1999 4WD Field Day

The 1999 4WD Field Day (Wandin, Victoria 21/2/1999) was bigger than ever with public parking to the right of the entrance and an enlarged commercial exhibitors area.

All the major car and equipment manufacturers were represented and offering tantalizing Field-Day discounts. ARB (left) have started manufacturing a new line of their own canopies, and had examples to fit the 1998 Toyota crew-cab Hilux and other 4x4s.

Also on their Field Day stand, a roof rack to suit the gutterless Toyota LandCruiser 100-series.

Kaymar also had a roof rack (au$900) for the 100-series 'cruiser and neat little brackets at $50/pair to hold Hi-Lift jack and shovel.

TJM have started assembling hydraulic winches driven off the power steering pump. Similar units have been available in the USA but this seems to be a first locally. The 3600kg (8000lb) capacity winch costs au$1600, and the 4500kg (10,000lb) capacity unit $1750. The hose kit is $160. In many ways, hydraulic winches are the Rolls Royces of winches.

TJM also have a new line of `XGS' heavy duty shock absorbers at $135 each, with 50% more fluid capacity than before and specific valving for each make of vehicle.

Land Rover buffs might have hoped to see the new 1999 model-year Discovery, but that is predicted to show up at next week's Motor Show.

However, there was a Land Rover Defender Td5 with the new 5-cylinder diesel engine, as fitted to the new Discovery.

Ritters specialise in "improving" Land Rover products; that's a couple elevated on the ramps, right. Apparently gas conversions (as in not-petrol) of the Range Rover HSE are selling quite well. (And I always thought that if you could afford an HSE economy wasn't an issue!)

They are also masters of the 3.5/ 3.9/ 4.2/ 4.7 litre engine conversion and reconditioning, also strengthened transfer-cases and other modifications. They have Detroit True Trac limited slip diff's for Rangies at $1150 ($au) installed.

McNamara differentials now have a diff' lock to suit the Toyota LandCruiser (70/ 80/ 100) that has internal locking teeth but an external actuator, as fitted to Roger Smith's Range Rover (below). The LandCruiser unit costs $1450, +500 if fitted. They are also doing CV-joint conversions for Range Rovers, using Hilux sourced parts which are integral with the axles rather than splined to them.

Left: Roger Smith's 1981 Range Rover fresh from winning the 1998 Malaysian Monsoon Challenge. In 1996 he came 3rd, in 1997 2nd, so the victory is a well deserved reward for a lot of hard work.

4wd.sofcom.com/News/1999/990221.FieldDay.html

Many organisations also put on displays: Above we have some of the 4x4 and 6x6 Perentie vehicles of the Australian Army.

The Field Day is put on by members of the Land Rover Club of Victoria who go to a great deal of effort to put on a fabulous show.

(That's a Haflinger right.)

Left: The Victorian Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs' stand (see [clubs]), also housing the Australian National Four Wheel Drive Radio Network (AN4WDRN) giving practical advice on outback communications.

The latest in 4WD equipment and accessories for all makes and models The latest in camping gear Over 120 commercial exhibitors with Field Day specials 4WD Clubs and the VAFWDC represented	Demonstration of equipment and recovery throughout the day See and ride in 4WD vehicles on the test track Family entertainment, animal farm, bush band and food stalls
ENTRANCE FEE: $10 per adult, children under 16 free Free entry to a competition on the day upon presentation of the official brochure Sunday 21st February 1999 10am-4pm Wandin Park Victoria Road, Wandin North MELWAYS 119, G7
For more information contact Neil Jones: xx-xxxx-xxxx(AH) Land Rover Owners' Club of Victoria Inc. P.O. Box 962, Mt. Waverley 3149

See the 4WD Field Day cross-reference page