A rig aptly named “Big Blue” is perfectly at home wheeling through some of Victoria’s most rugged 4×4 countryside — from the Tallarook State Forest and Gippsland hinterland to the High Country and coast – and always sporting its set of extra impressive Maxxis Trepadors!
The 1997, 40th anniversary 80 series Landcruiser, nicknamed “Big Blue”, and owned by 4×4 stalwart, Baakir from Fishing Adventure Tracks Photography, is seriously custom-fitted to enable it to hit the most intense tracks or beach landscapes with equal ease.
To date, most of Big Blue’s trips have concentrated between Walhalla and the McAllister gorge, as well as Toolangi, Bunyip and Tallarook for some more intense wheeling sessions. The ‘cruiser has also been over Anglesea Heath, as well as on some more easy-going getaway scenic drives and to “lighter camping” spots.
Baakir says he absolutely loves his 35×12.5r16 Maxxis Bias ply Trepadors (on 16×8 steel beadlock rims), which are the second set he’s owned.
“They’ve performed brilliantly on- and off-road, albeit the new set have been hard to get to bag out even at 10psi due to the sturdy sidewall. With a little more wearing in, I’m sure I’ll have them performing exactly the way I want.”
Along with his Trepador tyres, some of “Big Blue’s” other key features include 4″ lifted Dobinsons 6″ shocks, 4″ Megalift front coils and 4″ Dobinsons heavy-duty 350KG constant load rear coils.
The custom-fit also shows off Big O 4×4 radius arms (painted metallic blue to match!), adjustable panhards (front and rear) and upgraded heavy duty rear lower trailing arms, modified ARB non-winch bar, front ARB Locker, rear TJM pro Locker, Superior Engineering gearbox spacers, a custom steel rear bar, scrub bars and rock sliders, Kings 9″ LED spotties and aftermarket headlights with custom low beam HID projector upgrade.
With camping and fishing high on its weekend agenda, Big Blue is also superbly equipped for these adventures. An alloy roof top tent rack, Pinnacle campers 2.5m 270° awning, Ironman Rooftop tent, Ironman 40L fridge/freezer, 12″, ARB 47L fridge/freezer, Fusion Subwoofer and 1300W amp, 9″ Clarion kicker speakers in boxes, 20L water jerry with hose and tap to the driver’s rear door, Oricom UHF058 to 4.5dbi antenna and VMS 700HD GPS – all completing the package!
And now that there’s more of Australia in Baakir (and Big Blue’s) sights, if you’re interested in keeping up with their 4×4 exploits, be sure to check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FATpackPhotography/
