How 4WD Interiors Began

From Personal Necessity to Entrepreneurial Beginnings

In 1978 , whilst working in the outback Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Australia, founder of 4WD Interiors, Gary Plant, realised that he didn’t have easy access to his gear in his 40 series SWB landcruiser, and there wasn’t anything suitable on the market. So he decided to design a solution himself. The first item he designed for his landcruiser was a dash shelf for ”the odd can of beverage” and other small items. Next came a Top Shelf for the CB radio, books and maps.

And then an overhead rear rack made of light gauge wire mesh for sleeping gear, towels, jackets etc. When Gary’s mates saw what he had designed for his Landcruiser, they started asking "could he make the same for them". So Gary quit working the Northwest, moved to Perth, registered a business, and produced his Dash and Top Shelf using a glue pot and brush from the annex of his caravan, and selling his products by word of mouth.

Growing the Product Range and Facilities

Expansion to Cairns

Moving the business from Melbourne to Cairns, he set up a workshop in one 200sq metre factory unit, eventually expanding to five units. The range of accessories grew to include Door Pockets, Floor Consoles, Roof Consoles, and Wheel Arch Storage Boxes with False Floors in the back.

Australia’s First Roller Drawer System

A Revolutionary Innovation

This was a special year as Gary developed and produced the first ever Roller Drawer System in Australia. This premium quality drawer system took the 4WD industry by storm and is still one of our company's largest selling items.

Launching Our State-of-the-Art Melbourne Facility

Modernising for the Future

Gary has now opened a new state of the art facility in Melbourne to accommodate production and the quality control required to keep ahead of the development curve of latest vehicle requirements and international standards.