Ute Gear: ARB fridge, ROH Wheels, and MSA storage drawer

In our How to build a ute guide, we delved into the numerous available aftermarket ute parts that you can fit to turn your run-of-the-mill ute into the perfect 4x4 rig.

While gears like fridges, storage drawers, and beadlock wheels might be expensive luxuries for a daily driver ute, it is essential additions for the more adventurous ute owners.

ARB Elements 60L Fridge

ARB’s 60-litre Elements weatherproof fridge-freezer features 304-grade stainless-steel construction, protective corner mouldings, electronic lock system (to keep beer-thieving mates out), gas struts, heavy-duty stainless-steel hinges, provision for a padlock and more.

It’s ideal for fitment in any 4x4, but especially in 4x4 ute trays where it can be locked down securely thanks to a tamper-proof mounting kit (there’s also a tie-down kit and fridge slide available).

A uniform temperature in-fridge is achieved via the full-height evaporator that adds surface area and thus improved efficiency. The control panel is weatherproof, with its touchpad easily accessed. The touchpad keys are backlit and the display also shows DC voltage supply for monitoring of power use.

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The front and rear handles are recessed, as are the AC and DC power sockets. Dimensions are 440mm (H), 820mm (D) and 490mm (W), and it weighs in at 31kg.

Website: www.arb.com.au

Reese tailgate pads

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A ute tray is tailor-made for lugging long loads and bikes. Finding a way to eliminate the potential for scratching or damaging the top lip of the tailgate is a priority – and we don’t mean by using a stop-gap solution. Reese tailgate pads are designed to protect your tailgate (and the load sitting on top of it) from dents, scratches, etc., while also ensuring the load doesn’t slide from side to side.

The pads are secured using straightforward strap/buckle attachments and are super-tough; 600-denier, heavy-duty weather-resistant fabric is used, in conjunction with an internal soft foam core, resulting in a protective layer between tailgate and load. There are additional top attachment points to eliminate movement. The pads are available in two sizes from Repco outlets.

RRP: from $50
Website: www.reeseproducts.com.au

ROH Beadlock

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A new addition to ROH’s Dakar Proven wheel’s range, the Beadlock, is a deep-dish, eight-spoke design, with bright CNC-milled key lines on the beefy matte-black spokes. Other design highlights include the 20 black anodised aluminium bolts that run along the matte-graphite outer beadlock rim. Add in the stainless-steel centre cap screws and you’ve got a visually appealing wheelset.

The Beadlock is available in two wheel sizes – 16x8 and 17x9 – and is available for a number of popular 4x4s such as the Hilux, Ranger, Colorado, Navara, BT-50 and Triton.

The Beadlock is, as you’d expect from ROH, built tough, too; the wheel’s ROH Easyclean’s matte-black baked enamel finish offers excellent durability and resistance to weathering and salt-spray. The wheelset’s high load rating means it is also a great choice for those looking at a GVM upgrade.

Website: www.roh.com.au

Terrain Tamer/R.M. Williams Ute bag

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One of Australia’s highly regarded off-road companies has joined forces with this country’s premier outback clothing and apparel brand to produce this tough 60-litre ute bag.

The team at Terrain Tamer used its extensive knowledge of what works and doesn’t when it comes to outback travel and combined that with R.M. Williams’ apparel expertise to ensure this bag – featuring robust leather straps, rugged poly/cotton canvas material, heavy-duty zip and a bombproof design – will be up for being thrown in the back of your 4x4 ute.

Large enough for a week away, the ute bag’s design means there’s next to nothing that can go wrong with it, so you can expect many years of worry-free, gear-carrying service.

Website: www.terraintamer.com

MSA 4X4 Explorer Storage Drawer system – Amarok TDV6

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MSA 4X4 has released a new Explorer Aluminium Storage Drawer system to suit the 2017-plus Amarok TDV6 that runs AdBlue. Believe it or not, the AdBlue addition to the ’Rok necessitates a tweak to the design and build of the drawer system to ensure it meets ADR compliance regulations for that particular model.

The 1350 double drawer system includes left and right drawer modules, L/R wing and fit kits, the double drawer join kit, double trim and the floor extension and, as expected, is built to MSA 4X4’s exacting standards to ensure optimum storage capability without compromising vehicle/occupant safety.

The MSA Explorer storage drawer system is light and strong (capable of holding up to 250kg of gear per pair), thanks to its aluminium construction, and it comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Website: www.msa4x4.com.au

Opposite Lock rear step towbar

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Oppy Lock’s premium steel rear step towbar range covers all the popular current-model 4x4 utes on the market – Ford Ranger, Holden Colorado, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara, Toyota Hilux and VW Amarok.

The heavy-duty tow hitch is rated specifically to each model’s towing capacity, and the 63mm steel tube and plate guard, designed for optimum departure angle, means the bar is super tough. The mounting points for both Anderson and trailer plugs are up high as well.

The bar is phosphate-cleaned and powdercoated black and includes an aluminium checkerplate step, plus high-lift jack mount points. The loop tube design offers ample protection for your rig’s rear end. The full kit includes rear step, towball-mounting hitch, rego plate light and rear sensors (where applicable).

Website: www.oppositelock.com.au