 Ask anyone why they got into 4WDing and you will get quite a few varying answers. Some got into it because their mates all do it, some because of their family and others just stumbled into a 4WD one day and thought they might give it a go.
However, behind it all, behind everyone’s original motive, is a desire to get out there and see more of Australia. We reckon that even those 4WDers who are now building Suzuki rock crawlers or custom competition buggies still dream of packing up and tackling the Cape or setting up camp on a deserted beach of the west coast watching the sun setting over the Atlantic.
Take Troy Smith for example, he used to be into racing speedway and motocross. But, after selling all his bikes and racing gear and then drowning his 70,000km ’03 Navara in a bog hole, he limped it straight to his local used car yard and traded it for his current ’Cruiser.
Sure, he still loves the buzz of punching it through the mud (a fetish born in his motocross days), but his ultimate goal is to see as much of Australia with his wife and daughter as the ’Cruiser will allow.
The coil suspension, spacious interior and infinite potential as a touring vehicle have already helped the Smiths spend a bit of time in the Victorian High Country, and they’ve done a few trips to South Australia.
The future is looking bright for Troy and his family. Early next year, they are setting off for a trip to Fraser Island, which is one of the best family destinations on the Australian 4WD map. The ’Cruiser is also booked in for some cam and head work, and the rear diff will soon be home to a new Air Locker.
One of the best things about this vehicle is that Troy has installed almost everything himself, which saved heaps of money on fitting costs. Sure, mechanics and fitters do a great job, but I reckon Troy agrees that the money he saves is much better spent on fuel for touring.
Inside
Inside, the ’Cruiser is divided into two sections by a cargo barrier. Behind it is the high-sided storage unit. Two drawers (one on top of the other) slide out and provide heaps of organised space for recovery gear, tools and camping stuff.
Next to the drawers sits Troy’s 40L Waeco 40L, which is snug in its bag and slide.
The whole system, which even incorporates an inverter, 60L water tank, 12in Sony Xplod sub and amp, was made by Troy himself.
No matter which seat his daughter chooses, she can sit happily on long (or short) trips entertained by the headrest-mounted screens. They are all wired to the dash-mounted flip-out Pioneer DVD player and reversing camera screen. Flicking between DVD and camera is via a switch on the transmission tunnel.
Just above the DVD player is the Rancho in-cab kit that controls his shocks.
Navigational aid is thanks to Troy’s Navman and Magellan GPS – about the only things he didn’t make himself.
» Continue to Page 2
Related Articles
HiLuxes are unbreakable, right? They may be able to withstand a fall from the top of a high-rise building that is being demolis...
After flying over to Australia a number of times and getting a taste of what there was to offer, Scottish ex-pat Callum Blackha...
How many of us can say they are that happy with their 4WD, they want to be buried with it? Most of us, we are sure, are always ...
It seems that every time we send one of the hardworking 4WD Action photographers on a trip down to the Apple Isle, the locals s...
« Back to Customs Articles
|
