We just love this ‘classic’ leather tool bag from Gunsons. If you have a classic Land Rover, or similar older 4×4, this has to be one of your accessories. The bag has an approximate size of 150 x 145 x 380mm and it is made from heavy duty leather with stitched and metal riveted seams. The bag is secured with three straps and high quality buckles and includes an adjustable shoulder strap. It seems the guys at Gunson’s also have matching leather spanner rolls, but we certainly like the look of the bag. It’s good quality leather, so it’s not cheap and has a typical price of £72.55. Check different suppliers for the best deal.
Website: www.gunson.co.uk
There is now a new range of Warn slings and hooks available from the 4×4 experts Arbil. The new Warn Premium winch hook is coated with something called Cerakote, which is said to provide maximum protection and reliability against wear and abrasion. The hook is available in three varieties, for 18,000Ib capacity winches and under, for 12,000Ib capacity winches and under and for 5000Ib capacity winches and under, and these retail at £75, £58 and £39 inc VAT respectively. We think they look excellent, and smiled when we also learned that, “the hooks have also been uniquely designed with a built-in beverage opener” – an essential for any off-road trip! Warn also has a new Pullzall sling is capable of lifting some 1000lb (454kg). If you want to know more, Warn is available through the UK exclusive distributor Arbil 4×4. Do remember to tell them that you read about it here first.
Bob Cooke – contributor
I wouldn’t have known there was a problem until I drove the Cherokee over one of those ridiculous speed bumps on the way to the supermarket. The noise from the back wasn’t the usual thump caused by the tool box bouncing in the boot, it was a definitely sharper bang, and it happened again as I drove over the next speed bump. My initial suspicion was a failed damper, though even that was surprising since the dampers are little more than a year and a half old, having been fitted at the same time as the heavy duty springs went on, and although I do use the truck off-road I don’t treat it harshly enough to ruin a set of dampers that quickly. So, once the rain had stopped I got underneath and had a look, to find that the dampers all seemed secure. The spring, however, wasn’t. The bolt holding the rear of the nearside leaf spring to the hanger had fallen out, allowing the rear of the spring to crash upwards directly against the chassis rail, hence the loud bang every time I bounced it over a hump.
Nigel Fryatt – editor
EVEN the most cautious and careful driver can have an ‘incident’ when driving off-road. It’s one of those activities that you shouldn’t do, if you are not prepared for the consequences that might involve some damaged metal (or plastic), since it’s not always just your pride that gets dented.
Now in its 35th year of production, little has changed with the Mercedes-Benz G-Class – apart from the name. To most off-roaders, this venerable 4×4 will always be known as the G-Wagen, or Geländewagen; simply translated that’s all-terrain vehicle. Now it’s simply the G-Class, to match the full Mercedes range.
Hils Everitt – Editor at Large
If, like us, laying on a beach for a week for your hols sounds about as interesting as doing your tax return, then read on. There has been much hype of late about doing a ‘staycation’ in the UK and we’re all for that – albeit for a day trip, short break or longer – even better if it’s combined with your hobby. And we’re pleased to reveal that there are some fantastic opportunities out there to get mud-splattered to your heart’s content doing 4×4 driving courses in your own vehicle or in ones that are supplied on a whole variety of terrain. But if you fancy something just that little bit different and are up for a challenge, why not try piloting a hovercraft, have a go at tank driving or quad biking? We’ve put together a wide selection to cater for all tastes and levels, so we’d suggest go make yourself a brew, kick back and get inspired from this selection.
There have been a few miles clocked up this month chasing features; but for once, some of those off-road miles have been in great comfort!
Robert Pepper
This is the last instalment of Our 4X4s from me about our Discovery 3, because it’s presently for sale. We’re replacing it with something quite different to the Discovery and why we’ve done that will be the subject of a forthcoming feature article. But with the Discovery passing from our lives it’s time to summarise the overall experience, which began back in 2005 when I first tested a D3. And I was hugely impressed, describing the car as a “traction bloodhound” while on-road capability was likened to a “skilled but obese ballerina”. I also did a 10-vehicle seven-seater comparison test and the D3 won that too. Even today a 2005 Discovery 3 can hold its head up high with 2014-spec competitors, let alone the very latest D4 which is improved in many, and significant ways from the headline-grabbing engine down to the front suspension design. The beauty of the D3/D4 is that it does so much, so well – towcar, towncar, off-roader, tourer, driver’s car, overlander. That’s why we bought it, as we needed a car that could do the school run on Friday and go across Australia on Saturday.
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