Turn Your Pickup into an Ultimate Offroad 4×4

Offroad 4×4 adventures require proper preparation, and we want to help you be ready while looking the part. If you are planning an off-roading adventure, you may want to optimise your vehicle so it can safely tackle any obstacles you may encounter. Whether you have a pickup, an SUV, or a truck that may be suitable and capable, here at Sandgate we are all about enhancing your Offroad 4×4 experience. This is why we have come up with this list of modifications you may want to consider to ensure you have the ULTIMATE off-road vehicle.

Tyres

If you’re planning on travelling Offroad 4×4, you will need good, sturdy tyres. A deep tread is highly beneficial when driving along the beaten paths of Australia, as the tread helps to keep your grip on mud, snow, sand, and ice. We suggest researching the land surfaces and conditions you intend on travelling to assess whether replacing your tyres is a necessity for safety, or maybe you just want to look the part. Big tyres with deep treads look epic!

Lift Kit

If you are looking for the ultimate Offroad 4×4 experience, you can’t go past installing a lift kit. Essentially, it does exactly as the name implies — it raises your vehicle. When cruising along beaten or uneven terrains, through ditches, etc., ground clearance is crucial. You need the most room under your vehicle as possible, as even a few inches can reduce the chances that any obstacles will interfere with your trek. If you are looking to lift your Offroad 4×4 vehicle, our car repair experts at Sandgate are experienced and strongly recommend getting a kit that is specifically designed for your vehicle.

Skid plate

Unfortunately, when enjoying an Offroad 4×4 adventure, it doesn’t matter how careful you are — the delicate underbelly of your vehicle is likely to come in contact with the ground, even if you have lifted your vehicle. A skid plate is essentially just extra insurance, serving as a layer of protection for your engine pan and radiator, etc. You know… the engine parts under the hood that are imperative to running your vehicle? Our suggestion is to armour your Offroad 4×4 vehicle to protect it from that dreaded scrape and crunch as it hits the unforgiving terrain.

Bull Bar

What better way to look the part when braving the bush than with a bull bar! Not only do they look intense and strong, but they are! If you have been on an Offroad 4×4 adventure before, you will know that sometimes there is no other way to get somewhere other than going through — head first! A bull bar will help to keep the front end of your vehicle damage-free. It may also help you be more adventurous, knowing your Offroad 4×4 vehicle is protected by a big, sturdy bull bar!

Winch

A winch is not only handy to have installed in case you encounter any tricky situations, but when you are out in the middle of nowhere, not near a main road and you see someone needs help, you can! A winch is strong and handy, and you will be glad you have one! Having a winch on your Offroad 4×4 means you are ready for anything.

Roof Rack

Have you ever seen a photo of an Offroad 4×4 vehicle without roof racks? They complete the whole rough, outback image of an off-road vehicle. Not only do they look the part, but they are incredibly handy. Chances are you will be camping somewhere as opposed to finding a nice hotel off-road, so there will be a lot of luggage, camping accessories, or perhaps an esky? Either way, trust us, the extra storage space will be used! Just make sure you buy some heavy-duty straps to keep it on the roof, as it’s not exactly a nice easy cruise down a side street that you are embarking on.

Light Bar

Strong, effective lighting such as that provided by having a light bar installed on your Offroad 4×4 will have a massive impact on your trip. When travelling Offroad 4×4, you are navigating the unknown, and once it gets dark, it becomes harder to see. The uneven, unpredictable terrain will be difficult to handle without strong lights. While at home, our headlights may be enough, especially with the addition of street lights, but when off-road they won’t quite cut it. A light bar will prove invaluable to your whole experience. Plus, they look awesome!