IT’S BEEN a very quiet couple of months since I first parked the gold Disco in the Walker driveway (much to my fellow Landy owners’ disappointment, I can report no oil stains yet).

A combo of things, ranging from the whole family copping a huge dose of Sydney’s rampaging flu for a month, to being out and about with Editor Matt to meet some industry folks up in Sydney, has meant my shiny example of Solihull’s finest has seen very limited use.

Much to my shame, the Disco has even been the subject of the ‘school run’ and has only seen a dirt road very briefly on one single day this past month. This has suited me, however, as I have been tooling away in the background sorting out what I want to fit to the big rig for its future camping and touring duties.

One of the most important choices in any off-road vehicle build is ensuring you have the right tyres. I’m a massive fan of Light Truck (LT) all-terrain tyres, but I decided to try a slightly different tack, owing to the fact the majority of the Disco’s driving will still be around town and on bitumen.

Plus, I want to keep some semblance of the excellent fuel consumption these vehicles are capable of when in stock form. To this end, I selected Hankook Dynapro ATM 235/70R16 tyres.

These are an exact match size-wise to the standard rubber and, although chunkier in profile, will hopefully not ask too much of the, err, leisurely TD5 when it comes to getting moving. Hankook does a number of LT variants in the Dynapro ATM range, but the size I was after was only available in the regular construction, but ‘regular’ in this instance is still a robust, beefy tyre.

The Dynapro ATM appearance is characterised by the chunky wraparound tread, which is designed to protect against side staking and cuts. This works in conjunction with the thick sidewall rubber gauge for extra protection, and it should aid in traction driving through narrow ruts.

The tyre carcass is reinforced, while the jointless bead wire will ensure the tyre stays put if aired down for sand driving. Stephen Bird and the lads at Jax Brookvale very recently had the four tyres swapped over, balanced and ready to roll within half an hour, so I’ve only had a brief stint with the new rubber.

Having said that, the few highway drives since fitment have been fine – the tyres emit no noticeable additional noise, even though the tread is more aggressive than the stock ones, and grip in the varying conditions has been fine so far.

The Hankook Dynapro ATMs – and the Discovery – will see their first real test sometime next month when we head off for a weekend up the coast for a spot of camping.

The first step always takes the longest, so now that these tyres are fitted, hopefully the next few items on my must-have list will come together a bit faster and I can start planning a big camping adventure for spring.

TOTAL KM: 134,100km DATE ACQUIRED: April 2017 PRICE: $15,000 KM THIS MONTH: 240km AV FUEL: 10.5L/100km

Being one of the largest and most picturesque 4WD parks, Land Cruiser Mountain Park has a variety of things to see and do.

It’s affordable and you don’t have to drive miles to get to it, but you have to be mindful that the closest town is Kilcoy – so remember to fuel-up there before heading to the park, and there are signs along the way making it easy to find.

Set on 10,000 acres, the park has an abundance of attractions including waterfalls and swimming holes.

With a graded road from the office to the facilitated and well-maintained campsites, it is a great park for families and caravaners to camp for the weekend and get away from city life. However, if crowds aren’t your thing, you can camp anywhere on the property.

It’s also a haven for hardcore 4WDers who just go there to attempt Camp Road, a rutted track near the entrance of the park and a well-known meeting spot. Telecom Hill, which is closer to the campsites, is a rocky, shaley hill creating challenges for everyone who attempts it.

It pays to watch others go first so you can determine if you’re capable of giving it a go. Choosing a bad line on this hill has caused a few rollovers in the past.

With more than 200km of tracks to choose from, you can navigate through rocky, rutted gullies and creek beds, and the park has spruced up the signposts to make it a lot easier to navigate around the map.

Those who visited the park before it closed will notice a new entrance to the office, preventing anyone entering or leaving the park without signing in or out. Other rules that have been applied are: no driving after 10pm (not even to the toilets), park security has been enforced, and no noise in the campsites after 10.30pm.

It is an awesome 4WD park that caters for everyone; so if you’ve heard about it but never been there, book a weekend and go. You’ll be surprised at how much fun you’ll have, and it will have you biting at the bit to go back.

TRAVEL PLANNER

Where Located on Diaper Road, Kingaham, QLD – near Jimna via Kilcoy.

Camping Rated among the top 10 camping spots in SE QLD, you can camp anywhere on the property

What’s on offer? Dogs allowed Fires allowed Fishing Scenery Swimming holes Toilet and shower facilities at main campsites

Trip Standard The park is accessible to 2WD and 4WD vehicles. There are 200km of 4WD tracks throughout the property. All the tracks are graded on the supplied map, but the grading changes if there has been rain.

How much? Night rate: $60 per vehicle Day trippers: $35 per vehicle (No motorbikes and no unregistered vehicles allowed in the park)

Contacts LAND CRUISER MOUNTAIN PARK Diaper Road, Kingaham, QLD, 4515 PHONE: (07) 5497 3164 EMAIL: [email protected] WEB: landcruisermountainpark.com.au

TOYOTA has revamped its Hilux range by replacing 10 poor-selling variants with 10 new variants.

This means V6-powered Hiluxes – which accounted for less than half of 1 per cent of total sales – have been slashed.

New variants within the Hilux 4×4 line-up include three Extra Cab (cab chassis) variants; an Extra Cab (pick up) variant, a Double Cab (cab chassis) WorkMate variant, and a Double Cab (pick-up) SR+ variant with manual and automatic transmissions.

See the table below for the full line-up, with engine, transmission, towing capacity, payload and pricing information.

Tony Cramb, Toyota Australia’s executive director of sales and marketing, said of the changes (to 4×4 and 4×2 variants): “All the new variants have been introduced for specific reasons; for example, SR buyers have told us they would prefer the durability and convenience of a PVC floor covering rather than carpet.

“We have reintroduced a 4×4 WorkMate double cab-chassis for those who want a value-for-money vehicle that gives them the flexibility to add a purpose-built tray that suits their needs. “For similar reasons, we have brought back the SR extra cab-chassis in manual guise, which was available with the previous generation, and – for the first time – added an automatic version.”

Eight of the 10 new variants across the 4×2 and 4×4 range are now automatic.

“It is clear that Hilux buyers increasingly want the convenience of an automatic transmission, so we now offer 17 self-shifters compared with 12 previously,” Tony Cramb said. “Last year – for the first time – automatics accounted for more than half of all Hilux sales, and this year the proportion has risen to almost 60 per cent and we expect it to increase further.”

The updated Hilux line-up goes on sale officially from October 6.

TOYOTA HILUX 4X4 RANGE

DEANO recently pointed his Land Rover Defender 300TDI at the Meryla State Forest in NSW.

The forest, a two-hour drive and 150-odd kilometres south-west from Sydney, is home to walking trails, horse riding and, of course, plenty of 4WD trails.

Catering for beginners to advanced punters, Meryla is perfect for a weekend retreat from Sydney, with ample camping spots littered throughout the area.

Deano picked up his Defender earlier this year from the Sunshine Coast. It had a roof rack with an Ironman 4×4 awning, high-lift jack and a set of MaxTrax. It also came with air-con, an ARB air compressor and front and rear Air Lockers.

When Deano arrived back home in Wollongong following its debut run, he discovered it was packing a complete Bahco toolkit, an inverter and battery charger, and some jumper leads. Bonus!

In the months since he took ownership, Deano has fitted a new water pump, new brake fluid reservoir, new silicon intercooler hoses, and an Xtreme Outback heavy duty clutch. BFGoodrich all terrain T/A KO2s now sit beneath the Defender.

He has spent considerable time trying to remove the worn Defender decals down each side of the Land Rover, and he’s added mew mud flaps down the back.

The most recent additions include an ARB winch bullbar Deano picked up on eBay for $750, and Lightforce Genesis driving lights.

There are still plenty of items to tick off the to-do list, but the Defender’s more than capable taking Deano and his family off the beaten track.

Watch the video to see it tackle some of Meryla State Forest’s undulating tracks.

THE iconic Silverton Hotel in outback NSW will be the venue for the inaugural Silverton Sunsets Music Festival, to be held February 24.

Hosted by Aussie country music star Catherine Britt and her husband James Beverley, along with Silverton Hotel owners Peter and Patsy Price, this acoustic music fest promises a cracking time for those attending.

The event follows on from a successful month of music-based events in February this year and it will feature some of Australia’s best artists, such as Catherine herself, John Williamson, Adam Harvey, The Sunny Cowgirls, and more (including local artists).

The Silverton Hotel – and the spectacular landscape surrounding it – makes for a cracking location in which to enjoy a night of country music. You can even doss down in your tent/swag/camper trailer at nearby Penrose Park (just across the river) or stay at Broken Hill and catch one of the free buses from town.

For all info and ticket pricing, check out www.silvertonsunsetsmusicfestival.com

Have you been looking for a camping spot beside a flowing creek that’s peaceful, easy to get to and affordable?

Well, Janowen Hills 4WD Park is the place for you. With an abundance of campsites to choose from, it’s easy to camp away from others to make it feel like you’re the only one there.

One of the smaller 4WD parks, it is situated on 1000 acres in the Goomburra Valley in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. This park has to be the most scenic of them all, with hilly terrain, rocky gullies, views from the highest points and well-maintained grassy camping areas serviced with toilets and showers.

One rule with this park, though, is it runs a ‘buddy system’, which means you cannot enter by yourself and you must have another 4×4 with you for four-wheel driving purposes only. The park also runs the Rock It 4×4 Challenge each year, attracting a few hundred people competing and spectating.

There is a playground for those learning the ropes of 4WDing, a mud pit for thrill-seekers (when there’s been rain) and tracks that wind through the creek which, for a short time, can make you forget you’re within a 4WD park as the scenery changes dramatically.

Due to the size of the park, it is easy to complete the map in one weekend, but it’s a great place to get out and have a play around. It’s also nice to have a roaring campfire beside the creek to chill out and take it all in.

This quieter 4WD park still ticks all the boxes and it’s not that far from Brisbane, and sometimes you just need to drive that little bit farther to reach paradise.

TRAVEL PLANNER

Where Two hours’ drive west of Brisbane, through Cunninghams Gap and about an hours’ drive south of Toowoomba.

Camping Accessible by 2WD and 4WD, with powered sites for caravans No motorbikes allowed Fees paid at the shop, 4km up the road from the park entrance. It stocks basic supplies and camping gear, but is only operational on weekends, public holidays and for limited hours during school holidays

What’s on offer Dogs allowed. Open entertainment area for functions, weddings, parties (minimum of 15 required for booking) No EFTPOS available Upcoming upgrades include cabins with mains power, air-con and sat TV Toilet and shower facilities

Trip Standard The property is on 1000 acres of hilly terrain, with flat campsites along a flowing creek. There are some 80 tracks rated from easy, medium, difficult and extreme, and a buddy system in operation which means you may only enter if accompanied by at least one other vehicle.

How much? Camping (per night): $12 adult, $7 child (5 to 15), child (under 5) free 4WD fees (camping only): $28 one to eight days (plus applicable camping fees) 4WD fees (day visitor rate): $25 4WD, $15 2WD.

Contacts JANOWEN HILLS CAMPING & 4WD PARK 1953 Inverramsay Road, Goomburra, QLD, 4362 EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: (07) 4666 6207 FAX: (07) 4666 6207 WEB: janowenhills.com.au

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED.

Congratulations to Tim W., VIC, for subscribing to 4×4 Australia magazine and winning a Sherpa Steed 17,000lb winch.

GO into the draw to win a Sherpa ‘Steed’ 17,000lb winch, simply by subscribing to 4X4 Australia magazine.

Subscribe to our digital, print, or print and digital combo for at least 12 months to be eligible for the prize. Subscription prices start from $39.99.

The Sherpa ‘Steed’ is a heavy duty winch ideal for extracting your 4×4 from the diciest of predicaments. Its huge 6.6hp motor is coupled with a three-stage planetary gearbox, meaning it can generate incredible power.

The Steed is perfect for four-wheel drivers with a penchant for towing boats, caravans or camper trailers, as it is made by folks who prefer to run heavier weights.

We even enlisted the help of the Sherpa 4×4 crew and used the Steed winch to “crush” a Holden Rodeo earlier this year. Watch the resultant video here.

The competition is open to Australian residents and will end at 11:59pm on November 1, 2017.

To subscribe, and to read the full terms and conditions, visit: www.magshop.com.au/4×4-australia

FULCRUM, also known as the ‘Suspension Specialists’, recently launched a new user-friendly website, which took more than a year to develop.

This is advertiser content

The website can be found here: fulcrumsuspensions.com.au

Fulcrum’s intention for the new site was to emulate its workshop environment in the digital space, giving the online customer the same experience they’re likely to receive at one of the workshops.

With an online support team with years of unrivalled suspension experience on call to help with any questions, Fulcrum has specifically designed the online store to work in such a way that its online support team is able to check and confirm all customer purchases through the phone, ensuring all products purchased are suited to the customer’s needs.

The support team is not only in place to confirm orders, but it is also able to provide advice for customers working on their cars at home.

To find a 4×4 lift kit to upgrade suspension, customers can now use the online search to find the best-suited 4×4 kit for a vehicle’s application. Search by the make and model of your vehicle, or search suspension kits by brand. Each listing also supplies a detailed description of each kit as well as tech specs.

Whether your vehicle is used to carry heavy loads or to tackle tough off-road tracks, the Fulcrum Suspension website will be able to help you find the best 4×4 lift kit for your vehicle. By choosing the vehicles use type, front load and rear load, the search filter will automatically determine the best kit. At the end of the process you still have the option to contact the online support team to double-check the kit.

SUSPENSION SPECIALISTS

If you’re looking for a bushing, swaybar, control arm, spring or shock absorber kit, Fulcrum has you covered. Having the largest range of vehicles covered, Fulcrum is confident in providing customers with the right suspension upgrade.

Fulcrum specialises in advice, repair and installation of suspension products and wheel alignment including power steering, steering rack, struts, shock absorbers, lift kits, 4×4 suspension and air suspension for cars, 4x4s and commercial vehicles. It improves ride quality and handling by combining quality brands with expert technical knowledge to help you get the best from your vehicle.

Fulcrum’s highly experienced technicians aim to provide customers with the highest quality suspension service and best available product. Diagnosing your car with both and the latest suspension technology, the team is dedicated to always providing the best suited suspension solutions.

Fulcrum stock SuperPro, Formula, Bilstein, Tein, King Springs, Airbag Man, Koni, Monroe, Raw 4×4, Sachs, and many more quality products.

IRONMAN 4×4 has added to its number of outlets across Victoria and NSW with three new showrooms opening up.

South Coast 4×4 and Outdoor Centre, Bega, and Hunter 4×4 Accessories, Maitland, are the two NSW showrooms, while 4×4 Extras in Kilmore adds to the aftermarket giant’s Victorian presence.

This impressive and continual growth is due to the continued interest in off-road touring, as well as consumers wanting a retail outlet that offers a wide range of accessories – plus the opportunity to see and check out the function of these before fitment to their vehicle.

Even with the burgeoning off-road touring scene, the decision to expand is still a very considered one, with a lot of research needed before an outlet receives Ironman 4×4-brand approval, as Ironman 4×4’s Adam Craze explained.

“Our new stores are developed by our business development team,” Adam said. “We look for areas where we believe we need better representation in specific areas we have identified. Some new stores are existing distributors and others are brand new distributors.

Our project team goes in and designs the store around the distributors, building outside signage and internal shop fittings down to all the images and light boxes. Our conversion to new-store concept is highly successful and provides the customers a showroom that it is fully interactive, where the consumer can touch, feel and see all Ironman 4×4 products. If products require power, these are all wired up so they can be switched on.

“Once merchandised, the new stores have a grand opening supported by Ironman 4×4 and we make a full weekend out of it,” Adam said, pointing at the recent Hunter 4×4 Accessories opening weekend.

Ironman 4×4 is also busy looking ahead at more expansion. “Our new-store roll-out calendar is booked up to about 12 months out and, although we have more stores, we can only physically build so many per year,” he said.

For more info on Ironman 4×4’s products and your nearest retail outlet, see www.ironman4x4.com

WITH an abundance of facilitated campsites and views, as well as a range of challenging tracks, Levuka has so much to offer.

The Scenic Rim region is well-known for its amazing valley views and mountain ranges, and Levuka 4WD park is lucky enough to be situated on its spectacular south-western edge. Not only that, the park has an abundance of 4WD tracks that range from easy to extreme and run through rocky gullies, sticky mud holes, hill climbs and ruts.

The park is also accessible to 2WD vehicles, making it easy for families looking for a nice scenic spot to go camping for a few nights. Take the bikes for the kids, too, and they will have a ball just riding around the campsites. The four-legged children are also welcome as the park is dog-friendly, but as this is a working cattle farm it is advised to have tick protection for the dogs before and after visiting the park.

A central location within the park is the Playground, where everyone can have a go at trying different tracks and, like everywhere else, it’s much more fun after a bit of rain. There is a fair bit of space to park and watch the action or, if it gets the better of you, you’ll be the one rolling in the mud, having all theonlookers cheering you on.

If you want to explore the park, the choice is up to you. Upon arrival you’ll be given a welcome pack and within it a map of all the tracks. You’ll have the choice of enjoying uninterrupted views, mud holes, rainforest tracks, rocky tracks or hill climbs.

Each track is rated, and it’s stipulated that the ratings will change dramatically once there has been a bit of rain. One thing that makes it easier is that most tracks are one-way, so you don’t have to worry about oncoming traffic – once in the rainforest, there is no room to pull over.

If you like exploring, there’s a small waterfall within the rainforest that’s not too far away. To reach it, pull over to the side of the track and you’ll clearly see a trodden path to follow.

The Rock ’n’ Roll Gully can do some serious damage to your vehicle, so it’s best if someone jumps out and guides you through. You don’t want to be changing a CV on this little track, that’s for sure. It’s an exciting track to do, however, with a very tight left-hander that requires an almost eight-point turn to get between the two trees either side of the track – and once through, there’s a giant hill climb!

If you’re after a challenge then Havoc’s Crossing is a doozy, especially if there’s been a bit of rain. It doesn’t look like much once you’re in there, but you’re among the trees in the mud and it’s a steep decline to a tight left-hand turn before punching straight up the hill. Having no space for a run-up at the bottom throws a spanner in the works, but if you have a winch and a locker you’ll get up with no problems.

Once the day’s driving is done, head back to camp and grab yourself a hot shower. The amenities at Levuka are well-maintained – how good is it to jump in a shower at a campsite that still has hot water left? Choose your time wisely when you go as you may end up queuing with everyone else, but it’s the smallest of luxuries that make a camping trip just that little bit more enjoyable.

Levuka is one of the smaller 4WD parks we’ve been to and you find yourself completing the map quicker than anticipated, but it has a lot to offer both beginners and experienced drivers.

During the school holidays (Easter, especially) helicopter flights are available, and the park puts on a spectacular fireworks display on the last night of the Easter long weekend. By setting up camp at the entrance of the park, we had front row seats and an uninterrupted view of the fireworks – it was the best way to top off a great weekend.

If you’ve been putting off a trip to Levuka… just do it! It’s a great little getaway for the entire family.

TRAVEL PLANNER

Where Levuka is situated on the south-western edge of the Scenic Rim, in Urbenville, NSW.

Camping Levuka has a low-density camping policy, so that even on the busiest of weekends and school holidays campers can enjoy their space without camping on top of one another.

What’s on offer Dogs allowed Firewood for sale Fishing Canoeing Bushwalking Rainforests Toilets and showers spread evenly throughout the campsites.

Trip Standard The park is accessible to 2WD and 4WD vehicles. All tracks are graded on the supplied map, but the grading changes if there has been rain. The area behind the main house is off limits. Permission is required to drive the tracks around Rosemarys Track, even in the dry.

How much? Family day rate (two adults and children under 17): $30 Weekend two-day fee (two adults or a family): $60

Contacts LEVUKA RAINFOREST RECREATION PARK Urbenville, NSW, 2475 PHONE: (02) 6634-1338 EMAIL: [email protected] WEB: www.levuka.com.au