Vehicles - SA 4x4

Tests & Reviews

Tech Brief

Tech Brief: Water Filtration

Water is the elixir of life and a priority on any overland journey. We need at least two litres per day just for drinking, before we can even consider washing grime off our skin, brushing our teeth or tackling the dirty dishes. Although some tannins in water have a nasty taste, and some may discolour surfaces, water is also the perfect breeding ground for a wide variety of bacteria, parasites and viruses that can ruin a trip − or even end your life. But, for the well-equipped overlander, there are many filtration options, each with its own pros, cons and…

Black Ops Build

Ironman 4×4’s Black Ops Build: Part 1

The first phase of our Ironman 4×4 Bush Truck build is the installation of a performance upgrade. I was expecting more people to ask why and I was a bit disappointed that most people just accepted it without explanation. I was ready to explain that the performance upgrade would help to compensate for the additional weight of all of the accessories as well as the larger wheel and tyres that we would be fitting to turn the Ranger into a serious bush truck. It would seem however that a performance upgrade for a diesel- powered double-cab bakkie is par for…

Tech Brief

FIRE! Why you need an extinguisher

Fire. It’s a vital component of any overlanding journey. Internal combustion powers your 4×4; and more often than not, fire cooks your meals out in the wilderness. On the other hand, fire can be the cause of your journey’s untimely end. Unfortunately, while we are all too eager to stock up on gas bottles, jerry cans and firewood, we often overlook the absolute necessity of having fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers are not too expensive to purchase and are widely available in many retail outlets. It is also simple enough to mount a fire extinguisher in your cab, or to stash…

Advertorial

The CTEK Dual Battery System

Long gone are the days we had to be content with the traditional solenoid dual battery system. With the current advanced modern day DC to DC systems you can now truly maximize on battery power. Batteries today are expensive and one needs to ensure that you get the most out of your auxiliary battery and prolong its lifespan. “During the last couple of years we have seen great improvements on battery development,” says Shane Maree, head of Technical Sales at Enertec, suppliers of CTEK smart DC to DC systems and Discover batteries. Here are some differences between the traditional deep-cycle…

Nissan Navara 2.3 DCI Double Cab 4×4 AT

The much anticipated new Navara has been on our roads for around a year now, and although they’re still not selling as well as Ford or Toyota, it’s a credible alternative with an interesting, high-tech approach. So far, South Africa has received only the premium diesel double-cab versions, which use coil springs to control the solid rear axle. It’s an interesting take, perhaps due to the fact that the platform and development strategies have been shared with Renault (for the upcoming Alaskan bakkie) and Mercedes-Benz (the X-Class). Now it seems that the next Triton will carry the Navara DNA, since…

Rad Rig: Nissan Navara Camper

When you’re the director of Safari Centre in Mossel Bay, it’d be almost sacrilegious not to have a 4×4 that epitomises what’s possible for a camper. Bennie Durand’s Navara has every possible bell, whistle and gadget that one is able to purchase, and while this may not be a built rig, it’s about as far as one can go with bolt-on components before compromising practicality. By Andrew Middleton

Long-Termer

Long-Termer: Dunlop’s Latest

Good news for our Mazda BT-50 long-termer is that it has just been fitted with a set of Dunlop’s Grandtrek AT3G tyres. We fitted a set of LT 265/65 R17 tyres which have a load rating of 120 (1400kg per tyre), and an “R” speed rating (170km/h). Pricing per tyre at this stage should be around R3000, ex Vat and fitment. Why would we change tyres? Simple, really. The AT3G, unlike a number of other all-terrain tyres on the market, has a three-ply sidewall design; and from the get-go, it looks to be the business as aftermarket fitment for tough…

Rad Rig

The Tarantula: All Off-Road’s Teraflex Jeep

We’ve all been there: in the camping store, accessories department, or fitment centre. Our eyes roam over countless shiny new parts while our imaginations run wild. We try to convince ourselves that these material items don’t make us happier… but that’d be lying to our true greedy selves. Unfortunately, as much as our minds race and hearts skip a beat, our wallets most often stay sullen. So, where does it end? Well, it ends here, with the TeraFlex Jeep. What Pierre Smit and the guys from SA Procurement/All Off-Road have done is to build what in their minds is the…

Vehicle Review

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 315 CDI 4×4

The road-holding ability of the Sprinter is brilliant: at 120km/h, it is a rock-solid drive with its permanent AWD. When overtaking big trucks and other vehicles in 5th gear, the Sprinter is (as its name suggests) a sprinter. SPECIFICATIONS Engine: Intercooled 4-cyl TD Displacement: 2143cc Power: 110kW @ 3800rpm Torque: 330Nm @ 1400-2400rpm Gearbox: 6-speed manual AWD: Permanent with centre diff lock Towing unbraked/braked: 750kg/2000kg Ground clearance: 192mm Price: R920 800 The big mirrors give a good view of what is happening behind you. The driving position was more comfortable than in a lot of 4x4s I had driven before. The…

New Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Fair and square: The new G-Class

For the first time since 1979, the G-Class has seen a complete redesign, bringing it into the modern age without losing its off-road capability. It will land in SA later this year, and, according to Mercedes, the G-Class has been improved in all aspects from efficiency, to comfort and interior − and driving dynamics both on and off-road. Off-road prowess The most obvious departure from days gone by is the replacement of a front solid axle with a double-wishbone setup. Mercedes claim that the new front end is just as robust, and may even improve off-road capability. The most obvious…

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