#153 - Is modding your 4WD idiotic? Holden Colorado 4WD build and Gear setups

The EX60 is a fully electric Volvo model, discussed as an all-electric vehicle you can experience at a Volvo dealer. It’s significant because it represents Volvo’s shift toward battery-electric driving, which changes how you charge and maintain the vehicle compared with gasoline cars. It may be mentioned in the podcast as part of a broader conversation about electric ownership and charging routines.

In many vehicles, the “cigarette lighter” is actually a 12V power outlet. People use it to plug in accessories like chargers, lights, and inflators without wiring directly to the battery.

“Hooking it straight up to your battery” means wiring an accessory directly to the vehicle’s power supply. This can provide more reliable power than using a small outlet, but it usually requires proper fusing and safe routing to avoid shorts.

“Bonnet” is the British/Australian term for the front hood of the car. In this context, they’re telling you to close it so the wiring/awning setup doesn’t get snagged or damaged.

An “awning” is a deployable fabric cover used for shade and weather protection, common on camping setups. Here, they’re routing the light along the awning and securing it for use at camp.

“Velcro straps” are hook-and-loop fastening straps used to secure accessories without drilling or permanent mounting. For camping lights, they make it easy to attach and remove the light while keeping the setup tidy.

“Dim it” refers to adjusting the light output level, typically via a built-in controller or driver. In camping use, dimming helps manage glare, conserve power, and set the right ambience.

This appears to be a transcription error for a mounting method (likely “seek/seat/quick socket it” or similar). If they mean a plug-in socket connection, the key idea is using a simple power connection rather than rigid wiring.

The Holden Colorado is a mid-size 4WD ute, and the “RG” refers to its generation/platform used in the early 2010s. “Space Cab” is Holden’s cab/door configuration (a specific body style) that affects rear-seat space and how the ute is used day-to-day.

In a 4WD, low range is the low gear setting in the transfer case that multiplies torque for slow, controlled off-road driving. It’s used for steep climbs, crawling over rocks, and situations where you need more pulling power at low speeds.

High range 4WD is the normal gear setting in the transfer case for everyday driving and faster off-road travel. Compared with low range, it offers less torque multiplication, so some drivers find it less effective for slow technical terrain.

A bullbar is a reinforced front protection bar designed to shield the grille, headlights, and radiator area from impacts with animals, branches, and low-speed obstacles. On 4WDs, it’s often paired with recovery points and side protection, and it can affect airflow and mounting strength, so it’s typically chosen for the specific vehicle.

A winch is a motorized cable-recovery device used to pull the vehicle out of mud, sand, or ruts. The “King’s Dominator” is a specific winch model/brand line, and pairing it with a bullbar is common because the winch needs a strong front mounting point.

A long-range fuel tank is an auxiliary or upgraded fuel tank meant to increase driving range for remote trips. A “144 liter” tank indicates a large capacity add-on, which is especially relevant for 4WD travel where fuel stations can be far apart.

Lithium batteries are energy-storage packs that use lithium-based chemistry, typically offering higher energy density than older battery types. In a vehicle build, they’re often chosen for powering accessories because they can deliver usable current while staying relatively compact.

Amp-hour (Ah) is a measure of battery capacity—how much charge the battery can deliver over time. Higher Ah generally means the battery can run accessories for longer before needing recharging, assuming similar power draw.

“Watt” is a measure of power, and in this context it refers to the inverter’s maximum output capability. It indicates the largest continuous load the inverter can handle (for example, certain appliances), which is crucial when planning what you can run off the battery system.

A pure sine wave inverter converts DC power from the battery into AC power with a smooth waveform. “Pure sine” matters because many sensitive electronics (chargers, laptops, some appliances) run more reliably and quietly than they do on modified sine wave outputs.

A DC-DC charger manages charging between two DC battery systems (for example, the vehicle’s starting battery and an auxiliary battery). It helps ensure the auxiliary battery is charged correctly under different driving conditions, rather than relying on a basic alternator connection.

A “hard shell” rooftop tent is a rigid, weather-resistant tent mounted on the roof of a vehicle. It’s designed to open quickly and protect occupants from wind and rain compared with soft-sided tents.

A “shower tent” is a pop-up or deployable enclosure used to create privacy for washing while camping. In overland setups, it’s often paired with a water system so you can shower at camp without using public facilities.

“Companion lithium” refers to a lithium battery used to power camping accessories. Lithium batteries are popular in 4WD builds because they’re compact, can provide steady power, and are typically more efficient than older battery types.

A hot water system in an overland build is the setup that heats and delivers water for showers. It’s usually powered by the vehicle’s auxiliary battery and designed to work when you’re parked away from mains power.

A “tune” is an engine calibration change (often via ECU software) that alters fueling, timing, and other parameters. Saying there were “no tune or mods” implies the build kept the engine’s factory calibration and only changed hardware like intake components.

An air box is part of the intake system that houses and conditions incoming air before it reaches the engine. Replacing or modifying the air box can change airflow characteristics and how the engine breathes.

“Pod filters” are individual, cone-shaped air filters used in place of (or alongside) a factory air box. “Unifilter” is a brand name commonly used for aftermarket filtration products, and pod filters can increase airflow but may require careful setup to avoid letting in dust.

Mud terrain tires are an off-road tire type designed with deeper, more aggressive tread blocks for digging through mud and shedding debris. They typically improve traction on loose surfaces compared with all-season or highway tires, but can be louder and wear faster on-road.

EFS heavy duty suspension refers to an aftermarket suspension system intended to handle heavier loads and rough off-road use. The “40 millimeter” lift mentioned alongside it suggests the truck is raised to improve ground clearance and allow larger tires, but it can also change steering feel and ride height geometry.

A “40 millimeter” measurement here is almost certainly the suspension lift height. Lift height affects ground clearance and tire fitment, but it can also influence driveline angles, ride quality, and how much stress is placed on suspension components.

Outback Armor suspension refers to a suspension product line from the Outback Armor brand. In the context of a 4WD build, it’s being considered as an alternative to the current EFS setup, implying differences in ride, lift height, and off-road durability.

The “Ranger” is mentioned as a previous vehicle where the hosts had the Outback Armor suspension. This matters because suspension tuning and tire fitment can behave differently across different 4WD platforms.

Uniden Pro 80 is a specific UHF CB radio model commonly used in Australia for short-range communication on the road and on off-road trips. It’s often paired with a roof console and an external antenna for better range and reliability.

UHF (Ultra High Frequency) refers to the radio band used by UHF CB radios. In 4WD touring, UHF is popular because it works well for line-of-sight communication between vehicles, especially where mobile coverage is weak.

A 5G booster is an aftermarket device intended to improve cellular signal strength for a vehicle. In this segment, the host argues the specific “selfie 5G booster” setup is a poor value, especially compared with using satellite internet.

An RFI 5G antenna is an external antenna intended to improve 5G reception for a booster system. External antennas can outperform small internal ones by capturing signal more effectively and reducing dead spots.

Starlink mini is a compact satellite internet system from Starlink, designed to provide connectivity away from cell towers. For 4WD touring, it can be a more reliable “always-on” option than relying on boosted 4G/5G coverage in remote areas.

“TLC” here means extra care and attention—basically keeping up with routine maintenance and servicing. In 4WD ownership, that’s often what separates trouble-free long-distance use from frequent breakdowns.

In the context of a rooftop tent, “pop-up” refers to a tent design that deploys quickly using hinges and a spring/assisted mechanism. It’s typically faster and easier than fully manual tent setups, but it still requires careful operation to avoid damage.

Hard shell rooftop tents are roof-mounted camping tents with a rigid, hinged shell that opens to form the sleeping space. Compared with soft-sided tents, they’re typically quicker to deploy and offer more weather protection.

A “bush rig” is an Australian term for a vehicle set up for remote, rough off-road travel—often with protective gear, recovery equipment, and camping-ready modifications. The host uses it as a style-and-purpose label: the Colorado’s mods make it look like it’s built for that environment.

A “swing out” is a rear-mounted accessory (often a spare-tire carrier or door) that pivots outward on hinges for easier access. It’s commonly used on 4WDs so you can carry bulky items without blocking the tailgate area.

“Land Cruisers” refers to Toyota Land Cruiser 4WDs, a long-running, heavy-duty off-road SUV line known for durability and strong aftermarket support. The hosts mention moving away from them, implying the Colorado build is being compared against the traditional Toyota choice for serious 4WD use.

A “push rig” is a 4WD setup intended to be self-sufficient and capable of pushing through tough terrain and long distances. It usually implies a touring-focused build with recovery gear and gear-carrying capacity rather than a light, casual off-road setup.

A “long range” fuel setup refers to increasing how far the vehicle can travel before refueling, typically via a larger fuel tank or auxiliary fuel capacity. For outback touring, that reduces the need to find fuel stops and helps with trip planning across remote distances.

GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) is the maximum allowable weight of a vehicle when fully loaded. The host says it’s “over GVM,” which means the build may be carrying more weight than the legal/engineered limit, affecting safety, braking, and component stress.

In this context, “economy” means fuel economy—how efficiently the vehicle uses fuel in real driving. Extra weight and added accessories (like roof gear and a bullbar) can reduce fuel economy by increasing aerodynamic drag and rolling/acceleration demands.

In this context, “stress” means extra load placed on the vehicle’s components beyond what they were designed for—especially the front-end structure and suspension. The hosts are warning against adding accessories that increase forces on mounting points and driveline/suspension parts.

“Weight on the roof” refers to the added mass from rooftop gear (like a tent) being carried high above the vehicle’s center of gravity. Higher center of gravity can increase body roll and affect stability, especially when driving on uneven tracks or in crosswinds.

The Prado and Meru are names used for Toyota SUVs, with the Prado commonly associated with a rugged, off-road-capable family vehicle and the Meru often referring to a specific market/trim or variant name. In the podcast context, they’re mentioned briefly, likely as examples of the kind of vehicles people drive or discuss in a 4WD setting. That makes them relevant because their intended use typically includes traction, durability, and suitability for rough roads.

Perth is a city in Western Australia, and it’s mentioned here as a practical location for arranging 4WD rentals and drop-off logistics. The discussion is about whether you can pick up a rental in Perth and then use it for camping further out.

The Corolla is Toyota’s compact car line, typically not designed for serious 4x4 camping. The host’s point is that it’s difficult to do “4WD you want to do” out of a Corolla because it’s not a dedicated off-road 4x4 platform.

Adventure West 4x4 Rentals is mentioned as a driving specialist operator that provides 4WD rental services. In the context of the episode, it’s part of the “who can you rent from” discussion for camping and off-road trips.

4 Exploring Rentals is referenced as another Perth-based 4WD rental operator. The segment uses it to compare rental availability and logistics for camping and 4WD use around Western Australia.

Esperance is a regional town in Western Australia. It’s referenced as a possible destination for 4WD rental availability and drop-off, which affects how feasible a camping-and-4WD plan is.

A V8 is an engine with eight cylinders arranged in a V shape, and it’s often associated with a distinctive sound and vibration. When someone says they want a loud V8, they’re usually talking about exhaust and intake changes that increase audible engine note.

Track correction is the adjustment of a vehicle’s wheel alignment/track width so the wheels sit correctly relative to the suspension and steering geometry. On 4WDs, it’s often discussed alongside wheel offsets and rim choices because changing wheels can alter how the vehicle tracks and how it wears tires.

An offset rim (wheel offset) describes how far the wheel’s mounting surface sits inboard or outboard relative to the wheel centerline. Changing offset can affect steering feel, suspension geometry, tire clearance, and whether you need alignment or track correction afterward.

A canopy (on a 4WD) is a roof-mounted enclosure over the ute tray that adds secure storage and often supports camping setups. When paired with power and gear, it turns the vehicle into a more self-sufficient base for remote travel.

A long range fuel tank is an auxiliary fuel tank (or larger replacement tank) that increases how far a 4WD can travel before refueling. It’s especially useful for remote touring where fuel stations are far apart.

The hosts are making a “purpose-built” argument: modifications make sense when they match a specific real-world use case (like remote touring). The idea is that you shouldn’t add expensive off-road gear unless you’ll actually benefit from it.

The hosts are emphasizing that 4WD modifications should be purposeful—each change (tires, lift, protection) should match the specific use case like towing, remote travel, or rough tracks. In other words, mods shouldn’t be random; they should solve a real problem or enable a real goal.

In 4WD builds, a “battery set up” usually means adding or relocating a secondary battery (often an auxiliary or deep-cycle battery) to power accessories like fridges, lights, or recovery gear. It’s typically paired with wiring and charging logic so the extra battery can be used without leaving you stranded.

“Bigger tyres” refers to fitting larger-diameter tires than stock, which can improve ground clearance and help with traction on dirt and uneven surfaces. It also changes gearing and speedometer/odometer readings, so it’s usually done alongside other setup changes.

“All terrains” are tires designed to work across mixed surfaces—tarmac, gravel, and dirt—using a tread pattern that balances on-road comfort with off-road bite. In 4WD builds, they’re a common compromise between aggressive mud-terrain tires and road-focused tires.

A “lift” is raising a 4WD’s suspension to increase ground clearance and fit larger tires. It can be done with suspension spacers, springs, or a full lift kit, and it often requires alignment and sometimes steering/suspension geometry changes.