Custom Everest scales new heights

For hundreds of thousands of years, mankind has been pushing itself. We’re pushed to run faster, hike farther, climb higher. All in the pursuit of being the best. To do more. To be more.

It should come as no surprise then that when the manufacturer famous for taking on Ferrari and winning decided to take on the big dogs in the world of 4x4s, they’d come from nowhere and jumping right to the pointy end of the pack, the Everest has earned its name.

It should come as even less of a surprise that one Aussie decided he could climb a little higher. He could take what is inarguably already a fantastic 4x4 on and off the road, and make it more.

79

When Victorian native, Henk Piper, set about building up his 2018 Everest he wasted no time getting the altitude to match the attitude he had in mind.

The Everest Trend now rides 4.5 inches higher to the clouds, thanks to a combination of trick aftermarket gear. Up front, three-inch lifted struts are the order of the day, with Dobinson’s MRR units getting the tick of approval. The remote reservoir helps the Everest hold its own against corrugations, while the adjustable valving lets Henk dial in the ride for the load. Up the back, a matching set of MRR shocks are fitted up with three-inch lifted coils to suit.

Tucked inside are helper airbags, allowing the Everest to hone in its ride height no matter what gets thrown in the back for longer trips. The remaining lift comes from the upsized tyres. Rolling three-inch taller than the stock offering, Henk’s fitted up a set of aggressive 305/70R17 Maxxis RAZR muddies wrapped around steel wheels that can cope with all the punishment he throws its way. They’re kept reined in under the body with a huge set of Kut Snake flares, not something you see frequently on an Everest.

79

The rest of the Everest’s exterior has received a similar overhaul to match the look of the staunch new guards. Up front, Henk’s fitted up a Dobinson Classic Black Deluxe bullbar to armour up the front end. It houses a bunch of trick kit like the Stedi Type-X Pro LED driving lights, but those with a keen eye will spot something a whole lot more interesting tucked behind and half cut into the Raptor grille. Based on the Warn 8274 High Mount winch, Gigglepin’s GP25 is inarguably one of the best winches money can buy and something that’s dominated the off-road racing scene for years.

Right out of the box, the Gigglepin GP25 is improved on the traditional high-mount in every way. More powerful 6.8hp motor, hand-built lightweight alloy housing, upgraded gears, fully braced and fully submersible – you’d be hard-pressed to find a winch that could hold its own against it.

79

Of course, it’s not all just about the winch either. Moving back and Henk’s protected the Everest’s crunchy bits with a set of steel sliders along the flanks and bright red PS4X4 bash plates underneath. Up top, a Rhino platform rack sports a Stedi light bar up front, with perimeter lighting all ’round. They’re tucked in underneath the Road Runner Offroad awning and Kick Ass shower tent. To ensure he’s got shelter from those cold Victorian High Country nights, a lightweight hard-shell rooftop tent takes pride of place right up top.

Sourced from Wild Land, the Desert Cruiser tent sets up quick and easy, and houses a 300W solar set-up on its lid to keep the good times at camp rolling late into the night.

79

Moving to the inside and Henk’s taken that same more-is-more approach, with every possible surface tweaked, accessorised or modified. Starting from up front, he’s optioned up two GME UHFs with a combination of antennas for different terrain.

By running dual units, he’s able to have constant communication with his convoy, while keeping an ear out for oncoming traffic or outback truckers. Up on the A-pillar, dual Redarc gauges give him up-to-date readouts on boost levels, exhaust gas temperatures, battery levels and even the fridge temperature, so he knows the frosty ones are living up to their end of the bargain.

79

Making our way to the back and Henk’s fitted a custom cargo barrier to separate the crew compartment from the camping kit. Back here is where you’ll find everything needed to spend weeks on the road. The brains of the operation is the Redarc DCDC charger keeping twin 170amp/h batteries charged. There’s an MPPT solar regulator as well helping regulate the 300W coming in from the roof; while a 12V Travel Buddy oven does its best to knock down battery levels and offer up steaming hot pies in return. Finally, a Cel-Fi GO signal booster gives Henk a lifeline for proper remote touring.

Tucked in behind the wall of technology is a custom drawer set-up from Full Boar Fourbie Drawers. It houses the dual-zone fridge, a slide-out table, bulk storage, a 20L water tank and even a 9L on-board air set-up fed by an ARB Dual Piston air compressor.

79

Back outside and beneath the bonnet, Henk’s gone to town here as well. A Safari snorkel sucks clean air through a pre-filter before the 3.2L five-cylinder takes over. It’s been hot-rodded with a tune from BPT Motorsports and the whole affair is controlled by a windscreen-mounted controller, giving Henk all the data he could ever dream of. That unit also tidies up the six-speed auto’s shifts.

While the spanner roll was out, a handful of handy mods also got the nod. Under-bonnet LED lighting makes roadside oil checks easier, while a catch-can and diesel pre-filter ensure the Duratorq engine is fed a healthy diet. Under the bonnet and Henk’s also managed to cram in an air-horn set-up, upgraded diff breathers, and even a GPS tracker so he’ll always know where his pride and joy is.

Right out of the gate, the Everest is one of the most capable 4x4s in its class. Plenty of articulation from the solid rear end combines with smart tech, giving bulk traction. But Henk’s managed to build on that foundation and take things to a new level. There might be other Everests out on the tracks, but very few will hold a candle to this do-it-all rig.

79

Ford Duratorq engine

WITH more than 300,000 units on Aussie roads, Ford’s Duratorq engine has been a massive success. The combination of the naturally smooth nature of a five-cylinder compared to a four-cylinder, as well as the added displacement as one of the biggest engines in its class have the 3.2 Duratorq as a bit of an oddity in a world dominated by sub 3.0L four-cylinders. But that’s not the only weird thing. While mostly known for powering Rangers, Everests and even the occasional Transit van, they also power trains.

Linked together to push out up to 800 combined horsepower, the 3.2 Duratorq is used in the UK to power diesel-electric 230 Class trains at a hefty 20 to 30 tonnes apiece. TD42 Nissan owners might like to claim their diesels were designed for motoring mammoth forklifts around freight yards, but it’s hard to argue that lugging trains around the countryside isn’t more impressive.