Job done: Triton GLX-R transformed into the ultimate work ute

The Tradie Triton has found a new home!

The vehicle went under the hammer at Grays.com, with the auction ending on August 13. A total of 324 bids were registered for the Triton. Read all about the build below! 👇

I’ve been a huge fan of 4X4 Australia’s previous project builds, of which there have now been five – 2018 Ford Ranger, 2020 Isuzu D-MAX, 2022 Isuzu MU-X, 2023 Ford Ranger V6 Sport and 2023 Ford Everest.

Watching each of them being transformed from factory standard vehicles into speciality equipped off-road beasts has been both inspiring and educational. The opportunity to work on this Triton build has been fabulous, especially as we not only wanted to not only transform it into the ultimate work ute, but also a rig that would fulfil the adventure/lifestyle role.

As a carpenter, I knew exactly where I wanted to start with this Triton build, and its ability to carry tools and materials safely was a priority.

JUMP AHEAD

• The canopy
• Roof racks
• Brake system
• Wheels and tyres
• Front and back
• Towing mirrors
• Lights
• Power system
• Recovery kit
• Floor mats
• Fridge
• Signal booster
• Job done!

The canopy

The first thing to come off the Triton was its factory tub with a visit to the talented team at TC Boxes, who have been producing and installing Tradies Choice trays and toolboxes since 2016.

Over the last eight years the TC Boxes range and quality has taken strides forward as the company has embraced the latest technologies, materials and design/construction techniques to produce some of Australia’s leading products in this space.

For the Triton we fitted one of TC Boxes 1650mm aluminium trays finished in a UV-stabilised black powder coat. Manufactured from rugged and lightweight premium grade aluminium, it features an 8mm aluminium C-channel main frame and a 40x40mm SHS subframe. The stylish appearance is enhanced by the flared guards that can accommodate up to 35-inch tyres. The tray also features a 1400mm trundle drawer.

Sitting on top of the tray we have fitted two toolboxes to securely store tools, as well as somewhere for the Projecta 12V DC Power Management Board and the Dometic fridge. There is further storage thanks to additional under-tray toolboxes.

The tray features Maxilamp LED tail lights, and has facility for the retention of the Triton’s rear bar sensors and camera. A U Ladder Rack allows us to carry additional materials, tools and equipment on top of the toolboxes.

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Roof racks

Loading up at the timber yard LVLs, sheeting and other heavy materials and equipment requires a heavy duty and roof racking system.

The Rola MKIII Titan Tray does the job on our Triton. It features a stylish low profile design, Rola’s versatile Ridge Mount System and a whopping 400kg capacity. The Titan tray features integrated channels, various entry points and an enhanced corner design to make adding accessories as easy as possible.

This makes crossing over from a midweek work setup to weekend lifestyle arrangement quick and easy so we can pack away the tools and load up the surfboards and canoes.

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Brake system

There’s nothing scarier than hitting the brakes on a fully loaded work ute and realising your load has pushed the factory brakes and suspension beyond their limits.

With our Pedders GVM and brake upgrades the Triton feels rock solid on the road and has plenty of stopping power, even when fully loaded.

On our previous project vehicles, we have focused specifically on improving off-road capability with lift kits, air bags and the like, but for the Triton we wanted to focus more on load-carrying capability, so we opted to fit a Pedders GVM + suspension and rear disc brake upgrade kit. The upgraded suspension results in a GVM rating of 3200kg on the MR Triton 4x4, which is 300kg above standard.

The Pedders rear disc brake conversion kit offers increased stopping power, improved pedal feel, and includes new brake rotors and TrakRyder kevlar ceramic brake pads.

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Wheels and tyres

When it came to upgrading the Triton’s wheels and tyres we had to make sure we fitted gear that would cope with heavy loads. We opted for Fuel Rebel wheels wrapped in a set of Hankook Dynapro AT2s.

The Rebels are one the most popular wheels in Fuel’s extensive lineup and when you see the stance of the Triton it’s easy to see why. They feature high quality one-piece cast construction to minimise weight and maximise strength.

The Hankook Dynapro AT2s feature biting block edges and locking shoulder lugs that make them ideally suited to both work and play, whether that’s tackling rough, muddy worksites or driving on the road, or venturing off road and heading doing runs along the beach.

To test the AT2s in the field we headed north from Sydney to Stockton Beach near Newcastle, and tackled the notoriously soft sand there. The tyres performed well on the soft sandy trails and when driving along the beach, while on the highway heading up the coast the lack of road noise for this style of tyre was appreciated.

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Front and back

As with any build, the front and rear bars were always going to be an important part of our Triton project vehicle. Up front we have fitted a Piak nudge bar and down the back a Hayman Reese X-Bar.

The PIAK nudge bar is made from robust steel and has a 3.5kg carrying capacity, making it the ideal platform for fitting our two Ultima LED 215 MK2 driving lights. The bar has also enhanced the Triton’s aesthetics, not only adding flair, but offering some protection for the front end when parked in challenging work environments, especially on sites where every trade might be working at the same time and parking can be tight and people are in a rush.

Down the back end of the Triton, the Hayman Reese X-Bar works in well with the look and feel of the TC Boxes setup. It also allows the vehicle’s maximum tow rating to be utilised, which is important for tradies who might need to tow anything from trailers loaded with sand, stone or gravel to heavy machinery like excavators and loaders.

Of course, it allows us to also safely hook up the boat or jet ski on the weekend, or to easily access the rated recovery points when out on the sand dunes or trails.

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Towing mirrors

While on the subject of towing our MSA 4x4 towing mirrors are a must have for any tradie who tows regularly.

The functionality and design of these mirrors is fantastic; the extension and roll feature provides a full and clear view when towing that standard mirrors simply can’t match, and the fact that the electronic positioning is retained while in full extension only adds to their usability and appeal.

When towing a 45-foot outrigger canoe home from a regatta in Port Stephens the MSA 4X4 towing mirrors provided an entire view of the trailer and canoe, making the slightly stressful experience of towing such a long load considerably easier.

When not towing, the mirrors can be quickly and easily returned to the standard non-extended position, so they don’t stick out like many other towing mirrors.

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Lights

Early mornings and late finishes for tradies when pushing hard at work often mean starting before sunrise and finishing after sunset.

So when looking for the ideal lighting system we considered one that would offer good visibility in a mix of driving conditions, from sealed suburban road use to highway and off-road driving conditions. After doing our homework we fitted a pair of Narva Ultima LED 215 MK2 driving lights.

As well as the driving lights mounted on the PIAK nudge bar, we have added an Ultima 24-inch LED light bar up above the windscreen, flanked by dual Ultima 8-inch LED light bars fitted using Narva’s innovative 40-inch joiner kit.

This front lighting setup can be controlled by the Ultima Connect+ system, which allows for easy adjustment of beam pattern and intensity to suit driving conditions, whether that’s on dirt roads, 4x4 tracks or the highway. The system is easy to use, and the controller fits neatly into the dash, and in the case of our Triton, the controller is situated in front of the gear lever where it’s easy to get at.

The brightness, range and spread of the Narva set up is impressive with more Lumens than you can poke a stick at to really light up those night time environments.

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Power system

Both for work and play there is an ever-growing demand for in-vehicle power supply options, from charging power tool batteries to running 240V power tools and accessories.

With this in mind we decided to equip the Triton with a Projecta 12v DC power management board with 2000W inverter. While Projecta offers a setup with a built-in 200Ah Lithium battery designed to work in conjunction with the power board’s 2000W inverter, we opted for a larger capacity 400Ah battery for the Triton’s system.

The 400Ah battery has overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent, high/low temperature and short circuit protection, and features include a top-mounted battery indicator and battery isolation switch.

This system is big enough to power items like our Dometic fridge, additional lights, cooking equipment (think microwaves, toasted sandwich makers and coffee machines), all of which are high current draw devices that tradies and campers alike require. And with everything built into the one system, it takes the hard work out of the installation.

It’s not just the performance of this power system that will impress but also the inbuilt safety and charging technology that maximises lifespan of components for optimum performance that will provide peace of mind.

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Recovery kit

As every four-wheel driver knows it’s a good piece of advice to hope for the best but plan for the worst when driving in challenging off-road conditions.

So having reliable, safe and proven recovery gear is a must for those looking to keep themselves and their travel companions safe in off-road, bush or beach environments.

The MaxTrax Recovery Kit in our Triton has us covered. It is supplied in a bag to keep everything organised, and it includes two Fuse Shackles; five Core Shackles; three Kinetic Ropes (9.2m, 3m and 5m); a static rope; and a rope damper.

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Floor mats

Whether on the sand dunes at Stockton Beach or when at muddy worksites over the last six months, our 3D Maxtrac rubber mats have really protected the floor of or Triton.

Their ability to fit like a glove and capture all the mud/sand is more than impressive. Made from a patented 3D-moulded rubber compound, these mats are designed to fit perfectly and capture everything, so they offer unparalleled protection and ease when cleaning the vehicle.

Every tradie knows how quickly you can trash new car carpets without a well designed and constructed car mat and these Truefit 3D Maxtrac Mats are some of the best we’ve used.

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Fridge

The days of carting the Esky to work with some lunch and a cold drink, and remembering to refreeze the ice packs for the following day, are thankfully long gone thanks to the Dometic CoolMatic CRX 50 we have fitted in the Triton.

With its stainless-steel effect front and generous 45 litres of cool storage, including an optional 4.4 litres of freezer space, this smart refrigerator is a gamechanger for hot work days and weekend getaways.

No matter where we are, we can keep the drinks cold and the milk fresh, and it’s all easy to access. Cold drink, anyone? This is the type of luxury that will greet the lucky tradie who buys the Triton when it goes to auction.

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Signal booster

When on the hunt for improved mobile reception in our Triton, Powertec guided us to the all-new Cel-Fi GO, a 5G roaming vehicle cellular mobile signal booster/repeater amplifier.

While this system won’t provide a signal when there isn’t one, it will boost the signal in those areas where you’re on the edge of reception and you would likely experience dropouts.

The all-new Cel-Fi GO will allow you to make calls, pick up messages and send/receive emails where you previously would have dramas, so it really adds to the effectiveness of a mobile office that most tradies are looking for in a work ute these days. Being able to get in contact with contractors, or message/email clients/workers/architects, is simply a game changer when in poor reception areas.

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Job done!

It’s been a slow but steady approach for our Triton build over the last 12 months and we’re extremely happy with how it has turned out.

Over the build period the Triton has covered less than 5000km running around for equipment fitting and photo shoots, so it is still virtually a brand new vehicle. Keep an eye out on 4X4 Australia’s next build for 2024 which is just around the corner.

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