FLYING HIGH

OUT KALGOORLIE WAY, A HILUX GETS HIGH-PERFORMANCE PRE-RUNNER SUSPENSION TO TAKE THE SHOCK OUT OF HIGH-SPEED TERRAIN TAMING.

- BRAD MISKIEWICZ

WHAT can be more rewarding than taking the 4x4 you’ve built with your own skills, and blasting it all over the outback? In the case of Joel Fowler and this 2014 Hilux SR, that blasting is conducted at high speed and regularly off the ground.

Joel originally started his 4x4 life with a single-cab N70 Hilux, which he duly modified and enjoyed for more than six years before reverting it to stock and trading in on a rally-inspired 2014 WRX hatch. Combining the ability to conduct spirited driving and all-wheel drive proved the little hatchback a winner in Joel’s eyes: “It was probably the best car I ever have had, but you just couldn’t do much in it.”

Missing the beach and bush driving had Joel scanning the classifieds only six months later for another Hilux. “It had to be exactly what I was looking for, but this time it had to be auto, and maybe a TRD if I could find one,” he explained.

The aim being to build an off-road rig in a pre-runner style capable of maintaining high speeds across the rutted and frequently washed out Kalgoorlie dirt roads which Joel calls home. A short time later Joel spotted this untouched 2014 Tidal Blue SR example sitting in a car yard. So the Rex was swapped over and Joel was back in a Hilux again.