4WD builds and setups

As part of my new 2024 Toyota LC76 GXL build, I've gone with the Offroad Animal Toro bullbar, and now that it's on the vehicle I have to say I couldn't be happier with it.

The latest release of Toyota's iconic 70 series has been the subject of much debate in the 4x4 community, both in terms of positive additions and improvements, as well as long-running complaints that have yet again gone unresolved.

UHF antennas for 4x4s come in sizes ranging anywhere from a foot in height to 8 feet tall, but more antenna doesn't always mean more range. In fact when used in the wrong environment, the taller the antenna, the worse things get.

All too often, first-time LiFePO4 battery users connect loads to their battery and run it flat, only to find their brand new battery "won't charge" and is seemingly dead. They return their battery, only to have it given back to them working fine. So what was the problem?

The "regular vs high octane" petrol debate has been going strong for many years. Unfortunately, too often these debates are based on incorrect understandings and assumptions, and anecdotal "evidence" based on the same. So let's clear things up.

Adding solar power to your 4x4 is a game changer for camping and extended trips; rechargeable lights, speakers, fridges, etc., can all be run indefinitely with a sufficient-sized battery and solar panels, as long as the sun is shining.

If you're meeting up to explore somewhere new with friends this can often mean no phone reception, and needing your UHF radio to find each once you're in the vicinity. If you're there hours early though, how long can you leave your radio on without draining your battery?

When connecting multiple panels, you have to decide between wiring them in series for double the voltage, or parallel for double the current, so which is better? From personal experience, I would make the case that parallel is the better solution for camping. Here's why:

This is going to rub a good chunk of four-wheel-drivers the wrong way, but here it is... Storing your winch rope outside your bull bar is foolish. Stop it.

There are 4 reasons commonly toted why you "need" a snorkel. One is spot on, the rest are far too often over-simplified, overstated, so small as to be meaningless, or simply wrong.

The list of potential modifications for a 4WD build is endless, so where to start? I would argue there's a clear winner for the best first mod: the humble air compressor.

When you take your new winch out of the box, even if the rope/cable comes pre-spooled on the drum it is not ready for use. You need to pre-tension your rope before winching, or risk tearing it off.

For first-time UHF radio buyers, the range of options can seem overwhelming. Handheld or fixed-mount? How many watts of transmission power? What dBi antenna? Do higher numbers mean more range? Is simply going with more always better?

Something a lot of wheelers are concerned about on their first time building a 4WD and adding external Anderson connectors is water. The good news is, it's far less of a problem than you might assume.

Mounting 4WD accessories can be more demanding on your fasteners than other applications, so you want to get your thread locker right. Both in terms of secure mounting, and being able to remove it if necessary.

Toyota's Prado 150 is a great touring vehicle option, with enough comfort to make long trips pleasant, without going overboard on tech and compromising reliability. There is one major storage gripe though... The 3rd row seats.

35-inch tires are basically the poster child for off-roading. Do a Google search for 4WDs and you’re guaranteed to get pictures of rigs off-road on 35" tires, showing off some flex. Why DO you want 35” tires? Some wheelers just want them for looks; there’s… Read More »Reasons NOT to fit 35" tires to your 4WD

The Toyota 70 series is an icon of off-roading and four-wheel-drive touring, but something I've been asked repeatedly is "what is the problem with the 70 series alternator and mud?". So here's the deal.

When building your 12v auto electrical system, it’s critical to understand that fuses only provide protection after their location in the circuit. Just because a device has a fuse does not mean you're protected from problems elsewhere.

A question that comes up repeatedly in four-wheel-driving is how loud are mud-terrain tires. Mud Terrain tires are the king off-road, but have a reputation for excessive noise on the road, which is unappealing for many drivers. So let's measure the difference.