4X4 Australia

ROOTHY has an endless supply of seafood recipes.

We’ve already seen his version of beer-battered fish and chips, chilli prawns and coconut-infused fish, but this time Roothy’s grilled up some fish with ginger.

The dish can easily be cooked on a campfire, aka the chicken and mushroom in al-foil treat Roothy concocted a while back. However, if you’ve no fire, the Gladiator Series gas stove does the job just fine.

Pretty much any fish – preferably one you’ve caught yourself – will taste great. And Roothy’s selected a nice cut of Barra – one he hasn’t caught himself – for this demonstration.

Grate some lime rind into a bowl, followed by some lime juice and equal parts soy sauce. It’s then time for the recipe’s secret weapon: a few spoons of good old breakfast marmalade. Sprinkle in some chilli flakes and grate some ginger in and you’re almost done. Cook the mixture on a low heat until it warms up.

Lay the cut of fish on a spread of aluminium foil and lather both sides with the dressing. Then wrap it tightly and place the package in a campfire (or on the stove) and cook for approximately 10 minutes either side.

The juices will flow through the fish and give it a rich, delicious flavour.

It mightn’t have the kind of presentation you’d see at a five-star joint, but when you’re out bush it’s the flavour that matters. And this dish is packing plenty!

Want more recipe ides? Browse our Bush Cooking collection for inspiration.

CONSTANTLY tinkering with your rig to make it more and more off-road friendly is part-and-parcel of 4×4 ownership.

But with so many options and so many variations of options, the task can often be daunting. So here at 4X4 Australia, we thought we’d ease the burden and show you some of the best storage and protection products currently on the market.

Ran out of room in the back of the wagon? Get a roof rack. Have trouble finding utensils when you arrive at camp? Get a set of drawers. Afraid Skippy will launch at you on a dark road? Get a bullbar.

Before you know it, your 4×4 will be taking you to those hard-to-reach places you never thought possible.

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS IF YOU like to keep the inside of your 4×4 uncluttered, then MSA 4×4’s Tourer and Basket Packs should be atop your shopping list (and your roof). Bulky items can be stored on a roof rack with peace of mind, knowing they’ll be protected from the elements. The packs feature a fully attached seatbelt harness system and a YKK chunky zip, with double metal sliders on three sides. Made from 16oz canvas, the packs are easy to load and unload and come with a lifetime guarantee. RRP: Froom $368 Website: www.msa4x4.com.au

ON TRACK NEED somewhere to store all of the crap you’ve got rolling around down back? Then check out Dolium’s upgraded range of Boab Roller Drawers. These drawers now come with a built-in anchor track and tie-down system. Mounted flush with the top of the drawers, the anchor track system uses removable load rings (single-drawer units come with four load rings; double-drawer units are supplied with eight load rings), which can be easily adjusted along the length of the track. Anchor tracks are available on single, double, large, medium, fridge slider or fixed-top roller drawers. RRP: From $695 Website: www.dolium.com.au

WINTER IS COMING PLANNING a weekend retreat to the ski slopes, but don’t have space for the gear? Rhino-Rack’s new Ski and Snowboard Carrier will make sure you don’t miss out on any winter adventures. A 695mm internal length allows up to six pairs of skis (or four snowboards) to be stored up top, and an easy-release locking system means the gear can be loaded and unloaded quickly. Other features include a Masterkey-compatible security lock, a universal mount, and mould-resistant materials. Plus it offers UV protection and is waterproof and rustproof. It comes with a five-year warranty. RRP: $259 Website: www.rhinorack.com.au

FRONT-END FORCE IF THERE’S one nonnegotiable when it comes to a vehicle’s front end, it’s that it’s made tough! And TJM’s Frontal Protection Systems are manufactured to the highest quality standards. TJM’s unique and innovative load carrying mount system separates the extreme winching and dynamic strap recovery loads from the airbag-compatible crumple zones required for compliance. Through clever design the TJM mount system directs the severe recovery loads to the strongest part of the chassis without affecting the airbag compatibility, to ensure maximum safety for the driver and their family. TJM’s Frontal Protection Systems are not only the strongest bars in town, but also easy to use. Website: www.tjm.com.au

OPPOSITES ATTRACT DOES this roof rack kit look familiar? That’s because it’s the one we opted to install on our giveaway HiLux. Except this one – the 2016 Toyota HiLux Slimline II Roof Rack Kit – is Opposite Lock’s newest addition to its exclusive Front Runner range. At 1165mm x 1358mm, the kit comes with vehicle-specific foot rails with table openings and a wind deflector. Specifically designed for off-road use, the modular rack is manufactured from high-density aluminium and is lighter and stronger than traditional welded racks. Website: www.oppositelock.com.au

BARRING ALL THE latest alloy bullbar to hit ARB’s range is tailored for the Ford Ranger PXII, and follows the release of ARB alloy bullbars or the newest Toyota Prado 150(pictured), Nissan NP300 and Ford Everest. The boffins at ARB HQ developed a high-strength bar that fully integrates with modern vehicle design, and it maintains that highly recognisable ARB look. It employs 4mm aluminium alloy for the outer wings and centre pan, while 60mm alloy outer tubing evokes a commanding presence. The bullbar is secured to the vehicle via a series of high-tensile bolts, and steel mounts ensure it’s capable of dealing with high winch loads(tested up to 10,000lb). Website: www.arb.com.au/alloy

THE 2017 Colorado made its public debut last night at the final NRL State of Origin game of 2016.

The first pics were released of the Colorado in Australian guise, with a focus on its new-look styling and increased range of accessories and high-tech additions.

Granted, there’s not a lot of aesthetic change to the Trailblazer model that was unveiled in April this year. In fact, only a new grille and Holden badge are the notable changes, though the interior has been given a thorough shake up.

As well as dashboard touch-ups, the Colorado boasts a new forward facing camera with forward collision alert and lane departure warning (on selected models), while a rear view camera is standard across the range.

In further news, the Colorado Genuine Accessories range – inspired by the Colorado Xtreme show truck – has increased markedly.

“In the coming months, the 2017 Colorado will deliver a plethora of all-new accessories to its range including a safari bar, fender flares, LED driving lights, 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tyres, so we’re confident there’s something for everybody,” Holden’s engineering manager of accessories Joseph Basile said.

What really caught our eye was the accessorised model, with its low, single-loop front bar and LED light. This rig shows us that Holden might actually be looking at what the market is doing and what punters are fitting to their 4x4s.

With local production of the Commodore ceasing come late 2017, it’s safe to say Holden expects big things in Australia from the revamped Colorado.

And, to be fair, the Colorado needed things to change, as it was way off the boil in a couple of key areas when compared to the likes of Volkswagen’s Amarok and Ford’s Ranger.

Keep an eye out for our exclusive development drive of Holden’s new Colorado. It’ll feature in the September 2016 issue of 4X4 Australia, due to hit stores on August 11!

Also, watch out for our first drives of the 2017 Colorado ute and Trailblazer wagon (formally the Colorado 7)!

LAKE Ballard, approximately 180km north of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, is unknown to many in the eastern states.

Anyone driving from Melbourne to the Pilbara or Kimberley regions faces a round trip of up to 11,000km and, if taking the inland route, they’ll probably pass close by this attraction. However, even if aware of the lake’s existence, the thought of all those kilometres still ahead possibly deters many from stopping off.

WA is big, but you don’t realise how big until you try to drive it from south to north. Crossing the Nullarbor prepares travellers for seemingly never-ending drives through nothingness, but it’s just a precursor to what lies ahead (not a lot).

The gold-mining city of Kalgoorlie is a hive of activity that breaks the monotony of the drive. Everywhere you look there seems to be mining activity; it’s a place that gives the impression there isn’t a stone that hasn’t been turned over in pursuit of that precious metal.

Travelling north of Kalgoorlie, the countryside quickly becomes sparsely populated semi-desert, where the low scrub is punctuated by occasional signs of mining activity. The town of Menzies (population: 56) is where the bitumen turns to dust for those wanting to take a shortcut north-west to Meekatharra and pick up the Great Northern Highway.

At more than 500km, perhaps the word ‘shortcut’ isn’t entirely appropriate. For anyone thinking of doing this drive, the wide gravel roads are generally in good condition (albeit far better-suited to a 4×4 than your average Commodore). But, after rain, the red outback dirt quickly turns to mush that can see roads closed for extended periods.

Dry salt lakes pepper inland Western Australia, but Lake Ballard, 54km from Menzies, is very different from any other dry salt lake in Australia. Its notoriety is due to the 51 stylised human sculptures dotted over its 10km2 surface.

Created by artist Antony Gormley and called Inside Australia, the installation was originally commissioned for the 2003 Perth International Arts Festival. These two-metre-tall and somewhat alien-looking male and female statues were meant to be removed after the event, but they proved so popular with passing tourists it was decided they should be left in place.

The lake is usually dry, with a glistening white crust of salt, and it’s possible to walk an 11km circuit to the statues. Unless it has rained, of course, as the lake’s surface becomes slippery red mud that makes reaching even the nearest figures a challenge.

Rising above the white salt – a few hundred metres offshore – is a small conical island of red rock, which visitors can climb to get a bird’s-eye view of the lake. The very regular shape of this steep-sided hill gives it an artificial appearance, providing an otherworldly setting for the statues. Watching the sunrise over the lake from the vantage point of the low rocky ridge behind the campground, it’s quite easy to imagine you’re standing in another world.

Lake Ballard’s excellent campsite is a good place to rest up before tackling the long straight roads that stretch north towards the Pilbara. Those who choose to stay overnight may be lucky enough to have the place to themselves.

It’s peacefully quiet overnight, with an outback sky so clear the stars feel close enough to touch, while in the morning, the campground is filled with an amazing variety of tuneful birdcalls.

A fascinating, one-of-a-kind attraction in an otherwise relatively desolate landscape, Lake Ballard will reward those who take the time to seek it out.

TRAVEL PLANNER

WHEN TO TRAVEL To avoid the blistering summer heat, the best time to visit Lake Ballard is during the cooler months of April to October.

CAMPING The lake’s campground has self-composting toilet facilities. Fire restrictions apply from November to March, and campers need to provide their own firewood. No drinking water is available.

DRIVING TIPS The wide gravel roads are generally in good repair and are best suited to a 4×4. Beware of occasional potholes and washouts, and use extreme caution in the wet.

CONTACTS Menzies Visitor Centre Web: www.menzies.wa.gov.au Ph: (08) 9024 2702

This is a meal everyone will enjoy – except vegetarians of course! It’s simple, delicious and quick to make with just a few ingredients and a camp oven or stovetop.

Ingedients

Serves 4

Cooking It

Preparation time: 10-20min | Cooking time: 40-60min

You could just combine all the ingredients in your camp oven or pot to save time, but if you want to get a better, deeper flavour, then brown the chops, onion and vegetables in a bit of hot oil first. This is my preference.Step 1: Heat about 2 tbs of oil in your camp oven or pan, then add the chops (in batches if needed – don’t crowd the pot) and brown on both sides.Remove the chops and set aside.Step 2: Add the onions, carrots and garlic and sauté until the onion has softened.Step 3: Add the mushroom soup, French onion soup, Worcestershire sauce and tomato sauce, and stir to combine, making sure you scrape up all the goodness from the bottom of the pot.Step 4: Add the mint, and season.Step 5: Return the browned chops and mix well.Step 6: Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for about 45 minutes or until the meat is tender and falling off the bones. The length of cooking time will depend on the cut of chops you have used.Check the sauce during cooking. If it becomes too thick, add a little water or stock. Serve with mashed potatoes.

Viv’s Hints

Add some chunky potato, sweet potato and/or pumpkin pieces to make this a one-dish meal. There’s no need to peel the potatoes if you’re using the ‘new’ or washed variety.

You could also add some peas and chopped celery, and fresh mint is a worthy inclusion if you have it.

If you don’t, you can use dried or jellied mint. Just add enough to suit your taste. Make sure you use condensed soup.

More Hints

Choose cheaper meat cuts for casseroles and stews; they have more flavour.Don’t cut your meat (or vegetables) into tiny pieces. The minimum recommended size is about 2-3cm chunks. Remember the meat will shrink as it cooks. The same applies to your vegies such as potatoes, pumpkin and carrots – cut them into equally sized chunks so they cook evenly. If they’re cut small, they’ll break down before the meat is cooked.You’ll get the best flavour and colour from your meat if you brown it first. A stew or casserole is best cooked slowly. Give it enough time to simmer away gently, so the meat melts in your mouth and the sauce is the right consistency. To stop the meat and vegetables at the top of the stew from browning and drying out, place a sheet of baking paper on top of the stew while it cooks. It will keep in moisture and stop the sauce drying out.Use a cast-iron pot – your camp oven is ideal.If your sauce is too runny at the end of cooking, you can thicken it with a little cornflour mixed with a small amount of cold water, or you can use a ready-made powdered gravy mix.

Want more recipe ides? Browse our Bush Cooking collection for inspiration.

A TEAM of 16-year-old students from Pine Rivers State School in Queensland have clinched victory at the 2016 Land Rover 4×4 In Schools Global Education Challenge.

The competition required students to design and build remote-controlled four-wheel drive vehicles capable of overcoming a set of driving tasks and obstacles, including a wire bridge and a rock crawl course.

Students were also judged on the design and engineering of their rigs, as well as how well the vehicle was presented and marketed.

The winning team ‘Wombat Warriors’ blew the judges away and achieved the best overall performance, best verbal presentation and an excellent score on the driving challenge.

“This project was a great way for us to learn more about engineering careers and develop our skills.” Team leader Lily Eiseman said.

“Teamwork played a huge part in our achievement and we’ve spent around 600 hours working on the project over the past six months.”

The winning students defeated 130 bright youngsters from 12 countries around the world – including USA, South Africa and Brazil – to receive an Arkwright scholarship from Land Rover, a scholarship at Harper Adams University and a JLR Academy e-mentoring programme.

And in further promising news for Aussie engineering, team Zircon from Dubbo College in NSW finished second overall and also took out the Best Engineered Vehicle award.

The 2016 event also saw the debut of the Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) towing challenge. The mini rigs were required to tow a scale version of the Land Rover BAR training boat around the tricky course. It wouldn’t be a proper off-road course if there wasn’t a towing test!

Check it out in the video above!

JLR’s aim to encourage young people to pursue automotive careers is coming along nicely, with the programme set to reach five million youths by 2020.

Congratulations to all involved.

FIAT Chrysler Australia has issued another safety recall for the Jeep Wrangler.

Only last week FCA recalled 2007-2010 JK Wranglers due to dust affecting the vehicle’s clock spring, which in turn compromises the airbag circuits.

This follows a string of recalls recently, with Mitsubishi recalling Triton and Pajero models, Holden its Colorado 7 and Jaguar Land Rover a host of diesel-fuelled Land Rovers.

The most recent recall from FCA is for 2007-2012 JK Wranglers, while 2004-2010 Dodge Rams are also affected (campaign number: S43).

The defect this time relates to the front passenger Takata airbag, which poses the risk of rupturing due to excessive internal pressure during normal deployment. The airbag malfunction is more likely to occur in vehicles exposed to humid conditions for extended periods.

The hazard of the safety defect could result in serious injury and even death, as an inflator rupture can cause metal fragments to strike vehicle occupants.

If you’re an owner of the affected models, expect to be contacted as soon as possible by the dealers.

AFTER many years wearing heavy-duty (and heavyweight) hiking boots on 4×4 camping adventures, I took the plunge a while ago and tried out a lightweight (440g per shoe) pair of low-cut outdoor shoes: Scarpa’s Oxygen GTX.

Scarpa is one of the most well-known and highly regarded outdoor shoe manufacturers on the planet, and I have been a long-term wearer of the brand. My old pair of heavy-duty hiking boots provided excellent service in a variety of conditions (everything from three weeks of overland 4×4 touring in the Northern Territory to climbing Mt Kilimanjaro) over their 12 years, so I was very interested in the brand’s latest offering.

Scarpa claims the Oxygen GTX uses Gore-Tex Surround technology to offer improved breathability in the shoe. The technology is based around the movement of the collected inner moisture (primarily sweat) out of the shoe via a “revolutionary breathable spacer”.

From this spacer, it then pushes the moisture out through the suede/mesh outer.

I was initially intrigued as to how the ‘sweaty feet’ problem of boots with waterproof/breathable layers would be addressed, but this new technology seems to provide more ventilation – especially in hot, humid parts of the country – and still keeps dirt and water out.

More impressive is the shoe-fit. The Oxygen GTX has an elastic collar that makes for a much faster wearing-in period – I received these barely three days before heading off on a big multi-day hiking trip to Canada, which included plenty of scrambling over mountainous ridgelines and following rocky tracks, and I suffered no blisters, aches or pains.

Since that first breaking-in trip, the boots have done plenty of camping with the family. On these trips I usually only take the Scarpas, as they’re comfortable enough to wear around camp but tough enough to handle any hikes from base, where they invariably get stubbed into rocks, branches and whatever else my gumby feet connect with.

Scarpa’s Sock-Fit DVL construction system is designed to adapt to the shape of your foot to assist in minimising potential arch pain. Again, this all sounds super-high-tech, but the proof was definitely in the fact that I’ve never felt discomfort with these boots.

Over the past 12 months I have transformed into a big fan of these lightweight, tough and versatile shoes. The only time I’d ever reach for a heavier, high-ankle boot would be if I were heading up high into the mountains on an extreme climbing or trekking expedition. For everything else, these blue beauties are my first choice.

RATED Available from: www.outdooragencies.com.au RRP: $289.95 We say: Lightweight; durable; versatile.

IT SEEMS manufacturers of one-tonne utes are swapping partners as if on a hokey reality TV show. The latest to throw its keys in the bowl is Mazda, who ends its rocky relationship with Ford by announcing it will partner with Isuzu for its next-generation BT-50.

The predecessor to Mazda’s BT-50 was the B-series ute, which was shared with Ford from the mid-1970s, as Ford had a heavy financial interest in the Japanese company. The ute was designed and built by Mazda, but it was sold as the Ford Courier or Ranger depending on the year and market – a wagon version of the Mazda ute was even badged the Ford Everest in some markets.

That all changed in 2011 when the current generation of Ford and Mazda utes arrived. Co-developed between the two brands, Ford Australia took the lead to build a bigger and brawnier truck that has proven a success. But the success of the Ford Ranger hasn’t been reflected in the Mazda BT-50, with its polarising style the reason many buyers prefer the more truck-like Ranger.

When the facelifted versions of the Ford Ranger and the BT-50 arrived in 2015 – and the Ford benefitted from many more updates than the Mazda – rumours started that the Japanese partner wasn’t happy in this coupling. Some said Mazda wasn’t comfortable with the bigger style and engine of the Ford product, saying the relatively large 3.2-litre five-cylinder Ford engine didn’t gel with Mazda’s aim of producing smaller, more efficient powertrains.

An agreement signed between Mazda and Toyota last year had many pundits tipping a Hilux-based ute for the next-gen BT, but that has been dispelled with the recent Isuzu partnership announcement.

Isuzu’s side of the family tree mimics Mazda’s in some ways. Isuzu partnered with American auto giant General Motors, and for many years GM utes such as the Chevy Luv and the Holden Rodeo come-Colorado were rebadged versions of the Jap-made Isuzu utes. Just like Ford sold re-badged Mazda utes.

And when the current-gen Holden Colorado (RG) and Isuzu D-Max arrived, they were co-developed products yet featured individual powertrains and bespoke styling that differentiated them much more than in the past. They’re even built in separate GM and Isuzu plants in Thailand.

As the Japanese brands fell out of favour with the US giants they needed new partners to maintain their strong standing in the segment, and the Mazda-Isuzu collaboration could be one made in heaven. Mazda is a passenger car specialist that is developing leading-edge powertrains to take the internal combustion engine onwards and up. While Isuzu has a strong truck heritage (its light commercial ute arm trades on that), but it can’t survive on its own. Isuzu’s own 3.0-litre diesel engine is getting long in the tooth and, even though it remains a strong performer, it needs serious updates or replacing to keep up with global emission regulations.

A pair of Isuzu-developed utes – and possibly a three-row wagon – powered by the latest Mazda powertrains could be a winner for both brands. That arrangement is purely speculation at the moment, with the only confirmed fact being that Mazda will be purchasing its next-generation pick-up from Isuzu. However, it’s one that makes sense for both brands.

The current generation of Isuzu D-Max is close to six years old, while the BT-50 is coming up on seven years. That suggests the next-generation Isuzu is due to come out in the next four to five years, and you can bet Mazda will be working hard to have its new BT version ready around the same time.

FAMILY TIES THIS partner-sharing thing is nothing new in the ute segment. Apart from the Ford/Mazda and GM/Isuzu relationships, there are a few others going today.

Nissan seems to be attracting more than its share of attention with its current NP300 Navara platform. A French-flavoured version of the Nissan ute will arrive next year with the Renault Alaskan, and that’s logical considering the Nissan-Renault Alliance. What’s not so apparent is the Nissan-Mercedes-Benz partnership, with the German giant bringing its own version of the Navara ute to market in 2018. The Benz pick-up with have distinctive MB styling and will be offered with a choice of Benz and Renault powertrains.

Mitsubishi is sharing its Triton ute with Fiat, where it is sold in some markets (not Australia) as the Fiat Fullback with a Fiat-styled nose job. Adding a further twist to this story of inbreeding, Nissan last month announced plans to purchase a 34 per cent share of Mitsubishi that would rescue the cash-strapped brand and see it embark on a raft of platform-sharing programs.

Could the Triton and Fullback also ride on the Navara chassis? And what of Hilux, Amarok and the Chinese utes? Does Toyota even care it’s still the market leader? All we know is that it will be fun times ahead in this booming class of LCVs.

Marks 4WD is taking the venerable Land Cruiser 70 to new heights, and this 79 showcases all its major offerings.

With its portal axle conversion giving an additional 150mm of ground clearance; a 6-speed automatic transmission making it more drivable; tweaked performance for extra grunt; improved brakes to help pull it up; plus a host of other tweaks and modifications, this build is a classic example of making an already good thing better.

Marks has taken what is already one of the most versatile and capable 4x4s available and made it virtually unstoppable.

Read the full review in the August edition of 4×4 Australia, on sale now