Readers’ Rigs: May 2022

For the chance to get your four-wheel drive published in the next issue of 4X4 Australia magazine, post some snaps of it on our Facebook page or shoot an email to: 4x4australia@wheelsmedia.com.au

2010 Toyota LandCruiser Prado

7

I bought it second-hand back in 2014 with about 55,000km on it. It was stock as a rock, and we slowly modified it for our needs – we first added UHF, rear drawers, fridge and slide for camping.

We hit the Vic High Country within six months of buying it and fell in love. Fast forward to 2022 and it has all the berries: trans cooler; all the UVP; deluxe bullbar with 12,000lb winch; GVM upgrade; 225-litre fuel tank; and a rear bar. It recently ticked over 135,000km.

Our last big trip was to Cape York in 2020; with borders closed, the tracks and roads were quiet. We towed our camper trailer all the way up to the tip, via the OTT. Never used the winch, as we don’t rock crawl – and with twin air lockers, it has never been stuck - Alex Caddell

Nissan D40 Navara

7

This is my Nav with the lot: remap; 150-litre fuel tank; 40-litre water tank; 450kg springs for all the weight; Darche 270 awning with sides; two 40-litre fridges; gas and hot water; ARB front and rear lockers; and more lighting than you can poke a stick at. Bought the car new in 2011 and only has 120km on the clock. It’s my family’s pride and joy - Craig Bailey

1995 HDJ81 Toyota LandCruiser

7

Over the past 18 months I’ve been completing a restomod on an imported LandCruiser with the view of building a touring vehicle for myself and my young family. The vehicle was imported in 2020 and upon inspection in Australia had significant rust issues throughout the entire vehicle. This prompted me to undertake a restoration which I have done completely by myself (aside from the full respray).

The vehicle even needed a rear new axle housing as the previous one was held together with fibreglass on the Panhard mount, with only two threads remaining on the actual axle – even the shocks were fibreglassed over and painted to ‘look’ good for pictures in Japan.

The restoration has been comprehensive using genuine OEM Toyota parts, even down to new door seals/rubbers and bolts. I’ve also updated the interior to modern standards, braced the chassis front and rear, and added a custom front differential with welded-in bracing and a weld-on bash plate. I’ve converted the vehicle to a dual-cab ute, accompanied by a custom aluminium tray and canopy. I’ve tried my best to support Australian manufacturers and businesses by using high-quality Australian-made products - Dallas Craig

2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

7

It’s the four-door 3.6-litre auto with leather interior and the electrical pack. Mods include an AEV lift; Falken Wildpeak MT tyres on American Racing wheels; a Warn winch; tailgate/wheel carrier; auxiliary fuel tank; remote air bags; electric brakes; custom drawers; and a Redarc dual-battery with lithium - Steve Cassano

2021 Ford Everest

7

My Everest features a Rhino-Rack platform with roof racks; factory Ford snorkel; nudge bar; light bar; custom-built false floor with third row removed; fridge and kitchen slide; modular drawer on the other side; two-inch Outback Armour lift; 275/70R18 Toyo MT tyres on Sunraysia pos30 offset steel wheels; and an all-important catch can under the bonnet.

Up next on the list will be a bullbar and winch, along with a secondary fuel filter and second battery – currently just running a battery box, which suits my weekend-only camping trips - Andrew Smarrelli

1996 TB42 GQ Patrol

7

Mods include a four-inch lift on 35-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Boss MT tyres; ARB bar with Warn high-mount winch; and drawers, fridge and 12-volt set-up in the rear. I have GU diffs almost ready to go in, so it will soon be twin-locked - Jacob Pears