Magazine

When you go four-wheel driving, you do it for recreation. And as much as I struggle to say this, I do it for work. Although many of my mates chip me, asking me: “Pat, when are you going on your next holiday?!” If only they knew. Yes, I still love it, but it is actually work. When you have a shower in your new shower tent, you don’t usually have to film it from multiple angles, then take still images, then worry about audio if a piece to camera is required, and then worry about what you might say about said shower tent. So yes, sometimes it is actually work.   So knowing this, having remote internet is pretty damn handy. Wanna check up on the spec of my new shower or tent that I’m presenting? Plug up the Starlink, and a few minutes later you’re online, with faster internet than I have at home. It’s fast, efficient, and saves printing loads of documents like the old days. We’ve also used Starlink to help diagnose and fix mechanical issues and book cars into workshops when we’re way out of cell phone range. And then there’s the ability to video family and friends on WhatsApp. It definitely has its perks.   Yet the downsides of Starlink are profound, and often hidden. The very…

There are a few hit list items that it seems like just about every 4X4 needs to have whether they’re gearing up for the Canning, or a summer of beach camping. Items like bull bars, driving lights, lift kits and mud terrain tyres are all obvious must haves. Things like awnings and roof top tents are other nice-to-haves, but a bit self-explanatory too. But when it comes to storage, most 4X4ers seem to be aware they should have it, but very few actually maximise them to their fullest potential. Packed right, and with the right checklist in them, a set of drawers in your 4X4 just might be the most essential upgrade you make. Here’s the kind of kit banging around in the Offroad Systems setup across the Mr 4X4 fleet.   SPARE PARTS & TOOLS: BETTER TO HAVE THEM AND NOT NEED THEM  This is one that’s changing over the years. The odds and ends required to keep the Leyland Brothers trundling through the Simpson Desert will look vastly different to the tools you need to keep a modern-day rig running. Sure, throw a spare belt and some hoses in the back if it makes you feel better. But silicone tape and a coke can will fix most issues no matter which hose blows. An OBD scanner is an absolute…

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…

In my mind, only three things are certain in life: death, taxes and that bitumen roads are bloody boring. So, tackling a trip like Brisbane to Sydney using as many dirt roads as possible is, in my mind, an absolute dream trip. And that might sound surprising, because it’s not K’gari, or the Canning, or, in fact any of the big-ticket items. It’s a gem, hidden in plain sight just waiting for adventurous wheelers to take it on, and the best bit? You’re in charge, you can choose where you want to point the bonnet. Unlike many other journeys, this one isn’t linear.   So, for our first bite-size chunk, we steered our way from North Stradbroke Island to Tenterfield. Partly by design, partly because Mother Nature in all her ferocity forced us that way due to fires. The real party piece of this leg is that it had something for 4X4er, mud, ruts, sand, corrugations and almost everything in between.  North Stradbroke Island  Cue what is possibly the only island I haven’t managed to find myself bogged up to the rear-view mirrors on. I can’t lie (I mean, you’ve all seen the show) that likely had a lot to do with the factory twin-locked Next-Gen Ford Ranger Raptor I was driving. North Stradbroke Island, or ‘Straddie’ as affectionately known by locals, isn’t just a haven for beachgoers and sun-seekers who missed all the ads…

In an age dominated by digital navigation, the art of reading a paper map may seem like a relic of the past. Yet, for 4X4ers mastering this skill is not just about tradition but also about safety, independence, and the thrill of exploration. Topographic maps, or topo maps, offer a wealth of information, depicting the beauty and challenges of the terrain ahead in a way no GPS can. Topographic maps are distinct from ordinary maps. They don’t just show roads and trails; they enable you to visualize three-dimensional terrain on a flat piece of paper. This is accomplished through contour lines, scale, and a legend that deciphers symbols and colours.  Map reading is an essential skill for safety and emergency planning. By understanding the terrain and features of your chosen area, you can identify potential hazards, such as steep cliffs, river crossings, or dense forests. This knowledge allows you to plan safer routes, avoid risks, and prepare for emergencies. Moreover, in situations where technology fails or GPS signals are lost, a paper map becomes an invaluable tool for finding your way back to safety. This guide aims to give you an intro to paper maps. How to read them, how to use them to work out where you are, and how to use them to plan a route understanding what…

400HP AND DESERT RACE SUSPENSION. WE PUT FORD’S NEW DO-IT-ALL OFF-ROAD WEAPON TO THE TEST  400hp in a ute. Bonkers, right? And it is bonkers, but in a good way. The last Gen Ranger Raptor was an excellent 4×4. In fact, one of, if not the best dual cabs on the market. The suspension, the interior, the drivetrain; it was all very good. The new version delivers twice as much, and then some. Sure, it’s more expensive. So is everything, right? But at least Ford is delivering huge additional value for the extra hit to the pocket. They’ve spent some serious time and money on this thing, and the end result is a truly special vehicle. One of those cars that puts a big cheesy grin on your face every time you drive it. Styling Objectively, there’s absolutely no faulting this car. Subjectively, however, the aesthetic of the Ranger Raptor might furrow some brows. While it’s all in keeping with Ford’s design language, it’s a big shift from the last model. Where the outgoing Ranger Raptor was beefy, the new version is imposing. The 50mm longer wheelbase and bulkier body shell combine for more of an F150 look than Ranger. The large C-clamp design headlights continue that F-truck theme. The huge F-O-R-D emblazoned grille is a bold statement, as is…

Australia’s move to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 means EVs are coming whether we like it or not. Could bio-fuels allow us to keep our current 4WDs for just a little longer? Let’s play a game, shall we? Put your hand up if you intend to purchase a new 4WD sometime over the next 10 years. Keep your hand up if you want to tow a big caravan with that new 4WD and perhaps travel around the country with it. OK. You guys and gals with your hands still up, keep reading because what I’m about to tell you may put a pretty sizable dent in your plans.  Consider for a moment that the Australian federal government has committed this country on the path to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. We could argue the merits of that decision until the cows come home but in reality, it is a moot point because, like it or not, it’s going to happen. At the very least, Australia has fallen into step with the rest of the developed world and that can only be a good thing.  What I do want to know now is how are we going to get there and what does it actually mean to the average person like you and I who enjoy getting out in this wide…