New 4X4 gear: Yakima AceO’spades, Ironman Power Pack, and more!

THE scent of spring is in the air; so dust off the fourbie, pick up an aftermarket catalogue, and prepare to return to the tracks.

YAKIMA ACEO’SPADES

YAKIMA continues to add accessories to its popular LockN’Load system. As the name suggests, the AceO’Spades is a spade/shovel holder (made from glass-reinforced plastic) that can also be used to carry canoe/kayak/SUP paddles. It attaches to the platform rack’s slats via a clever 21mm accessory slot that incorporates drop-in cut-outs for this purpose. The holder is operated by a unique ‘pop and drop’ mechanism, where you push in the ratchets on each side of the holder and it opens up. You then place the shovel on top of the rubber pads and clamp it back down. The AceO’Spades will hold handles with diameters of between 30-55mm. You can also lock the holder using the supplied key.

RRP: $69
Website: www.yakima.com.au

IRONMAN 4X4 PORTABLE POWER PACK

THIS new 44ah portable power pack from the team at Ironman 4x4 packs plenty of grunt – and features – inside its tough exterior case. The power pack’s features includes a digital voltage and amperage meter, the option to charge via 240V AC, 12V DC and solar panels, and a low-battery warning system. The pack has the ability to power 12V and 5V DC appliances such as mobile phones, camp lighting and fridge/freezers. The heavy-duty ABS case includes a folding integrated handle that makes lugging the unit around easy. Outlets include a 12V DC cigarette lighter socket and a merit socket, plus there’s a 5V DC USB port for electrical gadgets. The unit’s individual on/off switches include an LED indicator for ease of checking, and the power pack’s compact size means it won’t take up too much cargo space. It’s available from all Ironman 4x4 outlets.

RRP: $499
Website: www.ironman4x4.com

PROJECTA BLT BATTERY TESTER RANGE

PROJECTA’S BLT battery tester range has recently been expanded with the BLT500 and BLT700 added to the stable. The BLT500 is the entry-level model (for 12V batteries) with a Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) range of 100-1700. The LED display is easy to read and shows CCA, voltage and percentage of battery health. The BLT700 (pictured) adds suitability for use with 12V Wet, Calcium, AGM and EFG batteries and has a built-in printer for checking test results, plus a backlit LCD display to view the unit’s 40-2000 CCA range, usual voltage, percentage of battery health and general battery condition. The BLT700 can store up to 80 test results in its on-board memory. The BLT700 expands these capabilities by being able to test the alternator, starter-motor, earth and diode ripple, and it comes with included software, USB cable and everything else you need to keep an eye on – and record – your battery’s power. It’s available from aftermarket retailers across Australia.

Website: www.projecta.com.au

KUMHO CRUGEN HT51

FOR the off-road tourer who spends a chunk of time on bitumen before hitting the dirt, Kumho’s new all-weather/mixed-terrain tyre, the Crugen HT51, is well worth a look. Designed as a high-mileage, high-tread-wear tyre, the HT51 features a stiff centre block design for enhanced stability without sacrificing on- and off-road traction and handling. The lengthy 80,000km warranty is backed by a four-channel layout for optimum tread life, while the 3D sipes and a zig-zag groove design ensure ample drainage in wet weather – a great assurance for wet-weather and snow driving conditions. The Crugen HT51 is available in both regular and Light Truck construction, with the LT variants covering rim sizes from 16 to 18 inches. The regular construction tyre (SUV-oriented) is available in sizes ranging from 15 to 20 inches. The tyres are available from all Kumho stockists.

Website: www.kumho.com.au

OPPOSITE LOCK STEEL 3 LOOP & STEEL POST BAR – AMAROK TDV6

Oppy Lock has added two new premium bullbars for the TDV6 Amarok – the 3 Loop and Steel Post. The 3 Loop includes heavy-duty over-riders, provisions to install fog or driving lights and a low-mount electric winch, a central split air dam to ensure plenty of cool air flowing through to the radiator, and three radio aerial mounts. The bar is ADR and airbag compliant, and it’s powdercoated matte black. The Steel Post features two heavy-duty uprights in the bar’s centre for enhanced strength and has provision for fitment of spotties/fog lights and a low-mount electric winch. The Steel Post bar’s plate steel is laser cut as one piece to form part of the mounting bracket, ensuring optimum durability and strength. Both bars are covered by a two-year national warranty and are available from all Opposite Lock outlets.

Website: www.oppositelock.com.au

ARB DIGITAL TYRE INFLATOR
Including an accurate air-pressure gauge in your travel kit is a must, and ARB’s new digital tyre inflator fits the bill for those looking for accuracy and fast use. The unit’s display is big for optimum legibility, and you can set the display to your favoured unit of air pressure measurement (Bar, kpa, KgF or psi). ARB claims the inflator is accurate to +/-1psi across the 25-75psi range, and its maximum supply pressure is a lofty 350psi (approx. 2400Kpa). The supplied AA batteries offer a claimed 200-hour run-time, and there’s a handy battery capacity indicator to keep track of how much juice is left. The clip-on chuck attaches to the tyre valve quickly, while the 600m dual-swivel, PVC-coated, braided hose gives you enough length to easily access each tyre as you move around the vehicle.

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Website: www.arb.com.au
RRP: $79