Magzter Gold (Sitewide Promotion)

Magzter Gold (Sitewide Promotion)

Digital Delivery

4x4 Magazine Australia April 1st, 2016 Digital Back Issue Cover

4x4 Magazine Australia April 2016 (Digital)

(0)

Single Digital Issue

April 2016

$4.73

Powered By Zinio

Zinio

Satisfaction Guaranteed

Instant Start

Subscribe Instead

1 Year Subscription

12 digital issues

$24.95

($2.08/issue)

Go to Subscription

View Subscription Options

Also available on ZINIO Unlimited logo

Get unlimited access to 4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) + Back Issues & 5000+ other magazines

1-month free trial

Renews at $8.99/month after trial.
Cancel anytime.

Get unlimited access to 4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) + Back Issues & 5000+ other magazines. Renews at just $8.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

Start Trial Learn more

50 Articles

NISSAN’S MISSING

Christ! It seems like a lifetime since we last had a Nissan Patrol as the main image on the cover of this magazine. There was a time when Nissan was on the cover of every second issue of the mag, but its popularity has dropped since the Y62 came on to the scene and certainly since the TD42 went the way of the brontosaurus, with which it shares a birthday. I reckon Patrols are like Toranas; they used to be a dime-a-dozen and there isn’t a modification that can’t be done or isn’t readily available from the aftermarket to transform them into anything you want them to be. Patrols are one of the most versatile 4x4s belting around the tracks today, and I reckon there are plenty of Patrol-driving folk who first…

NISSAN’S MISSING

TRD TACO SHOOTS TO THRILL

The TRD Pro Tacoma and Tundra are Toyota USA’s answer to the Ford Raptor Toyota USA pulled the wraps off the TRD Pro version of its Tacoma ute at the Chicago Auto Show in February. The Tacoma is similar in style and size to our Hilux ute – just a little bigger and, of course, there’s no diesel engine option for the Yanks. The Tacoma is powered by a 3.5-litre, direct-injection, Atkinson-cycle petrol V6 with a choice of manual or automatic transmission. The excitement starts with a TRD-tuned suspension featuring FOX 2.5 internal bypass shocks and TRD-tuned front springs with a one-inch lift and corresponding rear leaf spring upgrade. The off-road goodies continue with 16-inch TRD black alloy wheels wearing Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain rubber, a TRD Pro aluminium front skid plate and…

TRD TACO SHOOTS TO THRILL

FRED BLACK, 1946 – 2016

As word spread of Fred Black’s passing after a battle with cancer there was many a memory brought back to life. No matter how people knew Fred, whether buying one of his Long Ranger fuel tanks or watching him co-ordinate a film crew on Stockton Beach, all witnessed the passion and enthusiasm he had for the country, a 4WD and his company, Out Of Town 4WD. Fred’s roots for adventure and passion to succeed in life can be traced back to his early years when being a young Sea Scout leader, winning 16-foot skiff state championships, building beach buggies, and working out west as a formwork carpenter were all part of his everyday life. It wasn’t long before this lust for adventure necessitated many long nights in the backyard of at home,…

FRED BLACK, 1946 – 2016

TRAVEL BULLETIN

MOLLY’S BASH ON AGAIN (NT) Molly’s Bash is a major fundraiser for the Old Andado Homestead – 330km south-east of Alice Springs, on the edge of the Simpson Desert. All money raised goes to keeping the homestead and other buildings in good condition. Due to run on May 7, there will be country entertainment, a roaring fire, bar facilities, good company and lots of dancing. It’ll be a unique outback experience and it’s sure to be a good time for all. Check it out on Old Andado’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/oldandado/ TRAILS APP (WA) Whether you walk, ride, paddle or drive, you can find the trails you like across Western Australia with the new Trails WA mobile app. Each trail description is packed with information such as travel times, directions, when to go, facilities,…

TRAVEL BULLETIN

I reckon some of the winch challenge guys have been pretty scared by the thought of being beaten up by two girls in a fuchsia and lilac Toyota Team Petticoat is a couple of girls who compete at the highest levels in extreme winch challenge competition, all for the sheer love of heavy-duty four-wheel driving. I’ve been chasing the girls for a while now – er, can we re-phrase that? It’s just so refreshing to see ladies competing in what’s usually seen as a male-dominated field. And let’s face it guys, the more girls who get into off-roading, the better it is for all of us. In my case, it was heaps better, because I got a day off from working on Milo in the workshop. Emily Taylor (pictured) and her schoolmate Katie…

Have you noticed the trend towards smaller and smaller diesel engines, especially in the popular ute market? Not too many years ago the Mitsubishi Triton had a 3.2-litre diesel, but it was replaced by a 2.5-litre and then a 2.4-litre. Likewise, engine capacity in the Nissan Navara dropped from 3.0 litres to 2.5 litres and then to 2.3 litres. Meanwhile, the Holden Colorado now has a 2.8-litre diesel, whereas the previous generation had a 3.0-litre diesel. And, most recently, the new Toyota Hilux arrived sporting two new diesels, a 2.8 and a 2.4, where the previous model had a 3.0-litre. The exceptions to this downsizing trend are the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 ‘twins’. Both use a 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel of Ford origin, whereas the previous Ranger and BT-50 were powered…

Trying to imagine what things look like without their clothes on is a pastime for many of us and if you’ve ever extended this pastime to a Volkswagen Amarok, the news is good.Your wait is over. Here it is, naked. What you’re looking at is an Amarok designed to not only reveal its mechanical secrets, but also to be unidentifiable as a VW product. So it has no badging, no grille, and no exterior panels that might give the game away. And the disguise doesn’t stop there. The headlights and tail-lights are functional but are aftermarket units, as seen on any number of bullbars and boat trailers. Inside, anything likely to aid with identification is also gone, including the switchgear, the instruments, with their distinctive VW family appearance, and even the…

Smooth Operator

“After driving the Y62 it was a no-brainer. I didn’t care about fuel economy at that stage; the Y62 was that good to drive” Ned Cakovan is a fastidious kind of bloke – one who doesn’t make big decisions without first arming himself with all the available information. Given this seemingly sensible, level-headed approach, you’re probably wondering what the hell a keen four-wheel driver like Ned is doing driving around in a petrol-powered V8 Y62 Patrol. “I spent nine months deciding on a vehicle,” Ned says. “I test-drove every dual-cab ute on the market but, being a single dad with two kids, and my girlfriend at the time had two kids, a dual-cab just wouldn’t cut it. I needed something with more seats, so that’s why I looked at wagons. “Initially I didn’t…

Smooth Operator

“I started the (Aussie Patrol Y62) Facebook page a couple of weeks after I bought my Patrol,” Ned Cakovan explains. “There wasn’t much information around. There was a GU Facebook page that I was always on, so I created the Y62 one. And I think in a year we’ve now got 800 people on the page [there were actually more than 900 last time we checked – ed]. “I don’t know how many are Y62 owners, but we’ve certainly got a very loyal, very knowledgeable core group who are very active in the page. “We’ve got five admins and I’ve met all of them now [on various trips], so we all maintain the page’s integrity. “It’s all about having fun and sharing our adventures. “We’ve got heaps of people without Y62s on there; we’ve got…

While there are a number of suspension kits to suit the suspension in the ST-L-spec Y62 Patrol, the same can’t be said for the Ti and Ti-L variants that run Nissan’s more complicated HBMC (Hydrualic Body Motion Control) set-up. Fortunately for owners of the more luxurious-spec Y62 models, Andrew Cassar from On Track 4X4 has developed a solution. “You can’t physically replace the struts and the shocks in the Tis and Ti-Ls, because it’s all hydraulically managed,” Andrew explains. “So we’ve managed to do a bit of an upgrade with them, where we supply an upgraded lower control arm to suit, which then gives the car two inches of lift. We’ve done quite a few to date and have sent them all over Australia, probably one or two kits a week.”…

Our recently crowned 4x4 Of The Year, the Ford Everest, takes on its class rivals in this family wagon shootout.Using ute underpinnings to build a wagon isn’t a difficult thing, from an engineering point of view Just when we thought serious four-wheel drive wagons were becoming a dying breed, along comes a new wave of models including the Ford Everest, Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. It’s no coincidence that all these family wagons are based on utes; the Everest on the Ranger, the Fortuner on the Hilux and the Pajero Sport on the Triton. All this comes down to economies of scale. Right around the world, Australia included, utes are big business and are being produced and sold in huge numbers. To leverage this success and gain even more commercial…

5 SCALE THE HEIGHTS

WHAT YOU GET ALL Everests have seven seats, a rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, a 230V outlet, and a rear diff lock. The Trend adds 18s, a power tailgate, side-steps, projector headlights, daytime running lamps, dual-zone climate, auto wipers, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, forward crash mitigation, lane-departure warning, and sat-nav as an option. The Titanium adds 20s, leather, electric-adjust seating, power-fold third row, HID headlights with LEDs, a sunroof, park assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, tyre-pressure monitoring and sat-nav. The Everest arrived in late 2015 and is the only wagon here designed and developed in Australia. It comes in a range of three models, all with automatic transmissions. POWERTRAIN AND PERFORMANCE The Everest is powered by the same 3.2-litre, five-cylinder diesel that’s in the Ranger. It also features the same engine…

5 SCALE THE HEIGHTS

4 THE GENERAL’S OWN

WHAT YOU GET THE Colorado 7, in both models, comes with seven seats, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and a seven-inch touchscreen, which can be used as a sat-nav via a separately purchased smart phone app. Over and above the LT, the LTZ comes with leather, electric-adjust for the driver’s seat, climate control air-con, self-levelling projector headlights and 18-inch alloys, rather than the 16s on the LT. The Colorado 7 is the oldest vehicle here, arriving in late 2012 before a significant revamp just 12 months later. The Colorado 7 and the MU-X are of course related and share the same basic chassis structure and body shell but with different powertrains, suspension tunes, interiors, exterior detailing and equipment. The Colorado 7 is sold in Southeast Asia, India, Brazil, South Africa and…

4 THE GENERAL’S OWN

WHAT YOU GET ALL models, except the top-spec LS-T, come with the option of a manual or automatic transmission, and all have seven seats and rear parking sensors. Above the base LS-M, the LS-U adds dual-zone climate control, air-con outlets for the rear-seat passengers, fog lights, side-steps and roof rails, while 17s replace 16s. The LS-T adds leather seats with electric-adjust for the driver, sat-nav and a reversing camera. The LS-T also has a premium audio system with eight, rather than six, speakers and a rear DVD system with a 10-inch, roof-mounted screen. Isuzu’s MU-X debuted in Australia in late 2013 after the release of Isuzu’s D-Max ute, upon which the wagon is based. Since then it has remained virtually unchanged and, of the five wagons tested here, it is one of…

2 ALTERNATE APPROACH

WHAT YOU GET ALL Pajero Sport models have five seats, 18-inch alloys, LED headlamps and DRLs, tilt-and-reach steering wheel adjustment, ‘smart’ entry and start, digital radio, hill-descent control, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Over the GLX, the GLS has a rear locker, a cargo blind, dual-zone climate, leather, electric-adjust seats for driver and passenger, six speakers (up from four), and auto headlights and wipers. The top-spec Exceed then adds headlight washers, two additional speakers, a rear DVD system, blind-spot monitoring and forward crash mitigation. Based on the new Triton that arrived early in 2015, the Pajero Sport is a replacement for the Challenger, but with a new name. Well, the name is new for Australia, as in some overseas markets the previous generations of the Challenger have been called Pajero…

2 ALTERNATE APPROACH

WHAT YOU GET ALL Fortuner models come with seven seats, tilt-and-reach steering wheel adjustment, a cool box, auto headlights, a reversing camera, and a rear diff lock. Over and above the GX, the GXL adds ‘smart’ key entry, push-button start, 17-inch alloys (instead of the GX’s black steelies), roof rails, front fog lights, rear parking sensors, downhill assist, and paddle shifters for the auto. The Crusade adds sat-nav, leather, climate control, an electric-adjust driver’s seat, a power tailgate, a 220V socket, 18s, LED headlights and daytime running lights. Developed alongside the all-new Hilux, the Fortuner is in every sense a modern-day 4Runner. But why would Toyota bother with the Fortuner when it already has its hugely successful Prado? Well, the Fortuner is noticeably cheaper than the Prado and, at the lower end…

These five wagons have their various strengths and weaknesses, but they are all similar in their general capabilities. All have five-star ANCAP safety and all, except the Pajero Sport, seat seven people. In auto form they can also tow between 2800kg (Fortuner) and 3100kg (Pajero Sport), although the manual Fortuner is rated to tow 3000kg. More importantly, all of these vehicles can be driven straight from the showroom into reasonably difficult 4x4 country, without having to change anything, provided it’s not too wet, in which case the standard tyres would become a liability. Speaking of tyres, all five wagons have off-road suitable wheel and tyre specification. 18s are standard and all will accept the 16s or 17s off their respective lower-spec models, or their ute counterpart. They all also come with full-sized…

We all know that we should value our time and spend it wisely, seize the day and live life to the fullest. Troy Shortland does it well, heading out in his prized fourbie at every opportunity. Maybe it’s because Troy is a paramedic and gets daily reminders of just how precious our time is on this big, blue planet. Or maybe it’s because wife, Keryn, shares his strong passion for camping. Sure, Troy went camping as a kid – squashed into the back of the Sigma station wagon with his two brothers, with no room for the cricket bat, as the family headed north to the rellies’ beach shack at Green Head, but it was Keryn who dragged him north for a very serious first trip. Traveling from Perth to Darwin…

The campsite is one of those places where, once you’re set up, you can just sit down and chill for the entire trip New South Wales isn’t blessed with as much beach camping as Queensland is, but what it does have is sublime bush camping, and a place such as The Gorge at Clarence River is no exception. Less than two hours west of Grafton, The Gorge needs to be seen to be believed. Via Copmanhurst, the road to the property is just the start of what you’ll see when you arrive. With a view of the Clarence River in the distance, you’ll follow winding dirt through a picturesque landscape to 3365 hectares of serenity. The Gorge has been in the Winters family for more than 100 years and is still a working cattle…

Colson Cruisin'

We were bogged in the middle of the Simpson Desert, late in the season, with not a traveller in sight Bugger,” I thought as the Patrol ploughed to a halt in the thick, glutinous mud of the claypan. Slipping out of the cab, my boots and I quickly became a few centimetres taller as the wet, clammy clay clung to everything. The front end of the Patrol was down; the diff no doubt resting on the crust of mud; the tyres looking like slicks, caked in a thick coating of red-brown muck. Luckily, the back end of the truck was just a short distance from terra firma, as all our momentum had been washed away in just a few metres of the fulvous-coloured, gummy earth. Still, we were bogged – really and truly…

Colson Cruisin'

A stroke of Mulligan

In 1921 a massive explosion ripped through the Mt Mulligan coal mine and snuffed out the lives of every man underground Anyone who has ever been to an abandoned mine site will be familiar with the scene. There are skeletons of old buildings surrounding the mine works – smelter, brick kilns, that sort of thing. But Mount Mulligan has one big factor that sets it apart: 75 men died there in a tragedy that rocked not just the community but also the entire state of Queensland. Mt Mulligan had been a producing coal mine since 1910. In September 1921, the entire population of working miners were ‘below’ when a massive explosion ripped through the mine and snuffed out the lives of every man underground. The cause was debated at great length,…

A stroke of Mulligan

Mission to Mulligan

GETTING to Mt Mulligan is a fairly easy day trip out of Cairns or Mareeba. From Mareeba, it’s roughly 120km one way so, with a reasonably early start, you can be home for dinner. It should never be forgotten though that this part of Australia can throw a spanner into your plans. While the track out from Dimbulah is probably driveable in a conventional vehicle, a 4WD is a far better choice. Corrugations and the regularity of creek crossings might leave your Falcon in shreds. For fuel, your last chance to top up is Dimbulah, while on the way back there is always the pub, should thirst be getting the better of you. Also, you should take plenty of food and water; there is nothing available at Mulligan. For additional info, a…

The best Compressed

There are few products that are ‘must haves’ in the world of 4x4ing, camping and the great outdoors, but an air compressor is definitely one item that should be carried, as it can have so many handy and convenient uses – aside from tyre inflation. Depending on your needs, there are a few things to consider when purchasing an air compressor: maximum pressure, air-flow rate, duty cycle, portability, accessories and of course price. Let’s expand on a few of these points. MAXIMUM PRESSURE If you want to pump up your tyres to 40-50psi, there’s no point purchasing a compressor that can only inflate low-pressure toys like soccer balls, air beds and kids toys. For low-pressure pumping that requires a large volume of air, all you need is a lower (maximum) pressure pump…

The best Compressed

IN THE world of unregulated air-compressor advertising, we checked suggested air flows with an air-flow meter and found our figures often differed from those printed on the packaging or instructions. Many air compressors achieved half of what was quoted, with some up to 100L/ min less than quoted. What is happening with some compressors is the stated air flow is actually FAD (Free Air Delivery) – that is, when the compressor hose is not attached to a tyre and, in some cases, not even attached to the air compressor. As soon as you add the air hose and the chuck, down goes the flow rate. Add in an air valve, and down she goes again. Add in resistance in the way of air pressure inside the tyre – yep, you guessed…

RRP $879.00 AIR FILTER Twin sintered-bronze air cleaner CONTACTS www.arb.com.au MAX PRESSURE 150psi (claimed) The CKMTP12 is a twin motor/twin cylinder unit with a four-litre air tank, and has a 100 per cent claimed duty cycle. It comes in a waterproof, impact-resistant hard case. The high-quality, heat-resistant air line is easy to unravel, and the quick-clip chuck can be removed for higher air flow and features a stop valve so air will not flow until connected to a tyre valve. The claimed flow rate is 174.4L/min at no load and 0psi; 131.8L/min at 29psi. This unit can be left on when the air line is removed from the tyre, preventing damage from the free-revving motor, while the twin sintered-bronze air cleaners are rated for fine bulldust, and are easily removed and cleaned.You can also operate air tools with the air…

RRP $377.00 AIR FILTER Sintered-bronze air cleaner CONTACTS www.arb.com.au MAX PRESSURE 100psi (claimed) The CKMP12 is similar to the CKMTP12, except that it comes with just the single motor instead of the CKMTP’s twin system. Housed in a hard case, this unit has a 50 per cent claimed duty cycle. It comes with many of the features of the twin system, including a high-quality, heat-resistant, easy-to-unravel air line; a quick-clip chuck that can be removed for higher air flow; a stop valve so air will not flow until connected to a tyre valve; an in-line fuse and alligator clips; and extra airline nozzles. Like the twin system, this unit can be left on when the air line is removed from the tyre, preventing damage from the free-revving motor, and has a sintered-bronze air cleaner rated for fine bulldust, which can…

BUSHRANGER MAX AIR III

RRP $350.00 AIR FILTER External, 2-stage foam CONTACTS www.bushranger.com.au MAX PRESSURE 150psi (claimed) The Bushranger Max Air III has a maximum pressure of 150psi, a 72L/min air flow and a claimed maximum duty cycle of 40 minutes at 22°C and 30psi. It features a coiled high-pressure hose with rubber heat protection at the disconnect end; battery-powered digital pressure gauge; trigger air release and quick-snap chuck and deflator mechanism; plus two sets of spare air-cleaner elements. The pressure switch (off at 150psi) means it can be used with an air tank. The unit is rubber-mounted on a base plate and is stored in a soft bag. The air cleaner is mounted low to help protect it in the bag. Also comes with an in-line fuse with alligator clips; thermal-overload switch; on-off switch on body; a hard-mounting kit; and a five-year…

BUSHRANGER MAX AIR III

BUSHRANGER BLACK MAX

RRP $250.00 AIR FILTER External, 2-stage foam CONTACTS www.bushranger.com.au MAX PRESSURE 150psi (claimed) Housed in a soft bag, this unit has 150psi maximum pressure, 66L/min air flow, and a maximum duty cycle of 30 minutes at 24°C and 40psi. It features a coiled, 200psi-rated hose with in-built deflator mechanism and rubber heat protection at the disconnect end; in-line pressure gauge; thermal-overload switch; hard-mounting kit; two sets of spare air-cleaner elements; and an in-line fuse with alligator clips. The low-mounted air cleaner helps protect it in the bag, and the unit is rubber-mounted on a base plate. It comes with a five-year warranty.…

BUSHRANGER BLACK MAX

RRP $185.00 AIR FILTER In-built foam CONTACTS www.piranhaoffroad.com.au MAX PRESSURE 150psi (claimed) The Off-Road Pro Flow 75 from Piranha features a coiled hose with in-built deflator; screw-on chuck and in-line pressure gauge; in-line fuse and alligator clips; extra inflation nozzles; and a thermal-overload switch. The in-built air cleaner offers protection, and the unit is rubber-mounted on a base plate. It has a max pressure of 150psi; a claimed duty cycle of 30 minutes at 24°C and 40psi; and a 75L/min air flow. It has a five-year warranty.…

RRP $255.00 AIR FILTER Built-in, 2-stage foam filter CONTACTS Available from leading automotive and 4x4 outlets (eg Piranha) MAX PRESSURE 150psi (claimed) The Vortex has a claimed maximum pressure of 150psi, and 160L/min air flow. Features include a straight rubber hose with quick clip-on chuck, deflator and in-line pressure gauge; alligator clips with in-line fuse; reset button for thermal overload; and extra inflation nozzles. The built-in two-stage foam filter offers good protection from breakage, and the unit is mounted on rubber feet to a sand tray. On-off switch is on the body. One-year warranty.…

RRP $169.00 AIR FILTER External foam CONTACTS www.ironman4x4.com MAX PRESSURE 150psi (claimed) Housed in a soft bag, the Ironman Flomax has a claimed 72L/min air flow, and max pressure of 150psi. It features a coiled hose with screw-on chuck and deflator plus in-line pressure gauge; alligator clips with in-line fuse; extra inflation nozzles; thermal overload switch; and an on-body on-off switch. The single-stage foam filter sits high in the bag and may get damaged. Rubber feet mount the unit to a sand tray. Three-year warranty.…

IRONMAN FLOMAX PRO

RRP $242.00 AIR FILTER Built-in foam filter CONTACTS www.ironman4x4.com MAX PRESSURE 150psi (claimed) With a claimed 150psi max pressure and 160L/ min air flow, the Flomax Pro also comes with a three-year warranty. Features include a coiled high-pressure hose with rubber heat protection at the disconnect end; screw-on chuck, alligator clips and in-line pressure gauge; thermal-overload switch; on-body on-off switch; and a manual pressure-relief valve. The built-in foam air cleaner offers excellent protection from breakage. Additional air outlets for toys are included, and the unit can be hard-mounted.…

IRONMAN FLOMAX PRO

RRP $299.00 AIR FILTER External foam CONTACTS www.aironboard.com.au MAX PRESSURE 200psi (claimed) The AOBCM500 is best suited for permanent mounting in a vehicle, and it comes with wiring, switches and relay for installation. It has a claimed max pressure of 200psi and 100 per cent duty cycle at 22°C and 100psi. No case or air lines are included. The pressure switch is activated at 150psi, with a safety relief valve at 188psi. Its claimed airflow is 72L/min. While this unit is an attractive option with its included nine-litre air tank, without the additional air lines and hard wiring we were unable to test it. It has a one-year warranty.…

RRP $299.00 AIR FILTER In-built, 2-stage foam CONTACTS www.meanmother.com.au MAX PRESSURE 150psi (claimed) Supplied with a soft bag, the Adventurer II has a 45min duty cycle at 40psi, claimed 160L/min air flow at 0psi, and a 150psi max pressure rating. It has a straight rubber hose with screw-on chuck, clip-on chuck and deflator, plus an in-line pressure gauge. Other features include: alligator clips with in-line fuse; extra inflation nozzles; a circuit breaker; a spare filter set; and a thermal cutout at 105°C. The built-in, two-stage foam filter offers excellent protection from breakage. The unit is mounted to a sand tray via rubber feet, and comes with a five-year warranty.…

RRP $249.00 AIR FILTER Through-body air flow CONTACTS www.meanmother.com.au MAX PRESSURE 150psi (claimed) The Maxi 4X4 has a duty cycle of 55min at 40psi, a claimed 110L/min air flow at 0psi, and a 150psi max pressure. It comes with a straight rubber hose with screw-on chuck, clip-on chuck and deflator plus in-line pressure gauge; multiple configuration hose; alligator clips with in-line fuse; circuit breaker; thermal cutout at 105°C; on-body on-off switch; and extra inflation valves. It breathes through its body, so there is no filter. The unit comes with a soft bag and a five-year warranty.…

RRP $269.00 AIR FILTER Built-in, 2-stage foam CONTACTS www.haigh.com.au MAX PRESSURE 150psi (claimed) The Off-Road Pro Flow 150 has a 55min claimed duty cycle at 40psi, a 150L/min air flow at 0psi, and a max pressure rating of 150psi. Features include: soft bag for storage; straight rubber inflation hose with screw on chuck, deflator and inline pressure gauge; alligator clips with inline fuse; circuit breaker; extra inflation nozzles; thermal cut-out; and on-body on-off switch. The built-in two-stage foam filter offers excellent protection from breakage, and the unit is mounted to a sand tray via rubber feet. The Off-Road Pro Flow 150 comes with a five-year warranty.…

RRP $50-$70 AIR FILTER No CONTACTS Search the online sales sites The Lion was purchased online; the same product is available with different names. With a claimed 28L/min air flow, this unit can inflate tyres, but it was very slow. Also, the wiring and air line aren’t long enough to reach all four tyres unless they’re passed through the cabin. Still, it did the job without cutting out or melting. There’s a warning on the box to cool the compressor after 10 minutes. Included are battery-test and alternator-test functions and a built-in LED light; a screw-on brass chuck; and a cigarette-lighter plug.…

What’s inside?

I’VE dismantled a few air compressors and made some astonishing findings. How about plastic pistons in a compressor that generates a lot of heat – enough heat to actually melt the piston? Not good! Thermal cut-outs – yeah right! One el cheapo unit had no sign of any electrical or mechanical cut-out circuitry. Did they mean it cuts out when it disintegrates? Using cardboard from the packaging boxes to act as a gasket between the head and body of the motor – you’re kidding, aren’t you? Afraid not. The foreign instructions on the cardboard ‘gasket’ could be clearly read – provided you were multi-lingual. Have a close look at a few of the air cleaners; some do an excellent job at keeping giant clods of mud out of the mechanicals, but would fail…

Testing lowdown

AS KEEN as we were to do a few technical tests, we figured they had to be done in conjunction with real-life use. So while we made use of pumping up a common 4x4-sized Pro Comp Extreme A/T 285/70R17 tyre, we also made a few modifications to the rim. We did this so we could use an air-flow meter to record flow rates at predetermined pressures. Remembering flow rates decrease as pressure increases, we were able to make recordings without hindering compressor operation. We also had the ability to check air pressure ‘on the fly’ without having to stop pumping, disconnect the air-compressor hose from the valve, or make continuous individual pressure checks (which releases air each time a check is made). This allowed uninterrupted and more accurate inflation timing…

TOUGH AND TOUGHER If you’ve got a new Hilux, ARB has a bullbar for it. The Summit bar has a 60.3mm outer frame and crossbar tubing, and is constructed using press forming – so it’s tough. Plus, it uses a split-pan design for strength and airflow and has under-wing panels to protect the vulnerable lower parts of the Hilux. It also accommodates a range of low-mount electric winches, up to 10,000lb, and includes twin hi-lift jack points to assist with difficult recovery situations. Provisions for ARB Intensity LED and IPF driving lights are integrated into the top of the bar while a redesigned fog-light surround and ARB LED indicator/clearance light assembly is standard. Website: www.arb.com.au TORQUE IT UP If only your rig had torque like this. The Li-ion 18V half-inch DR Heavy Duty Impact…

Simpson Desert Adventurer

I first met Denis Bartell when I was editing an outdoor magazine and he was about to walk across the Simpson Desert. By then, the mid-1980s, he had already carved a name for himself thanks to some truly incredible exploits in the desert. Later, when I was first editing this mag, I met him again on a number of occasions while he was walking and canoeing the desert country and its rivers, as well as developing his DB Swag, a precursor to all the modern fully enclosed swags we see today. Just recently we caught up on the phone and talked of those old days. His first crossing of the Simpson was in July 1977, when he set out from Cape Byron to make a double crossing of the continent. He had…

Simpson Desert Adventurer

THE LOADED PART 5

WIN OUR LOADED LUX THAT’S RIGHT! Once we’re finished kitting up this Hilux with all the best off-road gear from TJM Products, Lightforce, Terrain Tamer, MSA Products, DP Chip, Mean Mother winches, EFS Suspension, Cooper Tires, ATX Wheels, Ironman 4x4, MaxTrax, Piranha 4x4, Opposite Lock and a few other top-notch suppliers, we’ll be giving it away to a lucky reader of 4X4 Australia magazine. The promotion officially kicks off now, so flick back to page 46 of this issue or go online to www.4x4australia.com.au for all the details on how you can make it yours. Who knows, you could be the one setting off for a big outback adventure in this bush-ready Toyota – but you’ve got to be in it to win it to get in it! We’ve finally got our Toyota Hilux…

THE LOADED PART 5

RATED AVAILABLE FROM: www.coopertires.com.au RRP: 305/70 R16 – $468. WE SAY: Great all-rounders up to any challenge. Cooper Tires’ latest offering, the STT Pro, has been designed from the ground up over a 10-year period of consistent testing in Australia’s harsh outback. It began in 2007 when Cooper’s product manager John Pecoraro came to Australia from the US to see first-hand what it was that made Australia such a tough place for tyres. He committed the company to developing a tyre that would outlast the tyres of its competitors. After a decade and more than one million kilometres of testing, the result is a product that will set the standard for new-tyre development in Australia. So, with a fair bit of travelling to do in some of Australia’s toughest environments, we thought it appropriate to give…

SEATING FOR SIX

It’s easy to remove all seats when I want to use the Troopie to camp in or to cart huge loads RATED AVAILABLE FROM: www.techsafeseating.com.au RRP:Varies depending on seat type and fitting charges. WE SAY: Fantastic option for custom extra seating. One of the biggest considerations for any family purchasing a vehicle is the availability of comfortable seating for all its members. Sure, those fold-down third-row units do the job for a while, but you can forget about seating lanky teenagers or adults on them – unless you really don’t like someone! I wanted something better for the Troopie, so I looked into the aftermarket seating options. Keeping in mind that a couple of my kids use child seats, I had to include child anchor points with anything that was installed. When I chanced upon Techsafe Seating’s…

SEATING FOR SIX

HOW TO: RECOVERY BOARDS

Quality four-wheel-drive gear isn’t cheap, especially when it comes to recovery gear such as winches. In a perfect world we’d all be running high-mount winches with a slew of attachments and other recovery devices to get us out of any situation short of North Korea invading. But while the glorious leader’s army remains in Korea, things don’t necessarily need to get extreme. In fact, depending on what 4x4 you own, it might even make financial sense to park it if you get bogged, hike back in to town and buy a new one, rather than maxing out the American Express on the required recovery gear. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that we’re seeing traction boards like the MaxTrax popping up on every 4x4 both sides of the black stump.…

HOW TO: RECOVERY BOARDS

FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS

There’s a tinny rattle that can be heard at idle from outside the car and sounds like an exhaust heat shield or similar DATE ACQUIRED: NOV 2015 PRICE: $63,645 (inc extras) KM THIS MONTH: 927 AV FUEL: 11.2L/100KM They say you’ll never know how many friends you have until you own a ute, a car trailer, or both. We proved that theory when one of our associates at MOTOR magazine spotted our BT50 in the carpark at a time when he was moving house. The timing was right for us, as we had five wagons on test for this issue, and so the BT was available for furniture-shifting duties, a task it handled with ease. We also used the time we had the wagons at hand to get a 10,000km service done on the BT50, a…

FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS

CAMP-OVEN LAMB STEW

INGREDIENTS Serves 4 Oil8 lamb chops (barbecue, forequarter, chump, etc), cut into large pieces1 large brown or white onion, peeled and roughly chopped2 carrots, thickly sliced1-2 tsp crushed garlic (fresh or jar/tube variety)1 x 420g can of condensed cream of mushroom soup1 x 40g packet of French onion soup mix (I prefer salt-reduced)2 tbs Worcestershire sauce1 tbs tomato sauce (or use spicy red sauce)1 handful of fresh mint leaves, roughly choppedSalt and pepperA little water or liquid stock if stew becomes too thick COOKING IT Preparation time: 10-20min; cooking time: 40-60min You could just combine all the ingredients in your camp oven or pot to save time, but if you want to get a better, deeper flavour, then brown the chops, onion and vegetables in a bit of hot oil first. This is my preference. Heat…

CAMP-OVEN LAMB STEW

It’s getting to that time of the year when we start planning our next long-distance escape. This got me thinking about the best on-road and off-road trips you can do in Australia. And we are certainly spoilt for choice here! Close to home we can hitch up the camper and head to the High Country. With a bit of planning, we can start a trip from Yarra Glen, just outside Melbourne, and end up close to Katoomba, west of Sydney. Or you can do it the other way around, starting at Katoomba. They are both great four-wheel-drive trips. Either way, allow yourself a minimum of a couple of weeks to experience the best camping spots and the most challenging tracks – some of which you won’t be able to take the camper…

Feedback regarding 4X4 Australia’s annual 4X4 Of The Year (4X4OTY) test never fails to amaze me.Even before the advent of online social media platforms such as Facebook, we’ve always received loads of letters regarding the 4X4OTY testing procedure and, of course, the result.And despite explaining precisely how the contenders are selected each year, and precisely how they are tested, judged and scored, there’s always feedback questioning the process, implying that the result is somehow rigged to favour a certain brand of vehicle due to some imagined bias, or graft and corruption. For those of you who missed out on the February 2016 issue of 4X4 Australia,it was the new Ford Everest that picked up the most recent 4X4OTY gong.Here’s what James Burke had to say about that on 4X4 Australia’s Facebook…

PRIVACY NOTICE This issue of 4X4 Australia is published by Bauer Media Pty Ltd (Bauer). Bauer may use and disclose your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, including to provide you with your requested products or services and to keep you informed of other Bauer publications, products, services and events. Our Privacy Policy is located at www.bauer-media.com.au/privacy/ It also sets out on how you can access or correct your personal information and lodge a complaint. Bauer may disclose your personal information offshore to its owners, joint venture partners, service providers and agents located throughout the world, including in New Zealand, USA, the Philippines and the European Union. In addition, this issue may contain Reader Offers, being offers, competitions or surveys. Reader Offers may require you to provide personal information to…

In This Issue

Description

Details

Reviews

Recent Digital Issues Browse all

Recent 4x4 Magazine Australia Digital Issues Browse all back issues

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription November 1st, 2024 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) November 2024: $4.60

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription October 1st, 2024 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) October 2024: $4.83

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription September 1st, 2024 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) September 2024: $4.73

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription August 1st, 2024 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) August 2024: $4.73

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription April 1st, 2025 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) April 2025: $4.34

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription March 1st, 2025 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) March 2025: $4.34

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription February 1st, 2025 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) February 2025: $4.35

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription January 1st, 2025 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) January 2025: $4.32

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription November 27th, 2024 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Summer 2024: $4.55

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription December 1st, 2024 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) December 2024: $4.32

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription November 1st, 2024 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) November 2024: $4.60

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription October 1st, 2024 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) October 2024: $4.83

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription September 1st, 2024 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) September 2024: $4.73

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription August 1st, 2024 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) August 2024: $4.73

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription April 1st, 2025 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) April 2025: $4.34

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription March 1st, 2025 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) March 2025: $4.34

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription February 1st, 2025 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) February 2025: $4.35

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) Subscription January 1st, 2025 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia (Digital) January 2025: $4.32

Customers Also Viewed

RIDERS CLUB Classic　ライダースクラブクラシック Magazine (Digital) Subscription November 1st, 2015 Issue

RIDERS CLUB Classic　ライダースクラブクラシック Magazine (Digital)

No.3_Nov-15: $5.71

Photography Tips, Tricks & Fixes Magazine (Digital) Subscription April 1st, 2016 Issue

Photography Tips, Tricks & Fixes Magazine (Digital)

Photography Tips, Tricks & Fixes 3rd Revised Edition: $11.99

The Complete PC Upgrades Handbook 2011 Magazine (Digital) Subscription May 25th, 2011 Issue

The Complete PC Upgrades Handbook 2011 Magazine (Digital)

The Complete PC Upgrades Handbook 2011: $2.60

Dolls Magazine Subscription

Dolls Magazine

(2)

8 Issues: $29.00 ~~$59.90~~

Chat Specials Magazine (Digital) Subscription April 1st, 2025 Issue

Chat Specials Magazine (Digital)

13 Issues: $11.62 ~~$33.41~~

Taste.com.au (Digital) Subscription June 1st, 2023 Issue

Taste.com.au (Digital)

June 2023: $1.96

4x4 Magazine Australia Magazine (Digital) Subscription April 1st, 2025 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia Magazine (Digital)

12 Issues: $24.95 ~~$52.32~~

RIDERS CLUB Classic　ライダースクラブクラシック Magazine (Digital) Subscription November 1st, 2015 Issue

RIDERS CLUB Classic　ライダースクラブクラシック Magazine (Digital)

No.3_Nov-15: $5.71

Photography Tips, Tricks & Fixes Magazine (Digital) Subscription April 1st, 2016 Issue

Photography Tips, Tricks & Fixes Magazine (Digital)

Photography Tips, Tricks & Fixes 3rd Revised Edition: $11.99

The Complete PC Upgrades Handbook 2011 Magazine (Digital) Subscription May 25th, 2011 Issue

The Complete PC Upgrades Handbook 2011 Magazine (Digital)

The Complete PC Upgrades Handbook 2011: $2.60

Dolls Magazine Subscription

Dolls Magazine

(2)

8 Issues: $29.00 ~~$59.90~~

Chat Specials Magazine (Digital) Subscription April 1st, 2025 Issue

Chat Specials Magazine (Digital)

13 Issues: $11.62 ~~$33.41~~

Taste.com.au (Digital) Subscription June 1st, 2023 Issue

Taste.com.au (Digital)

June 2023: $1.96

4x4 Magazine Australia Magazine (Digital) Subscription April 1st, 2025 Issue

4x4 Magazine Australia Magazine (Digital)

12 Issues: $24.95 ~~$52.32~~

RIDERS CLUB Classic　ライダースクラブクラシック Magazine (Digital) Subscription November 1st, 2015 Issue

RIDERS CLUB Classic　ライダースクラブクラシック Magazine (Digital)

No.3_Nov-15: $5.71

Reviews

0

0

0

0

0

Ask a Question

Ask a question about this product

Please enter content for the question.

Please enter at least 10 characters.

Your question can not be more than 150 characters.

Please enter your first name and last name.

Only letters allowed for first name and last name.

Please enter your email.

Submit Cancel Processing...

Thank you for your question! Your question has been submitted and will be published soon.

OK

Answer this question

Please enter content for the answer.

Please enter at least 10 characters.

Please enter your first name and last name.

Only letters allowed for first name and last name.

Please enter your email.

Submit Cancel Processing...

Thank you for your answer! Your answer has been submitted and will be published soon.

OK