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3 weeks ago | 
whichcar.com.au | Mark Allen |Mark Van Allen
Which recovery board will save the day when you're stuck in sand, mud, snow, or the rocky stuff? 1 Apr 2025, 11:49 am Gallery 22 This article was originally published in 2016Getting ‘unstuck’ from a bog hole, sand trap or from being bellied out in the rocks is an art. Sure, winches are great, but there are times when they can’t be used.
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1 month ago | 
whichcar.com.au | Mark Allen |Mark Van Allen
Whether in steep country, desert country or down at the beach, this new Runva winch will keep this HiLux out of strife 18 Mar 2025, 02:41 pm Gallery 24 Runva winches have graced two of my previous 4x4s. And while I perused the market to see what else was available this time, as every prospective buyer should, once I got wind of the brand’s newly released Expedition series, I saw no reason not to give the nod to the 11,000lb version for my HiLux.
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Jan 4, 2025 | 
whichcar.com.au | Mark Allen |Mark Van Allen
Given the remote use this HiLux will be used for, along with the daily bump and grind, I opted for preventative maintenance over an emergency trackside dramathat could be caused by an overheated and damaged engine. Given Terrain Tamer’s penchant for manufacturing products that are better than OE parts, I’ve opted to try the company’s heavy-duty aluminium radiator.
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Jan 2, 2025 | 
whichcar.com.au | Mark Allen |Mark Van Allen
Plus, for many, that factory traction control system is more than adequate for most situations that most people find themselves in when driving off-road. But with older 4x4s, like my 2013 HiLux, the electronic devices are left wanting, to the point of being almost worthless. This makes the aftermarket diff lock the best tool for any off-road job where one hundred percent drive is needed. I went with the Terrain Tamer ELocker option on the rear diff only.
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Dec 7, 2024 | 
whichcar.com.au | Mark Allen |Mark Van Allen
Just like diamonds trump spades, Terrain Tamer’s disc brake conversion is a winner 8 Dec 2024, 09:00 am Gallery 9 It’s been an unfortunate compromise for decades that almost all utes in Australia are subjected to inferior drum brake rear ends. Wagons, on the other hand, have been graced with the superior braking system of discs.
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Jun 28, 2024 | 
theconversation.com | Sean Buckley |Luciano Beheregaray |Mark Allen |Mark Van Allen |Stephen Beatty
Climate change threatens plants and animals around the world, but some regions are particularly exposed. Some are vulnerable simply due to the huge diversity of species they harbour. Others will experience more acute climate disruption than elsewhere. For some regions, such as Western Australia’s southwest, both are true. WA’s southwest is a globally recognised “biodiversity hotspot”.
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Jun 6, 2024 | 
unsealed4x4.com.au | Mark Allen |Mark Van Allen
I’ll always advocate purchasing quality gear from reputable brands and suppliers rather than buying el cheapo bargain-based garbage. However, it’s simply not necessary to hock yourself to the hilt to deck out your 4×4 steed. 2) Recovery gear3) Footwear4) Communication6) Bull Bar7) Driving lights8) Food9) Battery power11) Accessories12) Tell-tales13) StorageMy must-haves list is certainly far from exhaustive.
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Jan 26, 2024 | 
autonews.com | Mark Allen |Mark Van Allen
Unrepaired recalls are a persistent problem for the automotive industry. At any given time, 15 to 20 percent of vehicles on the road and dealer lots have an open recall. This creates a significant liability issue for automotive retailers, and a dangerous safety issue for vehicle owners. For dealers, it's illegal to sell a new vehicle with an open recall and it increases dealer liability to sell a used vehicle with an open recall.
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Dec 3, 2023 | 
unsealed4x4.com.au | Mark Allen |Mark Van Allen
A new HiAce has a monocoque body; it’ll be too weak, they said. Stick with the old style “bolt over the top of the plastic bumper bar”, they screamed. Rated recovery hooks; you’re dreaming, they said. Upswept wings, great approach angle and integrated fog lights with the ability to add driving lights and antennae; you’ve flipped your lid, they bellowed from the grandstand. Seems like there was a hell of a lot of naysayers when I started looking for a bull bar for my 4×4 converted HiAce.
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Nov 22, 2023 | 
unsealed4x4.com.au | Mark Allen |Mark Van Allen
I do not go to 4×4 shows to buy kitchenware; not veggie peelers, not non-stick frying pans and certainly not cookware – no siree. I only go to 4×4 shows to look at and buy 4×4 and camping gear. Well, except for one time! While preparing for our upcoming trip around the countryside and given we’d just installed a REDARC lithium battery system, complete with a 2000-watt inverter, it seemed timely that we sauntered past a Nuwave induction cooker stand.
