Top brands, agile business, happy customers
Auckland’s Joel Stirling has created a new way to supply the best of 4WD accessories to an avid Kiwi off-road fraternity.
His new company, Option 4WD, imports accessories and equipment from the USA and Thailand and operates from a smart online model.
He is a busy bloke. He’s completing an MBA degree at Auckland University, is dad to two young children and now the brains behind Option 4WD.
“Those big trucks you see on the roads in the USA – I wanted to bring this to New Zealand with parts not yet available here,” he said.
Like so many clever Kiwis, Joel started the business from his garage and he has been working seven days a week ever since to make it happen.
Joel uses his own Ford Ranger as a mobile showroom and test mule. It is festooned with ‘eye candy’ accessories, as is the custom Ranger trailer he hooks to the back. For example, spotlights, fog lights, ditch lights, work lights and campsite lights: there are Baja-proven KC Hilites everywhere.
“KC Hilites have been a ‘thing’ since I first saw Marty McFly’s black Toyota Hilux with its yellow KC lights on it in the 1985 movie Back to the Future. I have always wanted KC lights on my 4WD but could never find them in New Zealand. Then I was in California in 2020 and landed the rights to import them into NZ. Since then, the KC brand has exploded onto the off-road scene here.”
The fully certified truck has a body lift, suspension lift and diff drop, and runs Joel’s own-brand custom top arms on the front suspension. The springs and adjustable shock absorbers are by Dobinson.
“It’s not a silly lift, but the truck looks right and goes right off-road. It also attracts attention on downtown streets or up at the 4WD park.”
The response, he says, has been ‘exceptional’.
“People are looking to individualise their vehicles now. Kiwis love the outdoors and they love the off-road ‘look’. We offer a way to make any 4WD stand out.”
Specification: Option 4WD 2018 Ford Ranger XLT
3.2-litre turbodiesel with aftermarket ECU tune, I-Drive throttle controller, larger intercooler, alloy top and bottom intercooler pipes.
3” exhaust pipe (turbo back).
Low water alarm and sensor unit.
RYCO catch can and pre fuel filter unit.
Custom made air box, K&N air filter and snorkel (Hybrid Street & 4x4.)
Wheels: 20x9.5 Black Rhino Sprocket.
Tyres: Kenda 35 X 12.5 R20
Suspension: 3-5” Fully Adjustable MRA Dobinsons (Top Spec ) set to 3” front and 2” rear.
2” body lift.
Option 4WD upper arms in yello.w
Option 4WD 2” diff drop
Brakes: DBA slotted front discs, ceramic front pads and rear shoes.
Exterior:
Option 4WD V.3 front winch bar.
Option 4WD V.1 Rear Bar.
Option 4WD V.2 side steps.
Full carbon fibre bonnet.
Clearview tow mirrors.
Runva winch.
Three-piece under-body protection (yellow).
Utemaster hard lid, sports bar, side rails and wheel holder.
Interior:
RVE Full leather seats and trim front and back.
ARB Dual air compressor under rear seat.
Full carbon trim.
Dual GME XRS UHF radios, antennas with folding brackets.
KC – M-RACK with 50” Pro6 light bar.
KC – PRO6 Light bar.
10” side lights for M-rack.
KC – Ditch Lights / Flex ERA 3” combo lights.
KC – Rear 32” light bar combo.
KC – Cube Lights (flood pattern).
Six Shooter wireless control system (No relays, no wires past the firewall).
Scrub King ditch light brackets.
