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

Choosing a Portable Fridge Freezer There’s no doubt a Home vs Holiday Right Size portable fridge freezer is Your fridge at home has it pretty easy. It’s The size of your fridge is really dependent plugged into a 240-volt AC outlet, rarely gets on how you plan to use it. If you’re heading a necessity when going moved and has to cope with little more than off on an overnight getaway with your partner on a trip. With plenty to opening and closing of its doors and climatic or mate, a smaller fridge will do you just fine. consider when purchasing variations of just a few degrees throughout However, if you’re packing up the entire family a fridge for your 4WD, we the year. and embarking on a lap of Oz, you’ll definitely break down the key things need something bigger. to keep in mind before you A portable fridge, on the other hand, has make this vital investment. to work so much harder than its static Portable fridges generally come in capacities counterpart. Bouncing around in the back ranging from 35 litres to 96 litres with plenty of a 4WD, it is subject to constant movement, to choose from in between. But remember, extreme angles, ambient temperatures the bigger the internal capacity, the bigger ranging from below freezing to above 50°C, its external dimensions and its weight. And all while operating on your vehicle’s 12-volt whilst you might be able to physically fit a DC power supply. With all these demands huge fridge in the back of your fourby, unless placed on your portable fridge, ensuring all you plan to take is food and beer, there’s you make the right choice might mean the not much room left for any of your other gear. difference between a happy and a hungry camper. 99

Choosing a Portable Fridge Freezer Power Struggles a fridge, look for a lighter compressor that Making Life Easier results in less inertia, making it nice and quiet, Choosing a fridge with an efficient something you don’t often think of until your There are a number of considerations when compressor and good insulation is vital as fridge is humming and rattling away in the choosing a portable fridge that will make you don’t always have an unlimited, reliable back of your vehicle and it’s already too late. things a little more convenient. A clever power supply when you go off road. While interior design will prove to be more versatile the efficiency of a fridge’s compressor is Built Tough than just an empty space. Features such as a important in getting the cabinet down to separate area for fruit or dairy items, an easy- temperature quickly, it’s the effectiveness of A good portable fridge should be made from to-remove basket in the main section and a the insulation that will aid in cooling efficiency a tough and durable material; you don’t want repositionable divider to keep heavy items over the long term. Whilst driving, this is to worry about every little bump or knock from squashing your food are all important less of a concern as your vehicle’s charging whilst packing your wagon or using your ute to keep in mind. system will keep your batteries topped up. tray. Avoid protruding latches or hinges that However, once you stop and set up camp, are likely to catch other items and make sure Other handy features include a cabinet light, you want a fridge that doesn’t drain your the power leads fit securely and snugly to the a removable lid for easy basket removal, a batteries. fridge and are not likely to pull free when the drain plug for cleaning and spills, and rubber fridge is moved. Recessed fridge controls feet for grip and stability. Ensuring your fridge has an integrated battery are also important to ensure you don’t protection system will ensure the fridge will inadvertently bump them and accidentally shut down if voltage drops below a preset change the temperature or turn the fridge off. level, saving your battery from running dry and you from potentially being stranded in A decent portable fridge is just that, portable, the middle of nowhere. so make sure it has good, strong handles to allow you to transport it around. Handles Cooling capacity is also extremely important. often double up as tie-down points so make The back of your vehicle can get mighty hot sure they’re tough enough to do the job. and in ambient temperatures above 50°C, you’ll need a fridge that can reliably keep its Where you plan to mount your fridge also contents below 4°C (or even lower if you are makes a big difference. If your fridge is to using it as a freezer). Any higher than that be permanently mounted on your ute tray, and your food will begin to spoil. it will need to be tough enough to withstand the harshest conditions so look for a durable An efficient, variable speed compressor steel outer casing and UV-resistant elements. allows the fridge to intelligently adapt the Weatherproof and protected electrical RPM of the compressor itself to cool down connections are also a must. quickly, which greatly helps with efficiency and battery power saving. When choosing 100

Choosing a Portable Fridge Freezer ARB’s Range of Fridge Freezers Engineered in Australia to handle our extreme conditions, ARB fridge freezers offer uncompromising performance with a temperature range from -22°C to +10°C, giving you the convenience of refrigerated or frozen food and drinks, no matter where your journey takes you. With three ranges and a plethora of sizes available, ARB is your one-stop portable fridge shop. Best of Both Worlds Elements Our flagship Elements Fridge Years ago, if you wanted both a fridge and freezer Freezer is constructed of on your journey, you either had to choose between stainless steel and offers a them or run two separate fridges. With the modern fully weatherproof exterior. invention of efficient and compact dual-zone fridges, Scan the QR code to view this problem has now been solved. Perfect for longer the range. distance trips, dual-zone fridges offer independently controlled cooling zones meaning you can have the ZERO best of both worlds in the one fridge. If you’re looking for a new way to keep the cans cold Having complete control over each section also and your meals frozen, look means that you can run a dual-zone fridge however no further than the ZERO you like: as a full fridge, full freezer or combination Fridge Freezer. Scan the of both. QR code to view the range. Tech Savvy Classic SII The Classic range consists Holidays are for relaxing and the last thing you want of four models with to be doing is getting up every hour or so to check capacities ranging from 35 your fridge is still running okay and not flattening your to 78 litres, meaning there’s battery. Purchasing a fridge that can be controlled a fridge to suit every vehicle and monitored via your smartphone is something and use. Scan the QR code worth serious consideration. Look out for a fridge to view the range. that offers monitoring and control of boost, unit and individual zone measurement, battery protection Fridge Freezer Accessories and quick-set modes. FromTransit Bags toTie-Down Systems, ARB has accessories to accompany your ARB fridge freezer to make life that much Some fridges even offer USB sockets that allow you easier. Scan the QR code to view the range. to charge your mobile phone or other electronic devices, which can be a game changer when the 101 kids have commandeered every other available charging port.

The Lat-Long of It By: TRIP IN A VAN THE LAT- LONG OF IT REGION: GADDS BEND – MURRAY RIVER RESERVE TRACK GRADE: Easy (The access road in is a well- worn two-wheel track that is easily accessed by 2WD vehicles. Wet weather could spice things up a bit though as the paddock could turn muddy with a decent downpour.) POPULAR FOR: Caravanners and campers PERMITS NEEDED: No permits needed (This is a free camp; it’s one of the Parks Victoria Upper Murray reserves.) SEASONS: All year round, depending on water levels due to floods 102

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The Lat-Long of It Can you see yourself rolling into a picture perfect campsite of lush green grass, rolling hills and hundreds of healthy cattle roaming the paddock beside a flowing Murray River? If the answer’s yes, then pack your van or swag, throw the camp oven in the ute and head for this absolute corker of a free camp in Victoria! And yes, I said free. -35.944 147.672 FACILITIES There are no facilities here at Gadds Bend. The nearest toilets and bins are in Jingellic, which is four kilometres away, and the nearest dump point is at Walwa, which is six kilometres away. There is a pub in Jingellic that’s great for an arvo schooner and a counter meal. CAMPING There are literally acres of paddock to choose to set up camp in from absolute riverfront where you can hear the river rushing past your door to the top side of the more elevated access road, where you can park up and take advantage of the great view. Campfires are allowed here and it’s the perfect setting for a camp oven roast. 104

The Lat-Long of It FISHING If the water’s not running too fast and you can put some time in, there’s a good chance of a trout. There are also some tales of big Murray cod being caught by campers here over the years. 402, 272 HOW TO GET THERE Location: Three kilometres west of the bridge at Jingellic at 8243 Murray River Road, Walwa in Victoria. SUGGESTED ROUTE You can access Gadds Bend from any direction. The best tip is to put the town of Jingellic into Google maps and choose the best route to get you there. 105

SmartBar SGmetart Did you know? If you head to Lonsdale in South ARB acquired SmartBar in 2011 Australia, swing open the doors to and since then, our combined ARB’s SmartBar facility where you engineering departments have will find the team that develops ARB’s SmartBar's roto-moulding oven. evolved the design and look of polymer solutions. An ingenious team SmartBars. In the last 10 years, with years of automotive and rotational this collaboration has resulted moulding experience, they have in development of a plethora successfully produced a large range of new products. The range of vehicle protection and fuel storage includes Frontier Diesel Tank, systems. With the Next-Generation Frontier Portable Solutions, Fire Ranger, Everest and portable Frontier Fighter Units, Abalone Trays and products fresh out of the oven, we Mussel Floats. thought it was a perfect time so see what exactly goes into developing a polymer- based, roto-moulded product. 106

SmartBar The 25,000-square metre state-of-the-art need to consider: the rotational moulding manufacturing facility in Lonsdale is home manufacturing process, vehicle airflow, to over 50 team members who operate approach angles, accessory compatibility, two large roto-moulding ovens over shifts weights, headlight clearances and angles, over five days. The production facility is vehicle length, tow point access, safety focused on consistently producing high- systems such as radars, cameras, airbags quality products from the initial designs to and parking sensors, and then there is the the final QA. requirement to fit all vehicle model variants. The sketches move into CAD and developing visual renders overlayed with the vehicle. With further collaboration and component finessing, the designer is able to produce the first CNC-machined prototype and supporting fabricated brackets. This prototype is when things get really exciting with the trial fitment to a vehicle. At this point, everything is checked from fitment clearances, light angles, access to accessories such as the winch, jack point, recovery points, etc for the team to then adjust where needed and repeat this step until the final mould tooling is given the green light. Our polymer material has several unique So where do they start? The entire process The mould used to create the bull bar is made properties that enable us to not only build for a single vehicle protection product out of either cast or billet alloy and once products that are lightweight and durable normally takes nine months, depending prepped, the moulded parts run through a but also, most importantly, to build products on the complexity of the project (even a series of cooks in our state-of-the-art ovens, with the ability to absorb impact and reform bit quicker with the GM breathing down then continue through the manufacturing back to shape, the key component to our their necks). The design team begins with team to develop our engineering samples. vehicle protection systems. sketching their product designs and in the These off-tool samples go through the QA case of the Next-Generation products, the process with trial fits to the vehicle, any It all kicks off with the industrial design team Ford collaboration begun from the very required impact tests and pedestrian tests, and when looking at vehicle protection like beginning, gaining feedback from the initial then are further optimised to give the best the Next-Generation products, there are a few drawings. The Ford team reviews all facets possible protective product to the end user. key outcomes for these products. They need from mechanical symphony, safety system As for the polymers used, all our bull bars to be fit for purpose; in other words, offer compatibility, design and vehicle legalities. use our proprietary polymer mix, which is protection with the ability to absorb impact perfect for producing the durability required with minimal damage. The product should be Designing with moulded components give for a bull bar. ARB Frontier tanks and under lightweight with the bracketry designed to us the freedom to create a wider range of vehicle armour, however, share an even more key vehicle connection points and also onto free forms and the ability to style the bars durable, stiffer cross-link polyethylene mix. the roto-moulded components. It must be differently, with much more flexibility in the compatible with the vehicle safety systems. design. The team is constrained only by The products are tested on vehicles and And finally, it should complement the style the capability of a CNC machine and the assessed against our original outcomes and design of the vehicle. Simple enough, roto-moulding process. Having the ability before being given the big green tick of right? But here are a few of the constraints to create lines to match the vehicle styling approval and handed over to the marketing and considerations the industrial designers is the designer’s dream. team to facilitate the creation of photos that end up being used in specification documents, website listings, PowerPoint documents and brochures to promote the products to market. 107

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Behind the Shot A Jurassic Park Style Camping Scene Sometimes the environment will give you everything at once… this might create challenges but if you work as a team, you can create beautiful imagery. Recently, ARB’s Marketing team requested a photoshoot depicting a Arriving at the site, it was awesome… spooky and mysterious but guy who would be a serious off roader. We needed to showcase him absolutely stunning with so much cloud that you could hardly see tackling the harder tracks, recovering his vehicle and also enjoying through the trees. It seriously looked like a scene out of Jurassic Park. a cool campsite in the woods. We stepped out of the vehicles and immediately felt how wet the Now I had recently completed a recce of an area that I felt would air was. It was ridiculously damp. Everything was instantly wet as be perfect for this image with tall trees, flat ground right on top of the moisture in the cloud seemed to just walk into you. I put the a mountain and deep in the forest. It was shaping up to be a really awning out on our 79 to create some cover but all it really did was successful day and after tackling some difficult terrain and completing stop the big droplets falling from the tall trees. most of the shot list required, we headed up into the hills towards the spot I had planned to utilise for the camp scene image. As we Someone asked me, “Can we still shoot in this?” “Well, we’ll give headed up the mountain, the further we climbed, the deeper we it a good go,” I replied. And we all got stuck into setting up a camp drove straight into cloud cover. It was wet and difficult to see through scene in this damp, wet, rainy environment. but we pushed on regardless, hoping that the site would still be okay. None of us were really prepared for these sorts of conditions but we all pushed through. It’s amazing just how much people are keen to help me create an image… I received 100% commitment from everyone and zero complaints as the scene was built. The biggest struggle we had was with the timber for the campfire, which was continually getting wet. We ended up using an ARB Dual Compressor on max output to feed the flame with constant air and just like in a furnace, the wet wood turned to a roaring fire. Doing everything we could to save the cameras from getting wet was important but nobody seemed to care about the fact that they themselves were wet through. Cheers to all on the photoshoot that day… thanks heaps for helping me create an awesome set of images for people to enjoy. Micheal Ellem Offroad Images

Bushranger Step Up SIDE STEP MODELS AVAILABLE The ever-popular StepBoard Kingsley side step Built to last, made from bright anodised aluminium and featuring range is now available a full-length grip tape, the StepBoard provides a simple to suit the Next-Gen solution for improved vehicle access. Ford Ranger dual-cab Integra vehicles. Available in black or silver Engineered in Australia with four side variants and made from anodised step variants to choose from, they are aluminium with zinc-plated the perfect solution for fleet, trades and mounting brackets, the Integra recreational vehicles. Occupants are is a stylish but lightweight provided with easier access to the inside side step that will increase the of the vehicle as well as greater reach to vehicle’s resale value and overall the roof of the vehicle and all side steps appearance. have a non-slip surface. Rogue Each variant features robust body mounts that fit directly to factory locations and do The black tubular steel side not require any drilling or modifications step with heavy-duty steel body to the vehicle. Whether it’s the premium mounted brackets, the Rogue is heavy-duty tubular steel Rogue model, coated with high-grade polyester the stylish aluminium Integra in black or powder coat in a textured matte silver, or the durable anodised aluminium black finish. StepBoard, there is a variant to suit all consumer needs. 110

Isuzu M-UX Accessories IImspurozvued In Issue 61 of 4x4 Culture, we released the Summit Bar for the new Isuzu MU-X. ARB engineers have been hard at work extending the accessory line-up further for this adventure-ready 4WD. Summit Side Rails & Steps ARB Summit Side Rails and Steps have been developed for the latest MY21 Isuzu MU-X. The Summit side protection range encompasses the very best in design and vehicle protection. Designed specifically for the MU-X, these Frontier Tank Features Summit Side Rails and Steps defend your The latest ARB Frontier Tank for the MY21 • Made from durable and impact-resistant vehicle’s doors, side sills and quarter Isuzu MU-X is now available. Replacing the panels from expensive damage that can be 80-litre OE tank, the Frontier Tank provides polymer (cross-link) material encountered when off road. Manufactured a capacity of 112 litres, giving MU-X owners • One-piece body construction from high-strength 60.3-millimetre tubular a 32-litre increase. • Designed to take up voids under the steel, the attachment system connects the side rail to the bull bar securely, while a tough Made from cross-link polymer, this tank vehicle to maximise fuel capacity nylon cover sleeve provides an integrated is a lightweight alternative and has a wall • Easy and fast installation look. thickness of up to eight millimetres. This • No rusting or corrosion of the tank body durable material is strong and impact • Allows for flexing of the vehicle’s chassis For those customers who either don’t have resistant, perfect for a diesel tank application. • Machined pump plate to accept OEM fuel an ARB front bar or don’t require the front The MU-X diesel tank is supplied with quality rail, a return has been developed to enable hardware, fixtures and fittings, allowing module fitment of protection steps only. for easy installation. The Frontier Tank is • Individually pressure tested designed, developed and manufactured • Supplied with new strap mounting kit Features here in Australia and is the perfect accessory • Made in Australia • Durable steel construction for maximum for long-range touring and towing. protection • Compatible with the ARB Summit Bar • Compatible with side curtain airbags • Anodised step extrusion featuring ridges for additional grip • MetaPrep™ primer for additional corrosion resistance • Finished in matte black powder coat with the option to colour-code to vehicle colour 111

Competition Winners Hayden Johnston Ronan Casey “Replaced a broken CV in my 2017 Dmax “The first part of a bush mechanic repair near Winderbandi Point, Exmouth WA” on the side of the Telegraph Track just out of Bramwell Station about 3 weeks ago. Bush Was a 35°C day - good fun though!” Mechanic COMPETITION WINNERS We asked for pics of your off road bush mechanic moments and were absolutely inundated with photos! Each published entry wins an ARB Tool Roll worth $139.00. Check out page 113 to enter this edition’s competition. Clare Kiessling Billy Smart “Hubby, the kids and a WHOLE lot of “Had many bush mechanic experiences flies putting the ARB puncture repair kit with driving my old GQ Patrol into remote to work out in the red dust near Mount areas it’s bound to happen! Earlier this Magnet WA” year traveling the Oodnadatta Track we were camped at Coward Springs where John Partl I noticed a puddle of coolant forming “Found old mate broken down near Cooladdi Qld. The old beast had lost spark. under the car. With no phone service and She cruises along at 21km per hr, towing his camper.” no RACV insurance, I had no real choice but to try and fix it. The bottom radiator bracket has snapped off causing the radiator tanks to split off the core. I had 3 small tie down straps and half a pack of cable ties to tie it all together, 3 eggs cracked into the radiator with the cap left loose! The old girl used 500ml of water in 1400km so it worked well! Finished the Oodnadatta Track, went through all of Arkaroola and Wilpena pound before getting a new radiator at Port Augusta. I didn’t get a photo at the time of the repairs only part of them as I pulled the old radiator out and replaced it with a new one 1400km later! 112

Competitions & Stores ChCaHiAnMsaPw COMPETITION Whether it be for removing a fallen tree in your path or collecting wood for a ripper fire, there’s nothing more handy than the trusty chainsaw. Send us a pic of you putting yours to good use out on the tracks for the chance to win an ARB Chainsaw Bag worth $182.00 Send your photo to [email protected] and make sure to include your name and address. Competition closes 31st January 2023 VICTORIA QUEENSLAND ACT WESTERN AUSTRALIA Bairnsdale Biggera Waters (07) 5537 8800 Fyshwick (03) 5152 1226 (02) 6280 7475 Bunbury (08) 9721 2099 Ballarat (03) 5336 4605 Bundaberg (07) 4153 2929 Canning Vale (08) 9455 4366 Bendigo (03) 5445 7100 Burleigh Heads (07) 5535 9223 NEW SOUTH WALES Cockburn (08) 9417 3197 Brighton (03) 9557 1888 Caboolture (07) 5499 1955 Albury (02) 6021 2477 Geraldton (08) 9921 8077 Dandenong (03) 9793 0002 Capalaba (07) 3823 5900 Artarmon (02) 9438 4484 Karratha (08) 9144 6501 Echuca (03) 5480 2600 Cairns (07) 4035 3350 Broken Hill (08) 8087 9250 Mandurah (08) 9583 3200 Geelong (03) 5272 2611 Caloundra (07) 5491 4500 Brookvale (02) 8507 3073 Osborne Park (08) 9244 3553 Hoppers Crossing (03) 9749 5905 Coopers Plains (07) 3277 2020 Dubbo (02) 6885 5777 South Hedland (08) 9160 4900 Keilor Park (03) 9331 7333 Jindalee (07) 3715 6400 Gosford (02) 4324 0489 Wangara (08) 9409 5764 Kilsyth (03) 9761 6622 Nundah (07) 3266 3255 Moorebank (02) 9821 3633 Welshpool (08) 9358 3688 Melton (03) 8746 4992 Mackay (07) 4998 6888 Narellan (02) 4648 1900 Pakenham (03) 5940 5500 Maroochydore (07) 5475 4011 Newcastle (02) 4953 9555 NORTHERN TERRITORY Alice Springs (08) 8953 0572 Sale (03) 5144 7990 North Lakes (07) 3491 9600 Orange (02) 6369 0700 Shepparton (03) 5822 1877 Rockhampton (07) 4922 7788 Penrith (02) 4731 1266 Darwin (08) 8947 2262 Somerton (03) 9460 9988 Springwood (07) 3493 3030 Port Macquarie (02) 6584 9218 Traralgon (03) 5174 9190 Toowoomba (07) 4632 1122 Rutherford (02) 4953 1111 Warragul (03) 5623 5599 Townsville (07) 4728 0900 Seven Hills (02) 9631 7889 HEAD OFFICE: ARB 4X4 ACCESSORIES St Peters (02) 9565 2455 42-44 Garden Street, Kilsyth Victoria 3137 Australia SOUTH AUSTRALIA TASMANIA Tamworth (02) 6767 9700 Tel: (03) 9761 6622 Edwardstown (08) 8293 3225 Burnie Fax: (03) 9761 6807 Hobart (03) 6431 4494 Thornleigh (02) 9980 8855 Email: [email protected] Launceston (03) 6232 2333 Web: arb.com.au Elizabeth (08) 8252 1599 (03) 6331 4190 Wagga Wagga (02) 6925 8777 Morphett Vale (08) 8186 6101 Windsor (02) 4587 7114 Regency Park (08) 8244 5001 Wollongong (02) 4225 2050

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