4X4 Archives

4X4

INEOS AsiaPac chief talks all thing Grenadier

26 June 2022 Robert Pepper

Development of the INEOS Grenadier is complete, and owners are being asked for deposits. So I thought it’d be a good time to talk to Justin Hocevar, INEOS’s AsiaPacific chief, about INEOS, the Grenadier and plans for Australia. Here’s the chapter list from the video: 00:00 introduction to Grenadier, Justin 03:15 Target market for INEOS […]

4X4

Offset and track myths

26 June 2022 Robert Pepper

Many people are going to change the wheels on their car either for performance or looks. Here’s some reasons: fitting of wider tyres (mostly a benefit to roadcars) lighter weight (e.g. forged vs cast) lower or higher profile; 4x4s typically go higher profile eg 17s over 20s looks cost – OEM wheels are really expensive […]

4X4

Fuso Canter 4×4 vs Ford Ranger

23 June 2022 Robert Pepper

Run out of space or payload on your 4×4 ute or wagon? How about a light truck? I took a test drive in “Wombat”, Getabout Training‘s Fuso Canter FGB71 4X4 which boasts a tray length of 3.4m vs the Ranger’s 1.8m, and a payload of around 2500kg compared to the Ranger’s 950kg. Sound good? It […]

4X4

Suzuki Australia refuses pre-rego GVM upgrades for Jimny

10 June 2022 Robert Pepper

Everyone’s short of payload these days as we’re taking more, and heavier gear on our touring trips. Once you start adding up the numbers it doesn’t take long before you’re at the limit of what the vehicle can carry, and for the tiny Suzuki Jimny that’s only around 340kg. Consider the weight of two people, […]

4X4

Toyota NZ’s fantastic ad is ruined by the usual ad agency mistakes…why don’t agencies ever learn?

30 May 2022 Robert Pepper

Toyota New Zealand have come up with a pretty cool advert for the Hilux. Have a watch: There is a lot to love about this ad. Firstly, the premise is real…so many times I’ve been out in the bush somewhere, and come face-to-face with someone I know, and had exactly that sort of driver-door-to-driver-door conversation […]

4X4

Starlink is now officially here for RVs, 4x4s and overlanders!

24 May 2022 Robert Pepper

Starlink is a very high speed, satellite Internet access system which works in many parts of the world, and will eventually offer worldwide coverage, similar to satphones. It was originally designed for fixed locations, but some early adopters like me travelled with it anyway, and simply changed the service address to our current location, even […]

4X4

Camping, 4×4 & Caravan Tips if you’re strength or height limited

19 May 2022 Robert Pepper

Any form of travelling requires more strength, agility and mobility than just staying home. Even bending down to the ground can be difficult for those who are aged or carry injuries. And not everyone is a strong, adult male – many are shorter and lack upper body strength. There’s so much in camping and vanning […]

4X4

INEOS release details of the service locations for the Grenadier in Australia and New Zealand: UPDATED 28/4/22

27 April 2022 Robert Pepper

One of the concerns 4×4 owners and operators have with any vehicle is service locations, particuarly in this modern age where you need more diagonistic equipment than a set of spanners. Many owners will buy Toyota “because you can get it serviced and fixed anywhere” – which isn’t entirely true as it’s doubtful remote stations […]

4X4

Is this photograph real, and why did you take it anyway?

21 April 2022 Robert Pepper

In the latest example of commenting based on flawed assumptions, I posted the image above and was told it was photoshopped from flat. It isn’t. Here’s the car earlier on the track: Nobody would suggest that photograph is modified. It does give an idea of the track, which is basically a U-shaped gully. If I’d […]

4X4

Why would you write that comment?

20 April 2022 Robert Pepper

When you’re offroading, you need gear that works and doesn’t break – in other words, quality. But not all gear is good quality, which leads to problems out in the bush. SoI posted this on my Facebook page. It shows some Maxtrax with some cheap copies. The cheapies are broken, shattered on first use. The […]

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