OFF-ROAD VANS & TRUCKS

EnduroCo is a trusted Australian name in 4WD van and bus conversions, with a proved track record in suspension engineering and vehicle modifications. EnduroCo HiAce conversions offer a factory-level finish without compromising performance or safety.

Mercedes-Benz’ original 4×4 system from Oberaigner was replaced by Magna components in September 2022, along with a new four-cylinder engine. Safety updates were added in 2024.

The all-Volkswagen Crafter is no longer a rebadged and repowered Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The post-2018 Crafter 4Motion was upgraded for 2025.

In late 2024 Isuzu Australia previewed its 2025 F Series range. A critical element of the MY25 range was Isuzu’s safety suite, enhancing active, passive and driver-assist safety functions.

Hino chose the May 2017 Brisbane truck show to preview its 4×4 light truck market competitor.  An automatic retro-fit option was announced in late 2018 and single tyre options became readily available in 2022, before sales were suspended in 2023.

Ford Australia has expanded the Transit Custom offering in Australia with the addition of an all-wheel-drive, long-wheelbase Transit Custom Trail model. It should suit tradie buyers, in addition to DIY and professional campervan customers.

Japanese 4×4 light trucks dominate this category, but their shortcomings leave pace for niche marketers, including the once-troubled OKA Motor Company. In mid-2020 a new Australian-owned OKA All terrain Vehicles organisation gave this marque much-needed revitalisation.

Isuzu Australia hasn’t dominated the local truck scene by accident, but by carefully analysing every possible market segment. The latest release is a ‘softer’ 4WD than the go-anywhere NPS, targetting customers who need a traction truck, not an expedition vehicle. 

Isuzu upgraded the N Series cab in 2015 and in late-2018, when a two-pedal, automated manual transmission model was added. Safety was greatly enhanced for 2025.

Although it was available in some markets for the previous two years, Iveco revealed the Australian-market T-Way truck range at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show. The T-Way 4×4 and 6×6 models replaced the previous Trakker models.

The current Canter 4×4 performed better than its predecessors and had more interior refinements, but, in 2024, the suspension still needed plenty of work.

Brilliant off road credentials and more than twice the payload of a ute ensured good early business for this machine. But transfer case dramas meant it was sold only into specific low-speed operations after 2019. A supposedly rectified model was released in mid-2024, but they won’t let us drive one…

Volkswagen’s European Commercial Vehicle arm revealed the 2025 Transporter in August 2024. Dubbed the T7, it’s based entirely on the Ford Transit Custom van and is scheduled for Australian release some time in 2025. 

Light 4×4 truck cab/chassis are increasingly being preferred by tradies and government departments, over utes that have marginal payloads. We’ve updated what’s in the light-truck 4×4 cab/chassis market in 2024.

Bus4x4 – best known for its 2WD to 4WD conversions for mining company transport – produced a high-ground clearance version of the HiAce range  with a two-speed transfer case and full-time 4WD.

We tend to think that the 4WD truck was a post-World War II innovation, but the history of 4WD trucks goes way back, to before World War I. An unknown number of  very successful ‘Quad’ truck models were brought to Australia during and after WWI.

This well known truck modifier converts Fuso, Isuzu and Hino single-cab and crew-cab 4×4 trucks into bush-suitable vehicles with single tyres front and rear, and a wide choice of other options.

Japanese 4×4 trucks from Isuzu, Fuso and Hino have missed out on many of the dynamic safety initiatives that their 4×2 brethren enjoy. Also, there are glaring crew-safety issues with all Japanese 4WD truck crew cabs.

The volunteers who risk their lives and give up their time to defend life and property from disaster deserve our highest praise and long-postponed remuneration as well. The under-funded bushfire effort in this country is a national disgrace.

Scania is best known for its stylish on-highway vehicles, but the now VW-owned company has a rich history of off-road and military vehicles. The P450XT model is a case in point.

Mercedes-Benz has released its new-generation all-wheel drive truck range, consisting of 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 models. Mining, construction, remote maintenance, fertiliser spreading and off-road adventure travel are among the design applications for the new all-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz range.

Iveco is one of the world’s largest producers of off road vehicles, for civilian and military customers. The Eurocargo 4×4 is an all-terrain development of the 4×2 road-oriented medium truck range.

Unashamedly military in appearance the civilian version of the Mercedes-Benz Zetros range is aimed at the Australian mining, exploration and fire-fighting sectors. Allan Whiting had some fun slip-slidin’ away on bush tracks around a damp Anglesea.

Bus4x4 is a Brisbane-based secondary manufacturer of 4WD and 6WD mine transport vehicles. The company’s principal product lines are Toyota HiAce and Coaster 2WD buses that are professionally converted to 4WD. 

Although today’s utes and tray-backs look similar in configuration to those of the early 2000s there have been a dramatic changes under the skin. Yesterday’s ute-purchasing criteria no longer apply.

Where the previous Hino GT 1322 gave away important concessions to the Isuzu FTS/FSS, the new Hino GT 1528 leapfrogs them, offering performance and equipment advantages over the FTS, plus more payload capacity and an optional longer wheelbase model.

The latest Unimog looks familiar, but hides significant powertrain changes behind that rugged façade. Allan Whiting was the first Aussie journo to give the new beast a workout.