GALLERY: Readers' Rigs, Part 8

WELCOME to the eighth instalment of Readers’ Rigs. This time we’ve featured a 2007 Wrangler, a tinkered 2013 Triton, and an Amarok that’s decked out as the ultimate escape machine. We’ve even snuck in a 1992 Ford Maverick. Enjoy!

For more Readers’ Rigs check out: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7.

To get your pride and joy on these pages, take a snap of your 4x4 when it’s on the tracks and then post it on our Facebook page. Your rig might even get published in the mag one day and, if we really like it, perhaps you’ll even see it on the cover of 4X4 Australia!

2007 JEEP WRANGLER – JOHN BOWIE

WHAT IT’S GOT: Bought it new in 2007, and it’ll soon turn over 200K (which will be on a track). It’s got a three-inch lift; Fox twin shocks; dual-locked drawers and Engel with dual battery set-up in the back; winch; snorkel; quick disconnects on the sway-bar; removable fenders for the off-camber stuff; and the list goes on. I spend a lot of time in Brunswick, Harvey and Wellington, and I’m not afraid to tackle some very gnarly tracks. It has been the best 4WD I have ever owned in terms of sheer fun and versatility.

2013 MITSUBISHI TRITON – MIAO YU

WHAT IT’S GOT: I’ve had it two years. It’s got a two-inch suspension and two-inch body lift; 33-inch MT ATZ tyres; rear ELocker; front and rear winch; rock sliders; radio; LED lights; plus more. The best place I have been is Swan Gully 4WD Park, Queensland, where there is a lot of fun driving.

2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER – PAUL BAKER

WHAT IT’S GOT: It’s got pretty standard mods including a bar; winch; light bars front and back; snorkel; breathers; OME 50mm lift; awning; fishing rod storage; and a UHF. I stripped out the rear end and built partitions for storage and a fridge slide for a 65-litre Waeco. An Arkpak dual battery system is removable. I built it for chasing fish up the east coast. Took it to Cape York last November/December and I can’t fault it. Also took it off-road along the Wenlock River to remote billabongs.

1992 FORD MAVERICK – SIMON STEWART

WHAT IT’S GOT: I’ve owned the Maverick approximately three years now. It’s a seven-seat 1992 XL TD 4.2. It had one owner prior to me, and it was never taken off road. I purchased it fitted with the following: bullbar; sidesteps; 60-litre sub tank; Denco turbo; 2.5-inch exhaust; Safari snorkel; dual battery system; Koni shocks; Lovell springs; EGT gauge; and 242,000km on the clock. Mods since I’ve owned it: Department of the Interior roof console; GME TX 3500 UHF in the roof console; upgraded the dual battery system to an Intervolt 25Amp DC-DC charger; Duracell 92Ah auxiliary battery; ORS drawer system and cargo barrier; ROH Trak 2 16x8-inch neg-13 offset; BFGoodrich KO2 265/16; and a full fuel system service and tune by Berrima Diesel. I am away due to work a bit, so I haven’t put many kilometres on it. Runs have been to Watagans NP and around the Blue Mountains, and I’m planning a run to Fraser Island.

2014 VW AMAROK – BRENDAN COONAN

WHAT IT’S GOT: Purchased it new. It’s got an ARB bullbar; 50mm lift kit to the front; Smittybilt winch; TJM Snorkel; GME UHF; Rhino lining in the tub; custom tonneau; ERPS rust proofing; Engel dual battery system; Rhino roof rack system; and ARB high intensity lights. Best places I’ve taken it include North Point, Yellow Patch, Eastern Beach, Fraser Island, Straddie, Gordon Country, Carnarvon Gorge, Longreach, and the inner Western suburbs of Brisbane (school drop-offs). Photo taken on Northern Beach, Moreton Island.

2014 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT – CHRIS WOODROW

WHAT IT’S GOT: I bought it new in 2015 on a ripper deal, because it had one or two dents from hail. Mods include: bullbar and winch; snorkel; lift kit; AEV wheels; 33-inch MTs; LED light bars (50-inch on windscreen and 24-inch on bullbar); Mopar rock sliders; engine sump skid; AEV roof rack; and an awning. All the gear for a capable family touring set-up! I love going to Bribie Island with my wife and two-year-old son. These photos were taken at Swan Gully 4WD Park, which was the most challenging 4WDing I’ve ever done. There are so many places we are planning to go to as a family in this Jeep.

2002 NISSAN D22 NAVARA – SHANNON EVANS

WHAT IT’S GOT: I bought it brand new six years ago. It’s got a three-inch EFS lift kit with Cal Offroad upper/lower control arms. It’s running three light bars and Narva 225 spotlights. It’s also got a Beaudesert Exhaust system, a Piranha dual battery system, custom rear drawers, overhead roof console, in-dash DVD player, genuine Nissan bullbar and snorkel, Ironman 4x4 winch, and BFG KM2 265/75R16 mud terrains. I’ve probably forgotten a few things, but where you do stop with your 4WD? The best place I’ve taken it to would be all over the Victorian High Country to different huts. I’ve done the SA/Vic border track twice, and it has been to Bathurst five times. It has only got 106,000km on it, so there’s still plenty left in it.

1990 NISSAN GQ TD42 PATROL – PAUL CARRIGAN

WHAT IT’S GOT: Owned it since 1992. It’s got an Old Man Emu 50mm lift; GME UHF; DTS turbo; 4Terrain clutch; and a Redarc dual battery system. Best place I’ve taken is to the Old Telegraph Track. Second best is up Big Red.

2008 TOYOTA HILUX – WAYNE SINGLETON

WHAT IT’S GOT: I bought it two years ago and it came with the ARB bullbar. Since then I’ve added ARB brush bars and steps; wheels and mud tyres; canopy awning; roof racks; fridge; and a 140Ah battery in the rear with homemade storage. It was lifted, but I improved it with RidePro springs and shocks in the front, with extended ball joints and a diff drop. The rear is all Ironman 4x4. It has IPF 900d spotties, with a 22-inch light bar on the front and a 42-inch light bar on the roof rack. The roof rack also carries a shovel, high-lift jack, and a 12,000-pound winch with Dyneema rope. It has a rear bar to protect the tray, but no engine mods or lockers as yet. I love the Vic High Country and surrounds close to Melbourne.

2012 NISSAN NAVARA D22 – LUCY EATON

WHAT IT’S GOT: EGR blank; oil catch can; In-House Fabrication four-inch stainless snorkel and custom air box; front and rear diff breathers; trans and gearbox breathers; three-inch Raw 4x4 suspension lift; winch; spotlights; 32-inch tyres; extended rear shackles; custom rock sliders; custom rear tow bar with beaver panel, in-built reverse lights and an air hose attachment with on-board air compressor; 2.5-inch straight-through exhaust; Tradesman Racks with in-built LED strip lighting; 200 Series roof-top tent rack; side and rear awning; forward-facing 42-inch LED light bar with 2x6-inch LED light bars off the sides; GME antenna and UHF; and a Tigerz 11 roof-top tent. Frequent campsites are Main Beach on Stradbroke Island, Janowen Hills 4WD Park, The Springs 4WD Park, Swan Gully, Fraser Island, Moreton and Bribie.