Mark Allen is ‘gunna’ share his secrets on building the ultimate family touring 4WD

No more waiting, no more procrastinating, I’m gunna get stuck into this project like there’s no tomorrow.

The project – project Gunna – is to build up my ultimate touring vehicle, which will one day take my good wife and kids for a hot lap of Oz. My problem, which most can relate to, is that I have to have one truck that’ll do the lot – not just be my camping vehicle, but also my everyday driver to and from work, driving the many thousands of black-top miles to visit family interstate, as well as being capable enough to play in the harder tracks for a bit of fun.

Oh, and to add into that mix, I need to use my new truck for work. Ya’ see it’ll be used to tow camper trailers for testing, carry photographers and their gear into hard-to-reach destinations, as well as being used as a recovery vehicle when things go pear-shaped on a photo shoot. Here’s a biggie – I have a limited budget, so this truck will definitely be second hand.

So, I have a unique situation, as everyone does, as to what is expected from a 4WD. One thing I do not need is a comp vehicle or hard core truck that’ll be a pig to drive on the road, so the mods will be very carefully chosen.

WHICH 4WD IS BEST?

I get asked that all the time! There is no one single answer; you need to think long and hard as to what you expect your 4WD to do, how many people you’ll have as passengers, how much weight you’re gunna tow and carry, and how much 4WDing you really expect to do. So long as the final product solves your own unique situation, there really is no right or wrong type of 4WD – it’s what you do to it that can make it a real winner.

I love a well decked out twin cab ute, but many these days, don’t offer particularly great off road, heavy-duty, constant-use ability, so I’ll also consider a four-door wagon. I prefer a diesel, but hate driving underpowered vehicles. I need to have a high towing capacity, along with plenty of cabin room for passengers and gear. It needs to be reasonable in its fuel economy and it definitely needs to be comfortable and user friendly.

Remember the six utes we took on our 2007 Best Ute of the year awards (in issue 108)? – there’s plenty of contenders right there! Throw in another few twin cabs – the 130 Defender, an OKA or a Canter! Then there are the larger wagons; Cruiser and Patrol, or the mid sized Pajero, Pathfinder, Prado, Jackaroo or Disco and I’d even consider an older 4Runner.

I’ve been scouring the usual used car haunts and one thing I must point out is; don’t restrict your shopping to your own home town – the internet is available, so use it! Keep an eye out interstate for a bargain of whatever type of 4WD you decide on. If it’s worth it, plane flights are cheap and a one way return drive may see you with the perfect base for your own project.

MY CHOICE

I’m putting it out there for suggestions on what 4WD you think should seriously be considered for this project. Hop onto our forum at www.4WDAction.com.au, head for the general discussion pages and look for the ‘Project Gunna’ thread. Let me know your ideas and if you have a product you want tested, or you think it should be included on this project, let me know and I’ll do my best.

Don’t be perturbed if I choose something different to you – which is on the cards – as this project will relate to any brand or model 4WD. Your imagination is your only boundary!

Be sure to catch up on this project each month in the magazine and on our web site.

Mark Allen
Australian 4WD Action