Australia’s dual-cab landscape is in the midst of a shake-up, with a number of plug-in hybrid variants launching or arriving soon.

The most anticipated of course is the Ford Ranger PHEV, which debuted globally in September 2024. Set to build on the ongoing success of the Ranger nameplate in Australia – perennially our best-selling 4×4 vehicle – the Ranger plug-in hybrid drivetrain will be available for Wildtrak, Sport and XLT variants within the Ranger line-up – as well as an all-new Stormtrak launch edition.

With some details now revealed, we thought it would be a great opportunity to line its known specs up against another plug-in hybrid that’s currently making waves: the BYD Shark. Order books opened for the Shark 6 in late October 2024, with BYD listing it in Australia at a competitive price of $57,900 (excluding on-road costs).

Both vehicles are expected to rock the status quo, so let’s take a closer look at them side-by-side ?

JUMP AHEAD

• Powertrain and drive modes
• Driving range
• Dimensions, payload and towing capacity
• Interior
• Pricing

Powertrain and drive modes

The BYD Shark features a ‘Dual Mode Off-Road’ plug-in hybrid system which pairs a 170kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and dual electric motors, for a claimed combined power output of 321kW. This combination is said to propel the Shark from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds. The Shark has three terrain modes – Sand, Mud and Snow – as well as instant torque distribution between the front and rear wheels. It runs on independent coil-spring rear suspension.

The Ranger PHEV powertrain combines a 2.3-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine with a 75kW electric motor and an 11.8kWh battery, which can be charged externally, by the petrol engine, or through regenerative braking. A modular hybrid transmission integrates the e-motor and separator clutch, allowing the electric and internal combustion engine to work together or separately.

The Ranger PHEV features a Terrain Management System with multiple selectable drive modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Tow/Haul, Mud/Ruts, and Sand. Also included is Ford’s Advanced 4WD system, a dual-range transfer case, and a rear differential lock.

Driving range

The Shark has a claimed electric-only range of 100km and a combined driving range when running as a hybrid of up to 800km. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.5L/100km.

Ford has stated the PHEV can be charged overnight to full using a standard household plug, and it has a range of more than 45km in electric-only mode – about 25km less than the Shark. The Ranger PHEV has four EV modes: Auto EV, EV Now (provides all-electric drive), EV Later (stores a portion of charge for later use), and EV Charge (recharges the battery while driving). When the battery is nearing depletion, the system will automatically revert to Auto EV mode.

Dimensions, payload and towing capacity

The BYD Shark measures 5457mm long, 1971mm wide and 1925mm tall, and it has a wheelbase of 2920mm, making it one of the largest utes in the midsize class. For context, the Shark is 87mm longer, 53mm wider and 39mm taller than a Ranger Wildtrak – exact dimensions for the Ranger PHEV have not yet been released. The Shark’s payload is listed at 835kg and it has a lower-than-standard towing capacity of 2500kg. By contrast, Ford says the Ranger PHEV will be able to carry a payload of up to 1000kg and tow up to 3500kg.

Interior

Key interior features of the Shark include a genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel; 10.25-inch LCD screen; imitation leather-wrapped seats; wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; a 15.6-inch rotating screen; and fixed side steps. The driver’s seat features eight-way power adjustment and four-way lumbar power adjustment, and both front seats are heated and ventilated.

The Ranger PHEV’s interior is expected to remain the same as its combustion-powered siblings, but a new addition is Pro Power Onboard tech, which enables owners to power tools, run fridges and keep devices charged while camping. It offers a maximum of 6.9kW, with a total of three power outlets throughout the vehicle – one in the cabin and two in the ute bed.

Pricing

The BYD Shark’s competitive introductory price of $57,900 (excluding on roads) is going to be hard for the Ranger PHEV to match, with Ford expected to confirm pricing closer to the vehicle’s launch. The Ranger PHEV is expected to range from about $75,000 to $80,000 for the lower-spec XLT, and closer to $90,000 or $100,000 for the launch-spec Stormtrak.

The compelling price tag of the BYD Shark saw close to 4000 customers sign on the dotted line in the first month of sales. We even bought one!

I had definitely received my money’s worth, but after 96,000km it was definitely time to replace the old brakes on my Amarok.

So, I started shopping around and putting some serious research into performance, value for money, and other key factors that make or break a brake. After considering all the options, I decided to go with the Bendix Ultimate Brake upgrade kit, as it truly stands out and is complete with everything you need to get the job done right.

As a former motor mechanic, I felt confident I could handle the full brake changeover myself. However, to be clear, if you’re not experienced with brake work, I wouldn’t recommend tackling this job on your own. Brakes are critical to safety, so if you’re unsure, always consult a qualified workshop or mechanic. It’s simply not worth the risk to save a few dollars.

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What really impressed me about the Bendix Ultimate kit is how comprehensive it is. It includes absolutely everything you need, from pads and rotors to all of the necessary clips and guide pins. The only thing you’ll need is the right set of tools – and if you’re doing the rear brakes yourself, you’ll need a caliper tool to wind back the pistons.

Removing the old calipers and brake pads was a straightforward process. I made sure to clean up any brake dust and dirt using Bendix’s Brake Cleaner. It’s an excellent product that makes clean-up quick and easy. Replacing the brake pads was also a simple task, especially since the kit comes with everything you need to complete the job.

One feature that stood out was the diamond-tip slots on the rotors. Not only do they look great, but they’re also highly functional. The Ultimate 4WD Disc Brake Pads are designed for demanding conditions, perfect for a 4WD like mine. They feature Bendix’s Mechanical Retention System (MRS), which improves pad attachment strength, and their high-tech ceramic formulation reduces dust and noise.

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Initially, I wasn’t sure if I should replace the brake lines, but I’m glad I did. The Bendix braided brake lines not only look great in their cool blue colour, but they also reduce expansion compared to traditional rubber hoses. This results in better performance and a firmer brake pedal, which is a noticeable improvement.

With this upgrade, I’m extremely confident in the quality and performance of my new brakes. Given I often tow trailers with up to three dirt bikes, gear, and four people on board, this upgrade provides the reliability I need. Whether I’m handling a heavy load on steep hills like those out of Kangaroo Valley, or having to slam on the brakes in an emergency, I know I’ve got the braking power I need to stop on a dime.

Bendix Ultimate 4WD brake upgrade kit: What’s included ?

• Bendix Ultimate brake rotors
• Front set of Bendix Ultimate 4WD brake pads
• Front and rear extended braided brake lines
• Two bottles of brake fluid
• A can of brake cleaner
• A tube of brake parts lubricant
• Bendix rotor wipes
• New clips and caliper guide pins
• A 60L icebox with stubby holder

TJM has launched an all-new Venturer bull bar to suit the Ford F-150 Lightning EV off-roader.

Designed and built in Brisbane by TJM’s team of engineers, the steel bull bar has been engineered, designed, developed and rigorously tested to survive Australia’s harsh conditions – assisting the Lightning in its pursuit of travelling beyond city lights.

Developed in partnership with AUSEV – the importer and distributor of the F-150 Lightning in Australia – the bull bar needed to meet stringent EV safety regulations. This required extensive and rigorous testing standards – such as charging station compatibility assessments, comparative testing, and electronic modular reprogramming – to ensure the F-150 Lightning remained fully functional in all conditions.

“We’re immensely proud to be the first to bring a bull bar to Australia’s EV market, particularly in a four-wheeled drive as advanced as the Ford F-150 Lightning,” said Darren Piper, Group Head of Product at Aeroklas Asia Pacific Group, TJM’s parent company. “This project has set a new benchmark in vehicle safety innovation, and we’re excited to contribute to the future of 4WD protection by expanding our offerings to electric vehicles without compromising on performance or safety.”

This partnership between TJM and AUSEV is expected to expand to include the development of additional lightweight off-road accessories – including the new Aeroklas Aluminium Modular Canopy for the F-150 Lightning.

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“This collaboration with TJM has enabled us to bring advanced protection solutions to electric vehicle owners in Australia, an area that was previously underserved. By combining AUSEV’s knowledge of American vehicles with TJM’s engineering prowess, we’re paving the way for safe, reliable, and innovative EV accessories that Australian drivers can trust,” said Alan Brady, Chief Commercial Officer at AUSEV.

“We’re excited to partner with TJM, this bull bar is a great first step and we are looking forward to introducing the Aeroklas Aluminium Modular Canopy to F-150 Lightning owners. This will enable our customers to enhance their vehicle’s utility and versatility. The canopy, is known for its lightweight durability and modular design, adding an extra layer of functionality to the vehicle,” he added.

BLUETTI is a leading brand in the clean energy storage industry, and it has a selection of cutting-edge products available in Australia to ensure you’ll always have power – and you’ll avoid exorbitant power bills – on your next camping adventure. Here is a selection of great Christmas gift ideas!

JUMP AHEAD

• AC180 Power Station
• Elite 200 V2 Power Station
• Handsfree Backpack Power Station

BLUETTI AC180 (1152Wh/1800W)

The go-to power solution for Aussie campers and off-roaders. Power your fridge, laptop, or radios effortlessly, with fast recharging capabilities via solar or car.

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BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 Power Station (2073Wh/2600W)

Built tough with an EV-grade LiFePO4 battery for 6,000+ charge cycles or 17 years of daily use. Perfect for powering a portable AC, kettle, or cooktop on your overlanding adventures or as a reliable home backup.

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BLUETTI Handsfree Backpack Power Station

Charge your camera gear hands-free with this ergonomic backpack. Keep outdoor photographers staying focused on the moment during remote shoots.

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It’s been an unfortunate compromise for decades that almost all utes in Australia are subjected to inferior drum brake rear ends.

Wagons, on the other hand, have been graced with the superior braking system of discs. Terrain Tamer has developed a disc brake conversion kit for a few Australian-sold utes to address the problem, enhancing the braking system significantly.

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Given I’ll be towing, off-road driving, touring, carting heavy loads, tackling the nine-to-five bump and grind, plus generally expecting a lot from my vehicle’s braking system, I ticked the upgraded brakes in the box of mods that I wanted early in the ownership of my HiLux.

Yes, a major proportion of braking in any vehicle is biased to the front brakes. But the rear brakes are equally important when it comes to doing their job, time after time, especially with multiple braking events like descending long, steep hills with and without a load or a trailer.

Upgrading from drums and shoes to discs and pads will go a long way to improve overall stopping performance.

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How does it happen?

The complete OE drum brake system and the backing plate are removed from the vehicle.

In its place, a new backing plate, a smaller drum parking brake setup, and slotted and vented discs with pads and callipers are grafted into position.

There is no welding, cutting or butchering to fit this kit; it’s all straightforward, but sound mechanical aptitude is needed to fit the complete kit. The drum-in-disc setup is akin to my previous LandCruiser TroopCarrier, an OE fitment that works well.

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While the handbrake system via the smaller drum is a much smaller setup than factory, it has proved to work well in the time I’ve had it fitted.

The system holds on both forwards and rear slopes, and provides a good short lever action via the centre-mounted internal handbrake lever, which remains unchanged.

I have no doubt the handbrake will need adjusting from time to time, but that’s easy via the traditional slot in the backing plate, into which a small lever (or screwdriver) spins the adjuster knob to tighten or loosen the shoes.

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Once the system has been bled, tested and checked, it’s simply time to roll out the door with a revamped brake system.

Given the depth of the inner handbrake drum design, the wheel track (from the left to right-hand side of the vehicle) remains unchanged, so there’s no need for other changes to ensure driveability.

While the disc brake conversion is ADR approved, the authorities still need a nod from an engineer to satisfy them that it’s all okay. That’s more of a double check on the installation and to complete paperwork than testing the equipment or braking ability, as that has all been done by Terrain Tamer.

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Seat-of-the-pants testing

Since fitment, I have only completed a few hundred kays of on- and off-road testing in the HiLux to date.

I’ve simulated emergency braking, undertaken repeated high-speed-to-stop manoeuvres, as well as stop-start traffic, and I have nothing but full marks to give to the Terrain Tamer disc brake conversion.

While I don’t have a suitable-weight caravan to tow, I do have my 12×6 tandem axle trailer with 1.5 tonne Kubota tractor on board, which provided enough of a heavy-weight tow simulation to test the brakes.

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When towing, my 3.0-litre HiLux needs a bit more oomph to tackle steep gradients, and that outlines the general forgetfulness, or perhaps negligence, of many drivers; they want to up the power and torque figures, which is all good, but forget about hauling the whole show safely.

Yes, I’ll tackle a power upgrade later via an exhaust system and remap, but I have ensured the safety of a top-notch braking system comes first, given my use of the HiLux.

The pedal feel is superb, there is less brake fade, and the HiLux now has the ability to stop more quickly and in shorter distances than before, making this aftermarket brake system a winner in my books; I reckon it’s a must-have for any 4×4 that doesn’t have disc brakes from the factory.

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.