AT the start of 2022 we bought a brand new, bog stock Isuzu MU-X with the intention of transforming it from a suburban family wagon in to something with some off-road touring ability. We chose the base model LS-M specification as it comes standard with 17-inch wheels and a manual tailgate, and it wasn't going to stay in standard trim for long.
To achieve our goal with the MU-X, we spoke to some of the leading manufacturers of aftermarket 4x4 equipment to see what they had for the Isuzu. Interestingly, many companies didn't produce gear for the MU-X as it's not on their radar despite being the second best-selling vehicle in its class in 2021, behind the Toyota Prado. More products have come online since the start of the project, but it's been a tough haul.
Over the following 12 months we were able to get the kit we needed to transition the MU-X in to what we had in mind for it. That is a 4x4 that you can take just about anywhere, be it the Central Australian deserts, Cape York or the Victorian High Country. This is now a car that will get you there and back.
Hopefully, potential wagon buyers will see what we've done with the MU-X and maybe give it another look when thinking about their next 4x4.
STAGE 1
AS some brands were still developing products for the 2022 MU-X, they wanted to get our car in their workshops to engineer the gear to be just right. This meant sending the car interstate from our Melbourne HQ, but there were a few products we could get fitted to it before it left town.
Bu hikaye 4x4 Magazine Australia dergisinin January 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye 4x4 Magazine Australia dergisinin January 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
OUTBACK WATERING HOLES
SINCE OFF TRACK WINES WAS LAUNCHED, OWNERS ANNA AND BRETT FISHER HAVE DRIVEN MORE THAN 20,000KM UP, DOWN AND ACROSS AUSTRALIA SPRUIKING THEIR WINES-IN-A-CAN MADE FOR CAMPING. THEY DROPPED INTO PLENTY OF OUTBACK PUBS ALONG THE WAY AND THESE ARE THEIR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FAVOURITES
BIG COUNTRY
THE PILBARA IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF BIG COUNTRY, AND THERE IS PLENTY TO SEE, DO AND ENJOY IN THIS ANCIENT LANDSCAPE IN WA'S RUGGED NORTHWEST
ISLAND PARADISE
NEAR THE TOP OF THE BUCKET LIST FOR EVERY AUSSIE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVER, K'GARI IS PACKED WITH STUNNING HIGHLIGHTS AND BOASTS SOME OF THE BEST BEACH DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY
WEIGHTLIFTING
INCREASING THE GVM OF YOUR 4X4 SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN SHOULD NOT BE AVOIDED IF YOU NEED IT. WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS ON OUR FORD RANGER TO EXPLAIN HOW TO GET IT RIGHT
NOW HEAR THIS
THE CEL-FI GO MOBILE BOOSTER WILL KEEP EMAILS, MESSAGES AND CALLS COMING THROUGH TO YOUR DEVICES WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS HEARING CRICKETS
LOOKING BACK
A PAIR OF MSA 4X4 TOWING MIRRORS ENSURE WE ALWAYS KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND US WHEN WE HAVE A TRAILER HITCHED TO OUR MITSUBISHI TRITON
TRUCKIN' LIFE
CAN FORD AUSTRALIA'S NEW F-150 BE AN ACCOMPLISHED OFF-ROAD TOURING 4X4?
WHAT LURKS BENEATH
IT MAY LOOK LIKE A FAIRLY STANDARD (IF CLEAN) 80 SERIES, BUT DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER AND YOU'LL FIND A MONSTER BELOW THE SURFACE
EYE OF THE HURRICANE
RAM HAS DUMPED ITS HEMI V8FOR A SIX-CYLINDER, AND IT'S COMING TO AUSTRALIA
GETTING TANKED
GWM EXPANDS IT TANK 4X4 RANGE WITH THE LUXURIOUS TANK 500 WAGON