Absolutely, I actually carry 2, If I go somewhere with a friend that doesn't have one, I give it to him. It can be had to get to an extinguisher inside a vehicle that is on fire, the one you lend to your buddy may be the one that saves your rig..
Having lived for 45 years in the Rocky Mountains of the USA, the front bull bar bumper has saved me from 3 deer so far. I have travelled alone most of my life, so a winch …and recovery gear including a shovel (mainly for snow) and axe have helped on several occasions. Even though we are in quite different climates, I have enjoyed your presentations. Hopefully before I move on, I will return to Australia and do a bit of the famous Outback.
As a female and being in Serbia, I rarely find any information on the main needs and what are just wants. I've been binge watching your videos since begging of the year and I find they VERY informative and I am finding out more stuff. Thanks for making these videos and covering all various topics! Can't wait for the weekend warrior edition of this video, as I currently fall in that group untill I get some things sorted on my navara.
i always ran a line for the trans and tcase to the snorkel and didn't care about the diffs. just drain them out and refill after as part of trail maintenance. doesn't matter what you do to them.....water is getting in the diffs
@@miketlane After every trip with a water crossing?! You must have stock in gear oil! You shouldn't be sucking water in with relocated extensions with proper breather valves, right?
20y in my 95series diesel Prado TX and the only things I haven't added are a winch, a lift and a snorkel. Never needed them. Cargo barrier, 12v fridge, dual battery, bull bar, recovery hooks (unused), tow bar, driving lights, mounted and handheld UHF CB's, and a solid Aluminum roof rack have seen me all across in every state of this wide brown Aussie land.... and the way Toyota's are will probably see me do out another 20y.
Great video Ronny.. One thing that’s often not considered is how you evaluate the mods you make. I think it’s important to know how the stock vehicle performs before making expensive changes that might be of no value or even have a negative impact. Really good to see someone who’s high profile in the 4WD community giving excellent advice 👍
Absolutely this. I use my tourer as a daily-driver and a desert racer all at once (Because I can't afford 3 vehicles, one that does all three somewhat subpar, that is very thirsty, is significantly cheaper). It has quite a bit more gear than even the long-range tourer, but because I'm never out of cell-range, I don't have a long-range radio, just the handheld. Expanded fuel tank (50 gallons/ 189L) is good enough for my area because even on tour, there's fairly regular fuel stations. The only major mods I've made are suspension-tire (Necessary for the desert racing more than the touring), replacing both bumpers with winch bumpers with a bull-bar on the front and tire rack on the back, and adding a crane in the bed because the tires are actually heavier than I can lift by myself. And then lights. I have the bare minimum supplementary lights to deal with the road at night, especially when it's flooded during the rainy season.
Our list is very similar to this. We are gradually upgrading. One thing I'd add is water storage. Something I've been thinking about is a quality filtration system vs a big tank. So long as the water isn't polluted with chemicals etc, a $400-$600 system should give me the ability to refill water storage from just about anywhere (excluding deserts etc). But I need to do more research. I'm still planning a maybe 60L vehicle mounted water tank.
WhyWouldYouDrawThat I considered that until last year when I noticed on a trip from Adelaide to Perth to Pilbara and back that finding water of any quality was quite difficult in a lot of places due to all being on bore water with rivers/creeks and dams all dried up. So unless travelling around the wet seasons could be quite difficult. Glad I was carrying 80L backup and even then we were quite low a couple of times.
why not just get a small backpacking filter. if you need to filter water they filter a gallon in a few minutes. weigh next to nothing and take up little space
Compressor first and foremost the reason I say this the first thing in 4wheeling in any situation is lower your truer pressure whether it stock or highly modified,so when you finish you need to pump them up
When I'm going to build a tourer, especially if it is going to be heavy, I think about safety first. Suspension and tyres are right up there but so are brakes. I'm not talking slotted rotors or stuff like that. I'm talking brake pads designed for heavy 4WDs, braided brake lines if you can get them, and at least a quality rotor/drum.
Nice break down on what is really needed. Kept it simple with no extra fluff. The only thing I would add about winching is to use a nylon type rope than the steel cable. Nylon will go limp if it snaps, steel cable will whip around and slash people in the strike zone. One thing I was taught in my young days was to put an old pair of blue jeans over a steel cable when winching to contain the cable or wad it up without allowing it to whip and injure someone.
Appreciate the great content Ronny, in the market for another 4x4 to set up myself so this vid helps and gives me plenty of great ideas. I was impressed with your 79 beast at the Perth 4x4 show. Agree with the night driving, there's just something about it. Keep up the great work Ronny 👍 Cheers Met.
First aid kits! Absolute must for long range remote locations. And dont cheap out. But that would be the same as a winch. As long as 1 in a convoy, You're good!
Here's my list: A steel bull bar, spotlights, 4wd tyres with 2 spares, fire extinguisher, a compressor, jumper leads, recovery gear (shovel, snatch strap, shackles etc), first aid kit, 20L+ drinking water, handheld UHF, toolkit with spares and a jerry can or 2... The most expensive bits are the bull bar and spotlights while the rest are cheap and don't need to be mounted. I use ice & an esky in the car and have a 3 way LPG fridge at camp.
Great video Ronny - this channel gets better and better. Your comments about fridge size / use are really handy. Going out for up to two weeks or more probably supports a freezer capability, to make food last longer. And having a dual zone fridge might be useful as well. Helpful also to hear your advice on the fridge size - the choice of fridge is a trade off between the space the fridge occupies, the time away without access to replenish supplies and number of people the fridge supports.
Suspension and tyres go hand in hand, but they also generally need to go last, once you've finished adding all the extra crap to your vehicle. Then they can get the suspension rated for your new constant load.
AS others have said Fire extinguisher & First Aid kit should be a must. I have one 2.5kg Fire Extinguisher in the rear cargo area, One 1.5Kg in the Rear Passenger area, and a 1kg in the front drivers door pocket for easy access. And for goodness sake please do not wire up any Electrical to your vehicle if you do not have the practical knowledge as i have been doing electronics & Auto electrical as a Hobby for around 20+ years and have seen some unsafe setup's to downright dangerous (ticking time bomb MATTER of speaking). Great video Ronny just what we need to see, love this channel.
Almost hit a roo in the middle of the day in my 2019 Triton the first trip I went on without a bullbar. Luckily the Mrs was in the passenger seat at the time and it proved my point about putting one on asap
In the space of about 2 minutes, 4 skippy's jump across in front of us near Broken Hill. Don't know how we missed them. Mrs saw it all and went very quiet.
Why wasn’t winch on short range tourer? I live in Florida, US, and I use my winch all the time. Mostly helping others, but it’s saved me a few times. Good video!
I think 'tour' is more about the destinations than the journey. Often tracks requiring a winch are not necessary. But if course it all depends on where you are going. I like to think every mod is some kind of compromise. Could be price, comfort, durability, appearance, utility, etc. So it's good to skip things you don't need. If you are experienced you likely already know what you need.
I agree. It really comes down to where you live and what is accessible to you. Anybody familiar with Florida knows it is one big aquifer system and depending how you drive through the state 8+ hrs or longer. So "short" or "long" tour, you could still be in the state. Water bogs and loose soil abounds. Winch, snorkle, compressor and a life jacket (lol) would be on top of my list. I hydrolocked a perfectly good engine on a TJ in the New Jersey Pine Barrens which like Florida is a huge aquifer system. It takes me an hour to get there and I'm usually solo vehicle. So, short or long tour snorkle, winch and compressor are high on the list. On the other hand the Appalachian Mountains are in my back yard, so lift, big tires, rock protection (sliders, diff guards, skid plates) are on top of my list too.
Hi ronny. Absolutely spot on. Re the suspension and tyres. Tyres a must. Not sure of suspension unless u add steel bull bars. Messing with suspension always compromises the ride. Did i miss u saying anything about a toolkit. A fairly stocked toolkit is essential.
Cheap suspension or incorrect suspension compromises the ride. Mind you, the role of suspension is to carry the vehicle and keep the tyres in contact with the ground.
@@k2svpete i have a fj cruiser. I loved the smooth ride. I did 4x4 trails while stock. Then ther mod bug caught. Efs to bp51 can't replicate the smooth ride.
ronny ...… food for thought ….. considering the fact we are all stuck inside due to the beervirus, how about …… vid of .. 1. top 5 running gear mods .. 2. top 5 interior mods .. 3. top 5 electrical mods .. .. 4. top .. 5 touring mods .. 6. top 5 mods that you have done and had to change .. 7. top 5 mods you would never do again ….. all in a 1 or 2 part vid and include a couple of mates, having a beer and a laugh, making a all in one discussion ….. I know that you have covered 99% over time but things continuously change as a result of experience ….. keep the idea, throw it out, your call
I guess there are many definitions of "tourer" . to me its more overlanding type traveling. If I'm thousands of k's from home with family on board doing a tough track for fun is not going to be on the agenda. I'll take the chicken track every time. so a 6" lift and 37" tyres would be wasted on me and would probably cost me 20 or 30% more fuel! For us the most important thing is a safe, reliable and most of all comfortable vehicle (with a good sound system). I was surprised to learn many modern 4WD's have the air cleaner inlet in the front mudguard, in that case yes the snorkel is definitely going to save a lot of filter cleans.
great list that gives everyone a good idea of what is needed or not, i see alot of people going over-the-top with their mods only to do things like short trips to the beach 45 minutes way, etc. One mod i am looking into for sure, which could be both short and long range is a catch can and filter system, only to help my engine stay sharp! Thanks for the videos Ronny, keen to see more like this!
Brilliant info mate. Most videos don't get all that info across in one video. I'm gathering info before I buy or do anything, so putting it into sections on how you are you are going to use your vehicle, makes so much sense, I'd rather buy less unneeded stuff but better quality gear. I don't buy cheap stuff cause in the end you pay more and can get you into alot of unnecessary trouble and danger. Top job.👍🍺😉🇦🇺
Some good points to consider there mate. I know if I went back an impulse bought all the stuff I wanted, but didn't necessarily need; I'd have an even bigger hole in the bank account, alot of regret and extra weight on my rig!
One thing most folks do not consider about the snorkel is they are great for cleaning up the air into your engine (you sort of hit on it, but were too quick to dismiss the Cold Air factor, at slow speeds sure, but high speed on dusty roads is a diff story). Before my snorkel I was nuking air filters after 5k miles (Nevada deserts), i'm 30k and still have ~50% the life on my current filter. *I use panty hose as a prefilter*
I'm in the US and I have only gone in a group once. It is just too difficult to find people around me who want to go on the same sorts of trails that I want to go on. I'm super careful about what trails I go though. I'm always extremely conscious about the possibility of getting stuck or damaging my car.
Ronny I will agree with tires and suspension . But I will also add from my experience that the A and Z in off road driving is the winch ... especially in solo or pair traveling . Even with 80/20 tires and suspension there are so many senarios one may get bogged . Especially without lockers . The winch will SAVE you every single time
@@kadmow Dunno, we argue so much i would never ask a favor lol , but if you run long straps in front of your wheels and tie them on then stake the other end you can drive over the straps and pull yourself out a few meters, do you need a winch ? also works going backwards.
Good vid Ronny, I'd say another important mod would be to know your vehicle. Sounds simple but being able to change a wheel bearing in the middle of no where or change a brakeline could save ya. A lot of people I see out don't have a clue how to do things on their own 4wds because they drop it off at a shop and leave for a trip straight away
Shade is more than important- especially for Long Range touring. You can go anywhere and you are going g to need shade. Sure, pull up under a tree, but they are not always going to be there. If you can’t get a good lunch spot to take some down time, it’s going to be an awfully long day.
One thing I fit, which I build myself, are side lights along the side of the body and underbody lights to illuminate the front and rear of the wheels. Pass through tight rocks and you and any watcher can spot both sides of the vehicle, and any obstacles you are about to drive over; mine are all LED.
Buy a better winch or look after the one you have better. 99% of winch failures can be traced back to low quality manufacturing or lack of proper maintenance
@@TheCarpenterUnion Absolutely. Flip flop winch is great if there's plenty of trees about but my first & best back up is to think through every challenge BEFORE tackling it & always make sure I have 2 options for getting myself unstuck.
I live in rural NSW with lots of roos....I consider the purchase of my vehicles based on the availability of a bull bar. Suzuki Grand Vitara, Land Rover Defender, and a 2019 Colorado. So many cars were written off during the drought seen dead on the highway. With my Defender I run standard 235/80/16 (750.16)tyres as they are easy to find at any tyre shop of farmers spare.
5:03 - Yes! Whether it´s dry or wet - get your air intake as high off the ground as you can. Have you ever considered why every new tractor in the world has snorkles? I bet they don´t intend to wade. But it adds a considerable amount of hours to your next service point. Heavier particles clog up the filtre more easily. Heavier particles are closer to the ground. You do the math. 14:32 - What you want to get people to read up on, is how ground planes work with antennas. A roof mounted antenna will use the surface of the roof as a ground plane to amplify the signals. You could also mount it in the middle of the hood, wouldn´t that look cool? Worst place is on the side corner like that bull bar...
Affirm. Yup, all fairly accurate. I ended up swapping my front recovery points for a plow hitch, but the plow hitch also doubles as one giant recovery point. And I removed my SMOG pump and instead fitted an A/C compressor which I wired the clutch up to a toggle switch on my dash, added a PCV filter to the return fitting, and piped the compressor to an air hose that I use to fill a 6-gallon air tank up to 50 PSI while I drive. I’ve literally reflated or reseated many tires for many people on the road just due to the fact I have built-in portable air, and if I stick a screwdriver into my throttle to keep it open to 2,000 or so RPM, I can just take my hose and refill my own tires directly from the pump. Additional. I’d say that Vehicle-Mounted radios are important. CB Radios are far less expensive than VHF, whether they’re vehicle-mounted or handheld. And you’d be surprised how much of a difference it makes, especially in zones without cell service. So that I’d disagree on. Furthermore. I have everything I need for food or otherwise cooking (minus the food itself) all in my Native Alaskan grub box. And for food, I use a cooler with ice but if I’m doing a long-range trip I’ll go with canned goods. I also added a 28-gallon fuel tank onto my trailer, fitted with an electric pump and a fuel line that ends in a fitting that connects to a fuel line near my hitch receiver and ultimately empties into my tank. A secondary wiring connector is added to attach to a wiring loom that is controlled by a toggle switch, and the sender on the tank is hotwired to an external fuel gauge that I can eyeball out my driver’s side mirror, to reduce wire clutter.
I think the importance of a roof rack depends on your vehicle and what you need to carry. With a 90 Series Prado there is precious little space inside so we need the extra space on the roof for bulky gear such as beds. We also use it for carrying the dinghy so there is no way we could do without it.
I suggest the side rails attached under the sills all they way to the bull bars can be very important in protecting your sills or side panels from damage - especially if they are properly engineered as they will hold the weight of the vehicle on slow impact over mounds where there may not be enough clearance - also they will protect from large sticks or timber which may be thrown up by the wheels and damage the sill panels.
Cheers mate, very useful. I'm off to Africa as soon as Qantas start flying again, and I intend buying a 4x4 for overlanding. I've made notes of the things you suggested. Thanks again. Regards, Dave.
For a long-range tourer I would prepare at least a smaller box with some spare parts. Some parts that can be changed and do not takle a lot of space. Some tools, fuel pump, nuts and bolts, cables, filters, spark plug connectors, v-belts, pp. Some jerry cans with water also might come in handy.
sorry ronny I will correct you in 1 thing that you will need some form of rail on the front because you will need consider animal strikes and what you have might be prudent and cheap to install, however it shouls be a a welded only option for rigidity sake... whilst steps can be optional, if you are considering a roof rack I would consider steps as a mandatory setup which must support full length of the footwear you wear..
Hey Ronnie, always great videos! Thanks so much for all the valid information. - I wozld consider thinking about water-tank on long range trips and discussion wether a water-tank or additional fuel tank is more important.
I think it depends heavily on where you are wheeling. If there's lots of water nearby then extra fuel. If there's no water then less fuel and more water.
Nice list and I do like the distinction between a wagon and ute. I'd still keep the cargo barrier with drawers in the wagon as it allows for the stacking of kit on the drawers and they make for a handy spot to attach items like garbage bags, hand towel and first aid kits etc.
In the old frontera all the touring ranges seem long :D The best "mod" for me is the appropriate toolkit thrown in the trunk to fix most of the broken stuff on the way.. and of course a decent suspension lift
I think we can all agree for all touring priority is bull bar bumper, rocksliders, skid plates, spair carrier with full size. Tyre upgrade not necessarily suspention, winch stuck is stuck, GPS.
I chose to keep my stock suspension until I could afford some good stuff.... amazes me to this day how far the patrol can get on some gnarly tracks with only a set of 31” muddies (and a winch 🤣)
that's exactly right mate! You absolutely don't need modified suspension for touring! I've done the Flinders Ranges including Skytrek and Arkaroola, red centre, Oodnadatta Track all off road on corrugated roads on stock 79 series suspension with a full canopy. Absolutely no problems. Did the west Mereenie Loop and Oodnadatta track with the stock tyres too. Tyre pressures and speed are the most important factors when touring.
@@jimbojones2457 Was just about to post about the old mans 100 series, never modified one bit, stock suspension and height, no winch and still the original toyota bullbar and over the last 15 years of owning it he has done the gibb river road, the simpson, the cape and a heap more places and never had a problem, all while towing a 20 foot off road van.
Tyre size; for touring, squeezing 35s under a IFS twin cab will create a lot more problems than it’s worth. Slightly larger than standard will keep the whole vehicle happy and comfortable for many 1000s of km.
Just a side note; When I go off roading, the scenery is a big draw for me. I try not to drive at night (though circumstances sometimes dictate that I do) so I don't have much auxiliary lighting.
Great episode mate. 1 extra comment re fuel tanks. If you are using petrol, jerry cans are limited to 1 x 20 litre I believe. How many diesel can you carry legally?
haven't had my 4x4 long and it is an old 97 jackaroo (small budget), right now it is getting a new clutch installed and it came with a bull bar, roof racks and radio, had 2 driving lights on the front but i broke one with my knee changing the belts, got a nifty LED bar to replace them with, i don't do a lot of off road but i plan to do more as i am an avid camper but i do travel often and at night so having the driving lights just makes things safer in my opinion. looking at getting a winch as well as i rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it, got to go cheaper on it due to budget but not sure what load rating i would need.
Ronnie I'm a long time viewer on your channel and several others in your region and I feel like the 4wd market in Australia for aftermarket parts and must have type items are priced more competitively than in the USA when quality is concerned. Since you have connections on both continents and have travel in both areas are my speculations correct?
Can you do a video on what you would recommend for a weekend warrior somethings you would recommend for those mud running people that don’t really need to stray too far from home, tourer is great but I’d love to see a video on just weekender 4wding cars not camping sort of thing
Not sure I totally agree here but what is touring, everyone has there own opinion on that. I personally think bull bar and fuel range to be the two most important things (I'm in Oz also). Most modern 4WD's can handle things stock they run 16 x 145 (Or bigger 17 x 265) tyres so as long as there suited for off road there fine, I have never own a lifted vehicle. Recovery gear is specific to number of vehicles and terrain. I'm normally beach camping so max trax, snatch strap and compressor a must 12v fridge very handy but I got away without one for 15 years, and I was going remote for a week at a time.
Pretty solid list would very much agree with everything. I am getting a way with touring without a fridge and lift. I have been building my 105 on a budget and so far most of the other things you listed I have managed to buy good quality products seccond hand. I really wish I had a fridge and lift because Ice is such a pain, you can't get it in alot of places remote and I'm getting a bit saggy in the rear end now so lift is on the cards next.
It's not the same class of vehicle as yours, but my soft-roader is a classic CR-V, and it will never need a snorkel to keep out dust. IDK how they managed it, but somehow, I can drive through almost endless dust clouds, and the engine air filter just doesn't get dirty. The cabin air filter is a different story, but somehow the engine air intake seems to do a good job of staying clean.
I would add that if you live in the desert, like I do in New Mexico, an awning or other method of protecting yourself from direct sun light could save your life and is considered essential. I recently went out by myself in the desert in my open top FJ40 and had I broken down or got stuck I could’ve easily died of exposure in 100F+ temps and no shade. Happens all the time out here. Learned my lesson and I won’t be going out again without sun protection, plenty of water, and satellite based emergency comms.
I know it's not a mod again but fire extinguisher always carry one
It's actually illegal for modified trucks in Iceland not to have at least one 2kg fire extinguisher. I always carry two along with a fire blanket.
Good to know thanks buf
Bud
Absolutely, I actually carry 2, If I go somewhere with a friend that doesn't have one, I give it to him. It can be had to get to an extinguisher inside a vehicle that is on fire, the one you lend to your buddy may be the one that saves your rig..
@@curt8641
Where's a good place to mount?
Having lived for 45 years in the Rocky Mountains of the USA, the front bull bar bumper has saved me from 3 deer so far. I have travelled alone most of my life, so a winch …and recovery gear including a shovel (mainly for snow) and axe have helped on several occasions.
Even though we are in quite different climates, I have enjoyed your presentations. Hopefully before I move on, I will return to Australia and do a bit of the famous Outback.
*The most important off-road mod: Make more money.
Ain't that the truth
Gotta pay to play
Yeah you pay 50k for a new rig just to drop another 15 - 20k in mods in the first 3 years. *cries in Spanish*
I think everyone in the world who has watched this vid and has read your comment had def agreed. (cries in Italian from a suzuki)
😂true. Most important item long or short term is a fat wallet
I loved to off road at night too. But when we did a deep river crossing at night and the head lights went under, the roof light bar was essential.
Not a bad list Ronny. I'd definitely have a winch on a short range tourer though. Stuck is stuck, regardless of the trip length.
As a female and being in Serbia, I rarely find any information on the main needs and what are just wants. I've been binge watching your videos since begging of the year and I find they VERY informative and I am finding out more stuff. Thanks for making these videos and covering all various topics!
Can't wait for the weekend warrior edition of this video, as I currently fall in that group untill I get some things sorted on my navara.
Isolations a bitch huh
Diff breathers go in at the same time as snorkel. Engine might be safe but the other big 4 aren’t
i always ran a line for the trans and tcase to the snorkel and didn't care about the diffs. just drain them out and refill after as part of trail maintenance. doesn't matter what you do to them.....water is getting in the diffs
@@miketlane you replace your diff oil after every drive? Dont have a proper 4x4, didnt realise maintenance was that intense tho!
@@miketlane After every trip with a water crossing?! You must have stock in gear oil! You shouldn't be sucking water in with relocated extensions with proper breather valves, right?
20y in my 95series diesel Prado TX and the only things I haven't added are a winch, a lift and a snorkel. Never needed them. Cargo barrier, 12v fridge, dual battery, bull bar, recovery hooks (unused), tow bar, driving lights, mounted and handheld UHF CB's, and a solid Aluminum roof rack have seen me all across in every state of this wide brown Aussie land.... and the way Toyota's are will probably see me do out another 20y.
Great video Ronny.. One thing that’s often not considered is how you evaluate the mods you make. I think it’s important to know how the stock vehicle performs before making expensive changes that might be of no value or even have a negative impact. Really good to see someone who’s high profile in the 4WD community giving excellent advice 👍
Absolutely this. I use my tourer as a daily-driver and a desert racer all at once (Because I can't afford 3 vehicles, one that does all three somewhat subpar, that is very thirsty, is significantly cheaper). It has quite a bit more gear than even the long-range tourer, but because I'm never out of cell-range, I don't have a long-range radio, just the handheld. Expanded fuel tank (50 gallons/ 189L) is good enough for my area because even on tour, there's fairly regular fuel stations.
The only major mods I've made are suspension-tire (Necessary for the desert racing more than the touring), replacing both bumpers with winch bumpers with a bull-bar on the front and tire rack on the back, and adding a crane in the bed because the tires are actually heavier than I can lift by myself.
And then lights. I have the bare minimum supplementary lights to deal with the road at night, especially when it's flooded during the rainy season.
Our list is very similar to this. We are gradually upgrading. One thing I'd add is water storage. Something I've been thinking about is a quality filtration system vs a big tank. So long as the water isn't polluted with chemicals etc, a $400-$600 system should give me the ability to refill water storage from just about anywhere (excluding deserts etc). But I need to do more research. I'm still planning a maybe 60L vehicle mounted water tank.
WhyWouldYouDrawThat I considered that until last year when I noticed on a trip from Adelaide to Perth to Pilbara and back that finding water of any quality was quite difficult in a lot of places due to all being on bore water with rivers/creeks and dams all dried up. So unless travelling around the wet seasons could be quite difficult. Glad I was carrying 80L backup and even then we were quite low a couple of times.
I've got an 85 litre bladder behind the back seat in my Patrol. Works well and is a budget solution. Worth considering, IMO
why not just get a small backpacking filter. if you need to filter water they filter a gallon in a few minutes. weigh next to nothing and take up little space
Both filtration and bulk stores of water are important
He's back to the jump into shot intros! I miss those hahahaha.
Compressor first and foremost the reason I say this the first thing in 4wheeling in any situation is lower your truer pressure whether it stock or highly modified,so when you finish you need to pump them up
@@guymarsh6343 I want what your 🚬 bro
When I'm going to build a tourer, especially if it is going to be heavy, I think about safety first. Suspension and tyres are right up there but so are brakes. I'm not talking slotted rotors or stuff like that. I'm talking brake pads designed for heavy 4WDs, braided brake lines if you can get them, and at least a quality rotor/drum.
Phillip Hamilton yeah mate some carbon ceramics 😂
Lights on a long range tourer are a neccessary mod! I have learnt this by watching this channel!
Nice break down on what is really needed. Kept it simple with no extra fluff. The only thing I would add about winching is to use a nylon type rope than the steel cable. Nylon will go limp if it snaps, steel cable will whip around and slash people in the strike zone. One thing I was taught in my young days was to put an old pair of blue jeans over a steel cable when winching to contain the cable or wad it up without allowing it to whip and injure someone.
1st) Buy a Jeep.
2nd) Just emptied every pocket
3rd) homeless
4th) The end
But you've still got a Jeep. It's a win imo
Just needed to budget for that rooftop tent. Plan for success
Appreciate the great content Ronny, in the market for another 4x4 to set up myself so this vid helps and gives me plenty of great ideas.
I was impressed with your 79 beast at the Perth 4x4 show.
Agree with the night driving, there's just something about it.
Keep up the great work Ronny 👍
Cheers Met.
Ronnie's number one mod is lights. He loves travelling at night!!!
First aid kits! Absolute must for long range remote locations. And dont cheap out. But that would be the same as a winch. As long as 1 in a convoy, You're good!
Here's my list: A steel bull bar, spotlights, 4wd tyres with 2 spares, fire extinguisher, a compressor, jumper leads, recovery gear (shovel, snatch strap, shackles etc), first aid kit, 20L+ drinking water, handheld UHF, toolkit with spares and a jerry can or 2... The most expensive bits are the bull bar and spotlights while the rest are cheap and don't need to be mounted. I use ice & an esky in the car and have a 3 way LPG fridge at camp.
Great video Ronny - this channel gets better and better. Your comments about fridge size / use are really handy. Going out for up to two weeks or more probably supports a freezer capability, to make food last longer. And having a dual zone fridge might be useful as well. Helpful also to hear your advice on the fridge size - the choice of fridge is a trade off between the space the fridge occupies, the time away without access to replenish supplies and number of people the fridge supports.
Really enjoyed the production quality of this video - TV quality - really professional.
Suspension and tyres go hand in hand, but they also generally need to go last, once you've finished adding all the extra crap to your vehicle. Then they can get the suspension rated for your new constant load.
AS others have said Fire extinguisher & First Aid kit should be a must. I have one 2.5kg Fire Extinguisher in the rear cargo area, One 1.5Kg in the Rear Passenger area, and a 1kg in the front drivers door pocket for easy access. And for goodness sake please do not wire up any Electrical to your vehicle if you do not have the practical knowledge as i have been doing electronics & Auto electrical as a Hobby for around 20+ years and have seen some unsafe setup's to downright dangerous (ticking time bomb MATTER of speaking). Great video Ronny just what we need to see, love this channel.
Thank you for some honest, no fluff video recommendations!
First two things i bought was a shovel and a hat. And always carry some water. Thanks for sharing this video.
Almost hit a roo in the middle of the day in my 2019 Triton the first trip I went on without a bullbar. Luckily the Mrs was in the passenger seat at the time and it proved my point about putting one on asap
Dont put on a bull bar they are weak. a actual bumper is better
@@pacific4x444 in Australia a bull bar is what you call a bumper a nudge bar is what you call a bull bar
In the space of about 2 minutes, 4 skippy's jump across in front of us near Broken Hill. Don't know how we missed them. Mrs saw it all and went very quiet.
@@pacific4x444 Depends how strongly it's been mounted.. I don't know too much about that cause in the country I'm living atm, Bull Bars are illegal :C
@@pacific4x444 yeah nah, I don’t think what you call a “bullbar” is what a bullbar is in Australia 🇦🇺
Why wasn’t winch on short range tourer? I live in Florida, US, and I use my winch all the time. Mostly helping others, but it’s saved me a few times. Good video!
I think 'tour' is more about the destinations than the journey. Often tracks requiring a winch are not necessary. But if course it all depends on where you are going. I like to think every mod is some kind of compromise. Could be price, comfort, durability, appearance, utility, etc. So it's good to skip things you don't need. If you are experienced you likely already know what you need.
I agree. It really comes down to where you live and what is accessible to you. Anybody familiar with Florida knows it is one big aquifer system and depending how you drive through the state 8+ hrs or longer. So "short" or "long" tour, you could still be in the state. Water bogs and loose soil abounds. Winch, snorkle, compressor and a life jacket (lol) would be on top of my list. I hydrolocked a perfectly good engine on a TJ in the New Jersey Pine Barrens which like Florida is a huge aquifer system. It takes me an hour to get there and I'm usually solo vehicle. So, short or long tour snorkle, winch and compressor are high on the list. On the other hand the Appalachian Mountains are in my back yard, so lift, big tires, rock protection (sliders, diff guards, skid plates) are on top of my list too.
Thanks Ronny! Interesting and helpful Tips. Greeting from BC Canada. Stay Safe.
Hi ronny. Absolutely spot on. Re the suspension and tyres. Tyres a must. Not sure of suspension unless u add steel bull bars. Messing with suspension always compromises the ride. Did i miss u saying anything about a toolkit. A fairly stocked toolkit is essential.
Yes you absolutely need them but they aren't a vehicle mod, which is why they aren't on his list.
Cheap suspension or incorrect suspension compromises the ride.
Mind you, the role of suspension is to carry the vehicle and keep the tyres in contact with the ground.
@@k2svpete i have a fj cruiser. I loved the smooth ride. I did 4x4 trails while stock. Then ther mod bug caught. Efs to bp51 can't replicate the smooth ride.
15:03 those damn Anderson plug covers, mine has never stayed on..
ronny ...… food for thought ….. considering the fact we are all stuck inside due to the beervirus, how about …… vid of .. 1. top 5 running gear mods .. 2. top 5 interior mods .. 3. top 5 electrical mods .. .. 4. top .. 5 touring mods .. 6. top 5 mods that you have done and had to change .. 7. top 5 mods you would never do again ….. all in a 1 or 2 part vid and include a couple of mates, having a beer and a laugh, making a all in one discussion ….. I know that you have covered 99% over time but things continuously change as a result of experience ….. keep the idea, throw it out, your call
I guess there are many definitions of "tourer" . to me its more overlanding type traveling.
If I'm thousands of k's from home with family on board doing a tough track for fun is not going to be on the agenda.
I'll take the chicken track every time.
so a 6" lift and 37" tyres would be wasted on me and would probably cost me 20 or 30% more fuel!
For us the most important thing is a safe, reliable and most of all comfortable vehicle (with a good sound system).
I was surprised to learn many modern 4WD's have the air cleaner inlet in the front mudguard,
in that case yes the snorkel is definitely going to save a lot of filter cleans.
Rock sliders have saved my land cruiser several times. I would add those to any “tourer.”
I agree. I think this is one of the first mods to be done.
Note that he’s specifically saying “touring/overlanding” - if you’re not doing hardcore trails there’s a lot of stuff more important.
Still providing great content during ISO.
Legends!
Thanks Ronny, this was super helpful as a Newbie, saving me money by not wasting it on crap I don't need to start off!
great list that gives everyone a good idea of what is needed or not, i see alot of people going over-the-top with their mods only to do things like short trips to the beach 45 minutes way, etc. One mod i am looking into for sure, which could be both short and long range is a catch can and filter system, only to help my engine stay sharp! Thanks for the videos Ronny, keen to see more like this!
Brilliant info mate. Most videos don't get all that info across in one video. I'm gathering info before I buy or do anything, so putting it into sections on how you are you are going to use your vehicle, makes so much sense, I'd rather buy less unneeded stuff but better quality gear. I don't buy cheap stuff cause in the end you pay more and can get you into alot of unnecessary trouble and danger. Top job.👍🍺😉🇦🇺
The one time I was stuck it took 2vehichles with winches to pull me out. So more than one winch in your convoy is a good thing
Some good points to consider there mate. I know if I went back an impulse bought all the stuff I wanted, but didn't necessarily need; I'd have an even bigger hole in the bank account, alot of regret and extra weight on my rig!
One thing most folks do not consider about the snorkel is they are great for cleaning up the air into your engine (you sort of hit on it, but were too quick to dismiss the Cold Air factor, at slow speeds sure, but high speed on dusty roads is a diff story). Before my snorkel I was nuking air filters after 5k miles (Nevada deserts), i'm 30k and still have ~50% the life on my current filter. *I use panty hose as a prefilter*
I agree, tires are #1 -- love my Hakkapeliitta 44 (475/70 R17)
Americans go everywhere solo. They just tell everyone else that it is a bad idea, but almost everyone does it, anyway.
Texan solo-wheeler, can confirm.
As a British Army veteran, that served in Afghanistan, i can confirm this.
You said it for me. Yup, only those city folk are scared to be alone.
I've never gone out with someone in another vehicle. Just my daughter and I
In my truck or on my bike, solo is frequently frowned upon, but essential if you like to go places.
In the truck, the dog goes everywhere.
I'm in the US and I have only gone in a group once. It is just too difficult to find people around me who want to go on the same sorts of trails that I want to go on.
I'm super careful about what trails I go though. I'm always extremely conscious about the possibility of getting stuck or damaging my car.
Ronny I will agree with tires and suspension . But I will also add from my experience that the A and Z in off road driving is the winch ... especially in solo or pair traveling . Even with 80/20 tires and suspension there are so many senarios one may get bogged . Especially without lockers . The winch will SAVE you every single time
Winch is super important if you’re like me and don’t have any friends 😂
Being schizophrenic is good, Im never lonely
@@royblackburn1163 : But does your buddy have a winch?
@@kadmow Dunno, we argue so much i would never ask a favor lol , but if you run long straps in front of your wheels and tie them on then stake the other end you can drive over the straps and pull yourself out a few meters, do you need a winch ? also works going backwards.
Agreed, actually three fire extinguishers, two fixed in the vehicle and one portable one, and accessible to everyone.
Good vid Ronny, I'd say another important mod would be to know your vehicle. Sounds simple but being able to change a wheel bearing in the middle of no where or change a brakeline could save ya. A lot of people I see out don't have a clue how to do things on their own 4wds because they drop it off at a shop and leave for a trip straight away
Shade is more than important- especially for Long Range touring. You can go anywhere and you are going g to need shade. Sure, pull up under a tree, but they are not always going to be there. If you can’t get a good lunch spot to take some down time, it’s going to be an awfully long day.
If you're leaving cell phone range in either short _or_ long range, my number one is a drop dead reliable vehicle.
As someone who *lives* outside 'cell phone range', that comment both made me laugh, and agree.
Thanks for this Ronny, a realistic, essentials set of equipment for your tourer is great. "Less is More."
One thing I fit, which I build myself, are side lights along the side of the body and underbody lights to illuminate the front and rear of the wheels. Pass through tight rocks and you and any watcher can spot both sides of the vehicle, and any obstacles you are about to drive over; mine are all LED.
Video quality is top notch Rhonda 👍
Many people (myself included) have their winch fail just when they need it. In convoy two is one, one is none!
Buy a better winch or look after the one you have better. 99% of winch failures can be traced back to low quality manufacturing or lack of proper maintenance
@@gqwarrior6694 always have a contingency plan though
@@TheCarpenterUnion Absolutely. Flip flop winch is great if there's plenty of trees about but my first & best back up is to think through every challenge BEFORE tackling it & always make sure I have 2 options for getting myself unstuck.
I would say maxxtrax before a winch for short range. Highly versatile and can be a 3rd the cost. Preferably both though.
or get some wooden planks, even cheaper
Agree but such a pain to carry around. Cumbersome.
Maxxtrax won't help you on a steep rocky climb while a winch will.
You’d be surprised how effective maxtrax can be on loose rocks/little rock steps
Another useful mod, would be an upgraded transmission cooler, especially for an auto
I live in rural NSW with lots of roos....I consider the purchase of my vehicles based on the availability of a bull bar. Suzuki Grand Vitara, Land Rover Defender, and a 2019 Colorado. So many cars were written off during the drought seen dead on the highway. With my Defender I run standard 235/80/16 (750.16)tyres as they are easy to find at any tyre shop of farmers spare.
Thanks Ronny ,enjoy your videos -great stuff ,very informative.
Not a mod but a PLB
Personal locator beacon equivalent to an EPIRB
5:03 - Yes! Whether it´s dry or wet - get your air intake as high off the ground as you can. Have you ever considered why every new tractor in the world has snorkles? I bet they don´t intend to wade. But it adds a considerable amount of hours to your next service point. Heavier particles clog up the filtre more easily. Heavier particles are closer to the ground. You do the math.
14:32 - What you want to get people to read up on, is how ground planes work with antennas. A roof mounted antenna will use the surface of the roof as a ground plane to amplify the signals. You could also mount it in the middle of the hood, wouldn´t that look cool? Worst place is on the side corner like that bull bar...
Affirm. Yup, all fairly accurate. I ended up swapping my front recovery points for a plow hitch, but the plow hitch also doubles as one giant recovery point. And I removed my SMOG pump and instead fitted an A/C compressor which I wired the clutch up to a toggle switch on my dash, added a PCV filter to the return fitting, and piped the compressor to an air hose that I use to fill a 6-gallon air tank up to 50 PSI while I drive. I’ve literally reflated or reseated many tires for many people on the road just due to the fact I have built-in portable air, and if I stick a screwdriver into my throttle to keep it open to 2,000 or so RPM, I can just take my hose and refill my own tires directly from the pump.
Additional. I’d say that Vehicle-Mounted radios are important. CB Radios are far less expensive than VHF, whether they’re vehicle-mounted or handheld. And you’d be surprised how much of a difference it makes, especially in zones without cell service. So that I’d disagree on.
Furthermore. I have everything I need for food or otherwise cooking (minus the food itself) all in my Native Alaskan grub box. And for food, I use a cooler with ice but if I’m doing a long-range trip I’ll go with canned goods. I also added a 28-gallon fuel tank onto my trailer, fitted with an electric pump and a fuel line that ends in a fitting that connects to a fuel line near my hitch receiver and ultimately empties into my tank. A secondary wiring connector is added to attach to a wiring loom that is controlled by a toggle switch, and the sender on the tank is hotwired to an external fuel gauge that I can eyeball out my driver’s side mirror, to reduce wire clutter.
I think the importance of a roof rack depends on your vehicle and what you need to carry. With a 90 Series Prado there is precious little space inside so we need the extra space on the roof for bulky gear such as beds. We also use it for carrying the dinghy so there is no way we could do without it.
Thanks Ronny, great vid!
Great video Ronny
Good advice mate. Keep the great videos coming.
I suggest the side rails attached under the sills all they way to the bull bars can be very important in protecting your sills or side panels from damage - especially if they are properly engineered as they will hold the weight of the vehicle on slow impact over mounds where there may not be enough clearance - also they will protect from large sticks or timber which may be thrown up by the wheels and damage the sill panels.
Cheers mate, very useful. I'm off to Africa as soon as Qantas start flying again, and I intend buying a 4x4 for overlanding. I've made notes of the things you suggested. Thanks again. Regards, Dave.
Brakes. Start loading up your 4WD or towing trailers, upgrade the brakes. Factory brakes are rubbish unless it's a performance car.
Also look into upgraded rotors, especially on older vehicles. Remember to tap dry after crossings!
Secondary fuel filter? Long range tourer needs this mod.
Not if its a petrol no problems
Diesel engineers do not all agree on a second fuel filter unless it doesn't restrict flow and actually detects water, sounding zn alarm.
Your rigs are insane
For a long-range tourer I would prepare at least a smaller box with some spare parts. Some parts that can be changed and do not takle a lot of space. Some tools, fuel pump, nuts and bolts, cables, filters, spark plug connectors, v-belts, pp. Some jerry cans with water also might come in handy.
10:02 " I don't load my fridge full beer. They'd be two beers in there." lmao, yeah right Ronny, right. Two beers. Sure.
Drink spirits instead and you don't have to carry as much
Massive spotlights do hinder airflow to cool the radiators in hot conditions, maybe worth mentioning. Greetings from semi-lockdown Belgium.
sorry ronny I will correct you in 1 thing that you will need some form of rail on the front because you will need consider animal strikes and what you have might be prudent and cheap to install, however it shouls be a a welded only option for rigidity sake... whilst steps can be optional, if you are considering a roof rack I would consider steps as a mandatory setup which must support full length of the footwear you wear..
Hey Ronnie, always great videos! Thanks so much for all the valid information. - I wozld consider thinking about water-tank on long range trips and discussion wether a water-tank or additional fuel tank is more important.
Very good point mate
I think it depends heavily on where you are wheeling. If there's lots of water nearby then extra fuel. If there's no water then less fuel and more water.
Mate I really appreciate all your info, I'm watching mostly all of your videos and I am finding them very important, cheers..👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks for the talk it’s away good to get your input. 😎👍
Nice list and I do like the distinction between a wagon and ute. I'd still keep the cargo barrier with drawers in the wagon as it allows for the stacking of kit on the drawers and they make for a handy spot to attach items like garbage bags, hand towel and first aid kits etc.
In the old frontera all the touring ranges seem long :D The best "mod" for me is the appropriate toolkit thrown in the trunk to fix most of the broken stuff on the way.. and of course a decent suspension lift
Who makes the stainless steel snorkel? I can see "moon" but thats all. 5:21
Trick Day moonlight fabrication
@@levijordan9465 Thank you
I think we can all agree for all touring priority is bull bar bumper, rocksliders, skid plates, spair carrier with full size. Tyre upgrade not necessarily suspention, winch stuck is stuck, GPS.
I chose to keep my stock suspension until I could afford some good stuff.... amazes me to this day how far the patrol can get on some gnarly tracks with only a set of 31” muddies (and a winch 🤣)
that's exactly right mate! You absolutely don't need modified suspension for touring! I've done the Flinders Ranges including Skytrek and Arkaroola, red centre, Oodnadatta Track all off road on corrugated roads on stock 79 series suspension with a full canopy. Absolutely no problems. Did the west Mereenie Loop and Oodnadatta track with the stock tyres too. Tyre pressures and speed are the most important factors when touring.
@@jimbojones2457 Was just about to post about the old mans 100 series, never modified one bit, stock suspension and height, no winch and still the original toyota bullbar and over the last 15 years of owning it he has done the gibb river road, the simpson, the cape and a heap more places and never had a problem, all while towing a 20 foot off road van.
Forgot to add it doesnt even have a duel battery system, he still uses a 30 year old chescold 3 way fridge
Tyre size; for touring, squeezing 35s under a IFS twin cab will create a lot more problems than it’s worth. Slightly larger than standard will keep the whole vehicle happy and comfortable for many 1000s of km.
Just a side note;
When I go off roading, the scenery is a big draw for me. I try not to drive at night (though circumstances sometimes dictate that I do) so I don't have much auxiliary lighting.
Awesome buddy, plain and simple explained. Thanks heaps
Correction. You can't fit a standard rear recovery hitch to a genuine 2006 holden rodeo tow hitch . The hole is not in the centre.
Cup holder
Great ideas to think on. I have a lot of them already! But, I do get to camp before night fall... See you on the trails, George.
Great episode mate. 1 extra comment re fuel tanks. If you are using petrol, jerry cans are limited to 1 x 20 litre I believe. How many diesel can you carry legally?
Mad video Ronny and great tips 👍🏽
Yet another great vid Ronny, you miss spelt snorkel not sure if you picked up on it or not
haven't had my 4x4 long and it is an old 97 jackaroo (small budget), right now it is getting a new clutch installed and it came with a bull bar, roof racks and radio, had 2 driving lights on the front but i broke one with my knee changing the belts, got a nifty LED bar to replace them with, i don't do a lot of off road but i plan to do more as i am an avid camper but i do travel often and at night so having the driving lights just makes things safer in my opinion. looking at getting a winch as well as i rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it, got to go cheaper on it due to budget but not sure what load rating i would need.
Ronnie I'm a long time viewer on your channel and several others in your region and I feel like the 4wd market in Australia for aftermarket parts and must have type items are priced more competitively than in the USA when quality is concerned. Since you have connections on both continents and have travel in both areas are my speculations correct?
Great video on tips for your trips! ;) Thanks Ron, appreciate it! Recovery points next on the list for us, just for that 'in case' situation.
Can you do a video on what you would recommend for a weekend warrior somethings you would recommend for those mud running people that don’t really need to stray too far from home, tourer is great but I’d love to see a video on just weekender 4wding cars not camping sort of thing
Yeah mate he said he's doing another video to cover that.
Not sure I totally agree here but what is touring, everyone has there own opinion on that. I personally think bull bar and fuel range to be the two most important things (I'm in Oz also). Most modern 4WD's can handle things stock they run 16 x 145 (Or bigger 17 x 265) tyres so as long as there suited for off road there fine, I have never own a lifted vehicle. Recovery gear is specific to number of vehicles and terrain. I'm normally beach camping so max trax, snatch strap and compressor a must 12v fridge very handy but I got away without one for 15 years, and I was going remote for a week at a time.
The average person that goes touring is very different to a full crazy adventure touring
Very true Ronny hence the discrepancies in opinions of what's important.
Another great vid. Watch out for berocca Ronny! The aspartame messes your gut flora up bad.
Pretty solid list would very much agree with everything. I am getting a way with touring without a fridge and lift. I have been building my 105 on a budget and so far most of the other things you listed I have managed to buy good quality products seccond hand.
I really wish I had a fridge and lift because Ice is such a pain, you can't get it in alot of places remote and I'm getting a bit saggy in the rear end now so lift is on the cards next.
It's not the same class of vehicle as yours, but my soft-roader is a classic CR-V, and it will never need a snorkel to keep out dust. IDK how they managed it, but somehow, I can drive through almost endless dust clouds, and the engine air filter just doesn't get dirty. The cabin air filter is a different story, but somehow the engine air intake seems to do a good job of staying clean.
I think the "bull bar" is a lot less necessary in the states. I think rock sliders and at least an engine/oil pan skid are pretty important.
I would add that if you live in the desert, like I do in New Mexico, an awning or other method of protecting yourself from direct sun light could save your life and is considered essential. I recently went out by myself in the desert in my open top FJ40 and had I broken down or got stuck I could’ve easily died of exposure in 100F+ temps and no shade. Happens all the time out here. Learned my lesson and I won’t be going out again without sun protection, plenty of water, and satellite based emergency comms.