Like many Australian four-wheel drivers, Craig Bartlett recognises that Nissan’s GQ and GU series of Patrols are some of the toughest, go-anywhere 4×4 vehicles ever made.

With big diffs, oversized gearboxes and sturdy chassis, these are almost the perfect vehicles for off-road travel anywhere you want to go in Australia.

We say almost as, while the TD42 engines are strong and reliable, they aren’t what you would call powerful, so motivating a heavily loaded Patrol with one is usually a slow affair. And let’s not even mention the many and varied smaller capacity engines Nissan once offered in these Patrols.

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Craig, or CB as he is known to most, saw the potential of a Patrol as the perfect bush tourer but also knew the weaknesses in them.

“Other than poorly designed engines, front hubs and rear semi-float axles, these are hands down the strongest and most capable road going four-wheel drive ever made,” Craig says of the Patrol. “I waited forever to find an example with no ABS in white, as I wanted the larger, more modern cabin of the GU over a GQ.”

Craig eventually tracked down a GU wagon that he describes as being “mint”, however it had a blown ZD30 four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. But that didn’t worry him as he already had plans to do away with the Nissan powertrain.

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Craig didn’t just flick the Nissan engine and transmission, in fact the whole rear section of the Patrol wagon was lopped off and an extra-cab body was fabricated using a rear wall and window from a GU coil cab with custom side windows.

It’s a super neat conversion that gives 600mm of extra space in the ute’s cabin, enough to allow the fitment of a rear seat adapted from two-door Jeep Wrangler. The factory Nissan rear seatbelts were repurposed for the new rear seat, which allowed the setup to be engineer approved and legal.

To keep everything in proportion with the extended cab, the chassis received a 400mm stretch which also ensures that the rear axle is better placed under the load on the back of the chassis.

“The aim was for the cabin to look totally OE and clean like Nissan made an extra cab from the factory,” Craig says, and we reckon he has nailed the look. But there’s more to this Nissan than just a neat body and a unique look. A lot more!

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Portal fix

High-riding Patrols on big off-road tyres are nothing unusual but CB’s Patrol has a stance that gives it a look all of its own.

This comes thanks to a set of portal axles from Marks 4WD in Melbourne. While Marks portals have become popular under 70 Series LandCruisers of late, they were originally designed and made to fit under Nissan Patrols, which were the go-to hardcore rigs of the day.

The Marks 4WD portals have evolved over the years to be very different to the originals and, significantly, the later units use LandCruiser 70 Series hubs and brakes for both added strength and improved stopping power. This allows for the best wheel offset to be used, gives better (Toyota) brakes, and steps up the axles from semi-floating Nissan to full-floating 70 Series.

Since the demise of the GU Patrol and the rise of the VDJ 70 Series in popularity, Marks 4WD no longer makes portals for Patrols, but they still produce other products to improve Nissans for off road use…

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Mighty mill

As mentioned, CB’s Patrol had a blown engine when he bought it, and his plans didn’t call for a Nissan mill to replace it.

A written-off SS Commodore was sourced for its driveline which included a 6.2-litre LS3 V8 engine and 6L80 automatic transmission.

Marks 4WD still manufactures its engine and transmission conversion kit for the LS into Patrol, and CB used this including Marks 4WD extractors and dual alternator mounting kit.

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The front and rear Nissan diff housings have been braced for extra strength

Before the General Motors engine and trans went into the Patrol, the engine was sent to Taylor’s Precision Engines where it was freshened up with a Torque Spec camshaft, titanium pushrods, roller rockers, double-row timing chain, upgraded oil pump, FAST long runner intake, and a Yella Terra electronic throttle body.

A custom torque converter better suited to 4×4 use sits ahead of the six-speed auto transmission while at the back it is adapted to the Nissan transfer case which has been fitted with Marks 4WD reduction gears.

The front and rear Nissan diff housings have been braced for extra strength and fitted with heavy duty chrome-moly axles which link up with the portal boxes and LandCruiser 70 stub axles and brakes. The now full floating axles also give the Patrol a higher load capacity with the GVM now rated at 3780kg.

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High life

With the increased ground clearance afforded by the portal axles and 35-inch Mickey Thompsons, a huge suspension lift wasn’t really needed for CB’s Patrol. That said, quality suspension components have been used to control the vehicle over rough terrain and give the best ride possible.

Height adjustable Firestone airbags are fitted at each corner offering 10-inches of travel in the front and 13-inches at the back. These are controlled electronically from inside the cabin. Radflo remote reservoir shocks have been specifically revalved to match the air springs by Down South Motorsports, while BASF Cellasto bump stops cushion the blow should Craig decide to jump the Patrol or hit an unexpected rut a bit too hard.

Adjustable arms and links from Superior Engineering hold everything in place and control the steering.

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Fully loaded

It would be a waste of time chopping a wagon into a ute if Craig didn’t make the most of the new load space on the back.

CB has capitalised on it with a pair of large tool boxes sitting on the custom tray to carry everything he needs. One of them contains an 80-litre upright Dometic fridge (there’s a 30L fridge in the cabin, too) while all of the camping, cooking and recovery gear also fits into or onto the boxes.

For more serious off-road trips, Craig removes the tool boxes and swaps out the 35-inch tyres for a set of 37s, which are easily accommodated thanks to the height-adjustable suspension.

Under the tray are three Brown Davis fuel tanks giving a total of 300 litres of fuel, so Craig should never run low even when feeding the thirsty V8. There’s also 60-litres of water storage in the headboard of the tray.

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Many hands…

Massive vehicle builds like this don’t happen single-handedly and Craig had plenty of help along the way with his Patrol.

He’s quick to thank the team at his family business; Jan, John and Mark Bartlett at Bartlett Earthmovers; Jay Fagan at Conversion Electrics; Darren at Smithies Outdoors; Tom and Milan at Wholesale 4WD; Ben and Andy at Black Mamba Racing; Kevin at Brown Davis; Drew Pritchard at TJM; Coxie at TIG Industries, Mt Gambier; Rob at Raslarr Engineering; Ash Tappin, Automotive Wholesaler; and Sot Kavuki at Modified Vehicle Engineering.

When Craig originally embarked on the Patrol build it was planned that there would be another vehicle in the making, with his father building a LandCruiser 105 along similar lines.

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But his dad’s health slowed progress and the pair decided to pool their talents and focus on the Nissan, and the result is what you see here.

It’s a vehicle that they both enjoy and immediately after our shoot the pair of them set out for a weekend camp and off-roading in the forests around Cobaw.

“We got lost and ended up winching into the night!,” CB told us later. “It was tiring but a fun adventure.”

We reckon any drive in this weapon of a Patrol would be a fun adventure!

During the recent launch of the all-new Prado, Toyota announced it has changed the ordering process for this key vehicle.

The changes are intended to avoid long waiting times and uncertain delivery dates that the brand has experienced in recent years, most specifically on the current generation of LandCruiser, the 300 Series.

Waiting times for the 300 Series Cruiser blew out to up to 18 months, but what was most frustrating for buyers was the lack of certainty for a delivery date.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley said at the launch in Darwin that Toyota Australia currently holds 17,000 orders for the 250 Series Prado and that the company has an allocation of 25,000 vehicles for the first 12 months of sale.

Instead of buyers paying a deposit and adding their name to a waiting list for their vehicles, the dealers would now get a specific allocation of vehicles taken from Toyota Australia’s allocation and this would come with a build and delivery date.

Once a dealer has sold out of its allocation, it would not have any more cars to offer for sale until the company recessed a further allocation. The dealer allocation will be dependent on its past sales numbers and order interest.

Under this system the buyer’s order will be for a vehicle that is already on the build list with an allocation for Australia, and the buyer will have a better idea of when they will be able to take delivery.

Toyota has also implemented this allocation system to other popular models in its range including the top-selling RAV4 Hybrid and the LandCruiser variants.

The 250 Series Prado is on sale now with vehicles being registered and going out to owners.

As deliveries of the JAC T9 dual-cab ute begin to roll out to customers in Australia, JAC has announced an industry-leading program that will provide owners with a T9 loan vehicle whenever their own T9 is in the garage undergoing warranty repairs.

Part of JAC’s newly introduced All Road Assurance program – that also sees the Chinese company offer a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, seven years of roadside assistance and seven years of capped price servicing – the vehicle loan program is a collaboration between JAC and Carbiz that will keep customers on the road should any warranty issues arise.

“While JAC may be a new name to some Australians, we bring 60 years of global automotive excellence to this market. This program demonstrates our absolute confidence in the JAC T9’s quality and reliability,” said Ahmed Mahmoud, Managing Director of JAC Australia.

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“We understand that a T9 is more than just a vehicle – it’s essential to our customers’ businesses, daily operations and family life. Getting them back on the road quickly is our absolute priority,” he said.

JAC All Roads Assurance includes ?

• JAC warranty loan vehicles, powered by Carbiz
• Seven-year warranty – unlimited kilometres and bumper-to-bumper coverage
• Seven-year roadside assistance – available nationwide, 24/7
• Seven-year capped price servicing
• Access to factory-certified JAC mechanics at every JAC dealership
• Dedicated Australia-based parts warehouse ensuring rapid parts availability
• Comprehensive dealer network spanning metropolitan and regional areas
• Factory-backed service support and technical assistance
• Genuine parts warranty protection

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ANCAP gave the T9 dual-cab ute a five-star safety score in August 2024, which applies to all 2.0-litre diesel variants sold in Australia.

Both the Oasis and Haven models feature seven airbags including a front-centre airbags, as well a suite of active safety features including forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking; lane-keep assist; lane departure warning; lane change assist; blind-spot monitoring; rear cross-traffic alert; traffic sign recognition; a driver monitoring system; and adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist. Stepping up to the top-spec Haven adds front parking sensors; and a 360-degree camera system.

Standard equipment for the Oasis includes 18-inch alloy wheels, highway tyres, a 10.4-inch infotainment system, six speakers, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, keyless entry and push-button start, and a wireless phone charger. It’s also equipped with exterior LED lights, black leather-accented upholstery, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a cooled or heated centre console, rain-sensing wipers, and tyre pressure monitoring.

The Haven adds roof rails; rear privacy glass; puddle lamps; auto-folding side mirrors with chrome caps; black/brown leather-accented upholstery; and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Customer deliveries are currently underway.

We’ve just placed an order for a brand-spanking new BYD Shark 6!

We can’t wait to get our hands on it and put it to through the 4X4 Australia torture test, where we’ll see how it copes off-road and beyond city lights. We’ll also aim to bring it on as many comparison tests and trips as possible, so there’ll be no shortage of Shark content in 2025!

“BYD Shark 6 production commences in December, with vehicles scheduled to arrive in Australia from January 2025,” BYD told us once the purchase was complete. “We’ll let you know when once your vehicle has been produced and is on its way to Australia.”

The Shark will launch in Australia at an alluring price of $57,900, with only one model variant available initially.

Powered by BYD’s DM-O (Dual-Mode Off-road) system, the Shark combines a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with dual electric motors, producing 321kW and 650Nm. This gives it enough juice to reach 100km/h from a standstill in just 5.7 seconds. A 29.58kWh Blade battery provides 100km of electric-only range and a total driving range of up to 800km.

Inside, the Shark features a 10.25-inch LCD screen, a 15.6-inch rotating display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and leather-wrapped steering. The driver’s seat is eight-way power-adjustable, with four-way lumbar support, while both front seats are heated and ventilated.

Colour options include Great White, Deep Sea Blue and Tidal Black. The Shark’s GVM is 3500kg, with a kerb weight of 2710kg and a braked towing capacity of 2500kg.

BYD’s local distributor, EVDirect, has collaborated with Ironman 4×4 to offer a range of aftermarket accessories for the Shark including bull bars, roof racks and tonneau covers, all backed by BYD’s six-year, 150,000km warranty.

The 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado has officially launched in Australia, with the all-new SUV boasting a five-model line-up: GX, GXL, VX, Altitude and Kakadu.

The 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, assisted by 48-volt V-Active technology, produces peak outputs of 150kW and 500Nm, and it’s mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time all-wheel drive system, dual-range transfer case and a centre lockable limited slip differential.

“Australians love the LandCruiser Prado for its family-friendly amenity, supreme off-road ability and the durability and reliability that makes it worthy of the LandCruiser nameplate,” said Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations.

“The all-new model takes everything that customers love about the LandCruiser Prado to a new level, along with a stylish new design, enhanced technology and greater comfort and driveability.

“With its outstanding practicality and superb on and off-road performance, the all-new LandCruiser Prado is the perfect SUV for the weekday urban commute and extended adventures beyond the tarmac,” he said.

Here’s an extensive analysis of all the specs and features, model by model ?

2025 Toyota Prado specs

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2025 Toyota Prado features

2025 Toyota Prado GX

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2025 Toyota Prado GXL

2025 Toyota Prado VX

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2025 Toyota Prado Altitude

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2025 Toyota Prado Kakadu

2025 Toyota Prado pricing

Toyota is presently launching its 2025 Prado up in the Northern Territory and we’re driving it through Kakadu National Park, but we can’t tell you about that just yet! Check back at 7pm on November 21 for those details.

What we can give you now as we jump into the cars is a refresher of what they told us already, and that is that the 250 Series Prado will ride on a variant of the same TNGA-F chassis that underpins the LandCruiser 300 Series, the Lexus GX550 and the Toyota Tundra pick-up.

It’s a bigger car than the 120/150 Series Prado and more akin to an 80 Series Cruiser in size. Styling-wise the boxy body takes many cues from the 60/62 Series Cruisers of yesteryear to give it a retro appearance, with the Australian models all featuring the FJ62-like rectangular headlights; while the round headlight as seen on the 250 in some other markets will not be offered here on any grade.

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The new Prado will be sold here in five grades starting from the GX, then the GXL, VX, Altitude, and top-of-the line Kakadu models.

The Altitude model is now a full-time model rather than a limited edition, and it is the most offroad-focused of the new Prados. It is the only variant that comes with a locking rear differential and front sway bar disconnect mechanism, to give it better traction at the rear axle and more wheel travel at the IFS. It also comes on 18-inch all terrain Toyo tyres and is only offered as a five-seater, leaving more room in the back for cargo by ditching the third-row seats. Leaving the rear seat out also helps with payload.

Inside, all models get the premium 12.3-inch multimedia screen that is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and has Bluetooth connectivity and cloud-based in-built sat-nav. The levels of trim vary with the model grades, but all seem to be very well-appointed and laid out. We were impressed with the dash layout and functionality of the LX550 when we tested it, and the Prado carries over most of that design. We’ll verify how well it all works (or doesn’t) next week.

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All 250 Series Prados are powered by the 1GD 2.8-litre diesel four-cylinder engine, boosted by Toyota’s 48-volt V-Active technology. The tech doesn’t increase engine outputs and the mill still makes the respectable 150kW/500Nm we are familiar with from the previous Prado and current LandCruiser 70 models, HiLux and Fortuner variants. The engine is backed by a new eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time/dual-range four-wheel drive system. The new Prado offers a 3500kg towing capacity with an integrated towbar that is pre-wired and ready to use.

Toyota has developed a range of bullbars and steel front bumper locally for the new Prado, offering both steel and alloy bullbars and semi-looped and loopless front bumpers. The local arm has also created 8000kg rated recovery points for the front of the new Prado and offers a rated recovery point that fits in the rear tow hitch receiver. For more recovery security, you can also get a Warn winch that fits in behind the front bumper and has been officially tested and approved by Toyota Australia.

For roof storage, Toyota has developed two- and three-bar rack systems for the 250 Prado, depending on the grade, with up to 90kg capacity. These are available with a range of accessories to carry all sorts of gear and sporting equipment.

Read our review on November 21, at 7pm!

When deliveries of the all-new Prado start rolling out, customers will have the option to add-on bespoke Toyota Genuine Accessories (TGA).

The broad range of equipment will not only improve the Prado’s off-road capabilities, but make it more customisable to individual preferences; be it the need for various storage configurations, increased protection, or go-anywhere potential.

Having access to development vehicles from an early stage – 2019 – gave Toyota Australia a head-start in creating a selection of steel and alloy bull bars that fully integrate with the Prado’s square shape, proportions and suite of safety technology including active safety systems, frontal crash systems, parking sensors, and all cameras surrounding the vehicle.

Four bull bar styles will be on TGA shelves: Premium Steel, Premium Alloy, Semi Hooped (Commercial) and Hoopless.

The bull bars are designed to easily accommodate the fitment of a wide range of additional accessories including a Toyota bespoke Warn-sourced 9000-pound winch that sits behind the number plate on all bull bars; a lightbar; and a range of antennas.

Sitting below the bull bars are newly developed front recovery points rated to 8000kg and a front bash plate made from 5mm pressed aluminium. Rear recovery points are also available and fit into the Prado’s standard towing hitch receiver. Additionally, Toyota offers a selection of on- and off-road rated tongues and towballs.

Giving the Prado the ability to stow large, bulky items, Toyota has also developed two- and three-bar rack systems that can carry up to 90kg. Both bars are compatible with other Genuine Accessories such as kayak, bike and ski carriers.

Other Genuine Accessories include a snorkel, cargo mats for five- and seven-seat grades, and a cargo barrier for five- or seven-seat grades.

Many of the above-mentioned products have been designed and developed locally by Toyota’s Conversions and Accessories team based at Altona, Victoria.

One of the first things we recommend for any 4×4 build is aftermarket suspension.

Sure, the factory stuff is generally pretty good, but when you start loading a vehicle up with all your gear and hitting the rough tracks you’ll soon find its limits … in ground clearance, body control, bump control and handling. Also consider the limits imposed by the factory GVM rating and you soon see why so many of us spend up big on quality suspension upgrades.

In the case of the Ford Everest, the factory did a bloody good job of providing a suspension set-up for carrying the family on day-to-day missions in the suburbs, towing modest loads and getting away for the occasional dirt track adventure. It does it all with a comfortable ride and commendable dynamics.

We reckon Ford’s use of a Watts-link live axle rear-end has a lot to do with the impressive performance of the standard set-up as it’s a superior design to the Panhard rod arrangement used by most of the Everest’s competitor vehicles. However, as mentioned, start loading it up and hitting bush tracks and you’ll soon find its limits.

While upgraded suspension is one of the first improvements we recommend 4×4 owners invest in, it’s usually one of the last modifications we do ourselves. This allows us to get the best idea of what weight we’ll be carrying in the vehicle and what suspension set-up will be needed to provide the best performance.

With the Everest, we knew we wanted around 50mm of increased ground clearance, but we weren’t expecting the need for a GVM upgrade until we rolled it onto the weighbridge. With its AFN bull bar and Kaymar rear bar fitted, we found we weren’t going to be left with a lot of load capacity before we met the vehicle’s 3500kg GVM rating; so we ordered a GVM upgrade kit from our friends at Tough Dog suspension.

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At the time, Tough Dog was still working on testing and calibrating the components for the GVM upgrade, so we got on with our build while we waited for the replacement suspension to be sorted.

The Ford suspension was doing a great job in standard form, but it was feeling the weight of the rear bar and the shocks were getting a bit bouncy in the back. Around the same time as Tough Dog had its suspension package ready and certified, Kaymar told us it was going in a different direction with its rear bar and wheel carrier design, and asked us to remove the one we had already fitted. That took around 40kg off the back of the Everest, so not enough to warrant us changing our suspension order, particularly as this was with the vehicle yet to be loaded up.

The Tough Dog GVM upgrade kit is available with a choice of three front coil spring settings depending on the weight on the front end, and in our case we fitted the coils designed to carry a steel bull bar without a winch fitted. A lighter spring can be ordered for vehicles that retain the OE plastic bumper, or a heavier spring can be fitted to vehicles with a winch mounted in the bull bar.

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The kit comes with the front struts fully assembled with nine-stage adjustable dampers that can be set to suit various terrain types, vehicle load and driving preference. Adjustment is via an easy-to-reach dial on the bottom of the strut, so you can fine tune the damping as conditions and requirements change.

The Everest GVM kit includes a pair of helper air bags that sit in the replacement rear coils, and these can be inflated to help the coils manage loads without sacrificing ride quality, as would be the case if the kit simply used stiffer coils.

Once fitted it didn’t take long for the suspension to settle and, despite the Everest sitting 55mm higher, we could really feel improvements in body control. The ride is now firmer but it still feels compliant, dealing with pesky suburban potholes far better than before and riding smoothly over corrugations on dirt tracks.

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It likewise handles bigger bumps and washouts better than before. We haven’t yet played with the settings on the shocks or the airbags, as the guys at Statewide 4×4 who did the installation set them spot-on for our style of driving. Load the Everest up with four passengers or hitch up a trailer and you’d definitely start making some adjustments, and it’s great to know that functionality is built into the system.

The added ground clearance is a plus, but we’re really missing the steel rear bar on the back as it’s all too easy to scrape the plastic OE bumper when we’re exiting banks and holes, even with the added height. The replacement suspension exhibits significant improvements over the factory kit, both on and off the road, and both in the way it performs and the ride quality it delivers.

The added ground clearance and extra 750kg of GVM are huge bonuses, allowing us to load more gear into the Everest and take it further off the beaten track.

RRP: $3812 + installation

Order books have officially opened for the 2025 GMC Yukon, with the big eight-seater priced at a lofty $169,990 (excluding on-road costs) in Australia.

Customer deliveries will begin in Q2 of 2025 for the upper-large SUV – brought to Australia by General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) – with only one variant and one trim level available: the V8-powered Yukon Denali.

That V8 is a thumping 313kW/624Nm 6.2-litre EcoTec3 petrol engine, which is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. In an attempt to curb what will be an extremely thirsty vehicle, a Dynamic Fuel Management system is said to “markedly reduce fuel use and increase total range” by deactivating four cylinders.

You’ll be able to tow your massive caravan to all corners of the country, too, with the SUV fetching a claimed towing capacity in excess of 3500kg – an exact figure is still to be determined. Plus, its Active Response 4WD system – with electronic limited-slip differential and a two-speed transfer case – makes it off-road ready.

Boasting first-class levels of refinement, the Yukon Denali is expected to comfortably seat all eight occupants in its luxurious, well-appointed cabin. In fact, GMSV claims an eye-boggling maximum cargo value of 3480 litres. Lux treatment includes heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof with sunshade, and high-quality materials such as authentic wood detailing.

“We expect the GMC Yukon Denali to redefine premium family transport in Australia and New Zealand, combining eight seats, incredible cargo room, the latest in premium technology, and easy towing with an advanced V8 engine for effortless progress,” said Jess Bala, Managing Director, General Motors Australia and New Zealand.

“Like our popular Silverado, Yukon is built in America but re-engineered to right-hand-drive in Australia, delivering factory quality in right-hand drive for our markets. And that means families across Australia and New Zealand get to experience GMC’s flagship SUV for the first time.”

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The Yukon won’t be short on modern technology either, headlined by a monster 16.8-inch touchscreen paired to a Bose 14-speaker sound system. In addition, the driver gets an 11-inch driver display and a 15-inch multicolour head-up display. Plus, 12.6-inch diagonal colour-touch LCD HD rear screens will keep second-row passengers entertained on long journeys.

2025 GMC Yukon Denali features ?

Engine and powertrain

• 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management
• Maximum power: 313kW
• Maximum torque: 624Nm
• 10-speed automatic transmission
• Electronic precision shift
• Automatic stop/start with disabled switch
• Fuel tank: 91L
• Capless fuel filler
• Two-speed transfer case with push-button controls
• 3.23 rear axle ratio
• Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake pad wear indicator
• Active Response 4WD system with electronic limited-slip differential
• Air Ride adaptive suspension
• Dual system exhaust with polished stainless-steel tips
• Hill Start Assist
• Magnetic Ride Control
• StabiliTrak electronic stability control system

Safety technology

• 360-degree HD camera with up to 10 camera views
• Adaptive Cruise Control – camera
• Electrical theft-deterrent system
• Following distance indicator
• Forward Collision Alert
• Front and rear park assist
• Front pedestrian braking
• HD surround vision
• Head-up display
• Hill Start Assist
• Hitch guidance with hitch view
• IntelliBeam high beam assist
• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Alert
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• LED daytime running lamps
• Rear camera mirror
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Rear Pedestrian Alert
• Safety Alert seat
• Teen driver alert
• Trailer-side blind zone alert
• Trailer sway control
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

Exterior

• 24-inch wheels
• Acoustic laminated glass
• Denali badging
• Chrome bodyside mouldings
• Deep tinted glass (rear windows)
• Chrome door handles, with body-colour strip
• Mudflaps (front and rear)
• Galvano chrome bodyside mouldings
• Hands-free power liftgate
• Heated power outside mirrors (body colour)
• IntelliBeam
• LED headlamps, DRLs, fog lamps and tail lamps
• Mirror caps (body colour)
• Panoramic power sunroof
• Power-retractable assist steps
• Rainsense automatic wipers
• Rear Camera Mirror Washer
• Rear intermittent wiper
• Roof-mounted side rails (bright)
• Upper active aero shutters in front fascia

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Interior

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Assist handles
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Bose 14-speaker surround with CenterPoint audio system
• Carpet floors
• Carpet floor mats
• Three child seat anchor points
• Driver and front passenger visors with illuminated mirrors
• Driver seat memory
• 11-inch diagonal digital driver information centre with high contrast display
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Front and rear USB ports
• Front bucket seats
• 16.8-inch diagonal colour touchscreen
• Head-up display: 15-inch diagonal multicolour
• Heated leather steering wheel
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Keyless open and start
• Power driver and passenger seat adjustment
• 12-way panoramic power sunroof
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Rear air vents
• Rear camera mirror
• Rear seats: 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat
• Dual 12.6-inch diagonal colour-touch LCD HD rear screens
• Retractable cargo shade
• Bright front and rear sill plates with Denali logo
• Steering wheel-mounted controls
• Wireless phone charging

Measurements

• Towing: > 3.5 tonne braked
• Overall width w/o mirrors: 2058mm
• Overall height: 1941mm
• Overall length: 5338mm
• Wheelbase: 3071mm

With four-wheel drive vehicles consistently occupying the top of sales charts, and with plenty of those owners taking them to all corners of the map, off-road driving is now an incredibly valuable skill for anyone wanting to work in the automotive media landscape in Australia.

A great way to get started is by signing up to a driver training course. In my case, I was fortunate enough to receive advice from a professional instructor at the Adelaide Hills 4WD Park at the launch of the updated 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport – prior to this event, I did not have any experience driving off-road.

Throughout this experience, the team provided simple off-road tips and techniques, as well as a better understanding of the mechanical aspects of a four-wheel drive system.

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JUMP AHEAD

• Step 1: Are you in the right car?
• Step 2: Understanding the mechanical aspects of a vehicle with 4WD
• Step 3: Be prepared
• Step 4: Pre-departure checks
• Step 5: Light off-roading tips

Step 1: Are you in the right car?

Both four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles will be competent on most unsealed dirt roads, but for rugged terrain, deep mud and steep inclines, a 4WD system is required as it will send power to all wheels, providing more grip and control.

You should also consider a vehicle with a ladder-frame chassis (body-on-frame construction) because the structure of this setup will be stronger and more resistant. This will give the car the ability to flex and provide better ground clearance, making it ideal for off-road use.

Here is a shortlist of new vehicles we recommend that will be very capable for this purpose:

• Ford Ranger
• Ford Everest
• Isuzu MU-X
• Land Rover Defender
• Toyota Fortuner
• Toyota HiLux
• Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series
• Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series
• Nissan Patrol
• Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
• Suzuki Jimny

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Step 2: Understanding the mechanical aspects

What is the difference between AWD and 4WD?

All-wheel drive sends power to all four wheels and, on most cars, is permanently engaged. This set-up is great for wet roads and occasional dirt-road driving, and you’ll find a system like this on vehicles such as the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4.

A 4WD setup is primarily set in a rear-wheel drive by default with a selectable transfer box that can engage the front axle and the transfer case, then send power to both the front and rear axles and to all four wheels.

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It is also worth pointing out that If the configuration takes time to engage, slowly move forwards or backwards.

Additional off-road functions

Differential lock

A diff lock allows all the wheels to spin at the same speed instead of a wheel spinning free on the axle, regardless of traction. As a result, this will help forward momentum and prevent wheelspin.

Off-Road drive modes

Most modern four-wheel drive vehicles are equipped with selectable off-road specific modes, where you can select a certain mode with a dial to automatically set the system up for you: Dirt, Sand, Rock, etc.

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Hill descent control

Descent control automatically applies the brakes on individual wheels, allowing the vehicle to maintain an adjustable set speed. This also eliminates the risk of locking up your brakes and losing steering control.

Paddle shifters

By cycling through gears manually you will gain more control over engine speed, allowing you to move along at a steady pace on an unsealed surface.

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Step 3: Be prepared

A great idea for a beginner is to travel in a convoy with other vehicles, or at the very least with a passenger. There is also the possibility you might get bogged or encounter mechanical or equipment failure and need a tow. So bring recovery equipment, ensure you have a full-size tyre, and go with somebody experienced, especially for the first time.

Have you checked your tyres? Most regular vehicles are fitted with highway-terrain (H/T) tyres, which are next to useless when off-road, so make sure your car is fitted with appropriate tyres. A set of all-terrains (A/T) are good on-road and capable of driving over sand, light snow, rocks and uneven terrain.

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Also consider underbody protection. While most manufacturers include their own versions, a trip to an aftermarket shop is advisable to prevent serious damage to vital components.

Don’t forget this equipment:

• All-terrain tyres
• Underbody protection
• Recovery equipment
• Additional fuel
• Basic first-aid kit
• Water and food

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Step 4: Pre-departure checks

Tyre pressures

For the correct pressure, it is best to consult with the vehicle manual for the factory setting. However, our off-road instructors advised that, as a general rule, you should lower tyre pressures by around 16psi for sand and mud. For more rugged terrain such as rocks or sharp objects, 24psi is a good level to sit at to prevent punctures and maintain a level of grip.

Mechanical integrity

Ensure vehicle service intervals are up-to-date or at least maintained. Plus, check tyre condition, engine fluids and keep an eye open for anything out of the ordinary, especially if the car is older than three to five years.

Seating position

Our instructors advised us to put our left foot on the footwell rest, both shoulders on the backrest of the seat, and hands at nine and three on the steering wheel. To ensure you’re maintaining a level of control, you can place your right arm on the top of the steering wheel without leaning forward.

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Step 5: Light off-roading tips

Keep the bonnet level when moving

Doing this means the wheels will remain on the ground, making it less likely to lose grip and preventing a potential rollover risk.

Before you attempt to drive over or through something, have you set up the car correctly?

Whether you’re about to climb a tall mountain or drive through a deep water crossing, understanding what off-road setting to engage is crucial. So, before you tackle any challenge, set up the vehicle for the correct scenario. Go back to Step 2 to better understand what to use to prevent getting stuck.

Maintain a safe and steady pace

When driving on an unsealed road or a wet surface, the vehicle’s ability to brake, steer and accelerate is reduced, which means there is a greater probability you will be going too fast to adjust to unexpected bumps, rocks or potholes coming your way.

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