4x4 Magazine Australia

I’M BLOWN away at this time of the year when I look back over the custom-built 4x4 vehicles our readers have produced, and that we feature in the magazine. It seems that builders manage to turn it up a notch or two every year creating rigs with new ideas, innovative features and custom touches all designed to make their 4x4s better touring and off-road vehicles. It’s an interesting mix of vehicles we’ve selected for Custom 4x4 Of The Year in 2024. Older 4x4s are well represented and they have been modified, modernised and improved to ensure they’ll have decades of further use on the tracks. There’s a couple of 80 Series LandCruisers in the mix, a 105, a GU Patrol and even an old Jeep J20 ute. Engine conversions are popular to…

FORD has ripped the covers off the Everest Tremor, an adventure-bred 4x4 priced at $76,590 (MLP) and boasting upgraded suspension and tyres. The new Everest variant comes after the launch of the Ranger Tremor dual-cab ute that was launched earlier this year, and is tested in this issue. Much like the Ranger Tremor, the Everest Tremor has received a premium suspension set-up consisting of Bilstein position-sensitive dampers and new springs. Also identical to the Ranger Tremor, the Everest will ride on General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres. This suspension and tyre package combines to provide an additional 26mm of ground clearance compared to a stock Everest. The Everest Tremor is powered by the same 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine found in Sport and Platinum variants in the regular Everest line-up. That powertrain generates 184kW and…

THE Yukon will be squarely aimed at drivers wanting an unpretentious, capable and tech-filled wagon, and its 6.2-litre V8 is certain to appeal to those looking to tow across our great southern land. Set to arrive in 2025, the introduction of the GMC Yukon is the brand’s attempt to expand outside of North America, where the Yukon has seen success in Canada as the best-selling full-size SUV, snaring 38.4 per cent of the market there. This is on top of recent achievements, with the model seeing record sales in the first half of 2024, and its best June sales since 2005. As a result, GMC considers the time right to grow the brand and aims to introduce the large SUV to Australia, New Zealand and China. Riding on 24-inch wheels, GMC highlights that…

ALL THE LATEST 4X4 NEWS AND EVENTS Now is the time to get out and about to enjoy this great land and support the communities. Experienced adventurer Ron Moon has listed a few upcoming highlights, as well as essential track info. As always, check with event organisers before locking in your plans. CROC NUMBERS UP (NORTHERN AUSTRALIA) Croc sightings along WA’s north-west coast in 2024 alone are said to be greater than what was reported in the past decade. Right across the north, croc numbers have been increasing, and where they haven’t been seen for the past 100 years. And, sadly, attacks on humans have grown too. So take care around water when travelling up north – whether it’s fresh or salt! OYSTER & TIMBER FESTIVAL (NSW) Come along for the annual Karuah Oyster & Timber Festival…

Ford Australia has released another limited-edition Ranger variant, this time taking the Tremor nameplate from the USA F-150 range The 2024 Ranger Tremor utilises the same wheel, tyre and suspension package that was previously used in the Wildtrak X model from last year, but where the X was based on the top-of-the-range Wildtrak, the Tremor adapts the added hardware to the lower-spec Ranger Sport and, as a result, it is priced $4000 lower at $69,690 (+ORC). As was the case with Wildtrak X, the Tremor is powered exclusively by the 150kw-500Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine backed by a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time, dual-range 4x4 system. Also like the Wildtrak X, the Tremor’s suspension package includes Bilstein remote-reservoir position-sensitive dampers with upgraded springs, and rolls on a set of LT265/70R17 General…

IT’S a two-horse race in the mid-size 4x4 ute popularity contest with the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux duking it out for top honours over recent years, and the Blue Oval’s Ranger forging ahead these days. Behind Ranger and HiLux we’ve always had the other class stalwarts comprising the Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara, Isuzu D-MAX and even the sorely missed Holden Colorado. Mitsubishi always had a firm grip on the bronze medal position on the dais, selling its Triton ute in big numbers on the back of value for money pricing and longer than most warranty periods, but as the Triton aged and an all-new D-MAX came to market, the Isuzu soon overtook the Mitsubishi ute. Now the tables have turned and the Triton is the latest model in the segment while…