NZ4WD - October 2024 NZ

Adventure caravans page 23, 4WD parts and services page 35
WIN
A SEIKO SUZUKI
JIMNY WATCH
go to page 11.
OCTOBER 2024
Beach
driving in
Australia
Pl u s
ÄTOYOTA HILUX HYBRID ÄGMC YUKON FOR NZ
ÄALICE TO SYDNEY OUTBACK TREK ÄMY 4WD: A FAMILY LANDIE
OPENING SHOT
Red dirt, huge blue skies, 40 degree temperatures. Kiwi photographer Mike Peffers captured this image on the Oodnadatta track during
a bucket list trip to the Finke off-road race in Australia.
News
6 Tremor goes Everest

8 GMC Yukon coming
14 Most reliable 4WDs named
15 Bowler Defender
16 New Zealand fishing,
hunting and 4x4 expo
Features
19
23 Adventure caravans
35 4WD parts and services
Regulars
18 Events
19 Toyota Hilux SR5 Cruiser
tested
26 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain tested
31 My 4WD: a Land Rover
family affair
40 Torque Talk 35
41 Adventure:
Alice to Sydney trek
47 Adventure:
NZ4WDA AGM drives
50 Weekend Drive
53 4WD Sport
58 Dirt Nation
60 Geoffzone
61 Vahryous thoughts
53
2 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

H S U Z U K I
WIT
JIMNY
$149
A WEEK
FROM
TOTAL PAYABLE $38,704*
NO DEPOSIT FINANCE + A LOW WEEKLY FEE

*$148.86/week based on Jimny 1.5 JXN Carry Manual (shown in green or white), save $110 was $32,500 now $32,390 plus ORC, total amount payable $38,703.60; $190.30/week based
on Jimny 1.5 5-Door Manual Two Tone (shown in red and black), $41,500 plus ORC, total amount payable $49,478.00, nil deposit, 6.9% p.a. fixed interest rate, 5 year term, $10.35 PPSR fee,
$130 UDC loan fee and $200 dealer origination fee. On-road costs are payable to the Dealer. Suzuki Finance is provided by UDC Finance Limited. Lending criteria, fees and standard terms and
conditions apply. Offer available from 1 September to 31 October 2024 and while stocks last. Excludes fleet purchases, demo vehicles and all other promotions. www.suzuki.co.nz
NZ4WD
FROM THE
Volume 28 No 9. OCTOBER 2024
EDITOR
EDITOR
Mark Baker
EMAIL: [email protected]
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Rachel Walker
CONTRIBUTORS:
Geoff Anders, Bryan Chang,
David Coxon, Kevin Isemonger,
What a difference
Ashley Lucas, Peter Vahry
EVENTS MANAGER
a year makes
Ashley Lucas
EMAIL: [email protected] Looking back to go forward
NZ4WD ADVERTISING MANAGER Watching the Government grappling wind down and exploration companies
Dan Prestige
with an inherited recession and misfiring rightly remain reluctant to commit to
economy, it’s kinda hard to appreciate how finding new gas and oil fields. Such
PUBLISHER far we’ve come in 12 short months. Last ventures take five or more years, and a
Cathy Parker year, new car sales were at an all-time low. change of government could once more
The ‘ute tax’ had artificially depressed sales rip up exploration contracts.
SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER & ENQUIRIES of diesel and petrol vehicles as the previous Meanwhile, electric vehicles are now
Annette Colbert government’s subsidy artificially inflated EV paying their way through an extension of
EMAIL: [email protected] sales. Across the ditch, at the same time, the Road User Charge regime governing
Australia notched up its best ever new diesel vehicles. This is user pays in its
PROOFREADING
George Ward vehicle sales numbers. purest form: buy the km you’ll drive. Next
Despite all encouragements from the up: Transport Minister is mapping out a
Adrenalin Publishing Ltd highest office in the land, the country’s timeline to shift petrol vehicles onto
56 Kuru Place, Papamoa, 3118
willingness to transition to the brave new RUCs.
PO Box 65092 Mairangi Bay,
Auckland 0754 world of electric motoring was stuttering A year ago, I made a couple of
Phone: 09 478 4771 along. predictions: that those dreadful sales
Then and now, the sales leaders were statistics (July 2023) would fade into
SUBSCRIPTIONS:
all 4WD diesel double cab utes and SUVs. history as the 4WD part of the industry
NZ4WD magazine is an 11 issue magazine
plus one Annual Subscription in NZ $114 Fast forward a year and the coalition continues to surge forward; and that we
(incl GST). Please call us for overseas rates. Government is setting things right. would eventually be able to buy a BEV
Shorn of the subsidy, EV sales have 4WD double cab ute.
COPYRIGHT:
fallen to their actual, natural level. A year on, I’d bet a lot of people in the
NZ4WD is copyright and may not be
reproduced in whole or in part without the Meanwhile, 4WDs are resoundingly industry are still feeling that mid-year
written permission of the publisher. Neither dominating the new car sales statistics. sales slump pain. And an EV ute remains
editorial opinions expressed nor facts Hybrid 4WD utes have arrived and will just a fantasy for Kiwis.
stated in advertisements are necessarily
help auto brands meet their clean-vehicle Luckily, there’s plenty of reason to feel
agreed to by the editor or publisher of
NZ4WD and, whilst all efforts are made commitments. cheerful right now, with a government
to ensure accuracy, no responsibility will With hydro lakes at an all-time winter committed to making positive change, all
be taken by the publishers for inaccurate low, an energy crisis is joining hands with sorts of cool new 4WDs with us or
information, or for any consequences of
the wider cost of living crisis. We are now coming soon, and winter weather easing
reliance on this information.
grappling with the effects of the ban on into mild spring days. Time to start
PRINTING: SCG oil and gas exploration as current licences planning some 4WD adventures.
DISTRIBUTION: Are Direct
ISSN 1175–1827 (Print)
ISSN 2253–2773 (Online)
Check out our website: www.nz4wd.co.nz

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ENGINEERED FOR PROTECTION,
Designed for safety
from from from

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www.ironman4x4.co.nz
Tough new Everest Tremor
Boosting the all-road ability of Ford’s Aussie SUV
Hot on the heels of the Ford Ranger Ford’s comprehensive suite of safety Across the Tasman, Everest Tremor has
Tremor, Ford Australia has unveiled a technologies. a manufacturer’s list price of $76,590.
Tremor version of the popular Everest SUV. The Tremor retains Everest’s class- Customers can further personalise their
Powered by Ford’s 184kW/600Nm leading 3,500kg maximum braked towing Tremor with a range of factory-fit
3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 engine, the capacity. options, including the Rough Terrain Pack
Everest Tremor has a wider and more Developed in Australia, the Tremor – in featuring ARB accessories, a Touring
capable suspension and also gains fact the whole Everest range – is not Pack, a Premium Seat Pack, and a Towing
off-road features such as Rock Crawl Drive available in America. Availability in New Pack.
mode, first seen in the Ranger Raptor. This Zealand is almost certain, though no Production of the Everest Tremor is
mode is unique within the Everest range timing information has been confirmed. expected to start in November 2024.
and optimises traction and momentum
on loose and rocky surfaces.
Like the Ranger version, Everest Tremor
features Bilstein position-sensitive shock
absorbers, new springs, and General
Grabber AT3 All-Terrain Tyres. It has
26mm of extra ground clearance
compared to the standard Everest.
The exterior features a distinctive
honeycomb grille design with auxiliary
LED lamps, a steel bash plate, heavy-duty
side steps, and signature Tremor badging.
Inside, the SUV also features premium
interior with Tremor-embossed leather
accented seats, ebony-coloured interior
accents, and all-weather floor mats to
provide a comfortable and stylish cabin.
Tremor has a selectable drive mode
system, SYNC 4 infotainment system, and

HEAVY DUTY, STANDARD HEIGHT Shock Absorbers
RAISED SPRINGS -
HEAVY DUTY, RAISED All 4WD’s & SUV’s
SUIT - RAISED SPRINGS

POLYURETHANE BUSH KITS
HEAVY DUTY,
STANDARD HEIGHT
t s
a l is
ec i
S p
2025 GMC Yukon revealed
Walkinshaw RHD conversion for Australia
Following major overhauls of Cruiser 300 and Y62 Nissan

its American-market Acadia Patrol.
and Terrain SUVs, GMC is The big SUV will come to
showing off its 2025 GMC New Zealand, but timings have
Yukon. yet to be firmed up.
It’s a face-lift with a revised The 2025 GMC Yukon range
option sheet and more tech spans a new Elevation entry
features “aimed at easing the level model, AT3 off-road
experience from behind the version and the Yukon AT4
wheel”. Ultimate which takes the
More to the point, it’s being off-road hardware from the
converted to right hand drive AT4 and combines it with
by Walkinshaw in Australia top-level luxury features
and GMSV will launch the previously found only on the
Yukon in that market in the range-topping Denali Ultimate
first half of 2025, with buyers models: such as massaging
offered a 6.2-litre petrol V8 front seats, extended leather brand SUV to feature 24-inch seating and Ash Burl wood
producing 313kW and 624Nm trim throughout the cabin, wheels. accents.
– the same engine found in and genuine wood-grain Highlights of the AT4 The American-market
the related Chevrolet Silverado accents. include a front skid plate and powertrain lineup includes
pick-up – mated to a Those who liked the Ford 20-inch wheels with all-terrain 5.3-litre and 6.2-litre V-8s.
10-speed automatic Ranger’s class-leading vertical tires, four-corner Air Ride For the ten percent of Yukon
transmission. Aussie media infoscreen might want to start Adaptive Suspension that can customers who prefer a diesel
say the Yukon is targeting saving: the Yukon breaks the raise the vehicle up to 50mm engine, GMC has also updated
older ‘grey nomad’ buyers and previous record with a 16.8 to improve ground clearance the group’s 3.0-litre Duramax
those who need to tow. inch vertical screen. when off-road, and an inline six-cylinder turbodiesel
Downunder, the Yukon is seen More milestones: the Denali Obsidian Rush interior with engine to produce 227kW and
as a rival for the Toyota Land Ultimate is the first major- three rows of full-grain leather 521Nm.

Grenadier straps on armour
Discreet, complete protection for those who need it
“Protection’ vehicles like the door system with reinforced

Rexvani Tank might look hinges and travel retainers.
amazing, but many of those INKAS has also fitted Ineos’
who need armoured transport SUV model with an advanced
also need to be reasonably anti-theft alarm and
invisible. immobilizer, a front and rear
Introducing Toronto-based park assist system, a rear-view
vehicle fortification specialist camera, and power heated
INKAS Armored Vehicles. exterior mirrors.
The INKAS INEOS Grenadier The modifications and
4×4 doesn’t look very different upgrades enable the Grenadier
from the normal, non- to achieve a BR6 armour
armoured version, and that’s rating, meaning it can
the point. withstand everything from
Under the stock exterior, it hand grenades to 7.62mm
conceals a host of noteworthy rounds. night vision camera, and a several unmarked Toyota Land
features that transform it into The Canadian company CCTV system complete with Cruisers fitted with ballistic
something of a mobile safe offers customers numerous 360° cameras. There is also a protection for use when heads
room. Riding on 18” steel optional upgrades to further full black-out visual package. of state visit.
wheels shod in INKAS’ own fortify the vehicle. The armoured Grenadier The vehicles have been
proprietary Run Flat tires, this This includes full engine bay maintains the regular 4WD’s fitted with ballistic – bullet
European-built, Canadian- armouring, an engine fire impressive stock go-anywhere proof and blast resistant –
modified rig features multi- suppression system, exhaust capabilities and off-road- armour to provide specialist
layer ballistic glass, an and radiator protection units, a focused hardware: full box- Police with greater protection
advanced 360° perimeter roof escape hatch, reinforced sectioned ladder frame, skid when they are deployed to
protection setup, battery and bumpers, an air filtration plates, LED auxiliary lights, major national security events
engine computer armour, fuel system, LED strobe lights, a Carraro beam axles, heavy-duty or high-risk firearms incidents.
tank protection, an overlap siren and PA system, onboard coil suspension, roof rails, roof They have been operational
protection strips, towing eyes, a since late 2019.
full-size spare wheel, and The Government also has at
permanent four-wheel drive. least one BMW armoured
That includes 280mm of vehicle on its fleet.
ground clearance and Demand for armoured
approach, break-over, and vehicles around the world is
departure angles of 35.5°, 28.2°, increasing. An estimated
and 36.1°, respectively. 200,000 to 300,000 armoured
There are a number of vehicles circulate on streets
armoured vehicles on New worldwide, with Brazil leading
Zealand roads, though auto with the highest per capita
importers are understandably number in the world. Sao
reluctant to provide exact Paolo alone currently receives
details. 800 armoured vehicles a
New Zealand Police have month.
9
A cool watch
and a great deal
New drawcard for Suzuki’s cult 4WD SUV
Suzuki has included its super-popular Jimny in its in-house
no-deposit finance offer for the first time. That means the
three-door and five-door Jimny range is available from $149
per week on 6.9 percent finance.
To celebrate, Suzuki NZ has put up a Jimny-branded Seiko
watch for a competition prize in NZ4WD magazine. The
collectable watch is presented in a stylish wooden case that
also carries the logo – perfect for display in the man-cave
(person-cave?) or, of course, equally ideal to wear while out
and about adventuring.
To enter the draw email your details to
[email protected]
Cult classic
The world of Jimny produces some cool modified 4WDs
The passion/obsession/cult that is

Jimny captures imagination the
world over.
Some owners will add bars and
wheels and a lift kit. Nice.
Others build overlander rigs to
die for, with mud terrain tyres,
winches, lights, a roof rack and
much more.
And there are a few who go Ancestors Camper
slightly over the top with The old LJ was the origin of the In case anyone doubted, it is possible to
modifications. Behind every build, whole Jimny dynasty. Back in the day, add a rooftop tent to a Jimny adventure
from mild to wild, is a proud swapping out the stock bar-tread tyres build. This one’s quite an extreme build,
owner – and usually there’s a local for some mudders was about the full exoskeleton cage, light bars, roof tent
workshop that has helped make extent of modifications. Then as now, it and all.
the dream real. was important not to overdo tyre width
or height.
Cargo cleverness Snow crawler Rollin’ on Dubs

The Jimny three-door has some cargo Built to work and play hard, this early Just the thing to attend the latest
room. The five-door has more. But for Jimny from the USA has all the tweaks Bolliwood spectacular, a Jimny on 22s.
wilderness trips, both Suzuki and the anyone might need for winter activity. Not so much fun out in the bush
aftermarket offer any number of additional Massive lift kit, winch(es), roll cage…but though.
storage options. where’s the hard-top?

AS E I KO S U Z U K I
JIM N Y W A T C H
To celebrate Suzuki’s great finance offer of no deposit and low finance, Suzuki are
giving away a limited edition Seiko Suzuki Jimny watch valued at $1,000 USD
To enter the draw email your details to [email protected]
Seiko Suzuki Jimny is stainless steel, camo-painted dial with Jimny’s rhino logo,
wrapped by army green-hued bezel and silicone strap. Rated as a divers watch water resistant up to 200m.
CONDITIONS: ONE ENTRY PER PERSON, DRAW CLOSES NOVEMBER 1ST, 2024
Re-Discovery
New territory, new power systems for big SUV
Jaguar Land Rover’s Discovery vehicle

The current Discovery has served the JLR group well, but
will be reinvented for its sixth generation, sales of the Defender are outstripping the old model.
repositioning it in its own “unique
territory” and moving it away from its
Defender sibling, which has apparently
been “cannibalising” sales.
The current Discovery has been on sale
since 2017, making it the oldest model in
the Land Rover stable.
It sold 16,750 globally last year, around
half the sales of the Discovery Sport. The
Defender’s 110,367 sales in 2023 were
more than six times higher than those of
the Discovery.
The new version is likely to be based on
JLR’s MLA platform, which underpins the
current flagship Range Rover and can
accommodate both ICE and electric
set-ups.
The JLR group has confirmed plans for
electric Land Rovers by 2026 and it is
expected that the Discovery 6 will be one
of them.
However, the company has recently
increased investment into versatile vehicle
architectures, responding to fluctuating
EV demand.
Terrain Tamer opens in the USA

Ambitious move for Australian brand
The Don Kyatt Group is On 1 October the brand California, a short drive inland warehouse will also stock the
taking the Terrain Tamer and opens its 19th and newest site, from San Francisco. company’s Flashlube products,
Flashlube brands to North the ninth internationally with a Georg Esterer, who is the offering a range of lubricants,
America. warehouse in Stockton, former operator of Californian additives, grease, and
business Cruiser Brothers, a preventative engine
Terrain Tamer reseller for the maintenance hardware such
past 10 years, will manage the as diesel pre-filters and catch
branch, using his extensive cans.
industry knowledge to help Terrain Tamer’s journey has
build the brand. been one of growth since first
Having already spent a week opening in 1969 in
in Melbourne earlier this year Melbourne.
for on-site training with the Over the past five years
management team at Terrain Terrain Tamer has opened its
Tamer’s head office, Mr Esterer second Papua New Guinean
is well versed in the company location in Lae and a tenth
culture and operations of the Australian location in
brand and says he is ready to Townsville. The company has
adapt it to the local market he also successfully expanded
knows so well. into new markets in the
Along with Terrain Tamer’s capitals of Cape town, South
4WD Parts, the Californian Africa and Santiago, Chile.

Dream win for Piopio farmer
Fieldays D-Max prize goes to Daniel Neil
The annual Fieldays event at

Mystery Creek has made one
dairy farmer’s dreams come
true.
Daniel Neil and family milk
430 Friesian cross cows on a
leased 240-hectare dairy farm
in Piopio.
“The Isuzu will definitely be
put through its paces with farm
life. There’s always something
to tow or pick up and plenty of
hills on the farm to climb.”
The family will also be
testing its towing capabilities
with the family caravan.
A regular at Fieldays for over a
decade, Daniel Neil attended
this year’s event with his brother
and two local farming mates.
The Isuzu D-Max LX double
Alan Paterson, of Rosetown Isuzu, left, cab 4WD ute, valued at over
congratulates D-Max winner Daniel Neil. $63,990, was this year’s ‘door
prize’ at Fieldays.
13
The five most reliable 4WDs
Not surprising really, is it?
A recent study conducted by website The plus-size Toyota Tundra is ranked year – reviewed 402 million vehicles to
iSeeCars lists the top 30 vehicles most the most likely to reach the quarter determine the longest-lasting ones on
likely to reach 250,000 miles – and million-mile milestone, with a 36.6 American roads. The odometer reading
perhaps unsurprisingly, there are quite a percent chance of reaching 400,000km. was noted for each vehicle at each age,
few Toyotas on the list. That’s more than four times higher than and a formula was then applied to
In fact, Toyota dominates the top of the the average vehicle’s odds. estimate the probability that each vehicle
list, claiming the first five spots in the The Sequoia, based on the same would survive to 400,000km (250,000
longevity study, with another Toyota and platform as the new Prado, comes in next, miles). The overall probability for all
a Lexus also making it into the top 10. In at 36.4 percent. vehicles in the study was 8.6 percent.
other words, 70 percent of the 10 Rounding out the top five are the The study also separated heavy-duty
longest-lasting vehicles on the road are 4Runner, which mainly appears here as truck models, which tend to live very
Toyota products. an import from Japan; the Tacoma different lives than most passenger
The survey was carried out across mid-sized truck (a rival for the Ford vehicles, into their own segment. There,
America, so several of the top performers Ranger/Raptor); and Highlander Hybrid the Ram 3500 came out on top, with a
are not available new here, but some do – which is on sale here. 42.6 percent chance to go the 400,000km
sneak in as private imports. The iSeeCars study – now in its 11th distance.
Sequoia for Australia

Big SUV may follow Tundra into Australia
The new 2025 Toyota Sequoia may piggyback on recent
arrival of the Tundra pick-up in Toyota Australia showrooms
following the success of the Tundra’s local remanufacturing
program courtesy of Walkinshaw Automotive.
With local right-hand conversions of Tundra going to plan
so far ahead of the US-made pick-up’s launch in 2025,
Toyota Australia says there is scope to extend the RHD
program to other full-size Toyota models not available in
right-hand-drive from the factory.
The new Sequoia is essentially an SUV version of the
Tundra pick-up and rides on the same TNGA-F ladder-frame
platform as the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Lexus LX
and the upcoming Toyota Prado 250 Series and Lexus GX.

Number one
Lotto win, meet Bowler Defender
It’s build number 001, the first car produced

for the Bowler Defender Championship and
the first Bowler Defender ever produced for
retail. The only thing stopping us is a wee
Lotto win.
It has travelled just 5,000km from new,
it’s fully prepared and ready to race in the
Bowler UK or European championships –
or even downunder.
#001 was ordered at the beginning of
2021 as part of the Bowler Defender
Challenge and was equipped with all the
possible options from Bowler including
Rally Package One and Rally Package Two.
It took part in five rounds of the 2022 • Rally-spec gearbox cross member. • Alpine, door and rear windows replaced
Championship, winning the longest and • Stiffened gearbox mounts. with polycarbonate.
most challenging event, the three-day • Strengthened engine mounts. • Race sports seats with specific race seat
Welsh Hill Rally. • Braced front and rear subframes. mounts.
It was retained by Bowler and has • Front suspension turret brace. • Six-point race harness.
featured in a number of promotional videos • Rear turret brace. • Integrated and hand-held fire
for JLR and Bowler. • Strengthened radiator mounts. suppression.
A complete new 2.0-litre engine was • Adapted chassis and subframe mounts. • Electrical cut-off switches – internal and
fitted by JLR Special Vehicles around • Rally jacking points. external.
1,600km ago and the car is up to date with • Complete removal of all airbag systems.
all the more recent Bowler modifications Performance
including the uprated radiator mounting • Improved cooling – auxiliary radiators Styling
system and the modified torque tube and removed and increased airflow to main • Front bumper adapted to take new
subframe. It has a full tool kit, two rally radiator. underbody protection.
computers, upgraded light pack and twin • Increased transmission cooling capacity. • Bowler front grille with increased air
intercom system. A new vehicle to the • Sports exhaust system. flow.
same spec would cost $280,000NZD. This • Bowler 18” wheels with increased • Rear roof spoiler with extended profile
one is for sale at $140,000NZD. Bargain. strength. and integrated additional reversing lights.
Since its inception in 1985, Bowler • BF Goodrich AT tyres. • Front and rear wing shields to meet new
Motors has developed a worldwide • Bespoke suspension design with underbody protection.
reputation in the arena of design and modified subframes, new springs and • Wheel arch extensions utilising accessory
construction of Land Rover-based off-road unique turrets for increased stiffness. fitment.
vehicles. New Zealand, all of them the older • Bespoke Fox dampers. • Door lowers – protection pieces on
‘classic’ Defender versions. • Race steering wheel with quick release shortened doors.
The ‘Challenge’ cars were based on a boss. • Team livery.
standard car which was taken off the • Side air intake covers.
production line and hand-finished by a • High level air intake. Function
specialist team at Bowler. The 2.0 litre • Front upper wishbone revised to reflect • Additional bonnet-mounted windscreen
Ingenium petrol four-cylinder engine (220kW new ride height geometry. washers – to deal with rally levels of
and 399Nm of torque) and the eight speed Electrical/systems water splash.
automatic transmission both remained • ECU system integration with race box. • Front driving lights for increased night
largely untouched in order to achieve • ABS/DSC – rally control modifications. driving illumination.
identical performance in the competing cars. • New integrated wiring harness for new • Rally-spec mud flaps.
components. • Full underbody protection system
Structural body and chassis • New rally-spec facia. – 6mm aluminium reinforced design.
• Monocoque bracing – minimises body • Navigator control unit for lights/washer/ • New gear shift position – optimised to
movement and supports underbody horn. sports seats.
protection. • Rally system integration with JLR safety • Column-mounted gear shift paddles
• Full internal roll-cage integrated with systems. – unique to Bowler.
body and linking suspension mounts. • Adapted body control unit. • Passenger footrest.
• Internal spare wheel mount integrated to • Rear door manual release mechanism.
roll cage. Regulatory • Wheel arch lines – increased strength to
• Additional front recovery points. • High-level rear marker lights. meet rally requirements.
15
EVENT
Rotorua turns it on
New Zealand Fishing, Hunting and 4x4 Expo
The 2024 Expo in Rotorua looked to up When NZ4WD arrived around 11.00am on entertainment. The bulk of the 4WD
the stakes from the inaugural 2023 event. the Saturday there were two large queues display was inside this year, less camping-
It shifted to the Energy Events Centre for snaking out the doors waiting to buy focussed than last year. The main growth
this year, giving a much larger and more tickets and exhibitors reported around in exhibitors was around the fishing side
pleasant in door display area, whilst still 5,000 visitors on the Friday. of the expo.
retaining some outdoor space. Just outside the entry gates there was a As they say a picture is worth a
There was also a lot more pre-event line up of 4WDs for the ‘show and shine’ thousand words, so enjoy the photos
publicity, which resulted in good crowds. and a Flex ramp set up for some from the expo!
Articulation? Plenty. Rooftop tents were popular.

Show and shine lineup.
Some tough looking Land Cruisers from the Landy Pirates.
Off-road strong tipper trailer.
Touring options
from Fortis Caravans.
All the gear for comfortable camping.
Local fabricator AJF

had this tough Hilux on show.
Redarc’s power management

A happy camper reclining on an Oztent camp chair. products were on show.
17
Where to go, what to see and do – and when
Entry form: www.ultra4newzealand.com/ Road, Rangiwahia.
entry-form More info: www.nz4x4trials.co.nz/calendar
More info: www.ultra4newzealand.com
Email: [email protected] 25-27 JANUARY 2025
Phone: 027 683 4327 Matiere Safari
Hosted by King Country 4WD Club Inc
26-27 OCTOBER Entry $480.00 for driver and passenger with
CT Civil New Zealand Off-road Racing all meals supplied.
National Championship Register at www.kc4wd.co.nz
Final round. Auckland
15-16 FEBRUARY 2025
1-2 NOVEMBER Kauri Coast Safari
Force4 King of Canterbury Hosted by Kauri Coast 4WD Club on Northland’s
Hosted by 4x4 Events and held at Alford Forest, Kauri Coast.
Carneys Road, Methven. Kauri Coast 4WD Club are hosting another
20-22 SEPTEMBER The course is 7.5km long with fast flowing Fundraiser Safari, raising funds for the
Mud and Steel/NZ1 areas, some rough terrain, possible winch walls, Northland Rescue Helicopter.
Hosted by 4x4 Events and held at Alford Forest, valleys, rocks and mud. Two full days of 4WDing. Brush marks and
Carneys Road, Methven. Entry $150.00. scratches are likely, so suitable for club type
More details: www.4x4events.co.nz More info: www:4x4events.co.nz/index.php/ vehicles. Day one will be a mixture of beach
Email: [email protected] force4-king-of-canterbury/ driving and farmland focused around the Kai
Phone: 021 679 479. Email: [email protected] Iwi Lakes area, day two will be farm and bush
land driving in the Aranga and Maunganui
27-28 SEPTEMBER 2-3 NOVEMBER Bluff area. Camping for Friday and Saturday
Central Plateau 4x4 Teams Winch Force4 Northland Pairs Winch nights are included in the entry fee for two
Challenge Challenge, Possum Palace, Arapohue adults.
Hosted by Wanganui 4WD Club. Teams of two Teams of two trucks work together to complete Entry fee is $350 per vehicle.
vehicles drive and winch through challenging as many of the set challenging stages as possible. Email [email protected]
courses in a forested area. This event is not Entry fee: $300 per team. No spectators allowed
suitable for spectators. at this event. 22-23 FEBRUARY 2025
Camping available from Thursday 26 More information: [email protected] NZFWDA National 4x4 Trial – Round 4
September. Entry fee: $320.00. Phone: 021394004 Hosted by Manawatu 4WD Club. 89 Pollock
Email: [email protected] Road, Colyton.
Phone 027 279 8821 2 NOVEMBER More info: www.nz4x4trials.co.nz/calendar
NZFWDA National 4x4 Trial – Round 1
5 OCTOBER Hosted by Hawkes Bay 4WD Club. 1383 Argyll 23 MARCH 2025
MD Dirt Drags Road Otane. www.nz4x4trials.co.nz/calendar NZFWDA National 4x4 Trial – Round 5
New Zealand Dirt Drag Championships, Hosted by Bay of Plenty 4WD Club. 1201 Ranguru
Townsend Road, Parawera. 30 NOVEMBER Road, Te Puke.
The aim of the day is to find the fastest Moawhango School’s annual 4WD event More info: www.nz4x4trials.co.nz/calendar/
weapon in each class and then find out who the Raising funds for the school.
Ultimate Dirt Dragger for 2024. More info: 12 APRIL 2025
Spectator admission $15.00 presale online or facebook.com/moawhangoschool4WD NZFWDA National 4x4 Trial – Round 6
$20 at the gate, children under 12 free. Hosted by Counties 4WD Club. 3/30 Omaiko
More info: www.dirtdrags.co.nz 30 NOVEMBER 2024 Road, Kaiatea, Whangarei.
Email: [email protected] NZFWDA National 4x4 Trial – Round 2 More info: www.nz4x4trials.co.nz/calendar/
Hosted by Thames Valley 4WD Club. 1051 Tahuna
11-12 OCTOBER Road, Waiterimu. 15-20 APRIL 2025
Battle in the Bay More info: www.nz4x4trials.co.nz/calendar Land-Rover Rally, Wanaka
Ultra4 New Zealand race at TECT Park, Three days of safaris followed by 2 days of
Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. 18 JANUARY 2025 vehicle displays at Wheels in Wanaka.
The course this year is technical with fast NZFWDA National 4x4 Trial – Round 3 More info: www.nzfwda.tidyhq.com/public/
areas and some winching may be involved. Hosted by Levin 4WD Club. 2247 Rangiwahia pages/united-4wd
If you, your club or anyone you know are planning any events, please get in contact with our Event Manager Ashley Lucas. We can
assist in promotion of the event and may be able to offer some assistance in other areas. Email [email protected]

TESTED TOYOTA HILUX SR5 CRUISER
Going WIDE
in style
2024 Hilux is a capable, comfortable ride
It’s our first chance to sample launches this month. 10.1l/100km. Terrible got down to 9.2.
the 2024 Hilux Cruiser, and it In the LC70 it’s a ‘straight’ leadfooted media. On the New for refinements include
impresses. turbodiesel, in the Hilux and motorway cruise back to the addition of a facelifted
The 2.8-litre 1GD four- Prado it’s a 48V mild hybrid, Papakura that fell to 9.8 then front end now including radar
cylinder turbodiesel in this adding some oomph to 9.6l/100km. Official figures cruise control, electric leather
vehicle is finding homes in low-end acceleration and for the hybrid are 8.7l/100km; seats, USB-C charging ports, a
other Toyota 4WDs, notably shaving off some fuel we were frustrated by a wireless charging pad, and 18”
the LC70 reviewed last month numbers. When we picked series of wet weather and aluminium alloy wheels.
and the all-new Prado which this one up, it was showing power-on drives and only The simplified hybrid
19
living in New Zealand will

make the choice simple for
many users, especially when
it’s a mild hybrid that simply
gets on with the job.
Make no mistake: the SR5
Cruiser hybrid is the flagship of
the Hilux range.
It’s not Toyota’s official
naming protocol, but many
refer to this model as the
‘widebody’. Its front and rear
track are wider than the
regular Hilux, it’s had a lift over
the stock ‘narrow’ models, and
the wheels are framed by a set
of good-looking fender flares.
Roll rigidity has been
enhanced by 20 percent, and
2
the wider suspension under
that wider body brings greater
powertrain is available packs the same beefy 500Nm SUV range were moved over stability in corners and on
exclusively in the SR5 trim, of torque as the standard to hybrid power; this will no uneven surfaces. The
which brings with it those diesel, but Toyota estimates it doubt positively influence its increased width of front and
alloy wheels, a premium cuts fuel consumption by an Clean Car liabilities. rear tracks, plus the rear
entertainment system, keyless estimated 10 percent and (of Though the SR5 Cruiser stabiliser bar further enhances
entry, daytime running lights course) reduces emissions. hybrid commands a slightly the vehicle’s stance, stability,
and more. It will only be Toyota has devoted itself to higher price of $65,490, the and ride comfort.
available with a six-speed developing hybrid engines and potential savings on fuel, and The 18”x7.5” wheels wear
automatic for now. taken a cautious stance on the growing awareness of the Dunlop 265/60 Grandtrek tyres.
The new hybrid drive unit 4WD sales while its utes and importance of sustainable In a first for Hilux, the rear
20 NZ4WD
4WD OCTOBER 2024
3 4
5 6
1. The legendary axle

articulation of Hilux is
retained in the 2024 wide
SR5 Cruiser.
2. A well designed interior,
with possibly the most
welcoming front seats on the
market.
3. The sharp-looking front end
is distinctive, approach
angle is 29 degrees.
4. Ute Master hard lid protects
wellside cargo.
5. Dunlop Grandtrek tyres
worked well on and off the
road.
6. Robust side steps are well
sized for shoes and Redband
gumboots.
7. The Cruiser’s rear seats are
as comfortable as the fronts.
On the centre console are
power outlets for devices.
7
brakes are ventilated disc the four-pots give enhanced battery is under the rear seat adjustable for the driver; four
brakes for enhanced braking confidence in emergency and doesn’t compromise way manually adjustable for
performance and stopping braking or when towing. legroom. front passenger. Both front
power. The front disc brakes These out-of-sight changes In the cab, there are USB seats are heated.
are also upsized to 17 inches result in a stable, comfortable and USB-C ports for charging The steering wheel, too, is
and the front four-piston driving experience and and connecting devices, and leather.
callipers are a traditional Hilux improved steering wheel and Apple CarPlay and Android The JBL sound system has
strong point. Where rivals brake pedal feedback when Auto are wireless. nine speakers including two
make do with single piston or cornering or changing lanes. The leather-accented seats fat little tubs on the dash.
at best dual piston callipers, The lithium-ion hybrid are eight-way electrically Navigation displays through
21
the eight-inch infoscreen. with audio and visual alerts. Use the right tool, mate regular-chassis version, then
Safety, as always, is The Dynamic Radar Cruise Hilux is the right tool for just to the SR5 Cruiser hybrid
paramount. Comprehensive Control (DRCC) operates when about any job. wide-body.
standard safety features across the vehicle speed exceeds The 4WD side of the Above this the range enters
the range include seven 40km/h and maintains an model range is of course the its premium zone, the 4WD-
airbags: driver’s front, driver’s adjustable vehicle-to-vehicle focus for NZ4WD. At the only GR performance model.
knee, driver’s side, passenger distance by automatically entry SR level, it starts with a All are automatic
front, passenger side, and accelerating or decelerating to farm-ready single cab, transmission only except
curtain shield airbags (front for match the speed of the vehicle progresses to an ‘extra cab’ the hybrid, which offers
single cabs, front and rear for ahead. version without a wellside both manual and automatic.
extra and double cabs). The Lane Departure Alert (LDA) tray, then to the so-familiar In all cases, the auto
SR5, SR5 Cruiser and GR Sport is common these days and double cab. transmissions are of course
variants have Toyota’s reduces the possibility of an The range steps up to SR5 robust torque converter
Panoramic View Monitor accident due to the vehicle trim with a 48V mild-hybrid versions.
(PVM) giving the driver a unintentionally drifting out of
‘created’ birds-eye view of the its lane. SPECIFICATIONS
vehicle and easy detection of Heading off-road, choose
any hazards in the vicinity. from modes in Toyota’s 2024 Toyota Hilux SR5 Cruiser
There are radar sensors to Multi-Terrain Select: Auto, Deep
detect vehicles that cross the Snow, Dirt, Mud, Rock and Price: $65,490
vehicle’s path and might Sand. There’s a rear diff lock too. Engine: 2.8-litre turbo four cylinder
otherwise be unseen. How does it drive? It’s a Hilux. Transmission: 6-speed automatic, on demand 4WD
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert Starts like a Hilux, drives like a Power: 150kW at 3,400rpm
system (RCTA) alerts the driver Hilux. No fuss, just gets the job Torque: 500Nm at 1,600-2,800rpm
while reversing and a Blind done. The wider Cruiser stance Fuel economy: 8.7l/100km
CO2 emissions: 231gm/km
Spot Monitor (BSM) detects is immediately obvious – the
Wheels/tyres: 18x7.5 aluminium alloy wheels, 265/60 R18 Dunlop
any vehicle present in a blind body rolls less, stays flat out of
Ground clearance: -
spot using the outer mirrors. tarmac corners, and for some
Approach angle: 29.0 degrees
Toyota’s Pre-Collision reason the stance damps much Ramp-over angle: -
System (PCS) uses a radar of the classic ute leaf-spring Departure angle: 26.0 degrees
sensor and a camera to judder. This is one of those Turning circle: 12.6m
determine whether a frontal 4WDs that just seems ‘right’ as Kerb weight: 2,165kg
collision with another vehicle is soon as the driver slides into its ANCAP safety rating: five-star (2019)
imminent. The driver is warned leather seats.
22 NZ4WD
4WD OCTOBER 2024
ADVENTURE CARAVANS
Enjoying the journey

Got the perfect caravan? Now tow it safely
Caravanning and camping are one of
New Zealand’s most popular leisure time
activities. It’s even better off-road and
off-grid. Many modern vehicles make
excellent towing vehicles, though the rise
of front wheel drive isn’t exactly best for
towing a big caravan.
To ensure a safe journey, it is necessary
to have a vehicle and caravan that are
compatible. Use the best towing
equipment and practice some of the skills
that are required to cope with any
situation that may arise.
Safety is paramount when considering
a tow vehicle. The most suitable towing
vehicle is one that is heavier than the
caravan. long and heavy caravans. should not be exceeded.
The best driveline, of course, is full-time These days, a torque converter auto is It is important to have the correct
four-wheel drive. Rear wheel drive comes ideal for the job. An auxiliary transmission recommended weight on the towball to
next. We’re not going to recommend front oil cooler is worth fitting. prevent the caravan from swaying or
wheel drive. Most vehicle manufacturers provide ‘fishtailing’.
Four-wheel drives are essential for recommendations as to the maximum From here, every journey will be a safe
adventuring off the beaten track, pulling load that can be safely towed. These and enjoyable one.
MAKE TOWING LIGHT WORK,

INSTALL CUSTOMISED SUSPENSION
Trade X Farm X Leisure
The ultimate suspension upgrades with robust designs suitable for all conditions
• Caravan WOFs • Light & heavy diesel
Caravan Wheel alignments servicing and repairs
Caravan brakes & suspension
• Bull bars • Lights • Roof racks • Camping and

• Suspension • Protection • Recovery much more
• Winches • Canopies • Maxxis Tyres
PERFORMANCE MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING: 220 Rakaunui Rd, Taupo

Ph 07 377 4982 | E: [email protected] | www.performancemechanical.co.nz
23
ADVENTURE CARAVANS
Total RV introduces
New Age Caravans
Walkinshaw Group supports Australian adventure caravan brand
Total RV has teamed up with New Age and years of experience behind the New Age’s Road Owl Expedition caravans are
Caravans owned by the world-famous Age brand. the flagship models, offering a multi berth
Walkinshaw Group to New Zealand. New Age caravans have been in the 19ft bunk ensuite version and a 21ft
Total RV is a locally owned and operated industry for over two decades. They ensuite format, both built for
business at 3/70 Forge RD, Silverdale, started out in 2004 building high end adventure. “These caravans are designed
Auckland, with a huge range of caravans CNC components and cabinetry for other for offroad durability and comfortable
on display. large caravan manufacturers, before living. They combine style and comfort
Total RV’s, Luke O’Donnell and Daniel switching to caravan production in 2008. with the strength and durability required
Scott, are extremely passionate about all Since then, New Age Caravans have been for the outdoor lifestyle Kiwis love.”
things caravans and motorhomes. bought out by the Walkinshaw Group. Every caravan has a state-of-the-art
Together they have been in the industry Walkinshaw has years of design and Walkinshaw one-piece galvanised hot
for over 20 years, with a background of engineering experience in the high- dipped chassis. The Caravans are
installation, repairs and management performance racing industry and is manufactured in Australia and are fully
which they are still doing today. Luke currently investing in the V8 supercars. ADR compliant. New Age caravans have
and Daniel are proud to put their names Total RV’s Luke O’Donnell says the New access to the only seven post rig in the

ADVENTURE CARAVANS
Awning almost
Mud Terrain tyres are standard. doubles the living space.
Comfortable, well
designed living area with
the full-sized double bed
in the background.
Bunk beds for the kids.
country that can reproduce 30,000 kms in premium fusion all in one sound system.
a matter of hours, ensuring that all New All the comforts of home are on board,
Age Caravans are built to last. including a full oven, recessed cooktop,
The entire Expedition range has microwave oven, three-way fridge and his
Cruisemaster XT independent suspension, and hers wireless mobile phone chargers
full under-body ABS protective floor and in the bedroom.
checker plate protection, with a d035 The bathroom is spacious and well
hitch. These caravans are built to be equipped, and throughout the caravan
tough and durable for any adventure. there is a large range of storage options
Bosch Tow Assist (TSC) Trailer Safety for clothing and linens.
Control and ABS brakes are standard on Recessed interior mood lighting creates
all Expedition models, which monitors a warm and homely feeling.
individual wheel speeds and activates the The outdoor living has a full 17ft awning A spacious toilet/bathroom with
ABS brakes on the trailer to significantly compete with extendable picnic table full-size shower at left.
increase the stability of the trailer and rated to 30kg.
tow vehicle. Sway mitigation and the lane A handy aluminium storage box is is 2,600kg; drawbar down-load weight is
change assist detect critical driving mounted behind the stone guard on the 140kg, well within the capability of all
situations like trailer sway or swerving drawbar for added space and gas bottle leading mid-size utes.
manoeuvres and apply the brakes storage. “New Age caravans really suit the Kiwi
independently of the driver to keep the Camping remotely and off-grid is outdoor lifestyle, creating a comfortable
trailer stable. simple, with dual 100ah lithium batteries home base for offroad adventures,” says
Inside, there is a large living and dining and 2 x 200w solar panels supplying the Luke O’Donnell.
area with plenty of space for friends and caravan’s energy needs. To find out more about Total RVs New
family to sit, extendable footrests and a Tare weight of the bunk/ensuite version Age Caravan range visit www.totalrv.co.nz
25
TESTED ISUZU D-MAX X-TERRAIN
Storming
the beaches
Isuzu’s premium D-Max an
enticing proposition
Rain hammered Auckland all We were driving Isuzu’s range- a post-storm morning with mud
Saturday. In the evening, there was topping D-Max X-Terrain. It’s a solid, stripped out of driveways and
lightning and gusty wind. Prospects unfussed performer on tarseal, quiet shredded trees carpeting some of
for a beach drive and photography and refined. It has minimal leaf- the roads out to Muriwai.
on the Sunday were not great. spring ride chop at the rear, and The electric-assisted steering has
But with patches of blue sky running on 265/60x18 Bridgestone variable levels, higher at low speed.
emerging mid-morning, we Dueler H/Ts the overall ride and Dropping onto dirt on the road
reckoned it was worth the risk. road holding is very good, even on past the golf course, the ride
26 NZ4WD
4WD OCTOBER 2024
27
All images by Caitlin Baker
remains calm despite the conditions). We did of course The eight-crossmember air-cooled automotive diesel
corrugations and storm remember to switch off the chassis is apparently eight kg engine.
run-off. The front end – stability control. lighter than the previous The auto is an Aisin
double A-arms, anti-roll bar, The power steering is model, and 20 percent six-speed with torque
coil springs and gas shock electrically assisted and gives stronger. converter lock on the upper
absorbers – is superb, tracking more support at low speeds, One of the clever things four gears. There’s a manual
straight and true across the less at open road speed. It Isuzu does in New Zealand is shift mode too, which is handy
messy surface. gives good feedback on the around drivetrain for towing and slow work
Brakes are 320mm road and on the beach. commonality. All versions of where accuracy is essential.
ventilated discs up front, The front end is distinctive, D-Max share the same The transfer case allows 2-hi
295mm drums at the rear. with a gloss black grille 4JJ3-TCX 3.0-litre four- to 4-hi shifts on the fly up to
Going in, we pass a handful exclusive to the X-Terrain. Our cylinder engine and auto 100km/h.
of 4WDs busy ‘airing-down’ test vehicle also came fitted transmission. The engine is Strange thing – when we
some serious off-road tyres with an optional satin-black relatively understressed for a picked up the truck its fuel
ready for the beach. nudge bar, handy in urban and big four, meaning reliability average sat on 7.1 litres/100km
A leap of faith: we’ve been rural driving and a perfect and longevity should be strong and it refused to budge until
out on Muriwai’s black sand place to mount spotlights or a points. we hit the sand, where the
many times and never felt the light bar. The torque curve of this draggy consistency of the
need to deflate tyres to The headlights, fog lights engine is more of a plateau, beach nudged us up to 7.6-7.8.
lengthen the tread contact and running lights are all LED. with peak torque of 450Nm The official fuel economy
patch. The wet sand is firm Other exterior tweaks happening between 1,600 and figure is stated as 9.2.
and predictable at moderate include new bonnet creases 2,600rpm. Some rival designs Hill descent control and hill
speed; the dry sand up near and a revised tailgate. have a much narrower sweet start assist are standard and
the dunes felt like 150mm- Underneath, there’s a spot. Maximum power wading depth is 800mm.
deep mud after the storm, but reasonably sturdy steel bash happens at 3,600rpm. In the cab, controls are
we only once felt the tyres guard, though of course those Isuzu has almost 90 years of sensibly placed, with a
start to slip. No dramas, the doing more ambitious experience producing diesel ten-inch infoscreen in the
D-Max handles it all in 4-hi, no off-roading would best use engines, beginning way back centre of the dash. Important
diff lock engaged (hold that in this as a template for a in 1936 when the company functions are controlled by
reserve for messier tougher one. developed Japan’s first rotary dials or buttons and a
28 NZ4WD
4WD OCTOBER 2024
1. Fellow beach-goer checks

out the X-Terrain.
2. A roll-top cover protects the
cargo area.
3. Making light work of deep,
sloppy sand. That nudge
bar is an Isuzu factory
extra.
decent-sized dashtop storage

bin. The daughter, along for
the ride to do the photos, was
pleased to see Apple CarPlay
and Android Auto are
wirelessly connected and the
sound system has a full eight
speakers.
3
The steering wheel’s leather
clad and (of course)
multifunction, with volume important information and can handgrip on the A-pillar is well particularly like the padded
controls, adaptive cruise be set to include the tyre placed to ease the slide over sections where the shoulders
control and radio station/audio pressure monitoring display. into the seat. Simply, the meet the seat. Supportive, firm
mode buttons. Access to any ute cab is D-Max’s leather-accented front where they should by,
The driver’s dash display is a subjective, but we find the seats are just right – some of comfortable over long
seven-inch digital unit and D-Max X-Terrain a little easier the most comfortable and distances. They’re heated too,
runs fuel economy and other to climb into than many. The supportive in the segment. We and the driver’s seat has
29
A warning to the unwise,

or possibly a ute stolen and dumped.
Muriwai was chock-full of families

in 4WDs and the creek was carrying storm
Sun comes out as we head back. loadings from the overnight rain.
eight-way electric adjustment. a stereo camera setup which • Turn assist. SPECIFICATIONS
There’s an old school ‘proper’ has wider peripheral vision and • Adaptive cruise control with
handbrake lever. Praise be! depth perception. It can also stop and go.
2024 Isuzu
The rear seats are split identify pedestrians, cyclists, • Traffic sign recognition. D-Max X-Terrain
folding for access to small motorcycles, and other • Driver attention assist.
Price: $67,990
storage spaces or loading the vehicles with greater speed • Reversing camera.
Engine: 3.0-litre turbo four cylinder
rear seat with cargo. There’s a and accuracy. It all adds up to
Transmission: 6-speed automatic,
USB-C power outlet and an ANCAP five-star rating In conclusion, the X-Terrain part time 4WD
air-con in the back of the shared across the whole range. adds a premium model to Power: 140kW at 3,600rpm
centre console. the popular D-Max range, Torque: 450Nm at 1,600-2,600rpm
The wellside tub is equipped Isuzu D-Max key safety giving Isuzu another offering Fuel economy: 9.2l/100km
CO2 emissions: 238gm/km
with numerous tiedown features in an increasingly hot market
Wheels/tyres: 18-inch aluminium
points, has a ‘damped’ tailgate • Eight airbags. segment. The D-Max range has alloy wheels, 265/60x18
and is capped with a roller top. • Autonomous emergency always been a firm favourite Bridgestone Dueler H/T
The D-Max has long been braking. in the rural areas of New Ground clearance: 240mm
the safety leader in 4WD utes, • Blind-spot monitoring. Zealand; now X-Terrain retains Approach angle: 30.5 degrees
Ramp-over angle: 23.8 degrees
and the X-Terrain is no • Driver attention monitoring. the all-road/no road ability
Departure angle: 19.0 degrees
different. There are eight • Forward collision warning. of other models in the range Turning circle: 12.5m
airbags and Isuzu’s full suite of • Lane-departure warning. overlaid with a veneer of top- Kerb weight: 2,175kg
active and passive safety • Lane-keep assist. end driving pleasure in urban ANCAP safety rating: five star, 2022
systems. The D-Max range has • Rear cross-traffic assist. environments.
30 NZ4WD
4WD OCTOBER 2024
MY 4WD
Rover’s return
Brandon builds his dream 4WD
A tough Landie gets tougher.
31
MY 4WD
Coastal touring fun.

MY 4WD
The Landie gets out and about on club runs these days. ...and gets plastered with mud!
Brandon Braybrook’s dad Colin The Landie wasn’t exactly in mint The key changes to the Landie – in just
introduced him to 4WDing. The family’s condition. “It had a lot of issues with it over a year since Brandon purchased it
1985 Land Rover 110 took them on upon buying it back and I got straight into back – have maximised its off-roading
many off-roading, touring and camping getting it underway,” he said. ability. These modifications took just four
adventures. Within four weeks of buying it, Brandon weeks over Christmas 2023, and have
Based in Featherston, the Braybrooks had the Landie back on the road and fully maximised its underpinnings with a
were members of the local 4WD club. legal. 50mm Terrafirma suspension lift, front
Then, when Brandon was 15, the trusty There were many hours of cutting out and rear ARB lockers and heavy duty
Landie was sold. rust, carrying out extensive mechanical Terrafirma steering components.
The 4WD ‘addiction’ had taken hold in work, cleaning and degreasing. The vehicle has a 12000lb Ridge Ryder
Brandon, and he said from that early age “Massive thanks to Ashley at Mainland electric winch to assist with recovery
if he had a chance to buy the 110 back, he Rover for all his knowledge and support off-road.
would do it. In the meantime, his first with this project.” Tyres are 35-inch Goodride M8085.
4WD was a D22 Nissan Navara. It wasn’t simply about restoring the 110 The lights have been switched to LED
Fast forward to 2023, and the Land to roadworthy status. Brandon, who is units.
Rover was up for sale. now president of the Featherston 4WD Inside, the seats have been upgraded
“I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.” club, wanted more. from the fairly awful stock items to Mazda
33
MY 4WD
Next modification? Brandon’s keen

on a smooth BMW diesel engine.
Bull bar, winch, a GME radio are Axle articulation is much

among the key visible changes. improved over standard.
RX8 buckets. Brandon has also added a Brandon says he’s keen to switch to capabilities in places like Rallywoods and
GME radio for vehicle-to-vehicle BMW’s M57 six-cylinder turbodiesel Akatarawa Forest. I have a big trip planned
communications and for peace of mind diesel engine, which offers power and for Christmas 2025: four weeks touring
when exploring remote tracks far from torque improvements and better the South Island.”
mobile phone coverage. driveability. A last word from Brandon: “I got into
It’s still a family affair – all the work was “The plan for the future is to continue 4WDing through my father owning this
done by Brandon and dad Colin. to build this vehicle up to be an all-round vehicle and joining the Featherston family
So is it finished? Arguably, no 4WD build capable tough truck while still being a 4WD club – of which I am now the
is ever finished. comfortable tourer,” he said. president. The 110 is my dream 4WD. This
Brandon says there’s still plenty coming There have been some epic events is very much a ‘family and mates’ activity,
up for the 110, including a full interior undertaken. although in the end we are all basically
touring setup, an upgraded winch, a rear “So far, we have done some tough one big family getting outdoors and
winch, and then an engine swap. tracks as we test the truck’s limits and enjoying the 4WDs.”

4WD PARTS AND SERVICES
Get ready for

SUMMER FUN
Investing in maintenance makes sense
It’s that time of year. The sun’s back, the visible needs replacing. Perished rubber time to upgrade. Tyres are often referred
tracks and trails are calling. bushes need replacing. Brake hoses do to as a ‘distress purchase’, something we
That means it’s time to give the 4WD a age, and need replacing. have to do to get a warrant of fitness. But
bit of a spruce up before getting out there. And because components mostly 4WD enthusiasts know better, don’t they?
Kiwis are by nature DIY people, and deteriorate over time, the replacements That small patch of tread is the only thing
maintaining a vehicle is no exception. will transform the vehicle’s ride and keeping us moving through deep-cut
So, where to start? handling. tracks, across slippery bush sidelings and
Underneath of course, where Required or desirable tools: spanners, a up challenging climbs.
components must always perform good socket set, pliers, a prybar, and we Tyre technology has come a long way
reliably. recommend a slider trolley to lie on. too. All terrain tyres these days handle and
Get down under on a sunny morning Check diff oil, transfer case oil, engine ride like road tyres, smooth and quiet.
and look over shock absorbers, springs, oil. Mud terrains grip as never before, and last
steering gear and more. It might help to Check and top up the radiator reservoir, longer than ever. The big gnarly extreme
give the underside a good hose-off and use proper coolant, not just water. mud tyres are of course a breed apart, and
beforehand, but make sure not to send Check the brake pads, and bleed the are best kept on a separate set of rims if
jets of water directly at ball joints, bushes brakes. that is affordable.
and bearings. Before standing up, eyeball those tyres. An investment in the 4WD now will pay
Anything with obvious grease or oil Are they worn, torn, scruffy? Might be dividends out on the trail.
35
Beach driving
adventure in Australia
Bridgestone offers the 4WD market a new A/T tyre
Noosa. Blue skies, sunshine, seagulls Bridgestone says the more plush sand, and light-to-medium mud
and sand. The recipe for some off-road construction of the 002 mates with a true applications. High silica content delivers
beach fun. That’s what Bridgestone laid all-terrain tread design. It offers the excellent grip, especially in wet conditions.
on for the A/T 002 media experience. comfort and tarmac grip of a good H/Ts Bridgestone says the A/T 002 is suited
The mission, then, was to look past the so it works hard all week. Then at the for an 80/20 split between highway
stunning beach driving on offer and focus weekend it’s well capable of tackling driving and off-roading. Importantly, that
on the tyres. off-road fun. does not drop the tyre into the traditional
Bridgestone’s A/T 002 complements the This means it plugs the gap between a role of an 80/20 tyre, which these days is
tougher Dueler A/T 697, a highly-regarded traditional all-terrain tyre (A/T) and a described as an H/T.
all-terrain tyre with a construction that road-going highway tyre (H/T). The A/T 002 presents a true all-terrain
leans more toward work in rougher terrain. The tyre features a hexagonal block off-road capable look yet performs quietly
The A/T 002 is more focussed toward tread pattern and has been optimised for and capably on tarmac.
on-road use with off-road fun and replaces traction and braking across a range of National Sales Director Claudio Sodano
a passenger vehicle version of the A/T 697. surfaces, including sealed roads, gravel, says the look of a tyre is important to
owners, but (of course) it’s important to
look deeper and understand the character
The lunch venue. It's a hard life!
of the tyre and where it works best.
“If you look at the tyre and its
construction and how it’s put together –
its tread, its sidewall compound, the tread
compound, to the belt and the body ply
– each component we can make in a way
that has a performance characteristic, but
usually you’re trading something off,” he
says.
“You can have an all-terrain light truck
tyre and it will behave like this, but it will
also do this – it’s about explaining to the
consumer that are they trading something
off. So the consumer looks at a tyre and
thinks it looks really aggressive, and that’s
great, but a tyre isn’t about its visual

Aussie 4WDers gather for a breather

halfway up the stunning beach.
aesthetics – a tyre is a key functional piece

All Terrain grip, off-road-ready
of a vehicle. looks, plush ride.
“It’s about matching the tyre to the
application and that’s what we’ve done
with this product – not for everyone, but I
reckon for a large proportion of SUV
buyers.”
Down on the beach

Bridgestone was able to call on Isuzu’s
media fleet for the event, and had laid on
both the D-Max ute and MU-X SUV. That
meant the group could try the tyre on
everything from a tradie’s favourite D-Max
LX on steel wheels all the way to a top-
end family-friendly MU-X on 20-inch alloy
A quick halt at a picnic area and fresh
wheels. water supply away from the beach.
The full range of sizes were on offer
across the test vehicle convoy, and driver
swaps were the order of the day.
For the drive, journalists paired up and
were allowed to choose the vehicle they
wanted to try first. We opted for a silver
MU-X fitted with 70-series 002s.
Heading out of Noosa on funky narrow
urban roads A/T 002s were quiet and
gripped well – as far as could be
determined at urban road speeds.
That aggressive tread pattern was
certainly not singing to us even with the
windows down.
Turning onto the road leading to the
37
Bridgestone beach convoy:

better than working!
All terrain treads in the fine powdery sand.
Biggest of the A/T 002 bunch:

the MU-X on 20-inch wheels.
‘Our’ MU-X ran

its A/T 002s on
17-inch alloys.
beach the group aired down using a clever the ready access to 4WD adventure, and The Bridgestone Dueler A/T 002 is
Maxtrax device that enables the user to while the hard sand wasn’t challenging available in New Zealand in 14 sizes, with a
match air pressures across an axle, or drivers, vehicles or tyres, the ease of just further six to be added in 2025, which the
down one side of a vehicle. The Indeflate driving out and away into wild places was company says will ensure fitment for
two-hose pressure unit costs around $290 unlike anything that exists in New Zealand. “most dual cab utes, 4x4 and SUV models”
in New Zealand, and is worth every cent. All on the doorstep of cool resort beach on sale today.
On the MU-X we shared with Aussie towns like Noosa. For NZ4WD it’s now a waiting game.
journalist Rob Fraser, we dropped from Without ever dropping pressures further We’re looking forward to the chance to
test these all-terrain tyres in New Zealand
conditions, especially mud and clay, and
“The more plush construction of the 002’s case perhaps some central plateau volcanic
soils.
complements a true all-terrain tread design.”
Meeting the market
pressures in the high 30s down to 24psi. the 002s handled the drive without fuss, It’s unlikely any tyre maker is ignoring the
Hit 4-hi and off we went out across fine even when we turned off at the end of the sales trends of the past couple of decades.
warm dry sand and onto the beach. beach and drove across low ridge to our Some, however, are doing better at
Interesting. Not a hint of scrabble or slip, lunch stop beside an impossibly clean addressing the trends.
the tyres just tracked straight and true. blue lagoon. Soft and choppy sand where SUVs accounted for 48 percent of global
Emerging onto firmer wet sand, we the trail left the beach added drag to our car sales in 2023, reaching a new record
headed north up the coast. progress but we never once felt at risk of and further strengthening the defining
This leg was 32km on white sand ridged bogging down. automobile trend of the early 21st century.
up by rip areas and we regularly steered We had switched by this point into an Pick-ups and utes hold an equal grip on
between the hard sand at the waterline LS-spec D-Max ute, and stepped up to sales, with Ford’s F-150 (of course) the
and the soft stuff up near the dunes. 18-inch tyres with a 65 percent aspect leader.
The steering wheel provided clear ratio. These were also slightly wider and So it makes sense to create a tyre that
feedback of what the tyres were doing. thus retained plenty of sidewall depth for specifically meets the needs of the
One of the great things about Aussie is off-road work. vehicles we all want to drive.

Suspension upgrade
New shock absorbers offer fortified performance
More than most other places in the world, new shock absorber is less susceptible to conditions and extreme temperatures,
4WD users travelling through the Australian shock fade. such as those encountered in the
outback are faced with harsh terrains, The monotube design of the Terrain Australian outback.
extreme conditions, and often dangerously Tamer Fortified Shock Absorber features a Along with these benefits, Fortified
high climates. Suspension that not only gets single cylinder, separated into two Shock Absorbers have a large 2.5inch bore
4WDers out into the tracks but is durable chambers, one which holds gas and diameter for larger oil volume, as well as a
and strong enough to last the trip and make another with oil where the piston and shaft 22mm chrome hardened shaft and
it back home. In the Lucky Country and here move. These are separated by a 60mm induction-hardened chrome piston rod,
in Godzone, that’s non-negotiable. free-floating piston and a double u-cup combining to provide a firmer ride, and
In response to this, Terrain Tamer has and wiper seal, which work to stop the gas more ride control when towing or fully
released a new heavy duty shock absorber and oil from mixing. loaded.
design, its toughest to date, the monotube This separation means that there is Terrain Tamers Fortified Shock
Fortified Shock Absorber. higher gas pressure and no foaming or Absorbers are ISO 9001:2008 Certified and
Initially available for a range of Toyota aeration within the shocks, delivering offer a three year/100,000km non-
Landcruiser 76/78/79 series and Nissan better responsiveness and offering better commercial warranty.
Patrol GU/GQ vehicles and offering a heat dissipation. The design creates a unit For more information visit
weight capacity of up to 5 tonnes, the that ultimately runs cooler in off-road terraintamer.com
39
TECH TALK
Some oils ain’t oils

What to do with that old oil pack
Out in the shed, doing some checks change oil without also changing the
before a drive. Pull the dipstick to check oil filter. Sounds pretty dumb, but people do
level and condition. Oooops, it’s at ‘half’. this. The dodgy ‘backyard’ mechanic at
Time to top it up. Now where’s that half- the end of the road does it. But consider
empty pack of 20/50? the filter a safe guardian of some pretty
Think twice before putting that old oil nasty things that would otherwise trash
in the engine. the engine. Scum and glazed remnants off
According to a study by The Motor Oil the internal engine surfaces, bits of dirt,
Geek online, ‘expired’ engine oil can be pieces of gasket perhaps, even tiny pieces
dangerous for an engine. of metal.
Old oil falls victim to oxidation, which swimming in there. Always run a finger-full of fresh oil
means the oil itself, as well as the set of Parts suppliers say most motor oils around the filter’s seal before screwing it
additives put into the oil when it was new have a shelf life of about five years. And into place. That prevents the seal ‘galling’
– zinc, phosphorus, sulphur and others they aren’t just trying to sell more oil against the metal of the engine block.
– have chemically degraded to the point packs. Finally, if the filter mounts vertically,
where they can no longer lubricate an Most reputable oil brands have tech pre-fill it with oil – that way the engine
engine sufficiently. 0800 phone lines that can advise on such isn’t having to ‘burp’ an empty filter case
Once the cap seal is broken, oil can take issues and also clearly indicate which type when first cranked over after the oil
in water from the atmosphere. The same and grade of oil should be used. change.
is true of brake fluid, and the results are And it goes without saying, if an oil Nothing about 4WDing is cheap, but
similarly damaging. pack needs to be disposed of, we’ll do it in an oil change or top-up is cheap
If it hasn’t been stored carefully, there an environmentally friendly way, right? insurance against mechanical mayhem
may even be the odd moth or spider Other things to remember: never out in the bush.

Adventure
Resetting the
BUCKET LIST
Travelling through Aussie’s red heart
41
Adventure
1 2
After driving 2,700kms in two days to get

to Alice Springs for the 2024 Finke Desert
Race, Kiwi photographer Mike Peffers and
mate Jack Talbot had time to take a more
leisurely drive back to Sydney via the
South Australian outback. Here’s his story.
We headed out of Alice Springs late on
Kings Birthday to get some km under our
belt before heading into the outback
proper early the next day. Emerging from
our swags at daybreak at our night stop, a
free camping area at one of the
ubiquitous roadhouses that line the
Aussie highways, we headed across the
border into South Australia.
Jack has done multiple trips through
this part of the outback in the past. We
planned to discover new areas he had not
been to in the past. It wouldn’t be long
before we would tick one off. Turning off 3
the A87 at Mount Willoughby Station,
leaving sealed roads behind for a few
days, we drove the Painted Desert Road
en route to the remote town of
Oodnadatta.
The featureless landscape gradually
changed as the multi coloured Arckaringa
Hills emerged in the distance. Driving
through the hills, we arrived at the main
lookout. Stretching out before us was a
technicolour moonscape which was once
a seabed some 80 million years ago.
Driving into Oodnadatta, the locally
famous Pink Roadhouse was a welcome
stop to refuel the Navara and have a cold
beer. The whole roadhouse was pink,
inside and out. Even the original pickup
truck sported the pink paint. The story
goes that the current owner’s wife had a 4
particular liking for the colour pink, so the

Adventure
5 6
1. Oodnadatta’s famous Pink Roadhouse.

2. Stanley Chasm, Alice Springs.
3. The Coward Spring Date Shack
4. Coward Creek swag camp.
5. Countless stars in the Coward Creek
night sky.
6. Sunset at Coward Creek.
7. The Algebuckina Bridge on the old Ghan
railway.
8. Cleaning the Navara’s screen.
idea was born to paint it accordingly to

keep her happy living so far off the beaten
track.
Oodnadatta was the northern terminus
for the Central Australian Railway, more
7 commonly known as The Ghan, until it
was extended to Alice Springs in 1929.
Before the extension was completed,
camel trains would take goods north.
The Ghan followed the original camel
train route from Adelaide. The stops
dotted along the route became the water
tank stops that would replenish the steam
trains that plied the route, before the
advent of the diesel locomotives. The
Ghan took its name from the Afghan
camel drivers who helped explore
Australia’s interior in the 19th century. The
Ghan became The Old Ghan in 1980
when it was abandoned with the opening
of a new standard gauge line, spanning
almost 3,000kms from Adelaide to
Darwin.
Heading south on the Oodnadatta
8 Track towards our overnight camp spot at
Coward Creek, the road closely followed
43
Adventure
1 2
3 4
The Old Ghan. Late in the afternoon, we of punters in for their evening meal,
stopped at the 587-metre long including some others like us who were
Algebuckina Rail Bridge. Built of wrought also returning home from a weekend at
iron, it opened in 1892. It is a popular the Finke.
camp spot for Aussies and their off-road We arrived at the Coward Creek Camp
caravans, along with the swarms of Ground around 9.30pm with a hot shower
massive flies living near the river’s edge. beckoning. After quickly rolling out the
The setting sun made the red expanse swags at our designated camp spot, the
seem almost other worldly. Virtually aptly named “Larrikins”, it was off to find
featureless in every direction, except for the wood fired showers, under a clear,
the occasional abandoned shepherd’s moonless sky, with the Milky Way
cottage, the road stretched out endlessly stretching directly overhead. We awoke to
ahead of us through the desert. We had to a magic outback sunrise over the date
keep a sharp eye out for kangaroos that palms that dot the property. As well as
come out of nowhere at dusk, making being one of The Old Ghan stops with a
them a real hazard as they bound across well-preserved station master’s cottage,
the roads. Coward Creek has a natural hot spring
With another two hours of night driving which is tucked amongst the local flora
ahead of us to reach Coward Creek, we which can be accessed via the tracks that
stopped for dinner at a quintessential have been established around the
5 Aussie outback pub, the William Creek campground.
Hotel. The place was buzzing, with plenty We joined some fellow campers for a

Adventure
1. Farina farm gear.

2. Farina Trans-Continental Hotel.
3. Hotel entrance.
4. Mutonia scultpure park: Planehenge.
5. Mike finds a robot friend at Mutonia.
6. Deep Well, Northern Territory.
7. An old Ghan locomotive at Marree.
8. Deep Well swag camp.
coffee and a highly recommended fresh

date scone at the “Date Shak”, operated by
the campground owners. One of the
campers told us we had to visit the bakery
at Farina. Jack had never heard of the 7
town, but we were told it was on our
route south to Clare.
After a quick stop to look at Lake Eyre
South, an extension of the massive Lake
Eyre salt lake basin, we came across the
dystopian Mutonia Sculpture Park. The
first thing you see are two planes sticking
out of the ground. It was established by
retired mechanic Robin Cooke who used
scrap auto parts to create his anti-nuclear
inspired sculptures, to protest a nearby
uranium mine.
A short while later, we rolled into
Marree, the home of the Lake Eyre Yacht
Club, to fuel up. There was a decent
queue waiting for the pumps as Marree is 8
a major outback crossroad, with the
45
Adventure
Marree camel sculpture. Waikerie

painted silos.
Heading out of Deep Well at sunrise.
Oodnadatta Track heading up to the bakery, which was attracting a steady the route. After checking into the motel, it
Northern Territory, the Birdsville Track up stream of customers. The bakery was into town for a wood fired pizza and
to Queensland in the northeast, and the originally used an underground “scotch” a glass of decent Clare Valley Shiraz.
Outback Track down to Adeliade in the oven and it is still in use today. It is only We still had some 1,400 kms to drive
south. open for two months a year and is staffed from Clare to Sydney airport, and two
In 1884, Marree was the most northern by volunteers who travel from all around days to do it. Staying off the main
stop of The Old Ghan. A lot of the old rail Australia, who in return get free camping highways for a while, we crossed the
infrastructure is still around the town, at the local campground. Murray River on the Morgan River Ferry.
including a couple of the original diesel Settled in 1878, Farina was the most One of the towns on the river is Waikerie,
locomotives, which are optimistically up northern stop on the Central Australian which has turned its grain silos into
for sale. Local artists have created Railway before Marree usurped it just two massive artworks, getting local artists to
sculptures reflecting its camel train and years after the first train pulled into town. paint murals that can be seen for miles.
railroad history, making it a worthwhile The town’s population of 600 gradually Other towns along the river route have
stop to stretch your legs before getting dwindled away to nothing in 1967. Since been inspired and created their own silo
back on the road. 2008, a local group has been working to artworks. The last night stop was in West
Some 50-odd kilometres south of restore the town, with the bakery at the Wyalong, and the comfy Royal Hotel with
Marree, signage started to appear, “come heart of the project. its $15.00 “Chicken Shnitty” dinner.
to visit the Famous Farina Bakery”. Turning Heading south towards our night stop, Before getting into Sydney, we had one
off the Outback Track, we headed a few the Clare Valley, and the first bed in a few more pilgrimage to make – Mount
km down the road into Farina. It was like days, we reached the Flinders Ranges, and Panorama. Driving the Navara around the
we had just driven onto a spaghetti back onto sealed roads. As we got closer track in both directions was a fitting way
western movie set, complete with to civilisation there were a lot more to finish an epic road trip. After a couple
abandoned buildings, from a post office, kangaroos appearing at dusk, including a of hours in the National Motor Racing
to the grandly named “Intercontinental few on the side of the road that had come Museum, it was off to Sydney Airport and
Hotel”. In the middle of town was the off second best to the road trains driving the flight home.

Adventure
Anniversary
4WD trekking
Off-road in the central North Island
Regular contributor Kevin some disused forestry tracks in Whirinaki The clearing was a stunning location
Isemonger attended the New near Murupara. surrounded by some of the largest
The team leaders split us up into two kahikatea I have ever seen. After morning
Zealand 4WD Association’s
bunches, so as not to cause issues on the tea, we returned on the same track then
annual general meeting and was highway north to Rainbow Mountain. The travelled on to Minginui. Here we followed
lucky enough to drive all five trips first team headed off – so I took the time another old logging track deep into the
organised as part of the weekend. to check the tyre pressure, but alas it had forest.
This is part two of his account. lost six psi. Better to swap the tyre now in The Taupō club went to an enormous
the hotel carpark than later on the effort to find this old logging route for
highway or on the dirt. Fortunately, I had what was an enjoyable afternoon in very
Wednesday 22 May. We met up with Cam not gone cheap on the spare and had a close bush in cold but clear conditions.
Raupi again and headed north-east to new mud-terrain tyre on board. Tyre Due to geotechnical issues, the day got
Whirinaki and my favourite day. Went to swapped as a team effort, and we headed away on us, as we took some time to
load up the Landy with the lunch box only north to Rainbow Mountain. clear a 300m long logging chute that
to find it listing to starboard with a flat tyre We travelled up SH38 to air-down in a proved to be greasier than anticipated.
on the rear. Since the tyres are let down small car park and travel up a track By the time we emerged, it was nearing
using a tyre deflater that unscrews the tyre following the true left of a River for dusk – which soon turned to clawing dark
valve, it is not uncommon for the valve morning tea in a beautiful forestry by the time we hit the main road.
seal to be damaged – or pinched, hence clearing. Nothing significant to report Unbeknown to us, our return path was
I carry a bunch on board. I swapped the other than a tight slip on the track above right across the plateau to exit near
valve out and pumped the tyre back up. the river and some badly placed Waratah Waipunga Falls on the Napier Taupō Road.
Today we headed east and into better stakes used to brace some stream With many lefts and rights, I am sure I was
weather conditions to have a play up crossings. not the only one hoping Cam knew
47
Adventure
2 3
exactly where he was leading us. sudden sink holes and wash outs. We We headed south on SH49 where Brett
Thursday 23 May. Getting back so late, I followed the road into a gorge to cross a had an issue with the air-bag suspension
was without a spare tyre and there were deep ravine and continued on a reasonably on his Discovery 4 – which ‘let him down’.
no tyre shops open until the next well-formed road through dense bush. This Fortunately, he had come prepared with a
morning. Today Cam Raupi was taking us was probably an old forestry road upgraded by-pass pressure system installed. The
on a road trip heading south out of Taupō for the power pylons located on the ridge issue turned out to be a direct hit on one
to Tūrangi. I kept him up to date with my above our terminus point. Before us stood of the level sensors – which was patched-
repair and was able to catch them up a great challenge of a white clay track up with a wooden skewer, chewing gum
before Tūrangi to enjoy a cheeky little side where Cam elected not to continue due to – and probably vinegar and brown paper!
trip to ford the Waiotaka River. foreknowledge of a previous occasion At Waiouru we headed back north up
Over the Te Ponanga Saddle on to when he was geotechnically embarrassed. SH1 to head into the Tukino Road for the
National Park and then Horopito for a run The nose of his Nissan slid off the side of climb up the surface of the moon
in the Erua Forest. I have passed this turn the track necessitating a prolonged (southern slopes of Mt. Ruapehu) to the
off many times on SH4 and been recovery – so probably not a good idea for Ski village. Nothing to report – but the
meaning to call in and have a look – and our larger convoy. rough weather in the area created an
today was the day Lunch was at Ohakune with a angry and desolate background for some
The area is again an old selectively substantial order placed at the Chocolate moody photos. The snow cannot be too
logged Forestry block with the base being a Éclair shop. These puppies are enormous far off where this village has its own
clawing black swamp mass with many – and not for the faint hearted. Bulldozer to keep the road open for

Adventure
adventurous Skiers. Wharf. The locations were mostly road-side

Friday 24 May. Today was a bit of a chill Rest areas with some Tourist spots – most 1. A muddy downhill with a massive rock
out day – and we had a ‘treasure hunt’. We of which we have roared past and thought ‘kerb’.
met with Anton Romirer for our self-guided ‘That would be a nice spot for a cuppa’ – 2. A slippery sidehill catches Brent Whyte’s
tour around Lake Taupō using the App but didn’t. Biggest ‘never-heard-of-it’ was Discovery.
‘what3words’ to take ‘selfies’ at different Hinemaia Dam Lake. 3. Heading up into the cut-over bush.
tourist spots. ‘what3words’ breaks the We timed it perfectly and arrived at the 4. The transmission track turn-around
surface of the world into 3m x 3m squares, final ‘meet n’ greet’ BBQ destination bang point.
each of which have a unique three-word on 5pm – for others, competitive nature 5. Massive kahikatea trees tower above the
bush.
combination to locate. Our task was to find kicked in and were back in Taupō before
specific locations using the what3words 3pm! Overall, we had some laughs and
listed in an elaborate multi layered envelop saw many places we had only ever driven
that must have taken an age to past enroute. to hosting five days of 4WD entertainment
manufacture. I think most took it as some Saturday was ‘Business-Day’ with the – and my sincere sympathy goes out to
sort of race – but Gen and I took it as an AGM, followed by an excellent dinner at the the next club to equal or raise the bar
excuse to chill out after six days on the Wairakei Resort and we packed up and even further.
road, so we took our time with an hour- headed back north on Sunday morning. Check out youtube:Kevz110 for last
long morning tea and walk at Waihora I wish to sincerely recognise the year’s AGM in Methven – and for this
Lagoon and a long lunch break at Tokaanu monumental effort the Taupō Club put in year’s, coming soon.
49
Weekend Drive
Early morning at Lake Waikaremoana

was as cold as it looks.
Through the
mighty Urewera
Taking the long way on the Coast to Coast trip home
For the last week or so we had been trip back home, but Ashley, Fritz and Paul the top when Lake Waikaremoana came
running a “Coast to Coast” trip, from and I were more relaxed and decided into view. It was then a short run around
Wellington to Cape Egmont lighthouse, return via Lake Waikaremoana. We started the lake to the DOC campsite at Opourau
then across to the East Cape lighthouse off with a very scenic main road run Bay, where we were planning to stay. We
via the centre of the North Island, and on along the coast from Mahia to Wairoa had tried to book online, but the camp
down to the Mahia Peninsula. This marked where we fuelled up before turning inland was not part of the normal DOC booking
the end of the formal trip, however we for Lake Waikaremoana. This started off as system, so we had just assumed that as
still had to get back to Wellington. When another good, sealed road, but as we we were off peak there would be no issue
planning the trip we were not sure what started to climb seriously the road turned just turning up.
people would want to do, so made no real to dry dusty gravel, which was what it We arrived at Opourau Bay about 2:00
plans for the return other than to have a would be like for the next 100km. We and found the DOC office very helpful at
few options in mind. started getting some nice views as we getting us registered and giving us free
Some people needed to make a quick climbed and took a short photo break at rein of a grassy area right next to the lake
The rising sun offered a hope of warmth.

Weekend Drive
What an amazing place to

have breakfast.
at the far end of the campground. This and remote areas of New Zealand, do we the main site provides a (not very
was an idyllic spot to relax over lunch and need the noise pollution of commercial obvious) link to a separate part of the site
enjoy the beauty of this remote area in radio? Continuing our walk, I was for this campsite, where bookings can be
the afternoon sun. Walking around the surprised to find that there was a PIN made, separate from the main booking
area later that afternoon we found that as operated barrier arm across the access system.
well as camping, it offered a range of road and that the office closed at 3:00. Returning to our lakeside camp, there
more substantial accommodation and a Judging from the envelopes on the was some enthusiasm for a swim.
large kitchen and social area, all in very noticeboard, some late arrivals had However, I have previously hiked the
good condition and well maintained. My booked ahead and the necessary access Waikaremoana Track and know how cold
only issue was that the communal area arrangements were set up for them. It was the water is, so I preferred to relax and
had the local radio station playing at full lucky that we arrived when we did. I did a enjoy the scenery in peace. The
volume with no way of turning it off. Why, more thorough search of the DOC swimmers were back much sooner than
in the middle of one of the most beautiful website when I got home and found that they expected.
Mokau Falls.
Natural beauty with

no sign of civilisation.
51
Weekend Drive
Lunch at the car park

for the Whirinaki Falls walk.
The Whirinaki Falls walking track. Whirinaki Falls – I had to be in one photo.
Our final dinner on the edge of Lake Taupo.
A beautiful end to a final night.
It was crisp and cold the next morning, clearing in the bush where we had lunch successfully for our final and very scenic
not surprising given the altitude, with a and then did a walk to a nearby waterfall dinner on the shores of the lake.
layer of mist on the lake. Having breakfast on the Whirinaki River, making a very It was a bit of a noisy night with the
while watching the sun rise and the mist pleasant break from all the driving. Back passing trucks but at least we were poised
slowly clear was a magical experience. on the main road, it was only a short run for our final run back to Wellington. The
The five-hour run around the lake and to Murupara where we aired up, and I also next morning we decided to formally end
through the Ikawhenua Ranges was all on aired up the flat front tyre for a local on a the trip so that people could travel the
narrow, windy, unsealed roads that are
highly scenic, so we made it a very
leisurely drive, stopping a few times to “Having breakfast while watching the sun rise and
enjoy the views. We also came across a
no-injury accident where it looked as if
the mist slowly clear was a magical experience”
the driver of a campervan had swerved
the wrong way when meeting an motorbike, before a quicker run to Taupo. main highway south at their own pace
oncoming vehicle on a corner. Ashley, We had planned to stay at the Taupo rather than in convoy. In contrast to the
who was leading, stopped to make sure Top10, but it was fully booked so we got rather wild weather when we were
no help was needed. Following Fritz’s into the Top10 on the side of Lake Taupo. heading up to Whanganui for the start of
local knowledge, we finally turned off at The only challenge was that it closed in the the trip, the trip back was fine and
Te Whaiti and took the road to Minginui just over an hour and we still needed to uneventful and we got back in time to
and on to the road end for lunch. This get supplies in Taupo on the way through. unpack and relax in the glow of a
was a very attractive and peaceful It was a bit of a rush but we got there successful trip.

oad action at Tect Park
Off-r
Central
Zone trials
53
4WD Sport
Morgan masters Tect Park

Clean sweep delivers championship advantage
Driving his single-seater race car, Asher Defending national champion Carl mechanical problems.
Morgan has taken a clean sweep in Ruiterman took a clean sweep of heats for In the Challenger VW class, Emma
the final regional round of the 2024 modified UTVs in his Yamaha, maximising McKinstry took the win ahead of Sareena
CT Civil New Zealand Off-road Racing his points tally for the final round. Paterson and Dave Maggs. Paterson did
Championship. The unlimited truck class was hard double duty, also racing her recently-
Racing at the Dalton’s Tect Park off-road fought, with seasoned racer Gary Baker bought unlimited class car in the event’s
raceway on Saturday 7 September, bringing out his American Pro4 race truck separate ‘club’ class.
Morgan proved able to win from any grid and Richard Crabb having his first outing The UTV classes saw some of the
position, winning class five for race cars in Paul Hackett’s massive truck. toughest racing of the day. Neill Coutts
with engines up to 1.3 litres and extending Crabb won the class. battled through all four heats, closely
his championship points lead to take Unlimited truck class leader Nick Leahy pursued by Shane McWatt and Scott
maximum points to the national final in made a last-minute decision to enter, put Mitchell, who finished second and third
Auckland next month. in a spectacular series of drives against respectively.
A total of 52 entries contested the the more powerful American-build trucks The S class for modified UTVs had
event, including Donn Attwood, who of Baker and Crabb and was rewarded attracted seven entries, though the
finished second behind Daynom with second overall. Baker finished third in in-heat battles occurred behind Carl
Templeman in the unlimited class one the class. Ruiterman, who was in a class of his own.
heats. Ash Carlyle was also in contention for a In the Kiwitruck classes, Jack Rice won
Not so lucky was Manukau’s Tony podium in the class but spun in the final J class and Vincent Joy took out M class
McCall, whose BSL Chev race car finished heat. for more modified vehicles with a
second in the first heat for the unlimited Class three for race cars with engines motorcycle engines and gearboxes. In
class but then retired with a misfiring up to 1.6 litres was won by Jared Nagle total, there were nine Kiwitrucks racing,
engine. after Aiden Hall’s fast single seater struck the best turnout all year.

4WD Sport
Kenna Baker.
Lily Williams gets airborne.
Defending champion Carl Ruiterman. Nick Leahy.
Donn Attwood.
Gary Baker.
IM
IMAG
MA
MAG
MAGE BY
BY GE
GE
GEO
EO
OF
FF
F RIIDDE
DDE
DD
DDER
DE
ER
Richard Crabb grabs air on his

A difficult day for Tony McCall. way to winning the unlimited truck class.
55
4WD Sport
A dirty weekend
Central Zone Club Truck Challenge 2024 series round 5: Taihape
The Club Truck Challenge (CTC) for around the pits and he was out rolling Samurai. He encountered problems early
2024 has finished. The final round was coal again. in the front axle of the Zook, and without
held at Hintz’s farm near Taihape as I did my usual tyre survey to see what drive on the front was forced to DNF.
a gala weekend of clay shooting, four people were using and found Wanda Claw Mickey stayed for the speed section to
wheeling, a gourmet barbecue, fun and XTR, Silverstone x-treme, Simex centripedes have a blat around the farm.
laughs. or Jungle Trekkers and Journey Claw XTR Hazard 6 was ungraded, as opposed to
Tyran was under the bonnet of his being used with tubes or tubeless. the more common graded hazard. An
Nissan” the crisp” before we even started. Mickey Ward was recently a wildcard ungraded hazard gives the option of
He was lucky that there was a good entry in the Suzuki Extreme event, and leaving the course or missing some pegs
number of diesel mechanics hanging he was competing in a tidy Suzuki to get around the course, taking a penalty.
Class 2 stalwart Brendan Watchorn leans the Pajero

into an uphill turn hoping he keeps some traction under his wheels.

4WD Sport
The only person to get through without a

penalty had steering brakes.
The speed section was extremely long
as is usual in Taihape but that didn’t stop
Chris Mason in the Suzuki setting the
fastest time, followed by Clint in a TJ
Jeep and Brendan Watchorn came in
third fastest in his alternate Pajero. It was
a real change in the formbook but power
sliding in the paddocks was too much
fun for everybody else to post a fast
Wildcard Wildman Brent Ward in the unlimited Class 4
time. Nissan sends it over the dirt steps and leaps into the air, Gazza just holds on.
Clint was bemoaning the lunch break
because he finds that taking a leisurely
break during the day affects your
concentration afterward. In the first
hazard after lunch Clint sent his Jeep
into a hill a little hard and his rear
driveshaft failed. He was lucky to fix it
when Mark Smith produced another
universal joint out of his toolbox but it
was genuinely a field repair done in a
field.
We came to the final hazard for this
day and for the season.
Chris and Joe Mason love a speed
This late hazard was pegged very wide section, they keep it flat and flat out.
to give you a free choice of line, but it
was all bog, and it was so long that it

needed the most powerful machines to
try and pump the mud out. Only three
people made it out of the bog, everybody
else taking penalties.
This year all the class champions
came from the Wairarapa 4wd club,
Congratulations.
Class results for round 5

Class 1 Chris Mason, Suzuki Jimny
Class 2 Mark Smith, Jeep TJ
Class 3 Kevin Galbraith, Jeep TJ
Kevin Galbraith aims for
Class 4 Brent Ward, Nissan Patrol
the finishing gate in his Class 3 Jeep.
Class results for 2024 season
Class 1 Chris Mason Suzuki Jimny
Clint Carol tried hard in the Class 2 Class 2 1 Clint Carol Jeep TJ
Jeep in the speed section and wonders Class 3 Kevin Galbraith Jeep TJ
why he has mechanical issues.
Class 4 Brent Ward Nissan Patrol GQ
Overall place
1 Brent Ward, Nissan GQ, Class 4
2 Kevin Galbraith, Jeep TJ, Class
3 Mark Smith, Jeep TJ, Class 2
4 Clint Carol, Jeep TJ, Class 2
5 Chris Mason, Suzuki Jimny, Class 1
6 Andrew Gee, Jeep TJ, Class 3
7 Tyran Ashford, Nissan GQ, Class 3
8 Brendan Watchorn, Pajero, Class 2
9 Steve Stewart, Nissan GQ, Class 3
10 Alex Robertson, Toyota FJ70, Class 3
11 Mickey Ward, Suzuki, Class 1
57
COLUMN
DIRT NATION WITH BRYAN CHANG
A successful outing at Kurow
Is off-road racing history about to all trail Morgan and Midgley by substantial Perhaps that will work, but perhaps
be made? With one regional round points tallies. ‘review, reset, resume’ carries with it a
remaining, the national championship has In the unlimited class eight trucks, with major risk.
been led by a class five car for much of 12 registered entries, it looks as though At one point, the ‘nationals’ were a
the year. Nick Leahy has maximum points from the one-weekend sudden death affair near
Young Asher Morgan in a very quick regional rounds and is going to win the Wellington, a decent enough event but
class five held a narrow points lead of 210 class. not one that offered a lot of competition
points over Jason Midgely in a class three We pulled the Giti Chev out of the shed for the racers, especially those with
on 204. Midgley boosted his tally at the and raced the Kurow round, it’s an high-dollar vehicles.
two-day Kurow round, but Morgan could amazing farm-based track with epic In addition, there’s an increased risk for
do the same with the September round at jumps. Consistency pays dividends: trans-island competitors to consider -
Tect Park. although the V8 trucks are very fast these who would want to trust their race
UTV classes remain the backbone of days, we came away with 54 points and vehicle, tow vehicle and spares to an
the sport with 30 registered for this year’s won the class for the weekend. Big thanks Interislander ferry right now? “Whoops,
championship That’s 16 in the modified S to Neil Falkingham and my son Owen for we made a sharp turn into the South
class, 14 in the more stock U class. their help and also to Owen for fettling Island, damn that autopilot” – and hey,
Defending champion Carl Ruiterman is Slim Slee’s mighty class one car. let’s wait three weeks to recover the race
racing in UTV S class but has had a Full credit also to championship team and complete the drive home.
difficult year with overheating denying sponsor Leigh Bishop, he has his V8 truck One of the reasons this competition
him a podium at Woodhill. JR Rolando absolutely flying. was opened up between islands was to
Fernandez has run hot in that class this There are murmurs of a need to re-look boost the entry lists for smaller clubs that
year and led the S battle on 107 points at national level competition, people were maybe not financially viable
with all southern rounds complete. talking about reducing from three otherwise.
The unlimited class one race cars are regional rounds per island to two in order Getting a true national championship
spectacular, with 14 registered entries, but to reduce the cost of competing. going was a good move, without a doubt.

“I have raced on other brands of tyres but haven’t found anything else that can offer as much
traction as the GT Radial Komodo. Whether racing, going off-road or simply from A to B give
them a go, you won’t be disappointed.”
Bryan Chang
GT Savero Komodo Extreme GT Savero Komodo MT GT Adventuro AT3 Giti AT70
www .gtradial.co.nz
Photo taken by Mark Baker
COLUMN
GEOFFZONE BY GEOFF ANDERS
Series 1 Landie. Toyota BJ. Jeep MB.
Origins
There’s a lot of hype about old Land heavier springs were fitted along with later with many hard-working km on their
Rovers. Some for good reason, like having other relatively minor but useful clocks Toyotas began to break too. They
waved their green and yellow flag for a improvements. They became known as were definitely stronger than Landies but
long time. the Series One and a long wheelbase all transmissions in rough, muddy, wet,
Jeeps too have good old cred, being on version at 107” was added. Series Two was dusty, heavily loaded use suffer eventually
the scene before Landies due to a certain introduced about 1960 with a wider body from seal failure that, if not detected and
war though they weren’t actually made and wheelbases stretched to 88” and 109” repaired early, causes major issues.
by a ‘Jeep’ company – they were made en with a more modern engine, more Land Rover’s Range Rover also
masse for the military by a number of powerful at 2.2 litres. appeared in 1970 as a great leap forward,
manufacturers. Back then the only ones Meanwhile, in the Pacific north, at successfully marrying good looks, an
New Zealand saw were survivors from the about the same time as Landy began, upmarket interior and suspension that
conflict. By the time Landies came on the Toyota introduced Land Cruisers using raised standards both on and off-road.
scene those Jeeps were fading through much of Chevrolet’s light truck design Other makes gradually picked up the 4WD
hard work, rust and rare spares. under license. Cruisers were rare here torch and waved it in their own way.
Of course, Landies were British like until about 1970. At that same time, we were introduced
most of our vehicle of that era with local Where Land Rover began using Rover to Austin Gypsy and Nissan Patrols. The
agencies and spares backup. They were car components Toyota’s truck based Gypsy didn’t become popular. Patrols
also more modern, right-hand drive, drivelines were heavier and stronger. were capable and strong and challenged
slightly bigger and more powerful, were Cruisers began with a three-speed Land Cruiser head-on.
comfier, had a choice of canvas or gearbox that progressed to four and also For a long time almost all 4WDs used
hard-tops and could cruise at the 50mph followed an improvement path. Motor petrol. Land Rover made a diesel version
limit carrying a bigger load than the Jeep. capacity rose. Similarly, there were long but it was not a success. Later they and
Due to a post war shortage of steel and short wheelbase versions, hard or soft others produced more modern versions
Landie bodies were made from tops, wellsides or cab/chassis. that became popular as they gained power,
aluminium, which turned out to be a By 1970 in NZ many Landies had spent refinement, longevity and economy.
good thing as they don’t rust. 20 hard years constructing hydro Most 4WDs today still use petrol or
Land Rovers have always been known schemes, dams, farming, exploration, diesel. Conventional 4WD vehicle layouts
by their wheelbase length in inches. Their construction, gold and coal mining, boat don’t lend themselves easily to battery
original is known as the ‘80 inch’ as that launching and towing or carrying loads conversions. A battery large enough to
wheelbase and the 4WD driveline layout well over their factory ratings. give a ute or full size 4WD acceptable
that works so well were copied from Jeep. At such age and workload transmissions range and performance has to be much,
The ‘80’ first appeared on the world stage began failing so their reputation slipped. much bigger and heavier than a typical
in 1948 with four-speed gearboxes and an FJ40 Cruisers were the new answer and liquid fuel tank and adds about half a
excellent low range. flourished. They too were often used and tonne to the unladen weight while
After a very successful intro, like many abused in the same ways in the same reducing payload.
new designs, a series of mods happened industries and seemed bulletproof. Bring on hydrogen. No extra weight and
quickly. The wheelbase rose to 86”, Down similar tracks and over a decade similar range to liquid (ICE) fuels.

COLUMN
VAHRYOUS THOUGHTS BY PETER VAHRY
It’s all about image

Continuing on from my column a couple authorised by section 22AB(1)(g) of the roads. However, AT accepts that many
of months ago about the ‘image’ of 4WD Land Transport Act 1998. Councils are not common uses of an unformed legal road
recreation, time spent staffing the New liable for repair and maintenance of may cause damage to the surface of the
Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association unformed legal roads, or for any damage road. The prohibition on damaging a road
(NZFWDA) ‘stands’ at several 4WD shows to the unformed road through erosion, must be balanced against the right to use
has been most interesting. degradation or general wear and tear. The the road. Road users must however, take
While almost all who stopped by those document “Guidelines for the care to minimise damage to the road.
stands have asked what the NZFWDA does Management of Unformed Legal Roads” Road users must also take into account
and if it runs 4WD ‘trips’. They also says: “third parties, such as conservation that factors such as weather conditions
invariably comment on the problem of groups, tramping clubs, horse trekking may cause the unformed road to be more
drivers going where they shouldn’t and groups, mountain bike clubs or 4WD easily damaged”.
the effect that has on the attitude of the groups may also desire to develop “AT accepts that minor wear and tear
wider public towards our recreation. sections of unformed legal roads to will occur from ordinary use of an
It seems that too many four wheelers improve public access. Councils, in unformed legal road and will not consider
consider themselves as independent souls, addressing such requests, should ensure this damage to the road. Intentional or
much like ‘boaties’ with few boundaries. that their policies, by-laws and unintentional damage caused by public
Maybe there needs to be some clear ‘rules maintenance standards clearly set out misuse, recklessness, vehicle damage from
of the land’ much like those of the sea? responsibilities including, where racing, over-use or wheel spins, or
Then again, some of those same 4WD appropriate, the level of council’s significant stock path erosion may be
adventurers possibly view themselves and reasonable observation of such work in considered damage to the road.
their machines as invincible. A great order to mitigate possible risks and Deliberately digging up or landscaping an
number apparently are not, judging by the liabilities. A council may decline any unformed legal road is a form of damage
ongoing online requests for help with request to undertake work on an and must not be undertaken without
recovery from all sorts of situations. All too unformed legal road.” written approval.”
often from places that they should not Another source of information around It is evident that Councils may give
have been and expecting others to also ULR is a document prepared by Auckland some latitude to ‘damage’ on their ULR,
risk committing an offence. Transport (AT): www.at.govt.nz/about-us/ however given the number of images and
I do acknowledge that the numbers of working-on-the-road/road-processes-for- videos of 4WDs wheel spinning on what
four wheelers undoubtably outnumbers property-owners/unformed-legal-roads- are often unformed legal roads, a Council
the legal locations available for paper-roads/ could well decide to one day make an
recreational driving close to our major That one is more definitive around the ‘example’ of a four wheeler based on such
population centres. Which brings us back issue of damage to a ULR’s surface… images. Don’t be that person.
to the realm of unformed legal roads (ULR) “Causing damage to the surface of the Did you note the word ‘image’ again? It
and the opportunities that they present for road is an offence under the Local really is everywhere for four wheeling, as
our recreation. All ULR have legal Government Act 1974 and this provision our vehicles are rarely subtle in
limitations around how they are used. also applies to the users of unformed legal appearance nor lightweight, so in many of
Once again, I defer to the our environments our presence is
Outdoor Access Commission usually obvious. A typical
who have created a document example is Muriwai where many
on their website www. locals are unhappy about driver
herengaanuku.govt.nz/types-of- behaviour on the beach itself, but
access/unformed-legal-roads equally annoyed at the way some
It is possible for a Council to 4WD drivers behave on the
limit access to roads, including a town’s narrow roads. It’s a double
ULR, such as restricting use of whammy of annoyance and an
motor vehicles on unformed ongoing blow to the image of
legal roads under a bylaw four wheeling.
61
NOVEMBER
NZ4WD
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COLUMN
TORQUE TALK BY ASHLEY LUCAS
Land Rover days

I was recently reflecting on how I got into came to my 21st with the traditional
four-wheeling. It goes back a long time to presentation of the traditional key to the
my younger days. My father was a chain door, cousin Les was to pipe up and ask
sawing contractor felling trees back in Dad if it was the key to the Land Rover!
the 1960’s and 70’s and the vehicles were My very first Land Rover was a soft top
mostly old Bedford or Ford trucks until the with no canvas, sitting in the middle of a
time when he borrowed a Land Rover LWB rubbish pile on a farm out the back of
Series II wellside pick-up from family friend Matamata with the head off and sitting in
Ollie Smyth to go to a native bush job in the back. I had great plans of rebuilding it
Makokopa. Mum and Dad in the front and and after an eventful Saturday Dad and I
my brother and I travelled in the back with overnight, the Land Rover still got through finally got it A-framed home, using
all the gear for a couple of days camping early next morning to check on us. It was borrowed wheels and tyres from Les. It was
in the bush while dad was felling native also very handy for tensioning up the ropes still behind Dad’s Land Rover on Sunday
timber. for the flying fox. when Les came around and eventually
The Land Rover proved so handy and As the only vehicle in the family I learnt after some haggling, I sold it to Les,
versatile that Dad had to get one for to drive in the Land Rover. Lot of people returning a small profit. (I still wonder today
himself. By then cousin Les Lucas, had a thought they were difficult to drive due to if Les realised he was buying his own
wrecking business, Bond Auto Wreckers, the three gear levers; Black, Red and Yellow wheels and tyres!) In return Les would look
specialising in truck and Land Rover knobs. However, it was just the opposite as out for a better vehicle for me.
wrecking and Dad ended up with a 1955 putting it in low range (red) then it was And it wasn’t too long before Les did
Series One Land Rover SWB safari station easy to learn the feel of the clutch without come up with a 1960 Series II SWB soft top.
wagon. It was mostly originally with the stalling the vehicle or bunny hopping too It was a standard four-cylinder 2.25 but was
Safari roof which was a second skin roof much across the paddocks off-road. By the in pretty good condition for its age.
meant for hot climates and it would keep time I came to get my driver’s licence I had It was around then that I was transferred
the vehicle cooler inside. It was usually mastered the basic skills of driving a to Te Puke where I joined the Bay of Plenty
loaded with his fuel cans, chainsaws, tools, manual vehicle on and off-road. 4WD Club and got fully involved with 4WD
etc most of the time but if we were to go Of course in the early 70’s four-wheel club activities, including competing in
away it was cleaned out and us kids rode in drive rallies and clubs were becoming National rallies in my own Land Rover. I
the back. popular and Les was a member of the have been a member of a 4WD club (and
The Land Rover was eventually replaced Waikato 4WD Club and competed in the the NZFWDA) ever since (around 44 years
with a later model, 1957 version of the rallies often with Dad as navigator. This now).
same vehicle including the safari roof. This meant as a family we would head off to the The Land Rover stayed pretty much
one eventually got an engine upgrade to rallies and other 4WD events and we still standard over the years but Les fitted a rear
the Series III 2.25 petrol engine and was have the programme from the Easter 1975 roll bar from one of his earlier rally vehicles
fitted with extractors which seemed to give Karakariki Off-Road Safari as it was called and also a full heavy bulbar on the front
it a lot of power, especially as it still rode on back in those days where Les and Dad and side rails. For National rallies it was
6.50x16 tyres, small by today’s standards, competed together. fitted with a full roll cage and I used 750x16
but enough to allow the vehicle to travel Most of the vehicles back then were Firestone SAT’s on widened LR rims which
off-road in the bush and across farms, Land Rovers, Jeeps, Toyotas, Austin Gypsy’s weren’t strictly legal for A-class (standard
wherever Dad would be working at the and even an Austin Champ. There was one four-cylinder vehicles).
time. solitary Nissan with a Chev V8 in Class 4. Over the years I drove the vehicle in
As a member of the Scouting movement, Dad and Les were in Class 1 with Les’ Series many 4WD events, and wasn’t particularly
Dad was roped in to assisting with our One Land Rover SWB. easy on it either (yes, it was rolled a couple
scout camps, as with the Land Rover we I joined the work force in early 1975 and I times in competition) and even used it to
could get all out gear into some reasonably wanted a Land Rover of my own as I think drive to work wearing a suit.
remote campsites. And, of course, when Dad had to spend too much time fixing his So yes Dad, it was your fault I got into
the weather turned bad and the river rose each time I had borrowed it. In fact when it four-wheeling and thank you.

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Adventure caravans page 23, 4WD parts and services page 35

6 Tremor goes Everest

2 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

NO DEPOSIT FINANCE + A LOW WEEKLY FEE

Check out our website: www.nz4wd.co.nz

4 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

from from from

6 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

SUIT - RAISED SPRINGS

Following major overhauls of Cruiser 300 and Y62 Nissan

8 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

“Protection’ vehicles like the door system with reinforced

The passion/obsession/cult that is

Cargo cleverness Snow crawler Rollin’ on Dubs

10 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

Jaguar Land Rover’s Discovery vehicle

Terrain Tamer opens in the USA

12 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

The annual Fieldays event at

Sequoia for Australia

14 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

It’s build number 001, the ﬁrst car produced

Articulation? Plenty. Rooftop tents were popular.

16 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

Some tough looking Land Cruisers from the Landy Pirates.

Off-road strong tipper trailer.

All the gear for comfortable camping.

Local fabricator AJF

Redarc’s power management

18 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

living in New Zealand will

1. The legendary axle

Enjoying the journey

MAKE TOWING LIGHT WORK,

• Bull bars • Lights • Roof racks • Camping and

PERFORMANCE MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING: 220 Rakaunui Rd, Taupo

24 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

Bunk beds for the kids.

All images by Caitlin Baker

1. Fellow beach-goer checks

decent-sized dashtop storage

A warning to the unwise,

Muriwai was chock-full of families

A tough Landie gets tougher.

Coastal touring fun.

32 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

Next modification? Brandon’s keen

Bull bar, winch, a GME radio are Axle articulation is much

34 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

Get ready for

36 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

Aussie 4WDers gather for a breather

aesthetics – a tyre is a key functional piece

Down on the beach

Bridgestone beach convoy:

All terrain treads in the fine powdery sand.

Biggest of the A/T 002 bunch:

‘Our’ MU-X ran

38 NZ4WD OCTOBER 2024

Some oils ain’t oils

Ä