Ooh, nice, shiny isn’t it??!! Here are your first must-do’s!
You’ve just collected your new (to you) 4WD. It may be straight off the showroom floor, or it may have already been around Australia twice. Regardless, you’ve just been handed the keys to a whole new set of future adventures. There’s likely a list of things that you simply can’t wait to do or get done. Here’s a few of the less glamorous ones.
1. Rust Proofing – the real stuff
You might not be planning to take this fourbie near a beach. Yet you will, you know you will. You know that you know you will. You just may not know when. If it’s a new vehicle, get it off to an old school rust proofer. You’ll find that many traditional panel shops will offer this service along with some specialised vehicle protection companies. You may have been convinced to purchase electronic rust proofing. Okay, that’s nice, but go get the good stuff too.
If your vehicle is second hand, this process will cost you a bit more as there’s likely a build up of goodness knows what under your car. So you’ll be up for a proper underbody clean up (hopefully the second hand yard didn’t just exhaust multiple cans of matt black under there over the top of the crud). This is actually an excellent chance for you to have a good look under your car. See if your rust proofer will let you poke your nose under there after the clean up. But before the rust proofing goes on ask nicely, wear old clothes.
2. Cargo barrier.
You have a few options here, however if you have heavy things which need to stay away from your humans then you absolutely need to go shopping for a Standards Approved cargo barrier. And have it properly fitted. Outside of the obvious safety benefits every single time someone cuts you off in traffic, you are now afforded the ability to stack and store your cargo much more efficiently.
3. Bash plates (or skid plates in some parts of the world)
It’s very, very likely that your second hand 4WD, if it’s been around the block already, has had some after market bash plates installed. You’ll have seen them, and their potential battle scars when you checked out your car during the rust proofing.
It’s worth noting that your choice of frontal protection (if you are choosing to fit barwork) may limit your options in selecting your underbody protection. Doing some research here is essential.
4. Tyres – the tyres for you
Let’s get something established here. The highway tyres which came on your car may well be the perfect tyre for you. If you’re planning some light highway towing and visits to the beach then you should feel quite comfortable on your smooth and quiet highway terrains.
If you’re planning on regularly carrying heavy loads, heavy towing or plan to adventure in to ‘sticky or rocky’ places then the extra sidewall strength of Light Truck constructed tyres is an investment in your tyres, your time and your peace of mind.
5. Insurance… sigh
Now I’m not recommending anything, or anyone, but I am definitely recommending that you carefully check your PDS and associated documents. You’ve bought a car, kept it legal, operated it legally and in legal locations. You should expect that your insurance will just operate in a predictable way. Sadly though, some folks have discovered that they are not covered, or not totally covered in off-road adventures.
Find the best insurance for you and your needs, but carefully understand your PDS and the possible exclusions therein.
4. Use it
There’s always a reason to not do a thing. But sometimes those reasons are actually more of an excuse than a barrier. The best way to enjoy owning your new (to you) 4WD is to get out and enjoy it.
Dave Darmody is the owner and lead trainer of the Australian Offroad Academy based on the Fraser Coast and operating all over Australia. You can see more at www.australianoffroadacademy.com.au.
