Pick-up & 4x4 Pro - May 2019

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Ssangyong Musso Can the Saracen blend value and luxury?

MAY 2019

TRAINING

USED BUYING

FEATURES

PRODUCTS All Seasons.

All Conditions.

CONSERVATION OF POWER All Terrains.

APB import National Luna’s smart charging system for the UK market IF YOU’RE PLANNING a trip out into the wilderness and don’t intend to come back for a while, you and your 4x4 need to remain self-sufficient during the expedition. You’ll likely have loaded up the truck with numerous essentials, and some bigger essentials, too, like a shower, fridge and/or kitchen sink. It’s a lot of additional clobber for your 4x4 to contend with, but National Luna can ease any potential power problems.

If you’re taking overlanding seriously, you may well have incorporated a split-charge system in your battery setup, helping you power your vehicle and all the extras you’ve placed

on board. And with the DC-DC Converter from National Luna, your dual-battery system will be in good hands.

The converter is a DC-to-DC battery charger and isolator, meaning it will charge an auxiliary battery from a vehicle alternator or solar panel up to a 25A output current. Not only that, but your vehicle’s original alternator, whether that be 12V or 24V, along with variable voltage alternators can be charged, too.

If we’re talking purely solar power, then the integrated MPPT solar regulator can churn out 375W of maximum power, although it should be noted that the regulator can support solar

panels of a higher output. You can also connect up solar panels with a maximum voltage of 42V if you so wish.

Don’t worry about your battery type, either. Whether you have an old-school lead-acid battery or you’re harnessing power from a lithium-ion unit, the converter (codenamed NLDC-25) is complete with a six-stage charging algorithm, alongside a three-stage safety analysis function, which can determine if a battery has suffered any damage or is ill-equipped to receive charging.

Another useful feature is the temperature compensation.

Seeing as you’ll be using your 4x4 in a variety of conditions, the

output voltage is optimised to the current surroundings, meaning you should never be caught short.

The NLDC-25 is waterproof and protects against the possibility of over-voltage and over-current, but over-temperature and reverse polarity, too. A remote monitor displays useful information regarding the system and the current status of your setup, and if that wasn’t enough, everything you need to set up the NLDC-25 and instructions on its operation is included in the box when purchased, too.

Pick up your DC-DC Converter now at the price of just £432.00 Inc. VAT. Available from www. expedition-equipment.com

Davanti has spent years developing this AllTerrain tyre, applying the latest design and manufacturing innovation to develop a tyre as comfortable on the road, on the construction site, in the fields or up in the mountains.

Terratoura is a high performance All-Terrain tyre. Its innovative tread pattern provides exceptional traction across all environments.

All-terrain, all year round.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT WWW.DAVANTI-TYRES.COM 32 MARCH 2019 PICKUP & 4X4 PRO

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THIS MONTH MAY 2019

Tel: 01283 553243 Email: enquiries@assignmentmedia.co.uk Web: www.pickupand4x4pro.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/ pickupand4x4pro Instagram: @pickup4x4pro Editorial Supervisor Alan Kidd Editor George Dove

News

Art Editor Samantha D’Souza

2 VW Amarok Deal signed for next generation pick-up 2 INEOS Engine partnership for old-school 4x4 startup 3 Mitsubishi Hardcore version of L200 revealed 3 SsangYong New, longer pick-up truck on the horizon

Group Advertising Manager Ian Argent Tel: 01283 553242

Products 24 Gstove Revolutionize the campsite with this mega stove 26 Pedders Suspension experts give Jimny a boost 28 ARB Add this gear to your truck for perfect down time 30 Alpine Combat road noise with audio enhancements

Features 6 12 18 22

SsangYong Musso Can it do luxury and value?

Isuzu Rodeo How to shop for the ideal used Rodeo Khaya Camper How to really make your truck a home All Terrain Services Learning from the powers that be

Contributors Mike Trott, Paul Looe, Dan Fenn

Advertising Manager Colin Ashworth Tel: 01283 553244 Advertising Sales Manager Gary Simpkins Tel: 01283 553245 Advertising and Exhibition Sales Executive Abigail Cooper Tel: 01283 553246 Publisher and Head of Marketing Sarah Lowe Email: sarah.lowe@assignmentmedia.co.uk To subscribe to Pickup & 4x4 Pro for FREE: just fill in the form on page 2.

Distributed by Marketforce; www.marketforce. co.uk Every effort is made to ensure the contents of Pickup & 4x4 Pro are accurate, but Assignment Media accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions nor the consequences of actions made as a result of these. When responding to any advert in Pickup & 4x4 Pro, you should make appropriate enquiries before sending money or entering into a contract. The publishers take reasonable care to ensure advertisers’ probity, but will not be liable for loss or damage incurred from responding to adverts Where a photo credit includes the note ‘CC BY 2.0’ or similar, the image is made available under that Creative Commons licence: details at www. creativecommons.org Pickup & 4x4 Pro is published by Assignment Media Ltd, Repton House G11, Bretby Business Park, Ashby Road, Bretby, Derbyshire DE15 0YZ

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NEWS

FORD TO HELP WITH AMAROK SUCCESSOR

Initial plan for second-gen VW pick-up to share Ranger underpinnings

V

olkswagen have announced that they’ve signed an initial agreement with Ford, regarding the development of the next generation of their Amarok pick-up. This comes after the news earlier this year that the two giants would work together on the future development of commercial vehicles, autonomous driving and mobility services.

One of the main targets of the alliance was to reduce production costs to enable both brands to be able to offer better value for their customers in all sectors. And using the platform for the Ford Ranger in the development of the next generation Amarok would certainly help Volkswagen save on costs.

INEOS BAG BMW POWER INEOS Automotive signs powertrain deal for Projekt Grenadier

I

NEOS Automotive have confirmed that their Projekt Grenadier – pinned as a spiritual successor to the mechanical Land Rover Defender – will use engines provided by BMW. In the quest to build an off-road

2 MAY 2019

vehicle that embodies the spirit of classics such as the Willys Jeep, J40 Land Cruiser and Series Land Rovers, the German automotive giant will supply a range of both turbocharged petrol and diesel engines for the forthcoming

Projekt Grenadier.

Dirk Heilmann, CEO of INEOS Automotive, said: ‘This technology partnership is a very significant milestone for Projekt Grenadier – we are delighted BMW Group will supply engines for our new

off-roader. Its reputation as a maker of extremely reliable, high performance engines that offer total durability, efficiency and quality is second to none.

Simply put, it builds the best engines in the world. Working with BMW Group is another major step forward in ensuring we deliver on our vision to build an uncompromising 4×4 with the ultimate in engineering integrity.’

ProjektGrenadier is set to arrive next year and has been spearheaded by Jim Ratcliffe, chairman and founder of chemicals giant INEOS. On the technical side, Mbtech – a branch of MercedesBenz – have been announced as engineering partners, so pair that with the BMW engines, and the Grenadier has the potential to offer all of the perks of a Land Rover, without any of the drawbacks.

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NEWS

MITSUBISHI SHOW MEGA L200 CONCEPT The Bangkok Motor Show saw the debut of the rugged Triton Absolute

E

specially for the 40th Bangkok International Motor Show, Mitsubishi developed a striking concept truck, the Triton Absolute – a rugged and rowdy take on the recently face-lifted L200.

Triton, of course, is the name that the L200 goes by in markets outside of Europe, and the concept appears to have the Ford Ranger Raptor in its sights. It’s bolstered by protective body panelling, more defined tough styling and additional lighting systems, all of which help it live up to the strap line “ABSOLUTELY Beyond Tough”.

There are also front and rear skid plates, plus the tailgate has been redesigned. It sits on a wider track and off-road biased wheels and tyres, and an uprated suspension system offers improved travel and also raises ride height by 50mm.

Like the new facelift model, the Triton Absolute made its debut in Thailand, where the new L200 is already on the market, albeit under its pseudonym.

The new L200 is expected to hit UK showrooms later on in the year.

SSANGYONG SHOW MUSSO GRAND IN GENEVA Korean brand turns shortest truck into the longest with extended version

A

t the Geneva Motor Show, SsangYong showed the Musso Grand – a longwheelbase version of the truck currently on sale in the UK. As it stands, the Musso is the shortest truck out there on the market, but this model directly addresses that and would make it the longest on these shores.

SsangYong in the UK have not yet confirmed specifications, but if the Musso Grand’s domestic counterpart, the Rexton Sports Khan is anything to go by, then the lifestyle focussed truck is around a foot longer than the UK Musso, and has a load space now measuring 1,610x1,570x600mm –

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only notably larger in length.

Other than the extra length in the load bed, the wheelbase would grow too, but on the whole the Musso would remain the same as the one we currently know. It’s more than likely to share the same 2.2-litre unit that SsangYong uses across its range, and the same goes for the six-speed manual or Aisin automatic transmissions.

The full specifications of the Musso Grand haven’t yet been confirmed for European models, but expecting it to cost more than a standard Musso is not unreasonable and there are murmurs that we’ll be seeing it in the UK before the year is out.

MAY 2019

3

PRODUCTS

HEADLINE SPONSOR

CONSERVATION OF POWER APB import National Luna’s smart charging system for the UK market IF YOU’RE PLANNING a trip out into the wilderness and don’t intend to come back for a while, you and your 4x4 need self-sufficient during to remain self-sufficient the expedition. You’ll likely have loaded up the truck with numerous essentials, and some bigger essentials, too, like a shower, fridge and/or kitchen sink. It’s a lot of additional clobber for your 4x4 to contend with, but National Luna can ease any potential power problems.

If you’re taking overlanding seriously, you may well have incorporated a split-charge system in your battery setup, helping you power your vehicle and all the extras you’ve placed

AND

PICK-UP SHOW

SHOW PARTNERS

32

MARCH 2019

Friday 28th June 2019 COMMERCIAL USERS DAY

on board. And with the DC-DC Converter from National Luna, your dual-battery system will be in good hands.

The converter is a DC-to-DC battery charger and isolator, meaning it will charge an auxiliary battery from a vehicle alternator or solar panel up to a 25A output current. Not only that, but your vehicle’s original alternator, whether that be 12V or 24V, along with variable voltage alternators can be charged, too.

If we’re talking purely solar power, then the integrated MPPT solar regulator can churn out 375W of maximum power, although it should be noted that the regulator can support solar

panels of a higher output. You can also connect up solar panels with a maximum voltage of 42V if you so wish.

Don’t worry about your battery type, either. Whether you have an old-school lead-acid battery or you’re harnessing power from a lithium-ion unit, the converter (codenamed NLDC-25) is complete with a six-stage charging algorithm, alongside a three-stage safety analysis function, which can determine if a battery has suff ered suffered any damage or is ill-equipped to receive charging.

Another useful feature is the temperature compensation.

Seeing as you’ll be using your 4x4 in a variety of conditions, the

output voltage is optimised to the current surroundings, meaning you should never be caught short.

The NLDC-25 is waterproof and protects against the possibility of over-voltage and over-current, but over-temperature and reverse polarity, too. A remote monitor displays useful information regarding the system and the current status of your setup, and if that wasn’t enough, everything you need to set up the NLDC-25 and instructions on its operation is included in the box when purchased, too.

Pick up your DC-DC Converter now at the price of just £432.00 Inc. VAT. Available from www. expedition-equipment.com

The UK Motor Show for the 4x4 and Pick-up Market www.4x4andpickupshow.co.uk

Whether your interest is personal or professional, this is the 4×4 and pick-up show for you, with dedicated days for both trade and public. Complete show room experience from leading manufacturers and bespoke builders, allowing you to both view and test drive vehicles.

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M40

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EXHIBITORS INCLUDE 4X4 MANUFACTURERS | PICK-UP MANUFACTURERS | 4X4 CAR DEALERSHIPS | PICK-UP TRUCK DEALERSHIPS | HARD TOP MANUFACTURERS AND WHOLESALERS | SUSPENSION MANUFACTURERS / WHOLESALERS | SUSPENSION BUSHES | WHEEL MANUFACTURERS AND WHOLESALERS | TYRE MANUFACTURERS AND WHOLESALERS | TOOLS | LIGHTING | UNDERBODY PROTECTION | WINCHES | BRAKES | OFF ROAD EQUIPMENT | TOWING AND TRAILER MANUFACTURERS | ONBOARD STORAGE SOLUTIONS | ROOF RACKS | ROLL CAGES | SEATS AND TRIM UPGRADES | PERFORMANCE EQUIPMENT | SOUND PROOFING | ENGINE OILS AND LUBRICANTS | SERVICING | GARAGE UPGRADES | CUSTOM VEHICLE BUILDERS | OVERLAND EQUIPMENT | COMMERCIAL AND PERSONAL INSURANCE

FREE ENTRY

PUBLIC DAY

COVENTRY

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A4114 Burton Green Baighton

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Bubbenhall Kenilworth

Organised by the Publishers of

Blackworth

Hunningham

A46 Royal Leamington Sa

M40

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National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG 10am to 4pm

Saturday 29th June 2019 Register your details at www.4x4andpickupshow.co.uk to receive your tickets and organisers of

the

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ON TEST

SSANGYONG MUSSO SARACEN AUTO

The Korean one-tonner is a capable steed that offers customers bang for their buck – so how does it fare when it gets plusher and pricier?

WORDS AND PICTURES: GEORGE DOVE

ON TEST

W

hen we’ve previously been behind the wheel of the SsangYong Musso we’ve been mightily impressed by both how it performed and how it was priced.

But, are our thoughts any different after climbing into the driver’s seat of this range-topping Saracen?

SsangYong pride themselves on offering rugged vehicles at great value and whilst this high-spec variant costs a few quid more than the basic EX truck we drove back in the January issue, you do get more for your money.

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MAY 2019

CABIN AND PRACTICALITY

The suave exterior created by the Atlantic Blue bodywork and black 18-inch alloys aren’t the only stylish elements of design. Inside, the black leather Feng Shuai is smart, mature and comfortable.

But there’s a mix of hardy textiles and robust components, too – although a balance has been struck. Overall, the Saracen is a grand place to sit.

Adjusted four ways by inbuilt motors, the front seats are pleasant moorings and finetuning your driving position is a breeze.

The leather-bound steering wheel is tactile and pleasant to use, whilst the controls located on it are clear and functional.

The driver display isn’t as engaging as most fitted elsewhere in the pick-up sector, but when you really think about it, that isn’t a bad thing. It is clear and concise, performing its duties without frills.

That’s pretty much the story with everything in the interior. The centre console is tidy and toes the line between style and function – everything is well finished in black with the odd silver accents, but most things are still manned by good old-fashioned buttons.

What isn’t controlled by traditional methods is the touchscreen. It’s responsive and not complicated to follow, so you can easily navigate its functions. We’ve learnt from other SsangYongs that their own sat-nav system isn’t the sharpest system out there, but luckily the Musso comes armed with smartphone mirroring abilities (both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto).

Truth be told there was only one thing about the interior that was frustrating. As is common in many trucks, the dash-mounted infotainment screen reflects into onto the rear windows of the cab

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ON TEST and can be irritating when you check your rear mirror. However, as the Saracen comes fitted with the new halo Luxury hardtop, two more panes are added between your mirror and the world behind your truck-bed. What this means is, you have to contend with an amplified reflection that can also warp what you see to an extent.

At times it’s hard to see past the reflections and, somehow, it seemingly raises the beams of the vehicle behind you in close traffic to cabin level. But, this is only really evident at night and, whilst it is annoying, it isn’t something that makes the truck dangerous.

DRIVING

With the same 178bhp and 310lbf.ft 2.2-litre diesel heart as all of its siblings, it has plenty of pull – enough so to enact both its 1,085kg payload and 3.5-tonne braked towing weight simultaneously. Fitted with the eight-speed Aisin automatic transmission the Musso gets about in a relaxed manner. It doesn’t struggle to get up to speed and nor does it snatch at you if you plant your foot.

Out and about on the road, the Musso rides rather nicely. It doesn’t crash over speedbumps or potholes, although impacts on the rear suspension can cause a few squeaks and rattles from the hardtop. This isn’t irritating and is easily drowned out by the radio.

In and about town, or even when avoiding blemishes in the asphalt, steering is light and effortless. It isn’t imprecise, either, and is a big

part in the manner in which the truck drives – which, at times, isn’t like a truck. This is where sharing underpinnings with a flagship SUV takes effect. It isn’t as supple as the Rexton, not by a long shot, but those beginnings have certainly done it no harm.

Kitted out with a reversing camera, parking is nowhere near as tricky as it could be, and again the light steering means that whilst driving the Musso, things like busy supermarket carparks don’t strike as much fear into your heart as they could do. It’s here that the fact that it isn’t the biggest truck on the market also helps. But the bed is big enough for a Euro pallet and the addition of the Luxury hardtop does add more security and practicality to proceedings.

Both of the side windows pop out for aeration, as does the additional pane behind that at the rear of the cab. The truck bed still possesses a 12-volt plug

Top: Heated seats are common in trucks of all specs and prices, but a ventilated function is much less. Gladly, the Saracen has both.

Right: The seats don’t have adjustable lumbar support, but they are comfortable just the way they are, even over longer distances. The armrest is well positioned, too.

Left: You may only be able to adjust the seats four ways, but you do get electric adjustment for both passengers in the front.

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MAY 2019

9

ON TEST

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MAY 2019

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ON TEST and the canopy adds a small LED lighting strip to illuminate the bed, although it doesn’t exactly flood the bay. The canopy also has roof rails on the top and can function as a split tailgate.

VERDICT

With a high-spec version of a truck that chiefly trades off value is a risky business. It’s easy to add things to a truck and pad out a spec sheet, but to do so without doubling the price and also lining your own pockets is tricky.

However, the Musso reaches an amicable compromise.

You get a wad of toys and several cows were sacrificed for your comfort, but aspects that have less sway aren’t as plush as they could be. And this is alright.

Think back over previous vehicles you’ve driven or owned – which feature from all of them stands out the most? I guarantee nobody has just recalled a set of floor mats.

That’s why in the Musso they’re rubberised with an agricultural pattern for grip. To be entirely honest, I didn’t notice that they were like that until I reached back in to pick up something I’d dropped.

A parallel logic goes for the switchgear – it isn’t cheap, scratchy plastic, but nor is it a glossy piano black finish, because that would’ve added a few quid onto the list price.

Now, this truck costs £27,245 before tax or accessories. So, on the road pricing would be £36,056 plus fitting costs for the tow bar and hardtop. That seems a lot, especially given that you can get into a Musso for a little over £20,000 without tax, but the Saracen is SsangYong’s answer to the luxury trucks that wear list prices in and around fifty-grand.

It doesn’t go to the same extents as those trucks, but it can hold its own and is genuinely a lovely place to be. Like the trucks in the upper echelons of the sector, the Saracen could put a shift in if it was asked to. But the big difference is in the Musso, you wouldn’t mind doing so. You still get all of your leather and gizmos, but it still doesn’t get ideas above its station. At heart is it a light commercial vehicle, and it melds luxury and utility together into a compromise that deserves caps to be doth’d.

AT A GLANCE Base price £30,046 + VAT Fuel consumption 32.9mpg combined Emissions 211g/km Payload 1,085kg Braked trailer 3,500kg Gross vehicle weight 3,215kg Service interval 12 months / 12,500 miles Warranty 60 months /150,000 miles

BUYING USED

ISUZU RODEO: 2003-2007 At the turn of the century pick-ups had the lifestyle customer in their crosshairs.

Isuzu were slow to this party, but that means that if you search carefully, a used Rodeo may well be the work truck that you’re looking for WORDS: GEORGE DOVE

BUYING USED

O

ver the years, Isuzu has built up a reputation for building steadfastly reliable workhorses, but this was thrown into jeopardy when they fitted the uncharacteristically

erratic 3.0TD engine that was wrought with problems.

However, when the Rodeo was released in 2003, this powertrain wasn’t part of its arsenal, and therefore none of its issues were in the pot, either. Other

manufacturers were targeting the lifestyle pick-up market, whilst the Rodeo stuck to its guns and acted as a workhorse first and a statement run-around second.

But that isn’t to say that Isuzu didn’t up their game in this regard.

The Rodeo certainly looked the

part. It promised more refinement than previous Isuzu models and came with higher-spec variants.

Plus, there were two new engines helping it take the fight to contemporary classmates in the Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara and Toyota Hilux.

BUYING USED

INTERIOR

Inside, the Rodeo boasts a modest toolkit as standard with a CD player, air-conditioning and a central armrest among the highlights. This sounds spartan, and it will feel that way when

compared to a modern truck, but this was competitive a decade and a half ago.

The new model brought along a new trim level and with the Denver spec, the Rodeo held more appeal to the lifestyle sector.

The top-spec Denver added

to this with electric mirrors, fog lamps, an upgraded six-speaker sound system and plusher upholstery. Plus, amongst the toys fitted was keyless entry.

But still, with the toys added and stepping towards the lifestyle sector, Isuzu still traded off their

tough, workhorse reputation and focused more on the durability of the cabin, rather than making it swish and flowery. The switchgear was solid and the seats were supportive and comfortable, but there was little more going on than that.

DRIVING

The Rodeo was tough and nononsense – and that is exactly how it drove.

There were two engines on offer – 2.5- or 3.0-litre turbodiesel units.

Fret not, the bigger version wasn’t a re-working of the catastrophic 3.0TD that became infamous in the Trooper, but an advancement of the 2.8-litre 4JB1 unit – which was a shining example when it came to dependability.

In the Rodeo, the two engines had outputs of 99 and 129bhp respectively, but factory approved chips could up those totals to 128 and 153bhp. We’d lean towards the more powerful unit, as the added grunt helps it move much more freely and it’s notably more comfortable at cruising speeds.

More torque comes with the bigger unit too, boasting 207lbf. ft and sitting 41 units above the 2.5-litre option. This is before chipping the powerplant, too, and out of the box it averages

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MAY 2019

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BUYING USED

30.7mpg which isn’t bad for a truck with a 3.0-litre heart, whereas the smaller unit trumps it here, lasting a touch under 35 miles per a gallon of diesel.

On the road, the Rodeo was nothing special. It was fairly civilised and kept pace with its

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competitors in terms of handling on the road, but it didn’t really go above and beyond them in any particular fashion. It was competent in the corners and a comfortable cruiser on the whole, but when unladen it was susceptible to kicking the tail

MAY 2019

15

BUYING USED

out – this only in two-wheel drive, of course. That, however, leads nicely onto something that the Rodeo does hold over its peers – it was one of the first trucks that swapped from two and four-wheel drive at the press of a button, rather than with a lever. This remains functional at speeds of up to 60mph, which is a neat trick.

Although, if you suddenly need more traction at that speed, we’d certainly recommend pushing the brakes first.

For a truck of its age, the Rodeo was very capable off-road, with its

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MAY 2019

agricultural characteristics playing into its hands when it left the tarmac behind. However, it did have a very long wheelbase, and was prone to bottoming out. This could not only make casualties of the sidesteps and damage the chassis, but could unsettle the exhaust, too.

RELIABILITY

Much like the image Isuzu had built by this point, the Rodeo was by and large a solid and reliable truck. The service intervals are set at either 12,000-miles or every twelve

months, and unscheduled repair work on Rodeos are a rarity.

This is, in part, down to the type of engines that they run. Both diesel units are gear-driven rather than the more traditional cambelt setup. So, you can look forward to avoiding a costly cambelt replacement every 60,000-miles or so and enjoy a powertrain that promises to have better longevity.

Service sundries shouldn’t be too expensive either, with a new clutch available for less than £300, a new exhaust will be a touch more than that and brake pads costing

approximately £30 and £60 for front and rear replacements.

Rodeos weren’t complicated patients for mechanics, either, so the fact that Isuzu dealerships aren’t two-a-penny shouldn’t put you off. A VAT-registered and reputable local workshop should be able to perform anything you’ll require on a Rodeo – plus you’ll spend less getting it done.

You may well find some imports rebadged as Chevrolets, and whilst these are almost identical, you may struggle more so when it comes to what would be straightforward

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BUYING USED

servicing with a Rodeo.

Due to their reputation, and the fact that they were quite good at it, many Rodeos took the road less travelled. But, just like anything, if you don’t look after it, you’ll pay the price. Take a look at the chassis and door sills, keeping a keen eye open for any scratches and scraping. Due to its long wheelbase, a Rodeo that has been taken off-road may well have issues with its exhaust and there’s even a possibility that the chassis could be hacked, too. When out on a test drive, quickly punch the throttle a few times and listen out for any rattles or too much of a husky tone. If this is the case, it isn’t a bad idea to get it up on the ramps and inspect the underside. If you do find resolvable problems then as per usual, either factor the cost to rectify them into your bidding or get the repairs included as part of the sale.

There were a couple of other problems that the Rodeo suffered with, one of which was faulty dashboard warning lights. Another side-effect of hard use, the sensors within the pick-up’s electrical workings could become damaged.

This didn’t necessarily just happen to a truck that had been battered and beaten, but it is still worth getting them checked over by an experienced mechanic. If you do look at a truck and the dashboard

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looks like Times Square on New Year’s eve, chances are the sensors are either mucky or broken, but better safe than sorry. If the transverse is true, then it’s best to keep searching for another example.

Whilst it was much better than the unit it replaced; the 3.0-litre engine has been reported to have had issues with cold starting. The glow plugs could need replacing – a time consuming task that should be carried out every 60,000-miles – but where possible, still try your utmost to try cold starting such a unit before purchasing. You could take the dealer’s word for it, but if the forecourt isn’t far from home then dropping in unannounced shouldn’t be so risky. If you’re travelling to view a truck, then it’s worth calling ahead and explaining.

VERDICT

The Isuzu Rodeo was a fairly competitive truck in the burgeoning lifestyle truck class, but it held such status without abandoning its roots, nor particularly pushing any competitors in any area – aside from value, of course.

But this was because, truth be told, it was a workhorse that, rather than donning a trendy fleece it just swapped its hard hat for a snazzier hard hat. But, this

isn’t to say that it wasn’t capable of digging its heels in both on a work site and a school run like the other trucks were, just its bias shifted to a lesser extent.

It was still an exceptionally robust, no-nonsense truck that, providing it has been looked after, will still be as potent in a working environment as it was upon release.

We’d recommend holding out for a 3.0-litre version, either with or without the additional performance from the approved chipping. The bigger engine possesses as much power out of the box as the upgraded version of the 2.5-litre, but more importantly it has a towing capacity that meets the magical three-tonne figure.

The payload is 1,045kg, and even though it won’t savour fuel as much as the smaller unit, it isn’t too much thirstier.

Single cab versions did make

their way to the UK, but the bulk of those bought here had four doors.

Many were high-spec Denver trim, too, and at the time of writing there was a fair smattering of Denver Max trucks on the online market, too. For a truck with modest mileage, between 90,000 and 120,000, you can expect to pick up a smart, well-looked after truck for around £4,500. You can find models for less than that, but they’ll more than likely be tiring workhorses that’ve done significantly more miles. Many Rodeos were fitted with a hardtop of some sort and with a bit of luck, you could find a pristine low mileage example for a fee of around £7,000 – which may sound expensive but look after it and you’ll not need another truck for some time. However, you should be able to shop successfully with a budget of £5,000.

THE FIGURES Target price (high mileage) £4,000 Target price (low mileage) £7,000 Fuel consumption 30.7mpg (combined) Power 129bhp Torque 207lbf.ft Payload 1,045kg Braked trailer 3,000kg

MAY 2019

17

FEATURES

KHARRY ON CAMPING

Among the swathe of tents and conversions available for modern pickups, you'd be hard pressed to find a more comprehensive conversion for overland accommodation than the Khaya Camper WORDS AND PICTURES: GEORGE DOVE

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FEATURES

T

here’s no denying the undying growth in the popularity of pick-up trucks in recent years, and riding this wave of popularity there are endless companies developing numerous accessories and products for each and every occasion. The end result is that whatever you want to do in your truck, there is an answer. But AluCab have come up with something that means you can do everything in your pick-up. When it comes to the Khaya camper, they’ve thought of it all. Even the kitchen sink.

The South African company have spent years developing camping equipment for adventurous pick-up and 4x4 drivers, making everything from vehicle mounted tents and canopies to storage systems, fridge freezers and roof conversions for some of the most iconic and capable off-road motors. But the pièce de résistance of their range comprises sleeping quarters, washing facilities and a kitchen into one convenient and versatile unit that sits neatly on the back of most pick-up trucks on sale today.

Designed with overall weight in mind, the aluminium Khaya Camper unit is not so heavy that it rules out off-road driving (starting

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MAY 2019

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FEATURES

at only 340kg for the base model).

Requiring only a slight lift and suspension upgrade to otherwise standard vehicles, the Khaya Camper is as versatile as the truck it is fitted to – which in this case here is a Mercedes-Benz X-Class, belonging to the European MD of Genesis Imports. That explains the truck’s decals, then…

Entrance is gained via the upwards opening rear door and climbing the drop-down steps into the interior cabin. From the steps, you find yourself stood on a carpeted vinyl floor in a cleverly packaged space. Measuring twometres in length, the cabin is 1.3

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MAY 2019

and 1.85-metres wide below and above the storage compartments.

On the right-hand side there is a cupboard that is ideal for recovery equipment and also has space for a few tools, emergency gear and so on. Forward of this unit prepared for a gas bottle beneath the stove, that funnily enough works the stove or the camper’s heating. It’s the same story on the opposite side in the cabin, except that space is used for the internal electrics rather than a gas cannister. A bench seat offers both a perch and more storage inside the cabin, and the surface on top of the storage compartments

houses a sink with a glass lid as well as the stove. These left-sided stowage sections can be accessed from the outside, too.

Headroom isn’t luxurious, or even present for those above a mere 1.4-metres tall, however with the tent erected, the ceiling of the interior cabin folds up into the tent, offering space a plenty for those of all heights.

If you clamber up into the tent compartment and fold the floor back down it forms a mattress that is 75mm thick and plenty big enough to comfortable sleep two adults. Standard on all Khaya units, the waterproof and UV-resistant

tent opens easily on gas struts.

Unzipping the three openings enables campers to sleep beneath the stars or watch the sunrise, but also feature mosquito nets for peace of mind when needed.

Featuring AluCab’s rip-lock technology, the 400g/m2 material is tough and resistant to cuts and tears, and the rear window has a taut roofing to provide protection from rain and sunlight.

But the perks of the Khaya aren’t just restricted to inside of it, oh no. Obviously you’re more than likely going to hide away inside if the weather takes a turn for the worst, but in more amenable

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FEATURES climes the Khaya becomes a portable campsite. With fittings for an Alu-Cab Shadow 270 awning, travellers can seek shelter from the sun beneath the shelter of the fold-out canopy. If necessary, the awning can be converted into a 10m² tent area with side walls.

The front righthand side of the Khaya also has a shower fitment, that consists of a pull-out shower rail and a shower tray that can be conveniently stored on the rear door. Connect these together and fire up the shower mixer, and you’ll be squeaky clean in no time. But with the 80-litre fresh water tank, you don’t have to rush too much.

It’ll be warm water, too, thanks to the optional on-board boiler.

Thanks to an auxiliary battery setup, the Khaya won’t drain the battery of the vehicle it’s fitted to, and a roof-mounted solar panel ensures that as long as the sun shines, so can the lights in the onboard fridge, the cabin and those for reading in the tent will shine, too. Plus, if you want to reconnect with civilisation there are USB charging ports located in the kitchen and the roof. There is also an optional aluminium storage box that can be fitted over the cross-beam of double-cab trucks.

No space has been wasted on Alu-Cab’s halo product, as even the exterior walls play home to useful cubbies and features. It’s possible to move the gas cooker to the exterior hanging table, for al fresco dining. There are two external storage compartments, one on each side of the Khaya, with shelves, partitions and easily accessible fabric doors. Don’t worry about security though, as the aluminium doors lock over the top to keep things nice and safe.

Working with the European distributor Genesis, the Alu-Cab Khaya Camper is exclusively brought into the UK by expedition equipment specialists Tuff-Trek, whose arsenal has plenty of products to turn the pick-up mounted unit into the ultimate adventure residence.

Tuff-Trek have already fitted Khaya Campers to some lucky trucks in Britain, and to get the ball rolling on your own Khaya unit contact them by calling 01825 840786, or visit tuff-trek.com for more information and full specifications.

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MAY 2019

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TRAINING

ALL BASES COVERED

If you want to be trained to the highest standards, then going to those who helped write the rulebook isn't a bad idea – it's a very good one

WITHIN THE BRITISH offroad scene, be it play-days or commercial training, there are few names that can stand aside that of BORDA – the British Off-Road Driving Association. They’re a professional association that promotes recognised standards

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and codes of practice for the safety and wellbeing of both off-road drivers, their vehicles and the environment. So, if you’re an accredited member of BORDA, you have to know your stuff.

All Terrain Services offer all kinds of services within the off-road

world – 4x4 and ATV training, playdays, corporate events and even training for winches and trailers.

Plus, not only are they BORDA members, they’re one of the parties that helped form the organisation.

Throughout the UK, All Terrain Services have twelve separate sites, all of which are unique, but still capable of hosting all of the events that are needed of them.

Alongside training and on-site activities, the expertise of the team goes into product launches for manufacturers – this includes creating bespoke courses to best show off a vehicle’s capabilities.

Seeing as I didn’t have a model that I wanted to launch, I went to visit the All Terrain site in Grantham, Lincolnshire, to try and absorb some of their extensive knowledge in a driver training session.

Proceedings were in the safe hands of Gilly and Andrew Poulsen, custodians of the Grantham set-up, alongside the company’s lead instructor, Bob Harris.

‘Being founding members of BORDA we offer accredited training that follows their syllabus

and we also offer our own inhouse accreditation,’ explains Bob at the start of the day. ‘Many of our customers are utility companies and we train groups of pupils that make up their fleets.’

The training is run with a 2:1 ratio of pupils to instructors, in accordance with the BORDA guidelines and All Terrain recommend a refresher course three years down the line.

Starting off in the classroom, pupils are informally talked through the different aspects and principles of off-road driving at a depth relevant to their level of knowledge and experience.

Today, the team would be taking me through the Standard Level BORDA regimen, allowing me to take in the site and also their training and delivery.

Once the admin was handled in the classroom, this was followed by a walk around the training vehicle, in this case Bob’s Toyota Hilux. Various things were covered here, from basic maintenance tips and a quick familiarisation with the controls and set-up of

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TRAINING

the vehicle. Were a fleet customer the pupil here, this part would be done with their own vehicle – failing that, something not entirely dissimilar. Bob and his colleagues have experience in every type of vehicle out there, so they know that if you’re going to be driving a modern pick-up on a daily basis, then it probably isn’t best to learn the ropes in an old 90!

The same goes for the content of their sessions. Here at the Grantham site there is plenty of versatility on offer. Terrain ranges from uneven gravel tracks to wideopen fields, from climbs and ruts to boggy regions then to top it all off, a field crafted with bespoke obstacles – their name really is apt.

What this site does is it allows the instructors the ability to offer a bespoke regime of training that is ideal for each customer.

We covered a wide range of things throughout the course, checking off skills and activities listed in the BORDA guidebook, beginning with a drive around the site to get familiar with the different sections – and the Hilux. This mainly used the flatter edges of fields (note flatter, not flat) and dirt tracks akin to those you’d find on most farms. Towards the end of the recce there was a large gravel opening, which Bob uses to explain and demonstrate transmission windup, which, following the overview in the classroom at the day’s start, covers the different learning styles comprehensively. This was the

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case throughout the day – putting the elements that had been overviewed in the classroom into practice out in the field.

‘Our philosophy is to start with an understanding of the vehicle,’ explains Bob. ‘Then we aim to build a skillset from there.’

For the first half, the curriculum was conducted with Bob’s tuition in the modern Hilux, whilst after lunch and another round of tea, the proceedings were led by Gilly in the on-site Defender. You know, just to make sure my left leg ached come home time…

Having covered various obstacles and traversed a spread of landscapes in the Hilux, in the Land Rover we headed straight for the back field that had been cultivated to pose obstacles that had been made specifically with driver training in mind. There were big ruts, steep dips and climbs and something a little different.

‘This is my special obstacle,’ gleamed Gilly. ‘It’s called the donut and I don’t know of anywhere else that has it. I designed what I wanted it to be and Andrew came out here with a digger and made it for me.’

Calling it the donut is appropriate – as it’s like the result of the ground being pressed by a massive version of the ring-shaped treat. The nose of the Land Rover dipped down into the trough that ran around the outskirts of a tapered, cylindrical mound in the centre. And Gilly is very pleased with it.

‘I like it because you can drive into it and go around on a slope one way, then change your line and bank the other wheels on the middle and you’re on an angle the other way.’

In that field we also went across the ruts – at an angle as suggested by the BORDA guidelines – and even got accidentally cross-axled on purpose, for the benefits of educational teaching. We continued going through different scenarios and skills, with Gilly pointing out signs and indicators of how to read the land, just as Bob had in the morning, until all of the criteria had been met.

The training I had undertaken wasn’t like that of a typical customer for the All Terrain team.

I didn’t have a work application other than to essentially witness their training methods – which I was very impressed with.

With the dozen sites spread far, staff sometimes have to move from one site to another to help the different teams with bigger batch training. That was the case on the day of my visit, Bob is actually based in Wales, but as they had group training booked in the coming days he had made the trip over – not that you could tell. Reflecting on this, it spoke volumes that the efficiency and fluidity of the training didn’t fluctuate between the different instructors. The tuition was attentive, intuitive where necessary and throughout it all, the knowledge and experience

of the instructors was made abundantly clear.

‘The surfaces and landscapes at our different sites may vary,’ says Bob. ‘But all of our instructors are BORDA standard instructors and we will tailor the training to whatever the customer needs.

We’ll talk to them before we begin, more often than not it’s a fleet operator, and we’ll do the right thing for them – that’s our end goal.

‘The vehicles we use are mainly standard as well, aside from a set of off-road tyres, usually Cooper AT3s, they should be comparable to those that our customers drive.’

Throughout all they do, All Terrain Services have the safety of their clients at the forefront, but they also love what they do. This shows, and in an environment where some might feel like they are taking a test and get anxious, the joy is infectious and can serve to put the driver at ease.

Combining the proven knowhow of the professional standards body they helped to found, along with the inherent experience that comes with it, you can’t put a foot wrong when training with All Terrain Services. I may have only witnessed their 4x4 driver training, but I spotted absolutely nothing that would suggest their professionalism, knowledge and delivery would be any different in either ATV training or any of their other services. If you want to have all bases covered, you can rely on the services from All Terrain.

MAY 2019

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PRODUCTS

PACKING HEAT

Adding a stove to your campsite means you’ll never tough it out again ONE OF THE things about pick-up trucks is the practicality they offer. This goes for when you’re working and it’s full of supplies, but they’re also the ideal adventure companions, too. Fit it with a canopy at the back, fill it with all of the supplies you need and your campsite is wherever you choose it to be. But when camping, there are some things you make allowances for, and some you can’t. The food and accommodation aren’t up to the same standards as they are at home, but that’s all forgiven as par for the course. Something that is much trickier to forgive is the remorseless cold. No matter how much you wrap up warm and huddle together for warmth, there are some situations in which nylon walls just aren’t enough.

Obviously, you can make a campfire. They’re a charming solution, but we’re not all Bear Grylls, are we? If you think someone fancies themselves as thus, don’t let them pack the freezer-box… But, fret not, as

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Norwegian company Gstove have an effective and elegant solution that is much more reliable that a campfire and doesn’t encourage campers to go feral.

Forged of stainless steel, the Gstove Heat View camping stove is an effective and compact design that has more room for wood to give you longer burn time. This is achieved by removing the integrated cooking elements so more kindling can be accommodated, and your tent can remain warm for as long as you need it to. With its chimney and intake control, the Heat View won’t fill your tent with smoke and is a versatile piece of kit. With the intake fully open, the stove gets hot fast, but at its lowest setting the fire will keep smouldering for hours.

Inside, there are cohesive grates that can be removed if you want to burn larger pieces of firewood, but the grate is designed to ensure that the wood burns evenly. The handles on the top of the stove, as well as means

to carry it, can be used to dry wet items and can also serve as standing space for cooking pans to keep that second serving warm whilst you scoff the first.

These fantastic stoves are

brought into the UK by expedition equipment specialists APB, you can get your hands on a Gstove Heat View by visiting their dedicated adventure website expedition-equipment.com.

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PRODUCTS

JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE Pedders have been busy working on just what new Jimny owners wanted THE LATEST SUZUKI Jimny has gone down a storm, and we reckon it’ll be a wicked little workhorse, too. If you can get your hands on one, that is…

But, if you’re one of the lucky ones that do add one to your driveway, you may not be able to resist adding a few mods to it, just to enhance its abilities a little bit.

When we drove it, we felt that one of the few things that could so this would be a bit of a suspension lift, to allow more ground clearance,

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travel and the fitment of bigger wheels and tyres. Luckily, the clever clogs over at Pedders have only gone and done that.

Their new kit gives the Jimny a 40mm lift, by fitting it with their Long Travel Foam Cell Shocks, raised springs, extended brake lines and everything you’ll need to retain functionality of the levelling switch that is fitted to the rear axle on the new Jimny.

By fitting the uprated shocks, with extra-large 35mm bore and

Pedders’ cellular foam tech they go a long way to eliminating fading shocks. They’re also twice as secure, with reinforced doublewelded mountings, which means they’re more proficient off-road as well as when bearing a load or towing. Another feature that’ll be very handy when you’re off-road are the hydraulic top out buffers, that protects the longevity of the heavy-duty, twin-tube shocks.

Complementing the shocks are premium quality steel springs that

have been load height tested, stress relieved and 100% QA inspected.

The brake hoses have also been extended using OE style rubber, and the bespoke hardware allows the rear levelling switch to work seamlessly at the revised ride height.

As with all of Pedders’ kits, this suspension lift for the Jimny comes with a two-year, 25,000-mile warranty. It’s already available, simply track down your nearest Pedders dealer for more information, or visit Pedders.co.uk.

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BIG BRAKING AIRRIDE AD PERFORMANCE!

PRODUCTS

New accessory for Polaris ORVs will make snow clearance a piece of cake

WITH PEDDERS TRAKRYDER EXTREME BRAKE KITS DUE TO THEIR off-road ability and smaller proportions, side-bysides can make it to some tricky places that pick-ups or 4x4s simply can’t reach. The little machines can skate like water boatmen across troubling terrain – and that’s why they’re so revered by farmers and agricultural workers the world round. With their latest bout of accessories, Polaris have now enabled their side-by-sides to clear the way, not just lead it.

The Glacier Plow system is designed to be easily and seamlessly attachable to the front of the Ranger. Integrated Lock & Ride attachment points renders installation effortless, and the kickstand means that you simply drive into it to attach it so you don’t need another set of hands to fit it.

A choice of a polyethylene

or steel blade at the bottom of the plough offers either nonstick, non-rust properties or an unbreakable, tough and rigid base to the plough. Whichever you choose, the edges have the same large surface area and forward-facing corners that enact maximum ground covered and efficiency in ground clearing.

Sitting behind the blade is a frame that is wide-set and made of tough, anti-rust steel.

Adding control to the strong structure, the Glacier Pro HD Plow Hydraulic features a lift system that, once installed, offers an alternative to using the winch to lift and lower the plough. It also gives control over the angle of the plough, so the driver can manoeuvre with ease and finesse.

Available for much of the Polaris range, there are Glacier Plow

setups available for the Ranger, RZR, General, Sportsman and Ace models. For full compatibility information, however, it is best to enquire with your local Polaris dealership, just to be certain.

BRAKE KITS

ADJUSTABLE 4X4 SUSPENSION

Stainless steel abutments.

For the discerning driver who is particular about how eXtreme Brake Kit. The braking results are staggering with the inclusion of a larger 6 pot caliper design, high tech TrakRyder eXtreme kevlar ceramic pads mated with a 10 slot dimpled and geomet coated larger diameter rotor.

Bigger braking surface means bigger stopping power. With the fitment of the all new Pedders TrakRyder eXtreme brake kit, independent Australian Engineering tests reflected an average improvement in braking distance by up to 14%.

Features: • Stainless steel braided hoses.

• 10 slot and dimpled TrakRyder geomet coated rotors 14”/356mm diameter (OE 11.85”/301mm).

• TrakRyder eXtreme Kevlar Ceramic low dust brake pads.

• TrakRyder eXtreme 6 pot design caliper brackets and bolts.

• 6 Pot, 2 piece aluminium forged calipers.

• High grade alloy steel brake pad insulators.

• Stainless steel pistons.

Specialising in Suspension solutions since 1950 For further information go to www.pedders.co.uk or please contact your local Pedders experts.

01296 711 044 info@pedders.co.uk

* Independent Australian engineering test results proved that at 100kmh the TrakRyder eXtreme Brake Kit system upgrade stopped on average 11m sooner than original distances are reduced 21%. This kit is suited for 18” wheels or larger. Further details available in store and on our website. Suits Ford Ranger PX & PXII APRIL Models. 2019 39 PICKUP & by4X4 PRO

PRODUCTS

A WELL EARNED REST

With gear from ARB your truck can be ready for anything – even relaxing

IF YOU’RE THE type of person who likes to work hard during the week, but when it comes to the weekend you like to play even harder, then you may well like to use your 4x4 further afield than the shores of the UK. Whether it’s an overlanding tour across the Pyrenees or you’re taking a much-needed holiday out in the south of France, if you’re going by pick-up or 4x4, having the right gear is essential for a successful adventure.

Brookwells specialise in the 4x4 essentials, but in particular accessories designed to make your life easier – such as the ARB Touring awning.

When you settle down to camp for the night, you want to do so with as many comforts as possible, so it’s a good idea to have protection from the elements. The ARB Touring awning comes in a range of sizes, measuring from 1.25 to 2.5-metres in length and is fully waterproof and protects against UV rays.

Easily erectable and self-standing, the awning can attach to the side of a roof rack and can be stored away

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MAY 2019

with minimal fuss. The legs are adjustable and within minutes you can be sheltered from the elements.

And don’t think this is some flimsy bit of kit, because the Touring awning has been developed to work in places like the Outback, where its UVP 50+ rating is much more welcome.

When you’re not using the awning, it stores away in a reinforced heavy-duty PVC bag,

while the awning itself is made from 300gsm poly/cotton rip stop canvas, to help it stand tall in all conditions.

But once you’re settled and cosy you might be feeling a bit peckish… which is where the ARB Elements 60L fridge freezer comes in.

This too is designed to last in extreme conditions, made with a stainless steel outer shell and aluminium latches so that your

food remains intact whatever the weather. There’s a gas strut on the lid to aid access and your contents can stay yours with the 4-digit pin lock security system.

There’s no stopping the bacon sandwiches on this holiday. For full details and where to place your order for the ARB Touring awning and the Elements fridge freezer, head to the Brookwell website: www.brookwell.co.uk.

PICKUP & 4X4 PRO

FORD RANGER 50MM LIFT KIT FROM

£1129.78

MITSUBISHI L200 25MM LIFT KIT FROM

£1127.00

TOYOTA HILUX 40MM LIFT KIT FROM

£1129.78

4x4 Pickup suspension for all ride types available in Medium, Heavy-Duty and Super-Heavy Duty kits for your L200, Hilux or Ranger trucks.

Available from:

WWW.ARB4WD.CO.UK

PRODUCTS

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME

Electronics experts have easy boost for your truck’s sound system

IN RECENT YEARS, pick-ups have come on leaps and bounds in the realms of refinement. The interiors are leather clad, there’s as many gizmos as a gadget shop and most of them have got nifty touchscreen interfaces. But that doesn’t stop the fact that they’re still agricultural beasts at heart and often, their diesel lumps aren’t the most civilised or quietest of powertrains.

This can be annoying, especially if you’re working your way through your karaoke playlist, but you’ve have to turn the speakers up to the

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point that they’re about to rattle themselves out of their casings.

Enter Alpine, with the answer to just such a problem – their PWD-X5. “What on earth is the PWD-X5?” you’re no doubt asking.

Well, it’s a four-channel digital sound processor with a powered subwoofer and four-channel amplifier – all on one handy box.

This means that for the four door-mounted speakers, it acts as an amplifier alongside serving as an ultra-flat active subwoofer. It’s a compact device, which means drivers can experience a big bass

boost for minimal installation effort.

The PWD-X5 connects to both OEM and aftermarket radios via RCA inputs, and the system is controlled through a wired remote control as well as via the smartphone app. The nightmare scene you’re probably imagining, where you get swamped by miles of stray wires that’ll never go back where they came from is, plainly, unnecessary. The kit comes with a main fuse and 4.5-metre power cables and all of the installation brackets you’ll need.

Measuring 24.5x8x35cm, the

PWD-X5 packs serious punch, delivering 50-watts to each of the door speakers, whilst the inbuilt subwoofer is 240-watts strong at its peak.

Possibly best of all, if you can connect it to your radio, CD player or your smartphone via Bluetooth, so you don’t have to make any allowances for the way you listen to your tunes.

To revolutionise the sound system in your truck search PWD-X5 on the Alpine website (alpine.co.uk) or drop in and visit your local Alpine stockist.

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The PWD-X5 features an 8-inch subwoofer, amplifier and DSP in a small underseat form.

Wired Remote Control

The remote control unit is connected with the DSP amplifier by USB. Use the rotary encoder to select input sources (including Bluetooth audio streaming), sound settings and more.

Bluetooth Audio Streaming

-----

If your original car stereo does not feature Bluetooth audio streaming, the PWD-X5 is yet again a great solution for you. With the included Bluetooth dongle that can be plugged in to one of the USB ports on the DSP amp you can stream music from your smartphone to the PWD-X5.

PRODUCTS

DON’T ROLL WITH IT

SuperPro kit will keep your truck calm and collected when you need it most

YOU DON’T NEED to spend much time behind the wheel of a pick-up to discover that its back end doesn’t work the same way as a normal 4x4’s. With a long wheelbase and typically leaf-sprung rear axle, not to mention the lack of an anti-roll bar in many cases, they can be less than settled. They’ll roll through corners in the dry, and can be tail-happy in the wet.

Step forward SuperPro. The suspension specialist prides itself on its innovation – and says this is the philosophy behind its range of heavy-duty, three-position rear anti-roll bars for pick-ups.

These promise to improve stability, handling and traction – especially when the vehicle is being used on wet roads, towing or

carrying heavy loads.

SuperPro itself takes up the story: ’The main benefit of fitting anti-roll bars, particularly on the rear, is to improve roll resistance and vehicle balance and to help limit the amount of understeer and oversteer. For a pick-up with a flat load area at the rear, this change in characteristic is significant and can provide better overall handling and greater driver control.

‘The SuperPro anti-roll bars also reduce the variation in the wheel and tyre camber setting due to chassis roll, otherwise known as “roll camber”. During cornering, the presence of chassis roll usually results in the outside wheels gaining positive camber. By increasing the suspension stiffness and reducing

Up to 50% more power Up to 50% more torque

the roll camber effect, the wheels and tyres stay closer to their optimal settings and, therefore, a larger patch of the tyre maintains contact with the road surface. This means that lateral grip and straight-line traction are improved.’

We know what you’re thinking, though. Adding an anti-roll bar means waving bye-bye to all your lovely axle travel. Except it doesn’t.

SuperPro says there’s no reduction in suspension articulation or significant change in ground clearance with these bars installed.

Indeed, the company claims actual benefits in terms of a vehicle’s off-road ability. ‘The linking of the rear axle and chassis on both sides results in the suspension reacting in a more synchronised way that in turn provides greater traction and stability over uneven terrain,’ it explains.

SuperPro’s rear anti-roll bars are supplied with a durable blue powder-coated finish, in a kit that includes mounting brackets, clamps, fitting instructions and a set of the company’s polyurethane suspension bushes – which, it says, further enhance the operation and longevity of the vehicle’s suspension system. Actually installation the kit requires no modifications to the chassis and original components, meaning it should prove straightforward to anyone with a bit of skill

with the spanners.

SuperPro’s rear anti-roll bars are currently available for pick-up models manufactured by Ford, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen, and in some cases you can choose between a variety of diameters. To find out more, and to search for your nearest stockist, go to www.superproeurope.com.

Dimsport’s Rapid plug&play modules are a solid solution for the optimisation of turbo-diesel and turbo-petrol engines, embracing a very diverse range of needs, from the need for increased torque-power to fuel consumption optimisation in cars, trucks, tractors and boats.

Redline Performance are one of the UKs leading mobile Remapping & Chip Tuning specialists and are the UK suppliers of Dimsport’s Rapid plug&play modules.

www.redlineperformancetuning.co.uk PICKUP & 4X4 PRO 07400 174 815

APRIL 2019

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PRODUCTS

CONSERVATION OF POWER APB import National Luna’s smart charging system for the UK market IF YOU’RE PLANNING a trip out into the wilderness and don’t intend to come back for a while, you and your 4x4 need to remain self-sufficient during the expedition. You’ll likely have loaded up the truck with numerous essentials, and some bigger essentials, too, like a shower, fridge and/or kitchen sink. It’s a lot of additional clobber for your 4x4 to contend with, but National Luna can ease any potential power problems.

If you’re taking overlanding seriously, you may well have incorporated a split-charge system in your battery setup, helping you power your vehicle and all the extras you’ve placed

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on board. And with the DC-DC Converter from National Luna, your dual-battery system will be in good hands.

The converter is a DC-to-DC battery charger and isolator, meaning it will charge an auxiliary battery from a vehicle alternator or solar panel up to a 25A output current. Not only that, but your vehicle’s original alternator, whether that be 12V or 24V, along with variable voltage alternators can be charged, too.

If we’re talking purely solar power, then the integrated MPPT solar regulator can churn out 375W of maximum power, although it should be noted that the regulator can support solar

panels of a higher output. You can also connect up solar panels with a maximum voltage of 42V if you so wish.

Don’t worry about your battery type, either. Whether you have an old-school lead-acid battery or you’re harnessing power from a lithium-ion unit, the converter (codenamed NLDC-25) is complete with a six-stage charging algorithm, alongside a three-stage safety analysis function, which can determine if a battery has suffered any damage or is ill-equipped to receive charging.

Another useful feature is the temperature compensation.

Seeing as you’ll be using your 4x4 in a variety of conditions, the

Wheel and tyre packages available

output voltage is optimised to the current surroundings, meaning you should never be caught short.

The NLDC-25 is waterproof and protects against the possibility of over-voltage and over-current, but over-temperature and reverse polarity, too. A remote monitor displays useful information regarding the system and the current status of your setup, and if that wasn’t enough, everything you need to set up the NLDC-25 and instructions on its operation is included in the box when purchased, too.

Pick up your DC-DC Converter now at the price of just £432.00 Inc. VAT. Available from www. expedition-equipment.com

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PRODUCTS

CONSERVATION OF POWER APB import National Luna’s smart charging system for the UK market IF YOU’RE PLANNING a trip out into the wilderness and don’t intend to come back for a while, you and your 4x4 need to remain self-sufficient during the expedition. You’ll likely have loaded up the truck with numerous essentials, and some bigger essentials, too, like a shower, fridge and/or kitchen sink. It’s a lot of additional clobber for your 4x4 to contend with, but National Luna can ease any potential power problems.

If you’re taking overlanding seriously, you may well have incorporated a split-charge system in your battery setup, helping you power your vehicle and all the extras you’ve placed

on board. And with the DC-DC Converter from National Luna, your dual-battery system will be in good hands.

The converter is a DC-to-DC battery charger and isolator, meaning it will charge an auxiliary battery from a vehicle alternator or solar panel up to a 25A output current. Not only that, but your vehicle’s original alternator, whether that be 12V or 24V, along with variable voltage alternators can be charged, too.

If we’re talking purely solar power, then the integrated MPPT solar regulator can churn out 375W of maximum power, although it should be noted that the regulator can support solar

panels of a higher output. You can also connect up solar panels with a maximum voltage of 42V if you so wish.

Don’t worry about your battery type, either. Whether you have an old-school lead-acid battery or you’re harnessing power from a lithium-ion unit, the converter (codenamed NLDC-25) is complete with a six-stage charging algorithm, alongside a three-stage safety analysis function, which can determine if a battery has suffered any damage or is ill-equipped to receive charging.

Another useful feature is the temperature compensation.

Seeing as you’ll be using your 4x4 in a variety of conditions, the

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output voltage is optimised to the current surroundings, meaning you should never be caught short.

The NLDC-25 is waterproof and protects against the possibility of over-voltage and over-current, but over-temperature and reverse polarity, too. A remote monitor displays useful information regarding the system and the current status of your setup, and if that wasn’t enough, everything you need to set up the NLDC-25 and instructions on its operation is included in the box when purchased, too.

Pick up your DC-DC Converter now at the price of just £432.00 Inc. VAT. Available from www. expedition-equipment.com

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