We embark on a treacherous journey from garage to track every time we ride. That journey is littered with devastating obstacles like potholes, rickety bridges, wild river crossings and inquisitive wildlife.
Hopefully PETA activitists aren’t reading this because I think our work vehicle is a wildlife magnet. Kangaroos and wombats love running up to take a closer look at our headlights. After destroying several plastic bumpers and aluminium sidesteps on the work ute we decided it was time we bolstered our defences.
I don’t know much about four-wheel-driving so I didn’t really know where to look. Fortunately, AFN 4×4 Australia advertise in ADB, so I gave them a call and negotiated a deal on some of their best gear.
They sent through a contoured bullbar, side steps, a skid plate and a rear bar equipped with tow hitch and wiring harness. The steel bullbar wraps the Mitsubishi Triton’s front-end without protruding above the bonnet or out the side. It still provides excellent protection but also makes parking in our city-based headquarters easy. I like the way it lifts up and follows the Triton’s body shape on the sides.
The bullbar is powder-coated black. It replaces the plastic bumper and comes with recovery points, dual antenna mounts, space for a winch, hi-lift jack points, fog and indicator lights.
The skidplate is made from 6mm thick alloy and protects the sump, transfer case, gearbox and fuel tank. It also helps wombats skip straight under!
As for the rear step, it wraps around he side of the tub which is handy for protection but also allows us to stand on it when adjusting bikes and straps in the rear. It has checker plate steps for grip, more recovery points and of course hi-lift jack points. It’s a similar story for the side steps.
We’ve had no dramas with the protection, the functionality allows us to climb all over the Triton and we think it looks tough. Stay tuned for a more detailed report after a little more dusk driving. Editor MItch Lees
GET IT HERE
Bullbar: $2250
Side steps: $950
Rear step: $1400
Under body protection: $1505
Browser: afn4x4.com.au
Blower: 1300 236 494
