We first took delivery of these boots in May 2010, and they’ve been put to rigorous use since. The pre-Christmas freeze sent us out into the great outdoors more regularly than most – that’s part of the fun of owning a 4×4. And the robust Meindl boots were perfect for wading through deep snow without falling over, even though they are officially only intended for ‘three-season’ wear.
A stroke of cold weather genius from Mud-UK comes in the form of the DefenderVENT. This is an injection moulded replacement for the standard windscreen demister vents on a Land Rover Defender. It features an additional vent on the side, which blows warm air against the front windows to help keep them mist-free.
DefenderVENTs are easily fitted, and a set of two, with various hoses and clips needed to complete the installation, costs £130. www.mudstuff.co.uk
The VAT rise in January has hit us all, but diesel tuning specialist Tunit has some heart warming news. It has announced that it is holding VAT at 17.5 per cent until the end of January – saving customers who order a chip for their 4×4 in that period 2.5 per cent on the purchase price.
Tunit offers a range of performance enhancements for your SUV, which help improve economy and deliver more grunt. Fuel consumption can improve by up to 10 per cent with a Tunit power upgrade, and CO2 emissions can reduce by over a quarter.
So if you’re in the market for a cash-saving bit of kit, check out the Tunit website before the end of January. You might just save yourself a few extra quid… www.tunit.com
Garmin has added 300 new mobile speed camera zones to its coverage of the Republic of Ireland. So if you’re planning a trip to the Emerald Isle, a Garmin sat nav might be just the ticket – to save you getting a, err, ticket.
Garmin’s range is extensive, so there should be something for everyone. All Garmin GPS systems are loaded with speed camera information for the UK and Ireland. Better still, the data is regularly updated.
This range of portable chargers for electronic devices has just been introduced by Devon 4×4. Manufactured by Powertraveller, the chargers provide instant power, regardless of your location.
Powertraveller equipment is designed to military specifications and tested in some of the world’s harshest places. It provides power for a range of appliances – from iPods to laptops. There’s even one that can recharge a car battery. These are serious bits of kit, perfect for overland adventurers and anyone who is frequently on the move in their 4×4.
Prices start from £25; visit www.devon4x4.com for more details.
Here’s a useful piece of gear for your truck: a hands-free kit for use with your Bluetooth mobile phone, which also enables you to play music through your 4×4’s stereo. The Jabra Cruiser2 is a neat little black box, which clips handily to the inside of your vehicle’s sun visor.
It’s easily set up – our test product was coordinated with a Blackberry in seconds, and facilitated easy conversations on the move. The speaker is clear, despite its compact dimensions, and a simple tap of the unit enables you to answer and terminate calls.
Pick-up owners will be interested to learn that Proppa has become the sole UK distributor of Sammitr SMM hardtops. The rugged tops are manufactured out of galvanised steel, making them as strong as a car body. They are coated with a 0.8mm anti-rust treatment and are painted to an exceptionally high standard.
The SMM canopies are renowned for their strength, durability and safety. They are also deceptively light, making them a good choice for people who want to keep their pick-up’s weight to a minimum.
SMM hardtops are available to suit vehicles from most mainstream pick-up manufacturers, including Ford, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota. A range of colours is available. www.proppa.com
Freelander 1 owners can now order a bespoke panel filter for their Td4 engines, to improve performance and throttle response. The filter is available from induction specialist Pipercross and is a direct replacement for the OEM part. Improved airflow is key to deriving the best possible performance from a diesel engine – and this is where the Pipercross filter comes into its own. Manufactured from multi-layered foam, the filter is reported to improve airflow by a factor of around 30 per cent.
That equates to a significant boost in liveliness – something that many Td4 owners will feel is a welcome change.
The filter costs £34.85 and an equivalent component is available for puma-engine Defenders as well. www.pipercross.com
Winter is by far the most challenging season for UK motorists. Snow is a regular feature of our weather patterns, and even when the white stuff doesn’t fall, it pays to be prepared for the big chill. We find out how 4×4 owners can get ready for the cold season…
FOCUS ON… WINTER TYRES
Winter tyres can provide an effective means of dealing with the challenges of driving on frozen tarmac. Those 4x4s fitted with mud terrain tyres often struggle on such a surface, because there is less of the rubber to keep in contact with the ground. So if you want to be certain of keeping your grip on proceedings on wintry roads, consider fitting a set of winter tyres for the coldest months. And if you want to go really extreme, you might look out for studded tyres, such as are commonplace in Nordic countries like Finland and Sweden.
Goodyear offers a proven winter tyre in the form of its UltraGrip 7+. Voted ‘Best Cold Weather Tyre’ by the motoring press the tyre is designed to maximise grip on icy and slippery roads.
Continental also offers a range of winter tyres, which have recently been approved by Land Rover for official supply on its Freelander 2 and Range Rover Sport. The ContiCrossContact Winter is a good choice if you need to maximise grip in the white stuff.
www.4Site4x4.co.uk – 0870 1129314
Make gunk a thing of the past with this Gunson Ultrasonic Cleaner.
Ideal for small industrial parts like threads, electrical items and carburettors, the cleaner has a capacity of 660ml and a three-minute timer. Pop your mucky engine part into the cleaner and sit back while it does the rest.
Priced at £79.99, the cleaner is also suitable for gold and silver items. www.gunson.co.uk.
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