Being welcomed into the 4×4 community: a female’s perspective

Kate found herself longing to travel Australia and burst into the 4x4 scene. Here's her experience as a female in the wheeler community.

Kate Sanders discovered the 4×4 community when she started working on her Prado, Sheila

I wish I could say I am a determined person, but I just enjoy proving people wrong. So, when a 4’11 blonde chick, slides out of a lifted Prado and it’s the last person they expect, it is a bit of an ego boost.

Like many new to the scene, my 4X4 story starts with Covid.

I moved back to my home state of Western Australia three days before they closed the borders. I was a lost puppy trying to find my feet. Through balancing study that had gone online, a breakup and lockdowns, I soon realised that nothing made me happier than being alone outdoors. As W.A.’s lockdown was quite minor compared to other states, I started exploring close to home. I soon realised that some of the best spots, were hard to get to in a 2WD. That’s when I remembered my stepdad, a mechanic by trade, had his old car sitting in the shed collecting dust. This is when my plan began.

The old (relatively mighty) 90-Series Prado I named “Sheila” didn’t need much. With a quick tune-up, some new shocks and a brake system overhaul, she was ready for the road again. The Prado was perfect for me. As a surfer, I’d begun to collect board after board and needed a vehicle that’d fit them. Being a 4X4, meant I’d no longer struggle to reach the secret surf spots and be limited to sealed roads.

How ignorant of me to think it would just stop there with a simple tune-up. Sure, all I really needed was for her to run correctly and have a decent roof rack. But I soon discovered the limitless possibilities with 4X4 modification.

Fast track a year and I managed to crash the thing twice in three months. Dad (I would say me, but my knowledge of vehicles and repairs barely came close to scratching the surface) had to spend some afternoons/nights getting her back up and running.

I realised I had to do the research myself and soak up as much information about Prado’s as I could. I started searching online about engine types for Prado 90 Series and how to fix certain parts without actually knowing the part name. There were a lot of what I’ll refer to as “roundabout guesstimate Google searches”. Think things like “rubber belt” and “big wheel springs”. It’s safe to say the wreckers became my best friends that year. And I learnt what big wheel springs are actually called.

I’m unsure why I stayed persistent in researching and finding parts to make this soccer mum car look slightly more beastly. Perhaps it was my eagerness to prove people wrong.

I fell into a deep spiral, attempting to find out any information I could and add my own personal touch. At this point, not a lot of my female friends owned 4WD. The friends that did weren’t into wheeling and modifications as much as I was.

The basic set-up was doing its job, but I started to consider touring on a much larger scale. I thought back to the time I had planned the classic troopy build that every long-haired; surfer couple seems to be doing now. But this time it felt much different, and I was convinced with enough research and self-teaching, I would have the ability and capability to travel around Australia in a 4X4 and complete all the repairs myself.

It wasn’t just waves that got my heart racing, it was hanging down dirt tracks and flying over corrugations, I don’t know what went through my mind but I knew I wanted to do this forever.

I entered the wheeler community

I posted a TikTok which blew up when I first began my ‘Living on the road build’. It’s funny to look back at it now because I never knew the extent of the controversy surrounding Prado’s. It was basically me saying that I think Prado’s are Landcruiser’s. Ask me this question now and I’ll tell you something entirely different. It was there where I quickly found out that there was a huge and helpful 4×4 community online.

The wheels started rolling, I joined Prado groups on Facebook. I kept posting updates of modifications I was doing as well as how-to videos. I now look back on now and cringe because I honestly had no idea what I was doing!

The 4×4 community helped me

The initial reason I started posting was that I wanted people to tell me what I was doing wrong or to be able to ask questions to a large audience. In the end, I had really good feedback, I had people following me from around the country, men and women of all ages. Some left comments of praise and others messaged tips. Eventually, it got to the point where I was able to post a question and have it answered within minutes.

I am extremely thankful for the community I have found online, I have never felt more supported and it has allowed me to gain confidence in my ability to live the life I do now.

I formed respect for the community

One thing that surprised me is how much of an art form a vehicle can be. A background in the arts made me realise that starting with a base, customising and modifying to your own taste, or completely redesigning and rebuilding a vehicle is also creating artwork in motion. I have the utmost respect for the 4X4 community now that I have more knowledge about how much time, patience and sweat go into builds.

So what am I up to now?

I left home in September solo travelling for almost six months so far, but don’t be fooled, I still have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. Dad still receives the occasional phone call and I still spend hours googling.

If I could give a word of advice to someone sitting at home, wanting to buy a 4X4 and travel or just hit the tracks, I’d be this. If you want it bad enough, you will make it work. Start googling and browse Facebook Marketplace for a 4X4 within your budget. Watch videos, join groups and most importantly, ask questions! If I didn’t begin pestering my dad about Prado’s, I wouldn’t be living the life of adventure I am now.