PATRIOT Campers flicked us the keys to its insane LC79 6×6 this month, and we got first dibs on pointing it towards a tricky hill-climb.

We also settled a debate between mates over which customised ride is best: Defender, FJ or Wrangler. Plus, we took Benz’s G300 Professional on an east-west crossing of the Simpson.

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What else you’ll get this month:

PATRIOT CAMPERS’ LC79 6X6 We got to belt this next-level 79 Series Land Cruiser.

MY17 NISSAN NAVARA SERIES II: PAYLOAD TEST Putting the Navara’s revised suspension set-up to an 800kg payload test.

CUSTOM SHOWDOWN Land Rover Defender v Toyota FJ Cruiser v Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

MERCEDES-BENZ G300 PROFESSIONAL CROSSES THE SIMPSON An east-west crossing of the Simpson Desert in a convoy of G Wagens.

CUSTOM TOYOTA HILUX A lack of funds couldn’t stop the build of this SAS Hilux.

CUSTOM TOYOTA LAND CRUISER FJ45 Restomod FJ45 is a neat mix of old and new.

VW AMAROK HITS THE BIG BASH A convoy of VW Amaroks invade Toyota territory.

SOUTHEAST ARNHEM LAND, NT Penny Wells descends on some of Arnhem Land’s cultural hotspots.

CAPITAL CITY ESCAPES, SYDNEY Top 4×4 getaways within cooee of NSWs’ capital.

MUNGERANNIE HOTEL, SA We stop for a frothy at one of Australia’s greatest watering holes.

YUNTA TO HAWKER, SA Avoid the main roads for a truly scenic route to the Flinders Ranges.

SOMME BATTLEGROUNDS, FRANCE Greenlaning through the Somme region’s historic battlegrounds.

THE POINT OF RECOVERY POINTS We explain why a rated recovery point is an essential off-road requirement.

THE REST We put a bunch of fresh gear under the microscope this month, including the Primus Portable Power Pack, the Quick Fit Bracket and Mickey Thompson Deegan tyres.

Roothy continues to encounter deadlines during the build of Milo2, Fraser reckons the plans to ban fossil-fuelled cars are politically motivated, Ron provides a toolbox checklist for the well-prepared traveller, and Deano has had some very high – and very low – 4WD moments.

This month, Readers’ Rigs includes a 1995 80 Series Cruiser, a 1989 Nissan Y60 Patrol and a 4.5-inch-lifted Wrangler Rubicon – post your rig here.

The November issue of 4X4 Australia is in stores Thursday, October 5.

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