Dual-cab ute accessories are big business in Australia with a majority of 4×4 ute owners looking to customise their ‘rig’ in some way and, while a number of manufacturers continue to add variants within their model families that bring a custom appearance, there’s still a significant audience that would prefer to start with a blank canvas and do the job themselves.
The Toyota HiLux Rogue and Ford Ranger Wildtrak X are examples of factory enhanced variants that roll a lot of kit into the retail price but, for those who want to create a ute that’s purpose-built and unique, there’s only one option – the accessories catalogue.
But with such a wide range of OEM customisation parts on offer, it can be hard to differentiate lifestyle luxuries from hardcore outback essentials – there are a number of different approaches.
For the tough-truck enthusiast looking to enhance the looks of a dual-cab, there’s no shortage of options on offer from sports bars and wheel-arch extensions, through wheel and tyre packages, to nudge bars and decal sets.
The same can be said for owners wanting to boost outright off-road ability with most manufacturers offering lift kits, winches and accessories, along with side bars and bash plates to name a handful of the many options available.
But for the owner that wants to upgrade a one-tonner’s touring versatility regardless of the distance and terrain that lies ahead, it can be harder to decide what’s an essential and what’s best left in the showroom window display.
Volkswagen has recently launched its second-generation Amarok into the Australian market and claims to offer the most comprehensive range of OEM accessories yet. Let’s see how it compares with Australia’s fan-favourite Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
Bull Bar
Unless you want travel time to be limited by the hours of daylight, a bull-bar or, perhaps more aptly named roo-bar is essential. That said, fender-bending wildlife can be active at all times and the protective extra is an absolute must-have if you’re heading into the wilderness.
All the mainstream manufacturers offer options ranging from the so-called nudge bar, which offers protection from very low-speed encounters with nature such as trees and rocks while off-roading, but for defence against large animals with zero road-safety sense and at highway speeds, the full-fat bar is the only option.
Toyota offers a wide range of OEM options including two versions of heavy duty steel in colour coordinated paint finishes or a lightweight alloy model in polished aluminium finish. Ford has two different steel options for light or heavy duty. At this stage, Volkswagen offers a basic plastic-covered nudge bar as well as a full steel bar developed in partnership with ARB.
Dual battery system
All three brands offer a dual battery system – a highly regarded upgrade by drivers in remote regions allowing a second battery to power electrical items in camp without compromising the main vehicle battery charge.
In all three cases, two models are offered allowing the second battery to be positioned under the bonnet or in the tray area depending on other equipment that may be required in the customisation.
It’s also common to fit an inverter and power management system to allow the powering of 240-volt equipment, which each manufacturer can offer either as part of the kit or separately.
Roof-top tent
While a number of options are available for all three models from independent suppliers, Volkswagen and Ford are currently the only ones to list a rooftop tent as part of the original equipment offering. Built in conjunction with ARB, the Amarok has the Esperence with room for two, while the Ranger gets the ARB Flinders which offers a little more space inside but lacks the more convenient hardshell packaging of the Esperence.
Canopy
For a more SUV-style convenience, each can have a rear canopy fitted, converting the tub area into a more voluminous and weatherproof load area.
All three offer a canopy option with choices of sliding side windows or hinged at the top although the Toyota version has the most options integrated into the canopy including security bars, mozzie mesh for the side windows and even a high-flow air vent to pressurise the interior and limit dust ingress.
Drawer system
Often regarded as the ultimate organisational tool for the 4×4 nomad, a drawer system allows the most efficient use of space in the back as well as further customisation options including the fitment of fridge and other galley equipment.
Ford and Volkswagen both offer identical off-the-shelf twin-drawer systems, while the Ranger has more options thanks to a second option – a modular system courtesy of ARB.
Toyota owners will have to look for aftermarket or bespoke builders for drawers, for now.
UHF radio
There’s really only one telecom service provider in Australia that can provide useful network coverage a significant distance outside main township and metropolises but, keep going and sooner or later you’re going to have zero bars.
That’s why many outback explorers rank a UHF radio as one of the absolute essentials. Not only will a radio allow communication with emergency services, you’ll also be able to stay in touch with other tourists within range, sharing information regarding changes of conditions, refuel locations and where the coldest beer can be found … for example.
Ford has partnered with Oricom to offer a factory backed UHF for Ranger customers, while Toyota offers a range of Uniden options. Volkswagen is yet to match the deal but we wouldn’t be surprised if GME was under consideration, completing the trio of Australia’s favourite radio manufacturers.
Amarok Accessory Field Test
As you can see from the list above, all three manufacturers have responded to the significant local accessory demand with extensive lists of official options, but Volkswagen is one of the few that designed some of its own in Australia for our unique conditions. On a recent outback expedition from Broken Hill to Birdsville, we had a chance to test a handful of the new Amarok’s original equipment accessories to see how they fare in the field.
First under the spotlight is the electrically powered tub roller cover which is convenient thanks to push-button and remote functioning and, as it’s one of the items designed by the local design team (as part of the overall Amarok project) the fit and aesthetic integration is second to none.
Also, after many thousands of kilometres in mud, rain and dust, the cover had stayed tightly sealed and had allowed no ingress of liquid or dust. The sealing face against the tailgate is tight, requiring a good shove of the rear door but the overall solid construction and design is hard to fault. It also robs little of the open area when fully unrolled which is a common criticism of roller covers.
If more storage volume is required, a canopy – also designed in Australia – can be fitted including choices of sliding or top-hinged side windows. We particularly liked the latter, which offers electric unlatching via a push-button switch hidden between the cab and canopy and prevents grubby hands when opening.
Care must be taken to not close the side windows onto soft and compressible items such as sleeping bags as the pressure caused the electric latches a little bother when trying to pop open.
A rear hinged window offers the same electrical opening and easy access without having to open the main tailgate although there’s no solution for keeping your hands clean when closing grubby windows. Amarok branding and paint-matched finishes complete the seamless, quality look.
Our test vehicle was also decked out with the OEM drawer system offering a pair of deep, full-length drawers with solid locking latches and heaps of space. Drawer units are available to fit trays with or without a bedliner and one of the drawers can be swapped out for a fridge slider.
The unit is high-quality in its construction and preserves enough space down either side to accommodate a number of 20-litre fuel cans, for example.
Finally, our model had been equipped with a two-person rooftop tent. The model has been designed in conjunction with ARB bringing the reputation of one of Australia’s favourite 4×4 accessory brands along with some excellent bespoke features.
When unfurled, the access ladder has been designed to allow both front and rear doors to open offering access to the cabin even when the tent is in use. Plus, LED lighting both inside the tent and underneath the awning is provided and is supplied with a cable to connect into the Amarok’s 12-volt power (either inside the cabin or tray area).
Thanks to the hard-shell design, the tent is fast to open up, taking about 10 minutes depending on how many windows are required, and has a fuel-saving aerodynamic profile when packed down.
Space inside the tent is generous, while there’s plenty of light and ventilation with windows on two sides, plus the entrance and a hatch on the ceiling. A firm but comfortable mattress completes the excellent accommodation. Roof bars are required separately for installation.
Need to tow a caravan? Both range-topping Panamericana and Aventura are fitted with a tow bar and electrics including electric brake controller as standard.
Keyword: These are the 4x4 accessories you need for a proper outback adventure in a 2023 Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger or VW Amarok