RIDING HIGH
WHEN Victorian native, Henk Piper, set about building up his 2018 Everest, he wasted no time getting the altitude to match the attitude he had in mind. The Everest Trend now rides 4.5 inches higher thanks to a combination of trick aftermarket gear. Up front, three-inch lifted struts are the order of the day, with Dobinson’s MRR units getting the tick of approval. The remote reservoir helps the Everest hold its own against corrugations, while the adjustable valving lets Henk dial in the ride for the load. Up the back, a matching set of MRR shocks are fitted up with three-inch lifted coils to suit.
Tucked inside are helper airbags, while the remaining lift comes from upsized tyres in form of aggressive 305/70R17 Maxxis RAZR muddies wrapped around steel wheels. They’re kept reined in under the body with a huge set of Kut Snake flares.
The rest of the Everest’s exterior has received a similar overhaul to match the look of the staunch new guards. Up front, Henk’s fitted up a Dobinson Classic Black Deluxe bullbar. It houses Stedi Type-x Pro LED driving lights and a Gigglepin Gp25,one of the best winches money can buy. The GP25 is improved on the traditional high-mount in every way; it has a more powerful 6.8hp motor, hand-built lightweight alloy housing, upgraded gears, and is fully braced and fully submersible.
At the back, Henk added a set of steel sliders along the flanks and bright red PS4X4 bash plates underneath. Up top, a Rhino platform rack sports a Stedi light bar up front, with perimeter lighting all ’round. They’re tucked in underneath the Road Runner Offroad awning and Kick Ass shower tent. A lightweight hard-shell rooftop tent takes pride of place right up top. Sourced from Wild Land, the Desert Cruiser tent sets up quick and easy, and houses a 300W solar set-up on its lid.
The same more-is-more approach is taken on the inside, with every possible surface tweaked, accessorised or modified. Starting from up front, Henk optioned up two GME UHFS with a combination of antennas for different terrain. By running dual units, he’s able to have constant communication with his convoy, while keeping an ear out for oncoming traffic or outback truckers. Up on the A-pillar, dual Redarc gauges give him up-todate readouts on boost levels, exhaust gas temperatures, battery levels and even the fridge temperature.
A custom cargo barrier separates the crew from the camping kit, where a Redarc DCDC charger keeps twin 170amp/h batteries charged. Also back here is an MPPT solar regulator, to help regulate the 300W coming in from the roof, as well as a 12V Travel Buddy and a Cel-fi GO signal booster.