4X4 Australia - 4x4 and 4WD reviews, news and accessories

Our Ford Ranger custom build

The once-stock Ranger XLS is now a pin-up fourby, courtesy of Australia’s elite aftermarket industry.

By Matt Raudonikis

Custom Ford Ranger 4x4 touring build guide

Cracking August 2020 issue of 4X4 Australia is out now

SWB Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon

Custom Toyota FJ Cruiser

Footage shows 2021 Bronco rock-crawling in Moab

Lost and found: A guide to satellite navigation

Cancelled, postponed and upcoming 4x4 events

NEWS

Wrangler Rubicon Shorty is back!

By Matt Raudonikis12 Aug 2020

Jeep to re-introduce the short-wheelbase Wrangler Rubicon to Australia, with the Rubicon Recon special edition.

Footage shows 2021 Bronco rock-crawling in Moab

By Tristan Tancredi10 Aug 2020

2021 Bronco tackling Moab, Utah's famous tracks. Plus, plenty of pics in our Bronco photo gallery.

X-Class recalled due to brake fault

By Tristan Tancredi06 Aug 2020

Software glitch which can slam on the brakes unexpectedly forces the recall of 5826 X-Class vehicles fitted with the Active Brake Assist system.

Everything we know about the 2020 Isuzu D-MAX

By Tristan Tancredi06 Aug 2020

Everything you need to know before the 2020 D-MAX is officially revealed.

VFACTS: 4x4 sales tank in July

By Matt Raudonikis05 Aug 2020

Cautious market leads to lull in new 4x4 sales, with the Ford Ranger remaining the best-selling 4x4.

Cracking August 2020 issue of 4X4 Australia is out now

By Tristan Tancredi23 Jul 2020

A coiled and stretched custom Ranger, a mouth-watering FJ Cruiser, and eight of the best Ford custom builds. All in our monster August issue.

REVIEWS

This custom FJ Cruiser is one to remember

By Matt Raudonikis11 Aug 2020

Andrew Phan's first and only 4x4 vehicle is 'Phantastic'.

We build a Hilux tourer on a budget

By James Secher04 Aug 2020

Jimmy picked up a cheap secondhand Hilux, and he’ll keep us updated on the trials and tribulations of building a 4x4 tourer on a budget.

LandCruiser BJ73 in the 4X4 Australia shed

By Matt Raudonikis02 Aug 2020

While the country was in lockdown, I took the time to make some upgrades to my MWB LandCruiser.

Epic stretched SAS Ford Ranger!

By Dan Everett31 Jul 2020

Tough doesn’t come on a showroom floor, sometimes you’ve gotta build your own.

July 2020 selection of Readers' Rigs

By Tristan Tancredi24 Jul 2020

An eclectic selection of reader-submitted rides this month.

Is the Unimog U5023 the ultimate tourer?

By Matt Raudonikis18 Jul 2020

Is the Unimog the ultimate adventure touring vehicle? We drive the U5023 Mog to find out.

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GEAR

Lost and found: A guide to satellite navigation

By Tristan Tancredi09 Aug 2020

A purpose-built sat-nav system for 4x4 use guarantees continent-wide coverage.

Why every 4x4er needs a satellite phone

By Tristan Tancredi01 Aug 2020

It’s a big country out there, and a satellite phone gets the coverage you won’t get from a mobile phone when you’re away from the city lights.

We test the Aussie-made GME 6160XO UHF radio

By Matt Raudonikis30 Jul 2020

GME's 6160XO compact handheld UHF proves itself as a reliable communicator in all conditions.

Avoid buying inferior lithium batteries. Here’s why!

By 4X4 Australia29 Jul 2020

When it comes to all things lithium, watch out for the cheap and nasty … and avoid the shock!

New gear: TJM Rambler 200 + BlackWolf Helan + Direction-Plus Transmission Cooler

By Tristan Tancredi26 Jul 2020

A new daypack from BlackWolf, a Transchill Transmission Oil Cooler kit from Direction-Plus, and a full-on 200 Series Rambler build from TJM.

New 4x4 gear: Hella LEDs + Narva Aeromax + ARB winch bar

By Tristan Tancredi25 Jul 2020

New 4x4 products released by Narva, Hella and ARB.

OPINION

Opinion: Does old tech make new 4x4s better?

By Matt Raudonikis03 Aug 2020

Our August 2020 cover car fuses old- and new-school 4x4 tech.

Is the Amarok V6 manual the best drivers' ute?

By Matt Raudonikis17 Jul 2020

Matt reckons the V6 manual combo in the Amarok makes it the best driving ute on the market.

Now is the time to plan a 4x4 trip

By Matt Raudonikis01 May 2020

Crack open some maps and travel guides, and plan a post-lockdown trip.

How to treat bites or stings in the outback

By Ron Moon18 Apr 2020

Animal bites and stings can be fatal when in the remote outback, our veteran outback traveler shares his experiences in unfortunate brushes with wildlife.

Is the new Land Rover Defender a worthy replacement?

By Matt Raudonikis04 Apr 2020

Replacing the Defender was going to be a tall order, have Land Rover succeeded?

V8 diesel vital to LandCruiser’s future

By Fraser Stronach26 Mar 2020

Here’s why the 1VD diesel engine is still an option and vital to the Cruiser’s success.

EXPLORE

Cancelled, postponed and upcoming 4x4 events

By Matt Raudonikis07 Aug 2020

4x4 events have been postponed and cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, but there are a handful still running throughout Australia.

Touring Tassie's west coast wilderness: Part 2

By Ron Moon27 Jul 2020

From the rocky trails of Mount Wellington, to the southern-most point you can drive to in Australia, and then upwards to the Central Highlands.

Touring Tassie's untamed beaches and rugged cliffs: Part 1

By Ron Moon11 Jul 2020

From the beaches, mountains and forest of the north-east of Tasmania to the great cliffs of Freycinet NP, you’ll be surprised at what our smallest state has to offer.

10 of the best 4x4 tracks in Australia

By Tristan Tancredi09 Jul 2020

We asked our readers to name the best 4x4 tracks in Australia, and here's what you came up with.

A 4x4 trip to the quaint Gwydir River region

By Kev Smith04 Jul 2020

Once showered in gold and diamonds, Bingara and the Gwydir River region enjoy a slower pace these days, a tranquil gem for off-road tourers.

Exploring Nitmiluk National Park in the NT

By Matt Raudonikis14 Jun 2020

Whether you’re travelling up the highway or tripping out of Darwin, a few days in Katherine’s Nitmiluk National Park make a refreshing stopover.

4X4 OF THE YEAR

2020 4X4 Of The Year contender: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon review

By Fraser Stronach | Photos: Nathan Jacobs18 Feb 2020

Can a true off-road 4x4 clinch the 4X4OTY gong?

2020 4X4 Of The Year contender: Suzuki Jimny review

By Fraser Stronach | Photos: Nathan Jacobs17 Feb 2020

Pint-sized Jimny shortlisted for a shot at the 4X4 Of The Year title.

2020 4X4 Of The Year contender: Land Rover Discovery Sd6 review

By Fraser Stronach | Photos: Nathan Jacobs16 Feb 2020

Can the V6 Disco repeat the Sd4’s success of two years ago?

2020 4X4 Of The Year contender: Nissan Navara N-Trek Warrior review

By Fraser Stronach | Photos: Nathan Jacobs15 Feb 2020

With the bark to match the bite, the Warrior dons the gloves for a title fight.

2020 4X4 Of The Year contender: Ssangyong Musso XLV Ultimate review

By Fraser Stronach | Photos: Nathan Jacobs14 Feb 2020

Ssangyong returns to 4X4OTY arena, this time with a ute.

2020 4X4 Of The Year contender: Mitsubishi Triton GLS review

By Fraser Stronach | Photos: Nathan Jacobs13 Feb 2020

After a four-year hiatus, the Triton returns to the 4X4OTY field.