Andrew Kilbourne’s PB Challenger
We wouldn’t usually do this, but Andrew has written a bit o’verse about his family steed…
My PB Challenger gets me to where I am going,
With a three-inch exhaust, snorkel and towbar for towing
A slight lift in the legs and some good quality shoes,
The old girl can take a fair bit of abuse
With a dual battery in the back and a kayak on top,
There’s too many campgrounds where I would like to stop
Only a few years with me in the seat,
Although she is my dream car, she is not yet complete
A new set of headlights or maybe a winch,
Would make a great addition but I’m feeling the pinch
Working all week just to make ends meet,
Seems like an eternity since I got in the seat
To head off road and follow my nose,
Tackle some tracks and see how she goes
My wife and daughter on steep angles aren’t keen,
And that is why I called the Challenger … Eileen!
Geez mate, you lit up our day with your heartfelt prose. Now we can light up your night with a fantastic set of the just-released Drivetech 4×4 seven-inch Driving Lights, care of our friends at Motospecs. Valued at $430, the combo and spot beams will look and work fantastically on your Challenger’s front bar.
Mick Pearson’s HiLux
Mick and Kel’s 2014 manual SR5 HiLux is their daily driver that has been thoughtfully modified for family camping trips without compromising commuter comfort. They’ve fitted it with an ARB Sahara bar, dual air lockers, Old Man Emu lift, diff and gearbox breathers. A set of Coopers gets power to the ground, as does an Exedy heavy-duty clutch. Touring mods wise, there is a GME UHF, snorkel and Warn winch fitted. The ‘Lux is set for the toughest tracks including Lamington and Byfield National Parks, Teewah Beach, Cunninghams Gap, Woodford, Killarney and Kenilworth areas.
Mick intends to keep the car a long time, with a catch can, diesel pre-filter, electronic rust control, REDARC dual battery system and iDrive throttle controller looking after the necessities.
Mick has taken to towing a medium-sized caravan with the HiLux recently, installing Clearview mirrors and a REDARC Tow-Pro for safety and convenience, while a long-range tank and IPF driving lights allow longer stints behind the wheel.
Peter Hawkins’ JK Wrangler
This JK four-door Wrangler has recently taken Peter along with the dogs, brother and wife from Perth through Kalgoorlie, Leonora, Laverton, up to Wiluna across the Meekatharra and down through the Wheatbelt, towing a camper trailer.
To handle the 2500km trip, Peter has equipped the Jeep with Smittybilt front and rear bars, winch, LED spotlights, a 68-litre Brown Davis auxiliary fuel tank and two-inch lift care of Tough Dog. The JK runs on imported 17×9 inch rims and Mickey Thompson Baja ATs.
A Rhino roof rack carries the shovel, jerry cans and camp chairs, while inside there’s a 38-litre Engel on a slide and a 40-litre Boab footwell water tank, which is set up with a platform on it for the dogs. A cargo barrier behind the front seats keeps the dogs under control.
Peter, it looks like you have a well-sorted and well-travelled JK tourer. Thanks for sharing with us.
Russell’s 200 Series LandCruiser
This 2013 200 Series GX LandCruiser is Russell’s desert touring chariot of choice. Bought with the genuine Toyota steel bar, Russell has installed a VS12000 winch from Opposite Lock. An ARB rooftop tent sits atop the K9 rack system from South African company Eezi-Awn.
Russell has fitted an OffRoad Systems aluminium drawer system and 50-litre Boab water tank in the back, while a fridge slide gives easy access to the fridge.
All the gear adds up to a fair bit of weight, so to keep it safe and legal Russell has had the GVM increased to 3800kg by Malaga suspension, who also fitted Bilstein shocks and Kings Springs. Helper airbags keep the bum up when loaded but still allow a comfortable ride when empty.
The engine has been tickled with an MC4 remap by Opposite Lock plus a Richard Electrics torque converter lock-up kit and Legendex three-inch stainless exhaust system.
