New 4x4 Gear: ARB shackle, Carbon Winches winch, EFS Hilux shocks, and more

Practicality comes in all shapes, sizes, and styles with this month's assortment of new gear.

Carbon Winches 12K winch

The new 12,000lb winch from Carbon Winches is designed to handle the toughest recovery tasks when you’re off-roading.

The winch features a 6.2-horsepower wound motor, a 216:1 three-stage planetary gearbox and a hoist-style camming brake that engages through the geartrain, thus having no contact with the winch drum. The rotating ring gear free-spool clutch assembly is designed to minimise free-spool drag, while also doing away with any clutch engagement issues, making any recovery situation a fast and easy process.

The power in and out for the winch is via either a wireless remote controller or a plug-in hand-held remote. The 500-amp solenoid unit is sealed and has a three-position mount bracket that means you can mount the control box over the drum, the motor or remotely on your 4x4’s bullbar. The winch also comes with a pre-installed winch motor breather.

Website: www.carbonwinches.com.au

EFS XTR shock kit – Toyota HiLux

The brains trust at EFS has just released a speccy 40mm bore XTR shock kit for Toyota’s Hilux (dual-cab and single-cab, 2005-2015). The kit allows for an increase in fluid volume which assists in preventing the build-up of heat in the shock, and the resultant fade that you can experience on rugged corrugated tracks.

The shocks also feature Dynamic Motion Control Technology (DMCT), which alters the valve forces dependent on the velocity of the fluid as it travels through the piston valve. As oil speeds up through the valve, this technology slows that flow down for improved control in high-speed scenarios. When the oil is passing more slowly through the valve (during off-camber/slow-speed off-road conditions) it allows the oil through the valve at a higher volume to assist in suspension flex.

RRP: $269.50 each (XTR 40mm front strut); $180 each (XTR 40mm rear shocks absorbers)
Website: www.efs4wd.com.au

Leatherman Wave+

Since its inception in 1998 the original Leatherman Wave has sold 10 million units, and now, in its 20th year, Leatherman has decided to update this iconic design, with the Wave+ now featuring redesigned pliers that incorporate removable and replaceable wire-cutters as one of the 17 tools available.

The company has also added a new and improved sheath (a metal snap replaces the original Velcro closure). The sheath is made of tough nylon webbing and includes reinforced stitching.

The Wave+ is constructed from tough HC (high-carbon) 420 stainless-steel and keeps all the features that made the original so popular, including the externally accessible blades that you can open with one hand, the impressive number of tools, and its compact size.

RRP: $219.95
Website: www.leatherman.com.au

Ironman 4X4 Colorado/D-Max towbar

The long arse-end of 4x4 utes means any way of lifting the departure angle of these vehicles is always welcome – especially if you have/want a towbar.

Ironman 4x4’s new towbar, designed for the 2012-onwards Colorado and 6/2012-onwards D-MAX, has been engineered to be compatible with your vehicle’s standard bumper bar, while maximising rear ground clearance. The beefy towbar includes a square-tube steel design, a 3500kg tow-rating, is ADR compliant for each respective vehicle’s relevant ADRs, and is finished in schmick black powdercoat, covering some impressive welding work to ensure this thing ain’t movin’.

The Ironman 4x4 towbar also includes a 50mm towball and tongue, so once fitted to your rig it’ll be all go for that next towing mission.

Website: www.ironman4x4.com

ARB soft-connect shackle

These soft shackles from ARB up the safety levels for vehicle recovery situations. Rated at 14,500kg breaking strength, the ARB soft-connect shackle will float in water and is UV-resistant to ensure many years of service.

Soft shackles are designed to eliminate the need for metal shackles in the recovery process and thus further reduce the chances of potential injury to those involved. Incorrectly attached (metal) shackles can be lethal to anyone nearby if the unfortunate happens and either the strap or shackle breaks. The last thing you want is pieces of flying metal coming towards you or your loved ones as you try and get yourself out of a stuck-vehicle situation.

RRP: $55.00 (Australian east coast metro pricing)
Website: www.arb.com.au

Adina Amphibian

It’s not always easy finding a tough, reliable and reasonably priced watch. This new timepiece from Adina combines all three of those features.

The Amphibian is designed specifically for those outdoor and marine adventures that can test (and sometimes destroy) a watch. The Amphibian features a robust Nickel-free stainless-steel case and a sapphire crystal watch face that provides excellent scratch resistance.

The moulded orange polyurethane strap is both comfortable and (obviously) designed to withstand saltwater immersion for years. The Amphibian is water resistant to a claimed 200 metres and includes a Super-LumiNova index dial so you can still see the time no matter the amount of ambient light. The watch is Aussie-designed and made (which, in our opinion, is awesome) and features the expected high craftsmanship for which Adina is renowned.

RRP: $369
Website: www.adinawatches.com.au