TOUGH TUNDRA

RUGGED USA IMPORTS TURNS TOYOTA'S TUNDRA INTO A THOUGHTFULLY BUILT TOURER, SHOWCASING PREMIUM SUSPENSION, LIGHTING AND HARDWARE NOW READILY AVAILABLE OFF THE SHELF IN AUSTRALIA

- WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS PHOTOS MATT WILLIAMS

The popularity of full-size American pickup trucks has grown rapidly in Australia over the past decade.

With factory-backed conversions now coming from the US Big Three, along with the introduction of the Toyota Tundra, Aussie truck buyers have more choice than ever.

The boom in US truck imports has sparked a corresponding rise in locally available aftermarket gear from specialised Australian companies. If you thought the range of accessories for Aussie 4x4s was impressive, you'll be blown away by the sheer scale of the US aftermarket industry. While getting that gear shipped here used to be a costly and time-consuming process, Australian distributors now import and stock a wide range of US products ready to fit to your truck.

One such company is Queensland's Rugged USA Imports, which brings in and sells brands such as KC Lights, Gen-Y Hitch, Camburg, BDS Suspension, Fox Racing, Swing Case, Switch Pros and many more.

"To open up the market for quality parts and accessories direct from the USA, our company, Rugged USA Imports, is the direct importer working with a range of partners throughout the USA,” Rugged’s Chris Roach told us.

Chris has owned his fair share of US trucks over the years and wanted to create a better way for Aussie owners to access quality products for them. While most of his trucks have been from the Big Three US manufacturers, the arrival of the Toyota Tundra presented new opportunities.