/r/4x4Australia

Photograph via snooOG

The place to talk about 4wding in Australia. Make sure you lock your diff first though ;)

Please set your user flair and read the pinned post for the "Member Map", Gear Guides and more!

Welcome!

This sub is brand spanking new with no scratches, feel free to post questions and any discussion topic you can think of thats related to what we're here for.

Australia is a great place to own a 4wd and we have some amazing 4x4 vehicles. Make this a place to share trips, tips and projects.

Posting Guidelines

*Content must be 4x4-related

*When asking tech-related questions, be as detailed as possible

*If you're posting a picture give us a little information about it. (specs, story, where)

/r/4x4Australia

18,605 Subscribers

1

Dual battery options ?

Hi I want to get a dual battery setup for my e70. I don’t do any real 4x4ing but mostly touring and beaches.

I need to get something suitable to power up a 12v fridge, uhf radio and a few spotties. I’ve researched a bit and i should be able to fit a secondary battery into the boot space but only if it’s a smaller sized battery. Maybe like a H4.

What do I actually need to buy as the people I’ve contacted who do installs say they don’t supply parts? So I don’t know how much to budget and what stuff is needed for my use.

2 Comments
2025/02/01
14:05 UTC

1

Rusty 1986 75 that hasn’t been started in 6 years, worth doing up or better to sell/set on fire?

Hello all.

Long story short, my father passed away around 6 years ago and his old 75 has been rotting out side for the last 6 years, plenty of rust in the cab and hasn't in the best mechanical shape when it was last driven in.

As we're selling the property where it's stored and need to make a decision on what to do with it, I was hoping some of you had experience restoring badly rusted 75s and would have an idea on what sort of costs it would might possibly be.

Cheers

2 Comments
2025/02/01
11:14 UTC

4

Is my 4x4 buggered?

Got my px3 wildtrak recently and tried going up a small hill in 4h. Got up fine but when I turned around to go on the ashpahalt it was revving kind of high and not really moving. I put it back into 2wd and all was good. Just wondering was this use error or something.

17 Comments
2025/02/01
10:02 UTC

0

Clueless and begging for wisdom for starter 4x4

Looking for any help from the brains trust picking up a decent starter 4x4. Got my P’s at the respectable age of 30 and I’m lost figuring out where to start.

• I’ve got a horse sized puppy (and I’ll have another by the end of the year) and I don’t want him in a tray so I’ve nixed utes off the list • It’ll be a daily driver, though my daily driving is/will be primarily rural since I work remotely • I like going as far off the beaten track as possible when I’m camping so I need decent off road capability • Prefer auto over manual as I am in fact bitch made • Reliability over everything else • Easy to get parts and mods for once I feel like burning some cash • I will piss a good amount of money off the bat to get myself set up for 4-5 day long trips since I have a decent amount of downtime most months • Looking to spend about 20k so it hurts less when I do something stupid to it

I don’t know anything about cars other than having a lot of fun with my mates absolute lemon of a patrol. I’ve seen Pajeros and Prados come up as solid workhorses; tell me not to buy a Delica. I want it, I think I shouldn’t?

Is it better to use car sales for secondhand 4x4s? Marketplace? Used car dealerships? Is it stupid to pay someone who knows what they’re doing to come look at options with me?

7 Comments
2025/02/01
06:26 UTC

0

Looking to buy up to 15k range

Looking for something that I can use as a daily and a bit of weekend fun (basic setup of RT, fridge and drawers, awning basic). Not looking for mad technical offroad capabilities, but going camping away from roads, beach camping etc. Not looking to tow anything except maybe a very rare light trailer to move something kinda deal (I.e once in a blue moon)

Feel like a prado, paj or maybe a patrol is where I'm landing.

So 2 parts - is it worth paying the dealership premium to rack everything I can out of warranty? And is there some other vehicles I should be considering in this price range?

I have a fair bit of know-how, but working on cars isn't something I want to be doing.

5 Comments
2025/02/01
05:00 UTC

0

Buying a car

What would a good first car be? Going to do a trade( don’t know which one yet) and want a Ute. Not going to do super tough tracks on purpose, only to get to places like camping spots, I was looking at like a hzj79 but yeah I live near mitta if anyone knows where that is so will be doing steeper tracks.

1 Comment
2025/02/01
04:00 UTC

2

Surface rust

Any tips or products to remove surface rust on the underneath of your 4WD? And coating afterwards. Worth the effort? 2013 Navara, mostly beach driving so while there isn’t any bad structural rust, or body rust, the underneath is starting to show its age

2 Comments
2025/02/01
02:10 UTC

2

Turbo Shop recommendations in Melbourne

Can anyone recommend a good store in Melbourne that they've been to, to get some turbo pipes bent up?
My Amarok has thrown a hissy fit and split the hot end pipe, Would rather get a good metal one made up and not worry about future splits so much.

I can see some with good reviews on Google but if anyone here has had a positive experience locally and can recommend a shop, that would be awesome.

0 Comments
2025/02/01
02:01 UTC

2

Thoughts on getting a 20023L patrol GU? I've never owned a 4x4 before

Hi everyone I am about to buy a 2002 3L patrol and im quite unsure on their engine type and reliability. Any info you might have would be appreciated

26 Comments
2025/02/01
01:25 UTC

1

08 Mazda BT50 Auto oil change

Gday, I have a backpacker here working for me who bought an ‘08 Mazda BT50 with a 5spd auto. Thought he would change the engine oil but undid the Tranny oil plug and broke it in the process. He’s bought a new plug (2 piece job) and now can’t figure out how to refill the gearbox. I can’t seem to find anything online or YouTube with the Auto and can only find a forum that says you need a special tool to refill. Can anyone please point me in the right direction so I can help the poor kid?

1 Comment
2025/02/01
00:23 UTC

4

100ah lithium or 138ah agm?

Recently I've bought a 138ah agm kings battery. It was super cheap and I thought it's got a larger capacity than the 100ah lithium for cheaper but man its heavy 35kgs and huge.

Sort of considering returning it for the 100ah but I feel bigger the better especially if its shady or im not driving for a few days to charge them back up.

33 Comments
2025/01/31
22:48 UTC

5

Recommendations for storage bags for Ute

G’day,

I’m looking for some storage bags to keep some gear on the back seat/floor of my work ute. Nothing too hardcore, just needing something to store all my wet weather gear, jackets and maybe some clothes/essentials while away working at different sites.

I’ve found a few canvas clear top options which look great and my employer is willing to pay for them providing they are able to be secured since we aren’t allowed to have loose items within the cab of the vehicle.

Have you come across anything suitable that is able to be secured on a back seat or floor?

Cheers

11 Comments
2025/01/31
21:54 UTC

1

How fast can I tow a camper trailer?

I have an MV 24 Triton with 3.5 tonnes towing capacity and I’m towing a 1 tonne camper trailer.

How fast can I safely drive on the highway?

I see some people towing bigger caravans going as slow as 80km.

I read that I can still go 110km with a smaller trailer.

What’s the truth?

45 Comments
2025/01/31
19:44 UTC

1

Recommendations for a project 4by for touring/camping/weekend wheeling. 5-10k

I have a reliable daily however I would love to get into more 4x4 stuff in the future as multiple mates have reasonably built rigs and I would love to drive with them instead of go as a passenger.

I would like to spend around 5-10k on a 4wd I can add to and work on over time, something reliable and simple enough to slowly add to. I am not too concerned about fuel efficiency as it won’t be a daily driven.

I have heard good things about older gq patrols or single cab 1990-2000s hiluxs however any suggestions, information or advice would be fantastic. Cheers

5 Comments
2025/01/31
16:46 UTC

7

best gu patrol?

hi all wondering what will be the best gu patrol preferably auto. im not using it as a daily just a tourer looking for under 20K maybe 25k only if its great. also how many kms is to many. what engines to avoid etc just looking for the most information possible.

7 Comments
2025/01/31
13:15 UTC

2

Disco 3 4.0 petrol - keep and upgrade or buy another 4x4?

So I have a D3 4.0 auto (air suspension) with 230k on the clock. I love the car and it has never given me any grief. I’ve done a few bits and pieces (replaced diff, general maintenance, etc). Love the shape and size for camping setup, and along with comfortable ride it is fairly capable of the basic sort of driving we do. While it has been perfect I’m worried it’s getting a bit long in the tooth (more being a LR with its expensive quirks than the age) and shit is going to start to go wrong.

I had ordered a new lc76 to be my “dream car”, but after a year wait I’m now heading another direction.

My son, nearly 14 is mad keen on camping, fishing, off roading and I’m thinking of getting a 4x4 that we can enjoy together, upgrade, and then have him buy off me when he gets his license. Then I can get my dream car. We don’t do serious wheeling, just basic off road, beaches, camping, etc - novice level.

Do I keep the D3 and put some money into making it more reliable and rugged, or do I sell and look for a similar era hilux/ similar or prado/ 100 series, etc?

3 Comments
2025/01/31
08:04 UTC

1

Vw Obd2 scanner

Has anyone used this scan tool before.

https://obd2australia.com.au/product/vw-audi-obd2-scan-tool-full-system/

Is it any good I have a 2020 vw amarok and am looking for a scanner that can force a Dpf regeneration as circumstances have made it difficult to find the time to do one now. Thanks

2 Comments
2025/01/31
07:35 UTC

2

Triton

Is a 2013 Mitsubishi triton with 315000km worth buying. Full service history, 1 owner, used as family car. wanting it to do a lap round Australia and some off roading.

7 Comments
2025/01/31
03:45 UTC

3

The Big Trip - Everest vs. Prado (Or 300 Landy)

Hi All,

TL;DR - Big trip. No trailer. 7 seater for kids. Why is the Toyota why so price premium compared to Ford?

Planning a big trip with the 4 of us (2A 2Kids) around this great land in 2027 for 3 months. Leaving from VIC and headed clockwise and down through the center. Planning on buying a car we can keep for when we need more seats so thinking the 7 seater. We are considering doing it without a trailer and paying for a few motels along the way to break it up instead. Strap on a swing out tailgate and some good roof racks and hit the road.

Just went and sat in the new Prado, and whilst it looks really nice, and IS comfortable the price was eye-watering and the lack of boot space in the 7 seater was a real complaint. Taht 60kg limit on the floor makes it unusable for the trip. The mild 48V system is a bit worrisome, but the offroad credentials seem good from the VX Spec up, but thats still going to be $110k without fitting it out.

Sat in the 300 Series but because we are doing it without a trailer it seems like that 6cyl engine isn't going to be put to much use. It's also incredibly expensive. I understand that it's almost considered a lifetime car with how long they last but still.

I've been looking at the Everest as an alternative and its a good $40k cheaper! They have seen significant improvement from 2022 models and up for reliability, comfort and features. Off road cred seems the same with live rear axle and locking diff and same departure angles. Accessories seem to be bountiful, share parts with numerous rangers and have dealerships all over.

What am I missing? Why are the fords so much cheaper?

(Patrol seemed unconfortable and dated. Isuzu was more utilitarian. Ineos is untested and felt like a parts-bin car but what kind've cool. Mitsubishi rumoured to can Pajero soon?)

Thanks for the advice.

35 Comments
2025/01/31
03:37 UTC

1

Ranger upgrade

I’ve currently got a 2013 XLT Ranger with 170,000ks

Thinking about getting rid of it and upgrading to a newer model. Px3 around 2021 or so? Looking at the FX4 Models in particular

Has anyone done this and have some advice?

2 Comments
2025/01/31
01:32 UTC

2

Mods need for WA Trip?

Hi Everyone,

I'm planning a WA touring trip with my 2010 Prado, driving from Perth to either Exmouth or Broome. I'm trying to figure out which mods and equipment are essential.

Beyond a good set of all-terrain tires, an air compressor, and recovery gear (MaxTrax, shovel, straps), what else would you consider necessary? We’re not planning any rock crawling—just looking to explore comfortably.

I'm on the fence about a bull bar, a 2-inch lift, bash plates, and a winch. Would really appreciate any advice!

Thanks!

57 Comments
2025/01/30
22:28 UTC

1

Thoughts on a 2024 BT50 XTR?

Hey all!

Any thoughts/advice/experiences/concerns with a 2024 BT50 XTR auto?

TIA

5 Comments
2025/01/30
14:59 UTC

0

Duel zone fridge

Looking at grabbing the EvaKool 50L Down Under II Fridge Freezer. https://evakool.com.au/collections/fridge-freezers/products/50l-down-under-fridge-freezer Have a family of 4 and we are just starting to get into camping. Is this a decent size for a week away? I find this was the sweet spot for a good duel zone, between kings and Engel. Why is kings soo cheap?

9 Comments
2025/01/30
14:09 UTC

5

Opinions or Advice on this? (Listed for $9k)

21 Comments
2025/01/30
12:45 UTC

4

New Ute recommendation

Hey all

Looking at upgrading to a new 4WD (I’ve got an 2019 MR Triton and I’m looking for a bit of a change - frankly a bit over this Ute)

Currently looking at a 2021-23 Hilux SR5 or a similar year Ranger (next gen) Wildtrack or Sport, just hoping to get some light on why people picked maybe a Hilux over a ranger or vice versa.

I’ve heard so many different things about reliability of the ranger hence why people just pay the Toyota tax.

I won’t lie, I don’t want to just get fed this dealer crap and online reviews only say so much. All the boys at work are 50/50 so I’m a bit torn.

Just any helpful real world owner advice would be great.

Cheers in advance.

9 Comments
2025/01/30
09:51 UTC

8

Why do people engine swap into a 4jj1?

Is it just for reliability? Or the ability to tune it pretty well? But wouldnt that also make it less reliable? Which is it?

25 Comments
2025/01/30
09:26 UTC

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