Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2018 i NZ4WD

On the (long) walk from the car park in the paddock adjacent to the Meremere drag strip I followed a couple and their young fella. Mum (as all Mums do) had the littl’un (who I would have put at three-and-a-bit) togged up from his red plastic gummies to wee woolly gloves and jaunty beanie ‘n pom-pom hat so he wasn’t going to be getting cold. Nothing Mum or Dad could do was going to stop the little tyke getting muddy though. All credit to his young Mum and Dad too... they were laughing as much as their son as he zigzagged from muddy puddle to muddy puddle, his Mum’s only concern that he trip and hurt himself. Because I was trying to balance a heavy camera bag with a backpack…

Sadly, on Thursday 17 May we learned of the sudden death of Steve McMinn, or as many knew him, Duk… while in Invercargill to attend the New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association (NZFWDA) AGM over that coming weekend. Steve and his wife, Barbara, were on a grand tour of the South Island in their recently acquired comfortable off-road style caravan. Duk was a member of the Auckland 4WD Club since 1973, a founding member of the Wilderness Ridge Riders 4WD Club and was made a Life Member of the NZFWDA in 2017. Much of his early four wheeling was as a serious competitor in the NZFWDA rallies (now known as trials) in both Suzukis and Haflingers, often with Barbara as co-driver. Touring was important too and with his friends from…

After regular lashings of rain in the days leading up to this year’s Mount Shop MudFest, occasional showers were a minor irritant on the allotted day, Sunday May 27. If anything the rain that did fall made the mud at the Waikato River-side venue behind the Meremere dragstrip complex even tackier, better for grip but sticking to trucks (in particular windscreens) like glue. With more and better tracks, not to mention trucks and crews, the entertainment quotient was through the roof. Trucks were even getting stuck – and being successfully recovered! – in the staging area as they waited to be let into the main arena. We will run a full report on the event next month. In the meantime consider this little selection of piccies as an appetiser for…

No-one reading this magazine needs to be told that utes – specifically modern on-demand 4WD turbo-diesel double cabs – are THE thing to be seen in these days. In a word, they are ‘hot’ and everyone, from the original target market of farmers, rural contractors and recreational motorcycle riders, to city-based tradies and lifestylers, seems to either already have, or be seriously thinking about buying, one. In April, nine of the top ten selling commercial vehicles were turbo-diesel double-cab utes, the 2552 units sold accounting for a whopping 72 percent of the light commercial market. They are – in short – a phenomenon – and if you don’t have at least one in your range (and here you have to feel for the likes of Honda, Hyundai and Kia) well,…

Want a canopy, a roof rack, tray liner, hard lid, bonnet guard, monsoon or even an Ironman bullbar or three? Then Airplex Industries in Auckland’s Otahuhu is the place to go. “We like to think of ourselves as a one-stop shop if you have a ute and you want an accessory for it,” says company General Manager Simon Judd. “What we have found is that; 1) people like to be able to see a product – preferably fitted either to a vehicle like their own or similar, and 2) often they will come out here looking for one thing, then find out when they get there that they see something else they like or need.” To that end the company always has at least two – and currently three – fully…

There are many types of 4WD owners. For instance, there are those who spend their weekends up to their necks in mud, reliant on friends and a winch to complete a short bush track, then there is the majority. How many of us, for instance, own a truck and are itching to get out and get it dusty but have to consider the kids, the better half and don’t really want to get the paint scratched. Lots, I suspect... This weekend trip is a real winner for everyone. When I mention the Coromandel, most of my friends immediately think of Whitianga, Pauanui, Tairua, Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove and the usual, easily accessible and far too often crowded destinations that the Coromandel has to offer. However, being a Canterbury boy…

DC-DC charging is a relatively new term in the 4x4 and recreational vehicle market. It has become increasingly popular over the last couple of years as the advantages that this type of system bring have become increasingly popular with those who are demanding more and more from their auxiliary battery systems. DC-DC chargers work by converting the voltage and current level they are supplied from the vehicle alternator system into the required output voltage and current level for the battery they are charging. The Redarc range of BCDC DC-DC In-vehicle chargers ensure optimum performance of electrical equipment such as fridges, lights, cameras or even CPAP machines when powered from a dual battery set up. In-vehicle charging BCDC In-vehicle battery chargers have been designed to charge any commonly used automotive auxiliary…

Bosch’s new 48V battery for hybrids is in demand by automakers across the globe. Similar to the Bosch e-axle, this innovative 48V battery is standardised for easy integration into new vehicle models, so established manufacturers and start-ups alike can thus eliminate long and expensive development processes. “Bosch is an incubator of electromobility. We help manufacturers reduce their development times and launch their products faster,” says Dr. Rolf Bulander, chairman of the Bosch Mobility Solutions business sector, and member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH. This means that installation of the lithium-ion battery will benefit not only compact cars, but mini- and microcars as well. Production of the battery is scheduled to start late this year. Anticipating a large market for entry-level hybrids, Bosch offers other powertrain components…

It seems ages ago now, but in the early years of this century, a venture was put together to investigate four-wheeling opportunities on the East Cape of the North Island. It was a local initiative to test the value to that community of encouraging recreational travel with the lure of a variety of ‘less travelled’ routes around the East Cape region. The vision was supported by funding from the then Labour Department to enable, by the Matakaoa Charitable Work Trust, some ‘on the ground’ research of viable routes and negotiations with landowners by a dedicated planner. The New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association was invited to provide advice on optimum routes and with their then experience in hosting biannual 4x4 jamborees, they contributed to planning for an inaugural event over…

It was always going to be a tall order for a UTV to win the fastest round of the 2018 ORANZ National Offroad Racing Championship – the annual Nelson Ruff ‘n Tuff 20 Enduro on Saturday May 12 – but Dyson Delahunty gave it his all. Driving a stock-standard Polaris RZR 1000 – but entered as an S class modified racer – Delahunty was shaking off a massive crash a few weeks before but gave no sign of hesitation as he slammed-in a pole position qualifying run of 1:21.05, more than two seconds clear of P2 John Morgan in his Desert Dynamics Chev. Brendan Midgely was third fastest, giving northern visitors a lockout of the top three places. Bob Uttridge was the first southerner to pop up in the top…

Stretching over 250 metres, this remote Defender outline was imprinted on the side of a mountain in the French Alps by snow artist Simon Beck to mark the 70th anniversary of the Land Rover marque on April 30 this year. Beck, who specialises in creating geometric outlines on foot, braved sub-zero temperatures to start the celebrations by creating the Defender outline 2,700m up at La Plagne in the French Alps. To produce the silhouette, the artist had to walk 20,894 steps and 16.5km (10.2 miles) through the French Alps The unique snow art was created to mark exactly 70 years since the original Land Rover was first shown to the world at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show. The image is a tribute to the moment when the engineering director of…

Numbers. Everyone loves taking numbers. And Jason Frost is no different. “Standard,” he says gesturing to the Ford Ranger sitting outside his workshop,” these things make 110kW at the wheels. Now this one puts out 150kW at the wheels.” Like a lot of Kiwis (the Ranger is not only the top selling ute here, it is also the best-selling individual vehicle by quite some margin) Jason, the man behind NZ-wide specialist diesel tuner ECU Chips, loves his Ford Ranger – with one fairly major reservation. “It’s an awesome truck,” he confirms. “They drive beautifully, especially on a long trip. You can carry things in them, tow a big boat all day long, but... I don’t care what anyone else says, they’re gutless!” Or at least they are to someone like…

Overland Journeys has earned a reputation for having developed some diverse and interesting self-drive tour routes across the Russian continent and as time and circumstance allows we venture into the wilderness in this interesting part of the world in search of new and exciting experiences for their clients. In fact the little-known region of Eastern Russia has not only provided our team with the ultimate road trip but revealed a region with lots of interesting culture and history specific to the area. We named our latest expedition the ‘BAM’ after the 4000km railway line through the area built during and after the Soviet era. As I’m sure you can imagine building the line involved a lot of human hardship and is an amazing story of cultural and religious integration, in…

Hella’s award-winning LED light bar offering has expanded with the new LED Light Bar 470 range. The new LED 470 light bars are a sleek, lightweight addition that will not only make your vehicle look on point but also provide superior illumination to help extend your off-road experience from morning to night. With a choice of three different beam patterns (Close Range, Long Range and Combi) and a maximum luminous intensity of 2800 lumen, while only consuming 36 watts, this new light bar will make your friends green with envy. Designed for harsh conditions the light bar is hermetically sealed making it completely dust and waterproof (IP6K9K). The housing is precision moulded using a revolutionary non-corrosive, thermally conductive material. This eliminates any potential issues like rust or powder coating flaking…

An ARB dual battery system will allow your 4x4 to power additional accessories without the risk of flattening the main battery. As well as offering an independent power source for items such as fridges and camp lights, and providing added power when winching, a dual battery system offers the four wheeler peace of mind in the event of a main battery failure. Different strokes The types of dual battery controlling options available when you choose an ARB dual battery system include the smart solenoid, solenoid and isolator. The most appropriate device will be determined by factors such as vehicle type and what accessories will run off the second battery. Battery choice is also an area that requires consideration and ARB distributes the leading types. Staff at ARB dealerrships will be…

Evoking expectation of speed, comfort and sports car handling? Not really, folks. This cool camper is based on a 1978 Land Rover Series 3 and doesn’t quite do that. Its qualities are mostly practical and cute and its actually named ‘Fettal’ as a play on its rego and a need for regular ‘fettling’. I loved it at first sight at the Land Rover 70th anniversary event held recently at Methven. Campers are not unusual in NZ but this one is. We have many Series Landies ex our NZ Army but examples from overseas militaries are rare here. There’s a handful of ‘lightweights’ (for air transport and paratroops) and ‘101s’ (the chunky forward-control model) but little else. NZ’s Army ambulances generally used larger vehicles. Our Air Force had a small number…

With four competitors in Outlaw class, seven in Modified class, and three in Club class numbers were down on the 2016 event, but with fewer competitors there was also fewer traffic jams at stages leading to one of the smoothest winch challenges that Norwest OHV Club has run in recent history. This is largely thanks to all the marshals and ground crew who stepped up, most marshalling at least two days out of the three. The event also benefitted from the continued support of our sponsors; Novawinch, Force4, D.M. Standen, 4WDbits, Motomuck, NZ4WD Magazine, Southern Spars, and our newest sponsors helping us to grow the sport; NZAD and Offroad Addiction TV. Day One – Friday With scrutineering, marshals’ briefing, and drivers’ briefing all completed, we were set to start issuing…

With the cost of fuel having been in the news lately and the projection that the cost per litre is likely to be around $3.00 by Christmas, we start to look at the fuel economy of our vehicles. I looked at my fuel consumption after a recent trip away and I used to get significantly better when I first purchased the vehicle. How come? I just topped up the fuel tank of the Discovery taking only 60 litres and paying 2.29 per litre. Given the seemingly sudden rise in the price of fuel, especially the premium fuel, that is starting to hurt, especially when using it regularly. I had filled up after returning from the Hawke's Bay Winch Challenge and the distance travelled meant that I was returning 18 litres…

Toyota NZ has come up with a TRD (Toyota Racing Development) enhanced Fortuner to boost interest – and hopefully sales – in the robust, go-anywhere SUV. In a first for the Fortuner line the TRD upgrade starts with the top-of-the-line Limited model and adds a new grille, front spoiler, side steps, rear trunk garnish and 18-inch alloys. Available in Crystal Pearl, Graphite or Eclipse exterior colours, the Fortuner TRD includes all of the Limited’s luxury fit out and driver-friendly features, such as leather accented seats and a premium JBL audio system with 11 speakers. RRP for the new TRD Fortuner is $59,990, and the new Toyota Driveaway Price includes the cost of the vehicle plus registration, a full tank of fuel, the Toyota Care Service Advantage package, floor mats and…

By the time you read this the opening round of this year’s Mainland Superwinch Challenge Series will have been run and won, but so much has happened in the off-season that Editor Ross and I thought it would be a good idea to run a preview so you are all up to speed when my first event report is published (in the August issue. Ed) First up then, the 2018 season looks to be one of the biggest we have had so far. I’d also like to thank our main sponsor, Superwinch, for coming back on board for another year. Once again we will have great prizes to give away at each round. With a few changes too, we have been able to get our “Open Class” up and running…

You could call it the ultimate wear protection product test – a 45,000 km ‘summer’ trip from Vladivostok to London in one 20-year-old Toyota Land Cruiser. Then the 5200 km winter trip across Siberia featured here a few months later – with another 100-series Toyota, the majority of those kilometres being off highway in rugged and mountainous terrain German company Rewitec’s nano tech product (imported and distributed here by Auckland-based Engine Care Systems Ltd) was used in the engines, the transmissions and diffs of the 4.5 litre V8 petrol-engined Land Cruisers used by Rally Tours’ Greg Paul, where it provided high levels of protection from wear and better performance. Rewitec’s nanotechnology-based ceramic products are not additives, instead using lubricant as a carrier, resurfacing traditional wear areas in engines, transmissions and…

When it comes to lighting, Ironman 4x4’s research and technology in developing brand new reflectors brings to the market a unique capability to offer more light on less wattage. For instance, for full light coverage in off-road situations LED Lightbars are absolutely the way to go. Ironman 4x4 Lightbar LED lights, in fact, are fast becoming the most effective lighting solution for your 4WD with Ironman 4x4 using the latest Cree LEDs. Cree is a US company revolutionising the lighting industry with LEDs perfect for use in Lightbars like the popular 28.5” or 37” models Ironman 4x4 sells. Both these Ironman 4x4 Lightbars are available straight or curved, with the curved bars allowing for the maximum spread of light. On the spot If your need is lighting primarily for on-road…

Before heading out on your next off road adventure, take the time to check your battery and avoid becoming one of New Zealand’s breakdown statistics this summer. According to the New Zealand Automobile Association, 40 precent of all road side service callouts are battery related and approximately 45,000 New Zealand motorists waited until their battery fails before replacing them. Battery failure can be attributed to various factors, as batteries operate and age they gradually lose their capacity, a batteries internal components will corrode over time and electrical shorts occur, along with the constant charge and discharge process all eventually leading to battery failure. Other less noticeable factors, such as changed driving patterns and colder or hotter weather will all have an effect on the life of a battery. Be pro-active…

A good mix of rain and sun over the last month or so had left the Wairarapa hills with a verdant green cloak of grass. This contrasted nicely with the blue sky as May and I headed out towards White Rock with a plan to keep the trip short and have the time to stop or take detours, making the journey more important than the destination. We had passed through Martinborough hoping for a coffee stop at a café in the sun, but there were so many other people with the same idea that it was all too crowded for our tastes. Skipping the coffee, we left Martinborough and its crowds for the coast on White Rock Rd. At the top of the first range of hills we broke new…

The Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge has to be one of the most entertaining 4WD events in New Zealand, with its easy spectator access and incredible action and high flying moments from the 10 competitors as they battle 10 courses for the title. In its fourth year, it was my first attendance at this prestigious event and I wondered why I hadn’t joined the crowds before, and yes, it attracts plenty of spectators who line the bottom of each course and the hills opposite for grand stand viewing. Dan Cowper is the man behind Cowper Trucks, the special built trials vehicle, and also the Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge which is held on his Turakina property an easy drive from Palmerston North or Wanganui. The format is simple: 10 of NZ’s top…

In no particular order we will start with 32, the number of rounds of the Central Zone Club Truck Challenge (CTC) entered by Brendan Watchorn, in other words, every single one. 25-9-2011 – that date of the first round of CTC which was held in Manawatu. 31 rounds entered by Steve Stewart, he’s been to them all but only watched the first one. 3 generations of the Hintz family take part in CTC, Mum and Dad, John and Judith, little boy David and granddaughter Grace. There are 21 4WD clubs in the Central Zone, 31 clubs in the Northern Zone and 13 clubs in the Southern Zone giving a total of 65 4WD clubs affiliated to the NZFWDA. Any of their members can enter the CTC. We have 4 different…

It had its genesis back in the early days of the sport. First time most people saw it this thing was a red-over-white flash bellowing through sand tracks in Woodhill Forest. Built by Mike Parkes as a Holden Rodeo, this truck had a mighty V8 and auto tucked in its frame and it was fast. Next time we saw it, it was a Chev and it was still mighty. Still a V8 – of course – it progressed down the years until the new breed of V8 race truck started to appear. Ant George had it for some time but it never seemed to quite hit its full potential up in the sands of Woodhill. The beast then ended up in the hands of Greg Hiddleston, who drove it with…