There is a lot of misinformation online about buying car stereo systems direct from the factory in China. Ok, if you’re buying a $100 stereo, then guess what, you might have issues, but buying a premium system for a fraction of the cost, that is entirely different
We just completed two weeks in Far North Queensland (FNQ) ending at Cape York. There is a lot of good information online, and most of what I watched from recent years is fairly accurate.
I have been thinking about this for years… what is the right option without screwing over the vehicle gearing! I finally got around to solving the wheels and tyres situation. I talked about this last
If you’re like us, we like to enjoy a nice shower where we aren’t water saving every drop, which is a big ask when camping. Well… not with the Joolca Shower Base and Pump unit.
Something I’ve had to do for a while, been a little lazy, was to get a transmission cooler into the Dmax for towing. Having had our camper for close to a year now, the transmission
Australia, everything snow is pretty much located within National Park, where you can’t have dogs – except for Dinner Plain. Dinner Plain is located on the edge of Alpine National Park, just 12kms South of
I had a guy ask me about solar because he didn’t understand how a 400W panel only had a 9A output. This is a valid question with a simple answer: the panels output current is
Our camper is equipped with 400Ah of lithium batteries, offering an array of outlets and options to utilise that power efficiently. My wife manages to keep all her essentials running while camping, just as she
Late in 2023, we picked up our Stockman Rover camper trailer. Loaded, it weighs 1,600kg. After driving just over 5,000kms during the 2023 Christmas holidays with the camper in tow, my opinion is that the
What a ripper of a spot Cameron Corner is! Not a whole lot to do, but it’s as scenic as a roo in a raincoat! It’s quiet, relaxing, and you can get completely shit faced
Aldi Mobile use the Telstra network, however, Aldi have decided to cut-off low data GPS and such use from their network SIM cards, as it seems there isn’t enough money it for them. Last year
I honestly can’t believe how good the ride is now I’ve installed the Superior Engineering remote res 2.0 full 2″ suspension lift to my 2021 Dmax. At $3,500, its a pretty decent bargain IMHO. I
I was looking at my Dmax today and got to thinking about the ride height, it looked and felt pretty low, and further was that I hit a lot of stuff underneath when off-roading in
I recently purchased a set of braided brake lines from an eBay listed seller called SafeBrake. Their reviews seem ok, yet my experience was far from it. My Dmax is a 2021 build, 4JJ3 4×4
Not many know about these, but Fiery Red Winches are made in the same factory as the Warn Evo winches. Fiery sell at $400 and Warn Evo sell at $1500. My brother uses the Fiery
After a good few years of research and looking through caravans and campers, we thought a caravan was the solution. But we quickly figured out that a caravan would be a burden to us, and
My niece introduced me to podcasts on a recent trip from Melbourne to Brisbane and back. She told me that my taste in country music was not up to par and that I should try
I love it when you buy from a company and they make it personal. They acknowledge a customer in a personal way, regardless how much you buy. Its the little things like this that leave
Youtube personalities hype the bullbar. Hell, they’re mostly sponsored by manufacturers to hype them. I knew adding 60+ kg to the front of my Dmax was not going to improve its handling, braking or fuel
I have an ARB dual compressor with pressure control system, retractable airline and sealed chuck. Everything I purchased was good quality, except for the chuck. I looked online, found a sealed chuck for about 10
When I purchased the Dmax I knew what would happen to the paint offroad. I asked my wife after bringing it home, “do you think I should invest first in a wrap / Rhinohide?” She
Changing your car windows to be automatic from the driver’s side, sounds good, right? In theory, the idea sounds great. One touch window up or down. Some fancy FOB combinations make windows perform set functions.
South Australia has amazing beaches for 4WD’ing. Just saying! Especially for the avid 4WD’ers located in Victoria. Driving to Queensland isn’t needed, with dune driving and some of the softest beaches you will ever drive,
I thought it would be easy to choose a rock slider. I wanted something to protect the sill from damage. What I discovered is that the majority of sliders are nothing more than steps. Great
We recently holidayed in the Strathbogie Ranges, North of Melbourne. I’d never spent much time around the area, most of which was the first time in many towns. I’ve driven past it all plenty of
Have you needed your footage for insurance? I have. I had a 1080P camera that could not clearly identify the license plate of the offending vehicle in a car park – slow-moving and stationary. Whilst
At the Melbourne 4×4 Show this year, I had a truly amazing conversation with a Mickey Thompson sales rep. I was honest with him that I’m most likely going with the Maxxis Razr MT, and
The rear diff lock electrical system is highly exposed on the new 2021 Dmax, which I assume will be the same on the BT-50. The diff lock electrical is all located on the forward facing
A divide exists whether a throttle controller is relevant, or just another nonsense item hyped by good marketing. Well, it certainly looks like that to me from watching YouTube and researching throttle controllers online. So
The majority of DCDC chargers powering additional batteries are using a wet start battery, meaning the nominal standalone voltage is around 12.8V. Manufacturers make products to suit the majority, and for the most part it
When I started researching for our future plans, after much thought and refinement towards what we really needed for our specific use purposes, we settled with the Patriot X3 as camper of choice. I’m really
When you buy the ARB dual air compressor it comes with a wiring harness suited for dual air lockers using a master switch. Great for the limited market who run dual air lockers, not the
Recommendations are not something I often give, but AUS4WD in Kilsyth have gone above and beyond to help me with a lost order within the f**k fight that is Australia Post. How a delivery company
Honestly, building a legal 4WD is tough when all the marketing and hype I’m exposed to highlights illegal modifications, but doesn’t say that in any fine print (paper or online). Learning the relevant laws in
Since I started my initial vehicle research two odd years ago, I’ve changed the rim and tyre selection many times. I had a basic understanding of the pro’s and con’s to changing wheel size from
The truth. Your stock standard 4WD from the showroom floor will get you most places in remote Australia today. No BS, that’s just the honest truth. The less you do to your 4WD the better
Mt Disappointment is a great place if you’re learning to 4WD or you don’t want to punish your 4WD too much. The majority of tracks suit stock vehicles and those that are lightly modified. There
I headed off for a day of driving medium tracks at Mt Disappointment, with the belief that NewTracs medium rating would more than likely be easy rating. I called it. Just saying! I drove Hills
After a painful turnaround on an excellent track that turned very difficult, I found a really lovely easy 2WD / 4WD track on the opposite road side that goes from Boola Camp around close to
This was my first venture from Narbethong near where we were staying, I decided to go out before the serious rain hit that day. I ended up in the rain by the time I hit
I drove this track at approximately 70% dry. It had been drizzling the past two days, with some sunny moments. There were a couple of parts where low range was required for the steepness, but
Track difficulty is something I was aware before starting to venture out into the forests, though not something that is easily obtained with any accuracy. There are apps that mark tracks as easy (circle), medium
An easy beginner track, when dry, that can be done in a stock 4wd (Difficult When Wet) for those wanting to learn 4wd’ing. My wife did this track in a stock Dmax with highway terrain
There is a lot going on in the roof rack space nowadays, especially since the great Rhino Rack debacle. Rhino Rack offroad load ratings are useless for anything considered useful, especially for the cost. Why
The X-Terrain comes standard with LED DRL / parker, low & high beam, fog, tail and stop lamps. The rest are incandescent lamps, which are just horrible compared to their LED counterparts. Just watch the
Why remove a perfectly good tub liner? Well, every millimeter matters in a tub with roller cover. Removing the liner added 90mm in length, 20-30mm between the arches and 20mm in height. You would think
A very simple modification, but one that lets me work under the bonnet without fighting around the original bonnet stand. I like working easily, and this simple, effective modification allows just that. The list is
My lovely wifes car found its friend. Finally! Took about five months all said and done, but its here. Our DMAX X-Terrain. Let the games begin
From where I started my research and initial thinking, to where I’m at today with time to think about what I thought I wanted vs. what I needed, are very different places. Oh, and bouncing
Often reading manufacturer directions, they direct people to run a ground from the battery terminal to the device. What does this really mean for you doing your own vehicle wiring? Additional Battery Ground When you
I participate in 4wd forums with recurring discussions from people believing they need to bypass their smart alternator to have a constant charge alternator so their battery fully charges, or their second battery charges, or
Our second car space is feeling empty. My lovely wife brought me an awesome Easter present, as I don’t do Easter eggs – new number plates for the Xterrain. We’re old enough not to buy
There is growing concern about Rhino-Rack platforms being unsuitable for load carrying. Besides the misinformation posted around the web on this subject at present, there is a problem, and that problem to me is that
The research I’ve done into vehicles over the past two years, the one thing I’ve never found is – you can never reach your legal GCM – and the answer is simple. Ball weight. Nobody
We started looking at caravans, complicating our 4WD build to be independent where a caravan couldn’t go. We shifted to a camper from ZoneRV, the Expedition 12, small, light, contains the basics, but still comes
Exactly the above picture, a plain white Dmax Xterrain on order from Isuzu Werribee, expected delivery August – September due to the backlog from all Covid issues created around the world, affecting workforce through to
This is the year to choose what 4wd will be our tourer. Right now… the 2021 Dmax is winning, either the LS-U or X-Terrain. What goes on sale, when, will be the deciding factor. I
Something I’ve researched for some months (me, hubby, as my wife is usually working) – a cost effective, capable 4WD that is reliable, comfortable and configurable for touring Australia. When I talk about touring Australia,
