One of the many advantages of owning a 4×4 is the amount of space it offers for carrying cargo. Few other vehicles provide such load-lugging capacity, and it’s important to make the best of it. A storage solution can help you organise your load. We check out the options available

Focus on… N&J Aluminium Linings

Lancashire-based N&J Aluminium Linings specialises in producing hardwearing chequerplate products for pick-ups and Land Rovers. Its range includes the dog guard and drawer solution you see in the photograph – which is ideal for gundog enthusiasts or farmers.

N&J’s range isn’t just aimed at working vehicles, however. It sells a kennel that can be made to fit any 4×4 loadbed and provide accommodation for any breed of dog. It also offers aluminium storage boxes, pick-up loading bay covers and ladder racks.

All N&J Aluminium products can be fabricated to suit the particular needs of a customer. That means they are purpose-built, and guaranteed to be made to the highest standards. It also means that pricing varies – but you should budget around £350 for an aluminium storage box, designed to fit in the rear of your vehicle.

For a mix of off- and on-road driving, the Cooper Discoverer ATR is an ideal choice. Cooper tyres are renowned for their hardwearing construction and the ATR provides a good grip in the rough stuff, while maintaining a refined drive on asphalt.

With a 60-40 split between on- and off-road use, the ATR is perfect for a daily driver that makes weekend forays off-road. It’s available online from Tyrespec, which is the only Cooper Tire online retailer in the UK. www.tyrespec.co.uk

Nimbus Motorsport has just launched this deep cycle battery charger, designed to bring new life to worn-out batteries. The Save-A-Battery Charger features easy-to-connect cables with gold connectors. It can be mounted on the wall of a workshop or in a vehicle and delivers a restorative charge that rejuvenates even the weariest battery.

Priced at £109.96, including VAT, the charger is lightweight
and compact and will make a good addition to any classic 4×4 owner’s workshop. www.nimbusmotorsport.com

Green High Performance Air Filters is now offering a direct replacement air filter for Mk1 Land Rover Defender V8 models. The cotton filter offers enhanced power, greater protection and a longer life when compared to the original paper element filter.

Provided it is cleaned regularly, the filter can be re-used, meaning it should last well into the future. The cotton element is constructed from tightly interwoven fabric, ensuring strength and longevity. And with stainless steel reinforcement, it is resistant to damage or collapse.

The filter costs £47.60 including VAT and is identified by the following part number: R760022. www.autoinparts.com

Burnside Telecom has teamed up with GAI-Tronics to release a range of rugged GSM-enabled telephones for use outdoors. The phones utilise wireless technology, making them ideal for temporary use at off-road events in the back of beyond.

The ‘phones are also ideal for use in workshop environments, because their hardy construction ensures they are capable of standing up to tough use. And, because the ‘phones don’t need to be wired into a landline, they can be installed quickly and with a minimum of fuss. www.burnsidetelecom.com

With Volkswagen’s Amorak about to arrive in UK showrooms, Fox Exhausts has developed a bespoke exhaust system for the all-new pick-up.

The aftermarket exhaust system is available with side- or rear-exiting pipework, and Fox claims it will improve power output by 8bhp. It will also deliver an extra 13lb ft of torque.

Spruce up your Range Rover Sport with Brown and Gleeson’s stainless steel grille kits. The aftermarket styling specialist offers two grille kits – one with a fully-woven mesh design, and the other with a billet surround and mesh centre.

The kits are easily installed and are hand-polished to give a bright mirror finish. Prices are £153.18 for the mesh component and £194.03 for the billet surround. www.b-gdirect.com

Extreme 4×4 now stocks the Champion 9500SD winch – a narrow drum version of the bestselling 9500EWX. The winch is perfect for 4×4 owners who have limited mounting space on their truck as it is just 437mm wide.

The five horsepower motor delivers 9500lb of pulling power and the winch features heavy-duty waterproof contactors as well as steel planetary gearing.

The 9500SD retails for £336 including VAT. For optional synthetic rope, an alloy fairlead and a competition hook – such as those fitted to the winch in the picture – add another £119.98.
www.extreme4x4.co.uk

When it comes to extreme off-roading, it pays to have a winch installed on your vehicle. But with so many to choose from, which one is right for you? We give you a guide to the options

Focus on… Winch Solutions

As Europe’s only licensed importer of Champion winches, Winch Solutions is an important supplier of winch equipment to UK off-road enthusiasts. The company has a range of distributors around the country (details are available on its website), meaning you can get your hands on its products wherever you are located.

Champion winches are available as electric and hydraulic variants, and they have pull ratings of between 2000lb and 30,000lb. It’s an extensive range, in other words, which ensures there should be something to keep every customer happy.
Prices vary depending on specification, but a basic electric winch can be purchased for as little at £226.  

www.winchsolutions.co.uk

If you want to free seized-up parts on your vehicle, Forte’s Rust Penetrant may be the answer. It loosens rusted and corroded metal, as well as lubricating moving parts, making them easier to manipulate.

Forte Rust Penetrant contains a non-stick substance that helps displace moisture and forms a temporary anti-corrosive coating on metal objects. When sprayed directly onto a metal component, it will penetrate the surface and immediately set to work.

Forte products are not sold to retail customers. But with a network of over 9000 garages using its products across the UK, there’s a fair chance your local mechanic will be able to get hold of some to use on your vehicle. www.forteuk.co.uk