Posts by author
MR4X4
Pat’s Weight Loss Story
Essential Gear For Remote Emergencies
How to Tackle Australia’s Most Remote Track – The Canning Stock Route
The One Accessory That Should Have Come Standard
Live the Outback Dream: Manage the Birdsville Tourist Park
How to Use Your Exitrax Like a Pro
Pressure Grows to Hold National Parks Accountable
Exploring Dirk Hartog Island: Pat Heads to a Remote Aussie Gem
Behind The Scenes – From Exmouth To Carnarvon
From Desert to Coastline: Pat Reaches the Pilbara
A Day In The Bush With Getabout
Pat Heads Deeper Down The Canning
Season 17 is Here! And it Kicks Off With A Bang
Government Red Tape Stops 4X4ers Getting Trained Up
How It Works – Adjustable Shocks
When it comes to off-roading, one of the most critical yet often overlooked components in a 4X4 is the shock absorber. While many enthusiasts focus on adding accessories like winches, bull bars, and rooftop tents, the role of the suspension system, particularly the shock absorbers, is crucial in ensuring a smooth, controlled ride. Adjustable shock absorbers provide a versatile solution that allows drivers to tailor their vehicle’s handling to suit different terrains and driving conditions. But how exactly do they work? The Basics of a Shock Absorber Before we get into how adjustability works, it’s important to have a fundamental understanding of what is actually happening inside a shock absorber when you hit that pothole. At its core, a shock absorber is designed to manage the suspension’s movement by controlling the rate at which the springs compress and rebound. Without shock absorbers, your 4X4 would bounce down the track like a pogo stick after every bump, making for a very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous ride. Inside a standard shock absorber, there’s a piston that moves up and down within a tube filled with oil. When your rig hits a bump, the suspension spring compresses and the shock absorbers piston is pushed into the oil-filled chamber. The movement of the piston forces the oil to pass through small valves in the…
Sunland Dashmats: Keep Your 4X4 Cool, Protected, and Looking Sharp
Experience a Snowy Mountain Adventure on YouTube!
The Big Bush Burger
When the wilderness calls and the campfire roars, there’s no better way to feed your adventurous spirit than with a hearty, flavour-packed burger. This isn’t just any burger; it’s a culinary masterpiece combining the rustic charm of campfire cooking with a touch of gourmet indulgence. Here’s how to bring the Ultimate Bourbon BBQ Burger to life, ensuring a memorable meal that might just be the highlight of your camping trip. Why This Burger is a Campfire Winner This burger is tailor-made for outdoor cooking, designed to be both a feast for the senses and a practical choice for campers. It features robust ingredients that travel well and pack a punch in terms of flavour. The addition of bourbon-infused BBQ sauce and crispy bacon ups the ante, creating a mouthwatering dish that’s perfect for those cool nights under the stars. Plus, the hearty assembly guarantees no one will walk away hungry. Shopping List You won’t need a stocked pantry to whip up this creation but there are a few key ingredients you’ll need in the Engel, here’s what to buy. – Minced meat (1kg, for 4-5 burgers) – Salt and pepper – Maple bacon (8-10 rashes) – Pickles and pickled jalapenos (1/2 cup each, diced) – White onion (1/2, finely chopped) – Beef jerky (125g, finely diced) – American-style burger cheese…
Come and say G’day at the Canberra Caravan Show
Levuka 4X4 Park Part 2 – the Bullant Track
(Off)Road Tested: WeatherTech Floor Mats
Exploring the Bunda Cliffs
Australia’s Favourite 4X4 Mag Hits Issue 066
Wet Season comes to the Kimberley
Chasing Hidden Waterfalls in Barrington Tops
The Unlikely 4X4 Accessory: How Polarised Sunglasses Can Improve Your Next Trip
Levuka 4X4 park is calling your name
The Sydney 4WD and Adventure Show is Back
What To Do This Summer On K’Gari
How To Winch With A Snatch Block
National 4×4 Outdoors Show Returns to Melbourne in 2024
Pat’s Favourite Campsite
Don’t Die In The Bush – How To Have Reliable Water
100 Years of History: Recaro Files for Bankruptcy
First-Timer’s Guide to the Canning Stock Route
Exploring Queensland’s Fraser Coast
From Pat’s Desk – Fresh Tracks
I recently attended the New York Auto Show. And in case you were wondering, this trip was personally funded (i.e. NOT paid for by any manufacturer). Here are some of my key takeaways. VERY FEW CAR COMPANIES ARE RUN BY ENTHUSIASTS I’m quite certain that many car companies, nay, most car companies, have had an identity crisis over the past decade. Do we build petrol? Diesel? Hybrid? Hydrogen? Electric? And in that massive state of flux and indecision, most seem to have fluffed their product lineup and created ostensibly boring, heartless vehicles. I mean, by their very nature, electric vehicles are essentially heartless, as they have no singular fuel-burning engine. Instead, they have four little motors wired up to a supercomputer. So for a car enthusiast, it’s hard to get properly excited. Then there’s the range anxiety in Australia, plus the inefficiency when towing or accessorising. One company noticeably bucked the ‘boring’ trend in The Big Apple. Ford. I know what you’re thinking - “Pat, you’re sponsored by the buggers, quit talkin’ nice about them” and truthfully, I did spend more time on their stand than any other. But man, talk about something for everybody. Let’s list a few notables. A Mach-E Rally car, available to buy from your dealer. Think Dakar 911, in an EV. Dirt road rubber, a slight lift…
Quick Tips for Better Winching
Should We Have to Pay to Access The Beach?
Spotlight on Len Beadell
In the vast landscapes of Australia, few names resonate with the spirit of exploration as profoundly as Len Beadell. Often dubbed the “last true Australian explorer,” Len’s contributions to mapping and road-building in remote Australia are unparalleled. His stories of ingenuity, perseverance, and raw Aussie grit continue to inspire adventurers and 4X4 enthusiasts alike. Early Life and World War II Service Born in 1923 in West Pennant Hills, New South Wales, Leonard Beadell’s affinity for the outdoors was evident early on. His surveyor father nurtured young Len’s fascination with the bush. But it was World War II that shaped his destiny. Serving as a surveyor and a reconnaissance officer, Len mastered the art of navigation, honing skills that would serve him well in later years. Post-war Australia was a time of exploration, ambition, and nation-building. The British and Australian governments, eager to test atomic weapons, set their sights on the vast, uninhabited expanses of the outback. But there was a hitch – how do you access such remote sites? Enter Len Beadell. Selected to scout test sites, Beadell faced the daunting task of surveying and building roads across some of Australia’s most inhospitable terrains. With a small team – the Gunbarrel Road Construction Party – and equipped with a grader, bulldozer, and supply trucks, Len embarked on an epic journey…
Should Tassie Stay Wild? Have Your Say.
The Ultimate Off-Road Pad Thai
Let’s be real for a minute here, the tracks we travel throughout this great country are only part of the appeal of touring. It’s the stunning landscapes, the time with good mates, those once-in-a-lifetime sunsets, and near the top of the list has to be good eats. Yep, campfire cooking is the perfect opportunity for 4X4ers to push their culinary skills to the limit. Sam West from Club 4×4 Insurance came along on a recent filming run, and while he’s a top bloke to have a yarn with, and even more of a whiz on the insurance front, when that man dons an apron he means business. Here’s the epic Pad Thai he knocked together for a slice of gourmet living in a million-star hotel. Ingredients: The Foundation of Flavour Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s gather our ingredients. This recipe is built around easy-to-find ingredients that pack a punch in terms of flavour: – Rice noodles, the backbone of this dish, provide a tender and satisfying texture. – Aromatic base ingredients: chilli (to taste), 4 cloves of garlic, and a tablespoon of finely chopped lemongrass, setting the stage for an unforgettable flavour profile. – Finely chopped shallots and coriander, adding a fresh and vibrant touch. – One chicken breast, sliced into thin strips, offering lean protein to…
4X4ers Lose Access To Seven Mile Beach
Is the F-150 Up to the Outback? Pat Heads to the Canning to Find Out
Alpine Tracks To Avoid This Winter
From truly isolated to tourist destination, how the Old Tele’ Track came to be
The Old Telegraph Track in Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia, holds a rich history that dates back to the early days in the region. This iconic track, formerly known as the Cape York Telegraph Line, played a crucial role in connecting Australia to the rest of the world and served as a lifeline for those living in Cape York. In this yarn, we’ll take a deep dive into the fascinating history of the Old Telegraph Track, exploring its construction, the challenges faced by early pioneers, and the legacy it has left behind. The construction of the Old Telegraph Track was part of a larger project known as the Overland Telegraph Line, which aimed to connect Brisbane with the northern outposts in the Cape, and then onto the rest of the world. Completed in 1887, the line stretched from Laura at the southern end of the Peninsula to Thursday Island. The northern section of the line, passing through the rugged terrain of Cape York Peninsula, presented significant challenges for the survey and construction teams. Led by John Bradfield, the initial surveying expedition commenced in 1883, becoming only the fourth overland expedition to Cape York Peninsula. The construction work itself involved clearing a corridor approximately forty meters wide, with galvanized iron poles manufactured specifically to support the telegraph line. These poles, along…