UNSEALED 4X4 READERS’ RIGS: MADELYN’S SUZUKI JIMNY

By Unsealed 4X4 5 Min Read

We don’t see too many Zooks on these pages, and that is a real shame. Especially when they are as well set up as Madelyn’s 2007 model Jimny. It was purchased as a blank canvas apart from a 1.5L ‘big block’ engine conversion. Over time an ARB bullbar has been added, the back seats have been removed for more storage space, and a transfer case guard was bolted on for protection. There’s a 2-inch suspension lift and a set of BF Goodrich KM2 mud tyres fill the guards and provide extra grip off-road. There are plenty of other touring mods in this micro-beast, including extra lighting, a snorkel, folding table on the back door, a UHF radio and dual-battery system. The next time you complain about not having enough space, take a closer look at this here Jimny. Congrats on winning this round of Readers Rigs, Madelyn!  

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MITCH’S NP PAJERO

Mitch is the proud owner of this 2004 NP Pajero, which he has owned for the last two years. We should also mention that he has driven over 60,000 kilometres in those two years, and the only thing that has gone wrong in that time is a busted starter motor. This could be due to the sloppy Victorian High Country mud Mitch finds himself in regularly. The Pajero has the venerable 3.2L turbo-diesel engine under the bonnet, which Mitch reports gets great fuel economy for such a large vehicle. Modification-wise he has fitted a nudge bar to mount additional lighting, a very basic dual-battery system and the mandatory mod for the High Country – a snorkel. Mitch has built his own roof rack at home, as well as a work light pole for lighting up his camp at night. Other than a UHF and some 12V gauges, Mitch has left the rest of the truck stock. Shows you what you can do on a budget if you do the work yourself.

 

 

BERNIE’S D22 NAVARA

Bernie describes his D22 as a great lightweight 4X4, but we think he might be underselling it there considering the gear he has fitted and trips he has done in it so far. He bought the Navara new back in 2004, and has spent the last 12 years getting it ready for the 2016 Big Red Bash. The list of equipment and accessories on this D22 is staggering, we simply don’t have the space here; but you can bet the basics such as aftermarket suspension, recovery gear and 12V wizardry have been included. As a result, Bernie tells us the D22 is a really easy vehicle to live out of. While he has thought about upgrading it, he feels the old girl still has plenty of life left in it. Better the devil you know, hey mate?

 

 

PERRY’S DEFENDER 130

Perry’s Land Rover Defender is a bit of a rarity we’re told, as it is an extra-cab design that he refers to as ‘Big Cab’. He has decked it out essentially with long-distance and remote touring in mind. First up, he had a Long Ranger fuel tank fitted as well as provisions for 100L of water stored in two tanks. Naturally, Perry has had a dual-battery system installed; but he’s opted for a manually operated marine switch to control charging – something a 100W solar panel assists with greatly. The bed area is accessed via the right side of the vehicle rather than from the back of the Defender (oh yeah, did you notice the bed area up top?). The tray holds twin spare tyres, as well as his trusty Engel fridge and more storage space than the kitchen in an inner-city loft.  


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