As a kid
During the 70s, my father worked for a high-profile auto-dealer and car racing family. It was the beginning of the 4WD recreation boom. Every day (seemingly) dad brought home different vehicles, from CJ Jeep Renegades and V8 Cherokees, Suzuki LJ80’s and Sierras, FJ series Landcruisers, Rovers, Patrols - whatever the dealership sold at the time.
Dad was also a regular contributor to the (then) popular 'Bushdriver' off-road magazine. Many a weekend was spent in search of suitable testing ground and dynamic photographic opportunities. My brother and I usually bounced around together on the back seat. This, combined with watching endless episodes of the ‘Leyland Brothers’, and my passion for all things 4WD began to evolve.
First 4WD
My first 4WD was a 1976 FJ55 I bought with my brother John. We got it off a clown at a circus - literally! (It was Perry Bros), although as it turned out, JB and I proved to be greater clowns.
The FJ55 was unregistered, and in order to get in on the road, it needed a major service, and well as rust removed.
We worked out that by the time we cut the rust out of it, we would have ourselves (like the old farmer’s joke) approximately five tyres left sitting in our driveway, so we moved the FJ on for parts to a happy buyer.
My first (road-registered) 4WD was a 1995 model Suzuki Sierra (the last of the leaf-sprung models). I bought it brand-new with borrowed money in my first year out of school. I was a first year apprentice then and also 'moonlighted' as a pizza delivery boy at night in order to keep it on the road.
The mods were limited to a set of 15X7” CSA alloy wheels, mounted to 30-inch Yokohama Super-Diggers. I had to trim the guards in order to fit them with the stock suspension. While the modifications were simple, the little Suzuki had a strong-shouldered look and (combined with the right attitude) took me pretty much anywhere I wanted to go.
Favourite 4WD?
I am driving it! It’s a 4-door JK Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. I love the Jeep’s practical size, comfort and off-road capability. The factory-fitted front and rear diff locks, combined with electronic remote-operated front sway-bar disconnect and super-low 4.10 gearing make the Jeep extremely difficult to get stuck or bogged. This one also has a high-articulating Rancho 4” short-arm suspension kit and 35” tyres mounted on 16x10 wheels.
Favourite specialised product?
Currently we are involved in providing suspension solutions for armoured vehicles in various parts of the world. Most of the vehicles are popular Australian-sold types (Hilux, Patrol and Landcruiser) but the application in terms of suspension is different compared to the normal touring vehicle.
I have enjoyed the challenge of “getting it right” and establishing good working relationships with conversion specialists and service companies.
The context of the work is also interesting. In the first decade of the “noughties”, war and terror around the world, plus the expansion of industry into countries with turbulent political environments, has seen demand for armour-protected passenger vehicles increase significantly.
This has brought many opportunists to the market, with not all firms being equal in their performance. There are plenty of small workshops and ex “chop-shops” grabbing the current opportunity. It’s like “pimp-my-ride” for some, rather than the business of saving lives.
Biggest "oops!" moment?
In the mid 90’s when I first began selling suspension, I supplied a pair of front shocks for a D21 Navara that I had “matched” from the almost identical D21 Pathfinder.
However, the Navara has a different upper wishbone, requiring the fitment of a smaller body shock. During my customer’s travel through central Queensland, he discovered this when the inside area of the wishbone jammed onto the shock body and fused.
Upon inspection (on the side of the road) my customer was bitten by a brown snake. While he was OK, he had a fair way to travel back for medical assistance.
Weeks after the experience, he rang our office to tell us about it. His main concern was if it would be alright to post the shocks back to us for a refund!
Fortunately, I have learnt a lot since then.
Best tips?
Know the inherent strengths and weaknesses of your 4WD type, before you spend money on accessories. Remember this before you buy your next 4WD too.
Some vehicles with independent front suspension really suffer from the fitment of the traditional steel bar, winch and dual-battery fit-up. It can make for a very demanding suspension application, particularly on corrugated roads.
Always try to keep weight (accessories and load) to a minimum. Always think safety. Ask yourself (or find out) if the modifications you plan to make will have some other effect on the vehicle that needs to be compensated for, or at least be taken into account.
From experience, higher-priced products provide the best value-for-money.
When making any type of product purchase, be certain about the features, benefits and responsibilities that come with fitting and using it.
Don’t spoil your time away with a highly-accessorised, yet under-serviced vehicle. Generally, vehicle reliability issues are the first consideration to ensure you have safe travels and a good time off-road.
Cheers, and thanks for reading.
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