3.2 A9 315 200 1806 652 2200 60
GMSV www.gmspecialtyvehicles.com.au Trailhawk 48,450 V6/3.2 A9 315 200 1889 605 2200 60
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 GRAND CHEROKEE
For 2023 Chevrolet dropped the previous entry-level model, the LT Trail Boss. A new hero ZR2 model is Jeep’s fifth-gen Grand Cherokee five-seater runs a grunty V6 petrol engine. Jeep's Quadra-Trac 4x4
now positioned at the top of the two-model range. Both powered by a 6.2-litre petrol V8. system for all models, and Quadra-Lift air suspension for Overland.
Night Eagle 77,950 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2167 N/A 2813 87
LTZ Premium 128,000* V8/6.2 A10 624 313 2543 757 4500 91
Limited 83,950 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2167 N/A 2813 87
ZR2 133,000* V8/6.2 A10 624 313 2583 717 4200 91 Overland 103,250 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2167 N/A 2813 87
INEOS www.ineosgrenadier.com/en/au/ GRAND CHEROKEE L

The seven-seat Grand Cherokee also runs V6 petrol power exclusively. Four variants on offer, with
GRENADIER Overland and Summit Reserve featuring Jeep's Quadra-Lift air suspension.
Ineos brings back the simple, durable 4x4 vehicle that adventurers and organisations want for serious off- PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
road travel, available with both petrol and diesel powertrains. Night Eagle 82,750 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2190 N/A 2813 87
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL Limited 88,750 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2190 N/A 2813 87
Utility wagon 97,000 I6P/3.0 A8 450 210 2618 932 3500 90 Overland 103,250 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2270 N/A 2813 87
Summit Reserve 115,950 V6/3.6 A8 344 210 2270 N/A 2813 87
GLADIATOR P530 HSE 282,500 V8/4.4 A8 750 390 N/A N/A 3500 90
Jeep's double-cab pick-up comes in two spec levels, with the Pentastar V6 and 8-speed auto in both. P460e A/B 286,850 I6e/3.0 A8 660 338 N/A N/A 3000 72
The Night Eagle is the entry level while the Rubicon is the better equipped off-roader.
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL D350 A/B 289,700 I6/3.0 A8 700 258 N/A N/A 3500 80
Night Eagle 68,450 V6/3.6P A8 347 209 2104 693 2721 83 P460e LWB A/B 290,750 I6e/3.0 A8 660 338 N/A N/A 3000 72
Rubicon 76,450 V6/3.6P A8 347 209 2215 693 2721 83 D350 LWB A/B 295,400 I6/3.0 A8 700 258 N/A N/A 3500 80
LAND ROVER www.landrover.com.au D350 LWB 7s A/B

P530 A/B
296,900
322,750
I6/3.0
V8/4.4
A8
A8
700
750
258
390
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3500
3500
80
90
DEFENDER 90
P530 LWB A/B 328,750 V8/4.4 A8 750 390 N/A N/A 3500 90
Defender 90 range closely mimics the 110 wagon range but in a shorter three-door wagon body. Right
from the four-cylinder petrol motors, through the various diesels, and up to the stonking V8. P530 LWB 7s A/B 330,400 V8/4.4 A8 750 390 N/A N/A 3500 90
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL P615 SV 385,100 V8/4.4 A8 750 452 N/A N/A 3500 90
D90 P300 $80,540 I4/2.0P A8 400 221 2074 N/A 3500 90 P615 LWB SV 432,050 V8/4.4 A8 750 452 N/A N/A 3500 90
D90 S P300 $88,470 I4/2.0P A8 400 221 2074 N/A 3500 90

D90 S D250 $95,590 I6/3.0D A8 570 183 2303 667 3500 89 LDV 7-year/200,000km www.ldvautomotive.com.au
D90 SE P400 $105,690 I6/3.0P A8 550 294 2141 N/A 3500 90 T60
D90 X P400 $145,700 I6/3.0P A8 550 294 2141 N/A 3500 90 Chinese ute brings five-star safety to the budget-priced dual-cab segment. Revamped in 2021, with the
Pro variants bringing more power and redesigned front-end.
D90 P525 $215,480 V8/5.0P A8 625 386 2470 N/A 3000 90 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
DEFENDER 110 Max Pro (manual) 41,042 I4/2.0 M6 500 160 N/A 935 3000 73
Max Pro (auto) 43,148 I4/2.0 A8 500 160 N/A 925 3000 73
A Defender by name only. The new wagon from Land Rover is all-new and shares nothing with its Max Luxe (manual) 45,780 I4/2.0 M6 500 160 N/A 935 3000 73
predecessor. Still a bare-bones 4x4 with plenty of ability, just now wearing a shiny new suit.
Max Luxe (auto) 47,884 I4/2.0 A8 500 160 2900 925 3000 73
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL Mega Tub 49,463 I4/2.0 A8 500 160 N/A N/A 3000 73
P300 84,350 I4/2.0p A8 400 221 N/A N/A 3500 90
P400 S 99,500 I6/3.0p A8 550 294 N/A N/A 3500 90 LEXUS 4-year/100,000km www.lexus.com.au
D300 SE 104,000 I6/3.0d A8 650 220 N/A N/A 3500 90 LX
P400 SE 111,400 I6/3.0p A8 550 294 N/A N/A 3500 90 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.
P400 HSE 129,900 I6/3.0p A8 550 294 N/A N/A 3500 90
D300 HSE 123,050 I6/3,0d A8 650 220 N/A N/A 3500 90
LX570 142,431 V8/5.7 A8 530 270 2740 705 3500 138
D300 X 151,000 I6/3.0d A8 650 220 N/A N/A 3500 90 LX570 S 167,731 V8/5.7 A8 530 270 2740 TBC 3500 138
P400 X 153,200 I6/3.0p A8 550 294 N/A N/A 3500 90 LX450 D 135,171 V8/4.5 A6 650 200 2660 TBC 3500 93
P525 V8 226,500 V9/5.0p A8 625 386 N/A N/A 3500 90
DISCOVERY MAHINDRA 5-year/unlimited www.mahindra.com.au

Land Rover Discovery combines excellent on-road dynamics with impressive off-road capability. PIK-UP
Strong performance comes courtesy of state-of-the-art four-cylinder and V6 turbo-diesel engines. Available in single- and dual-cab configuration with or without a tub. and recently scored an Aisin
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL 6-speed automatic transmission - Flash! A tough and reliable farm truck.
D300 S 99,900 I6TD/3.0 A8 650 221 2109 831 3500 89
D300 SE 106,100 I6TD/3.0 A8 650 221 2109 831 3500 89 Dual c/c 37,990* L4TD/2.2 A6 330 103 1940 1210 2500 80
Dual p/u 38,500* L4TD/2.2 A6 330 103 2080 1070 2500 80
D300 HSE 113,700 I6TD/3.0 A8 650 221 2109 831 3500 89
LX450 D 135,171 V8/4.5 A6 650 200 2660 TBC 3500 93
D300 S RDynamic 105,200 I6TD/3.0 A8 650 221 2109 831 3500 89
D300 SE Dynamic 111,400 I6TD/3.0 A8 650 221 2236 814 3500 89 PIK-UP
D300 HSE Dynam 118,600 I6TD/3.0 A8 650 221 2236 814 3500 89 Available in single- and dual-cab configuration with or without a tub. and recently scored an Aisin
6-speed automatic transmission - Flash! A tough and reliable farm truck.
P360 S RDynamic 105,200 I6TP/3.0 A8 500 265 2236 814 3500 89
D360 SE Dynamic 111,400 I6TP/3.0 A8 500 265 2236 814 3500 89
Dual c/c 37,990* L4TD/2.2 A6 330 103 1940 1210 2500 80
D360 HSE Dynam 118,600 I6TP/3.0 A8 500 265 2236 814 3500 89
Dual p/u 38,500* L4TD/2.2 A6 330 103 2080 1070 2500 80
RANGE ROVER SPORT
SCORPIO
Rangie Sport is available with four-, six- and eight-cylinder diesel engines, a PHEV or a stonking super-
charged petrol V8. It delivers performance luxury and genuine off-road capabiltiy. It may be missing some key safety technology, but the Scorpio six-seater isn’t just a good value-for-
money package, it’s a good rig overall.
Si4 SE 105,759 L4TP/2.0 A8 400 221 2027 873 3000 104
Z8 41,990* L4TD/2.2 A6 400 129 1900 525 2500 57
Si4 PHEV SE 134,289 L4TP/2.0 A8 640 297 2415 785 2500 91 Z8L 44,990* L4TD/2.2 A6 400 129 2100 510 2500 57
Si4 PHEV HSE 149,598 L4TP/2.0 A8 400 221 2415 785 2500 91
*This is a nationwide drive-away price, not a list price, and includes on-roads.
V8 HSE Dynamic 175,259 V8SP/5.0 A8 625 386 2252 848 3500 104
V8 Autobiography
SVR
204,929
238,829
V8SP/5.0
V8SP/5.0
A8
A8
625
700
386
423
2252
2239
848
761
3500
3000
104
104
MAZDA 5-year/unlimited km www.mazda.com.au
BT-50
TDV6 SE (183) 113,131 V6TD/3.0 A8 600 183 2159 891 3500 86
SDV6 SE (225) 122,631 V6TD/3.0 A8 700 225 2159 891 3500 86 The BT-50 has stepped away from its Ford roots, as Mazda partnered with Isuzu for the new
model. That means Isuzu powertrains and class-leading safety wrapped in a sveldt Mazda skin.
SDV6 HSE 139,331 V6TD/3.0 A8 700 225 2159 891 3500 86
SDV6 HSE Dyn 146,231 V6TD/3.0 A8 700 225 2159 891 3500 86
Dual XS p/u 51,210 I4TD.1.9 A6 350 110 1935 1165 3500 76
SDV6 Autobio 179,401 V6TD/3.0 A8 700 225 2159 891 3500 86
SDV8 HSE 152,459 V8TD/4.4 A8 740 250 2344 856 3500 86 Single XT c/c 41,650 I4TD.3.0 M6 450 140 1186 3500 76
SDV8 HSE Dyn 159,759 V8TD/4.4 A8 740 250 2344 856 3500 86 Single XT c/c 44,150 I4TD.3.0 A6 450 140 1186 3500 76
Extra XT c/c 45,150 I4TD.3.0 M6 450 140 1135 3500 76
RANGE ROVER
Extra XT c/c 47,650 I4TD.3.0 A6 450 140 1135 3500 76
Bespoke personalisation and new hybrid powertrains herald in revised Range Rover line-up.
Dual XT c/c 51,960 I4TD.3.0 A6 450 140 1096 3500 76
Dual XT c/c 49,460 I4TD.3.0 M6 450 140 1106 3500 76
D350 HSE 250,350 I6/3.0 A8 700 258 N/A N/A 3500 80
Dual XT p/u 50,860 I4TD.3.0 M6 450 140 1095 3500 76
P460e HSE 254,516 I6e/3.0 A8 660 338 N/A N/A 3000 72
Dual XT p/u 53,360 I4TD.3.0 A6 450 140 1090 3500 76
P460e LWB HSE 263,100 I6e/3.0 A8 660 338 N/A N/A 3000 72
Dual XTR c/c 55,910 I4TD.3.0 A6 450 140 1910 1190 3500 76
thescore
4X4 MARKETPLACE
Dual XTR p/u 54,810 I4TD.3.0 M6 450 140 1080 3500 76 King SL c/c 45,800 L4TD/2.3 A7 403 120 1727 1183 3500 80
Dual XTR p/u 57,310 I4TD.3.0 A6 450 140 1070 3500 76 King ST-X p/u 57,695 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1908 1002 3500 80
Dual GT p/u 57,090 I4TD.3.0 M6 450 140 1075 3500 76 King SL p/u 47,600 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1941 969 3500 80
Dual GT p/u 60,090 I4TD.3.0 A6 450 140 1065 3500 76 King ST-X p/u 53,750 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1944 966 3500 80
Dual SP p/u 63,090 I4TD.3.0 M6 450 140 2198 902 3500 76 Dual SL c/c 44,800 L4TD/2.3 M6 403 120 1759 1147 3500 80
Dual SP p/u 66,090 I4TD.3.0 A6 450 140 2208 892 3500 76 Dual SL p/u 46,600 L4TD/2.3 M6 450 140 1823 1087 3500 80
Dual SL p/u 47,400 L4TD/2.3 A7 403 120 1923 987 3500 80
MERCEDES 3-year/200,000km www.mercedes-benz.com.au Dual SL p/u 47,550 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1928 982 3500 80
Dual ST-X p/u 55,770 L4TD/2.3 M6 450 140 1917 993 3500 80
G-CLASS Dual ST-X p/u 58,270 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 1921 989 3500 80
With triple diff locks, long-travel coil suspension and rugged construction, Merc’s Gelandewagen is off- PRO-4X 58,155 L4TD/2.3 M6 450 140 2186 724 3500 80
road heritage writ large. Unfortunately, so is the price tag on an updated 30-year-old design.
PRO-4X Warrior 69,990 L4TD/2.3 A7 450 140 2151 1019 3500 80
G63 AMG
G400d
259,600
233,776
V8/4.0
I6/2.9
A9
A9
850
700
430
243
2560
2489
640
661
3500
3500
100
112
RAM 3-year/100,000 km www.ramtrucks.com.au
RAM 1500
MITSUBISHI 7-year/150,000km www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au

You'll find Ram trucks here from various importers, but the official distributor is Ram Trucks Australia.
Currently selling the DT Ram 1500.
PAJERO SPORT Express 98,950 V8P/5.7 A8 556 291 2620 830 4500 121
Pajero Sport replaced the Challenger in Mitsubishi’s 4x4 range. It’s still on a Triton ute chassis but with Warlock 109,950 V8P/5.7 A8 556 291 2630 820 4500 98
rear coils under the back and bespoke bodywork. 2020 refresh added Dynamic Shield front end. Laramie 127,950 V8P/5.7 A8 556 291 2617 833 4500 98
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL Laramie Sport 136,950 V8P/5.7 A8 556 291 2671 779 4500 98
GLX (5-seat) 49,940 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2145 630 3100 68 Limited 153,950 V8P/5.7 A8 556 291 2749 701 4500 98
GLS (7s) 55,190 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2195 580 3100 68 TRX 209,950 V8P/6.2 A8 882 523 3033 767 3500 125
GLS Deluxe (7s) 57,440 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2204 571 3100 68 RAM 2500
Exceed (7s) 60,690 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2209 566 3100 68 The 2500 is the first of the heavy duty Ram model and is only available in Laramie specification in
Australia. Powered by the Cummins in-line six, the 2500 is a torque monster and towing champion.
GSR (7s) 62,440 L4TD/2.4 A8 430 133 2209 566 3100 68
TRITON 2500 Laramie 157,950 I6d/6.7 A6 1152 276 3660 835 4500 117
MR Triton consists of a four-model line-up that tops out with the GSR. All models get a 2.4-litre, RAM 3500
turbocharged diesel engine with a six-speed transmission.
The 1500 is the standard model while the 2500 and 3500 Rams are the Heavy Duty versions packing HD
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL drivelines, Cummins diesel engines and huge lowing capacities. New HD models also coming soon.
GLX Single c/c 33,240 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1660 1235 3000 75
Laramie Crew 162,950 I6TD/6.7 A6 1152 276 3596 1713 6170* 132
GLX Single c/c 35,740 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1665 1235 3000 75
GLX Club c/c
GLX ADAS Club c/c
35,740
39,040
L4TD/2.4
L4TD/2.4
M6
A6
430
430
133
133
1765
1780
1135
1120
3000
3000
75
75
SSANGYONG 7-year/unlimited km www.ssangyong.com.au
GLX Dual c/c 36,490 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1795 1105 3100 75 MUSSO
Thrifty South Korean dual-cab has been reborn with more subdued styling and an unbeatable warranty.
GLX ADAS Dual c/c 39,790 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1795 1105 3100 75 XLV variant adds segment-topping tray length to the line-up’s killer pricing.
GLX+ Club p/u 41,740 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1930 970 3100 75 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
GLX Dual p/u 37,490 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1920 980 3100 75 EX $30,490 L4TD/2.2 M6 420 133 2177 703 3500 75
EX $32,490 L4TD/2.2 A6 420 133 2192 688 3500 75
GLX Dual p/u 39,990 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1920 980 3100 75
ELX $35,990 L4TD/2.2 A6 420 133 2192 688 3500 75
GLX ADAS Dual p/u 38,540 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1951 949 3100 75 Ultimate $39,990 L4TD/2.2 A6 420 133 2192 688 3500 75
GLX ADAS Dual p/u 41,040 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1956 944 3100 75 ELX XLV $33,990 L4TD/2.2 M6 420 133 2160 1025 3500 75
GLX+ Dual p/u 40,990 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1915 985 3100 75 ELX XLV $35,990 L4TD/2.2 A6 420 133 2170 1025 3500 75
Ultimate XLV $39,990 L4TD/2.2 A6 420 133 2170 880 3500 75
GLX+ Dual p/u 43,490 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1915 985 3100 75
Ultimate+ XLV $43,990 L4TD/2.2 A6 420 133 2170 880 3500 75
GLX-R 41,990 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 N/A N/A 3100 75
REXTON
GLX-R 44,490 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 N/A N/A 3100 75
GLS Dual p/u 45,440 L4TD/2.4 M6 430 133 1935 965 3100 75 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.
GLS Dual p/u 47,940 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1935 965 3100 75
GLS Premium 52,790 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 2042 848 3100 75
ELX 47,990 L4TD/2.2 A7 444 148 2233 727 3500 70
GSR 55,690 L4TD/2.4 A6 430 133 1999 901 3100 75 Ultimate 54,990* L4TD/2.2 A7 444 148 2233 727 3500 70
NISSAN 5-year/unlimited km www.nissan.com.au SUZUKI 3-year/100,000km www.suzuki.com.au

JIMNY
PATROL Y62
Pint-sized cult classic returns in fourth-gen guise. Live axles front and rear and retro styling means it
In a segment that drinks diesel, top-spec Patrol is available in V8-petrol guise only. Fully independent will remain a favourite on the off-road scene.
suspension is backed by electronic traction aids. Updated model launched late in 2019.
3-door Hardtop 28,490 L4/1.5 M5 130 75 1095 340 1300 40
Ti 82,160 V8/5.6 A7 560 298 2812 688 3500 140
3-door Hardtop 29,990 L4/1.5 A4 130 75 1110 325 1300 40
Ti-L 95,115 V8/5.6 A7 560 298 2708 746 3500 140
NAVARA D23 TOYOTA 5-year/unlimited km www.toyota.com.au

The latest iteration of Nissan's D23 Navara ute range arrives with a bolder look and a revised line-up. PRADO
Pro-4X Warrior has to be the best navara produced ever!.
The 150 Prado has been Australia's best-selling 4x4 wagon for the better part of 10 years. In 2018, a
heap of safety features were added to all automatic models, from the base-model GX up to the Kakadu.
Single SL c/c 39,300 L4TD/2.3 M6 403 120 1614 1296 3500 80 PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
GX 60,830 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2150 835 3000 150

GXL
VX
67,530
77,157
I4TD/2.8
I4TD/2.8
A6
A6
500
500
150
150
2325
2435
665
555
3000
3000
150
150
VOLKSWAGEN 5-year/unlimited km www.volkswagen.com.au
Kakadu 87,807 L4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2435 555 3000 150 AMAROK
FORTUNER The second-gen Amarok shares much of its underpinnings with the next-gen Ford Ranger. Four engines
are on offer in the line-up including the V6 shared with the Ford, as well as a 2.3-litre petrol.
Toyota’s Hilux-based seven-seat wagon competes with Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Isuzu
MU-X and Holden Trailblazer. Smaller than a Prado but still a proper 4x4 wagon PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL TDI405 Core 50,990 L4TD/2.0 M6 405 125 2185 1065 3500 80
GX 49,080 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2175 625 3100 80 TDI405 Core 52,990 L4TD/2.0 A6 405 125 2208 1042 3500 80
GXL 54,350 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2185 615 3100 80 TDI500 Life 2.0 56,990 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 154 2242 988 3500 80
Crusade 61,410 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2190 610 3100 80 TDI500 Style 66,990 L4TD/2.0 A10 500 154 2271 1009 3500 80
LAND CRUISER 300 SERIES TDI600 Style 70,990 V6TD/3.0 A10 600 184 2319 1031 3500 80
TDI600 PanAm 75,990 V6TD/3.0 A10 600 184 2319 1031 3500 80
It's out with the V8s and in with an all-new V6 diesel engine in the new 300 Series Land Cruiser. There
are now six models in the range including the new GR Sport and Sahara ZX models. TDI600 Aventura 79,990 V6TD/3.0 A10 600 184 2332 858 3500 80
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL TSI452 Aventura 79,990 L4P/2.3 A8 452 222 2228 872 3500 80
GX 89,990 V6TD/3.3L A10 700 227 2495 785 3500 110
GXL 101,790 V6TD/3.3L A10 700 227 2580 700 3500 110
VX 113,990 V6TD/3.3L A10 700 227 2630 650 3500 110
Sahara
GR Sport
131,190
137,790
V6TD/3.3L
V6TD/3.3L
A10
A10
700
700
227
227
2630
2630
650
650
3500
3500
110
110 BIG HORN 1500 IS NEW
Sahara ZX 138,790
LAND CRUISER 70
V6TD/3.3L A10 700 227 2610 670 3500 110
The 70 Series Cruiser’s torquey TDV8 makes it a load-hauler extraordinaire. Available as long-wheelbase
ENTRY-LEVEL MODEL TO RAM
AS the RAM DS series runs out and the DT takes over, Ram Trucks
Troopie or five-door, mid-wheelbase wagon.
Australia has made the Ram 1500 Big Horn the new starting point to
WorkMate Troopy 72,950 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2320 980 3500 180 Ram ownership.
GXL Troopy 76,150 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2335 965 3500 180 Priced from $119,950 before on-road costs in standard-wheelbase
WorkMate wagon 69,000 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2220 780 3500 90 form, the 1500 Big Horn is $21,000 dearer than the older DS Express
GXL Wagon 73,100 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2190 810 3500 90 ute, which remained in production alongside its successor. It is currently
LAND CRUISER 70 CAB-CHASSIS
in run-out at $98,950 drive-away.
With its TDV8 powerplant, the Land Cruiser ute is better than ever. Optional Toyota diff locks make it
The Big Horn is the most affordable version of the latest ‘DT’ series
super-capable off-road. sold in Australia, competing against the entry-level Ford F-150 XLT
available from $106,950 plus on-roads – but also the higher-spec
WorkMate single c/c 70,550 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2045 1003 3500 180 $121,000 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Premium.
GX single c/c 72,550 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2010 1013 3500 180
Compared to the existing DT-series 1500 Laramie, the Big Horn has
GXL single c/c 74,650 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2020 1023 3500 180
halogen exterior lighting, an 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system
LAND CRUISER 79 DOUBLE CAB without built-in satellite navigation (down from 12 inches), cloth
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.
upholstery, a smaller 3.5-inch instrument cluster display, and fewer USB
ports.
WorkMate dual c/c 73,100 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2205 900 3500 130
It also has more practical 18-inch alloy wheels (down from 20-inch),
GXL dual c/c 77,200 V8TD/4.5 M5 430 151 2215 900 3500 130 a non-power tailgate, black plastic side-mirror caps, no wireless phone
charger, manually-adjustable seating, a six-speaker unbranded audio
HILUX
system, manual air-conditioning, and no automatic high beam.
The N80 Hilux with a new 2.8-litre engine, six-speed transmissions and a beefed-up towing capacity.
A facelift and more power for the 2021 model adds to its appeal. Potentially life-saving autonomous emergency braking technology is
PRICE ENGINE TRANS TORQUE POWER WEIGHT LOAD TOWING FUEL also deleted from the Big Horn compared to the Laramie.
W'Mate Single c/c 39,520 I4TD/2.4 M6 400 110 1775 1225 3200 80 Ram vehicles sold in Australia use international specifications and are
W'Mate Extra c/c 45,220 I4TD/2.4 A6 400 110 1890 1110 3000 80 converted to right-hand drive by Walkinshaw Automotive in Melbourne.
W'Mate Dual c/c 47,290 I4TD/2.4 A6 400 110 1915 1085 3000 80 An optional active safety package is available in US-spec 1500 Big Horn
W'Mate Dual p/u 46,790 I4TD/2.4 M6 400 110 2045 955 3200 80 variants, but this has not been selected for vehicles sent to Australia.
W'Mate Dual p/u 48,790 I4TD/2.4 A6 400 110 2045 955 3000 80 Under the bonnet, the Big Horn retains the 5.7-litre naturally-
SR Single c/c 42,590 I4TD/2.8 M6 420 150 1795 1205 3500 80 aspirated Hemi petrol V8 producing 291kW and 556Nm, matched to an
SR Single c/c 44,590 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 1795 1205 3200 80
eight-speed automatic transmission and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.
SR Extra c/c 46,250 I4TD/2.8 M6 420 150 1890 1110 3500 80
Combined fuel consumption is rated at 12.2L/100km.
SR Extra c/c 48,250 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 1895 1155 3200 80
SR Dual c/c 48,510 I4TD/2.8 M6 420 150 1955 1045 3500 80
SR Dual c/c 50,660 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 1955 1045 3200 80
SR Dual p/u 50,010 I4TD/2.8 M6 420 150 2050 950 3500 80
SR Dual p/u 52,010 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2045 955 3200 80
SR5 Extra p/u 58,400 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2045 1005 3200 80
SR5 Dual p/u 57,920 I4TD/2.8 M6 420 150 2040 960 3500 80
SR5 Dual p/u 59,920 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2045 955 3200 80
Rogue Dual p/u 70,200 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2174 826 3200 80
Rugged X Dual p/u 69,990 I4TD/2.8 A6 500 150 2252 748 3200 80
GR Sport 73,990 I4TD/2.8 A6 550 165 N/A N/A 3500 80
PARTING We all have that one mate who manages to get in to
PIC
strife on every 4x4 trip, whether they are the first one
to get bogged, roll the car or just get lost. Well, here’s
your chance to show the world their embarrassing
predicaments and give yourself a chance to win a
SEND TO OUR FB PAGE: @4X4AUS $300 voucher for MAXTRAX recovery gear.
HUNG UP
HARRY KANNEGIETER
> BEACHPORT, SA
HARRY Kannegieter’s first major four- sand driving. However, that couldn’t weren’t needed this time.”
wheel drive trip as part of the Wattle prevent this minor embarrassment from The Cruiser went on to complete the
Rangers 4WD Club didn’t exactly go as taking place. Simpson and all its dunes with ease,
planned, with his 1998 80 Series Cruiser “Some 10 vehicles were on the trip, even Big Red.
– five-speed manual, 4.2 1HZ diesel and with most of us not having done the When asked what advice he’d pass on
two-inch lift – getting hung up on a sand Simpson Desert before,” Harry told to fellow travellers, Harry said,
dune on Rig Road … with Harry as trip 4X4 Australia. “As leader, it was a bit “Remember to lower tyre pressures to
leader, no less. embarrassing getting hung up and I got reduce damage to the tracks, and
Being based in Beachport, Harry and quite a bit of schtick as a result. crossing dunes is not about speed but
his wife had spent many hours cruising “A gentle pull from the following it’s all about momentum. Lastly, always
along the beaches and dunes towards vehicle got us going again. Although travel with another vehicle(s) in case of
Robe, so they had some experience with we had some MAXTRAX with us, they emergencies!”
T&Cs
• Voucher can only be redeemed through
www.maxtrax.com.au
• When using the voucher, any outstanding
balance can be paid as normal.
• If you don’t spend the whole thing, the
remaining balance can be used on your
account in the future.
• The voucher will expire 3 years from the
date of activation.
RAZR SHARP. CUTTING EDGE.
RAZR MT772 RAZR AT811
MAXXISRAZR.COM.AU
MAXXISTyresAustralia @Maxxis.Tyres.Australia Maxxis Tyres Australia
4X4ABC160123

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MAXXISTyresAustralia @Maxxis.Tyres.Australia Maxxis Tyres Australia

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Polycotton lined for

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TOYOTA IS BRINGING ITS TUNDRA PICKUP TO

is fitted in Toyota’s TNGA-F chassis

ON THE ROAD be touching the back of the front seats.

@ CUSTOM HARNESS YEAR

J005473 NRV-EX FP Ad 4x4 Oct FINAL.indd 1 30/8/2023 11:18 am

TOYOTA TUNDRA CHEVROLET SILVERADO

CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2022 TOYOTA

1. The TRD kits adds a leather steering

and get full access to our

Scan the QR code or phone our

WE SPEND A WEEK WITH THE 2023 CHEVROLET

THE V8 ENGINE DELIVERS PLENTY OF

BOTH FRONT AND REAR SEATS DELIVER

Available at: & all good 4x4 ﬁtment centres.

TOW TUG the vehicle on the centre screen, virtually

CHEVROLET SILVERADO ZR2

THE TWO SILVERADOS WE TESTED

WORDS JUSTIN WALKER

THE BEGINNING, BUT NOT REALLY: PRADO 90 SERIES

BIGGER EQUALS BETTER: PRADO 120 SERIES

The 120 Series featured models from

The Toyota Prado 150 Series range

THE LONGEST ROAD: THE PRADO 150 SERIES

KLEVER KR601 R/T z KLEVER KR628 A/T z KLEVER KR629 M/T

BUYING A SECOND-HAND 150 especially so with the two diesel engine

THE TOYOTA PRADO AND THE GHOSTS OF

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OUR FORD RANGER IS FINALLY LOOKING

GETTING IT RIGHT you need to know how much weight you’ll be

FOR YOUR 4X4,

TOUGH DOG SUSPENSION FOR 2023 FORD RANGER

$40 Centre Bearing spacer kit

FITTING TIME Cell shocks were also fitted to the rear-

The unstoppable next generation IDC25X

WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS PHOTOS SHAWN MCCANN

WE COMPLETE THE INTERIOR FIT-OUT OF OUR TRIG POINT CANOPY WITH A

UNDERLAY KICK PANELS CUSTOM FIT MATS

VISION AUTO PRODUCTS

heights, and in the case of our unit has been set

POINT KITCHEN, WE SAY

L I TTLE A R TIS TIC

HE term masterpiece is hardly new. In fact

ľiľ)8ľ 8ĝ>Dj – AUSTRALIA WIDE

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

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

IT’S THAT ATTENTION TO DETAIL THAT HAS ELEVATED

WHY THE 1UZ-FE IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

possible standard of service along with a high quality product.

Call us today 07 3277 1008

YOUR PATH FORWARD

ON A BUDGET THE BEST OF THE BEST

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ľiľ)8ľ 8ĝ>Dj – AUSTRALIA WIDE

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