The Top 4WD accessories for your vehicle

Many vehicles are somewhat capable of off-road adventures straight from the showroom floor.

So what are some of the first upgrades you should make to your 4WD or SUV to make it more capable, more durable and more fun?

Tyres & Wheels

Nearly every 4WD you see on the road will have replaced the OE tyres and opted for a different type of tyre. The tyres that were originally fitted to your vehicle were chosen to be a good fit to the typical owner and were more than likely tyres designed for mainly on-road use.

There are various reasons why enthusiasts will upgrade their tyres:

Improved off-road performance

If you frequently take your vehicle on trails that involve challenging terrain, such as rocks, mud, sand, and steep hills, upgraded tyres can offer better grip and durability.

Increased clearance

Since you’re already looking at new tyres, opting for larger diameter tyres can provide additional ground clearance, giving your vehicle better approach, rampover and departure angles.

Stability & Flotation

Wider tyres with larger contact patches can provide better stability and spread the vehicle weight out over a larger area. This is beneficial for soft surfaces such as sand and mud.

Appearance

A great set of mud terrains just looks tough, and you’re not less of a person for admitting that sometimes form is allowed to take a front seat over function. Some 4WD enthusiasts upgrade their tyres purely for aesthetic reasons, but if you have a chat with the team at Marx Forster Tyres & Mechanical we can give you a variety of tyre options that will meet your needs.

Overall, upgrading tyres can provide a range of benefits for 4WD enthusiasts, allowing them to explore more challenging terrain, improve their vehicle's performance, and enhance its appearance.

Lighting

The lighting that comes standard on many vehicles is often limited to what’s required by road regulations and little more, however 4WD owners often add extra lighting to their vehicles for safety, convenience or just cool factor.

Improved visibility

Adding aftermarket lighting gives you the ability to take on trails in low-light conditions, such as at night, foggy and dusty environments with more confidence.

Extra lighting can provide improved visibility. Forward facing lights can light up the road ahead, providing extra warning of obstacles, dangers, trail features, wildlife and more.

Typically, added lighting is more effective than the standard high-beam headlight function built into the vehicle.

Convenience

There is lighting you can add to your vehicle that isn’t just for use while driving. Extra lighting down the side or rear of your vehicle comes in handy when setting up camp, especially when combined with an awning or rear drawer kits.

Aesthetics: Some 4WD enthusiasts add extra lighting purely for aesthetic reasons, as it can give their vehicle a more aggressive or distinctive look. Wheel well lights also come in handy for crawling over rocks and obstacles

Off-road tyres: They provide better traction and grip on uneven or slippery surfaces, which is essential when driving off-road.

Lift Kits: They raise the height of the vehicle, providing more ground clearance, allowing you to navigate rough terrain without damaging the underside of the vehicle.

Winch: It can be a lifesaver when you get stuck in mud or sand. It allows you to pull your vehicle out of tricky situations, such as getting stuck in deep mud or snow.

Roof racks: They provide additional storage space for carrying extra gear, such as camping equipment or sports gear, which is particularly useful on longer trips. They can also help free up space inside the vehicle, making it more comfortable for passengers.

Suspension

Modifications and upgrades to your suspension is another way to increase your vehicle's capabilities

Lift Kits

Probably the first thing people think of when it comes to modifying their vehicles. The goal of a lift kit is to increase the height of the vehicle, providing more ground clearance to navigate rough terrain.

Shock, Struts and Springs

Factory shock absorbers are designed to work well with the factory suspension. Once you start modifying your vehicle, it’s important to ensure your shock absorbers are going to keep up with the demands.

In particular, adding hundreds of kilograms worth of aftermarket accessories can see factory suspension overloaded and underperforming.

Overall, upgrading your suspension can improve off-road performance and handling. Suspension upgrades can also increase the vehicle's ability to carry heavy loads or tow trailers, making aftermarket suspension a popular upgrade among off-road enthusiasts.

Vehicle Protection Upgrades

Depending on the tracks you want to tackle, it’s possible and even likely that some parts of your vehicle could be damaged. Off-road trails that involve rocks, mud, sticks, branches, and more all have the potential to cause damage, which is why many 4WD owners upgrade their vehicles with aftermarket accessories designed to improve the durability of their cars.

Bullbars

Everyone knows what a bullbar is. Aside from looking cool, they offer an extra layer of protection against minor indiscretions off road. Many bullbar designs also allow for a sturdy location to mount a winch, which can come in handy if you’re ever in need of a recovery or helping someone else.

Aside from bar-work at the front, it’s possible to get replacement rear bumpers and rock sliders for the sides of your vehicle. These absorb the brunt of scrapes, knocks and slips, saving your bodywork.

Skid Plates & Underbody Armour

Since we mentioned rock sliders, it’s important to mention skid plates. These are metal plates that bolt to the underside of your vehicle and aim to protect sensitive components such as transfer cases, transmissions, differentials and driveshafts.

Many of these components are essential for getting you home, so giving them some extra protection makes sense if you’re hitting up some of the rougher tracks.

Snorkels

If you’re planning on driving in either very wet, or very dry environments, consider a snorkel. While they’re traditionally thought of as helping with water crossings, lifting the intake point of the vehicle higher will help keep your air filter cleaner in extremely dusty conditions.

Flares

All terrain and mud terrain tyres that are designed with shoulders that can throw extra mud, dirt, rocks and more at your paint. Fender flares will provide a bit of additional protection to your bodywork.

4X4 ACCESSORIES WITH MARX FORSTER

Marx Forster Tyres & Mechanical supplies and installs a great range of aftermarket accessories for your 4WD. Our range of 4WD accessories includes bullbars, tow packages, roof racks and more to suit most makes and models.

Our experienced technicians offer professional installations to those in Tuncurry, Wallis Lake, Green Point and Pacific Palms, and will ensure that your 4WD accessories are fitted to the highest standard.

If you are looking for accessories for your 4WD, including bull-bars, front and rear bumpers, battery monitors and gauges and cruise control systems, look no further than Marx Forster Tyres & Mechanical.

Give us a call on 02 6555 3300 or come in and see us at Corner Boundary St and Harbord Crt, Forster to discuss your 4WD accessory needs today.