RACK ATTACK

OUR NEW VEHICLE BUILD FOR 2024 IS THIS FORD EVEREST AMBIENTE, AND THE FIRST GEAR WE'VE FITTED TO IT IS A YAKIMA LOCKNLOAD ROOF PLATFORM, AWNING AND ACCESSORIES

-  MATT RAUDONIKIS

THE Everest Ambiente is the base model in Ford’s 4x4 wagon line-up, so it really gives us a blank canvas to build it into a capable and comfortable touring 4x4 wagon. Because it’s a wagon, the Everest has less capacity to carry large objects and gear than our previous Ranger ute builds, so a versatile and quality roof rack is a welcome addition.

We’ve opted to fit the 1230 X 2150mm Yakima LockNLoad platform to the Everest, mounted on Yakima’s RuggedLine longitudinal mounting system. With 16 different size platforms in the LockNLoad range, finding the perfect one for the Everest was not a problem, and the RuggedLine mounts not only look the part but provide a stable mounting system for the platform as they run the length of the rack.

Mounting the racks can often be a DIY affair, but as our Eeverst is an Ambiente model with flush-mounted factory roof rails, as opposed to the raised rails on the higher-spec models, the roof lining needs to come out to replace the factory rails with the RuggedLine ones. Bearing this in mind, we sent the Everest to the guys at Roof Rack Super Store in Moorabbin for the fit up.