Modern 4x4s are already super capable, so what modifications and accessories do you really need, and what can you do without? We asked Club 4X4 ambassador and Australian off-road icon, Pat Callinan, for the lowdown…
- 4×4 tyres, wheels, and suspension
- Protection
- Electrics
- Driveline and mechanical
- Storage
- Recovery gear
- 4×4 modifications and accessories to avoid
- Going too far
- Fitting cheap gear
- The wrong recovery gear
- Not upgrading the driver!
- 4×4 insurance that works
Modern 4x4s are incredibly capable straight from the showroom floor, yet there’s a huge aftermarket bursting with modifications and accessories.
For relative newcomers, picking accessories and mechanical upgrades for your 4×4 can be bewildering. When it comes to what you really need, and what you don’t, there’s no shortage of conflicting advice.
To cut through the noise, we’ve drawn on the expertise of off-road legend and Club 4X4 ambassador, Pat Callinan, to deliver the good oil on kitting out your rig.
“Weight is a big thing with 4x4s these days,” says Pat. “Ensure that you really need that accessory before you bolt it on, because choosing the entire catalogue could make your rig heavy, unreliable and potentially illegal.”
4×4 tyres, wheels, and suspension
Traction is paramount when off-road, and quality tyres and suspension pay big dividends. For general touring and exploration, decent all-terrain tyres offer good grip and durability while minimising road noise. All-terrain tyres have more open tread blocks that are less likely to get clogged with mud than standard highway tyres, while their generally tough sidewalls can help ward off staking punctures.
For mud, clay and other soft, sticky surfaces, mud-terrain tyres have a more open tread pattern again to help them self-clean and dig for traction. Mud-terrain tyres are about as durable as a 4×4 tyre gets, but they will be less comfortable, noisier and faster wearing than their all-terrain counterparts which, as their name suggests, perform better on most other dry terrain types.
As for wheels, factory alloys are pretty hardy things these days, but steel wheels are even tougher and can be more easily repaired if damaged, although this is far less of a risk than it was years ago, with the generally high quality of aftermarket rims.
Changing from factory rims can give more freedom in tyre size selection, but it’s important to select a rim wide enough to suit your desired tyre size. Eight or 9-inch rims are a pretty safe bet, providing they are the right offset to fit your vehicle.
Larger tyres are desirable when heading off-road to increase footprint by being both wider and taller, but for considerably taller tyres that also increase ground clearance, you’ll need what is commonly referred to as a ‘lift kit’ to make room for them.
Investing in decent off-road suspension and a road-legal lift kit can transform the way a 4×4 handles on- and off-road while adding extra load carrying capacity and durability for rough conditions. A typical 2-inch lift adds the extra ground clearance that can make all the difference on rocky or broken ground.
“Tyres and suspension really make the difference off-road,” says Pat. “With a slight suspension lift, you can carry a load better and get over obstacles easier. And all-terrain or mud-terrain tyres are built different, so are less likely to puncture owing to their robust construction.”
Protection
To protect your rig, a bullbar is a no-brainer, and also provides a platform for driving lights, CB antennas, and a winch. Scrub bars offer additional protection for side panels in tight confines, while aftermarket skid plates and other underbody protection are usually far tougher than standard plates, protecting your rig from underbody impacts.
Steel rear bumpers can also be a good idea for protection on steep climbs with some relocating the tow hitch receiver for better ground clearance, while others add mounting options for spare tyres, jerry cans and other gear.
Electrics
Modern LED driving lights and auxiliary light bars can turn night into day, reducing your chance of striking an animal or other road hazard.
An auxiliary battery, meanwhile, gives you 12V power on the go – some 4x4s have dedicated space in the engine bay, while others (many utes) require a custom set-up in the second row or tub. You’ll want a battery management system too and it could be worth considering solar blankets or panels, or a generator, to keep things charged if you’ll be setting up for a couple of days.
With a well-designed 12V system you can have power outlets in convenient locations around your 4×4, with cigarette lighter or USB ports being fine for smaller electronics but Anderson plugs and 240V invertors recommended for gear that sucks a bit of juice.
And don’t forget communications: an in-car UHF radio, an EPIRB (emergency locating beacon) for the glovebox, and – when really remote – a satellite phone (hire one to save some bucks).
“If your funds can manage it, lithium batteries are just brilliant,” says Pat. “Sure, they cost more than the old-style batteries but, in my experience, they last up to eight times longer. So, if you’re in this game for a while, they’re worth their (lighter) weight.”
Driveline and mechanical
If your vehicle doesn’t already have a differential lock (or ‘locker’), an aftermarket rear or front diff lock can get you out of an otherwise sticky situation. A cross-axle diff lock essentially ensures both wheels turn at the same rate, rather than the differential feeding its drive to the wheel with the path of least resistance, which can stop a 4×4 in its tracks when it lifts a wheel or unloads it in uneven terrain.
Front and rear diff locks are cross-axle diff locks that effectively lock their respective wheels together, while a centre diff lock splits the drive evenly between the front and rear axles.
Avoid costly engine damage from dodgy fuel with an aftermarket fuel filter, and fit a snorkel if water crossings are on the agenda. For diesel engines, an aftermarket ‘catch can’ is a good idea too, to catch the oil and fuel vapour that an engine breathes out rather than pumping it back into the engine’s intake and gunking things up.
“Good aftermarket filters can be 50 per cent more efficient at stopping gunk in your engine,” says Pat. “They often use better materials and have rubber seals, so don’t be shy to buy quality aftermarket if you want longevity.”
Storage
All that camping, adventure or work gear adds weight, so you’ll want to pack smart.
For utes, a canopy boosts your tray’s effective load space and adds security, while for wagons a cargo barrier protects occupants from projectiles in the event of an accident.
A roof platform adds further flexibility but pay heed to your vehicle’s maximum roof load rating and allow for the extra travel height. Custom drawers give dedicated storage and easy access to things like tools, spares, and recovery gear, but different models may or may not work with a cargo barrier.
Regardless of how you store it, it’s best to keep the heaviest items as low as possible, especially with roof racks as too much weight up top can cause body roll that’s unnerving at best and risks a rollover at worst.
“Is a 4×4 even a 4×4 without a roof rack?” asks Pat. “If you’re into touring sans trailer, you’ll be hard pressed to fit all your kit on the inside.”
Recovery gear
When you’re properly stuck, good recovery gear is a must. Ensure your vehicle has proper load-rated recovery points front and rear, not just the factory tow hooks. You’ll also need to carry D-shackles or the more modern soft shackles that can withstand the exceptional force of yanking the maximum travel weight of your vehicle out of a bog hole.
Speaking of, you’ll need a snatch strap or tow rope, or a winch if you won’t have a mate with you to pull you out. Add to that recovery tracks, a long-handled shovel, and all your tyre repair gear (including a 12V air compressor).
4×4 modifications and accessories to avoid
While all of the above points have the potential to turn your once-standard 4×4 into the ultimate getaway machine, there are also some traps for new players that may derail your adventures from the outset.
“I try to avoid heavy things like cast- iron fire pits,” says Pat. “While they’re great once they’re going, they add weight and can be difficult to set up. Also, avoid massive suspension lifts. While they look great, they’re usually less reliable and not really required for anything but hardcore rock crawling.”
Here are some further tips to smooth the journey…
Going too far
With so much gear vying for your attention (and your cash), there’s a real risk of getting swept up in purchasing fever and buying every accessory under the sun. The end result? You risk overloading your vehicle, seriously hampering its performance and dynamics, and potentially breaking components that were never designed to handle that sort of weight.
While budget will be the limiting factor for most, the standard mantra remains – resist temptation and only fit gear that suits your usage.
Fitting cheap gear
The allure of cheap equipment is fraught with peril, and while it will often do the job for those who do a trip or two every now and then, high-quality 4×4 gear can last you a lifetime. Off-road conditions and road corrugations push gear to the limit – and sometimes beyond, usually when you’re hundreds of kilometres from help. The solution? Spend the extra on quality gear that won’t let you down.
The wrong recovery gear
Carry the right recovery gear and know how to use it. This is especially true when it comes to winch recoveries – use gloves, tree protectors, damper bags, and know how to use the winch and things like snatch blocks safely. In a similar vein, before you go buying a high-lift jack, ensure your vehicle has appropriate jacking points to suit – not all 4x4s do.
“If you’re just starting out, I advocate that you get out with whatever you can, even if it is cheap and nasty,” says Pat. “You’ll soon work out what fails and what works. But don’t skimp on recovery gear – the cheap stuff can be downright dangerous.”
Not upgrading the driver!
If you’re new to off-roading, perhaps the best investment you can make is in yourself. Do an off-road driver training course, and preferably one that also covers proper vehicle recovery techniques. It can pay off in more ways than one (see below).
“I’d recommend enrolling in a 4×4 course,” says Pat. “People will happily spend $50,000 on a 4×4, but often neglect to spend $500 learning how to use it. It’s money well spent in my books.”
4×4 insurance that works
Accessories and modifications can be expensive, and many insurance policies do not cover you for the cost.
This is where Club 4X4 comes in. Created by 4×4 enthusiasts for 4×4 enthusiasts, Club 4X4’s insurance offers not only an agreed or market value for your base vehicle, but an agreed value for all of your modifications and accessories too – including the labour costs involved in carrying out the work. This ensures your rig’s true value is reflected on your policy – an area where mainstream insurers often fall short.
Each Club 4X4 policy includes $2000-worth of cover for personal effects (excluding laptops and cameras), with the option to upgrade to $5000 or $10,000. This covers your gear Australia-wide, even if you’re carrying the specified item in another vehicle (like taking your portable fridge along in a mate’s car, for example).
Add in insurance cover that goes with you wherever you can legally drive a 4×4 in Australia, and the reassurance of off-road recovery cover, and Club 4X4 gives 4×4 owners and enthusiasts the cover they deserve to focus on the adventure ahead.
There is even a premium discount for policy holders who complete an approved off-road driver training course!
So, before you buy or modify your 4×4, renew your existing insurance, or head off on your next adventure, visit the Club 4X4 website at club4X4.com.au or call 1300 296 296 to speak to one Club 4X4’s insurance experts today.
Club 4X4 Pty Ltd (Club 4X4), AR 1235616 of Lifestyle Insurance Group Pty Ltd (Lifestyle) AFSL 246937, distributes this insurance as an agent of The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd AFSL 241436 (Hollard), the product issuer. Hollard pays Lifestyle a commission on sold policies which is a percentage of your premium. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the PDS and TMD available at club4X4.com.au to decide if the product is right for you. T&Cs, limits, exclusions and excesses apply. Visit club4x4.com.au for more information.
Keyword: Do’s and don’ts for modifying your 4x4