4X4 Australia

THE National 4×4 Outdoors Show & Fishing and Boating Expo is taking place next week, August 19-21.

The Friday-to-Sunday event is jam-packed with events and festivities. It will feature some of the biggest names in the industry.

A heap of aftermarket gear will also be exhibited, so head on down for advice on how to deck your 4×4 out for a remote-area adventure.

Events include a 4WD Proving Ground, an Outback Stage, a Fishing Stage, a Campsite Cooking Corner, an Action Arena and a Kids Terrain section.

Learn the basics of four-wheel driving at the 4WD Proving Ground, with demonstrations and lessons by the team from Four Wheel Drive Victoria. Learn 4×4 recovery techniques, how to drive on sand, trip preparation and how to get the most out of your 4×4.

The Waeco Outback Stage provides the opportunity for punters to mingle with the biggest names in the 4×4 industry – including Roothy! Keen adventurers will hear interesting outback stories and get valuable camping and off-road tips from the best in the business.

Sessions will focus on touring, accommodation, wildlife, 4WD and camping.

The Fishing Stage will feature presentations by some of Australia’s best anglers, with technical tips and demonstrations on how to snap up the best fish.

Are your campsite cuisines getting a bit dull and repetitive? Then head to the Campsite Cooking Corner for tips and tricks on how to spice up your campsite meals.

For those looking for more action and adrenalin-pumping fun, the Action Arena is the place to be, with its freestyle motocross and monster trucks!

There will also be plenty of competitions running throughout the weekend, with a heap of great prizes on offer.

The event runs from 9am-6pm on Friday and Saturday and 9am to 5pm on Sunday.

Entry prices are: Adults $18; Pensioners $13; and Kids under 15 are admitted free of charge. There is also an Adult two-day pass for $30.

For the red carpet treatment and to save some coin, get your tickets online and use the discount code: AUSTRALIA. Get the tickets here!

The event is held at the Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale.

For more info and to get tickets head to the National 4×4 Outdoors Show website.

LAST week we revealed the winner of 4X4 Australia’s Project Hilux competition.

The lucky winner was keen off-roader and 4X4 Australia reader Glenn Kelly from Perth, WA.

Glenn flew across the Nullarbor with his wife to collect the adventure-ready tourer from our Melbourne office, and he has spent the past week getting to know his new ride on the long drive back.

Check out the above video, as 4X4 Australia editor Matt Raudonikis hands over the keys to an ecstatic Glenn.

“I’m still waiting for someone to jump out and tell me it’s just a joke,” Glenn told us. “I still can’t believe it!”

The Project Hilux has spent the past year getting decked out with some of the best equipment from the industry experts, including kit from Terrain Tamer, Flashlube, TJM 4×4, Mean Mother, Lightforce, Ironman 4×4, TJM Airport West, Cooper Tires, EFS Suspension, Ontrack Automotive, Marks 4WD, MSA 4×4 Accessories, HEMA Maps, DPChip, Piranha Offroad Products, Harrop Engineering, Opposite Lock and MaxTrax.

The Hilux’s value has skyrocketed to $55,000, and with all the modifications and accessories attached it has become an off-road-ready tourer ready to tackle the Australian outback.

Glenn arrived back in Perth earlier this week without encountering any issues, and he shot a few photos as he passed through South Australia and arrived in Western Australia (seen here).

Glenn was drawn from a pool of more than 35,000 entries. Congrats again Glenn, and thanks to everyone who entered the competition.

IN THIS episode of Terrain Tamer Masterclass, Allan Gray sits down to chew the fat with two old-timers.

This week, the industry legend talks all things cooling and radiators.

For those living under a rock, Allan Gray is 4×4 royalty. He has been tinkering with cars in workshops since the 1950s.

He worked for Thiess Toyota, before opening up his own business in Melbourne called Allan Gray Toyota 4WDs. He worked closely with the great Don Kyatt during those years.

Now, Allan is the face of Terrain Tamer.

In this hilarious video, Allan, alongside the experienced duo, provides some tip-top advice on outback set-ups, while also showing off some of Terrain Tamer’s new radiators.

The light-hearted series educates as well as entertains, and episode two features explanations on the workings of radiators and cooling systems.

And, it must be said, his diagrams should be framed as works of art!

The three grey nomads can turn spanners with the best of them, so in this episode they install a brand-new Terrain Tamer heavy duty radiator into Al’s Toyota Hilux. What a coincidence that the radiator in Al’s Toyota needed replacing!

The lads complete the job like they’re taking a stroll through a park. That’s what more than 60 years of experience can do!

Episode two of the Masterclass series is sure to give you a chuckle, and you’ll definitely learn a thing or two.

To watch the rest of the video series, be sure to check out the Terrain Tamer website.

BRITISH Special Forces have been photographed by the BBC driving Jordanian-modified LandCruiser 70s in Syria.

AFTER years of seeing images of Islamic State fighters taking it to the opposition in fleets of Toyota-based Technicals – as the adapted vehicles are known – it seems like the Western Forces are taking notice.

It was reported earlier this year that the US DOD is looking at specifically armoured Toyota LandCruisers and Hiluxes for its own forces.

And this BBC report proves that the British Special Forces are already using modified Cruisers – called Al-Thalab Long Range Patrol Vehicles – equipped with sniper rifles, heavy machine guns and anti-tank missiles.

The LRPVs are built for harsh terrain and have the ability to go almost anywhere. The full BBC report can be found here.

In the latest edition of 4X4 Australia magazine, we took a recently developed 70-Series-based Long Range Patrol Vehicle for an exclusive drive. The massive LRPV featured in the September issue is built by Australian Patrol Vehicles (APV) in Townsville.

Based on a 79-Series LandCruiser, the reconnaissance rig has wild modifications including a gunner’s compartment with a mounted 360-degree weapons ring. The 79-Series Cruiser was chosen as the base for its well-proven and durable platform.

The extreme rig is set up to be self-sufficient for extended trips in protest warzones, and APV is shopping it out to defence contractors around the globe.

Pick up a copy of the September issue to read all about it.

4X4 Australia’s September issue hits stores on August 11.

Brimming with off-road content, this issue features another edition of Roothy’s LowRange DVD to add to your collection.

In the mag you’ll find a battle-hardened Australian Patrol Vehicles’ LRPV, an all-Ford desert shoot-out between the Everest wagon and Ranger ute and an exclusive behind-the-scenes drive with Holden’s new Colorado.

Grab the latest copy of 4X4 Australia from newsagents, or get it before everyone else by subscribing to 4X4 Australia in electronic or print format.

What you’ll get this month:

BATTLE READY A 79-series LandCruiser like you’ve never seen before. This one’s an LRPV from Australian Patrol Vehicles.

EVEREST v RANGER Scooting up the Oodnadatta Track with a pair of Fords. Does Ford’s ute or wagon handle the dust better?

STOCK HILUX ON THE CSR We challenge a showroom-stock Hilux to overcome one of Australia’s harshest, most brutal roads.

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE NEW COLORADO We climb into the new Colorado for an exclusive R&D drive with a team of Holden engineers.

BARGAIN BRAWLER This custom D40 Nissan Navara proves you don’t have to mortgage the house to craft the ideal off-road tourer.

ADVERTISERS’ ADVENTURE We hit sunny Moreton Island in Queensland for some R&R with the 4×4 aftermarket industry’s best and brightest.

12-VOLT FRIDGE TEST With so many portable fridges on the market, we thought we’d find out which one is most deserving of your hard-earned.

OLD ANDADO TRACK, NT Pack the 4×4 and take off on a remote adventure that showcases all the desert has to offer.

BORDER RANGES NP, NSW A relaxing and inspiring trek through the world heritage-listed national park.

OVER AND ABOVE Aussie products are infiltrating the European markets, so we went to check them out at the Abenteuer & Allrad 4WD and Overland expo.

LIVE-AXLE SWAP First, get the 4×4 you desire. Second, replace the independent front with a live axle. Voila, you’ve got the best of both worlds!

THE REST A heap of new gear is tried and tested, plus we show you the art of winch redirection. Dean Mellor takes his Navara to the snow, Ron Moon attempts to discover the true centre of Australia, Roothy gives Milo a fresh lick of paint and Fraser Stronach reveals the flaws in fuel consumption figures. Enjoy!

Nissan has issued two recalls for its D23 Navara.

The first recall applies to D23 Navara QR25 (campaign number R1620). The VIN ranges for the affected Navaras are: MNT*A2D23A0000002 to MNT*A2D23A0000645 – although, not all vehicles in this range are affected by the recall.

The report indicates a malfunction indicator light (MIL) or engine light warning fails to illuminate when an exhaust system sensor fails.

This means the driver of the vehicle is unaware of any malfunction, and that their vehicle may not comply with regulations.

This malfunction also affects F15 Dukes.

If unsure whether your Nissan is affected, contact your local dealer to find out and get a free fix.

The second recall concerns the Navara Genuine Tradesman Canopy. According to the recall report, the side and rear lift windows of the canopy – where the window stoppers are – may cause the window to be out of alignment.

This may cause the safety glass to shatter when the window is opened or closed, which could cause serious injury.

The affected VIN range is from MNTC**D23A0000026 to MNTC**D23A0015265 – although, not all VINs are affected by the recall.

Owners of the affected canopy are advised to contact their local Nissan dealer to arrange for the window stoppers to be replaced with an improved design.

And in further recall news, Jaguar Land Rover has recalled its 2.0-litre diesel-powered 2016 Range Rover Evoque for a fuel leak.

These remind me of good old-fashioned rock cakes, but with a modern twist.

These biscuits are addictive. The first time I made them they lasted only a couple of days, so now each time I make them I have to double the mixture. They are quick and easy to prepare, if not a little messy. Make them at home before you head off for your next camping trip. They will be a hit with everyone and great with your morning or evening cuppa. This mixture makes approximately 16 biscuits – don’t make them too big, about the size of a golf ball will do.

Ingredients

Method

Step 1: Preheat oven to 180°C or 160°C fan forced.

Step 2: Line a large baking tray with baking paper.

Step 3: Put the butter and honey into a saucepan (or microwave) and cook over a low to medium heat. Stir for about two to three minutes until the butter has melted and the mixture turns frothy. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Step 4: In a large bowl combine the remaining ingredients and mix well.

Step 5: Pour in the butter/honey mixture and stir until well combined.

Step 6: Shape the mixture into balls (a dessert spoon makes a good size cookie) – the mixture will be a little sticky and feel a little oily, but that’s okay. I prefer to use my hands to shape the balls and the trick is to keep them damp. If your hands get too sticky and coated with mixture, it will be difficult to shape the balls, so scrape the mixture off your hands and back into the bowl, then give your hands a quick rinse in some water and start again.

Step 7: Put each ball onto the baking paper and press down lightly.

Step 8: Bake in oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 9: Remove from the oven and cool the cookies on the tray until firm, then move them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10: Store in an airtight container (if you’re lucky to see them last that long).

Viv’s hint

You can add whatever dried fruit you like, such as sultanas, but I love dried cranberries and they work so well with these biscuits. I’ve only ever used white flour, but wholemeal flour would be good enough if you’ve got it.

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

DO YOU remember what it was like navigating in the bush prior to the advent of global positioning systems?

As I recall it, using a topographic map, a compass and a ruler was sometimes a bit of a hit-and-miss affair, especially when trying to navigate in heavy scrub.

It could also be very expensive. Before heading off on a four-wheel drive adventure – even a short weekend away – you’d have to rifle through the filing cabinet to make sure you had all the topo maps covering the areas you intended to travel through.

If you were missing any maps, you’d then have to head off to your nearest map store and stock up, usually at a cost of around 10 bucks a map. Depending on where you were going you might need a couple of 1:100,000 topos and half a dozen 1:25,000 topos to even cover a relatively small area – so $80 or so later you could be on your way.

But hang on a tick. First you’d have to navigate your way to your intended off-road destination, which would involve using a series of road maps or a road atlas. Of course, due to their expense, you’d hang on to these for as long as possible, so they were usually out of date, meaning you’d often have to rely on your nous to get you through.

On top of these – and the topos – you might also have to throw in a few local visitors’ maps, some state forest maps and some Hema or Westprint Maps, as these would include additional useful information covering the area you were driving through.

With so many maps to carry you’d need a folder, folio or briefcase to store them, and it was always a good idea to put them in some sort of order prior to departure so you weren’t muddling through them once underway.

Once you finally made it to the off-road part of your trip, you could unfurl your brand new topo map on the bonnet of your 4×4 (assuming it wasn’t raining, dark or windy) to see exactly where you were. Unfortunately, even your brand new topo was likely out of date.

These maps were only revised occasionally and it could be more than a decade since they were last updated, so chances were that other than the topographic lines depicting the natural terrain, a lot of the other information might be incorrect, with missing tracks and various other features absent.

I don’t know about you, but I was always very particular with the way I handled my topo maps. But even taking extra care to make sure I folded them away correctly, they’d often start to wear on the folds – I still have a bunch of maps in my filing cabinet with holes worn through them from regular use.

These holes would, without fail, start to develop right at a critical junction of two tracks, ensuring the decision-making process would be as hard as possible when considering whether to turn left or right at the end of a long day of forging through the scrub.

I always considered myself to be reasonably competent when navigating with topo maps, a compass and a ruler. But I also recall the feeling of self-doubt creeping in on a regular basis when driving up an unfamiliar track that didn’t seem quite right – especially when leading a convoy towards the end of the day when everyone was hoping for a hot meal and somewhere warm and dry to spend the night.

These days we’ve got it easy – you don’t even need a dedicated GPS device. There are any number of apps you can download on your smartphone or tablet that will give you access to the latest topographic map, and they include various features so you always know exactly where you are and how to easily navigate to where you want to be. You don’t even need a compass or a ruler!

Just make sure you don’t drop your phone or tablet in a puddle of water, or the only place you’ll find yourself is up the proverbial creek.

THE SCENIC Rim area of south-east Queensland is known for its amazing views over valleys and mountain ranges, and Levuka 4WD Park is ideally situated on the south-western edge, offering some spectacular scenery.

Not only that, the park has an abundance of 4×4 tracks, ranging from easy to extreme, which pass through rocky gullies, sticky mud holes, hill climbs and ruts.

The park is accessible to 2WD and 4WD vehicles, which makes it easy for families looking for a nice scenic spot to go camping for a few nights. You can also bring the bikes for the kids, as they will have a ball just riding around the campsites. The four-legged children can also come with you as the park is dog-friendly, but as this is a working cattle farm it’s advised to have tick protection for your dogs before and after you visit.

A central location within the park is The Playground, where everyone can have a go at trying its different tracks and, like everywhere else, once a bit of rain falls it’s much more fun. There is a fair bit of space to park and watch, or you could be the one rolling in the mud having all the onlookers cheering you on.

Upon arrival at the park you are given a welcome pack, which contains a map of all the tracks. You have the choice of enjoying mud holes, rainforest tracks, rocky tracks or hill climbs. Each track is rated, and it’s stipulated that all the ratings on the tracks will change dramatically once there’s been a bit of rain.

Most of the tracks are one-way, which is handy as you don’t have to worry about oncoming traffic – there is usually no room to pull over in any case. If you like exploring, there is a small waterfall within the rainforest where you can pull over to the side of the track. It’s not that far and you can clearly see a trodden path you can follow to get a nice scenic photo with the waterfall.

Serious off-roaders can attempt the Rock ’n’ Roll Gully, which can do some serious damage to your vehicle. It’s best if someone jumps out to guide you through, as you don’t want to be changing a CV along this little track. It’s an exciting track, with a very tight left-hand turn that requires an (almost) eight-point turn to get the vehicles between the two trees either side of the track. Following that, you’ve then got a monster hill to climb!

If you’re after another challenge, Havoc’s Crossing is a doozy, especially after rain. It doesn’t look like much at first, but the steep decline to a tight left-hand turn that then leads to an equally steep ascent is difficult. Having no space for a run-up at the bottom throws a spanner in the works, but if you have a winch and a locker you’ll get up no problem.

Once the day of driving is done, head back to Levuka’s well-maintained campsite and indulge in a hot shower. Choose your time wisely, though, as you may end up lining up with everyone else. It’s these small luxuries that make a camping trip just that little bit more enjoyable.

Levuka is one of the smaller 4WD parks we’ve been to and we completed the map quicker than we anticipated, but it still has a lot to offer for beginners and experienced drivers alike.

During the school holidays – especially Easter – helicopter flights are available, and on the last night of the Easter long weekend there’s a spectacular fireworks display. We set up camp right at the entrance of the park and had front-row seats of the fireworks – it was the best way to top off a great weekend.

TRAVEL PLANNER

READY, SET, GO

CAMPING trips can seem very stressful for families and those who only go camping once or twice a year. However, it doesn’t need to be. Take the time to plan your trip in advance so that everything is practically ready to go and all that’s left to do is pack the truck on the day.

Plan two to three weeks out by writing a menu for every day you are away, and then break down that menu into a shopping list. That list should be sectioned off into categories (deli/fresh produce/non-perishables/perishables) to make it easier when at the shops.

Prepping the food before the trip makes it easier once you’re at camp. Pre-chop all meat and vegetables and vacuum seal them to keep them fresher for longer. A great idea is to freeze them flat so that they can go straight in the fridge/freezer standing up on their ends like books. Labels make it easy to determine what each packet has in it.

A fully stocked pantry box – a pre-packaged meal kit – is a fantastic way to take the stress out of packing for a trip. By having the box already stocked, you just need to top it up with fresh items like garlic, onions and potatoes. Having one box makes it so easy to pack in the back of the truck.

Also keep all non-perishables and kitchen items like dishwashing liquid, scrubbing brushes, garbage bags, snap-lock bags, utensils and cooking appliances in one big box. Think about the items you currently use the most in your kitchen at home, and pack these items.

The remaining bulky necessities that need to be packed are bedding and clothing. The easiest and simplest way to pack and transport these items is by using a large duffel bag. These bags are showerproof, dustproof and are made from a hardy material, so they can be thrown around and won’t get damaged. Whack the duffel bag on the roof rack and ratchet-strap it down. It will be the last thing to go on and one of the first things to come off once you arrive at camp.

WHEN you’re in the bush, things go wrong – it’s essentially the reason why we’re running this recovery series.

And one of the most dangerous things you’ll ever come across is the simple act of lifting your four-wheel drive off the ground. In theory it’s a simple exercise and, in a road-going vehicle, requires such little brain capacity it could be measured in teaspoons. But when you’re dealing with lifted 4x4s, things get a little more complicated.

4x4s by their very nature are higher than most other vehicles, and when you start adding suspension lifts and larger tyres they soon reach heights that no bottle jack could ever hope to reach.

When you do get them off the ground they’re so unstable a stray breeze could see them come crashing down – not good news for any unsuspecting legs that happen to be underneath. Enter the exhaust jack.

Exhaust jacks are designed as a simple and safe replacement for the trusty high-lift jack, a means to get your 4×4 off the ground without the risk of breaking your jaw with a wayward jack handle. Another plus is that an exhaust jack has a much larger, sturdier base.

The jacks can get you out of sand or mud in a recovery situation, or lift a flat tyre off the ground. Plus they’re touted as being one of the simplest bits of recovery gear money can buy.

STEP 1: Secure the vehicle IN ANY recovery situation it’s vital to plan out what’s going to happen through every stage of the process. 4x4s have a tendency to start moving once you’ve removed them from whatever is holding them back. Ensure the wheels staying on the ground are chocked, the handbrake’s on, and the vehicle is in gear. If the section of track you’re stuck on is steep enough, it’s a good idea to run a winch line to prevent the 4×4 from heading downhill at a rate of knots with no one behind the wheel.

STEP 2: A quick inspection

OVER time things are likely to get damaged through misuse, poor storage conditions, or wear and tear. Before attempting to lift your 4×4, give the jack and all hoses a thorough inspection. Keep an eye out for signs of abrasion, cuts, seams splitting, or bag deformation. While they may seem minor, even a small surface cut can become a point of failure once the weight of your 4×4 is sitting on it. If possible, inflate the bag off to the side for a thorough inspection before performing the lift.

STEP 3: Prepare the jac WHEN you’re confident the jack is safe to use, it’s time to set up all the components you’ll need. Additional to the bag itself, there should be at least one heavy-duty mat to protect the bag from punctures and cuts. Most common hose arrangements will consist of two pieces: one with an exhaust bung or funnel on one end and a one-way valve on the other, and another that connects the valve to the bag. Before installing the hoses, ensure all dirt and debris is clear of the connections.

STEP 4: Into position

WITH the hoses connected, the next step is to position the jack itself. You’ll want it flattened as much as possible to ensure an even lift. If lifting a rear wheel, you need to position the bag under the chassis or rock slider just in front of the wheel. Front wheels will be the same, but behind the wheel. In either case, ensure it’s in a location that can support the full weight of the vehicle without causing damage to fuel tanks, lines, or the jack itself.

STEP 5: Begin lifting When you’re happy with the bag position and confident the 4×4 won’t roll away when lifted, bump the gearstick into neutral and start the engine. The 4×4 should be void of passengers, with only the operator in the immediate area controlling the ignition through an open window. Keep the revs low to ensure a slow and controlled lift. Adjusting the idle up will often blow the exhaust bung out rather than speed up the process. Cut the ignition when the bag makes contact with the chassis and double-check that it’s lifting evenly.

STEP 6: Off the ground

ONCE you’ve ascertained that the lift is going as planned, reach back into the 4×4 and re-start the engine. The jack will begin taking the weight of the 4×4, so it will require careful monitoring. Most exhaust jacks can lift around two tonnes but shouldn’t be filled with more than 10psi, so if the bag stops lifting the 4×4 or appears fully inflated, cut the engine again. The one-way valve in the hose will keep the bag inflated even with the engine off.

STEP 7: Safety first IT SHOULD go without saying: Don’t ever trust a bag of hot air with your life. If you’re planning on working on the 4×4, position axle stands under the lifted corners to hold the weight. Alternatively, if you’re lifting a wheel to get it out of mud, snow or sand, now is the time to pack harder materials under the tyres.

STEP 8: Down she goes

WHAT goes up must come down. And just as lifting your 4×4 should be a slow and controlled process, the same goes when dropping it. In the hose you’ll have a one-way valve that allows gases to travel into the jack, but not back out. Grab the valve and slowly twist it open to deflate the jack. You’ll want to crack it just enough that if the vehicle begins lowering in an unsafe manner you can quickly stop the flow of gases and halt the descent.

STEP 9: Back on solid ground WITH the vehicle back on solid ground, give the jack another thorough visual inspection before packing it away. Keep an eye out for any new damage and clean off any mud or debris it may have collected. Over time, even a small patch of mud can dry out, rubbing the material and weakening the bag in the process. When back home, give the jack a thorough wash with warm water before leaving to dry out of direct sunlight.

TIPS FOR SAFER LIFTING

1. JACKS are designed for lifting, not holding. If you want to swing your legs under your 4×4, ensure it’s sitting on a stand, not a bag of hot air.

2. Unless your idea of a fun weekend is a lungful of exhaust gas, you’ll need to be careful both inflating and deflating the jack.

3. Things can go pear-shaped when performing any recovery. Keep everyone out of the 4×4 and the immediate areas, especially if working on a hill.

4. Despite their ability to lift massive weight, exhaust jacks will rarely handle more than 10psi.

5. 4x4s can and will fall off jacks, no matter what they’re made of. If you’re lifting a 4×4, it needs to be chocked.