Readers' 4x4s: A well-prepped Everest, Land Cruisers, and a Defender

HERE’S are five reader-submitted 4x4s picks that was recently featured on the April issue of 4x4 Australia.

To get involved post a pic and a description of your rig on our special site here or post it to our Facebook page.

We feature a bunch of readers’ rigs in the magazine each month, where we award one lucky punter with a $200 voucher to spend at Piranha Off Road.

2015 FORD EVEREST: CHRIS NEWMAN
(4x4 Australia Readers' Rigs Winner of the Month)

It has all the usual touring bits: bullbar, sidesteps, roof racks and UHF. I’m looking forward to installing a long-range fuel tank soon, too.

We’ve taken it to Eldee Station, Gawler Ranges, Arkaroola, Murray Mouth and over to Melbourne to watch our beloved Adelaide Crows in last year’s AFL Grand Final. There’s a chance it was the first Everest up the Oodnadatta Track (July 2016?), so we’ll claim that title until someone else produces photo evidence.

Sorry Chris, we drove our Everest up the Oodnadatta Track in June 2016 on our way to the Finke Desert Race. Check the Sep ’16 issue for evidence – Ed.

2006 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER GXL 1HD-FTE: STEVE & BEC GUNSON

We’ve had it since new. It’s got two-inch OME suspension, with airbags inside rear springs to help with the weight when towing.

It also has a diff drop kit; chip; three-inch exhaust; larger cross-country intercooler; heavy-duty valve body and torque converter lock-up kit in tranny; snorkel; drawers; cargo barrier; fridge; Long Ranger fuel and water tank; Kaymar rear wheel carrier; full-length roof rack with Foxwing awning; GME CB radio; Alpine stereo with sub; reversing camera; ARB Deluxe winch bar and sidesteps; Warn winch with synthetic rope; dual-battery system; and front and rear ARB diff locks.

We’ve done the Canning Stock Route, Gibb River Road and many tracks around the Pilbara with our camper trailer in tow. It’s been a great wagon. We love it.

2010 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 4.5L DIESEL: CAMILLO LATHAM

It’s fitted with a two-inch lift, Polyair bags, 33-inch MT ATZ P3s, ARB bar, 12,000lb winch, 22-inch light bar, 9-inch LED spotlights, 270L fuel tank, rock sliders, underbody protection, 60L fridge, rock rack, two awnings, and 3-inch exhaust.

There are plenty more mods. I took it to the Vic High Country and did Blue Rag, Billy Goats and Davies High Plains, and then back across to Tom Groggin.

1997 NISSAN GQ PATROL: LUKE PALMER

It was a 2.8-litre diesel now it’s a 4.2-litre turbo-diesel. Kit: four-inch lift; Garret ‘Disco Potato’ turbo; 11mm fuel pump; top-mount intercooler; 20psi boost; PatrolDocta front and rear bars; rear quarter chop; rock sliders; F&R Harris hard case diff protectors; 100W HID spotties; F&R light bars; 35-inch tyres; four-inch stainless steel snorkel; drawers; fridge; oven; cargo barrier; front leather seats; awning; roof rack, and more.

1997 LAND ROVER DEFENDER 300TDI: DAVE DEPARES

I have owned it for 10 years, and it started life as a 1997 300TDI. It now has a legally-approved Holden EFI 355ci V8 and auto trans.

It has a Detroit locker rear Salisbury with McNamara heavy-duty rear axles. Suspension is a combination of OME rear coils, Kenworth truck rear shocks, front Raw springs and shocks, and extended brake lines.

Features include: 280L fuel capacity; 35-inch BFG MTs; custom front bar and 12,000lb winch; custom sliders and tray; 40L water tank; removable canopy with two fridges; triple-battery setup; Lightforce and Narva lights all converted to 55W HIDs; UHF; and more.

The most memorable trip would be Oodnadatta, Simpson, Hay River, then back through West McDonnell Ranges’ boggy hole and back to Adelaide.