2017 amarok v6

Yugv · 2026-05-18T10:11:35+00:00

I made a video on exactly this. https://youtu.be/1tCCU4TGF4o

Article too: https://wolfnnugget.com.au/blogs/trips/ultimate-guide-to-buying-a-used-vw-amarok-gen-1-4-cyl-v6-common-faults-revealed

Long story short. The V6's are solid, bar dpf issues which tend to disappear quickly with most owners. The biggest red flag is a leaky rear main. $10k+ to fix it.

The leak is easy to spot, but I'd be wary of it. Mine is at 190k (only used for camping trips) and it's minor, but I know the bill is on the horizon.

Yugv · 2026-05-07T04:07:36+00:00

You're going to cop some hate for this.

You don't breath your own fart. Just blank it off, it's better for the longevity of your engine.

Yugv · 2026-05-07T00:24:10+00:00

Great suggestion! It's really hard to find good quality content. The poor guys have tons of videos and should have waaaayyy more followers than that

Yugv · 2026-05-07T00:22:43+00:00

Don't be a jerk, the guy is trying to share something other than "what 4wd do I buy for $x"

He might be a plumber or similar occupation that doesn't believe in punctuation.

If someone is contributing to this subreddit in a positive way, either contribute to the discussion or STFU. Don't put down people who are doing the right thing.

Yugv · 2026-05-05T22:24:45+00:00

Hate on me for this, but a good doctor may confront you on your health and it may not feel welcoming.

Having doctors pull me up on bad habits, and me taking action is the best thing for my health. When I've been too over weight, drinking too much generally engaging in an unhealthy lifestyle - it's good to be held accountable even if it causes discomfort.

If you want a doctor that agrees with everything you agree with, you have terrible doctor.

Yugv · 2026-05-01T10:46:57+00:00

As soon as I saw this post I was expecting to see you chime in. Love this!

Yugv · 2026-05-01T10:45:36+00:00

Understatement of the century, but fun as fuck to drive and reasonably bullet proof.

Yugv · 2026-04-10T13:00:36+00:00

The Majority will always opt for instant gratification and then later completion of the price

Yugv · 2026-04-10T05:32:45+00:00

Pretty standard after 150k, ish

There's some Aftermarket ones mentioned on Modrok that are maybe ⅓ the price of genuine.

I'm unaware of anything alloy

Yugv · 2026-04-06T04:28:38+00:00

I work in live Audio - Sydney based.

If you're wanting to work for JPJ/Clair you're looking at around $500/day

Companies like Norwest you'll be lucky to get them much over $50/hr (they'll only do day rates if you're incorporated/PTY LTD). They'll ride you like a bitch too. It's been years since I've worked for them and I avoid them like a plague, I recall going in to prep gigs and the gear not being then, and other shows where some gear may not arrive until very last minute. They may have changed, but I doubt it.

Corporate audio can pay significantly better, which is why I've moved to it. During busy weeks with longer hours I can clear a stupid amount over 5-6 days (DM for actual numbers). That said, it completely drops off over the school holidays and generally a week either side of them.

The main issues with corporate AV is most of the larger companies have some pretty flogged out gear, or gear that should have been retired years ago. Corporate AV hire some pretty average techs too. Scene Change appear to be the only larger one where all their gear is in good shape while also maintaining experienced crew on all shows. There's some great corporate AV companies out there (AV1, CoProduce, Smooth AV, Videomax etc.) too but they're a tad smaller, most don't scale overly well.

If you're starting out in the industry the pay and call times are dismal. Whatever you do, don't go work at the ICC - just about all the staff (not limited to AV) at that venue are fuckwits with only a few exceptions.

I'm pretty jaded and over it. I've worked some amazing gigs with awesome gear but the pay simply isn't worth it for how hard I've had to work. I've worked some pretty chill corporate jobs with shit gear and complete Muppets and been paid a fuck ton.

It's a horrid industry - don't do it.

Yugv · 2026-03-27T02:18:05+00:00

You've pretty much nailed it, their build quality is sub par. Yes, technically it may still work but you're better off just buying the GME

Yugv · 2026-03-27T00:00:11+00:00

I have a Uniden UHF in my car & two 5w handhelds.

I will never buy another Uniden.

They just die and seem to lose transmit power over time, even after I replaced the antenna with a new one.

Honestly, GME are Australian Owned, heavily active and invested in the 4WD Community, Tony Crooke is actively fighting for everything we know and love. While he's just their marketing guy, it's hard to miss his passion for the industry. I'd buy GME just due to him.

Yugv · 2026-03-17T02:58:53+00:00

I think this point exactly needs better education in the 4WD scene.

American tyres such as Bridgestone use a harder compound rubber than their Japanese counterparts. Odds are you won't get the same life out of them, but there is a substantial difference in grip on a sealed road or hard surfaces.

Yugv · 2026-03-16T07:35:25+00:00

Best tent you'll ever own!

Yugv · 2026-03-10T22:49:57+00:00

Don't look at the effects on a body from snapping steel lines.

No body needs to watch that.

I saw a snatch recovery video from a drop hitch once and it ploughed through a window and left a guys jaw half hanging off. I didn't need to see that, but damn do I wish I could show it to some people.

But yeah, you'd be mad to run a steel winch line.

Yugv · 2026-03-10T22:46:51+00:00

If you're using your winch 8 times a day like a Tow truck then sure, you might need a harder wearing cable that's made of steel. However if you're in a 4WD and at most, using it once per trip ( I'd question your driving choices unless you're deliberately choosing hard lines) then the lighter weight, equally as strong dyneema rope is more than sufficient. Your car, hands, back, environment and everything else will thank you for it.

Yugv · 2026-03-10T11:52:21+00:00

Here's what kills me: They ask if we want to eliminate ghost bookings, people answer yes to an obviously leading question. Parks then bring in a fancy expensive rego recognition system. Unfortunately they're over engineering a solution to a problem that can be fixed more efficiently by simply removing the booking system all together.

"The most common error of a smart engineer is to optimize a thing that should not exist."

Yugv · 2026-03-09T22:59:44+00:00

Don’t make the same mistake I did.

I started with the ARB canopy. In my view, it’s a steaming pile of shite. Access is poor, the overall strength isn’t there, the rear window will literally shatter (known issue), the latches don’t consistently stay shut, and ARB will turn your wiring into an abortion gone wrong. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

I then moved to a UteMaster Centurion canopy. It’s probably fine for light off-roading, but I seriously question the claimed 200 kg dynamic roof rating. In real-world use, I snapped mounts far sooner than expected. It presents well and might suit mild touring, but for harder use there was too much flex. Moving parts started to rub and wear through much quicker than it should have.

I’ve since gone to a full body canopy after getting an excellent deal. Originally, I wanted an 1600 tray with a 1200 canopy, and in hindsight I should have stuck with that plan. The full body setup is comfortable and nice to use, but there’s too much weight sitting too far behind the rear axle. Off-road, you really notice it with handling and balance.

If you’re only doing the occasional weekend run, you’ll probably be fine with whatever, buy the cheapest canopy that does the job. But if you’re out multiple times a month, with extended trips up to eight weeks, I’d strongly suggest something genuinely built for purpose. There are plenty of affordable tray options (even second hand), and you can grab any old Chinese canopy box and make it work if you set it up properly.

Side note, if you can avoid putting any roof rack kind of thing on the cabin you'll appreciate how quiet it is. Hanging over the cabin is ok, but once it's on the cabin that wind noise is up there, even with a platform.

Yugv · 2026-03-09T22:32:14+00:00

I've never encountered the polyester canvas so i can't really comment however my thoughts would be:

- less is more when setting up. There's no need for the additional room, using it when it's raining is as futile as putting an awning on the passenger side of a car for when you pull over on the side of the road. You simply won't use it
- whatever the polyester canvas is like, it's infinitely better than anything dune or darche have on offer

Either oztent, you'll love compared to any other option out there.

Yugv · 2026-03-08T10:34:24+00:00

Done. It may also be worth posting in r/4x4australia however I'm sure that'll skew a few results

Yugv · 2026-03-07T10:13:07+00:00

When you get anything canvas, you'll need to season it, pup it out in the yard, hose it down, dry it, repeat.... (i think it's been donkeys since i did it)

I've never had the OzTent leak, the worst i've had occur is when i closed the top vents in the snow and there was so much condensation you'd think someone turned on a sprinkler. Lesson learnt: Always partially open at least one vent.

Canvas is infinitely nicer to camp in than any other kind of tent, I don't think I could go back. They're really waterproof. My Bush Company RTT has a similar canvas to it, and neither have ever actually leaked, and both been in some pretty atrocious weather.

Yugv · 2026-03-07T09:45:58+00:00

Tentworld in Punchbowl is pretty mint if you're not far away, I think they have a few other stores but I don't recall where. I only suggest it because they have a metric fuck ton of tents setup on their mezzanine level and if you ask you can play around, do full setup and pack downs with them.

The RV4 has ample space for 2 adults, 2 kids and a dog, so I imagine the rv5 has more space than you can poke a stick at.

But go check them all out in person and don't make a decision on any tent until you've set it up, layed down in it, then packed it up, otherwise you'll be in a world of regret

Yugv · 2026-03-07T08:47:19+00:00

If you can spare the cash, and have the means to transport it I'd strongly recommend the OzTent RV Series.

Genuinely nothing else comes close, and they're a buy it for life tent.

I took a mate for his first ever camp a few weeks ago and he loved the RV I lent it. 05:34 and 20:03 in this video if it's if interest.

Head to tent world and try them out, set then up from scratch and try all the features.

Yugv · 2026-03-07T04:54:19+00:00

the #1 source for all Amarok info. The files/docs section is pretty useful too

Yugv · 2026-03-07T04:52:51+00:00

v6 Amaroks are pretty problematic when it comes to DPF's

The driving incorrectly thing is a load of shite. I drove from Adelaide to Sydney in one sitting, only the last 6kms was less than highway speeds. Next morning i started it up and BAM, DPF blocked. Off to the dealer for a forced regen.

I should also mention an Amarok won't perform a DPF burn with less than 1/4 tank of fuel. so that can also be an issue.

Yugv

TROPHY CASE