FROM MTZ TO MTZ P3
THE NEW MTZP3
It is no easy task to fill the shoes of an already well-regarded tyre as the MTZ, but the all-new MTZP3 showcases key enhancements that will take your on and off-road driving experience to the next level. The MTZP3 has been recharged from the ground up, including innovations in compound and tread design while featuring Mickey’s legacy, Powerply. The MTZP3 has been crafted to be wellmannered on-road, but eats up the off-road with supercharged sidewalls, trumped traction and revamped cut and chip resistance. All sizes feature Mickey’s unique
Powerply technology, a third ply that runs at an 8° angle, providing additional sidewall protection, improved handling and enhanced steering response. For your nearest Authorised Retailer, go to mickeythompsontires.com.au or call 1300 MICKEY (642 539).
IT’S HARD TO GO PAST ONE OF THE MOST CAPABLE TOW TUGS MONEY CAN BUY
Up top is where things get a little wild. There are two Jackoff canopies, both independent of each other so that Simon can run with either box on there, or he can run a completely flat tray for hauling his Polaris RZR. The front canopy is broken into driver and passenger compartments, and on the passenger side is an MSA drop-down fridge slide and a full 12V kitout. Twin lithium batteries help keep things running, with a whole host of Redarc gear making it work. A Redarc battery management system keeps an eye on electrical levels, while a Redarc 1500W invertor and isolator gives Simon full control. A gas-powered hot water system has also been shoehorned into the box, with a 12V pump providing a constant flow to the rearmounted tap and 60L tank under the tray. The driver’s side holds a series of roll-out drawers for storing
camping goodies and a Weber Q barbie, while both sides boast extensive sealing for dust- and waterproofing. The rear box has laser-cut panels on either side, so it’s perfect as a dog box or wet storage area and it can easily be hosed out. It’ll also house two full-size spares on the back or a single spare and outboard
motor, depending on the adventure. The roof-rack system is also interchangeable, with Simon swapping between a motorised boat loader and a James Baroud roof-top tent when the caravan stays at home.
With a canopy larger than most apartments and a boat loaded on the roof, the stock suspension was never going to cut it. Outback Customs came to the rescue again, with a trick Ride-rite air suspension arrangement for the rear. It runs a standalone compressor with a digital gauge inside, allowing Simon to adjust the ride height depending on the weight, with a flick of a wrist. It’s backed up with huge King coil-overs up front and King shocks in the rear, both sporting reserve
reservoirs for improved performance in corrugations. “The old Rancho’s were rubbish off-road,” Simon said. “We put the Kings in and it was like sitting in an armchair.”
The stock 20-inch wheels also got binned, in their place now reside a set of 18s to give the Super Tourer a taller sidewall to help smooth out corrugations. The huge guards help swallow the tyres, making the 37-inch MTZS look almost normal.
Despite coming blacked-out and with stout barwork straight from Tuscany Motor Co, Simon added a few touches here and there to the outside of the big rig. The front bar now sports a Baja Designs slim-line LED light bar, while the flanks are wearing Outback Customs rock sliders. The whole truck was wrapped in-house with a matte-black vinyl wrap to match the powdercoated textured black tray. Simon will admit when the trip calls for hardcore rockcrawling he’ll grab the keys to the Super Tourer LC200. However, when remote touring or hauling a small house to the far corners of Australia is the order of the day, it’s hard to go past one of the most capable tow tugs money can buy.