On the last few bush trips I’ve been on we’ve had the use of a TrailMig welder for those odd occasions when things break.

And things do break out there; sometimes it’s just a simple bracket and at other times it is a spring hanger or suspension tower. I’ve even had a steering rod break and at another time a chassis break, all of which were welded up in the scrub. Sure, you can do that with a welding hand piece, a couple of batteries and some welding rods, but there is a far better solution.

The TrailMig, which is Aussie designed and developed, gives you near professional welding gear anywhere you go, including at home. The TrailMig Packout Series, which is the kit we have, comes in a handy Milwaukee Packout case. There are a couple of other kits on offer but all are quite similar.

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The welder comes standard with all you need to start welding including a roll of 0.8mm flux core welding wire, five different tips, good gloves and a set of pliers.

And while the unit comes with a good standard welding mask we opted for the ultimate auto-darkening compact mask for just $40 extra.

The system requires two car batteries for efficient welding although we did try with just one 12-volt battery. The welder worked but it was much more effective with two batteries connected in series to provide 24 volts. To ensure you have the power you need, the kit includes 6m long 4-gauge power cables that can also be converted into jumper leads.

It’s simple enough to operate. Connect up the batteries, select the wire speed – we set it to halfway – and away you go.

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If you have never welded before a bit of practice with some scrap metal will see you improve your welding and the unit welds quickly and effectively.

What we particularly like is the unit’s ability to get into hard-to-reach places with its small handpiece that a normal stick welder can’t reach. The quality of the weld is also much better with long unbroken runs that a stick welder simply can’t produce in the scrub.

While the unit may be deemed too expensive for the single traveller to justify, for those handy people who build things at home or travel in groups, or those leading a club trip or a commercial tag-along 4WD adventure, this unit is handy and often invaluable.

It’s covered by a 12-month warranty.

After its first official month of sales, the all-new Toyota Prado has skyrocketed to second on the monthly 4×4 sales chart, behind only the unstoppable Ford Ranger.

A total of 3590 Prados were delivered to customers across the country who had signed on the dotted line for the new SUV in the lead-up to its Australian debut. This successful start on local soil for the Prado is evidenced by the fact it was also the third best-selling overall vehicle in the country, trailing only the Ford Ranger and Toyota RAV4.

Reported last month, Toyota also revealed it has changed its ordering process to ensure improved clarity for buyers waiting for delivery of their new Prado – an issue that irked customers waiting for the 300 Series. The change essentially gives dealers an allocation of stock which they can sell until they run out. We should see steady sales numbers for the Prado throughout 2025 as a result.

The Ranger continues to fly out of Ford dealerships, with the Blue Oval remaining the best-selling 4×4 vehicle in Australia for the month. A milestone was also reached in November, with the Ranger surpassing 50,000 year-to-date sales, ending the month with a total of 53,729 sales in the bank.

This means the Ranger has now outsold the next best-selling 4×4 vehicle – the Toyota HiLux – by more than 10,000 units, with the HiLux notching up 43,068 year-to-date sales in November. The Ford Everest fills the last position on the podium with 24,018 year-to-date sales, and it’s followed by Isuzu’s D-MAX (22,015) and MU-X (16,790). An important milestone was also reached by Isuzu Ute Australia, with the Japanese marque announcing that more than 350,000 D-MAX and MU-X have now been sold and delivered in Australia.

GWM’s Ute outsold the other budget options in November with 533 sales), positioning it ahead of the LDV T60 (487) and SsangYong Musso (185). The Chevrolet Silverado (including HD model; 312 sales) outsold both the RAM 1500 (272) and Ford F-150 (203).

Overall sales for November were quite disappointing, according to FCAI Chief Executive, Tony Weber, with cost-of-living pressures an ongoing factor.

“From an historical perspective, the 2024 year-to-date result is strong. However, the market is starting to show a number of clear trends. The first half of 2024 recorded market growth of 8.7 per cent compared with 2023. Since July, we have seen the market decline by 8.2 per cent compared with 2023.

“The Private buyer segment continues to struggle with a decline of 16.6 per cent on November 2023. This follows falls of 14.2 per cent in October, 17.2 per cent in September and 15.9 per cent in August. This is a disturbing trend which illustrates how cost of living pressures are impacting households.

“Consumer preference remains clear with SUVs and Light Commercial vehicles making up the top ten new vehicles sold while Passenger vehicles fell to a monthly market share of just 13.7 per cent.”

A total of 20,544 LCVs were sold in November 2024, which is down 23.3 per cent compared to November 2023 sales (26,772). The SUV segment is considerably more stable, only showing a decrease of 2.8 per cent from November 2024 (60,612) to November 2023 (62,347).

Ben Madden’s mighty 80 Series LandCruiser has been voted the Maxxis 2024 Custom 4×4 of the Year by the readers of 4X4 Australia.

To reach this result, we whittled down dozens of custom 4x4s featured throughout the year to just 15. We then put these finalists to a public vote, where Ben’s 80 Series clinched victory by just 10 votes ahead of Mat Saban’s unstoppable GU Patrol. Ben Kingham’s 79 Series rounded out the podium.

In addition to the 2024 Custom 4X4OTY crown, Ben will also pocket a Maxxis Tyres voucher valued at $2000. Plus, our voter prize – a Maxxis Tyres voucher valued at $1000 – has been won by Matisse, who has been contacted privately by 4X4 Australia. Congrats mate for the easiest $1000 you’ll ever make.

The Custom 4X4OTY-winning 1991 Toyota 80 Series was in rough shape when Ben first acquired it, but it has since been heavily modified. The original 1HDT engine was swapped for a 1HD-FTE from a later HDJ100. The drivetrain was upgraded with a Marks 4WD kit for part-time 4×4, and both axles received ARB Air Lockers. The brakes were then overhauled with Bendix vented rotors, larger pads from a 105 Series, and a hydraulic brake booster.

The suspension includes three-inch Dobinson coils, Superior Engineering remote-res shocks, and radius arms. The rear features heavy-duty trailing arms and a Rampt Customs Panhard relocation kit. As a result, the Cruiser sits three inches higher and is equipped with either 325/75R16 Maxxis Trepador tyres for off-roading or Mickey Thompson Baja Boss tyres for touring.

Externally, the body was modified with a dual-cab conversion and a Raptor-lined chassis extension to fit a Trig Point canopy. Read all about it HERE!

Voting for the 2024 Maxxis Custom 4×4 of the Year was open from October 5 to November 8, 2024.

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After the biggest build we’d done to date on our Ford Ranger Sport V6, we decided to take a different direction on the next 4X4 Australia build without straying too far off the path.

The guys across the hall at WHEELS Magazine had just declared the Ford Everest their Car of the Year, which was big news as it marked the first time that a body-on-frame, dual-range 4×4 wagon had ever taken this esteemed accolade. This really showed the changing tastes in the Australian new car market and since then the Everest has been the top-selling 4×4 wagon in the country. No better reason then, than for us to secure one for ourselves to build into a family tourer.

We bought a base-model Everest Ambiente 4×4 and set about looking for the right gear to suit our requirements. With the Ford Ranger being such a big selling vehicle worldwide, we knew that there’d be plenty of accessories around that would also fit the Everest, which is built on the same platform.

The Everest has less cargo carrying capacity than its Ranger sibling, so the first bit of gear we fitted to it was a Yakima roof rack. We went with Yakima’s LockNLoad platform rack which we fitted to the Ford using Yakima’s RuggedLine longitudinal mounting system. The RuggedLine mounts not only look the part but provide a more stable mounting system for the platform a they run the length of the rack for maximum support.

There are loads of accessories to go with the LockNLoad platform so you can carry whatever you need on it. We opted for a couple of necessities for 4×4 touring including Yakima’s Ace’OSpades shovel holder, which we fitted on the back of the recovery track mount where it’s easy to access on the off-side of the Everest, while Maxtrax recovery boards go on whenever we are heading bush.

On the other side of the rack is Yakima’s MajorShady 270° awning that provides a massive 7.4sqm of shade and protection around the side and back of the Everest. The awning’s three arms easily deploy out and around the vehicle to provide quick and efficient cover from wind and rain, while there are three drop down telescoping legs to prop it up and tie it down for heavier rain and windy conditions. Once done, the awning is just as easy to pack away in its cover as it is to set up.

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Next stop was for wheels and tyres, and again we’ve gone with rubber from the Maxxis RAZR range. While we ran 285 Maxxis RAZR mud terrains on the Ranger, we chose to go with a better on road package for the Everest in the form of 275/70R17 AT811 RAZRs. These all-terrain tyres drive a lot better on road than the bigger muddies we had fitted to the Ranger, yet they still provide decent performance and grip when off the blacktop.

The AT811 RAZRs are fitted to a set of KMC Impact alloy wheels sourced from Wheel Pros Australia. The satin black Impacts contrast nicely with the Ford’s Aluminium silver paint and have a stylish look that’s easy to keep clean.

We sourced five new wheels and tyres for the Everest because Kaymar wanted to fit one of its impressive rear bumpers with a swing-out carrier to the Everest. While we found the rear bar to work well, and it looked great, Kaymar chose to remove it while it works on an improved design for the Ford Everest and other upcoming 4×4 wagons. Stay tuned for more on these soon.

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Another product that launched while we were piecing our Everest together was Safari 4×4’s ARMAX intake snorkel for the Ford Everest and Ranger. Safari’s V-Spec snorkel is the factory accessory product you can get from Ford dealers but the ARMAX is the bigger unit offering much more airflow, which is ideal for those who want to upgrade the performance of their vehicle with an engine tune and/or bigger exhaust system.

To achieve this extra airflow, the Armax snorkel uses a 4-inch ram head and larger snorkel body, and the airbox is cut away and opened up where it joins with the snorkel for maximum flow and efficiency. With this setup, Safari claims an airflow increase of up to 25 per cent.

Another great Australian product is MSA 4×4’s extendable towing mirrors. We missed out on fitting a set to our Ranger but MSA 4×4 released these to suit the current Ranger and Everest just in time for this build, so we were quick to have a set fitted. We really like the versatility of these mirrors as they can be extended and rotated to provide optimum visibility whether you are towing or not; they are way better than any OEM mirrors. The new MSA 4×4 mirrors also maintain the power-fold function of the factory mirrors.

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While we had the MSA 4×4 guys in town, we convinced them to fabricate a false floor for the cargo area on which we could mount a fridge slide and storage drawer. We had a National Luna stainless steel 55-litre fridge waiting to go into the Everest and it’s now secured to the MSA 4×4 pull-out slide for easy access. MSA 4×4 also made the fridge barrier which goes around the fridge, and this prevents loose items from falling around the unit and possibly blocking the fridge’s vents or getting caught in the slide.

An MSA 4×4 drawer on the other side of the cargo space allows us to carry recovery gear and other luggage securely and out of sight. The drawer is lockable for further security and it pulls out its full length so you can access stuff stored right at the back of the drawer without having to reach in blindly. Most other cargo drawers don’t give you this easy access to the whole drawer, and the MSA unit has top-quality fit and finish.

Speaking of quality, the AFN 4×4 bull bar fitted to the Everest is a top-notch product that has scored plenty of positive comments from those who have seen it. This is the same bar that AFN offers for the Ranger ute, as the front end is the same on both vehicles. It is a full bumper replacement piece, meaning there’s no cutting and reusing of the OE plastic bumper.

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The bull bar is all steel with various thicknesses used throughout, with 12mm steel in the winch cradle, to 4mm and 6mm steel on the lighter parts of the bar. There’s an internal chassis structure that adds support and strength to the whole bar assembly.

While we didn’t fit a winch on this build, we are happy with the style of the bull bar and its standard features that include driving light and of antenna mounts, rated recovery points, front underbody protection plate, Hi-Lift jacking points, and LED fog lights and indicators. Importantly, the rounded edges on the recovery points ensure compatibility with soft shackles. The AFN 4×4 bull bar was fitted by the team at Statewide 4×4 in Keilor, and they also looked after the installation of the Tough Dog suspension kit including GVM upgrade.

When we still had the Kaymar rear bar fitted to the Everest, combined with the steel bull bar and other extras, we were nearing the limits of its 3000kg GVM; it tipped the scales at 2700kg with no gear or passengers on board. The Tough Dog kit for the Everest raises the GVM to 3750kg and includes replacement coil springs, shock absorbers and air assist rear air bags, plus all the details you need for GVM upgrade certification including the Cat-6 indicators that must be fitted to the front guards, and appropriate upgraded specification labels.

The front struts come pre-assembled and ready to bolt in and include Tough Dog’s nine-stage adjustable shocks so you can set them to suit the terrain and the load you have on board, with the adjustments made via an easy to reach dial on the bottom of each shock.

The suspension has given the Ford around 55mm of increased ride height for better off-road capability, while the higher quality dampers improve the ride and handling both on and off the road. The ride is a bit firmer than standard but it’s worth it for the improved stability and handling.

Rather than fit a dual-battery system in the Everest, we threw a Bluetti powerpack in the back and this provides enough power for running accessories such as the fridge when we’re parked up overnight. The Bluetti AC200L is rated at 2400W AC output, and up to 3600W, and can supply power via multiple USB, 12-volt and 240V AC outlets. It can be charged up from a 240V power outlet at home or in a caravan park, via solar panels, or from a vehicle’s alternator. While not as convenient as an integrated dundalk battery system, it has the benefit of being able to be removed from the vehicle for use in camp.

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We have equipped the Everest with close to $25,000 worth of accessories, and that doesn’t include the cost of fitting. The accessories we have chosen improve the off-road performance of the Everest thanks to better grip, higher ground clearance, improved frontal protection, increased load-carrying capacity and higher air intake. Combined, these accessories have transformed the Everest into a sweet off-road touring wagon that would be well suited to any family wanting to get out and explore our great country. This 4×4 wagon will get you just about anywhere.

Once again, we have partnered with some of the best brands in the business to fit high quality components that make the Everest an impressive adventure rig. We could have gone further with auxiliary lighting, communications and navigation gear, a dual battery/auxiliary power system, increased fuel capacity, and even a rooftop tent, but we have done enough to create a top touring rig and prove the capabilities of the Everest platform.

Thanks to all of our sponsors and partners

• Wheel Pros Australia
• Maxxis Tyres Australia
• Safari 4×4
• Yakima
• Tough Dog
• MSA 4×4
• AFN 4×4
• Bluetti
• Kaymar
• National Luna
• Statewide 4×4

Before embarking on your next off-road adventure beyond the limitations of regular comms networks, check out these latest offerings from the experts at GME.

They’re also a great gift for friends and family who have an appetite for off-road shenanigans. Here are four products we recommend ?

JUMP AHEAD

• XRS-660 Connect handheld UHF CB radio
• MT610G Personal Locator Beacon
• XRS-370C4P Connect 4WD Pack
• TX6165X 5/1-watt UHF CB handheld radio

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XRS-660: XRS Connect handheld UHF CB radio

The XRS-660 is the first handheld UHF CB radio to feature a colour TFT LCD screen, providing the ultimate handheld radio display for all conditions.

Bluetooth audio connectivity allows the XRS-660 to wirelessly connect to an extensive range of third-party audio accessories, while built-in GPS functionality ensures the XRS-660 offers true location awareness. Also features rugged IP67 Ingress Protection and MIL-STD810G ratings, making the XRS-660 GME’s toughest and most advanced handheld UHF CB radio yet.

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MT610G Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

The MT610G is a super-compact, lightweight Personal Locator Beacon, offering an impressive seven-year battery life and a six-year warranty. Featuring a ‘Non-Hazmat’ battery pack for ease of transport, the MT610G ensures you remain safe and connected, wherever life takes you.

The MT610G has been designed, engineered, and manufactured in Australia, to provide the outdoor adventurer with a GPS PLB solution that is compact, easy-to-use and affordable.

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XRS-370C4P: XRS Connect 4WD Pack

The XRS Connect 4WD Pack pairs the XRS-370C Compact UHF CB radio with the heavy duty AE4704B radome antenna, providing the perfect solution for those users looking for the ultimate communications set-up for their hardcore 4WD.

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TX6165X: TX6165X 5/1-watt UHF CB handheld radio

The TX6165 is our newest five-watt handheld UHF CB radio. New, class-leading features such as the large, high-contrast LCD display, two-watt speaker, and a user-programable button make it stand out from the field.

The TX6165 features 5/1 watt switchable transmission power, VOX hands-free mode, built-in LED torch, and up to 30 hours battery life. Its rugged IP67 ingress protection ensures the TX6165 is built tough for years of reliable use in Australian environments.

TJM has unveiled a range of new bar designs that are ready to be bolted on to the front end of the all-new Toyota LandCruiser Prado.

The Prado only officially hit the Australian market a few weeks ago, but Australia’s massive 4×4 aftermarket industry has been hard at work long producing new accessories for the highly popular off-road SUV. And with access to a new Prado since the vehicle was released globally, TJM’s team of engineers has been able to spend considerable time designing, testing and building new designs for its Outback, Venturer and Tradesman bars.

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“We were so excited to be able to access this car at the time of the global release, it was a true privilege, and we thank our international partners for the opportunity and openness to cross-collaboration,” said Darren Piper, Group Merchandise Manager – Vehicle Systems, for Aeroklas Asia Pacific Group (parent company of TJM). “With this vehicle and the TJM products we’ve designed, you have everything you need to make adventure happen right here in Australia.

“I’m so proud of everything that our team has done on this project. They have delivered an exemplary line of uniquely designed and engineered products, specifically for those looking to take the lead and get more from the new Prado. Not only that but they have delivered on all aspects of our high-quality standards under extreme time pressure, an exceptional job by all involved,” he said.

Key features and specs

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Outback: $3250 (RRP)

• Airbag compatible
• ADR compliant
• Winch fitment provisions
• 2 recovery jack points
• Aerial tabs (dual)
• Black textured powder coat finish
• Provisions for large spot lights
• Winch frame rating 9500lb
• 8000kg rated recovery points
• Under wing protection guards as standard
• Steel construction throughout
• Bumper cut design
• Weight: 77.3kg (approx.)
• Bumper to outer edge of cato: 150mm
• Distance between catos: 790mm
• Distance (height) inside top hoop: 250mm
• Full-Wrap Rolled Cato Straps
• 63mm outer pipework

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Venturer: $2850 (RRP)

• Airbag compatible
• ADR compliant
• Winch fitment provisions
• 2 recovery jack points
• Dual aerial mounting positions
• Textured matt black powder coat finish with Satin Black stainless steel mesh inserts
• Provision for large spotlights
• Provision to fit off road work lights
• Winch frame rating 9500lb (Hawse fairlead winches only)
• 8000kg rated recovery points
• Steel construction throughout
• Bumper cut design
• Weight: 67.26kg (approx.)

Plus, TJM will soon release additional accessories for the Prado including side steps, side bars, underbody protection, a snorkel, XGS suspension, upper control arms, GVM, and a rear bar.

After 6 years of strong sales in Australia, the LDV D90 7-seater wagon is getting a major facelift along with a new engine and transmission this summer. Priced under $50K for ABN holders, the D90 is budget friendly, and the bang-for-buck department is right up there with the best of them.

While the frame and body are largely the same, with the cosmetic changes largely affecting the forwards of the front doors, the big news is that the engine is now 24kW gruntier, 60Nm torquier than it was previously, and backed by a 8-speed auto while fuel economy has been given a 10% improvement and the interior is now more bells-and-whistly than ever.

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THE ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

For now, LDV is sticking with their 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that is part of the company’s “Blue Core” series. Fed from a 75L fuel tank, it puts out 184kW and 410NM over the previous model’s 160kW and 350NM, which is a significant improvement. Peak torque hits between 2500-3500rpm which LDV reckon delivers “smooth yet responsive acceleration.”

The engine has several new tech advancements as well, including Miller Cycle Technology, which essentially leaves the intake valve open for a portion of the compression stroke. The power loss is offset by the turbocharger, and combustion efficiency is increased while fuel consumption is reduced.

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LDV have also incorporated Variable Valve Lift which offers increased control over the intake and exhaust valve timing, balancing low-speed torque and high-speed power delivery. It’s also had a balance shaft added, presumably for smoother running and better NVH levels.

Interestingly, LDV is currently evaluating the inclusion of a diesel engine into the D90 range, which we’ll be sure to let you know about as soon as it’s announced.

An 8-speed auto replaces the 6-speed, which is far from a bad thing, especially if it’s (presumably) the venerable 8-speed ZF auto found across the LDV range and is one of the most highly regarded transmissions in the game. Just quietly, it’s nice to see LDV continuing on with a torque converter transmission rather than switching to a CVT too.

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TOWING AND TOURING

The 4WD D90 retains its shift-on-the-fly capability and has rear and centre diff locks, along with Crawl Control and an All-Terrain system with selectable modes. While the panels have been updated for “a more rugged look” the rolling stock is now 18in alloys wrapped in 265/60R18 HT rubber, so not exactly ready for mud-plugging perhaps, but still a respectable enough starting point.

Interestingly, the D90 has one of the largest cargo areas in the 7-seat segment, with 1248mm of width between the arches and up to 1800mm of length with the third and second rows folded down. With all three rows upright there’s still a fairly useable 412mm of length.

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For longer trips, fuel consumption on the 4WD models has been reduced by just shy of 14%, down from 10.9L/100km to a decent 9.4L/100km, which isn’t bad for a 4WD with a tare weight that’s just north of 2.2T.

If you tow a small to midsize camper on trips, there’s good news there too with the braked towing capacity being upped from 2000kg on the previous D90 to a much healthier 3000kg on the updated version. While it’s still not what you might call a dedicated tow rig, the new rating will definitely open up the camper trailer possibilities for respective owners.

EXTERIOR & INTERIOR UPGRADES

As mentioned, there are new panels from the front doors forwards, including new fender flares, front and rear fascias and upgraded vertically stacked bi-LED headlights which should offer decent visibility once the street lights have been left behind and the sun has dipped around to the other side of the planet.

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Inside there are matching 12.3in widescreen infotainment and driver instrument displays which are all new, as are the synthetic leather seats, centre console and dash switches as well as a host of safety upgrades such as the integrated dash cam, lane keeping assist and driver and front passenger door warnings for cyclists and oncoming traffic.

The LDV D90 Executive 4WD is $51,042 retail or $48,490 drive-away for ABN holders. It comes with a 7 year, 200,000km warranty (whichever comes first) and has complimentary roadside assistance for 5 years and unlimited km.

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2025 LDV D90 SPECIFICATIONS

SAFETY & TECH

• Bi-LED headlights
• LED tail-lights
• Two 12.3-inch widescreen displays (infotainment system and instrument cluster)
• Synthetic ‘leather’ seats
• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB Digital Radio, Bluetooth
• 8 speaker audio
• Integrated dash cam
• Six airbags
• Adaptive cruise control
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Lane-keeping assistance
• Lane-changing assistance
• Lane departure warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Blind spot warning
• Driver and front passenger door exit warning (cyclist and traffic detection)
• Traffic sign recognition
• Fatigue reminder and attention assist system
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Stability control
• Hill descent control (off-road use)
• Hill hold assist
• Electric park brake
• Sensor key and push-button start
• Electrically folding and heated power side mirrors
• Multi-zone climate control
• Rear view camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Full size spare tyre (steel wheel)
• Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters
• Two ISOFIX child seat mounts (second row)
• Three top-tether child seat mounts (second row)
• Front row charge ports: 1 x USB-A, 1 x USB-C, 1 x 12V
• Second row charge ports: 2 x USB-A, 1 x 220V
• Third row charge ports: 1 x USB-A, 1 x 12V
• Roof-mounted air vents for second and third row seats
• Roof rails
• Side steps
• 18-inch wheels and tyres

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We list some of the best 4×4 products that came out in November 2024 ?

• GMF4x4 LC300 front bumper
• Stratus fire pit oven
• Custom Offroad accessories protection plate
• Tuff Terrain Rock Hard awning
• Outcamp Starlink mounts
• AFN VW Amarok bull bar
• Carbon Offroad Scout Pro 20,000lb truck winch
• Trig Point tray-mounted canopies
• Groundswell Wash ultimate offroad kit
• ONYX Lights ION-L-9-G2

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GMF4x4 LC300 front bumper

• RRP: From $4400

Features include high-lift jack points, rated recovery points, a 3mm aluminium bash plate, 3D steel profiled light surrounds, 4-inch blacked out LED fog lights and underwing plates to protect the intercoolers mounted under the headlights.

The bar is finished in a hard-wearing black powder coat with dark grey powder coat contrast at the centre and on the light surrounds, giving a fresh new look. Available with or without the top hoop and lightbar, GMF4x4 bars are made to work with factory electronics including the tech pack and parking sensors. The Gen6 bar for LC300 is designed and manufactured in Bathurst, NSW.

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Stratus fire pit oven

• RRP: $549

Cleverly designed with a combination of steel and aluminium in all the right places, the result is a simple 12kg flat-pack design that’s built to warm your knees and cook your damper for many seasons to come.

This fire pit will no doubt get plenty of use as off-the-ground, self-contained fire pits are becoming a must for National Park camping. The fire pit is supplied with a heavy duty rPET waxed canvas carry bag and is covered by a three-year warranty. It’s also 100 per cent end-of-life recyclable.

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Custom Offroad accessories protection plates

• RRP: From $109-$1119

Many similar products will only protect the front, sump and transmission, but don’t go back as far as the transfer case. Custom Offroad Accessories has designed a 4mm crossmember to help stiffen the front-end and add protection for the radiator, AND also under the transfer case. The Twin Deluxe transmission plates protect the DPF and the fuel filter for maximum protection.

Australian made using 3-4mm stainless steel, the protection plates are available to suit a wide range of popular 4×4 vehicles. This kit is designed for MY22+ Ford Ranger V6 diesel models. The plates are tested to work with ARB bull bars and recovery points, Ironman Raid and Offroad Animal bars, and will even fit with the factory bumper.

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Tuff Terrain Rock Hard awning

• RRP: $429.99

With a self-retracting design there’s no need to manually roll up your awning, meaning less time fussing with your gear; the awning easily retracts back in to its aluminium hard case where it is protected from the elements. The Tuff Terrain Rock Hard awning is covered by a two-year warranty.

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Outlink Starlink mounts

• RRP: $140

The Outcamp Mini Mount securely mounts the dish to the roof rack using three points of contact. The centre bracket is bolted into the T-Slot roof rack using included stainless bolts and nylon nuts. The dish can then be clipped onto the mount using the original mounting system.

The two support brackets are slid up against the ends of the dish to prevent it from unclipping and to minimise flex and vibrations on rough roads. The system allows for quick removal when required by loosening the end mounts and sliding away from the dish, then unclip the main centre mount and lift it off. A removal tool is included in the kit.

The UV-resistant Australian-made Outcamp mount sits 50mm high when fitted to the roof rack while 450mm of space is required on the roof rack.

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AFN VW Amarok bull bar

• RRP: From $3450

The bar is finished in a matt-black powder coat or it can be colour coded to suit your vehicle. Optional rounded aluminium inserts in the recovery points protect soft shackles from damage, and there are multiple mounting points for driving lights and antennas.

This is the same style of AFN bar we recently fitted to the 4X4 Australia Ford Everest and we love the look and usability of this top-quality product.

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Carbon Offroad Extreme Duty Scout 20,000lb truck winch

• RRP: $1999

Carbon Offroad’s new 20,000lb Extreme Duty Scout Pro Winch has been designed for use on large, heavy vehicles like the Ford F450 Super Duty or Isuzu Expedition Truck.

With a massive 20,000lb of pulling capacity, the Carbon CW-XD20 is engineered to handle the most demanding tasks. It features a 600A sealed solenoid pack, 7hp motor, automatic brake on the motor bracket, and comes with an aluminium fairlead and 25-metres of 13mm synthetic line.

When you add in the lifetime mechanical warranty, five-year electrical warranty and five-year warranty against water ingress, you know that this is a winch that’s built to last.

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Trig Point tray-mounted canopies

• RRP: From $18,990 (1000mm)

Right now, the 1000mm version (pictured) is ready to go, and like the chassis-mounted canopies it features lightweight alloy and steel construction, central locking, slam shut rotary latches, walk-on roof with integrated roof rails, powder coat finish, LED interior lights, carpeted floor with integrated tracks, filtered vents and door warning buzzer.

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Groundswell Wash ultimate offroad kit

• RRP: $346

Tested in Australia’s toughest terrains including the Canning Stock Route, the Simpson Desert and in Cape York, the Groundswell Wash Ultimate Offroad Kit (pictured) has everything you need to keep your 4×4 in pristine condition.

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ONYX Lights ION-L-9-G2

• RRP: $1480 (pair inc. harness)

A dual-colour (clear/amber) daytime running light (DRL) adds a layer of safety and style. The ION-L-9-G2 has IP68 and IP69K ratings, indicating resistance to water, dust and pressure, which is essential for harsh outdoor conditions. A high-strength PC lens further boosts its resilience, while the light is backed by a three-year warranty.

The order books have been open for barely a month, but the plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6 has already hit the ground running.

Since retail pricing for the electrified ute was announced at $57,900 at the end of October, the petrol-electric dual-cab has seen around 4000 orders placed in Australia.

That’s impressive for two reasons: firstly, it’s a strong showing not only for a brand that’s so young in the market (BYD only started selling cars in Australia in 2022), but also for the brand’s first-ever dual-cab utility. Secondly, the Shark 6 is the first plug-in hybrid ute to enter the Australian market – is its strong reception a sign that Aussie ute buyers are more open-minded about new-energy powertrains than first thought?

Deliveries aren’t due to commence until early 2025, so the bulk of orders for the Shark 6 so far are ones that have been placed without a test drive. Around half of sales to-date were lodged in the first 24 hours after the order books opened as well, with BYD taking deposits on more than 2000 Shark 6s in its first day – a number that probably would have been higher had its website not crashed due to overwhelming traffic.

How does that kind of volume compare to other utes? If we focus on 4×4 models (the BYD Shark 6 is only available in a dual-motor 4WD configuration), there are only two models that are reliably at or above 4000 sales each month – the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. Other rivals like the Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton typically sell between 1000-2500 units per month, but the real question is whether the Shark 6 can sustain this inertia in the long term and secure a solid – and enduring – third place position in the ute sales ranking.

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Two things may get in the way of that: supply, and demand. With the Shark 6 being built in China and enjoying the massive industrial support on offer in that country, it’s not unreasonable to expect that ensuring adequate supply won’t be a problem for BYD.

However, the company has so far only confirmed an initial allocation of 2000 cars, with potentially 1000 more in the first shipment to help satisfy initial demand. With all 3000 of those now having customer names against them, BYD looks to be facing a supply challenge for the Shark 6 if all of those refundable deposits turn into sales, and the next month of pre-orders delivers another 3000-4000 deposits.

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Demand may be challenging in the long-term as well – vehicles with a strong new-technology appeal normally experience very strong demand in the pre-launch and launch phases, but once that latent demand is satisfied sales volumes quickly settle to a fraction of the initial amount. Another factor can’t be ignored here either – competition. In the second half of 2025 Ford will launch the Ranger PHEV into Australia, and it’s highly likely that buyers looking for a plug-in hybrid ute – whether private or commercial – may be holding off until that model arrives.

There will also be more competition from other Chinese brands as well, with the GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4 T plug-in set to go on sale locally in the first half of the year. The BYD Shark 6 might have the PHEV ute market all to itself right now, but that first-mover advantage won’t last long.

It’s not hard to understand the Shark 6’s appeal, though. With 321kW and 650Nm of combined output from its dual electric motors and 29.58kWh lithium-ion battery, the Shark 6 is one of the torquiest and most powerful utes on the market. With a 1.5L turbo petrol engine able to fire up when the Shark 6’s 100km EV-only range is depleted, the BYD can run for around 800km in total as a hybrid before needing recharging or refueling.

On the other side of the coin, its maximum towing capacity is only 2500kg in a segment where 3500kg is the new norm – but clearly that’s not a huge concern for at least 4000 punters.

It seems the news of Ford Australia’s Super Duty Ranger model has sparked the interest of the aftermarket which has up until now been doing a roaring trade of upgrading 4x4s with GVM upgrades to increase load capacity.

Ford announced last week that it has been working on the Ranger SD and will introduce it to market as a 2026 model with capacities of 4500kg GVM, 4500kg towing, and a 8000kg GCM.

While initially born of the demands of industries such as fire services, forestry, national parks and other that require a go-anywhere 4×4 with heavy weight capacity, the Ranger SD will also have strong appeal in the touring and off road segment particularly for those wanting to tow heavy trailers.

We’re expecting a long slow drip-feed of information and teasers on the Ranger SD to dribble out over the coming year and the latest is this image on the SD’s steel, 18-inch, 8 lug wheel and 33-inch tyre which is similar to what you will find on commercial variants of the Ford F-250.

The teaser video shows a vehicle driving up Rocky Track in Toolangi State Forest in Melbourne, a track that is challenging and well known with local 4-wheel drivers. It’s a given that the local Ford team will be out and about testing the Ranger SD over terrain like this and in many other conditions as well and testing and development at the company’s You Yangs testing facility near Geelong.

If the Ranger Super Duty delivers on its promises it will offer a factory-built mid-size 4×4 ute with heavy duty capability off the showroom floor, negating the need for owners to look to the aftermarket and Second Stage Manufacturers (SSM) for upgrades.

Up until now this type of vehicle has been the domain of the Land Cruiser 79 Series and Mercedes Benz G-Professional cab-chassis with regular Rangers and Hiluxes modified to do lighter duties. Even the mighty LC79 and G-Professional are subject to extensive modifications for both capacity and safety for such work by the industries noted above.

The Mercedes has been plagued with problems when used for such work with many departments complaining of faults that keep vehicles off the road while being repaired and, with questions being asked about the long-term future of the Toyota 70 series, the new product from Ford Australia could find itself perfectly positioned to make its mark.

We’re sure that Ford will keep up fed with a steady flow of information in the months before we see an actual Ranger Super Duty.