SEMA, Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Association, is the largest trade only automotive show in the world. Held in Las Vegas, there was 40 kilometers of displays.
ARB and TJM attended with great stands, Harrop Industries.
Bubarope has a greatnew product to help kep 5 wraps of cable on your winch, the Grabber.
We talk about some new Cummins diesel engines that will be coming out the Australia.
We also talk about the differences between the modification legislation in the United States and Australia.
We talk about a Jeep with an Electric engine!
We also talk about the price of Utes and the difference between Australia and the United States.
There is also a really interesting story about how the US protects the intellectual property of their companies - Jason talks about the actions of the US Marshalls and some of the dodgy knock offs that were at the show.
We talk about the new Pressure Perfect tyre pressure management system. This allows you to air down or air up automatically. They have done this by designing the Pressure Perfect module to automatically stopping the compressor or airing down once the required pressure has been reached.
Check out the trip report from the 9th Annual Victorian Gathering. A great
We talk with Club 4x4 Insurance. 4x4earth has worked with Kalen from Club 4x4 and we are now recommending Club 4x4. Check out the link to our insurance link to see how their policies stack up and how they stack up on pricing. This is a great way to look into your 4WD insurance and 4x4earth gets a rebate, so you are helping keep 4x4earth free and independant for all users across the country. (We get 200,000 visits a month!)
The big issues a lot of people have issues with is coverage when offroad, and also the price of modifications that you have done. Often these won't be covered and Club 4x4 has worked hard to ensure that 4WD owners are covered for the
Here is the list of 4WD recovery companies around the country. If you know another towing service, please put it in there.
Kalen has done quite a bit of research in the MA / MC rating issue with Ford Everists and Jeep Cherokees and Grand Cherokees.
New 4WD Trends with Robert Pepper
First we talk Creek Crossings - I've had my issues with Creek Crossings, but check out the video of a FJ Cruiser having issues with a crossing at Sunny Corner in NSW.
Sheep Yard Flats - 9th Annual Victorian Gathering. This will be one of the best trips to go on for newbies to meet experienced 4 wheel drivers and get some great tracks under their belt. It is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive weekend away.
We get Roberts view on the new Ford F250 and what he thinks it would be like offroad.
The new Toyota Landcruiser 200 series, what is it like to drive and is the top of the line Sahara worth the extra money
DCT (dual clutch transmission) vs CVT (continuous variable transmission) - where are the manufacturers heading with them and what are the problems with them. How did the new Suzuki fair with a new dual clutch transmission?
Is the new worth the money? What does Robert think of the add ons on the high end models.
Usability in the 'cockpit' of modern 4WDs, what is driving the thinking behind the way that touch screens and controls are laid out.
AWD - where are they heading?
Safety aids. What is AANCAP doing with the safety ratings. Do we need 6 star ratings for safety?
Autonomous emergency braking and trailer sway control, blind spot warning. (you tube video)
We discuss the most effective safety solution for all drivers is.
Is the Jeep Ute going to be the most iconic 4WD of 2017?
Mercedes ute? Will Hyundai release a real 4WD next year?
What about the new Defender and Discovery due out and possibly an Amarok refresh.
Our resident 4WD expert Jason Lock talks about the history of the diff lock and how Uneek 4x4 has developed a new Cap Locker.
We talk about the effects of a factory LSD when you fit a traditional diff lock and how the cap locker will enable the vehicle to retain the use of the LSD.
We look at the changes to the design, which will make the cap locker easier and cheaper to install and also more reliable. We talk about the design and testing process that the Cap Locker has gone through to be able to bring this product to market.
We talk about what models will be available now (Suzuki and Landcruiser) and also what will be next as well as some of the new bull bars, followed by Subaru and Prado lockers.
Another great Australian manufacturing story about a product that has been wholly designed and manufactured in Australia!
We talk about how to prepare for a trip out into the Snow. Snow driving is a lot of fun, but the conditions are very different to other types of 4 wheel driving.
Snow driving is usually done in very cold environments, so preparation is a lot more important. Spending a night out in the snow can be life threatening if you are not prepared for it.
We also talk about the upcoming 9th Annual Victorian gathering in November 2016 at Sheepyard Flat.
This is a great opportunity for people new to 4 wheel driving and camping to get together with other 4x4earth members. There will be a lot of 4x4 tracks to be done and a lot of people who can make your first or second time out a nice and easy trip out. Sheepyard's is a gateway to some amazing tracks and huts. This is Australia's largest free 4 wheel drive weekend away, so check out the details and come along!
Tim Bates has been driving the High Country for over 25 years and he shares his experiences with some of Australia's best 4 wheel drive tracks.
We talk about the Wonnangatta murders, where James Barclay and John Bamford were murdered in 1916.
We also talk about the Talbotville campgrounds and some of the great tracks and things to see around the area.
Have you had issues with 4 wheel drives being defected in Mansfield? More and more 4 wheel drivers talk about issues in Mansfield and we are trying to find out what makes Mansfield special and what the impact is on the local businesses.
Check out Tim's great video series, Podcasts from the Bush.
We talk to Australia's most famous 4 wheel driver, Roothy. We cover Milo, the places that he has been and the mods that he has done.
We also have a great chat about how to keep tracks open. We discuss one of my favorite topics - 4 wheel drive tourism, giving the bush a hand up, not a hand out to keep the great bush towns going.
We also talk about why he is running for election with the Liberal Democrats in the Queensland Federal Senate. For me, 4 wheel driving is a symbol of the freedom that we have in Australia, and Roothy talks about how he is working to keep our rights to the tracks we love to drive.
This was one of the funnest podcasts we've done. Have a listen to one of the nicest and most knowledgeable four wheel drivers in Australia.
Many 4 wheel drive owners go their whole life without any formal training in going offroad or the vehicles that we use. Because of this, there are many myths about driving and our vehicles which have crept in over time.
We talk to 4WD expert Robert Pepper about many of these myths, how they came about and why they just aren't correct.
You'll have a better understanding of your car and you'll be a better 4 wheel driver.
We discuss diff locks, recovery techniques, axels and a whole range of other 4 wheel drive myths!
This is a great story that looks at the way that 4 wheel driving with mates in the bush can help people struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
We talk to Marcus Nash, the Founder of the Blue Green crew about how he started the group
This is a must listen episode for any Police, Ambulance, Fire Brigade, SES or ADF members who may be struggling with PTSD, or if one of your mates is struggling with PTSD, this is a great way you can help them.
It is a really inspirational story both of the work that Marcus is doing, and also about the power of going 4x4ing with some mates, having a few laughs and enjoying the peace and quiet of the great outdoors and how it can help people start to get their lives back on track.
I've spoken to some of the people who have been in dark places with their PTSD and they are certain that they wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the trips that the Blue Green crew are putting together.
We talk all things 4 wheel driving with Rodney Hudson, or Rocket, from Wholesale Automatics. Rodney is an iconic legend in the 4 wheel drive industry, featuring in many videos as he explores all over Australia.
We also talk about his pioneering work at Wholesale Automatics, developing sophisticated solutions for people who want an automatic transmission in their vehicle. It is an amazing process that Rod shares with us about the design and Research and Development involved in building these great transmissions.
Rods an expert 4 wheel driver, a passionate advocate for the bush and enjoying the great outdoors and an amazing mechanic with a great story to tell.
Also, have a listen to our test drive of the new Pajero Sport. Really interesting to drive this after our interview with Robert Pepper, because some of the things he was talking about are starting to appear in the next generation of very tech savvy 4 wheel drives.
What kinds of changes are going to happen to 4 wheel drives over the next 5 years?
Robert Pepper is one of Australia's leading automotive journalists and is very technical. We discuss what changes are going to effect the 4 wheel drives that come onto the market over the next 5 years.
Autonomous Emergency Braking, self driving cars, bullbar modifications and how these will all change the way we go offroad.
We look at what factors make a 4 wheel drive fun to drive and what that means for the future designs that we will see offroad.
What will happen with low range?
The Simpson is one of the iconic places to go 4 wheel driving in Australia. We chat about the some of the interesting history of the Desert, along with the best ways to tackle Desert driving. Ian has been through the Desert 3 times and has a wealth of experience in Desert driving as well as the high country.
We discuss how to prepare for travelling across the Simpson Desert, what time of year is best and some of the great sites to see along the way.
We also discuss Ian's unique connection with the history of the Desert.
Thinking of buying a used 4 wheel drive? Some 4 wheel drives have a much harder life than others, so you need to know the clues to find out the vehicles you may want to steer away from.
What are some of the things to think about in selecting the make and model of vehicle? What is the best way to research the different models?
Is it better to buy a 4 wheel drive with lots of mods or should you look for one with no modifications?
Where are the places to buy a used 4WD?
You'll find lots of great tips to help you make a better choice next time you upgrade your 4x4!
Listen to Lowlux as he shares his wisdom about driving on Sand. Based in South Australia, he's done plenty of both desert and beach driving and has some stories to tell. We will talk about: