Newsletters - June 2010 (Combined Edition)

4WD SHOCK ABSORBER GUIDE

Questions regarding the ‘best’ shocks for your 4WD are much like asking, “What are the best tyres to fit?”, or “What is the best 4WD vehicle to buy?”

The answer is, “It all depends”. The main considerations should include your vehicle type, load-bearing, usage, budget and expectations.

Many 4WD shops and suspension sellers will recommend the same series of shock absorber, regardless of the vehicle type or application.

If you phone them and say you have a 1985 model leaf-sprung Suzuki Sierra, and you want new shocks, they would say, “Yes sir. We recommend and sell the ‘XYZABC’ shocks”.

If you phone them back and say you have a 2004 model 100-series Landcruiser with independent front suspension, and you want new shocks, they would say, “Yes sir. We recommend and sell the ‘XYZABC’ shocks”.

Hang up. Walk away.

At 4WD1, we have a great range of quality shocks, so that no matter what your needs are – we have the best application for your purposes.

The latest 4WD1 shock absorber application guide is easy to use and understand.

Above are a few images of what to expect. Shoot us an email at sales@4wd1.com to ask for your own copy.

Remember if you need a hand, we’re just a phone call away. The 4WD1 staff will give you the right advice. They are trained and helpful.

So when you need new shocks, contact us! We’re the crowd you’re looking for.

BARKER BOYS CUSTOM-GUIDE FEATURE

We’re excited to feature in this month’s issue of 4WD Custom Guide (no.28).

We had a great time the day of the shoot, meeting up with Earle Emmanuel and Evan Spence from the Express Media Group.

Grab a copy now (picture of a red Patrol on front cover) to read my Q&A which includes some great tips and an interesting story about a customer and a brown snake!

Check out our mugs above. Vote which Barker has the most hair! Let us know!

HOW TO GET A JOB IN THE 4WD INDUSTRY

Love all things 4WD? Wish you worked within the recreation you enjoy?

Here are a few tips to help get you there.

1) Passion is everything.

Passion gives you the energy and drive you need to be good at what you do. You can’t fake passion. You have mud in your blood or you don’t.

When you talk about what you are passionate about, it shows in way that you speak, your body language, the way you interpret things and the way you relate to people.

Good employers know this - so how is your passion evident?

A passion for all things 4WD evolves from being active in related ways. It might be the club you participate in, or the off-road events. It might be the rig you drive and the places you’ve traveled. It might be the things you have built (or modified), the off-road forum you administrate or in which you regularly participate, or the related website you’ve set up…….

If you are physically fit and healthy, an “arm-chair” perspective on your apparent 4x4 interest doesn’t really seem to make sense.

Be passionate, and just as importantly, learn how to articulate it.

2) Know stuff

Passionate people know stuff from what they observe, study, read and experience.

If you want to work in the 4WD industry, and you think that a snatch-strap some sort of theft device, you won’t be able to convince anyone that you’re for real.

As much as you have time and enjoy, read 4WD magazines, books and blogs. Go to events. Watch videos. Build or modify something. Offer to help someone on a project you are interested in (even if it’s just to make the coffee and be the apprentice).
Get into it. If you’re really keen, you won’t even realize that you’re learning.

Know stuff. Plus if you share what you know, you’ learn even more.

3) Be qualified for life.

Dead are the days when all you needed to work at a 4WD place, was to own a 4WD.

4wd-related businesses include manufacturers, importer/wholesalers, retailers, tourism, training and service providers. Entity types range from corporate multi-nationals and (more commonly) independent and family-owned businesses.

If you are a mechanic or fitter, don’t be the guy that did his apprenticeship in 1980 and hasn’t undertaken another course since. Even if you are eager to be on the tools, the automotive world changes as fast as any. Keep going to courses such as offered by http://www.iame.com.au/about_us.htm

Be the mechanic everyone looks to in order to solve the latest technical challenges.

If you are in sales, management, or accounting, be professionally qualified (on paper), whether it be tafe, university or private education as appropriate.

Traditionally, sales people have landed jobs for their combination of product knowledge and their apparent ‘gift of the gab’. However, in today’s climate, which includes tougher, better-educated and more demanding customers, it takes much more than that to sell effectively. You need to be a 4WD guy, plus a hardworking and dedicated sales professional at the same time.

Everything about any business function is increasingly complex. Stay part of the solution.

The masters of their crafts are also life-long students. Be the best you can be.

4) Be real.

Most 4WD-related businesses (small and large) are run by real people, working real hard, in the real world.

It should be no surprise then, that when it comes to employees; they are looking for people similar to themselves.

Immaculate presentation, experience or awards, don’t compensate for the real-deal test.

It’s hard to describe the real-deal formula, but in action, you’re the person in whom what-you-see-is-what-you-get. You are not pretentious, or a know-it-all. When you speak, you don’t need to double-detail everything you say, because people believe you - upfront.

Real-deal people have a certain look. You won’t see that quality advertised anywhere, but I’m essentially talking about authenticity. Enthusiastic, yet controlled. Confident, but not cocky. They can look people in the eye intently during conversation, and have the ability to listen. Their answers to questions are insightful, rather than rehearsed.

5) Create an interview. Create a job.

If there is a business in particular you would like to work for, and they are not hiring at present, or you are finding it difficult to introduce yourself properly, why not do your own interview or presentation- (just you and your video camera), and send it in.

Put it on CD with a cover letter and post it, as well as send a brief email, linking to your video interview which you have (say) hosted on You-Tube.

Firstly, you should earn interest from the business or company from the novelty of such a move.

Secondly, without any extra effort, you get to present yourself (virtually) face-to-face with the people from that company, and share and demonstrate your interest in them, and why they could be interested in you.

You need to prepare this carefully, and be that “real-deal” person I was talking about before.

If you have done some research and put some thought into the company’s needs, you may well create the thought “We need someone like that!”…. or at the very least, be in good stead for a future opportunity.

6) Use F-words.

If you are part of the interview process for your dream job (or you just need the job) and you’re sure your would-be employer is the ‘real-deal’, don’t be afraid to use the F-word.

Yes. Saying that you will work in with them for ‘FREE’ for a trial period (be one day or one week) does two things:

First, it helps remove some of the employers fear in taking you on. An employer can only learn so much about you from the interview process. If you offer to work for free no-strings-attached you remove a lot of the employers fear. They’ll have the opportunity to see you in action, how you approach your work, how you manage yourself, how you fit into the workplace culture. Your would-be employer has a lot of responsibilities and concerns just like you do. If you really want this job – it acts like a diffuser.

Secondly, above anyone else, you’ll appear unique. You’ll look serious about the job, and that you can put-your-money-where-you-mouth-is.

It don’t think that a good employer (for various reasons) will actually take you up on the offer in the same way you have presented it (a good one will pay you regardless). However, you will again have proven unique and practical in your approach to your work, and displayed more of the characteristics relevant to the 'real-deal' test.

THE PURE WATERS OF TASMANIA

My favourite ad on TV last year was for Boag’s Draught.

It’s a clever one that plays on experiencing the “pure waters of Tasmania”

An old bloke tells the story while picking out notes on his guitar – “The pure waters of Tasmania make everything a little bit better….”

In the first scene, a guy riding through a stream on his bicycle leaves the water riding a motorbike.

Then somebody launches their canoe off a wharf with a splash…. Rising to the surface is (not) the canoe, but a half-cabin cruiser.

A bloke cleaning fish drops his pocket knife into a stream. Reaching in to retrieve it, he pulls out Luke Skywalker’s light saber.

Crowds of people bring down crates of empty bottles to submerge them, and lift them out as fresh trays of Boag’s draught.

The old bloke telling the story describes how his father never wore the same pair of shoes twice.

Another guy pushes his girlfriend into the water!

Watch the ad right now before reading the rest of this story. Just click in the video.

After seeing the ad a few times, I was starting to feel inspired…

Imagine if you drove your old fourby into the water……..what new-look 4x4 would you drive out in?

An old bush-basher might get a new engine, or suspension or lockers!

When I talked to the guys at the office about it, John and Ray said. “Why don’t you take down a brand new 200 series Landcruiser” ….”Imagine what you would have when you drove it out of the water!...”

So that’s exactly what I did. I borrowed John Agostino’s (Tough Dog) Landcruiser, promising to bring it back in better condition that when I first received it.

I made arrangements to get it onto the Spirit of Tasmania, taking me from Port Melbourne across Bass Strait, arriving in Devonport.

After getting off the ferry, I drove west, heading to Dove Lake, a World Heritage area, and home of the spectacular Cradle Mountain. “It can’t get any better than that!” I thought..

The Tough Dog 200 series ‘cruiser got me there in no time. Enough though to anticipate what would be. The Tough Dog flagship vehicle was already a great machine. How to do improve on one of the best?

When I got to Dove Lake, no-one was to be seen. It was quiet and the water surface still.

I engaged low-range 4WD. My plan was to take the ‘cruiser into the water just above the axle line and see what happened. I was a long way from home, and with no-one around for miles I erred on the side of caution.

Entering the water seemed fine. All tyres kept traction, until suddenly the ‘cruiser 'dropped' free-fall style, placing the water-line half-way up the window glass, and beginning to stream into the cabin.

Panic-stricken, I floored the accelerator in an attempt to get out. The Toyota’s V8 howled and the tyres churned enough to make their own wake, destroying the remaining window vision I had left.

Not good.

Then, without understanding what or how it had happened, the Landcruiser (with me still inside it) was back on the shore of the Lake. The interior was completely soaked and a mess.

A CB radio microphone was draped across the dash as well as an old bushman’s hat.

The vehicle’s soaked interior now looked ‘old’. At the rear passenger foot wells, beer bottles ‘clinked’ together as they floated around like dead fish in a couple inches of water.

Funny thing was, I didn’t remember bringing any of that stuff with me.

I opened the door to step out. The door was stiff to push and the hinges creaked.

Turning around to look at the LandCruiser, intent on assessing the damage and thinking about how I would go about explaining it to John back at Tough Dog headquarters…. I stopped still and just stared – stunned.

I was now the driver of John Rooth’s HJ45 series Troopy (aka ‘Milo’). 4WD Action magazine’s celebrity journo’s vehicle. The old troop carrier was a star attraction in itself!

Sitting on a nearby log, I took some time to take in everything that had happened.

The ‘pure waters of Tasmania’ were meant to make everything a little bit better!

A guy drops his pocket knife in and pulls out a Light Saber. I drive in with a new 200-series Landcruiser and drive out with Roothy’s troopy!

Then it occurred to me. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad deal after all. Old Milo has conquered just about every rugged inch of Australia without a hitch. She’s had more exterior work than the audience at the Hollywood Globes, plus high-ground clearance, a solid-axle front-end, and just about every conceivable touring and bush-driving equipment that you could want.

The old Toyota is not flash, but for the serious off-roader, what more could you ask for?

When I got Milo back to Tough Dog headquarters, Agostino and me didn’t really see eye-to-eye.

I had taken his flagship vehicle, with its mirror-image black paintwork and paw-print graphics, and brought back a shed-painted troopy more than 30 years its senior.

I tried to explain to John, the same conclusions I had come to – and how it could be even better if he replaced the suspension with Tough Dog springs and shocks….. but to no avail.

A few weeks later, I checked on him to see how it was all going. At last he’s seen the light, and old Milo’s never ridden better.

3" TOUGH DOG SHOCKS FOR NISSAN PATROL

For Patrol owners riding on suspension up a little more than the traditional 50mm lift, the latest shock application from Tough Dog could be the way to go.

These new, genuinely longer-travel shock absorbers suit coil-sprung Nissan Patrol vehicles with a suspension lift height around 75mm.

The front shocks measure 555mm extended to 330mm closed (measured base of pin to base of pin)

The rear shocks measure 685mm extended to 420mm closed (measured centre of eye to centre of eye)

Other features include foam-cell construction, heavy-duty bushes and locating washers, a beefy 41mm internal bore, plus a 2-year/40,000km warranty.

Most people with a 3” suspension kit under their Patrol are running shocks specified to suit 0-2” lift. The thinking is… “an extra inch can’t hurt”…

What they may not realise is that these 0-2” type shocks (almost any brand) are based on the original shock travel lengths.

If your suspension is jacked 3 inches, you may really be at the upper level of compromise with regard to shock movement. This can result in limited off-road wheel-travel, traction and shock absorber life.

Cost of the Tough Dog 3” shocks is $160 each. Delivery within Australia is free by insured post.

Ordering online is easy at www.4wd1.com

GQ owners click here

GU owners click here

Or, feel free to phone, fax or email order.

MORE TOUGH DOG…..

Speaking of Tough Dog, once again 4WD1 is Numero Uno.

Above, John Agostino (left) presents a golden Tough Dog shock to John Barker (centre) and me, Kirk Barker, (right). John Agostino said, “The amazing results achieved by 4WD1 prove that dedication, knowledge, professionalism and great customer service is what today’s customers appreciate”.

Much of our success with Tough Dog in Australia is due to the high-quality, heavy-duty shock absorbers and suspension components that the company manufactures.. Gone are the days when you could offer a one-type-suits-all shock absorber application, regardless of the vehicle type or customer need.

With four radically different shock absorber design concepts, totaling more than 450 individual part numbers,Tough Dog’s shock absorber range 'collars' the competition.

To purchase Tough Dog products, go to www.4WD1.com or phone 4WD1 at 02-96342238.

MORE (MORE) TOUGH DOG…..

Last week, I swapped the JK with Simon Vella's "Tough Dog" Triton for some mutual R&D. While we were at it, we took these pics... The Vella Triton is great, but I insisted to Simon that the swap is just a temporary one!

Bella Vella!

RUGGED RIDGE LIGHT BAR FOR JK WRANGLER

This light-bar is hot. Beefy 50mm tubing finished in textured black attaches to your Jeep’s windshield mounts without drilling.

The bar hugs the contour of your JK's frame providing a great custom-look and does not interfere with the use of your hard/soft top.

An integrated wind deflector dramatically reduces the potential for whistling and buffeting. There are five light tabs for use with Rugged Ridge Lighting options (or any light up to 7” diameter).

Suits all JK Wrangler models from 2007-on. To get yours, click here.

Q&A WITH GERRY HILL OF RWV CONVERSIONS

Co-owner Mark Jones with Gerry Hill (right)

Q: What is your main role at Trinity Smash/ RWV Conversions? How long have you been with the company?

A: Owner 15 years

Q: You guys have a great reputation for the work that you do – How did you start out and then become involved in motor vehicle conversions?

A: We did a conversion on an old 60 series Landcruiser wagon for a friend of ours and it went on from there.

Q: In converting a 4WD wagon into a dual-cab ute, what are some of the considerations from a technical perspective?

A: The main point is that the 4WD must have a chassis.

Q: What (generally speaking) makes the difference between a first-class professional conversion job, and a ‘cowboy’ one?

A: Detail to the finished panel and paint work to give a factory look. We have a modern workshop, full downdraft spray booth, we use top quality paint Glasurit, we have the latest migs and plasma cutters, Dataliner drive on body straightening machine. Most importantly we have staff that are fully qualified and are conscious of the standard of the finished product.

Q: What is your favorite 4WD vehicle conversion and why?

A: Chassis extended 800mm, 2.2m tray on a Toyota Landcruiser or Nissan Patrol with a boat rack on the tray for a 12ft dingy and 15hp outboard. Room in the tray for 120 ltr fridge, room in the car for 3 people or more. You can go bush for a week and not have to tow a trailer.

Q: No expense spared, what would be your 'dream' 4WD?

A: Latest Lexus 5.7 V8. We are in the process of doing a job like this one for Mal Vlsca the owner of Cairns Steel Works. I have included a picture of it.

Q: What is the best off-road destination you have been to, and where else would you love to go?

A: Usual visit spots are past Cooktown up to the Staten River, Cape Melville, Bathurst Head out to Kalpower, Normanby River and Lakefield National Park.

Q: What is your favorite beer and camp-cooked meal?

A: XXXX Gold, and Cheripin (fresh water prawns) entrée and Barra or Margrove Jack main course.

Q: What is the best part about your job, and what is the hardest?

A: Best part – People enjoying the vehicles we convert and the stories of their trips. Hardest part - Getting jobs completed and out on the road, as customers are busting to use their vehicles.

Q: What other things are you interested in? (Sports, hobbies, music - anything?)

A: Spear fishing, line fishing, shooting & watching rugby league.

Before Tough Dog Suspension fitted (above)

After Tough Dog Suspension fitted (above)

Check these rear shock guards fabricated by Mark Jones (above)

Unique Tough Dog 45mm-bore adjustable struts eat corrugated roads for breakfast (above)

Rear-end suspension - Tough Dog coils with 45mm-bore adjustable shocks (above)

FOR SALE

The mighty 4WD1 TJ Jeep Wrangler is for sale.

eyeball below. For full details click here.

IFS 100 SUSPENSION KIT INSTALL

Before suspension fitted (above)

After suspension fitted (above)

Before suspension fitted (above)

After suspension fitted (above)

The good stuff (above)

Front shock comparo. Tough Dog 41mm bore foam-cell shocks 
make other brands look weak (above)

Never upset your dentist (above)

Increasing the opening of the rear bump-stop mounting plate (above)

Getting ready to install the Firestone airbag/Tough Dog coil spring combo (above)

Feeding the Firestone airline through the hole in the rear bump-stop mounting plate (above)

Inserting the airline to the airbag. Note the recess-design protection spacer (above)

Everything in place (above)

Rockcrawler torsion bars provide a much better ride - not a harsher one (above)

Getting ready for the torsion bar/wishbone mount strengthening brackets (above)

Got any blacker? (above)

Mechanic Ian's favourite part (above)

This part of the job done (above)

Air-valves for airbags (above)

Finished job (above & below)

STICKERS

If you own a set of Rancho shocks (or aspire to) and would like to refresh their appearance – these new decals from 4WD1 look and stick great.

Measuring 210mm x 50mm and UV-stable, these Rancho-logo stickers can make your shocks look new again (makes a great rear-window sticker too).

Shoot us an email at sales@4wd1.com including your name and postal address asking for the stickers. If you live in Australia, we’ll send you five of them gratis.

AIRBAG SOLUTIONS

Despite advances in coil and leaf spring design, comfort-ride suspensions can’t carry heavy loads, and heavy-duty springs ride rough when the vehicle is unloaded.

Airbags allow you to tune your suspensions under all load and road conditions.

Simply add air for towing or heavy loads. Provides a great ride loaded or unloaded.

Easy installation. Use with your factory suspension as a stand-alone solution, or as part of our integrated raised-height suspension systems.

We only sell genuine Firestone airbags, so get your gear from us.

Visit http://www.4wd1.com/Airbag-Man.htm or shop-by-vehicle here.

MEET BRUCE POOLE COOL

(Question): Hi Bruce! Thanks for meeting with us. What is your main role at Ateco Automotive? How long have you been with the company?

(Answer): National sales manager, going on 23 years employment with Ateco!

(Question): At 4WD1, we’ve always found doing business with you a first-class experience. You know your stuff. There’s never a hassle, and you could probably pull-down and rebuild a Warn winch blind-folded…. How did you first get involved with Ateco, as well as develop such an in-depth understanding of the products.

(Answer): Employed by Ateco back in 1988 to set up machine shop facility to manufacture 24,000lb truck winches for military contracts. My back ground as a fitter/toolmaker, with experience in transport hydraulics has made it easier for me to understand products and applications. Progressed from workshop, sales representative, into current management position.

(Question): Over the past decade, the Australia marketplace has seen boat-loads of cheap electric winches imported from China. From your experience, what (generally speaking) is the difference between much of the cheap Chinese product and the more expensive Warn winches?

(Answer): Questionable quality in much of the really cheap product is reflected in the price. Warns quality and manufacturing standards are consistent. Warn has set these standards in the market that the others are trying to follow.

(Question): What decision factors are best kept in mind when it comes to selecting and purchasing a new electric self-recovery winch?

(Answer): Purchasing from a known, reputable supplier who understands your winch recovery requirements and can offer long term product support. As Warn has been distributed in Australia by Ateco for over 40 years, product support is a given.

(Question): What is your favourite Warn product?

(Answer): Warns 9.5 XDC

(Question): One of your own ‘drives’, is a great example of a 1960’s Mustang. I know hot-rods, and early Mustangs are something you have a real passion for. What other things are you interested in? (Sports, hobbies, music - anything?)

(Answer): Drag racing, cars and boats. Rugby union & league. Music that rocks, old and new.

(Question): No expense spared, what would be your 'dream' 4WD?

(Answer): Would be happy with a fully turned out '80 series turbo diesel.

(Question): What is the best off-road destination you have been to, and where else would you love to go?

(Answer): Cape York (been too). Fraser Island (love to go)

(Question): What is your favorite beer and camp-cooked meal?

(Answer): Prefer Tooheys Draught, but happy with whatever’s going. Meals, no real favourites - all good!

(Question): What is the best part about your job at Ateco Automotive, and what is the hardest?

(Answer): Best, hearing from dealers/customers that are happy. Hardest, thankfully rarely, dealers/ customers that are never satisfied.

EXTENDED SWAY BAR LINKS

Available for Patrol and Landcruiser with raised-height suspension lifts between 100 &150mm. These extended-length sway-bar links may assist in better handling as well as off-road wheel travel.

80 series owners – click here
105 series owners – click here
GQ Patrol owners – click here
GU Patrol owners – click here