4WD builds and setups

The list of potential modifications for a 4WD build is endless, so where to start? I would argue there’s a clear winner for the best first mod: the humble air compressor.

When you take your new winch out of the box, even if the rope/cable comes pre-spooled on the drum it is not ready for use. You need to pre-tension your rope before winching, or risk tearing it off.

For first-time UHF radio buyers, the range of options can seem overwhelming. Handheld or fixed-mount? How many watts of transmission power? What dBi antenna? Do higher numbers mean more range? Is simply going with more always better?

Something a lot of wheelers are concerned about on their first time building a 4WD and adding external Anderson connectors is water. The good news is, it’s far less of a problem than you might assume.

Mounting 4WD accessories can be more demanding on your fasteners than other applications, so you want to get your thread locker right. Both in terms of secure mounting, and being able to remove it if necessary.

Toyota’s Prado 150 is a great touring vehicle option, with enough comfort to make long trips pleasant, without going overboard on tech and compromising reliability. There is one major storage gripe though… The 3rd row seats.

The Toyota 70 series is an icon of off-roading and four-wheel-drive touring, but something I’ve been asked repeatedly is “what is the problem with the 70 series alternator and mud?”. So here’s the deal.

When building your 12v auto electrical system, it’s critical to understand that fuses only provide protection after their location in the circuit. Just because a device has a fuse does not mean you’re protected from problems elsewhere.

35” tires are basically the poster child for off-roading, and while there’s plenty of benefits to larger tires, if it is something that interests you, be prepared for some significant investment and additional work.