You know, it’s kind of funny when it comes to what does and doesn’t grab attention. There’s been plenty of times a loaded-to-the-hilt tourer has been overlooked while people fawn over something far simpler that just clicks right. It’s something I’ve noticed the last couple of seasons driving the Everest around, despite being the simplest and most affordable vehicle we take on the trips, it always turns heads.
From the outset I wanted it to be a subtle yet capable do-it-all rig. Something that’d be in its element on any beach anywhere in the country, but still be able to do the school pick-up or trip to the grocery store. I’ve always thought the Everest platform lends itself well to that over the Ranger, or any of the big dual-cab Utes for that matter. Less overhang in the rear and a shorter wheelbase makes it naturally nimbler, on and off the road.
![Club 4x4 Image](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/fjdbfv7h/production/e52ce0cd229f603ce4b250fa0e19b1bca9ccabc7-6000x4000.jpg?w=720&fit=max&auto=format)
It’s one of those builds where less is more, and the quality of the gear is far more important than the amount of it. The secret to success on the soft stuff? Well, as Colin Chapman once said. Simplify, then add lightness. The lighter the rig and the bigger the footprint the easier it’ll float over the dunes in the beach or the outback. As long as Josh isn’t behind the wheel it generally hasn’t been the rig you need to worry about off-road.
A bigger set of tyres, Cooper Tyre AT3 in 285/65r18 helps give the Everest a bigger footprint than stock, and that all-terrain pattern keeps it up on top of the sand rather than digging in too. Now, when it came to weight, I couldn’t really add lightness, but I could keep it simple. On the armour front, there’s just a single hoop ARB Summit bar, some steel side steps, and some lightweight engineered under-body armour. No scrub bars or big dual wheel carrier on the back adding weight.
I kept camping mods quick and easy too. Up on the Rhino-Rack Pioneer platform (alloy of course) I’ve got a Bushwakka Extreme Square awning, it weighs just 20kg and near self-deploys itself thanks to the free-standing design and gas struts. It’s perfect for quick lunch breaks on the side of the track or a little shade on the beach. I’ve fitted up a 100AH REDARC GoBlock as well for power, it lives in a cradle behind the passenger seat so it can power the Engel when we’re out bush or pop out and live in the garage back home. In the back, a neat and simple ORS storage setup houses the Enge MT-V40, a few odds and ends for heading bush, like recovery kit and cooking gear, and leaves enough room I can throw the groceries in the back. Combined, the GoBlock, the storage, and the quick shade have been the “game-changers” for making the Everest so practical.
With such a simple build it’s easy to get complacent and think close enough is good enough when it comes to insurance coverage. But the devil’s in the details.
While I wasted no time getting it on-boarded with Club 4X4 Insurance, it wasn’t until I sat down with pen and paper, I realised the initial “as factory” coverage would have left me nearly $40,000 short if something were to happen.
Sometimes it pays to add it all up.
![Club 4x4 Image](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/fjdbfv7h/production/803c9feaa24c9285ac6dcb54c87f1f4475d6f026-6720x4480.jpg?w=720&fit=max&auto=format)
Have you got any modifications on your 4WD?
We cover 4X4s for what they’re really worth, including modifications & gear.
Everest Build Tally
Stock Vehicle
- 2023 V6 Sport Ford Everest RRP $85,106
Interior Modifications
- Redarc Tow-Pro Elite RRP $725
- Uniden XTRAK 80 Pro UHF RRP $720
- EVCx Throttle Controller RRP $349
Lighting
- Night Hawk VLI 9in driving lights RRP $850
- 6 x 5.5in Night Hawk light bars RRP $882
- 39.5in Night Hawk light bar RRP $567
12V Fit out
- Redarc 100Ah GOBLOCK RRP $3198.79
- Redarc POWERDOCK & wiring RRP $943.95
Wheels, Tyres, & Suspension
- 5 x KMC KM535 18x8.5 wheels RRP $2200
- 5 x Cooper AT3 XLT 285/65r18 RRP $N/A
- Outback Armour 50mm lift RRP $2070
Exterior
- ARB Summit MkII Sahara Front bar RRP $3473
- ARB Side Steps RRP $1608
- ARB Under Vehicle Armour RRP $1213
Storage
- ORS drawer system RRP $2708
- ORS Cargo Barrier RRP $899
- Clearview Easy Slide RRP $1039
- Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform RRP $2193.01
Misc
- Long Ranger 127L fuel tank RRP $1390
- Ryco Catch Can RRP $919.99
- Clearview Compact Towing Mirrors RRP $1655
- VRS 12500lbs Electric Winch RRP $1155.95
- Vehicle Wrap RRP $6000
Camping Accessories
- Bushwakka Extreme Square RRP $669
Vehicle Modifications Total RRP $36,345.69
Accessories
- 4x Exitrax Ultimate Series RRP $460
- Black Duck Seat Covers RRP $1783
- Uniden Dash View 50R dash cam RRP $499.95
- WeatherTech floor mats RRP $329.95
- Engel MT45F-G4D-V Fridge-Freezer RRP $1499
Accessories Total RRP $4571.9