Track 59 - 4x4 Australia 4x4 of the year judging with Jason Lock

We continue our conversation with Matt from MadMatt 4WD after the tragic death of Ryan Woods.  This episode looks at correct techniques and alternatives to snatch strap recoveries. Here is the link to the original post on 4x4earth.  WARNING - graphic images. Check out MaddMatt's video. Robert Pepper's video looking at forces generated by these kinds of dynamic rescues. Check out the show notes on 4x4earth.com for more details and links to the sites we've mentioned in the podcast.

Ryan Woods died in tragic circumstances while 4 wheel driving in Arizona last week.  We talk to Matt from MadMatt 4WD about what happened and what lessons we can all learn. Here is the link to the original post on 4x4earth.  WARNING - graphic images. Check out MaddMatt's video. Robert Pepper's video looking at forces generated by these kinds of dynamic rescues. Check out the show notes on 4x4earth.com for more details and links to the sites we've mentioned in the podcast.

We talk to Jason Lock, one of the Judges for the 4x4 Australia 4x4 of the year competition. Which vehicles won and why? What vehicles should be in the running next year.  There are some pretty exciting vehicles coming out that will make the competition very interesting. Check out the show notes on 4x4earth.com for more details and links to the sites we've mentioned in the podcast. Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

We talk to Jason Lock, one of the Judges for the 4x4 Australia 4x4 of the year competition. Jason scored a dream job, heading out with the 4x4 Australia team to judge the 4x4 Australia 4x4 of the year. What vehicles where on the long list and how did they narrow the field done to the short list?  Jason talks about the entrants and the judging process.  All of the vehicles were stock, so there were no after market mods, including tyres! This obviously makes a big difference because some of the vehicles would really struggle with roadies on. Which 4x4s where on the long list? Which 4WDs made it to the short list? How did they run their tests?  A really interesting story about determining the best 4WDs in Australia. The 4x4 Australia 4x4 of the year is a major milestone for vehicle manufacturers, so it is great to get an insiders view of the judging process and what makes the grade and what doesn't. Join the conversation about the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.

What will EV 4WDs be like in 5 or 10 years time? Whether climate change is real or not (it is!), there is an undeniable trend away from fossil fuel vehicles, so what will EV 4WDs look like?  We talk to Robert Pepper about the EV 4WD myths and possibilities. Obviously range is going to be an issue.  How will long-range trips be managed where there is nowhere to recharge? Can a 4WD recharge with panels on the roof?  Will improvements in efficiency and battery power to create vehicles with 1000km range? What about hydrogen fuel cells for 4x4s?  Will the technology enable this cheap, but dangerous, fuel to provide the kind of range and power required to go offroad?  Hydrogen's energy density. Diesel has an energy density of 45.5 megajoules per kilogram (MJ/kg), slightly lower than gasoline, which has an energy density of 45.8 MJ/kg. Hydrogen has an energy density of approximately 120 MJ/kg, almost three times more than diesel or gasoline.  Will Hydrogen be the answer for everyone heading offroad?  This is a big opportunity as we look for a solution that provides the range we need before filling up / refuelling. I've still got an oiler, which every time I see what comes out the exhaust when I hit the accelerator, I think there has to be a better long term solution. Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open. For more information on Robert Pepper, check out L2SFBC.  

Robert Pepper gives a detailed report on his Toyota LandCruiser 300 Test Drive and a test ride with the Ineos Grenadier. What does he think of both of these vehicles?  These are 2 great examples of some of the new 4WDs that are coming out to cater for the needs of real 4 wheel drivers.  How are the manufacturers going in developing vehicles for the Australian bush and how do they point they way ahead as far as 4x4 vehicle trends? What will the Ineos Grenadier be like offroad, how much will it cost and is it something we should be thinking about?  Who is it aimed at? How does the new LandCruiser 300 improve on the previous LandCruiser?  How does the new engine and transmission perform? Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open. If you want to learn more about Robert's great 4WD journalism, check out L2SFBC.    

This week we talk 2021 4WD utes with Robert Pepper, Australia's best 4WD journalist. We talk: Toyota Nissan Isuzu Mazda What's good and what's not.  Have a listen and let us know what you think. Check out the show notes on 4x4earth.com for more details and links to the sites we've mentioned in the podcast. Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.  

Our previous podcast, 4WD tips for Newbies, has been one of our most popular.  If you're new or have newby mates, have a listen. This week we talk new 4WDs with Robert Pepper, Australia's best 4WD journalist. We talk: Land Rover Defender Jeep Gladiator Ineos Grenadier Check out the show notes on 4x4earth.com for more details and links to the sites we've mentioned in the podcast. Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.  

New to going offroad?  Definitely have a listen to our newbies podcast edition.  My first time out 4 wheel driving  we ended up on the back of truck!  So have a listen to this podcast and get some ideas on what to do so you get out safely, have a great time, and get back safe as well, ready for your next trip out. Check out the show notes on 4x4earth.com for more details and links to the sites we've mentioned in the podcast. Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.  

This is the 2nd in our 2 part interview with Wayne Hevey, the CEO of 4WD Victoria.  We discuss how 4WD Victoria is working for clubs to maintain track access. Check out the show notes on 4x4earth.com for more details and links to the sites we've mentioned in the podcast. Join the conversation about  the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum.  www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month. If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch.  The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast!  It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.