4×4 gear news: March 2021

What's new in the off-road accessory market this month? We run though some of our favourite new products.

GME has introduced a new five-watt handheld UHF radio, which is manufactured in Australia.

It claims an IP67 rating against dust and water ingress, and offers features from a switchable power transmission (between 5, 1 and 0.1 watts) and Scansuite channel scanning, to multiple power saving modes, two priority channels and triple watch.

Taking over from the D250SA, CTEK’s latest DC-to-DC charging system brings a number of important upgrades and features to keep pace with fast-evolving auxiliary power technology in four-wheel drives.

Along with traditional lead-acid and AGM batteries, this new D250SE can handle 'LiFePo4' lithium-polymer batteries, with unique charging profiles. It charges at a rate of 20 amps, and can handle solar inputs with Maximum Point Power Tracking (MPPT) regulation technology.

This new CTEK charger appears to be a solid choice for new four-wheel drives, as it can handle variable-voltage outputs from modern alternators.

The D250SE can also be installed with the Smartpass 120S, which makes for 120-amp charging capabilities directly between starter and auxiliary batteries, and your desired 4x4 equipment. For example, it can use your auxiliary battery to help start the engine, if the starter is in poor condition.

While TJM was one of the first aftermarket companies to offer a range of accessories for the new Isuzu D-Max, the related Mazda BT-50 is next in line for a suite of bolt-on goodies.

These include XGS suspension kits, Aeroklas canopies, lids and tub liners, and steel underbody protection.

The TJM Outback bull-bar uses 63mm steel tubing for its hoops, is compatible with a winch, and features recovery points rated at 8000kg.

Modular side steps and brush bars are also available, as is a Rear Step Tow Bar, also constructed from 63mm steel tubing.

While steel is the obvious material of choice for most underbody protection kits, there are a number of alternatives on offer. Some offer aluminium, while Smartbar sticks to its material of choice: plastic.

It’s a bit different to your average plastic bag, however, instead using heavy-duty UV-stabilised crosslink polymer, manufactured in South Australia.

This material does bring some obvious benefits, namely no rust, lower overall weight and moderate flexibility to absorb impacts (though not as resistant as steel or aluminium).

This is currently only available for the Ford Ranger and Everest, as well as the previous-generation Mazda BT-50. The kit ships in three pieces, and has a ribbed structure for additional strength.

Insert puns about the kitchen sink, right? Taking inspiration from the kitchens you find inside many caravans and camper trailers, ARB has created a similar design that works with a drawer system in a back of a four-wheel drive.

ARB claims can be set up in fifteen seconds, and includes a utensils drawer, three-burner gas stove, stainless steel bench-top and a silicone sink.

The Slide Kitchen can replace a drawer in an existing Outback system, or can be specified into a new one. Costing $2795, the kitchen will suit dual-cab ute trays, canopies and service bodies, but the overall dimensions preclude traditional wagons.

However, it’s not light, tipping in at 89 kilograms. Once slid out and set up, the system is freestanding and supports its own weight.

MORE: Everything 4x4