FITSPEC
28 buying guides

Buying guides

The things worth understanding before you spend money — written plainly, by someone who's been through it. No brand recommendations, no sponsored picks.

Start here — fitment

Toyota HiLux N70 vs N80: which one do you drive, and why it matters How to tell an N70 HiLux from an N80, the years each was sold in Australia, and why the 2015 changeover catches so many buyers out. 3 min read Toyota LandCruiser: the 70 Series vs the wagon line — two different vehicles, one badge The 70 Series and the wagon line (100, 105, 200, 300) are two different LandCruisers in one badge. Their Australian years and how to buy for the one you own. 3 min read Nissan Navara D22, D40 and NP300: three generations, one name The Navara D22, D40 and NP300 are three different generations. Their Australian years, the D22/D40 overlap, and how to buy for the one you own. 2 min read Nissan Patrol GU (Y61) vs Y62: two very different vehicles, both called Patrol The Patrol GU (Y61) and Y62 are both real Australian Patrols — and completely different vehicles. Their years, why they overlapped, how to tell them apart. 3 min read Ford Ranger PX, PX2, PX3 and P703: the generations, told apart The Ford Ranger series codes — PX, PX2, PX3 and the current Next Gen (P703) — with the Australian years each was sold and how to tell them apart. 3 min read Series codes explained: why a "Ranger" isn't one vehicle Why Australian retailers list parts by PX3, N80 or Y62 rather than model name, what those series codes mean, and how to find the one on your own vehicle. 7 min read Mitsubishi Triton ML, MN, MQ, MR and MV: the generations, told apart The Mitsubishi Triton series codes — ML, MN, MQ, MR and the current MV — with the Australian years each was sold and how to shop for the exact one you own. 3 min read What order should you build your ute in? Weight and legality first, then recovery and safety, then comfort. The order to build a 4WD in, and why buying a rooftop tent early puts you over payload. 8 min read Wheels: offset, PCD and what actually bolts on PCD, centre bore, offset and rim load rating decide whether a wheel fits. What each one means, and why a lower offset can put your track over the limit. 5 min read

Protection

Bull bars: airbags, ADR compliance, steel vs alloy What airbag compatibility and ADR compliance actually mean, how steel and alloy bars differ, and how a bar affects your parking sensors, cameras and radar. 7 min read Rock sliders vs side steps: what actually takes the vehicle's weight Side steps help you get in. Rock sliders hold the vehicle up on a rock. They look alike, mount differently, and only one of them is structural. 5 min read Winches: sizing, first-layer pull and what they weigh How to size a winch against GVM rather than kerb weight, why the rated pull only applies to the first layer of rope, and what it adds to your front axle. 5 min read

Suspension

GVM upgrades: what they fix, what they don't, and the GCM trap What a GVM upgrade actually changes, why it usually does not raise your GCM at all, and the real difference between a pre-rego and post-rego approval. 5 min read Suspension and lift kits: what a 2-inch lift actually involves What a 2-inch lift really means, why constant-load and comfort springs differ, when you need a GVM upgrade, and why legal lift limits vary by state. 7 min read

Storage

Canopies and trays: why payload is the number that catches people Aluminium, fibreglass and steel canopies compared on weight and payload, plus how tub and tray fitment differ and why payload catches so many buyers out. 6 min read Drawers and storage: weight, cargo barriers and fridge slides What a drawer system really weighs, how cargo barriers affect your rego and safety, and what to check on fridge slides before you spend on a fit-out. 7 min read

Electrical

Driving lights and light bars: lux, beam patterns and staying legal Why lumens are marketing and 1 lux is the number that matters, how spot and flood beams differ, and the wiring rules that keep auxiliary lights legal. 6 min read Dual battery and 12V systems: DC-DC, VSR, AGM and lithium Why modern alternators broke the old VSR setup, how DC-DC chargers differ, AGM against lithium, and how to size a system to actually run your fridge. 7 min read UHF radios and aerials: gain, mounting and channel etiquette Handheld versus fixed UHF, what aerial gain really means and why high gain fails in hills, where to mount an aerial, and the channels you must leave alone. 8 min read

Touring & recovery

Awnings: 180 vs 270, wind, and what it costs your roof rating Awnings are roof load you carry every day for shade you use occasionally. How the styles differ, why wind is the failure mode, and what mounting needs. 5 min read 12V fridges and water: amp-hours, litres, and what they weigh How much a compressor fridge really draws, why duty cycle beats the sticker figure, and the fact that water weighs a kilogram a litre and never stops. 5 min read Long-range fuel and water tanks: what they really cost you What extra fuel and water actually cost in payload, replacement versus auxiliary tanks, why fitment is so series-specific, and how to keep tank water drinkable. 8 min read Recovery gear: rated vs unrated, and why it matters Recovery points versus tie-down points, why a snatch strap is not a winch extension, how soft shackles work, and what rated actually means. Read first. 7 min read Roof racks and platforms: dynamic vs static load ratings Why your roof rating usually limits you rather than the rack's, what dynamic and static ratings mean, and how gutter, track and bolt-on mounting differ. 6 min read Rooftop tents, swags and campers: the roof-rating maths Why your vehicle's dynamic roof rating is the binding limit, what a rooftop tent weighs before anyone gets in, and an honest comparison with swags and campers. 8 min read Snorkels: what they actually do, and what still drowns your 4WD A snorkel raises the air intake and nothing else. What it protects, the other eight things water still gets into, and why it is not a wading depth. 6 min read Towing: GCM, GVM, ball weight, and why "3.5 tonne" is mostly marketing Kerb weight, payload, GVM, GCM, ATM, GTM and tow ball download explained, plus the arithmetic that shows why a loaded ute rarely tows its rated maximum. 8 min read Tyres: load rating, LT vs P, and what upsizing actually costs you How to read a tyre sidewall, what load and speed ratings mean, LT versus passenger construction, and the real cost of upsizing to your speedo and brakes. 8 min read
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