As someone who spends most weekends chasing snapper off the coast and camping beside the waves, having a reliable 4WD setup isn’t just a luxury – it’s a necessity. My name’s Milutin Kovacevic, and between fishing missions and remote campsites, I’ve put more than a few beach kilometres under my belt. Recently, I decided it was time to upgrade my rig – and I couldn’t be happier with the work that Tony Allen Auto Service (TAAS) did to bring it all to life.
From City Cruiser to Sand Slayer
Back in 2018, I bought my first Hilux – a 2014 model that I absolutely loved. It came with 20-inch rims and low-profile road tyres, which looked great but left me red-faced (and often bogged) on soft sand. So I upgraded to Maxxis ATs – and they transformed my beach performance.
Fast-forward to 2024, I decided it was time to upgrade the truck itself. I jumped on a runout deal for a brand-new manual Hilux but opted to keep my existing Maxxis AT Razors, which still had plenty of life in them. I’d been toying with the idea of dropping to smaller steel wheels to increase tyre profile and surface area for sand driving – and finally decided to go all in. But I didn’t stop there.
Enter: the suspension lift.
The TAAS Touch
I reached out to Dean at TAAS with my vision – a tougher, beach-ready Hilux that could glide over soft sand, with improved clearance and a smoother ride. Dean was more than happy to take on the job. After a few back-and-forths, we locked in the following upgrade:
- Pedders Foam Cell 2″ Suspension Lift Kit
- 5 x Kings 17″ Steel Wheels
- 5 x Maxxis AT Razor 265/70 Tyres
I dropped the truck off on a Monday morning and Dean handed me the keys to a tidy late-model courtesy SUV. He told me the work would be done by the next day, but I couldn’t pick it up until Thursday – no problem, he let me keep the loan car with no hassle.
Midway through Tuesday, Dean started sending me progress shots – and wow, was I embarrassed by the amount of beach sand caked in the underbody! But that’s the price of a good mission.
The Result? Next Level.
When I finally saw the finished rig, I was blown away. Literally beaming. The stance of the truck had completely changed – it looked taller, tougher, and more capable. I’m 6’1”, and even I had to stretch a little to climb in!
But it wasn’t just about looks. The first drive felt like I was floating. The suspension soaked up bumps I’d previously felt in my teeth, and the new tyre setup gave it a solid, planted feel on the road.
The Real Test: Hitting the Sand
Of course, the real measure was the beach. I headed out with a few mates determined to push the Hilux to its limit. In the past, certain soft-sand spots were guaranteed bog zones. Not anymore. With the 2″ lift and beefier tyres, the Hilux powered through everything I threw at it. Even when I deliberately tried to get stuck, it just kept going – low gear, steady throttle, no drama.
Bonus win? The lift made it way easier to hose off the underbody. Anyone who regularly drives on sand knows the pain of beach cleanup. The added clearance meant I could actually see and spray areas that were impossible to reach before.
Final Verdict
I couldn’t be happier with the work the TAAS team did. Dean kept me in the loop the entire time, gave me a great courtesy car, and delivered on everything I asked for – on time, on budget, and to a high standard. These guys really know their stuff when it comes to 4×4 upgrades and suspension work.
Next on the list? A bull bar and winch. And when that time comes, I’ll be heading straight back to TAAS to get it done right.
Thanks again to the team – you’ve earned a lifelong customer.
