5 Off-Road Essential Upgrades for 4x4s & SUV Ute

Ready to go off-roading with your family and have memorable experiences? But, contrary to common belief, your original stock vehicle is not the best option for an off-road adventure. 

To ensure your best chance for safely tackling even light to moderate off-roading stress-free, it is best to upgrade your 4x4s & SUV Utes with a few aftermarket accessories to boost your vehicle's off-road performance.

So, you want to customise your 4x4 for outback travel, but the problem remains, where to begin? With so many different modifications accessible from an endless amount of automotive aftermarket suppliers, it's tough to tell what you really need from what you don't. Here are the top five necessary mods needed for off-roading in Australia to give you a better idea.

Best Off-Road Tyers

The most important item on your vehicle for off-road driving is your tyres, as your vehicle's tyres are always the initial – and preferably only – point of contact with the ground. Therefore, your choice of tyres – and their pressures – will likely determine whether you can go over any terrain or obstacle in any driving condition.

Many modern dual-cab utes are equipped with HT (Highway Terrain) tyres designed for long-distance asphalt touring rather than off-roading. However, they're narrow, and they don't provide as much off-road protection as other tyres. You will be better off with All Terrain (AT) tyres or Muck Terrain (MT) tyres.

On the beach or in the forest, a set of decent All Terrain (AT) tyres are an excellent all-around tyre and will save you a lot of trouble. They're robust, less prone to damage from twigs and stones than HT rubber, and offer plenty of off-road traction.

Hardcore 4WDers use Muck Terrain (MT) tyres, which are large, knobbly and designed to get through mud. They're loud on the road and can add to your fuel expenditures if you use them for a lot of highway driving.

Bullbars

Bullbars are a necessary evil for any off-road travel in many respects since they negatively impact your car's aerodynamics, as they shift a lot of weight ahead of the vehicle's centre of mass and the front axle line (particularly with a steel bar).

However, bullbars are a critical modification you will need, aside from more durable tyres. This is because they serve as a convenient spot to install LED light bars, aerials, and, of course, a winch, as well as protecting the front of your car, particularly the cooling system, from animal impacts and the like.

While aluminium-alloy bars are lighter than steel bars, steel is more durable and powerful when you need it the most.

You'll also have to choose between a normal bar and one that can be used with a winch. Although front-mounted electric winches are useful, they are not required for outback travel. A basic hand winch may do the same task and is more adaptable. Even if you don't want to instal a winch right away, buying a winch-compatible bar leaves the option open if you change your mind later.

Don't let pricing dictate your purchase of a bullbar. A decent bullbar is a complex piece of engineering, and you'll have to pay a premium for it. Of course, you'll need an airbag-compatible bar unless you have an older vehicle that doesn't have airbags.

LED Light Bars

You should avoid driving in rural locations after dark in an ideal situation, but this isn't always possible. You'll need extra lights with a mixture of wide and pointed beams if you're caught out after nightfall. Avoid the low-cost LED light bar alternative and invest in a LED light bar that is vibration-resistant, dust-proof, and waterproof.

Recognising the quality of the installation can be as important as the quality of the LED light bar itself. Even the greatest lights are useless unless they are appropriately focused, so look for lights with a sturdy, easily adjustable, and vibration-resistant mounting mechanism.

Standard halogen car lights have a life duration of 1 000 to 6 000 hours, but LED light bars have a life span of 25 000 to 30 000 hours. People who routinely travel long distances, reside in rural areas, or drive at night will benefit from the longer life span.

LEDs give sharper cycling, as the flashing bulb is more attention-grabbing, making it easier for other drivers to respond quickly when you stop or slow down. Furthermore, LED light bars get a faster reaction time than ordinary lights, so if you abruptly stop, the LEDs will light up right away, allowing the motorist behind you more time to respond and maybe averting an accident.

LEDs have low power consumption, using only a fraction of the electricity needed by standard lights. As a result, energy-efficient lights provide less wear on your car's battery and alternator. In addition, in the likely event that you leave a car light on, LED light bars are less likely to kill your battery as they draw less electricity.

In particular, Lazar Lamp LED light bars are a world-class off-roading product offering superior lighting performance, exceptional product design to compliment any vehicle, and a build quality that ensures products last for many years to come. These meticulously engineered and tested LED light bars optimise lighting performance for everyday road use and off-road use. 

With a slimline, aerodynamic design that is simple to install, Lazar Lamp LED light bars have a real emphasis on high-end styling, all while delivering astonishing levels of illumination! Available in many styles and car model fittings, Lazar Lamp LED light bars can upgrade almost any vehicle to be off-road compatible. 

Apple Carplay & Android Auto

To minimise distractions when driving off-road, you can use your smartphone to monitor everything from making calls to sending and receiving texts, listening to music, and getting directions – all without ever touching your screen.

You'll never be lost off-road again with voice commands via Siri with Apple Car Play or Google with Android Auto. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enables us to use our mobile devices comfortably and legally when driving whilst allowing us to keep in touch with friends and family safely.

Find a Reputable Automotive Aftermarket Supplier

If you apply any of these off-road upgrades to your 4x4s or SUV Ute, you would have – most likely – adjusted your vehicle's weight, weight distribution, height, and aerodynamics. 

These modifications will have an impact on your 4x4s or SUV Ute's steering responsiveness, stability, ride comfort, noise levels, fuel efficiency, and range. For example, if you changed the tyres, suspension or added items like a LED light bar, bullbar, long-range tank, roof rack, and spare-wheel carrier.

Since changing even just one element to your vehicle is likely to impact other components of your car, it's a good idea to figure out precisely what you need ahead of time so that the changes may be completed as a whole. 

So, it's best to consult with your local automotive supplier since they can correctly install and recommend which products will best suit your vehicle and ensure the best possible performance you desire. Each automotive tweak and accessory will work together to provide you with the precise functionality and performance you want.