If you haven’t guessed it, this column is in response to Andrew St Pierre White’s recent video where he states that he would not own a Nissan Patrol because they’re commonly associated with rednecks who fit big tyres and act like off-road hooligans.

As a former Nissan Patrol owner and self-confessed hooligan, I’m not going to argue with his points because… well… I love the Nissan Patrol, I love big tyres, and yeah, I love to hear that 4.8-litre engine on its limiter. 

However, there’s a time and place to act like a blockhead, and as Andrew points out, ecologically sensitive areas, with other travellers around, are obviously not that place. You only need to be a half-decent human to know this.

Now, it must be said that I often disagree with Andrew’s views; however, I do respect that he shares them, and I appreciate that he’s not afraid to rock the boat.

In a round-about way, Andrew’s video is quite complimentary of the Patrol, where he essentially states that the vehicle’s extreme strength and build quality lends itself to hooliganisms off-road.

Naturally, the video has upset a few Patrol owners who don’t see themselves as unwashed rednecks and view the video as quite critical. I suppose no one likes to be pigeonholed, but in my own experience, this is more a petrol vs diesel topic rather than a Patrol vs everything else. 

The fact is, big petrol engines like to rev, and the people who like to rev them will do so. This applies to 3.6-litre Jeeps, 4.0-litre Toyotas, V8 Land Rovers, 4.5-litre EFI Cruisers, and so on.

Associating certain vehicle brands with the actions of certain owners is not unlike the popular gun debate where people seemly tar certain “black rifle” owners with a particular brush. But I’m not going to go there.

As for why I sold my own Patrol? Well, it’s a decision I cry about every night, but the short answer is: Life’s too short for automotive monogamy. I’ll let faithfulness guide me in my marriage, but when it comes to 4x4s, I’m a brand whore and a Hugh Hefner wannabe.

P.S. Patrols rule all… but I won’t say no to a 76.

… or a FJ

… or a TJ

… or a Tdi 

… or a HSE

… or a JB74

… or another XJ with a LS2

*closes laptop and sobs about Patrol*

JOIN THE 4WD REVOLUTION NEWSLETTER FOR MORE 4WD POSTS

The post ARE SOME 4X4 BRANDS MORE REDNECK THAN OTHERS? appeared first on 4WD Revolution.

We’ve all heard the debate. It generally starts with a simple comparison between suspension types, but before you know it it’s morphed into a raging argument about lockers, sway-bars, and a dispute between petrol and diesel engines.

In truth, the best trail-driving 4×4 is the one you’re willing to ding and scratch.

That said, off-road capability is relative to what you’re willing to attempt. A banged-up softroader on a grade 3 trail can be just as much fun to drive as a Jeep Rubicon on a Grade 5 track. Put another way: The best trail-driving 4×4 is the one that puts a smile on your face, regardless of brand and features.

And let’s face it… you can’t have fun in a 4WD if you’re worried about its paint job.

I recently had these thoughts in mind when I was shopping around for my next project 4×4. I had just sold a Nissan Patrol which is my all-time favourite 4×4 that I hope to own again, but possibly the pick-up version next time. However, for now, I wanted something completely different.

What could be more different to a 2.8-ton vehicle with a 4.8-litre engine, than an 880 kg vehicle with a 1.6-litre engine? And so, I bought a Suzuki SJ.

Excellent clearance angles, nimble proportions, and a sharp turning circle make the Suzuki SJ a phenomenally capable off-roader at a very reasonable price. Of course, the fun-factor doubles once you pull the doors off and ditch the roof.

TOW ON SITE

I also like the fact that you can tow it where you want it.

Having a dedicated trail-driving 4×4 is all well and good, but reliability is a common problem with any low-cost vehicle.

Will it get you to the track? Will it break down on the route? Will it get you home? 

None of these questions matter much when you can tow your vehicle to- and from the track behind a reliable daily driver.  

However, there was one last reason why I was keen on a SJ…

I often worry that my two sons are growing up in an overly digitised world and will one day be analogue “deficient”. With this in mind, I decided that a small project vehicle would be a great way to pull them away from any screen time and get them involved in an ongoing project.

The great thing about a Suzuki SJ is that even small changes and/or accessories can have a big impact on the vehicle’s looks and performance. In other words: The modification reward factor is relatively high and affordable.

MASTER PLAN

So that’s my master plan. It’s based on the belief that if I get my kids addicted to modifying 4x4s, they’ll have no money for booze and drugs.

Well, it’s time to sober up because wheels and tyres are first on the list.

Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates on Grant’s Suzuki SJ project.

The post What’s the best trail-driving 4×4? appeared first on 4WD Revolution.