Innehållsförteckning för April 2022 från NZ4WD

Looking past the 3pm clog outside flash schools, we all have our reasons for owning our beloved 4WDs, don’t we? There are ads on TV at the moment – unrelated to these vehicles – that challenge people to ‘find their why’. It’s obvious to me: on a personal level I learned to drive in a 4WD, I’ve been ‘4WDadjacent’ all my life, I’ve owned them and raced them. At various times a 4WD has been the answer to a variety of questions, a problem-solver, the only solution to a ‘need’. It’s also obvious that for all of us, there are as many reasons ‘why’ we own 4WDs as there are 4WDs on the market – used or new. Take a walk around any car park at any sporting event. How…

The Jeep flagship large SUV is about to elbow its way into a new part of the market. Coming this year is a seven-seat version of the Grand Cherokee, and New Zealand is likely to get it at the same time as Australia. The seven-seater SUV market has been heating up over the past couple of years, thanks to offerings from Ford, Toyota and even Hyundai and KIA. Now it’s Jeep’s turn to wow the big-family 4WD market as it celebrates its 80th year. Revealed in Australia last month, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is described by the company as an “entirely new premium three-row variant” and will be on sale mid-year (Covid willing). Offering a seven-seat configuration for the first time in its history, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L…

For most Kiwis, a six-wheeler off-road vehicle conjures images of the paddle-tyred plastic-bodied farm and paddock things beloved of duckshooters. A Mercedes G-Wagen is a reasonably familiar sight in our cities: boxy, upright, surprisingly quick. And then there’s this: the Brabus 6X6 G-Wagen. With portal axles, an AMG powertrain centred around a 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8, it has been designed for the dunes of the Arab states – and their budgets too. The Brabus version has been around for almost a decade, and started life with a price tag of around USD$500,000. Owned by an ‘undisclosed US enthusiast’, this restored 2014 truck has a meticulous maintenance history and is kitted out with the Brabus B63S-700 enhancement package. That involves bigger turbochargers, exhaust manifolds that a seagull could fly up, and Brabusspecified…

Traditionally, Independent Front Suspension systems have allowed only a small adjustment range for successful wheel alignment. This is particularly true of lifted vehicles, causing issues with camber, caster, ball joint articulation and clearance of the coil assembly. Terrain Tamer has recently released a range of upper control arms that which work to provide a solution for any IFS vehicle up to 70mm, correcting steering alignment by allowing greater clearance to the coil assembly and, thanks to its extended length, more articulation of the arm. The design of these arms delivers maximum shock absorber extension, allowing the shock to restrict full droop, effectively minimising any strain put on the ball joint when the vehicle is lifted. Other benefits include an increase in caster adjustment and negative camber, providing an improved turn-in…

Owners of new 4WDs expect a lot of their vehicles. They want massive spec, excellent tech, and a vehicle that will work hard all week, go out adventuring at the weekend and scrub up smart enough to go out to dinner in the evenings. In ‘olden times’, we just described a four-vehicle household. Now, though, it’s clear there are any number of ways to score all this and more in one vehicle. In late 2021, the New Zealand market was boosted by an unprecedented shipment of 5,000 Mitsubishi Triton utes. They came ashore just as supply-chain issues and the global shortages of silicon and other essential raw materials started to bite hardest. This helped to propel Mitsubishi into a sales lead and went some small way to easing the ‘FOMO’…

Pack it full of gear. Or kids. Add-in the dogs. Or garden stuff. Take Friday afternoon off and go to the snow, or the bach, or a sports weekend. The seven seat Toyota Highlander does what its owner requires in all conditions. To call these 4WDs ‘urban’ is not to diss them in any way. These are not ‘cross’ vehicles or even completely ‘shiny’. These are vehicles for all occasions and reasons, and as such they really sum up what 4WD SUVs mean to New Zealanders. The 2022 Highlander is a large SUV with its eye firmly fixed on the needs of Kiwi families. Neither a buyer’s first 4WD nor their last, it is a two-box, three-row vehicle with a massive variety of configurations to appeal to the widest possible…

Summer may be tailing off, the mornings are cooler but there are still some holiday weekends left before the winter arrives. With relatively stable weather many are still plotting a few final weekend adventures. But those who are towing might be advised to take a look around their gear before hitting the road. A moment examining the condition of wheels and tyres, a maintenance morning in the man-cave changing oils and filters, perhaps installing a throttle controller or upgrading the ECU to suit the torque demands of towing a decent payload. Take a look also at the tow vehicle’s ratings and its GVM rating in particular. Is it safe for the tow job planned? Are there upgrades that will give the vehicle a buffer against the demands of this work?…

Owners of four-wheel drive vehicles can always benefit from additional stopping power, whether towing, out on the tracks or for day-to-day driving. Bendix’s ‘Ultimate 4WD Brake Upgrade Kit’ is designed to deliver these performance gains, in an easy-to-install package. The comprehensive kit includes specially compounded high performance ceramic material brake pads for increased stopping power plus the latest Bendix Ultimate rotors, which are designed specifically for demanding conditions. The rotors are manufactured to the highest level based on OEM specifications, and incorporate high carbon metallurgy for increased braking performance. They also feature special diamond tip slots and a bi-directional pillar design, to efficiently expel gases, water, dust and grit. Together this provides the driver with absolute control when braking in extreme conditions with instant response and even friction. Measured against…

Most off-road drivers know about deflating their tyres for better off road grip and reinflating them when they hit the highway – but many aren’t aware of the difference that correct inflation pressures can make to on-road handling and performance. Assuming quality tyre design and manufacture, incorrect inflation is the most common cause of 4x4 tyre performance issues. Running overinflated tyres on the road will create handling and grip issues and can cause uneven tyre wear if the full tread section is not contacting the road. Likewise, under-inflation can also create issues with handling, acceleration, fuel economy, and uneven tyre wear. We recommend checking the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations – usually found in summary on the tyre placard and in more detail in the handbook – and discussing your setup with…

Hard on the heels of the Fellers family’s Pajero-based camp kitchen, contributor Richard Soult shares his tried and trusted outdoor cooking setup and a couple of recipe ideas. When we’re away doing the tracks, meeting people and getting to great places, one thing remains extremely important: food! I love overlanding as much as I do sailing. Having spent nearly 20 years living in France, I also love cooking and the conviviality of cooking for friends and sharing a meal together. It’s one of those really special interactions, particularly when you’re out somewhere truly remote where the fresh air and physical activity make everything you create taste great. What is better than enjoying a meal in stunning surroundings, discussing the day’s activities and what the forthcoming day will bring. So what…

“It’s not over till it’s over”: like so many people, Tony McCall has had a hammering over the past two years. The multiple New Zealand off-road racing champion was the driving force behind the 2021 stadium offroad racing events at Manukau in early 2021. Since that time, he – and the Counties Manukau club – have been striving to run televised high profile national championship events at the club’s international race track in Colin Dale Park. Like the rest of the event industry, lockdowns and traffic light restrictions have made it impossible to get these events across the line. “All high-profile events rely on being able to attract paying spectators. It’s basic to budgeting for what we need to provide – toilets, food vendors, commentary systems, marshalling all cost money.…

It’s everyone’s worst nightmare. As we venture off the road to new or favourite places, how many of us give a second thought to what we might do if we had a fire emergency? How many actually have a fire extinguisher aboard, and how many of us know for sure that it is good to go? Vehicle fires are scary – fast, hot, and filthy. Pretty much everything in a vehicle is fuel for a hungry flame and a lot of the plastics give off nasty gases when they burn. Having an extinguisher available is the only way to save that 4WD if there is a fire, and it’s not about those teeny 1kg things often on special in the local hardware store. In fact, anyone who has one of…

Driving off-road is not about just getting a 4WD, giving it a lift and fitting big tyres and away you go. There are skills and techniques to learn as well as where you can legally go and presently there are less and less public places and tracks open to us, and that has led to so many hitting the few beaches that still allow vehicle access. They are fun places until you get stuck. Things can quickly turn for the worse, especially if you are below the high tide mark. New Zealand has some very good beaches suitable for driving including the likes of 90 Mile Beach and the very popular Muriwai Beach (which is now under threat of closure) north of Auckland but you should also respect other beach…

Ford has revealed details of its most powerful Ranger – the ‘next-Gen’ Raptor. It switches to a petrol engine for the first time, a move that indicates Ford’s resolve to push the new vehicle in massive markets such as the USA, where diesel meets considerable consumer resistance. Using a twin turbo version of Ford’s EcoBoost 3.0-litre V6, the Raptor resets the performance benchmark for double cab utes, making up to 292kW (392hp) at 5650rpm and 583Nm of torque at 3500rpm – when fed with 98 octane fuel. Raptor is the first production ute to be sold with a factory anti-lag system. Available in the new Baja2 drive mode, the system keeps the turbochargers spinning for up to three seconds after the driver backs off the throttle, allowing for faster resumption…

It became a badly kept secret. A reveal of Ford’s new Everest is stirring media excitement across the globe – and in the process shedding light on the underpinnings of the range it is based on. Some context: the ‘T6.2’ Ranger kicks off with an EcoBlue 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 raising the stakes with 190kW and 600Nm. That engine is likely to come across also to Everest, sitting above the twin-turbo four-cylinder engine with 157kW and 500Nm. It’s bye-bye to the now-elderly 147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre five-cylinder unit which has been axed across all Ranger and Everest derivatives. Some will grieve for the five-cylinder workhorse – Ford signalled the move away from the ‘five when it launched the current Raptor with its bi-turbo 2.0-litre engine, and reckons the coming V6 is well-capable of…

Those of us fortunate enough to have a roof box to store gear has also strained to reach what’s in the roof box on a road trip. Especially on a 4WD with a lift kit. New to the Hulk 4X4 range is the HU2705 adjustable door step, allowing easy access to the roof of the vehicle. Taking just seconds to set up, the adjustable vehicle door step offers a long, extended platform, which fits both feet and is rated to carry a total of 180kg. Its scissor-lock system safely locks the door step in place while in use, with its two adjustable positions meaning that it will suit both front and rear doors. A must-have for every 4WD owner or outdoor adventurer, the Hulk 4X4 adjustable door step includes a…

There are so many vehicle safety standards around these days, it’s hard to decide which one’s most relevant. Beyond the Euro NCAP and ANCAP programmes and NZ’s own Rightcar aggregator there’s also the American NHTSA and the separate IIHS. Each has its own unique way of rating safety and manufacturers covet top ratings. They huge growth of onboard safety tech has largely happened because these programmes exist. Now, the IIHS goes a step further. It will evaluate safeguards in vehicle models that currently offer partial automation, just as their numbers and capabilities are expected to grow in the coming months and years. The institute says that such safeguards will receive one of four possible ratings: good, acceptable, marginal, or poor. “So far, even the most advanced systems require active supervision…

Let’s go. Post-lockdown – or the latest lockdown anyway – we are seeing massive interest in getting out to the wild places. Summer held on magnificently, and Kiwis responded the same way. So what did we learn out there? Did we tow our toys safely and with due care and consideration? If not, are there lessons we have learned? Of course we did. Just in case, though, let’s run through the basics. Having done the maintenance beforehand, the first thing to consider is having tools that are fit for purpose. Use a 4WD that is tow-rated with a safety envelope well above the weight of what is being towed. If that big Jayco is 1500kg, use a vehicle rated for 2500kg or more. Bear in mind that nobody ever went…

Wasn’t it great? Mud, sand, dirt, dust and more mud – what a summer. And that 4WD carried the crew through some epic adventures. Now it’s time for payback. Taking care of the truck pays dividends and means that next trip is just as epic. Servicing 4WDs can be more challenging than servicing standard vehicles – especially because so many of us prefer to do the work ourselves. For starters, clean the truck from end to end, top to bottom. The trick here is if using a pressure sprayer keep the pressure low and indirect, avoiding areas like brakes and bearings. Adventuring usually happens in groups both for companionship and for mutual safety in case recoveries are required. To get to an offroad destination there will be a convoy over…

With more and more people hitting the road for their holidays, free camping has becoming increasingly popular. It’s easy to see why: secluded campsites, no phone reception, and it doesn’t cost anything. But what is required in order to get the best out of free sites? One of the best upgrades to any free-camping 4WD is a dual battery system. Start batteries only have reserve capacity to power a few functions when the engine is off, so running 12V accessories directly from that battery can damage the battery and also increase the risk of getting stranded with no charge left. To enjoy the comforts provided by 12-volt lighting, refrigeration, and a constant charging source for electronics requires a second battery. The best form of auxiliary batteries are deep cycle lithium…

Let’s play drive system acronym bingo. The 4WD fraternity is all about petrol and diesel right now. Those, of course, are internal combustion engines or ICEs. But HEV, PHEV? BEV? FCEV? There are many different types of electric powertrains. Possibly far too many. The 4WD fraternity can already buy hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Witness Toyota’s RAV4 and Highlander SUVs, KIA’s Sorrento and a raft of others. But when it comes to larger, tougher 4WDs, in these confused months when people who should know better are making public statements about the imminent arrival of electric 4WDs from Rivian, Toyota and others, all we have seen so far are promises and in February a token 2WD EV ute. Eventually, these ‘right now’ energy systems will start…

In the opening months of 2022, as New Zealand prepared for the arrival of the Government’s Clean Car Standard and Clean Car Discount - AKA the ‘Ute Tax’ - social media was full of conflicting claim and counterclaim about how it would work. There were wild and dismal predictions about the future of fuels both here and globally. Disappointingly, many motorists were buying into a campaign of misinformation – or even disinformation – about what was going to happen and what it meant. Nature hates a vacuum, and for many motorists, the lack of credible information in an easily understood form was the worst vacuum of all. In an age of ‘alternative truth’ and fake news, it’s obvious to many that online channels can be used to distribute what amounts…

Dunedin offroad racer and rally driver Emma Gilmour has kicked off her Extreme E season on the podium and slapped down her World Rally Championship challenge with an entry for the Rally of New Zealand. In addition to her recently announced drive with McLaren Racing in the Extreme E offroad racing series, Gilmour is the first to commit to the 2022 Rally of New Zealand. The World Rally Championship will return to New Zealand for the 32nd time this year with the 11th round of the 2022 championship to be based in and around Auckland from 29 September to 2 October. One of New Zealand’s most talented rally drivers, Gilmour this year turns her hand to the high rofile Extreme E offroad racing series as the first female to compete…

After a false start that saw the Counties club’s opening round at Manukau canned by Covid, the Offroad Racing Association has revised the championship calendar to deliver a full six-plus-final national championship. We kick off with a short course round at Palmerston North (well Feilding actually) on April 23. That is of course ANZAC weekend, which makes it easy for racers to get to and from without having to take too much time off work. Nelson’s enduro round is three weeks later – probably enough time to fix minor damage, though anything needing parts from overseas puts the pressure on. Next we welcome back the Woodhill 100, which was canned last year amid Covid and other worries. It runs at Queen’s Birthday weekend. I’ve often made the trip north to…

A headline in a Bay of Plenty publication during late February identified a growing discomfort in many communities with the actions of some people and their vehicles… “Lake Rotomā 4WD behaviour still an issue”. A spokesperson for the Te Arawa Lakes Trust commented: “Changing the mindsets of those who have enjoyed 4WD and vehicle access to Lake Rotomā will be challenging and prohibiting 4WD and vehicle access is a temporary fix.” It was pleasing to note the reference to a ‘temporary fix’, however very often those temporary solutions evolve into long-term access closures. For four wheeling, we will need to think more long -term ourselves, to try to ensure that our activities are not seen as anti-social and environmentally untenable. Every time our recreation loses access to a piece of…

As this issue of NZ4WDreached deadline, an email from an unnamed source confirmed that New Zealand has just landed its first Hellcat-engined Ram TRX – all 702 bhp of it. Privately converted to right hand drive, the mighty beast will live on Auckland’s North Shore. The full-time 4WD Hellcat version of the Ram has been a source of considerable excitement among the Kiwi 4WD fraternity. Powered by an ‘adjusted’ version of the parent company’s supercharged 6.2-litre Hellcat engine, it puts out 523kW (702 horsepower) and a massive 881Nm (650lb-ft) of torque. In the USA, the TRX goes up against Ford’s F150 Raptor, pitting its supercharged V8 against the ‘blown’ V6 of the F150; Ford having confirmed the US market will see a V8 Raptor again in 2022 to even up…

It’s the long and short of the new Range Rover, and the 2022 range includes two seven-seater models and a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle for the first time. Land Rover New Zealand has confirmed pricing for a seven-model range that starts with the short wheelbase D300 at $209,000. The all-new Range Rover was unveiled in October 2021. Land Rover chief executive Steve Kenchington says within hours of the global reveal, the company’s retailer network had taken more than 60 pre-orders without final confirmation of pricing, arrival timing or model specifications. The presales represent a minimum purchase commitment of $12.5 million and marked a new local record. Mr Kenchington says the new model “solidifies the distinguished status of this vehicle with minimal yet refined physical upgrades and new advanced technology, capability,…

Straight out of the ‘what the heck is that?’ files – motorists plugging home over Auckland’s harbour bridge might never peer over the railings. Driving on auto-pilot, they miss a view of a very rare vehicle. If it drives like a duck, it must be what? By contrast, the many tourists returning to Rotorua can hardly miss seeing ducks, they trundle through the CBD. But to see these trucks – ducks – DUKWs, and to understand that their heritage goes back almost 80 years to the birth of real four-wheel-drives, is a special moment. Auckland’s ‘duck’ is a modern take on a very old design of amphibian vehicle, and runs on the Waitemata offering passengers a unique experience on and off the water. In Rotorua, it gets even more special.…

Getting power in remote places has always been a bit tricky. Even when solar became affordable and accessible to 4WD enthusiasts, the relative fragility of rigid solar panels made transporting them a challenge. Now, a new ultra-portable monocrystalline solar blanket offers portability and reliability. Redarc has launched a range of these units in 160, 240 and 300-watt power ratings. The 300-watt version is the highest-output the company has ever offered. Solar blankets offer flexibility, in every sense of the word. Placement, storage, easy orientation to sunlight – blankets can be draped on the roof of the 4WD, or the bonnet, hung from an awning or on a handy log or rock in the campsite area. They offer the best possible supply of free power from the sun and Redarc’s new…

A wide range of 4WD events are still being impacted by the Government’s Covid response. Though some are able to continue, and others managed to slot in their outings before the ‘traffic lights’ turned red, there are now a number that are being postponed or even cancelled. Safari and tag-along events are hit hard, because of the 100-person limit imposed under the red light; some sport events can go ahead; others can only go ahead without spectators. Check the calendar here, and if in doubt make direct contact with the event organisers. APRIL 9 NZFWDA National 4x4 Trial – Round 6 Hosted by South Waikato 4WD Club. Round 6 of the 4x4 National Trial 2021/2022 season. Fun day out for the whole family watching extreme 4WD competition vehicles go wheel…

It’s been quite a journey. Tauranga’s Aiden Richardson has ridden the crest of the Jimny cult wave, building ‘Lil Rig’ from a base road Jimny into an all-seasons, all reasons adventure wagon. It all started with a snorkel, but it was never going to end there. After the snorkel came strong and good-looking black steel wheels fitted with Maxxis A/T 225/70x15 tyres. Tauranga’s Wrap Dept put a black vinyl roof on the truck, and then Aiden added a roof tray, following that with a rear door ladder for improved access to gear stashed up top. Camping adventures called for an RMR awning and a tent, along with a cool shower tent that got tested out over the summer. Now it gets serious: rock sliders down each side provide a step-up…

When it comes to monitoring critical components during big heavy work like towing, drivers need plenty of information. Having to rely on warning lights often means the problem has already occurred by the time the driver reacts. Apart from (sometimes) a gauge for engine temperature, most vehicles offer very little information about the status of vital components until the situation is critical, which ultimately ends in an expensive trip to the mechanic. Early warning is essential, especially when a vehicle is doing heavy work or has been performance modifications. Aftermarket gauges offer more accurate information and provide early warning of issues that can prevent or minimise catastrophic failures. When it comes to battery voltages, additional gauges give insight into how the vehicle charging system is performing and the health of…

Oil is simply oil, isn’t it? Use it, change it, forget about it until next time. Well actually, no. TransDiesel is New Zealand’s leading supplier of construction equipment, diesel engines and transmissions to the heavy-machinery industry. Marketing manager Marc Warr says the company is doing its part to ensure users are as schooled-up as possible when it comes to choosing the right lubricant for their gear. That includes 4WD owners, who are invited to “Ask Rob”. “When it comes to oil, no one knows this stuff better than our technical support engineer, Rob Lundie. Rob has a new interactive online channel to provide education and insight, as well as address any sticky lubricant-related questions.” Q&A ‘Ask Rob’ Rob, why are you so passionate about oil and lubricants? From a young…

Paul Richards explored the Orari Gorge 4WD track – in between lockdowns – with High Country Journeys. The route starts at the end of Tripp Settlement Road, Geraldine and follows the Orari River up through the Orari Gorge and Blue Mountain Stations to come out on Lochaber Road on the way back to Fairlie. It is included in Mark Wilson’s book 4WD South (page 193) if you have this.  The first section is fairly straight forward as the track follows the Orari River until you get to Andrews Stream. The vehicle bridge over the gorge cut by Andrews Stream was washed out and has been replaced by a sturdy footbridge. Vehicles now have to go about a kilometre inland through Orari Gorge Station to get to a ford across Andrews…

For the third year in a row, David and May, with their travelling companions Ashley and Gillian, headed overseas to the South Island, this time to continue from where the left off last year. The plan this year was to head south from Picton, almost to Christchurch, and across Arthur’s Pass to Greymouth, which was as far south as we got last year when staying in Westport. From there we would head down to Jackson Bay and up the Jackson River, meaning that over the last three years we had reached every point on the West Coast that is accessible by public road. What we would do after that was still to be decided. However, plans are one thing, reality is another, and before even booking we learnt that our…

RFC Philippines kicked off the global RFC season in January from Mindanao, the second biggest largest island in the Philippines archipelago The event began with an urban launch event in Iligan City. The Philippines will run a series of RFC races across the three major island groups: Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon, aiming to attract more local teams. For this inaugural event, 27 teams made it to the starting line in the three categories: R1 (prototype), R2 (Modified) & R3 (Standard). The competitive sections started at Sikyop Ultimate Adventure camp (Rognogon). Some of the teams had travelled up to 1500km to compete. Organisers say the opening stages were varied, technical and challenging befitting a RFC race. The jungle terrain of Sikyop was a true rainforest environment and winching was the only…

After my recent column about nuts, bolts and fasteners a reader asked for ‘more’. So here’s a bit more, beginning with a reminder section. Threaded fasteners that we meet are mostly either metric or imperial. Imperial has been phased out for general use but are common on older vehicles. All mainstream is metric and has been for decades. Metric fasteners are described simply: ‘m6x50’, meaning m6 thread, 6mm diameter shank and 50mm from under the head to the end. Other likely options could include ‘fine’ to indicate a finer pitch thread, or for different strengths or head types. Imperials use ‘inch’, and fractions thereof for description: ‘1/4” x 2” Suffixed by BSW, BSF, UNC or UNF. Those British and American types were covered in the earlier article. Their coarse pitches…

So last month we laid it down: a north vs south challenge asking readers where the best trails and views are. The southern response has been quite strong, funnily enough. It might be obvious that places like ‘Central’ and the Maniototo presented visual symphonies of colour and light. After all, Jane Campion chose to shoot her award-winning movie Power of the Dog there; and . acclaimed artist Grahame Sydney has a lifelong love affair with the views and the quality of the light. A cool close second is this shot by Oliver Klotz of the Lees Valley, shot on one of his 4WD’s first ventures into the back-blocks. So North Island 4WDers, how about it? In the words of that Aussie tourism advert, “Where the [something something] are ya?” Up…