COVER STORY
DRIVETECH 4X4: AUSTRALIA’S FASTEST GROWING 4X4 BRAND What started around 20 years ago as a small Brisbane business focused on hard parts has now become one of Australia’s fastest growing 4x4 brands Drivetech 4x4 cut its teeth in the industry providing quality replacement hard parts for common fourwheel drives, including drivetrain, gearbox and diff components. After quickly gaining a reputation for quality and value, what was then a team of five was able to expand the product range further out towards axles and then eventually steering components, suspension, and 4x4 accessories. Drivetech 4x4 Business Manager, Ben Lavis, says the brand is now supported by a team of close to 150 people with no signs of slowing down. “We’ve built a solid network and demand for quality hard parts and innovative 4x4 products and with last year’s travel restrictions in place, we’ve seen that growth accelerate as more people want to explore our own backyard and have a vehicle capable of surviving the Australian landscape,” Ben said. “Drivetech 4x4 is proud to be a brand that can make sure your 4x4 looks and performs better through accessories but can also help you to repair and upgrade as your driving skills improve and you tackle more challenging terrain.” Drivetech 4x4 says this commitment is clear from its products such as its Rival bumpers, its full range of suspension upgrades, and its industry recognised dual speed winch. Rival protection accessories are a huge draw
card for Drivetech 4x4, with the Russian-made bumpers and underbody armour not only protecting vehicles but also adding a distinctive style to common 4x4s. Each bumper is vehicle specific for the front and rear, suiting the styling and size of leading models including HiLux, LandCruiser, Ranger, Navara, Amarok and Triton – to name just a few. “Rival bumpers are constructed from a lightweight yet rugged 6mm aluminium alloy body, with 5mm steel mounting brackets enabling them to protect without the weight of a traditional bull bar,” Ben said. “They come complete with integrated LED lighting as well as a winch mount and recovery points to provide style and performance.” Rival also produces underbody armour, skid plates, roof racks, tailgate assist kits and bonnet strut kits. The ever-growing range of suspension products is a staple for Drivetech 4x4 customers, with options available to cater to the needs of any driver. Drivetech 4x4 explains that whilst some just need a simple two-inch lift for touring, others look for the performance and comfort of the impressive Enduro Pro range. It explains that this premium range of nitro gas shocks has an external bump stop, multi-stage
valving, a remote reservoir and braided lines to ensure a smooth ride for any modified 4x4. The full range includes lift kits, shocks, springs and suspension parts, but importantly, the range is continuing to grow to suit more newer vehicles, driving styles and driver needs. When it comes to 4x4 accessories, Drivetech 4x4 says it is hard to go past its Dual Speed Winch, which was a finalist for the AAAA 2019 Most Innovative 4x4 Product award. The only winch in the market with a dual speed function, its unique design utilises a high and low speed gearbox, allowing off-roaders to safely recover a vehicle and then switch gears to quickly return the synthetic rope to the winch drum. Available in a 5.5 horsepower 9500lb and 6 horsepower 12000lb option, the Drivetech 4x4 Dual Speed Winches are a practical, safe and powerful recovery necessity for any serious offroader. “The dual speed is a simple concept, with many 4WDers hating having to wait so long for the rope to return to the winch. With the dual speed, you can almost halve the wait and then get back to the trails,” Ben said. “The low-speed gear ratio on both winches means a wide variety of vehicles can be recovered in a range of environments, even when a weeks’ worth of camping and touring gear is weighing them down.” Supplied with an aluminium hawse fairlead, isolation switch, 26 metres of synthetic rope, and three control box mounting options, the winch also has a two-in-one hand remote that can be operated through a hardwired connection, or wirelessly.
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Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine Annual 4WD Magazine 2021
