We’ve been at the Melbourne 4×4 Show today (↗) (more specifically, the National 4×4 Outdoors Show in Melbourne), catching up with the who’s who in the four-wheel-drive industry, checking out the latest and greatest parts and accessories, and scoping all the wild 4×4 builds that are in attendance.

If you’re heading to the show over the weekend, be sure to stop by the Marks 4WD stand to see the new Arctic Trucks AT35 D-Max and AT37 Prado builds that are ready to go on-site in Australia. See the latest products from all the big 4×4 outfitters like ARB, TJM, Opposite Lock, Ironman 4×4 and many others, and get a quote on a fit-out for your own 4×4.

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Again, restored classic 4×4 vehicles were the stars of the show, with classic Cruisers, Land Rovers and Patrols showing up looking better than they ever did back in the day, along with some neat restorations as well.

There’s plenty to see across the show, with new products, modified 4x4s and plenty of familiar names from the industry all on display. It’s a good chance to walk around, check out what’s new and see some of the builds that have made the trip to Melbourne.

The show, which runs from 21-23 August 2026 at Melbourne Showgrounds, still has another two full days to run, and Saturday is shaping up to be huge, so get your tickets online in advance (↗) to skip the queues at the gate.

Ford is reportedly developing a Bronco-based ute that could go head-to-head with the Jeep Gladiator, according to a report first published by Automotive News (↗).

The report, which cites people familiar with Ford’s future product plans, suggests the pick-up could enter production towards the end of the decade. Ford has not confirmed the project or released any specifications.

The reported ute is expected to be built at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, which currently produces the North American-market Bronco and Ranger. That could see Ranger production move elsewhere in the US, with reports indicating the next-generation Ranger could instead be built at Ford’s BlueOval City complex in Tennessee.

The change has prompted speculation that the Bronco ute could replace the Ranger in Ford’s North American line-up. However, that does not mean the Ranger is being phased out globally. Australia’s Ranger is built primarily in Thailand, while Ranger PHEV production is based in South Africa, meaning any change to Ford’s North American production strategy would not directly affect Australian Ranger supply.

The Bronco ute would give Ford a more recreationally focused alternative to the Ranger, with the Jeep Gladiator its most obvious competitor.

The existing Bronco shares Ford’s T6 architecture with the Ranger and Everest, making a connection between the vehicles technically plausible. However, Ford has not confirmed whether the reported pick-up would use the same architecture or what hardware would sit underneath it.

There are currently no confirmed details on engines, transmissions, suspension, payload, towing capacity or dimensions. Ford has previously explored the idea of a Bronco ute. An earlier program was reportedly cancelled in 2021 before reaching production, meaning the latest reports represent a revival of a concept Ford has already considered.

The reported pick-up would also form part of a broader expansion of the Bronco nameplate. A hybrid Bronco SUV is expected to join the North American range around 2027, with Ford looking to broaden the model family beyond its existing SUV variants.

There is no confirmation yet that the reported Bronco ute will come to Australia. Ford has been exploring opportunities to expand the Bronco nameplate into right-hand-drive markets, but the pick-up currently appears to be a North American-focused program.

If it reaches production, the Bronco ute would give Ford a factory-built rival to the Gladiator while allowing the Ranger to continue serving as the brand’s mainstream mid-size pick-up.

For now, the reported 2029-30 timeframe remains the clearest indication of when the Bronco ute could arrive, with Ford yet to officially confirm the model.

Approximately 306 KGM Musso EVs sold to Australian consumers are affected by a safety specification discrepancy, according to a Consumer Alert released by ANCAP.

Musso EVs sold since the Australian launch in November 2025 are not fitted with a centre airbag or driver knee airbag, despite both being advertised by KGM as part of the ute’s standard eight-airbag package.

KGM has since updated its marketing materials, with the affected brochure and website information amended on July 31, 2026 to reflect the actual specification of vehicles on sale.

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The centre airbag, described by KGM as a “front row far-side” or “front seat centre airbag”, is generally positioned inboard within the driver’s seat back and is designed to reduce occupant injury in a side-impact crash. The driver knee airbag is housed beneath the steering column and is designed to manage occupant movement and loading during a crash.

ANCAP identified the omission and says the difference between the advertised and actual safety specification may affect occupant safety in front and side-impact crashes. The safety body is encouraging KGM to introduce a production change that would see both airbags fitted to Musso EVs supplied to Australia.

The Musso EV is a separate model from the diesel-powered KGM Musso, which has been sold in Australia since 2019 and is not affected by the Consumer Alert. Neither model currently carries an ANCAP safety rating.

The KGM Musso EV launched in Australia in December 2025 as the brand’s first fully electric ute, available in 2WD and AWD variants from $60,000 drive-away. It uses an 80.6kWh LFP battery, with outputs of 152kW/339Nm in 2WD and 175kW/630Nm in AWD, claimed ranges of 420km and 380km respectively, plus 300kW DC fast charging, Vehicle-to-Load capability and self-levelling rear suspension.

It retains the Musso’s existing tub dimensions and adds an electric-focused cabin with dual 12.3-inch displays.

What do you get?

Musso EV

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights, taillights and DRLs
• Self-levelling rear suspension
• Dual-zone climate control
• Integrated panoramic display with 12.3-inch dual display LCD instrument cluster and touch screen infotainment
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 3D 360-degree camera
• Leather look eight-way powered front seats with powered driver seat lumbar
• Sliding, folding and reclining 60/40 rear seats
• Heated front and rear outer seats
• Ventilated front seats
• Ambient interior lighting
• Leather heated steering wheel
• Heated, power adjustable and power folding door mirrors
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Wireless phone charger
• Durable rear tub liner with lighting and bumper corner steps

Musso EV Black Edge adds

• Leather and suede seats
• Suede headrests and door trim section
• Black 17-inch alloy wheels
• Black exterior highlights:
  • Bonnet garnish
  • Door mirrors
  • Tailgate badge
  • Sail plane
  • Front bumper trim
  • C-Pillar emblem
• Black steering wheel bezel
• Dark wood grain dash trim

Specs

It’s new rolling-stock time for the secondhand Lux. With the tyres sorted, we thought we’d let a little more of the budget loose and upgrade the wheels at the same time.

There’s nothing exactly wrong with the factory steelies, but we’ve got a bunch of cosmetic upgrades in the pipeline for this rig, so the wheels could definitely use some sprucing up.

We wanted something super strong. This is an off-road rig first and foremost, and we can’t be worried about gouging a wheel that’s worth more than an air locker. They also needed to look the part. We can’t be rocking up to camp with something heinous that looks like it’s fresh out of Auto Salon 1997. We also didn’t want to worry about checking wheel-nut torque every 1500km. We were after something that was set-and-forget.

After a brief search, we came across an old favourite: Dynamic Wheels (↗). We’ve used the company on a bunch of previous builds, and its steel wheels are still the ones to beat. A quick phone call later, we had a set of Dynamic Imitation Beadlock Sunraysia steel wheels (↗) that well and truly ticked the looks and toughness boxes. 

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Why we chose steel 

It’s the age-old question: Steel wheels or alloys? While neither is necessarily the right or wrong choice, both have their pros and cons.

In our case, we wanted something tough that could take an absolute thrashing on the tracks without losing its shape or damaging a fancy anodised finish. Even if you do manage to seriously dent a steel wheel off-road, you can usually knock it more or less back into shape with a hammer and a little Sydney-rush-hour-traffic level of aggression.

Then there’s the fact that this remains a budget build. While a nice set of alloys is definitely a great choice for plenty of people, steelies are significantly less of a blow to the bottom line in our case, and the savings free up funds for more important things.

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The difference is in the details 

We live in an age of cheap imports and corner-cutting to maximise profits. We went with Dynamic Wheels because the company has been around in Australia for decades and its products are well proven.

Features include centre bores machined twice to ensure a precise fit and help the wheels balance properly, along with 3.5mm- or 4mm-thick outer rims that are stronger than those used on many cheaper alternatives. Dynamic also offers an extensive range of vehicle fitments and backs its wheels with a lifetime warranty.

While the beadlock-style ring isn’t a functional locking ring – which would make it illegal for road use in Australia – it does provide an unexpected benefit by helping protect the inner spokes from rock damage… which gives our egos a boost when people ask, as we’re airing down, whether they’re legit.

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Putting them to the test off-road 

Outside of a functional beadlock, wheels don’t do much to improve a vehicle’s off-road capability.

Still, our wheel-and-tyre package balanced up nicely and, despite being subjected to mud scrapes, rock abrasions, ruts filled with sharp shale, branch-strewn water crossings and just about everything else you can imagine, the Dynamics still looked like new after a post-wheel hose-down. There wasn’t even a paint chip to report.

On top of that, we reckon they look killer against the HiLux’s white paint and work nicely with the black Bossco canopy. It’s still hard to beat a white ute with black highlights, if you ask us.

Overall, we’re stoked – not only with the Dynamic steel wheels, but with how our Luxy is shaping up. There’s plenty more to come, though, folks; we’re only just getting started.

Pricing

• Dynamic Imitation Beadlock Sunraysia steel wheels (17×8) (↗): $170 (each)

If you’ve ever been inside a HiLux of just about any age, you’ll know its stereo is probably best described as cutting-edge tech for the 1990s.

Our 2019 model didn’t come equipped with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, much in the way of Bluetooth functionality or anything too far beyond a radio and super-basic MP3 player. That’s not necessarily a problem if you’re only doing short drives, but on long days behind the wheel, covering big distances on the way to a remote destination, you want more from your in-vehicle entertainment.

That’s where our new Aerpro AMDTO2 head unit (↗) comes in. The company offers a range of replacement touchscreen units with features including additional camera inputs, dashcam compatibility, a GPS antenna, a microphone for phone calls and full integration with your preferred smartphone operating system.

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Aerpro also supplied one of its fascia kits for the N80, along with a plug-and-play wiring harness that made installation about as straightforward as it gets.

The company also sent us one of its Thinkware U3000 Pro dashcams (↗) with a U3000 Pro LTE module (↗), so we’re protected – at least from an insurance standpoint – against below-average city drivers, while also being able to record our off-road adventures.

While we understand we haven’t gained much in terms of off-road capability, apart from now having access to GPS mapping through Apple CarPlay, the upgraded infotainment unit has made the cabin a much nicer place to spend a few hours at a time.

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With an external microphone, second camera input, GPS antenna, full compatibility with the steering-wheel controls and a much-improved 10-inch touchscreen, it’s one of those upgrades you appreciate every time you climb into the driver’s seat.

The AMATO2 head unit as fitted to our HiLux is available through retailers nationwide. To find out more visit the Aerpro website (↗) and enter your vehicle’s make and model.

Pricing info

• Aerpro AMDTO2 head unit (↗): $899.99
• ThinkWare U3000 Pro dashcam (↗): $999.99
• Thinkware U3000 Pro LTE module (↗): $229.99

Toyota was the last manufacturer to bring its full-size American pick-up to Australia, where it competes with the Ram 1500, Ford F-150 and class-leading Chevrolet Silverado. 

Originally sold here solely in Limited grade, the range-topping Platinum joined the line-up in early 2026, and that’s the model we’re testing here.

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Interior and features

The Tundra Limited was already highly specified, but the Platinum adds plenty of niceties.

This includes genuine leather in place of the Limited’s synthetic interior trim, a power-adjustable steering column, heated steering wheel, 10-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat, four-way power-adjustable lumbar support and a massaging function for the front seats. The outboard rear seats also gain heating and ventilation, while a massive sunroof lets more light into the cabin. Unique trim and finishes distinguish the Platinum’s exterior.

Both grades feature a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sound is pumped through a 12-speaker JBL audio system, while a wireless phone charger and dual-zone climate control are also standard.

While the Tundra has a premium interior, especially in Platinum grade, the fit and finish of the American-made pick-up’s cabin is still not quite up to the high standards of a Japanese-made LandCruiser 300 Series – but it is close.

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Tundra Pricing

• Limited: $155,990
• Platinum: $172,990

Engine and hybrid powertrain

The big difference between the Tundra and its American-brand rivals is its powertrain.

Both Tundra grades available in Australia are powered by the same drivetrain, comprising a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that produces 290kW and 649Nm – but that’s only part of the powertrain. The i-FORCE engine is paired with a parallel hybrid system that charges a 288V NiMH battery, which feeds a motor-generator mounted in the bellhousing of the 10-speed automatic transmission. Combined outputs jump to 326kW and 790Nm.

This is the same powertrain recently released in the LandCruiser 300 Series Performance Hybrid. However, the pick-up misses out on the full-time dual-range transfer case fitted to the Cruiser, where having 790Nm on tap makes it particularly useful. The Tundra makes do with a part-time dual-range transfer case.

It’s disappointing that the Australian-delivered Tundra Platinum doesn’t get the on-demand transfer case offered on some grades in the US, or the available off-road package that would improve its capability in rough terrain.

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Towing and off-road capability

Towing capacity is rated at up to 4500kg with the heavy-duty towing kit fitted, and there’s an integrated electric trailer-brake controller in the dashboard. Towing capacity is limited to 3500kg without the heavy-duty kit.

Safety equipment includes ABS, ESC, lane-departure warning, lane-centring control, a pre-collision AEB system with day/night pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert and trailer-sway control. None of these 1500-class pick-ups have a decent payload and the Platinum is no exception, offering just 720kg – which should be enough to fill that huge cargo bed with helium balloons!

The Tundra Platinum does what it says on the label. It’s a premium full-size pick-up with bucketloads of interior space, a well-appointed cabin and plenty of grunt from its hybrid powertrain.

It’s not a great off-road vehicle – none of these US pick-ups are particularly capable in standard form – but we found the coil-sprung rear axle articulated well through holes and washouts to maintain progress. Ground clearance, although relatively low, was adequate for the type of off-roading you’re likely to tackle in this style of truck.

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Off-road specs

On-road performance and touring

On the road, it’s smooth and powerful, and a pleasure to spend long hours behind the wheel of.

The Tundra is a great touring and towing ute, with interior space that back-seat passengers will appreciate compared with any midsize 4×4 ute.

The Tundra might be re-engineered in Australia by Toyota’s partner, Walkinshaw, but it is covered by Toyota Australia’s full five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with roadside assistance. This includes five years of capped-price servicing at $450 per service, with intervals of six months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.

This is a factory-backed partnership between Toyota and Walkinshaw, so you can be confident the work is completed to the highest standard.

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Toyota Tundra Platinum specs

After a year of testing, touring and modifying our BYD Shark, it has finally found a new home.

The Shark went under the hammer at Slattery Auctions (↗), with 23,889km on the odometer. The auction started at 5pm AEST on August 14, 2026, and finished at 7pm AEST on August 19, 2026.

We bought the Shark to see how the plug-in hybrid ute would handle real-world use, and it’s spent the past year being progressively kitted out for touring and off-road adventures. Along the way, we worked with some of our trusted aftermarket suppliers to turn the standard ute into a much more capable and practical touring rig.

First, the basics. The BYD Shark is a plug-in hybrid ute powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and dual electric motors. The system produces 321kW and 650Nm, with the electric motors driving all four wheels. A 29.58kWh Blade Battery provides an official electric driving range of around 100km, while the petrol engine gives the Shark a claimed combined range of more than 800km.

The Shark uses a dedicated hybrid transmission and has selectable driving modes, including EV and hybrid operation. It rides on independent suspension front and rear and came from the factory with 200mm of ground clearance. That was one of the areas we targeted with our aftermarket upgrades, particularly given how much extra gear we wanted to carry.

Ironman 4×4 was first on the tools, fitting a Raid replacement front bumper with an integrated light bar, Ironman spotlights, rated recovery points and underbody protection. The winch-compatible bar is made from 4mm aluminium to keep weight down, while an IM 2.5 Heavy suspension kit added 30mm of ground clearance and improved the Shark’s ride and control both on and off the road.

At the rear, a Hayman Reese X-Bar added three built-in rated recovery points and an integrated tow hitch. Raceline alloy wheels were fitted with 285/60R18 Cooper Discoverer AT3 tyres, giving the Shark a tougher footprint and tyres better suited to off-road use. A matching spare was carried on a Rola Titan Tray roof rack.

MSA 4×4 then sorted out the tub with full-length aluminium roller drawers and a drop slide for an Evakool dual-zone fridge (the fridge isn’t part of the sale unfortunately). The setup made it much easier to carry and access touring gear, while a Utemaster Centurion canopy was fitted over the tub to keep everything protected from the elements.

The Shark also got a proper outback workout, heading into the Simpson Desert alongside a 79 Series LandCruiser. The Shark completed the trip and added some serious real-world experience to its long-term test.

With the aftermarket gear already fitted and 23,889km on the clock, our Shark is ready for its next chapter.

Ford has turned its Ranger Super Duty into a specialised rapid-response fire unit, designed to get emergency crews and equipment to an incident ahead of a conventional fire truck.

Developed with Deakin University and XL Service Bodies, the Fire Response Unit is based on the Super Duty Super Cab, with a large tray for firefighting gear and secure storage for electronics and first-aid equipment. Its 4500kg GVM and off-road capability allow it to carry the required load while reaching areas that may be difficult for larger fire trucks to access.

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“We are not trying to replace traditional fire trucks or the firefighters who crew them,” says Jeremy Welch, Ford Pro Conversion development manager, Ford Australia.

“But a Ranger Super Duty could carry the equipment needed to manage those critical first few minutes while the cavalry is on its way. The Ranger Super Duty provides a platform that could genuinely handle the job without needing heavy modification just to get it road- and track-worthy. The GVM and payload means we have real capacity to work with equipment and water, and the factory-level off-road capability means it can get into the places where these incidents actually happen.”

The ute carries high-flow and ultra-high-pressure pumps, with an integrated inverter and charging system with solar capability supplied by Zeliox Australia. The system removes the need for a separate petrol or diesel generator.

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Ford and Deakin used computer-aided design and full-scale virtual reality to develop the equipment layout before building a physical mock-up to test how easily responders could access the gear under pressure.

“The Fire Repose Unit shows what’s possible when industry and universities combine their strengths and vision,” said Dr David Halliwell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Partnerships, Deakin University. “By joining forces on this project, Ford and Deakin have demonstrated how the right partnership can accelerate innovation in ways neither partner could achieve alone.”

The Fire Response Unit is on display at the AFAC conference in Melbourne from August 18 to 20. The custom build was developed for demonstration purposes and has not been certified by any fire or emergency service authority.

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FAQs

What is the Ranger Super Duty Fire Response Unit?

It is a custom-built rapid-response fire unit developed by Ford Australia, Deakin University and XL Service Bodies to explore how trained personnel and critical equipment could reach incidents ahead of conventional fire trucks.

What equipment does the Fire Response Unit carry?

The ute carries firefighting equipment including high-flow and ultra-high-pressure pumps, along with electronics and first-aid gear. An integrated inverter and charging system with solar capability eliminates the need for a separate petrol or diesel generator.

Why was the Ranger Super Duty chosen?

The Ranger Super Duty was selected for its 4500kg GVM, high payload capacity and factory-level off-road capability.

Is the Ranger Super Duty Fire Response Unit certified for emergency service use?

No. The custom build was developed for demonstration purposes and has not been certified by any fire or emergency service authority.

Ford Australia is recalling a total of 13,907 2026 and 2026.5 Ranger double-cab vehicles over a fault that could cause the side curtain airbags to not deploy as intended.

The recall is now officially listed on the Vehicle Recalls government website (↗). The affected vehicles were built between November 26, 2025, and July 10, 2026. Approximately 8000 vehicles have been sold to customers and will be prioritised as part of the repair process, while the remainder are in dealer stock and are under a temporary delivery and demonstration hold. Ford will replace parts of the B-pillar trim as part of the recall.

In the event of a crash, the side curtain airbags may interact with the B-pillar trim during inflation and not deploy as intended. If there is interaction during deployment, the B-pillar ramp may detach, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.

Ford Australia says it identified the issue through routine vehicle testing and is not aware of any incidents in customer vehicles associated with this condition.

Customers can continue to use their vehicles. All other airbags, including the front driver airbag, front passenger airbag, centre airbag, knee airbags and side thorax airbags, continue to operate as designed.

Ford Australia currently anticipates that the remedy will be available from mid-September and will contact affected owners directly with further information and instructions. The required repair will be completed by an authorised Ford Dealer free of charge.

Customers can determine whether their vehicle is affected by entering their Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, on the Ford Australia Recall and Service Action page (↗). Customers can also contact an authorised Ford Dealer or Ford Australia’s Customer Relationship Centre on 13 36 73.

Earlier this year, Ford also recalled 2572 Ranger and Everest vehicles built between 2017 and 2019 over a transmission software fault. The fault could cause the transmission fluid pump gears to fail while driving, resulting in a loss of hydraulic fluid pressure and motive power.

We have some grand ideas for a pretty schmick drawer set-up in our secondhand HiLux, along with a lithium battery system, fridge and a bunch of other gear for the tray. But first, we need somewhere to house it all. In other words, we need a canopy.

Bossco (↗) has been straddling the lines between practicality, functionality, looks and price for a while now, so it was a no-brainer to throw one of its alloy canopies, complete with the optional roof rack, at the HiLux.

We hit up the Bossco website (↗), made our selection and started dreaming about what improvements, if any, a lightweight canopy – along with some aggressive rubber – might make to our budget brawler. But first, we needed to get everything bolted in place.

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DIY installation

One of the unique things about Bossco canopies is that they arrive as a flat pack and require some assembly before being bolted into place.

While Bossco says installation should take half a day, we must be a little slow because it took us a full day. If we ever have to fit another one, we could probably knock it over in a few hours, but if you’re a first-timer like us, budget a full Saturday to get it done.

That said, it’s a straightforward process and there aren’t too many hurdles to overcome. It all comes together with a combination of bolts, Nyloc nuts and silicone sealant to make it waterproof, all of which are supplied as part of the kit. We took our time and made sure the silicone was applied thickly and evenly to ensure no water could get in.

The wiring came pre-terminated with Deutsch connectors, so installation was as simple as finding an earth, brake-light power feed and reversing-light feed from one of the standard taillights.

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First impressions of the Bossco canopy

Personally, we reckon the canopy looks tops. Its boxy shape suits the Luxy’s lines, while the black finish breaks up the sea of white bodywork nicely and matches the new Dynamic steel wheels.

In fact, the day after fitting the Bossco canopy, the heavens opened and we were treated to a deluge that had us expecting an old bloke in an ark with a bunch of animals to float by. The upside was that not a single drop of water got inside. Score one for Bossco – and some careful silicone-gun work, eh?

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Off-road performance

While assessing a canopy’s off-road performance isn’t really something you can do with a straight face, we can say the Bossco was easily accessible through its three large, strut-assisted openings.

That’s definitely appreciated when camping or frantically scrambling for the tree-trunk protector while stuck in a boghole – allegedly. To be honest, we were a bit nervous about fitting a flat-pack canopy. Surely it would be leakier than a Land Rover and as flimsy as a cheesecloth bashplate. But it surprised us on both counts.

It is yet to let in any water or mud, has rubbed against multiple trees without sustaining damage and has supported two blokes standing on the roof rack to take photos. Together, they would have been nudging a couple of hundred kilograms.

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We’re not suggesting you load any roof rack with that sort of weight, but it’s reassuring to know the strength is there if we decide to fit a rooftop tent down the track.

Once installed, it really is a great option for any ute owner. There are LED brake and reversing lights, which could easily be wired to a switch and used as camp lighting, as well as an LED interior light. The doors are heavy-duty and have internal bars for bracing or hanging a tea towel while cooking at camp. Plus, they look staunch, and we need all the tough points we can get, so that’s appreciated.

There are plenty of opportunities to customise these canopies to suit your needs, and we’ll be doing just that before long, so stay tuned.

FAQs

How much does the Bossco alloy canopy cost?
The Bossco alloy canopy has an RRP of $3499 (↗).

How long does the Bossco canopy take to install?
Bossco says installation should take half a day, but we took a full day. First-timers should budget a full Saturday.

What are the key features of the Bossco canopy?
The Bossco canopy features three large, strut-assisted openings, LED brake and reversing lights, an LED interior light and heavy-duty doors with internal bars.