“We don’t just sell adventure, we live it.” On-road or off the beaten track, South Africa’s best choice for 4×4 Suspension and Accessories is Ironman 4×4. Whether you use your 4×4 as a family vehicle or as an off-road explorer, Ironman 4×4 has the products that will deliver the comfort and safety you demand. Here at Ironman 4×4 Africa, we make it our priority to entrust you with the best 4×4 suspension, accessories, recovery & camping gear.
Ironman 4×4 products have been developed in the harshest proving ground in the world, Australia. Sold in more than 160 countries. For over 60 years customers have put their trust in Ironman 4×4 because Ironman 4×4 delivers quality and value for money.
Is it designed for diesel fuel or gasoline? I've been looking around for a second tank, but in the US diesel fuel in passenger vehicles is a dirty word.
Great video. Is there a chance that lubricated bolts should be use only in combination with anti/loosen measures? If we think about friction between the threads, for most cars, the bolt only got friction to work against loosening over time.
I have owned an older generation 3 litre turbo diesel Hilux, it was absolutely pathetic for towing anything even of even minimal weight. It was in no way economical, the more frequent oil changes were a pain in the backside. I now have a 4 litre V6 Landcruiser Prado and it is like chalk and cheese compared with the diesel. The V6 has so much more lazy power, way more get up and go, servicing is less frequent, way more smoother and nicer to drive on the highways, sure the engine uses a lot of fuel, but given it is a vehicle I now only use for occasional 4x4 trips or if I need to tow something a short distance, it is the perfect vehicle. Being a second vehicle, fuel prices are absolutely of no issue, who doesn't plan for fuel costs during a holiday trip? and being a vehicle only used on the occasion, it would take me years to justify the higher price to buy a diesel or the difference in fuel consumption. The complete absence of dirty smelly greasy diesel fuel is also great, there is nothing worse than fuelling up at a service station and stepping in diesel that idiots have spilled on the ground thinking it will just evaporate. I used to also carry a glove behind the fuel flap so I don't get greasy smelly diesel on my hands when fuelling up, this is actually a very real problem as diesel is very bad for your skin and it makes the whole car stink if you transfer it to the steering wheel, gear lever, etc. If diesel gets on your interior carpet, it is almost impossible to eradicate the smell. Great video, straight to the point, and also great for highlighting the benefits of petrol.
Hi Dirk, I am taking a chance and I am going to ask a huge favour. I cannot tell you how embarrassing this experience has been but the anger I felt is still with me 4 years later. let me explain. I always wanted a 4x4 about 5 years ago I wnt and purchased cameras and clothing camping stuff I obviously had no 4x4 knowledge all my off-roading prior had been on 2 wheels. I hared you mention this twice so I thought maybe or let me try my luck especially as soon as I realized you had good friends family or maybe you are also involved not just as a hobby but being in the business and knowing people who will be honest with you. I one 4x4 dealer had been honest with me I would have saved me from this terrible incident. I remember the hotel just outside Bavianskloof I think that was the place its about 700km and only one entrance I think a protected area you can only enter with a 4x4 and there are a few camping and or a couple hotels on route. I arrived at the hotel in a nutchell the locals who do the trip according to them every few months had already started drinking so that made this really funny for them as I arrived in my brand new Mahindra D/C 4x4 after killing themselves laughing they told me not to risk it I would get stuck somewhere in the middle of a river it had been raining a lot apparently 4-7 river crossings. OK I was seen a mile away the salesman who told me what I wanted to hear was a famous 4x4 or a leading personality he knew the wild Coast region had been right through in his 4x4 Mahindra he was going to increase the clearance in his workshop by 2 inches plus would fit cannot remember but in total I would go from 210mm to about 270mm enough he told me to adventure through the Transkei furthermore basically what can i say he had never driven any 4x4 besides the showroom vehicle but only on the road. He had never even been to the Transkei, Eastern Cape being South African I am sure you at least know that can be a serious off-road adventure with dirt roads or no roads long beaches and taking or going anywhere I mean for those who do not know you have some roads some are even tarred but to get to any resort you do not have to have a 4x4 some places the towns a few hotel camping sites any vehicle will manage but if you really want to go off-road in that region i never managed as you will read but its a place that I assume would need a real level 5 type stuff. I guess 30+ inch tyres 300mm clearance winches and the rest you would need. I am just guessing as mentioned only been there on 2 wheels. I don't write well so let me just ask you and hope. I eventually found out Mahindra is the only brand in SA that basically cannot be upgraded. I don't understand exactly why but you cannot even find an off-road type or you cannot even fit a tyre that is 1 cm bigger than the factory road tyre. I was sold on the vehicle when i heard its R50 000.00 less expensive than a Hilux Ford and the 2.2 turbo diesel engine basically it was so similar when in truth its total crap the radio does even work on a daily basic. It ok if you never going to sell it worst resale value of any vehicle. I guess its ok if you need a vehicle for deliveries a small business and a driver is going to do delivered on the road. Otherwise if you change anything you lose your 5 year warranty whatever. I was going to sell it but then I thought one last try the warranty period just ended so no problem regarding factory warranty etc. Before I sold it because its only done under 20 000km I thought its a car I really do not mind scratching taking into over but wait sorry about this longwinded nonsense. I was hoping you could speak to your friends I assume they have stores around the country and I was hoping for a real honest idea if it is totally true can I increase the clearance new shocks springs is there anyway to increase the clearance put fuel filter front bars can I or would they consider turning this vehicle into a real troopy not rock climber you know what I mean something that can really go off road. Do something the the diffs about water getting out. that high exhaust. I suppose I just needed to say please let me know honestly if this vehicle can be upgraded I have been told no chance but most 4x4 workshops would not even talk to me I think they were scared didn't know me I could have been a reporter or something. But am not if you ironman franchise prefers not to say anything public I will email them or give you my email for what it is worth it is only me who wants to know otherwise I will just have to sell it. Thank you I would really really apricate being told the truth at this point as I have said I am sure I went to an ironman in Johannesburg but could really get any info. Thanks
loving the videos we are going to watch the rest of the episodes this evening. One question I have is, we are also going to Mabua from Jwaneng in the next 2 weeks. And are thinking of using the cutline from the tower to the mabua gate. I see there was some thick sand initially, how deep was this sand overall? we are towing an afrispoor caravan with a land rover defender (old model) do you think it will be feasible? tyre pressures would be down to 1.3 if needed. we are driving solo. How far does the thick sand last? any advice would be good. thanks again
Hi Chris. Difficult question to answer with certainty. Sand driving is most often challenging due to changing conditions on the same stretch of road. In my experience, the right amount of momentum and correct tyre pressures are key. Early morning when sand is colder is easier. Mid day sun when sand etc are hot is more challenging. In my own experience, sand driving is mastered by a lot of experience which is a luxury most of us do not have. If you do not have enough flotation from your tyres (both tow vehicle as well as towed vehicle) things get tricky quickly. If you lose momentum down to the point where you're almost at a stand still, be careful not to dig yourself in. Rather stop, reverse and try lower tyre pressures if possible or a tad more momentum. Good Luck and be safe.
That’s quite a large spacer, I’m guessing with something like a 10mm spacer which I’ll give you around 15mm lift at the wheel, to correct sag caused by bull bar etc. would not be such a big deal. Anyone have any thoughts on that?
My old Series Land Rover original springs have never lost their tension. They just got rusty, were cleaned and reassembled. However, I have noticed that the later type springs called 'parabolic' have a tendency to sag, and depending on the manufacturer, sometimes quite badly.
On the Mcfersion struts the bump stop is on shaft of the shock component of the assembly so the spring will still only compress that same stock amount. The droop will be more however so the CV joints will be stressed at a greater angle.
That’s crazy how they are if you don’t blind any one you should be able to have what ever you want that sucks when some one really once to get a lot of lights and you are only using them off road,that really sucks because some people just want there trucks to look a certain way and only use the lights off road
I went there in 2017 with friends when there was nothing there. Coming from Scotland, you can imagine that it was a bit different from what we normally deal with. Truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to. The drive in was spectacular, but the company really made it special for us. Utterly amazing as it was, but of course now there are camps and hotels - looks like we’ll have to find somewhere else if we want peace.
Fantastic content genta!! quick one...thoughts on an old defender? We all know it's capable,but have you guys heard any horror stories in terms of reliability? Don't want a money pit lol
I have also made the switch from diesel to petrol after owning pajero 3.2 did and mitsubishi triton td and nissan navara diesels d40 2.5 and the np 300 2.3 twin turbo.Hard to find petrol 4wd 's in australia as every manufacturer have changed to diesel but found a immaculate toyota hilux n70 4.0 v6 petrol and loving it,dont think i'll be going back to diesel
Amazing and well documented trip.. I did this trip two weeks ago went up to Agra Fria and back to Windhoek. Next time hope to make it to Kunene Mouth . We nearly ran out of fuel likely we found some in Terrance Bay.
I don’t own any of these vehicles but own a Land Cruiser 105, so based on your description it sounds halfway in between the two vehicles in your video. Your description of the 70s series driving experience reminds me of a Land Rover Defender 110… This is a great video, very informative!
6:07 The Jimny is only 1500cc & 100Hp. Rev the heck out of it when overtaking and you’ll be just fine. It’s like a 1970’s Italian sports car, you have to MAKE it go fast. -- The ones who know little to nothing about 4x4ing think the Jimny is a joke, a toy. The ones who know a bit more know that the Jimny is massively impressive from the shelf. If diff-lockers are added it turns to a furious maintain goat. I know that from experience as I’ve done it. Adding stiffer Nitro shocks from Ironman made the ride better and increased its capability as well.
29:40 Yes, fuel capacity is issue with the Jimny but I am confident it can be solved with jerrycans. - Right? I have double diff-lockers in my 2022 Jimny and they transformed the Jimny from very capable to a beast of a mountain goat. In combination with the Nitro shock absorbers from Ironman it will perform even better when in the jungle. My thanks to Ironman for yet another great video.
I’m a Gen4 Jimny owner. I did not want a lift kit, but a firmer suspension. I watched this video after I learned that two other brand wasn’t what I wanted. One brand was ridiculously overpriced by the local dealer and did not have the shocks at home, nor did he want to sell me only the shocks without the 40mm lift springs. The second brand had the complete kit at a better price than the first but refused to sell me only the shocks. Your representative had no issue selling me the shocks and included a steering damper as well in the price. That was a pleasant surprise. I travel light in my Jimny. I don’t need the most advanced shocks. Standard Nitro’s are good enough for my kind of driving. I wanted a slightly more firm suspension, and I got it! The ride is slightly stiffer in a straight line on tarmac. It is a lot stiffer when cornering at higher speeds, and it doesn’t dip as much when braking hard from high speeds. I got just what I wanted and I am very happy with the choice and purchase made. No regrets whatsoever. My thanks to you for creating a great product!
