TRIGGER HAPPY

A BODY CHOP FOR THIS GU PATROL WAS THE PERFECT WAY TO SHOWCASE THE TRIG POINT CANOPY AND CREATE A TOUGH TOURING TRUCK

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THE booming popularity of double-cab 4x4 utes fitted with service body-style aluminium canopies on the back has revealed just how versatile these utes can be. Fitting a canopy on the back of a ute gives you the security and accessibility of a wagon with a lot more space, capacity and functionality, making them a perfect touring set-up.

The problem for many though, is that the popular dual-cab utes are relatively small in the cabin and their off-road capability is not as good as many demand. Sure, you could opt for a Land Cruiser 79, and there are plenty of those around with incredible set-ups on the back, but they are expensive and have their own inadequacies including comfort and space in the factory Toyota cabin.

Cut-down LandCruiser 200 Series and Y62 Patrols fitted with canopies are also popular, but very costly and not everyone needs a four-door cabin and massive wheelbase.

Melburnite, Murray Brookes, was one such example of a four-wheel driver, and as the owner and head engineer at Trig Point Canopies, he well and truly knows the versatility and possibilities that a custom-made canopy can provide.

TRIG THE CHOICE

MURRAY wanted a two-seat 4x4 but with more space than a single cab, live axles underneath and a petrol engine. It had to have a Trig Point canopy on the back, of course.

"I was looking to build an all-round car that was durable and capable enough to test new products, tackling the hardest tracks around, while remaining comfortable and reliable enough to be an everyday car," Murray told us. "I didn't need a five-seat ute, yet wanted enough space behind the front seats for Sam, the Trig Point dog." Murray says he considered cutting down a 105 Series, but they are relatively wide in the body and wouldn't mate to the width of the canopies mainly made by Trig Point. So he went looking for a GU Patrol wagon, as it was just the right width to match.