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October 2022

23 posts
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Big mods for the Big Lap

As we travel around this great country, we get the opportunity to meet other fellow travellers living on the road or doing the big lap. Almost all of them are doing it in a 4X4 of some sort, and many towing a camper trailer or large caravan. What amazes me is just how optioned up many of these 4X4s are. There’s the usual fare of bullbars, driving lights, suspension lifts, and rooftop tents. All great kit for a touring rig. But then there are those who fit every conceivable option and accessory available to them with barely a thought to whether or not they will actually use all this gear. What many fail to consider is that all this kit takes up valuable space and adds considerable weight to their 4X4s. So much so that they have barely enough room for the essentials and their vehicles are dangerously close to exceeding their weight limits. Doing the big lap around the country involves many hours of driving great distances in the heat and rough conditions of the outback. It places a great strain on both vehicles and occupants. To my way of thinking, if you want your vehicle to be reliable and safe, less is more. Here are 5 essential modifications that I believe you need to make to your 4WD…

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Spotlight on: Pat’s FX4 Max

How Pat turned something special, into something amazing While it’d be hard to find a downside with Pat’s line of work, it’s certainly easy to find more than a few upsides. Where people typically buy and build one 4X4 that’ll do them for most of their travels, Pat gets the unique opportunity to not only try out 2-3 new vehicles a year as his personal tourer and the camera cars, but also to try all the weird and wonderful aftermarket accessories available. If you’ve been eyeing off his latest chariot, a 2021 Ford Ranger in battleship grey, this is your chance to get a little up close and personal with it. Even before it left the factory, Pat’s new ride was something special. Dubbed FX4 Max, the Ranger slots in somewhere around the top of the line Wildtrak, with a little Raptor DNA thrown in for good measure. It rode both higher and smoother than stock thanks to factory fitted upgraded shocks. It also had a wider stance, bigger offset wheels, taller tyres, and sleek fender flares adding to the look. The inside was spiced up plenty too making it just as good to drive as it is to look at. Front and rear pews were wrapped in tough-as-nails leather, while a trick dash mounted switch panel was designed right…

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Pat’s thoughts on the Next-Gen Ranger

In a world seemingly screaming for new electric vehicles, the new Ford Ranger is an unusual rockstar. Powered purely by diesel engines, it has attracted popularity hitherto unseen in this nation. Before a single vehicle was shipped to an owner, 17,000 orders were placed. This unprecedented demand is anyone’s guess, but by my estimation it comes for three good reasons. The last model, particularly in its latest incarnation, was incredibly popular and packed with good tech. Always number one or two on the best sellers list, it was great to look at and feature-packed. The new model features an even bolder look, which quite obviously appeals to the Australian market. It’s no ugly duckling. There’s a bold and striking front end with C-clamp headlamps that give little doubt as to its family resemblance. If it was a child. You’d say it’s a chip off the old man’s block (the old man being an F-Truck). And Aussies do like a tough-looking ute. But the killer blow in the new Ford Ranger. And the reason for so many confident pre-orders is the new 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine. The previous gen 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel was no slouch, but in Australia, V6 means sales. And with 600Nm on tap, Australia, your prayers have been answered. The most popular model thus far, is the Wildtrak…

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From one extreme… the story of Cecil Madigan

Sure, he has an iconic track named after him, but Cecil Madigan was no one-trick pony! Any 4wder and tourer worth their salt has at least heard of the infamous Madigan Line in the north of the Simpson Desert. It is one of those last remaining tracks here in Australia where you can truly be isolated and forging your own path. Where when the wind blows you have to rely on your navigational skills as the track disappears before your very eyes. We suspect that’s exactly how Mr Madigan would like it, being an explorer at heart as he was. Born in Renmark in South Australia in 1889. Madigan was raised by his Mother after his Father passed away in the Kalgoorlie goldfields. The early loss never held him back, particularly when it came to academic endeavours. Madigan attended Adelaide High School and earned a Scholarship to continue his education at the University of Adelaide. There he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1910. He studied mining engineering and geology but also had a keen interest in meteorology. In 1911 Madigan had moved to England after winning a Rhodes scholarship. He had planned to study Meteorology, however, fate intervened. An Australian explorer by the name of (Sir) Douglas Mawson (you know, that bloke off the old $100 note) was…

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Uncharted alpine adventure

When one thinks of touring through the Australian Alps with the hopes of getting a little white stuff below the tyres, generally the Victorian High Country immediately springs to mind. You could be forgiven for defaulting to that stunning backdrop. Usually, the inspiration for trips like these are drawn from what you’d see plastered on the socials, Youtube, or the occasional magazine spread. These mediums can be a little counterproductive to the adventurous mindset. Stumbling upon unknown hidden gems by pure chance is half of the fun, half of the adventure. It’s with retaining that uncharted mindset that we ourselves were able to find some pockets of uninhabited splendour, deep in the New South Wales alpine regions. Snow-capped mountains, rivers lined with snow drenched gums, and the occasional slippery climb to sink the muddies into. Perfect. Our trip kicked off at the cosy town of Khancoban, at the pub to be precise as the fridges and pantry’s were stocked in advance and it was bang on beer o’clock. What better way to kick off an adventure than with a couple of cold ones! Soon enough, with itchy feet to hit the tracks, we packed up the pool cues and set off chasing that glorious golden hour light. Deep within the gorges weaving along the Alpine Way we were led by…

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