As the weather warms up, tradies are gearing up their utes and 4WDs for some epic 4X4ing.
Even the most beastly of rigs can be undone by a lack of quality parts under the hood such as filters and separators.
That’s where Ryco comes in — these guys don’t mess around when it comes to delivering the best in filtration.
This includes the Ryco Universal Fuel Water Separator Kit and accompanying Sensor Kit as well as the Ryco Universal Catch Can Kit.
Tradie and LandCruiser lover Zac Fiddelaers gave us a hand with this Tradie Tough Test.
His 2017 GXR 200-Series Cruiser has a 4.5 V8 TD with twin-locked 35s and a remap pushing 230 horses.
In other words: it’s an expensive vehicle.
The last thing Zac wants is engine trouble caused by contaminated fuel or water wreaking havoc in the middle of nowhere.
He installed these kits and gave them a run through on some forest tracks in Noojee, eastern Victoria.
Test #1: Outback adventuring
When you’re out in the regional/remote areas of Australia, you’re often at the mercy of the elements.
You’re also at the mercy of your fuel reserves or whatever you can find nearby, which mightn’t be as high quality as the stuff you get from your local metropolitan servo.
That’s where Ryco’s Universal Fuel Water Separator kit comes in handy.
SEE MORE: Tradie Tough Tests
This filter ensures debris and water is removed — with an efficiency of 98.7 per cent — before fuel enters the critical components of the engine.
For someone like Zac, who takes his LandCruiser to some of the most isolated (not to mention soggy) spots in south-east Australia, having a filter like this helps give him the reassurance that his engine is almost totally protected from contaminants.
“It gives you peace of mind that if you do have crummy fuel, it’s not going to destroy your motor,” he said.
Ryco’s taken filter monitoring a step further with the sensor kit. Zac was able to easily hook this up to his 12v cigarette port in his console, no extra drilling or cablework required.
Zac could then check the status of his Ryco filters remotely via an app on his phone.
“It was really easy to hook this up and connect my phone,” he said.
“If you have a smartphone and use apps, you can use this.”
Test #2: Quite the catch
Tradies — including Zac — are no strangers to making modifications to their rigs. Modifications, engine wear and demanding driving conditions can affect gas flow.
This catch can helps prevent gases from contaminating engine air intake components, removing things such as crankcase emissions down to 1µm (micron).
“That catch can helps save all that extra oil going back into the intake of the engine,” Zac said.
The large sump capacity of the catch can means longer drain intervals so Zac doesn’t have to worry about it while he’s on long getaways.
This smart piece of kit also has an exterior service indicator, which gives someone like Zac the heads up that his catch can is in need of service.
Fuelled up
Off-roading enthusiasts want to know they’ve done all they can to prepare their pride and joys for a demanding trip.
Ryco has a tonne of filters and filter-monitoring components that give tradies like Zac the confidence to hit the trail knowing their engines are well protected.
Head over here to learn more about Ryco’s filters and components