Table of contents for February 2023 in NZ4WD

Hi. Just submitting this photo as so happy with the new Toyota Land Cruiser 300. Just pushing the new Land Cruiser into service on earthworks and construction sites in Auckland. Of course had to give it a bit of customisation with a set of AXR 20 x 9 Guardian wheels shoed with 275/5SR20 Maxxis AT811 RAXR tyres and STEDI Type X Pro Lights. New accessories and extras are difficult to match up as the 300 is so new. Also a lot more electronic bells and whistles to get used to. A bit of a departure from being just your basic workhorse. Great addition to the fleet. Please let me know if photo is not suitable. Took it on its first venture on-site. A bit gloomy but depicts Auckland this spring.…

The Next-Generation Ranger Raptor is not only built to dominate the deserts and master the mountains, but thanks to the 3.0L twin-turbo V6 model's new active valve twin exhaust system and four drive modes – including Quiet mode for early morning starts – it's designed to keep the peace around town, too. The system is designed to control the noise emitted from the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor's powerful 292kW 3.0L twin-turbo V6 via an active exhaust system that opens valves – much like a saxophone or a large pipe organ – to allow the driver to change the sound of their Raptor based on their mood. The system can be controlled by the driver based on their preference using the ‘Exhaust Mode’ button, or automatically according to the drive mode they've…

NEWS Next-Generation Ford Ranger is very versatile and it's about to make carrying longer items much easier. Whether it's a ladder, timber, a door, canoe, surfboards or bicycles. Ford's unique Sliding Load Rack and Folding Roof Rack allow owners to load items spanning the length of the roof and load box. Together they're known as the Flexible Rack System (FRS) 1. Developed by a team of Ford Australia Special Vehicle Engineers in collaboration with JAC Products, and with patents pending on the design, the Sliding Load Rack can be operated by just one person. It slides within a C-shaped channel mounted to the top of the load box sidewalls and can be locked in five different positions allowing for the secure support of different length items. A pop-up crossbar increases…

Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid and serves several important purposes within modern braking systems. Its main task is to transfer force — when the brake pedal is pressed, it activates the brake master cylinder which pushes pressurised brake fluid through the brake lines and ultimately to the brake calipers which apply pad pressure to the disc brake rotors. Brake fluid is non compressible, ensuring that the pressure that's applied at the pedal is maintained to deliver the necessary braking force to safely bring a vehicle to a standstill. A secondary purpose of brake fluid is to lubricate all the moving parts within the braking system, helping to protect it against rust and other corrosion. It also helps dissipate heat within the system, leading to reliable and predictable…

When you have such a critical component as tyres, asking them to perform multiple primary roles is demanding compromise. Every tyre manufacturer knows this and every tyre manufacturer does its best to ensure compromises are kept to a minimum – some manufacturers are more successful at this than others. One such is Michelin, a tyre company which identifies 10 core elements for its total performance tyre range. These core elements are crucial when it comes to the development of any given tyre series as they form the pillars which Michelin's engineers build on to enhance and improve that tyre series. We are seeing how this works with the LTX All Terrain tyre which moves from the LTX Force to the new LTX Trail. As the name implies, the LTX Trail…

Adventure NZ I had a project come in to check some Wireless Internet sites in the Manawatu around Kimbolton and Whanganui. About the same time, I also received a flyer from a great mate Cameron Craigie from Christchurch, inviting me to attend a gathering of the (Land Rover Series 1) Clan at a north Canterbury ‘High Country’ sheep station up the Waitohi River in the Hurunui district south of Hanmer Springs – well, it would be just rude not to. I contacted the Network Operators and asked if the inspection could be pushed out by a week and suddenly the planets aligned and I set off on an eight-day adventure loaded with test gear, flash gear, old gear and camping gear. Based in Palmy, the testing went well. One of…

4WD Sport Ford announced today that a NextGeneration Ranger Raptor will be its latest off-roading vehicle to tackle the SCORE International Baja 1000 – one of the toughest off-road races in the world. The Ranger Raptor will be racing on a low-carbon biofuel, demonstrating the potential of these fuels in the most demanding environments. Ford Performance worked with Australia's Kelly Racing to build the Baja-ready Ranger Raptor and US-based Lovell Racing to develop and race the truck at Baja, which begins on Nov. 18. Lovell Racing, led by multi-time off-road champion and Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Famer Brad Lovell, is one of Ford Performance's key off-road teams. Ranger has long been a global icon for Ford and this vehicle was built and tested in Australia before being brought over to…

COLUMN With not much happening locally over summer, I started thinking about some of our offshore racers, “the Kiwis who flew”. We all know, of course, about mega-stars like Rod Millen and his family, who carved huge careers in the USA. But there are many more Kiwis partly or totally doing their racing overseas. Richard Crabb, John Morgan, Raana Horan all race in Australia. And I am regularly in touch with people like this guy: Phil (LP) Casey, who is living the racer's dream in America. He runs a Trophy Truck and has raced the SNORE, SCORE, Best in the Desert series and more. He has been racing for 11 years and says the pure challenge of extreme races like the classic Baja enduros drew him to the sport. “Baja…

Custom designed and engineered to explore an efficient battery-electric propulsion system for classic Jeep models, the Jeep CJ Surge electromod concept allows Mopar designers and engineers to gain a better understanding of potential battery-electric vehicle (BEV) parts kit applications. A true Jeep 4x4, the CJ Surge concept is powered by a custom propulsion system. Under the hood, a scalable 400-volt, 200-kW Electric Drive Module mounts to the frame with custom-designed solid motor mounts. Power to all four wheels is supplied by 24 lithium-ion battery modules and torque runs through a two-speed Jeep transfer case with selectable gearing. Battery modules are enclosed in a custom shell mounted in the rear of the passenger cabin. Riding high on 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires paired with a 2-inch lift kit, the stunning Copper Canyon…

In terms of total right-hand drive RAM trucks produced for the Australian and New Zealand markets at the end of September 2022,18,019 vehicles have been remanufactured at MMF, confirming RAM Trucks Australia's unrivalled market leadership of full-size pickup trucks in this country. To celebrate this milestone, Bob Graczyk, Head of RAM International, visited Melbourne recently to see the significantly expanded production facility which now boats three dedicated production lines running 24 hours per day. “With the expansion of our plant this growth will continue. It's incredible what the team has done at RAM Trucks Australia, Ateco Group and MMF. Outside of the US, we sell more full-size pickup trucks than Ford and GM combined, and Australia representing a market share of more than 70 percent, is a big contributor of…

It was all a bit weird, the usual accessories for Fieldays are gum boots, raincoat and a beanie. This year it was sunblock, a tee shirt and a sunhat! Due to the trials and tribulations of Covid, Fieldays was postponed from its usual June slot to the end of November. This was always going to be challenging for several reasons. Firstly, the local dairy farming community has their off (dry) season in June but are flat out in November with miking and sileage making. For many farming-related businesses June is also the slow season, making staffing a site at Fieldays easier then. Crowds were definitely less and the usual traffic snarls largely absent, along with a smaller number of exhibitors and smaller stands for some that still came. In this…

Products The Oztent RS-2 double swag is the only two-person swag that can be set up and packed down in less than 30 seconds. This is achieved by using Oztent's innovative 30-second frame. Made of strong, high-quality aluminium, this frame is also very durable and stable. This means that not only will it be the first swag set up at any location, but it will also be the last one standing should the weather turn wild. Another advantage of this frame is that it allows Oztent to create a swag large enough for two people to sit up in and move about easily. Beyond its frame, its overall fabrication has been developed to endure the toughest conditions. Made from ModCan 300D ripstop polyester material, with a 350gsm heavy-duty, heat-sealed PVC…

WEEKEND DRIVE A relatively fine forecast and a suitable tide was the chance we were looking for to escape the city for a day and experience some isolated coastline. After an early start to make the most of the longer pre-Christmas days, we were soon north of Masterton on Route 52, a slower but more interesting drive than SH2. Just past Tiraumea we turned off into Waihoki Valley Rd for a run through some very scenic back country on some unsealed, minor roads. This was quite a long run, with very little traffic and plenty of chances to stop to enjoy the views and photograph some of the interesting old farm buildings, before we finally reached Coast Rd, the southern road into Akitio. Although still gravel, from here it was…

When needing a technical item I generally buy locally, sometimes offshore. If it's critical it'll be local every time — to support local business, get a warranty and be able to discuss pros and cons, specs, suitability, etc. Offshore purchases can yield cost savings but risk weak warranties, unreliable specifications, slow delivery, risk of loss or damage in transit, short life or unreliability. I've found the success rate to be about 80 per cent. That 80 per cent being items that do the job with reasonable performance and working life. Some have turned out to be real bargains. I always ‘do my homework’ to help identify dubious claims. Not everyone has that ability and it may lessen the success rate — mine isn't perfect. From Asia and E-Bay for instance…

Towards the end of 2022 it appeared that a concerted effort was being made in the media to identify vehicles as being incompatible with beaches. It's not a simple situation as there are many kilometres of beaches around New Zealand where the use of vehicles is hardly noticed, although there are other beaches where vehicle use may, and sometimes does, create safety problems with other beach-goers. It's largely relative to the immediate population density. Vehicles are often portrayed as the villains, responsible for killing birds and shellfish on beaches, however that's often just a fallacy. After years of blaming 4WDs for a high mortality rate for beach nesting birds at the top of Muriwai Beach, the survival rate increased significantly when predator trapping was introduced! Toheroa, the large shellfish that…

GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) and Chevrolet Racing have staged a surprise preview of a sensational new homegrown concept vehicle which provides a sneakpeak at the latest addition to the brand's new model portfolio ahead of its launch early next year. “The Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 will be a new model to the GMSV line-up for MY23 and will deliver next-level off-road capability direct from the factory – making it the perfect platform for this latest announcement from Chevrolet Racing,” said Tim Price, Director of Planning, Network and Motorsport, GM Australia and New Zealand (GM ANZ). “What started as a passion project 12-months ago across GM teams in Australia and New Zealand quickly transformed into the creation you see today.” The Off-Road Racer concept was built at the company's Port Melbourne workshop…

As announced in the Annual, the winner was Finley (Fin) Yates. He recently called into his local tyre store to sort out the prize. Warren Blair from Blairs Supertyre Distributors wrote to us. “Finley called into the local Kumho tyre agent in Taupo, Motor Treads Ltd. “After talking to Laurence of Motor Treads Ltd, Taupo he has sorted out a set of new Kumho tyres for his Nissan Patrol and will get them fitted once the present tyres wear out. “Finley was excited and could not believe it when NZ4WD Magazine and Blairs contacted him to say he won the photo competition and he could pick a set of Kumho tyres any size and any pattern for free as a prize in winning the competition. Finley is excited about his…

Munro Vehicles, a manufacturer of all-electric 4x4s has unveiled its first vehicle, the Munro MK_1. Designed, engineered, and built in Britain, the Munro MK_1 is the world's most capable all-electric 4x4, born off-road to navigate the most challenging terrain and operating for up to 16 hours on a single battery charge. The Munro combines a state-of-the-art 280kW electric powertrain, with a proven, robust, simple-to-maintain mechanical driveline that delivers uncompromised off-road ability. Capable of effortlessly transporting a crew of five to the most rugged locations, accommodating an 1000kg payload and 3500kg towing capacity, the Munro represents the ultimate, sustainable, utilitarian, off-road workhorse. Priced from £49,995 (excluding VAT) in five-door, five-seat, 130-inch wheelbase Utility guise, Munro has already received deposits for several Munro MK_1s that it will hand-build next year. Born off-road,…

TECH TALK BRAKING NEWS There is an old saying that technology trickles down into mainstream engineering. Applied in the sporting world, it goes: “Motor racing improves the breed.” In the off-road and 4WD world it's more about tech from the top of the range ‘flagship’ models evolving out across a model range. This was never more accurate than in the case of New Zealand's sales rockstar, the Ford Ranger. Invited to view pre-production nextGen Rangers at the Boat Show in May, NZ4WD saw media going ‘ooh’ and ‘ahhh’ with some justification over the cabin fit-out, the wellside steps, the front-end styling. But underneath the shiny stuff, it is likely that two key factors will see the new Ranger retain its ‘most popular’ crown on and off the road. First: following…

Products U-pol has the answer in the form of Raptor, a product currently distributed here through selected Repco stores. What is Raptor? Well, maybe Richard Mulholland can explain that better than we can, especially since he has ‘Raptorised’ two vehicles. Let's back up the 4WD a bit. Richard treated himself to a new Isuzu D-Max a ways back – partly because he liked the look of the D-Max and partly because of the family hobby. Richard and his dad, Kevin, are 4WD adventurer/ hunters. Richard's D-Max complements Kevin's ‘93 Land Cruiser Prado, a legacy vehicle once owned by Richard's grandfather and cared for by Kevin. The D-Max is a lot more tricked out than Kevin's, but there was that pesky problem of a nice shiny black paint job taking a…

TESTED This is good. Jeep's all-new Compass not only looks the business, it does the business. Though unashamedly urbanoriented, the Compass fulfills the needs of a wide range of prospective buyers with lashings of tech and safety and a multi-mode transmission that includes a lock function and electronically-activated ‘low range’. Competition in the wider SUV sector is as stiff as ever though, and with the Compass wading into premium territory buyers can easily compare the fresh offering with existing rivals. To be clear, while the ‘industry’ may class the Compass as a small SUV, the Compass is definitely ‘small to medium’ with a heavy emphasis on the medium. Family-sized and mission-capable. The road presence of this SUV is emphatically 2022, future-compatible into the rest of the decade. Specifically, since we…

From the home of the pickup comes a stealthy update for a classic Ford. Though diesel isn't popular with the general population, there's a faction among American pickup owners who proudly run stock or big truck diesel power. The owner of this 1972 F-250 was looking for more grunt and decided to swap in a 7.3 Power Stroke turbodiesel out of a 1997 Ford truck. The 7.3L Power Stroke was the first Navistar-built turbo-diesel engine for Ford. The electronically controlled, direct injection engine came from the factory with 160kW (210hp) and 576Nm (425 lb-ft) of torque in an engine with a bore of 104mm (4.11 inches) and stroke of 106mm (4.18 inches), creating a slightly ‘undersquare’ displacement of 444 cubic inches in the old measure. The 7.3 is no angel…

4WD Sport Halloween? What now? I didn't see any kids wearing costumes on Whaka Road but I did see a few kids vaping, no matter, it was a great treat to start the Club Truck Challenge again for summer 2023. The first round was held at Hintz's farm near Taihape over Halloween weekend this year. The Club Truck Challenge is run and scored in an identical way to 4WD trials, driving tests known as “hazards” are attempted and scored by the distance the driver achieves through the test. In Club Truck the main difference to National Trials competition is that the vehicles must be registered and warranted to keep costs down. The drivers range from novices right through to experienced trials competitors and long-time club drivers, the only requirement is…

4 WD Sport As interim motorsport editor for NZ4WD, Sean Willmot has been more than quietly impressed with recent off-road events, the first of which was round one of the NZ 4x4 Trials held in November. OK, I'm not a fount of motorsport knowledge like the estimable Mark Baker, but ‘my day on the farm’ at my first Trials event — as a spectator — could well see me becoming a ‘camp follower’, tracking the events as they move through the country! Place listings for Round One are listed here, but there's a lot more to Trials championships than winners and not. What really impressed me at the event was not the dedication of the drivers and their brake controller/navigator, tip-over wranglers/windscreen washer/oh heck just do everything except drive left…

By the time you read this Christmas will be over (yes, due to publishing deadlines Christmas is still two weeks away as I write) and we will be finishing up our holidays, or heading off with a group of friends checking out some of the tracks around New Zealand. You may even be looking forward to the safari season. After nearly three years of cancellations, postponements for various and mostly obvious reasons, the calendar for 2023 is looking promising. Generally when travelling in groups there are some basic ground rules or ‘convoy etiquette’ that need to be followed in the hope that you, your group or club can all enjoy the trip safely. Most of us ‘seasoned’ four-wheelers have learnt a few of these the hard way but you can…