What do you get when you cross a HiLux with a Tonka?

The LandCruiser name has been earned the hard way, forged across Australia’s harshest tracks and most remote country. While the badge gets the recognition, it’s the engines that built the legacy. The best choice comes down to how you use your 4WD, whether that’s crossing the Simpson, towing a van up the coast, or running a reliable daily that’s ready for the weekend.

Seven years, three tow vehicles and more than 200,000km on the road have a way of sorting the useful mods from the show pony gear. This guide runs through the 4x4 upgrades that genuinely changed how we travel, from suspension and GVM to recovery gear, storage, power and the little bits of kit you only fully appreciate when things go sideways.

It’s been a few years since the Pajero left the showroom floor, but out on the tracks, it hasn’t gone anywhere. You’ll still find them pushing through sand, climbing rocky lines, and towing heavy setups across the country. So what is it about this old-school 4WD that keeps it relevant in 2026? Dive in to see where it still delivers, and where it shows its age.