ARB-4x4 Accessories - ARB 4X4 Culture Issue 62

4x4 Adventure | Travel | Lifestyle Issue 62 TOP OF THE RANGE



4X4 Culture Contents In the Workshop Inside Track 6 Intensity IQ Driving Lights 44 Baja 1000 12 Ford Ranger & Everest 58 Sam Marsh – Salvaging Solar 50 Toyota LC300 74 Christmas Gift Cards 56 Toyota HiLux 80 Consider a Career at ARB 62 Deluxe Awning Alcove 82 Chainsaw Tips 63 ARB Pantry 88 SEMA 2022 64 BASE Rack 98 Choosing a Portable Fridge 65 Clear Top Cargo Organisers 66 Frontier Portable Range Coming Home 76 ARB HardLid 2 Gaining Ground 86 Pump Up Kit & Air Tank 70 Kid’s Cartoon 106 SmartBar 71 Kid’s Activity 110 Bushranger 72 Off Road Cooking 111 Isuzu MU-X 102 The Lat-Long of It 108 Behind the Shot On The Road 112 Bush Mechanic Competition Winners 92 Patrick Cruywagen – Cruising Botswana 113 Chainsaw Champ Competition 113 ARB Stores Editor Graphic Design Jessica Vigar Vanzella Graphic Design Copy Sub Editor Creative Direction Louise Truscott Meraki St Creative Contributors Photography Daniel Brown, Christie Butters, Mark Butters, Patrick Offroad Images, Filmic Productions, Blue Fish Productions Cruywagen, Nancy Del Monaco, Michael Ellem, Natalie Kean, Bec Lorrimer, Justin Lorrimer, Sam Marsh, Ann-Christin Pre-press & Printing Moellecken, Andrew Murray, Shane Stiffle, Moea Theroux, Southern Impact Luke Watson. Read online or download our past issues of Get Social ARB 4x4 Culture at arb.com.au. Make sure you Keep track of all the latest ARB news and events on: subscribe to our mailing list to stay up to date with the things that matter most to you. Prices shown in this magazine are ARB’s Australian domestic east coast recommended retail prices inclusive of GST, and do not apply to international markets. ARB reserves the right to amend these prices without notification. In some regions of Australia, additional freight costs can be expected. Prices shown do not include supplementary charges such as fitting or colour coding. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the individual authors and do not neccessarily reflect the views of ARB Corporation Limited.

Gaining Ground GGraoiunnindg Nancy Del Monaco Group Marketing Manager Somebody up there likes me. It’s either that or I’m racking up some sort of cosmic debt of goodwill as I spend my days living and breathing the ARB life. Every now and then I have to stop and pinch myself as I’m reminded that this is my job. What luck! But if the universe is giving it away, then I figure I best scoop it up, repackage it and send it back out to the ARB family with warmest regards. Hey… what’s mine is yours. As a company, ARB has always been passionate about the lifestyle and this is why our content comes from every corner of this vast 4WD mecca that is Australia. Enter 4X4 Culture Issue 62 – just, as per my rock-solid promise, in time for the festive season. There’s a ton of meat on the bones, too, with content galore, products aplenty and inspiration ad infinitum. Just the way we like it. 2

Fraser Island Since our formal introduction in #61, I’ve hit the ground Liberating was the word that came to mind as we rocked running in every direction to ultimately deliver you more of and rolled around the most stunning sand dunes to an the ARB best and one such direction led to Fraser Island audience of dingoes, neither us nor them with a care in (K’gari Island), along Queensland’s south-eastern coast. the world at that moment. Things kicked off without a hitch. I received a warm The wide smiles we received out there from the fellow welcome at the airport by our longstanding go-to Off road 4WDing community really topped things off. Just quietly, I photographer, the inimitable Michael Ellem, and once I’d like to think it was due to me tearing around like an old pro. taken a moment to thank myself for dressing practically, I hauled myself into his Mighty 79 truck, ready for anything The next day was spent on the outer side of the Isuzu. the great outdoors could throw our way. Outside, for short. Once we’d travelled inland to Central Station, it was time for the big camp shoot. These days, I’m constantly reminded of the vast trove of natural wonders sitting in our own backyard, and Setting up the campsite with our new Deluxe Awning Alcove each reminder reinvigorates that drive for adventure and and filling the pantry with snacks and treats was like living exploration, like a personal source of renewable energy. in the lap of nature’s luxury. I have fast developed a real The world’s largest sand island is a shining, pristine example enthusiasm for seeing new products in action, in all their of this and an incredible location for our content shoot. versatility and practicality. Did I mention it’s 4WD heaven? But the shutter didn’t shut there; our last night was spent Almost heaven, it would seem, when just minutes after we back on the sandy shoreline, under the spell of a billion set foot on the island, we assisted in a vehicle rescue and I points of light in the evening sky. You know that feeling excitedly found myself witnessing a real-life demonstration when something is so beautiful that it almost hurts? of our products. From one recovery point to another, Michael was able to come to the rescue, attach his ARB As we headed back to the mainland by barge, sinking Snatch Strap and snatch them straight out of the sand! into a deep satisfaction, I was thinking to myself, \"Hey! I Simple, easy and we were on our way. muddied up the cars each day, good and proper!\" when I looked up to see a pod of dolphins gliding past us as if by A little tourist stop at the famous Maheno shipwreck was design. Like I said, somebody up there likes me. in order and she didn’t disappoint. Getting up close to the half-beached carcass is on the itinerary of most visitors to I have to say, and putting aside my bias, the entire event the island and makes for incredible photographic fodder. was a spectacular success and it’s a true thrill to share with you the fruits of our labour. There is no shortage of top-notch tracks to experience on the island. Some of the 4WD tracks were hectic but I had You’ll find them all, sans the dolphins, in a deep dive into complete trust in our vehicle, knowing my fully ARB-kitted- these practical but ever-so-desirable camping solutions out Isuzu D-MAX set-up was exactly what it needed to be. on page 62. 3

Gaining Ground South Australia Another adventure? you ask. Life’s too The fittings didn’t stop there. We had them short to slow down! This time we were in in spades and they were endlessly helpful in South Australia, shooting the two out of our ways that you’ll discover for yourself within seven exquisitely designed builds of the these pages. But here’s a taste: the ARB Ford Ranger vehicles that grace the cover Frontier Long-Range Fuel Tank fitted into of this very edition. Instant gratification! This one of our vehicles was noticeable when strategic collaboration between Ford and we didn’t have to keep stopping to refuel ARB has resulted in a sweeping range of (giving us around 700 extra kilometres parts and accessories – each exclusively of travel between service stations), the designed and engineered for the fist- canopy provided much more space and pumpingly fabulous Next-Generation Ford the fridges were very handy when we were Ranger – that are available right now, so having lunch on the road and for storing you can personalise your vehicle to suit your staples. And we were never stuck without lifestyle, in work and in play. comms; the Australian-made UHF radios became indispensable as our convoy grew In fact, we’ve gone ahead and custom built over the week. several vehicles to showcase just how brilliantly they can suit different lifestyles Bendleby Ranges, which is a working station and serve specific purposes. We’ve got all in the Southern Flinders Ranges, was beautiful the fine details in our Ford feature on page 12. offering a picturesque backdrop in an unspoilt natural environment for our amazing array of But we haven’t left South Australia just yet, camp products and vehicle shots. so run the last lap with me. The next day, we continued into the Flinders Of course, I had a literal front seat to the show Ranges. The rugged mountain scenery is as we drove across the state, sometimes equally impressive with its own brand of three or four hours straight. Despite the grandeur on full display. It came with a full stretches of unstable, unsealed roads, we cast of characters; we saw mobs of emus sailed on through like a puck across the ice, and kangaroos, flocks of sheep, trains of thanks to the super-smooth Old Man Emu camels, lounges of lizards… more wildlife suspension fitted out in every car. Don’t let than we could name, all at its Australian best. the name fool you! Just magical. 4

Gadgets, Gizmos Aplenty Let there be light! The launch of our new channels: we love hearing your feedback Intensity IQ lights has left more than our so please keep those comments coming! vehicles beaming, with the initial reveal The love shown for the all-new ARB Frontier at the ARB display at the recent Special Portable range, including the wash station Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show and diesel tank, resulted in plenty of satisfied in Las Vegas garnering plenty of attention. smiles here at head office. Christmas wish According to gearjunkie.com, these new list, anyone? lights were one of the top 15 Best in Show picks and received a nod for the most And speaking of Christmas this year, knowing impressive off road lighting tech. how challenging it can be to find the perfect present at the perfect price point, we’ve What’s so special about it? The driving light is curated a range of fun and practical gift engineered with performance front of mind bundles. Visit us in store and choose the and with versatility as an end goal. Its unique, gift of adventure this Christmas. And if you’re four-optic design offers incredible utility for like me and not typically an early planner, all road conditions; select from spot, super you’ll know that the right gift card can save spot, flood and mid-range light beams to light the day. ARB gift cards can be purchased your way. You can read all about it on page 6. right up until the last minute and they beat the pants off generic, multi-store cards that Now, a note to everyone who’s taken a say, I didn’t know what to get you! moment to engage with us on our social New Year, New Beginnings If I’ve learnt one invaluable thing over the course of this exhilarating year (and truth be known, I’ve learnt literally hundreds of things), it’s this: seize the moment with both hands on the wheel and throttle it until the tank is empty. From all of us here at ARB, we wish you a very happy and safe festive season. May it be full of your own adventures as the summer months finally arrive down under and the snowfields of winter set up camp north of the equator. May pods of dolphins lead the way. 5

ARB Intensity IQ Driving Lights 6

ARB Intensity IQ Driving Lights A DESIGN REVOLUTION You’re hammering along a country road at night when your eye catches something in the distance. What is it? A mob of cattle… or maybe something big lying across the road? You flick the driving lights to full spot. Ah, 3. The third setting is an override where you all good. It’s just a tree beyond the next set one driving light as a low intensity work bend. You flick back to the previous setting light. and continue on your way to your favourite camping spot. And that’s where ARB Intensity IQ driving lights come into their own. Set them up to You turn off the main road onto a mix of slow do what you need them to. The choice of winding bush road and open country. Every light settings is virtually limitless – and fully time you go through there, the lighting isn’t customisable. quite right for both driving conditions. And when you get to the campsite, you could The factory preset light settings might suit really do with a work light. Stumbling over you fine. If not, customise the lights to suit tree roots in the dark isn’t much fun. your exact requirements. The choice is yours. The night before you leave, you open the How has ARB managed to achieve such Intensity IQ app on your phone. Within flexibility within one set of driving lights? minutes, you’ve set up three new driving The secret lies in the four different optical light settings: zones (or optics)… and a solid dose of smart 1. The first setting has more Flood and Mid- technology. range for the slow bush road. 2. The second’s more Spot with less Flood for the open country. 7

4X4 Culture MODERN STYLING FOR MODERN VEHICLES These lights have a unique look. They’re Super Spot brightness to keep overall current designed to integrate with the styling of draw below 13 amps. modern vehicles – exposed optics, angles and frameless light surrounds. The distinct Intensity IQ driving lights are unique. They’re light zones give these lights a modern swept- the only driving light on the market with such back look, blending into the front of any a high level of flexibility, customisation and modern vehicle. built-in smart technology. To complement the sleek look, we’ve But what if you don’t want to tweak your light moved the cooling fins off the lights and settings? What if you just want to use them onto the mounting brackets. The aluminium out of the box? mounting bracket is a giant heat sink, more than capable of dissipating heat build-up You can still reap the benefits of Intensity from the light. IQs without ever touching a single setting. In fact, we’ve made it easy for you. For maximum flexibility, the Intensity IQs have four distinct optics: STANDARD SETTINGS – EIGHT FACTORY PRESETS 1. The bottom set of LEDs are Mid-range Each optic is adjustable – but only if you want Full Combo is more the traditional light to give a balance between distance and to. All light sets come pre-programmed with pattern – plenty of illumination off to the spread, using four Cree XL-L3 LEDs. eight factory settings: sides and a powerful spot to light up the 2. Above Mid-Range is Flood, a row of 18 road ahead. On this setting, you have Cree XT-E LEDs for maximum peripheral 1. FULL COMBO maximum lighting in the mid-range… light spread. and enough time to react to wandering 3. Next up is Spot, with two Cree XM-L3 and 2. SUPER SPOT animals. Full Combo gives you 1,100 metres three XP-P LEDs for a broader yet focused at one lux. beam of light. 3. SPOT 4. The top row is Super Spot – four Cree XP-P lights for the furthest light projection. 4. FLOOD Each optic has specially designed reflectors 5. MID-RANGE Super Spot, Spot, Mid-range and Flood and lenses. They optimise the effectiveness are self-explanatory. They’re maximum and efficiency of each particular light zone. 6.M CAOXUFRLOTEOSDY brightness on each optic, with the three 7.M FAUXLFLLOFOLDOOD remaining optics turned off. You might be wondering if you can run all 8. FULL SPOT four optics together at full brightness. The 50 m answer’s no and there’s a good reason why. MAX FLOOD The Intensity IQ light control module (LCM) 30 m incorporates smart technology to limit total We’ll talk more about Courtesy soon3500.10mmm current draw to 13 amps (170 watts). 10-1m0 m MAX FLOOD -30 m Why 13 amps? Excessive heat generated at -510-05mm0 m higher currents would shorten the lifespan of 0Mm ax Flood 1500--m33510000 mm the lights. By keeping at or below 13 amps, 300 m 600 m 900 m 1200 m mm we’re able to maximise both light output and 0m 300 m 600 m operating life of the Intensity IQs. 900 m 1200 m 1500 m-5100 mm MAX COMBO 300 m 600 m Say you decide to run Super Spot brightness 0 mMAX COMBO 600 m -3300 mm at 100% and want some Flood as well. As you increase the Flood brightness (using 600 m -5100 mm the Intensity IQ phone app or an ARB LINX 600 m system), the LCM automatically reduces 900 m 1200 m 1500 m-10 m 600 m -30 m 600 m -5050mm 0 mMAX COMBO 300 m 900 m 1200 m 1500 m 503m0 m 3010mm MMaAxXCCoOmMbBOo 10-1m0 m 0m 300 m 900 m 1200 m 1500---m3535110-0-000035mmmmmm00 mm 0m 300 m 900 m 1200 m 1500 m-5100 mm MAX SPOT -3300 mm 0 m MAX SPOT -5100mm M0 maMxASXpSoPOt T 300 m 900 m 1200 m 1500 m-10 m 300 m -30 m 900 m 1200 m -50 m 1500 m 50 m 503m0 m 3010mm MAX SPOT 10-1m0 m 0m 300 m 600 m 900 m 1200 m --3531-0-00035mmmm00 mm 0m 300 m 600 m 900 m 1200 m 1500-m5100 mm 1500 m-5100 mm Lux Scale 80 lx 300 m 60 lx 50 lx 600 m 30 lx 209l0x 0 m 10 lx 1520lx0 m 2 lx 50 lx 30 lx 20 lx 10 lx 5 lx 2 lx -3300 mm 0 m 100 lx 80 lx 60 lx -5100 mm 100 lx 600 m 30 lx 1500 m1 l-x10 m 0m 50 lx 1 lx-30 m -50 m 100 lx 300 m 900 m 1200 m 1500 m 8 880 lx 20 lx 10 lx 5 lx 2 lx 1 lx 60 lx 100 lx 80 lx 60 lx 50 lx 30 lx 20 lx 10 lx 5 lx 2 lx 1 lx

4X4 Culture UNDERSTANDING WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO A DRIVER Full Flood illuminates both the Flood and When you’re comparing driving lights, you’ll Effective lumens is the actual output of the Mid-range optics at 100%. It gives you usually see a few standard specifications. driving light in real-world conditions. For the benefits of a wide beam spread and The first one is “Distance at One Lux”. What example, the Intensity IQ limits maximum powerful mid-range coverage. You’ll get does this mean? current draw to under 13 amps to avoid a range of 900 metres at one lux, an overheating. Effective lumens specs reflect impressive distance for a flood setting. LUX these real-world conditions. At a brightness of one lux, you can read a Full Spot illuminates both the Spot and book. Lux is a measure of brightness at a The final specification is colour temperature. Super Spot optics at 100% brightness. given point. Is it a useful measure to gauge You’ll get maximum distance range – the quality of driving lights? Yes and no. If COLOUR TEMPERATURE 1,350 metres at one lux. you’re a driver, you want: Colour temperature is a measure of how • The light to be kind to your eyes yellow or white a light source is. 6,500K is You’ll notice we’ve listed the distance at • To see a reasonable distance ahead best described as daylight. As the number one lux above. It indicates the brightness • Illumination in your peripheral vision decreases, the light appears to be more of the driving lights at a given distance. yellow. For example, old halogen bulbs gave However, what matters most is how Lux simply tells you how bright the light is at off a yellow light at around 3,000K. well these lights perform in real-world a given distance. conditions. LEDs give off white light, somewhere But there’s a point where distance at one between 5,000 and 6,500K. When we’re designing driving lights, the lux becomes irrelevant. What’s the use in driver is priority one. How do our lights having driving lights with say 1,500 metres In summary, lux, effective lumens and colour help the driver see better at night? It’s at one lux if they reflect off every road sign temperature all combine to influence how fine to have impressive specifications and lane marker, blinding the driver? well a driver sees at night. We spend a lot but do they translate to better lighting of development time juggling all three to get in real-world conditions? There are two other equally important factors. the best possible outcome for the driver. The first is lumens. Three specifications give you a good Another critical consideration during indication of the best driving lights for LUMENS development of the Intensity IQs was how do your application. Lumens are a measure of the amount of we offer so much functionality to the driver visible light being emitted from a light source. without causing distraction? Our engineers Raw lumens are a theoretical measure, based came up with a clever solution. on measuring the maximum light output of each LED then multiplying by the number of LEDs. 9

ARB Intensity IQ Driving Lights USING THE CONTROLLER THE INTENSITY IQ APP The controller is incredibly simple, yet highly If you need work lights, you won’t want high Before we go on, it’s important to emphasise capable. It has an ON/OFF button and eight beam on. Your work light setting will be a that you don’t need the Intensity IQ app to light settings. The ARB logo doubles as low amount of Flood optic, around 10%. operate the driving lights. If you’re happy the ON/OFF button. It’s a different texture If high beam was on, it’d blind you… and with the eight factory presets, then you’re to the surrounding surface, so is easy to completely overwhelm the work setting. good to go. find without taking your eyes off the road. How to get around this issue? By However, there are a few of us who can’t Six of the light settings are accessible from allowing the two buttons underneath to resist the idea of being able to fine-tune our a button on each side of the ARB logo. The be programmed with an override feature, driving lights! Read on… left side is Previous and the right is Next. using the Intensity IQ phone app. You can Each button press illuminates or switches then operate the lights with high beam off. When you buy an Intensity IQ driving light kit, off a vertical red bar of light. You can see The work light option is only available on you’ll get a user manual which explains all the at a glance which preset you’re on. the two underside buttons. This way, you functions of the Intensity IQ app in detail. can’t activate them accidentally. We’ll run through them quickly here to get The two buttons underneath control an idea of what these lights are capable of. the remaining two light settings. Why We’ve mentioned the Intensity IQ app a have separate buttons? Well, earlier we few times now. Let’s quickly run through LIGHT NETWORK touched on using the Intensity IQ lights as how you’ll typically use it. The app connects to your light network work lights. via Bluetooth. You don’t need an internet connection (except for the initial app download). Adjust the settings anywhere, no matter how remote the location. Select the correct light network and you’re ready to start tinkering. You can have up to four Intensity IQ driving lights in one network. If for example you have two lights on the bull bar and two mounted off a BASE Rack, you could set up one bull bar light as Spot and the other as Flood. Then the roof-mounted lights could be set up as Flood. STANDARD AND ADVANCED MODE Standard mode uses sliders to adjust optics and brightness. Advanced mode gives you 20 settings for each optic, numbered from 0 to 100. This way, you can adjust the brightness in 5% increments. Advanced mode also enables individual adjustment of each light. SAVE AND UNDO Once you’ve finished setting up a light, tap Save. If you change your mind, tap Undo to continue with the previous settings. 10

ARB Intensity IQ Driving Lights A COMPLETE PACKAGE The Intensity IQ package consists of: • 2 x Intensity IQ driving lights • 2 x aluminium mounting brackets • All fasteners (stainless steel) needed to install lights • 1 x Light Control Module (LCM) • 1 x Controller Switch with multiple mounting options • 1 x plug-and-play Wiring Harness • Full compatibility with the ARB LINX Controller ADJUST OPTICAL BRIGHTNESS door. If you have a long walk up a driveway Designed to complement the sleek lines In Standard mode, change the brightness to your house, extend the on time to suit. of your modern 4WD, these lights are a by moving the slider left or right. Similarly, revolution in driving light technology. change the light spread by moving the Courtesy activates after the lights are Spread slider. turned off or the ignition is switched off, ARB Intensity IQ driving lights transform night depending on the vehicle. Each switch into day. Yet they can also provide a soft, In Advanced mode, change the brightness position has a Courtesy option, in addition gentle light to help guide your way from the and spread of individual lights by to whatever driving light settings you have vehicle to your front door. It’s this incredible increments of 5%. programmed. versatility that separates Intensity IQs from anything else on the market. Keep in mind, the LCM will limit current WORK LIGHT draw to 13 amps. Say you increase the Work Light mode overrides the high beam Tailor them to match your lighting needs or Super Spot brightness in Advanced switch so the lights can be used as work use them straight out of the box. It’s your mode. If necessary, the LCM will reduce lights. It can only be programmed in choice. the brightness of non-selected optics to switches QS1 and QS2, located underneath compensate. The app shows current draw the controller. under each light number. SWITCH RESPONSE TIME FADE If you’re clicking through the switch Each switch position can have a fade time positions, you might not want the set. Adjusting fade time varies how long distraction of lights flicking instantly the driving lights take to fully illuminate to between settings. Switch Response Time their brightness settings. It gives your eyes adds a delay before the newly-selected time to adjust. switch position activates. This way, the lights transition smoothly between different The driving lights cannot fade out when light settings. you switch off high beam, due to regulatory requirements. Instead, they’re instant off. Intensity IQ driving lights are designed to work as an integrated system. So we’ve COURTESY bundled them into a package, giving you Courtesy provides enough light (5-10% of everything you need in one easy-to-install full brightness) to light the path to your front lighting kit. 11

ARB & Ford ARB & A PREMIUM PARTNERSHIP Words by Andrew Murray IN MARCH LAST YEAR, ARB AND FORD ANNOUNCED AN EXCLUSIVE NEW PARTNERSHIP. ARB ACCESSORIES ARE NOW OFFICIALLY FORD LICENSED ACCESSORIES. 12

ARB & Ford & FORD 13

ARB & Ford WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU? Your new Next-Generation Ranger or Everest This exciting partnership gives you access will be kitted out and ready to hit the tracks, to over 160 high quality ARB accessories for straight out of the dealer’s yard. both the Next-Generation Ranger and Everest models. Every accessory has been through You simply specify what ARB accessories an exhaustive testing and validation process you need when you place an order for your by Ford and ARB engineers. The outcome? new Ranger or Everest at the dealership. Maximum performance and integration into They’ll be fitted by either ARB or Ford and your new vehicle. Each accessory becomes are fully covered by Ford’s five-year, unlimited part of the vehicle, rather than an add-on. kilometre warranty. 14

ARB & Ford TWO PREMIUM BRANDS, ONE INTEGRATED PRODUCT By specifying ARB’s products in a Ranger or Everest from new, you’re guaranteed these accessories are smoothly integrated into your new vehicle. You’ll get optimum performance, guaranteed compatibility and peace of mind. And if you decide to add ARB accessories later, they’re covered by Ford’s warranty. For example, say you order an ARB accessory nine months after taking delivery of your Everest, it’ll be covered for four years and three months – the remainder of the Ford warranty period. The only restriction is you must order it through a Ford dealer. If you already own a Next-Gen Ranger or Everest and order through an ARB outlet, you'll reap the benefits of the accesory integration with the vehicle backed by ARB's standard three year warranty (where applicable). You'll also get: Ÿ The exact same optimised performance Ÿ Guaranteed compatibility with ARB aftermarket accessories Ÿ The same integration between accessories and vehicle By combining the best of what ARB and Ford have to offer, you end up with two premium brands integrated neatly into one cohesive product. That’s a big win for the customer. Clearly, this exciting partnership didn’t ONE WARRANTY, ONE POINT OF CONTACT happen by itself. We’ll take a behind-the- scenes look at how ARB and Ford worked A sticking point when fitting aftermarket you have a warranty issue, Ford is your point together to bring it to life and what it means accessories is warranty. It’s such a grey of contact. And you have peace of mind for you as a user of ARB products. area. We’ve all heard stories of people being knowing ARB is there in the background. bounced between vehicle manufacturer and Then we’ll get into the details of what accessory supplier when an issue arises. Speaking of background, we thought accessories the partnership covers – you might enjoy a rare sneak peek whether you’re a tradie looking for a Who’s at fault? Sometimes, there’s no behind the curtains. What exactly is the work ute, a long-term traveller or something clear answer. ARB/Ford partnership and how did it in between. come about? And how did we get over The ARB/Ford partnership eliminates this 160 new accessories designed, tested, First though, there’s one huge benefit of the grey area. That’s a massive win for you. If validated, then manufactured before the ARB/Ford partnership. If you’ve ever had vehicle launch? a warranty issue, you’ll understand exactly what I mean… 15

ARB & Ford A WORLDWIDE ARB accessories were ready for market, they Victoria, way back in 1925 with the Model T. PARTNERSHIP were completely integrated. Henry Ford figured out a way to mass produce these mechanical horses and they quickly In 2015, Ford and ARB began discussions They were designed to work together, to spread across the globe. around how we could provide Ford with fully complement each other, to fully integrate integrated premium accessories for their into one complete package. The iconic Model T found a home in some of products worldwide. The motivation was the most extreme environments in Australia. It Ford’s desire to have: By working closely with Ford, we were able was a trusty workhorse for farmers and other 1. The best possible aftermarket products to speak directly with their designers. For remote business owners all over the country. example, we learned exactly how the next- available on their range of 4x4s generation driver aids (parking sensors and Innovative transport operators saw the writing 2. A broader range of premium accessories adaptive cruise control) functioned, then on the wall for horses, bullock teams, even engineered our bull bar designs around this camel trains operating in the desert. They for their 4x4s information. embraced the new technology and switched to motor vehicles. The Model T was cutting A delegation from Ford visited ARB in When it came time to crash test our bull edge technology at the time, able to traverse Melbourne to check out our manufacturing bars, Ford incorporated them into their the roughest terrain in a fraction of the time. facilities. The delegation was made up of key crash-testing program. So Ford was involved Ford people from around the world, including in our validation process and vice-versa. From those humble beginnings, Ford Australia the USA, Europe, South Africa and the Asia- This allowed them to quickly endorse our cemented a well-deserved reputation for Pacific. products for the FLA program. building vehicles able to withstand the uniquely tough Australian driving conditions. After working through the details, Ford It’s this close cooperation that directly Many a standard spec Falcon spent its life and ARB reached a formal agreement. In benefits ARB, Ford and, most importantly, hammering along outback roads… the same March 2021, Ford and ARB went public, you as the customer. ones where a well-equipped 4WD is now announcing their exciting new partnership. considered essential. ARB accessories were officially FLAs (Ford Right now, the same ARB accessories you Licensed Accessories). can choose for your Next-Generation Ranger FROM or Everest are also available to customers in WORKHORSE TO You might be wondering, how does this Thailand and New Zealand (depending on FAMILY FAVOURITE benefit you, the customer? local compliance laws). As the Next-Gen Ford models are rolled out across the world, those Ford moved with the times and buyer trends Well, there’s the peace of mind in having the markets will also benefit from the range of over the years, offering the high levels of full Ford five-year factory warranty we spoke ARB premium accessories. reliability and comfort Australian customers about earlier. However, the biggest benefit demanded. Over time, sedans gave ground can be summed up in one word… integration. And it’s not only the Ranger and Everest. to 4WDs. Once a basic workhorse, 4WDs are In Issue 61 of 4x4 Culture (page 78), we now the bestselling light vehicle category Let’s take an example from when Ford and covered how the partnership is allowing in Australia. Tradies, families, grey nomads, ARB were working on the product range for Ford Bronco owners in the US to choose inner city couples… the humble 4WD has the Next-Generation Ranger and Everest integrated ARB accessories. evolved big time. models. We’ll use a bull bar as an example. Expect to see more exciting ARB/Ford Ford once tussled with Holden for the top Vehicle manufacturers don't design vehicles partnerships in the future! spot. But these days, it’s Ford and Toyota in with accessories in mind and aftermarket the battle for number one in the Australian accessory companies are constantly THE MECHANICAL pickup market. designing products to work around a vehicle HORSE design, that compromises an aesthetic or And now we have the Next-Generation Ford function of the vehicle or accessory. Ford has a long and successful history in Ranger and Everest with the blending of Australia. It all started with a visionary, one premium quality ARB accessories. It’s a ARB and the Ford Special Vehicles team Henry Ford… Ford Australia is a subsidiary of game-changer for the Australian vehicle worked closely together to ensure every the Ford Motor Company in the United States. market, just like the Model T was all those angle was covered. ARB would suggest Australian production began in Geelong, years ago. minor enhancements to vehicle design and Ford would do the same with our products. So by the time the Next-Gen Fords and the 16

A BUILD FOR EVERY ARB & Ford p20 OCCASION p28 p18 p32 With the ARB FLA agreement in place, we had p24 p36 a decision to make. What accessories should p30 p42 we include? After all, everyone’s different. We p35 all have different opinions about what’s the p38 best gear for our specific needs. 17 So we looked closely at what accessories might be best suited to different types of buyers. For example, a tradie’s ute has unique requirements. Equally, a serious off roader needs specific gear. We decided to split up typical buyers of the Ranger and Everest into broad groups. This way, you can see roughly where you fit in and what ARB accessories we recommend. We’ve identified 10 broad categories, seven for the Ranger and three for the Everest. Then we matched a suggested set of ARB accessories most likely to suit each type of buyer. We call these “Builds”. It’s important to note these 10 Builds are simply a guide, a starting point. Say we suggest a Summit Bar in the Everest Serious Tourer Build but you want a StealthBar. Or you might choose part of the Weekend Wanderer Build and part of the Serious Tourer Build. That’s fine, go for it. Use our packs as a starting point to give you ideas and inspiration. We completely understand that everyone’s different. It’s what makes the 4WD community so inspiring. As a wise person once said, life would be boring if we were all the same! So what’s in these Builds?

4X4 Culture ARB FORD RANGER BUILDS Where better to start than with the Ranger Weekend Wanderers Build. Meet Dave and Mick… RWANEGEERKEND WANDERERS BUILD There’s nothing Dave and Mick love more than getting away for a weekend of fishing. Keen beach fishers, they find a secluded spot, roll out their swags, light a fire and settle in for a weekend of fishing, beers and, hopefully, a decent feed of fish. Occasionally, they’ll head inland. A bit of exploring, a few rough tracks, a campfire and a few beers. Nothing too extreme, they’re more interested in getting out of the city for the weekend and relaxing. Dave’s the proud owner of a Ranger Sport three- litre dual-cab painted Sedona Orange. You can’t miss him on the road! During the week, the Ranger doubles as Dave’s daily drive. He lives in the suburbs and drives across town to work every day. So the Ranger must be comfortable, yet able to push through the odd rough track on the weekends. 18

ARB & Ford Dave chose ARB’s StealthBar for Here’s a few more accessories to several reasons. It’s made from a tough polyethylene material – lightweight consider if you’re a weekend wanderer yet extremely durable and resistant to damage when a bush track gets nasty. like Dave: As a bonus, it gives his Ranger a mean look at the front. Ÿ Polymer Under Vehicle Armour (UVA) to protect all those vital bits underneath The StealthBar accommodates a winch and has mounting points for driving Ÿ Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport shocks lights. Dave made sure he had a for greatly improved ride, comfort and Bushranger REVO 10S winch, as he stability and Mick have been bogged in sand more times than they’d like to admit. Ÿ Night Hawk LED VLI Series nine-inch driving lights Dave’s Ranger is the ideal set-up for his lifestyle. He can happily drive it around during Ÿ ARB Twin Compressor Kit for airing up the week. Then when the weekend arrives, Ÿ Cab Rack BASE Rack for carrying light he and Mick grab a few mates and head bush. bulky items on the roof 19 Ÿ BASE Rack Light Bar and Wiring Loom to light up bush tracks Ÿ Tailgate Assist to make opening and closing the heavy tailgate a breeze Ÿ 18-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tyres for extra ground clearance Ÿ Safari V-Spec Snorkel for those dusty roads and for when that river crossing’s deeper than you thought

ARB & Ford RFAANMGERILY ADVENTURER BUILD 20

Kirsty and Jay have a plan. They want to explore the real Australia and show their two young boys what lies beyond the city borders. They’d always planned to travel before having kids but somehow it never happened. Now the boys are old enough to travel, Kirsty and Jay want to show them the sights. The first chance they get, they’ll be off exploring Australia. One day, they’ll do the big lap. For now, they’re happy to take one-week or two-week holidays with the caravan in tow. They like camping at farm stays, especially the ones with a few bush tracks to explore. The boys love the freedom of the bush, while Mum and Dad take a well-earned breather from their crazy busy lives. 21

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4X4 Culture Camping off grid doesn’t have to mean If you’re also considering an forgoing comfort. The van provides all the creature comforts of home. And the Ranger extended family road trip, here’s some Wildtrak dual cab makes short work of towing safely and in comfort. more suggested accessories to make With Kirsty and Jay’s long-term plan to your life easier: head remote, they’ve set up the Ranger ready for action. Remote travel means Ÿ WARN VR Evo Winch and Recovery Points encounters with wildlife… the last thing for self-recovery Kirsty wants is to be nursing an emu in the front seat. That’s why they chose a Ÿ Old Man Emu BP-51 adjustable shocks Summit MKII Bar, complete with Summit and an Old Man Emu GVM upgrade Side Rails and Steps. Ÿ Ascent Canopy with BASE Rack The Summit MKII Bar’s made from Ÿ Tailgate Assist, ARB Modular Drawer system steel for maximum protection, metal- prepped then powder-coated black. with Fridge Slide and Slide Kitchen It’s fully airbag compatible, fully Ÿ Elements Fridge Freezer to keep the food compatible with the Ranger’s adaptive cruise control and parking sensors, and fresh for your hungry family features an LED light cluster bristling Ÿ Under Vehicle Protection (UVP) with safety features. The light cluster Ÿ Intensity V2 driving lights incorporates: Ÿ Twin Compressor with pressure control Ÿ Fog lights for airing up multiple tyres quickly and Ÿ Daytime running lights accurately Ÿ Sequential indicators Ÿ Dual batteries, GME UHF and a LINX Ÿ Clearance lights controller to replace all those switches, gauges and monitors with one simple Kirsty and Jay have cleverly specced interface their Ranger as a self-contained tourer for Ÿ 2.5-metre Black Aluminium Awning for overnight trips. At the same time, they have protection from the sun and rain a sure-footed tow vehicle to keep them safe Ÿ Safari V-Spec Snorkel for those dusty roads on the road. and for when that river crossing’s deeper than you thought Ÿ Frontier Long-Range Fuel Tank for peace of mind in the outback Ÿ Summit MKII Rear Step Tow Bar to tow the van or boat Ÿ 18-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tyres for extra ground clearance 23

ARB & Ford RANGER SERIOUS OFF ROADER BUILD Gary’s a serious off roader. His mates reckon he goes looking for trouble. But according to Gary, the rougher the track, the bigger the challenge. He loves pitting his wits against the steepest, roughest, most challenging tracks. Picking the right line, knowing when to back off and when to give it a bootful – these are the things that put a wide grin on Gary’s face. Then at day’s end, he kicks back with a campfire and a beer, knowing he’s the only person for miles around. Whether it’s the gnarliest tracks in the Victorian High Country, the Tele Track at the Cape or a Simpson Desert crossing, Gary’s up for it. It’s not for the faint- hearted… or an ordinary 4WD. That’s why Gary specced his new Ranger Sport dual-cab with some tough gear. 24

ARB & Ford Take the underbody for example. As you’d imagine, the underbody cops a workout when Gary’s at the wheel. So he chose Under Vehicle Protection (UVP) – three-millimetre steel sheet, pressed and folded for optimal strength. The finish is zinc plating then powder coating for added protection of the plates. ARB’s UVP protects vital components like: Ÿ Engine sump Ÿ Gearbox Ÿ Transfer case Gary particularly likes how ARB has recessed all the bolt heads. Using cheaper products in the past, he’s had bolt heads rip off and others get badly mangled after scraping over rocks. Recessing the bolt heads makes a whole lot of sense to Gary. 25

ARB & Ford There’s no doubt Gary’s a highly experienced 4WDer. His mates would agree – although they’d never admit it. Gary has taken a measured approach, adding essential accessories plus a few to make his off road adventures a little easier. Other options Gary could choose as a serious off roader: Ÿ Summit MKII Bar with Summit Side Rails and Steps Ÿ WARN Zeon Winch and Recovery Points Ÿ Intensity Solis nine-inch driving lights Ÿ Front Air Locker Ÿ Twin Compressor with air tank and pressure control for engaging the Air Locker and airing up tyres Ÿ Old Man Emu BP-51 shock absorbers with remote reservoirs Ÿ Safari V-Spec Snorkel Ÿ Dual batteries, GME UHF and a LINX controller to replace multiple switches, gauges and monitors with one simple interface Ÿ Frontier Long-Range Fuel Tank for peace of mind in the outback Ÿ Summit MKII Rear Tow Bar for towing the boat or camper trailer Ÿ Lockable and weatherproof ARB HardLid Ÿ 17-inch wheels with 33-inch mud tyres for extra grip 26

4X4 Culture 27

4X4 Culture RUARNGBEAR N Lance and Mia appreciate the finer things ADVENTURER in life. They love a weekend away in the mountains. An Airbnb in a quaint village, BUILD brunch in the local café and a drive out to a winery is their idea of the ideal weekend 28 away. Occasionally, they’ll book into an upmarket in the city to take in the art and culture. Mia and Lance like making a statement. Their Ranger Sport dual-cab certainly does that, with its spotless Absolute Black paint job. The Ranger exudes a certain “cool factor”, complemented by a range of ARB accessories. Up front, you’ll find a sleek matte black Summit Sahara MKII Bar, with its single round hoop, and integrated light bar in the hoop. Intensity Solis nine-inch driving lights complement the Summit MKII Bar, with Recovery Points and Under Vehicle Armour (UVA) giving this Ranger a solid dose of urban attitude.

ARB & Ford In keeping with the sleek look of this Ranger, Mia and Lance settled on a colour-coded Sportlid.The sleek styling blends in perfectly, giving the Ranger a balanced look from front to back. Being lockable and weatherproof, it turns the tub into a secure storage area. And they’re thinking about maybe getting mountain bikes – colour-coded to the Ranger of course!They’ll fit neatly on top of the Sportlid. Fortunately, it has a 75-kilogram load rating with built-in T-slots ready to mount roof bars with a bike rack. How else can you give your Ranger some bling? How else can you make it stand out from the crowd? Check these out: Ÿ Cab Rack BASE Rack with BASE Rack Light Bar and Wiring Loom Ÿ 18-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tyres for a more aggressive stance on the road Ÿ A set of Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport shocks to further enhance an already comfortable ride 29

4X4 Culture RANGER ULTIMATE TRADIE BUILD Callum’s a chippie and works for himself. His Ranger is a workhorse during the week. Then on the weekends, he and a few mates head into the hills. They love taking on steep fire trails in the nearby state forest. Most of Callum’s work is on building sites. But sometimes he needs to pick up a few lengths of timber. The Classic Plus Canopy enabled him to fit a canopy BASE Rack with trade rails for those long lengths of timber… and for his swag and recovery boards on the weekends. A rear roller across the width of the BASE Rack makes loading those heavy lengths of timber a whole lot easier. And the clever design make tying down the load so much easier than traditionally designed longitudinal crossbars. 30

4X4 Culture The heart of Callum’s ute fit-out though is Here’s a few more options ideally suited undoubtedly the canopy. There’s the BASE Rack on top. But inside, he has the perfect to an ultimate tradie ute build: set-up for work and play. Ÿ Night Hawk LED VLI Series nine-inch By fitting a twin drawer system, he has room driving lights to securely store work tools during the week and recovery gear on weekends. A tough Ÿ Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport shocks stainless steel Elements Fridge sits above to help carry heavy loads the drawers. It gets a fair workout – keeping his lunch cool during the week and the beers Ÿ Twin Air Compressor with tank to run air cold on weekends. tools on site and for airing up tyres quickly Like pretty much every tradie’s ute, Callum’s Ÿ Dual Battery Kit to run the fridge and gets knocked around. Despite his best efforts compressor and to charge power tool to keep it neat and tidy, sometimes incidents batteries are unavoidable. That’s why he chose a Summit MKII Bar. If a sleepy apprentice backs Ÿ Frontier Long-Range Fuel Tank so you only into the front of his ute in a bobcat, at least need to fill up once a week Callum will be able to drive it home. Ÿ 17-inch wheels with 31-inch all-terrain tyres for the weekend trips away Ÿ ARB BASE Rack Auxiliary Light for reverse or area lighting wherever it's needed most. 31

ARB & Ford RANGER SERIOUS TOURER BUILD Rita and Joe are grey nomads. They spend six months at a time on the road, locking up the house for winter and heading north. It’s a lifestyle they love, exploring Australia at their own pace and stopping when and where they want to. They’re an adventurous couple, travelling all over Australia in their Ranger Wildtrak dual-cab and off road caravan. But the outback’s where they feel at home. There’s something special about camping alone under a blanket of stars. Their favourite destinations are the outback towns of South Australia… Blinman, Marree, William Creek and Lyndhurst to name just a few. They do a mix of free camping, station stays and caravan parks. Once set up, Rita and Joe spend time wandering around the local region, taking in the sights. 32

ARB & Ford Rita and Joe are careful not to overload their vehicle and safety’s a high priority. Fortunately, ARB has a wide selection of accessories to help them out. Here are five options: Ÿ Old Man Emu GVM upgrade Ÿ Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport shocks to handle heavy loads when towing Ÿ Impact-resistant polyethylene SpartanBar Ÿ Impact-resistant cross-linked polymer Under Vehicle Armour (UVA) Ÿ GME UHF to communicate with other road users Rita and Joe are partial to a fine bottle of The Ranger was an obvious choice with its red. Whenever they’re in a wine-growing reputation as a powerful and reliable tow region, they sample the local produce and vehicle. Once they settled on the Ranger, stock up the wine reserves. And they love the next decision was what accessories to the atmosphere of outback pubs. For them, choose. One option was non-negotiable… there’s nothing better than sitting under the verandah of the Prairie Hotel in Parachilna, Rita and Joe were caught many years glass of red in hand, yarning to the locals ago on the way to Birdsville with a fuel and watching the sun set over the desert. gauge near empty and no end in sight. It’s a situation they definitely don’t want They aren’t averse to hitting the dirt and to repeat! A Frontier Long-Range Fuel exploring. The ancient majesty of the Tank is the answer, increasing capacity Flinders Ranges and its ever-changing from 80 litres to 140 litres. scenery keeps drawing them back. Then there’s the incredible moonscape of the The long-range tank’s made from a one- Oodnadatta Track, with its mound springs piece resilient cross-linked polymer to and tiny settlements along the way. keep the weight down. It tucks in under the Ranger, flexibly mounted to absorb No doubt, Rita and Joe love the desert. those endless corrugations. Using Experienced off road tourers, they knew the original filler nozzle, every tank is exactly what they wanted when the time hydrostatically tested for structural and came to upgrade their old dual-cab ute. sealing integrity. 33

ARB & Ford If your dream is to hit the road for an extended break every year, these accessories are worth considering as well: Ÿ Recovery Points and a WARN VR Evo Winch Ÿ Intensity Solis nine-inch driving lights Ÿ ARB Twin Compressor Kit for airing up Ÿ Dual Battery Kit to keep the fridge running Ÿ Tailgate Assist for easier access to ute tub Ÿ Secure Ascent Canopy Ÿ Canopy BASE Rack and two-metre Bag Awning Ÿ ARB Modular Drawer system with Fridge Slide and Classic SII Fridge Freezer Ÿ 17-inch wheels with 31-inch all-terrain tyres for when the road turns to dirt Ÿ Safari V-Spec Snorkel to help the engine breathe better in dusty conditions 34

ARB & Ford RANGER BANG-FOR- YOUR-BUCK BUILD Simone and her partner Dale own a civil engineering business. They have a small fleet of utes. And to be honest, the utes cop a battering. They’re a work tool, used solely for getting With this in mind, Dale and Simone Every accessory on Simone and Dale’s people and gear from point A to point B. buy two-litre Ranger XLS dual cabs. No one much cares about the utes and They want something highly capable fleet utes has a practical function. If it Dale’s given up trying to keep them clean. on the muddy worksites and able to The cab floors are covered in mud and the carry a heavy load. A Commercial Bar makes the job easier and can handle the dashboard’s coated in dust. is essential as it protects the Ranger from the inevitable bumps and scrapes. rough treatment, they consider it money It seems like the cup holders carry everything except cups… screwed-up receipts, half With many of their jobs out of town, they well spent. rolls of flouro tape, old hamburger wrappers, need a decent set of driving lights. The used cable ties. The back seat’s no better. Commercial Bar gives them space to Here’s a few more accessories you might It’s strewn with grubby hi-vis vests and dirty fit a set of Intensity Solis seven-inch want to consider when specifying a cost- sheets of paper from who knows what job. driving lights. The Bushranger Winch effective fleet vehicle or comfortable farm You get the picture! has proven its worth time and again… workhorse: although mostly for recovering bogged Ÿ Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport shocks Time’s money. And that’s what the utes diggers and other work utes. are there for – to help them make money. for carrying heavy loads Understandably, keeping the utes clean is A Classic Canopy protects their valuable gear Ÿ Cab Rack BASE Rack for longer items that all but impossible. from being stolen and allows quick access via sliding side windows when on the worksite. won’t fit anywhere else Ÿ Safari V-Spec Snorkel for dusty work sites Ÿ 17-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tyres for extra ground clearance and grip in the mud 35

4X4 Culture ARB FORD EVEREST BUILDS The Ford Everest is a highly capable off roader. It’s an ideal wagon to get you off the blacktop and into the bush. And it makes an excellent family adventure vehicle… EVEREST FAMILY ADVENTURER BUILD What’s the ideal weekend away for Shane, Cassie and the boys? A weekend in a houseboat on Lake Eildon comes pretty close to perfection, with a healthy dose of fishing and wakeboarding thrown in. Life’s busy for Shane and Cassie. The weeks flash by in a blur of work, daycare for the boys and those thousand other things tugging at them from all directions. Life’s crazy. So they’ve made a pact to slow down a bit. How? By spending a long weekend every month at Lake Eildon in the warmer months. It keeps them sane, gives them time to unwind and lets them spend time with the boys. If you happen to drive past Shane and Cassie’s house on a Friday afternoon, you’ll see what’s become a regular event – organised chaos! The Everest’s backed into the driveway, all the doors open, surrounded 36

4X4 Culture by a mountain of stuff… clothes bags, boys’ Cassie and Shane specified the If your Everest will be a family bikes, beach towels, linen, Dad’s wetsuit (he integrated light bar with their Summit adventurer vehicle, here’s a couple more never wears it, by the way), Mum’s hammock, Sahara Bar. Having extra lighting is accessories to make your adventures toys, spare toys, board games, food boxes, always welcome, especially when even more fun: even the obligatory inflatable pink flamingo. plans go astray and they’re driving to the lake at night. Ÿ Intensity IQ driving lights for the ultimate You name it, they take it. That’s why Shane control of your lighting loves the Everest – he simply opens the With the Everest standing tall on 17-inch back door and piles it all in. Once the boat’s wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tyres, side Ÿ GME UHF and antenna for keeping in touch hooked up, they’re ready to hit the road. steps are a must-have item. Adding to the with your travel mates Everest’s tall stature is the Old Man Emu By the time they get to Lake Eildon, Nitrocharger Sport suspension upgrade. it’s getting late. Late afternoon driving The Nitrocharger Sport gives you a range is the danger time for hitting wildlife. of options, depending on how your Everest Cassie wasn't sold on a bull bar is set up. For example, the front shock rating because the Everest spends most of its depends on whether you have no bar, a bull life doing city driving. The compromise bar or a bull bar and winch. is a Summit Sahara MKII Bar, a feature- packed single hoop bar. 37

EVEREST SERIOUS OFF-ROADER BUILD Steve and Janelle have the mountain biking bug. They both work in IT, which enables them to travel. Driving a thousand k’s or more to reach the best mountain biking trails is all part of the adventure. Then after they’ve satisfied the adrenaline urge, Steve and Janelle spend a few days camping where there’s internet to catch up on work. 38

ARB & Ford As you might have guessed, they need a capable 4WD. The Everest is perfect for long-distance touring, with its high levels of comfort and safety. The super low profile of ARB’s BASE Rack enhances stability on those long drives. But most importantly, it gives them a solid platform for their Esperance Rooftop Tent and 2.5-metre Alloy Awning. With a BASE Rack Light Bar and Wiring Loom protected within the extrusions, Janelle and Steve have plenty of lighting for those long drives into the night. 39

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ARB & Ford Some other accessories to consider if you’re planning on taking the Everest into the rough stuff: Ÿ Steel Under Vehicle Protection (UVP) to protect the vital components under your vehicle Ÿ Intensity Solis nine-inch driving lights in case you get caught out late on a bush track Ÿ Recovery Points and a WARN VR Evo Winch Ÿ BASE Rack for carrying your swag or tent Ÿ BASE Rack Camp Lights Ÿ Dual Battery Kit and Century battery with a LINX controller to power the Elements Fridge and charge devices Ÿ GME UHF and antenna to call up other drivers on the steep fire trails Ÿ Safari V-Spec Snorkel Ÿ ARB Single Compressor Kit with air tank and pressure control for accurately airing up the tyres Ÿ Single ARB Modular Drawer system with Slide Kitchen Ÿ ARB Esperance Rooftop Tent for easy accommodation, wherever you are. Ÿ 17-inch wheels with 33-inch mud tyres for the slippery mountain trails 41

4X4 Culture ETVOERUESRT ER BUILD Simon and Jo love the outdoors. They live in Tassie, close to fantastic birdwatching sights and some of the best hiking trails in Australia. They’re both avid birdwatchers, regularly heading into the rugged mountains in pursuit of the most elusive species. During the week, the Everest is Simon’s daily driver.They need a vehicle that’s comfortable to drive every day, yet capable of taking on the steepest trails on the weekend. Jo and Simon don’t really camp, instead preferring to base themselves at a B&B then doing day trips deep into the mountain country. 42

ARB & Ford That’s why they included a Summit MKII Bar with Side Steps, plus an Old Man Emu suspension system in the options list. The Summit Bar protects the front as they’re pushing through overgrown tracks, while the OME shocks give them the sure-footed confidence needed on steep fire trials. The side steps are pretty much essential. Many of the tracks have deep washouts and those never-ending steep jump- ups. The Summit Side Steps form a tough barrier against damage to the underside of the door sills. They also provide convenient access, making Simon and Jo’s step up into the tall Everest much easier. A long-distance tourer requires careful set-up. These accessories will help keep you moving on the long drives: Ÿ Summit MKII Bar with Side Steps Ÿ Intensity V2 driving lights Ÿ Recovery Points in case you get caught out Ÿ Polymer Under Vehicle Armour (UVA) Ÿ Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport shock absorbers Ÿ Dual Battery Kit and Century battery to power the ZERO Fridge Freezer and charge the laptops Ÿ GME UHF and antenna for added safety on the road Ÿ Safari V-Spec Snorkel Ÿ ARB Single Compressor Kit with air tank and pressure control Ÿ ARB Modular Drawer system with Fridge Slide Ÿ Frontier Long-Range Fuel Tank for peace of mind Ÿ ARB Black Aluminium Awning Ÿ 17-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tyres 43

B1A0J0A0OffRoadRacing IFTNOHTREOTATHRHEBEBAOANFJDFARF1OO0RA0DD0 CIRNOALMCLIEANXGBIOCSORP.AATCIEONTHMIOSVYEEDAR 44

Off Road Racing BAJA 1000 The Baja 1000 is an annual Mexican off ARB & FORD road motorsport race, consisting of around 1,000 miles through the desert along the Further strengthening the relationship Baja California Peninsula. It is the final round between these two titan brands, ARB and of a four-part score championship made up Ford worked together in the lead-up to this of the San Felipe 250, the Baja 400 and year’s race. Whilst initially approached from a the Baja 500. sponsorship point of view, Ford realised that the off road racing expertise that could be Almost 50% of participants do not finish, provided by ARB was invaluable and invited making the Baja 1000 a true endurance race them to be involved with the development and the achievement often lies in just getting of the car as well. through the course in one piece. For more information on the ARB/Ford partnership, check out page 14. 45

Off Road Racing \"TEB VHOETERHMDTOROSIDTVDEIMNAP.NRIDTESICSASIVANEIDJRUWOSAETDTDHOCOAEURVGSEHRWTYEIT'TVHEIWNAG.S\" THE CAR Ford Performance enlisted the expertise of said we thought it was the most impressive former Supercars team boss and Bathurst road cars we’ve ever driven. It can just do winner Todd Kelly to head up the build of its everything. I don’t think there will be any Ranger Raptor for the Baja 1000. Built at the trouble getting it to the finish line.” Kelly Racing facility in Melbourne, with the help of ARB, the Raptor was tested in Mildura, Built for the stock class, the vehicle is based Victoria, as well as the Johnson Valley in on the production version of the Ranger California. ARB’s own Danny Brown worked Raptor. “Because it is running in the stock closely with Todd in the development of the class, there are limitations on what we can race vehicle. Commenting on the finished upgrade,” says Danny. “An increased fuel Raptor, Danny remarks, “Both Todd and I tank size, roll cage, larger tyre and ARB lights are the major changes to the stock version.” 46

Off Road Racing THE DRIVER LINE-UP epic team. PRE-RUNNING Not only were ARB involved in the While the race itself began on Friday, 18 RACE DAY 1 development of the car, but ARB’s very November, Danny flew over early to meet own Managing Director and Family Founding Andy (who was already in the US for SEMA) The Ranger Raptor was the sole entry in the Member, Andy Brown and his son Danny had to get ready. Landing in LA, Danny met Andy Stock Mid-Size class and the first team set the privilege of racing the final leg of this and they headed straight to Mexico to start off at noon on the Friday. Andy and Danny year’s Baja 1000. Both Andy and Danny have pre-running. had already left around 10.00am to set up a long history in off road racing, competing a pit. The entire race is a huge team effort in some of the world’s most gruelling and For this vital aspect of race preparation, Ford and if you’re not in the car, you’re helping prestigious races, including being the first provided each duo with a Ford Bronco to the crew. Andy and Danny spent the first Australian team to enter the Mexican Norra practice their portion of the track. Andy and night sleeping in a car, waiting for their turn 1000 in 2018. Danny’s section consisted of about 220 to jump in. miles of technical terrain that took almost a Andy and Danny have competed in well full day to pre-run. It wasn’t until Friday night that they heard over 20 races together and the Baja 1000 about the tragic events that had unfolded is definitely one to tick off their racing bucket After everyone finished their pre-run, during the day. The lack of phone reception list. Father and son make a great team, not they also took the actual race car out for out on the track meant that both Andy and only because of their passion for off road a shakedown. This involved each driver Danny had no idea what had happened to racing but also because their unique familial practising a 15-mile loop in the car to ensure the AWD Mason Trophy Truck whose team dynamic allows unrestrained communication, they were comfortable with the vehicle as included Toby Price and Paul Weel. essential for the often high-stress situations well as ready to give it the green light for they can find themselves in. “I don’t think race day. anyone else could stand to be in the car with him to be honest,” Danny laughs. “We have Pre-running was wrapped up by Wednesday good trust, plus I can tell him to shut up or night and the Raptor was handed over for calm down. He probably wouldn’t take that contingency and tech inspection. Having from anyone else.” won the event 22 times across various classes, Ford knows what it’s doing in The ARB Brown duo completed the final 220 ensuring its trucks are up for the challenge. or so miles of the race and were joined by The tech inspection focuses heavily on safety Hall-of-Famer Brad Lovell of Lovell Racing. and makes sure the equipment is all correct Two-time King of the Hammers champion and the survival gear, including first aid kits, and five-time Ultra4 Racing champion Loren is good to go; this is where it starts to feel Healy headed up the driver roster with Jason real. The Baja 1000 is no joke, something Hutter of Fire Guys Racing rounding out this fellow Aussie racers found out very quickly. 47

Off Road Racing TRAGEDY AT MILE 170 Scheduled to drive the first 360 miles of the RACE DAY 2 and had accidentally thrown out my motion Baja 1000, Paul Weel and co-driver Preston sickness tablets with a bunch of rubbish Schmid struck disaster at the 170-mile mark At about 8.30am on Saturday morning, Andy from my pocket that morning, so I pretty when their one million dollar trophy truck went and Danny strapped themselves into the much spent the whole drive feeling like I up in flames. Possibly caused by a broken Raptor and began the six or so hour journey. was going to spew.” oil line dousing the exhaust and catching Their sole aim: bring it home in one piece. fire, Paul and Preston luckily managed to “Ours was actually a really technical section,” Even though navigating sent Danny a bit escape the vehicle unscathed. Watching Danny recalls. “Really rocky and hilly with green, having two sets of eyes on the track years of hard work go up in flames, Paul was tonnes of steep cliff edges; it was pretty is imperative. Being able to spot rocks or predictably devasted. “I’m heartbroken for gnarly.” holes on the track and constantly relay that Preston, Toby and Kellon, our great partners information to the driver ensures the car who have supported us coming over here Andy drove and Danny navigated for their makes it to the finish line. The instructions to race and our whole crew,” Paul remarked. entire final leg. Speed wasn’t the goal from the rest of the team were to just take “Everyone has put in a lot of hard work and – getting the car safely to the finish line their time, not do anything stupid and not to time away from their families to prepare for was – so they weren’t in a rush, which was break anything. Sometimes it’s easier said this race so it sucks we don’t have a result probably lucky for Danny. “I was really crook than done but the ARB duo managed to pull to bring home for them. Glad everyone is to tell you the truth,” Danny laughs. “I get it off with ease. okay, which is the main thing.” pretty bad motion sickness from navigating Kellon Walch and Toby Price had planned to bring it home but never got the chance to drive the trophy truck in the race. “I’m devastated for Weely, the Navi’s Preston and Kellon, our sponsors and the whole team,” Toby said. “Paul was doing an unreal job running with the front guys. It’s just one of those things that unfortunately happens in motorsport, but I want to thank Paul for giving me the opportunity to run this race. I really think we were in for a good shot. Until the next one!” 48