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PROMO TRAIL

A no-frills country ute that means business. More business for the owner, that is!

WORDS BY GLENN WRIGHT

Being the owner of Bendigo Off-Road, Ian Schultz knows a thing or two about 4WDs. He has owned a string of LandCruisers and has a healthy respect for Tojo's finest. When it came time to lash out on a tourer-cum-promo ute to showcase his company's talents, he had no hesitation in trading the contents of his savings account for the keys to this GU from his local Nissan dealer. The Nissan got the nod over his second choice, a 79 Series Ute, because of its coil-sprung rear and more comfortable cabin, which are a must on long trips.

The lads out Bendigo way frown on show ponies, as most of the cockies see 4WDs as workhorses and are conservative in their approach to aftermarket mods. A promo truck's gotta look the part, and this truck, dressed in go-fast red, stands out from the crowd. Ian's mechanics took to work on the standard Nissan with the aim of creating a capable, eye-catching tourer that was more practical than radical in its appearance. Business is now booming and, since the truck was completed, Ian has been burning the midnight oil trying to keep on top of things at work.

As a result, this GU has been more of a taxi than a tourer, spending more time on the blacktop than off it, which is a darn shame considering how well equipped it is to tackle the rough stuff. The only quality time Ian and his new truck have spent together has been on several trips across the Simpson and on his most recent outing to Broken Hill where he drooled over the trucks competing in the Outback Challenge. You know what they say about all work and no play, Ian.

Ian's son, Zac, is a chip off the old block and assures all Dad's hard work is not in vain. The mixture of youth and his passion for 4WDing tests the limits of the Nissan to show what this trekker is really capable of. Don't get too comfy in the driver's seat though, Zac, 'cause as soon as work dies down a bit, Ian's got plans to grab the keys and head north for a while. So far, Ian is over the moon with his first Nissan. It sends the right message to his customers, and after 42,000km of trouble-free travelling, he's already making plans for his next GU purchase.
 
OUTSIDE
Everything fitted to this ute makes it more capable in the bush, but a promo truck's gotta grab attention, too. Being an agent for ARB, Ian kitted his Patrol out with one of its eye-catching Sahara steel bullbars. This not only prevents roos from rearranging the radiator, but it adds to the truck's modern look with its included indicators and fog lights. The silver bullbar also provides a home for the 9500lb Warn high-speed, low-mount winch that hasn't been used in anger due to the truck's excellent off-road ability. Other bullbar ornaments include two radio aerials and a pair of IPF 930SC spotties with high- and low-beam globes rated at 170 and 100W respectively.

Eddington Engineering made the steel drop-side tray that is painted the same colour as the bullbar. It includes two roof bars that form the framework for a canvas canopy with a meshed, lockable frame. Inside the tray, there is plenty of room for the Engel fridge, plastic storage boxes and Ian's trusty swag. Below the tray hang two lockable, steel toolboxes that hold recovery gear just in case. Protruding through the front guard is a Safari snorkel that raises the air intake up to a more sensible level above the roofline.

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