CLUB 4X4 OFF-ROAD INSURANCE We first spotted Club 4X4 at the 2015 Sydney 4WD and Adventure show handing out show bags… hey, who doesn’t like a free show bag? Anyway, it turns out they are a specialist four wheel drive insurance company, who saw a rather large gap in the market. After requesting a quote and some …
SUZUKI ACROSS THE SIMPSON
Two-stroke fuel wafted across the red sand dunes as the wind blew fumes back into the cabin of the LJ50 Suzuki, giving its occupants an oily pungent smell that stuck to their clothing and any exposed skin. The little Suzi had valiantly conquered yet another sand dune under grey skies and rain. Its 500cc engine was working mightily …
PAT CALLINAN’S VW AMAROK
Well, you have asked for it and we thought it was about time we delivered. We receive countless emails and messages on social media, asking for a more detailed look at the Volkswagen Amarok our publisher has been driving for close to a year now. When Pat made the move from driving Nissan Patrols to the new-kid-on-the-block dual …
NEW LAND ROVER DEFENDER
The iconic and aspirational shape of the Land Rover Defender has in its essence been in design since 1948. And while it must be noted that Defender dynamics and ergonomics basically stayed in the 40s, saying the Defender has a cult-status would be the understatement of the year… Or should that be half century? For the full story …
UNSEALED 4X4 READERS’ RIGS
ANTHONY’S 80 SERIES LANDCRUISER Anthony has three loves in his life: His wife, his dog Roxy, and his 1995 80 Series LandCruiser. Now he never specified in which order he rates them, so to keep him out of hot water we made an executive decision on his behalf (you’re welcome, buddy). He’s been driving his 80 around for …
Ford Everest Named Car of the Year
From flames to glory, maybe they should have called it the Phoenix instead of the Everest? It’s been a massive couple of weeks for Ford. A few days ago a motoring journalist was test driving a new Everest when it mysteriously caught fire and burned to the ground (Click here to read about it), now that very same car has been named …
STAFF CORNER: INTRODUCING PROJECT RUSTY
A couple of weeks back a few of us were sitting around having a work meeting (we may or may not have been at the pub at the time…) and the talk was turned to project vehicles. Ev has his GQ, Dex has his FrankenForty and Sam has his old Series Landy that consumes most of his …
VIDEO: TOYOTA KLUGER GETS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
It just wasn’t this driver’s day.
Dodge Ram to be sold In Aus.
ATECO Automotive and the Walkinshaw Automotive Group have joined forces to convert Ram pick-up trucks to right-hand drive for the Australian markets, announcing the new venture – dubbed ‘American Special Vehicles’ – this week ahead of sales commencing later this year. The confirmation this week has Ateco Automotive as the joint-venture partner with Walkinshaw Automotive, with Ryan …
7 4X4s YOU THOUGHT SUCKED…
Aren’t you over seeing the same 4X4s gracing the pages of off-road magazines? The world doesn’t revolve around 80 Series LandCruisers or GQ Patrols. Even though they are sensational four wheel drives, I’m certainly sick of reading the same articles about how to build them. So what if you are looking for something a little different to …
TOYOTA FJ CRUISER TOURER
Let’s say you’re looking for a new 4X4 to get away from it all with. You don’t want to buy a second-hand pile of someone else’s problems and a rat’s nest of bodgy wiring; you want it to be capable of tackling anything this country can throw at it; and you don’t want to spend more than $50K. …
STAFF CORNER
EV GROWS UP… WELL, HIS TRUCK DOES ANYWAY If you saw the Staff Corner last issue, you would have seen the Zook I just picked up, and began modifying with a Uneek 4X4 bullbar. Well, after pottering around in it for the last few weeks, it became apparent that I need something bigger for touring trips. When this …
TOYOTA FJ CRUISER TOURER
Let’s say you’re looking for a new 4X4 to get away from it all with. You don’t want to buy a second-hand pile of someone else’s problems and a rat’s nest of bodgy wiring; you want it to be capable of tackling anything this country can throw at it; and you don’t want to spend more than …
NAVARA NP300 REVIEW
The new Navara is now officially out. The big question on everyone’s lips is whether it’s up to the challenge of replacing not only one, but two highly-regarded Nissan dual-cabs. To see if we could answer this, Sam Purcell, Evan Spence and Dex Fulton snuck out of the office last Wednesday arvo to put the NP300 through …
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE SUZUKI JIMNY
Like many of you I’m sure, I cut my teeth in the four-wheel drive game behind the wheel of a Suzuki Sierra. I worked every weekend, and public holiday I could to save for my dream car, and ended up buying a clapped out SWB Sierra for the grand sum of $1200 at the age of 16, and …
UNSEALED 4X4 READERS’ RIGS
BARRY’S TOYOTA LANDCRUISER 79 SERIES Here we have Barry’s 2010 Toyota LandCruiser VDJ79 Series, which he has set-up for camping and fishing trips around his native area of Shark Bay in Western Australia. He also loves to head north to the Kimberley for more remote fishing trips when time permits. The ‘Cruiser has Old Man Emu suspension, factory …
HJ47 TROOPY TOUGH TOURER
Every now and then, you see a custom truck that is so good it makes you want to sell your worldly possessions and hope the owner will accept your low-ball offer, even if they aren’t technically selling it. Everything about the vehicle makes you want it, nay need it! It’s a case of love at first sight if …
MERCEDES-BENZ G500
Solid axle 4x4s are a dying breed, soon to be relegated to the history books for their poor handling and uncomfortable ride; at least that’s what the Japanese manufacturers would have you believe. Unfortunately for them, Mercedes-Benz have made the whole country of Japan look foolish with one fell swoop. Sure, the swoop might have started way back …
AUSTRALIA’S BEST DEFENDER?
For the full story CLICK HERE When Glen and his partner Katrina (the owners of this neat-as-a-pin Defender) stopped to show off their proud new purchase to friends and family for the first time, they couldn’t work out why people continually asked them if they “wanted to be posh”. It was becoming a joke, had everyone lost …
ALMOST VINTAGE: BEST TRUCKS OF THE ’80s
For more information CLICK HERE I really don’t have a soft spot for new vehicles. There… I said it. Sure, modern trucks are reliable, safe and capable of performing the task at hand, but so are hand-knitt ed socks and I don’t really like those either (sorry Mum). When you take away the rust holes, the slow …
READERS RIDES
To see all the pics CLICK HERE DAN’S TOYOTA LANDCRUISER 60 SERIES Dan has owned this 60 Series for a couple of years now, and has wasted no time hooking into the mods. The front factory leaf springs were ditched early on in the piece, in favour of King coil-over shocks with 80 Series LandCruiser radius arms. …
TOYOTA 76 SERIES REVIEW
For the full story CLICK HERE YES, YES… YES TOYOTA! 1) RAIN GUTTERS They make things so easy in the world of four-wheel drives. No need to drill holes in your roof to mount a track-mount system, just simple cross bars or roof cages that bolt on, and off. 2) THAT ENGINE Droooool… it is …
The New Toyota HiLux
Forty-seven years after its introduction, the mighty Toyota HiLux has been reborn. And it’s about time, with current generation having over a decade-long run. This isn’t just a minor refresh consisting of new headlights and a few widgets, the HiLux has finally been given given what it deserves – a major update. The completely new model comes with …
SNOOPY HAS A BIRTHDAY
Editor Matthew Scott recently had a birthday, and straight off the bat we’re not going to mention his age out of respect (okay he is 98 years old… and a damn good advocate for skin moisturiser). Anyway, as Matt was recovering from a well-deserved night out, we thought Snoopy his Troopy deserved a birthday too and borrowed the …
WHEN 4×4 JUST ISN’T ENOUGH: THE 6X6
When a 4×4 just can’t get the job done, maybe you should have a look at a 6×6. Below are a few examples of proper 6×6 vehicles, where all 6 wheels are powered. Easily the most famous 6×6 of modern times is the Mercedes G63 AMG 6×6, which is one of the few manufacturer produced consumer 6×6 vehicles. There …
WHY YOU NEED A VINTAGE 4X4
Ironman is an interesting superhero, if you could call the character that. You see, at the end of the day, Ironman is a machine, and when compared to Superman or Captain America, Tony Stark, Ironman’s inventor and pilot is just an average bloke. Modern four-wheel drive vehicles have a lot in common with Ironman, though four-wheel drivers still …
THE UNSEALED 4X4 REVIEW: TOYOTA FJ CRUISER
The FJ Cruiser is a sign that there’s a glimmer of hope for 4X4 enthusiasts within the presumably perfectly organised offices at Toyota’s HQ. The FJ packs almost everything a four-wheel driver could want; twin fuel tanks, washable floors, impressive approach, departure, and break-over angles, and even a rear locker. The suspension is pretty good too, and the …
2017 FORD RAPTOR FIRST LOOK
It’s pretty hard to not like the Ford Raptor. It’s part ute, part desert racer, and part hardcore four-wheel drive. It features aggressive 35-inch tyres, racing suspension, and massive fenders to keep it all under wraps. Even though it was never officially sold here, the demand is so high that dozens of importers will gladly convert one to …
I BOUGHT A TROOPY AND NAMED IT SNOOPY
Buying a new 4X4 is an incredibly personal thing for me. I get attached. Really attached. Scary ex-girlfriend attached. I still to this day bemoan about the loss of my Land Rover 109, affectionately named Ralph, which I sold only to inevitably finance an incredibly ill-advised off-road Vespa – but that’s a different story. I had been on …
EXPEDITION CAMPERS AND OFF-ROAD MOTORHOMES
Whoever said you couldn’t have the comforts of home when you’re driving around the world clearly hasn’t seen these off-road motorhomes. These days you can have it all while you’re traveling, from a dishwasher to a clothes dryer to a garage built into the back. They’re insane, they’re expensive, and they’re awesome – home is where you park …