
Bakkies are unquestionably the most popular vehicle segment in South Africa, however, buyers have always been limited for choice.
They could either get one that’s rear-wheel drive, or one that twists all four tyres, nothing more, nothing less. Sure, you could pay someone to do something radical to your wheels, but that was usually an expensive passion project only a select few braved.
That was until 2024 when two local firms – Armormax and Ulterio Motiv – both unveiled six-wheeled bakkies that are available to the public, adding a niche but very cool category into the segment.
Armormax Tac-6
Armormax’s Tac-6 is a six-wheeled Toyota Land Cruiser 79 pitched at international special forces operations, though it’s doubtful that the company would say no if you rock up at its door with a cheque in hand.
The Cruiser is fitted with an extended high-strength steel chassis to accommodate a third, driven axle, while the 4.5-litre, V8 diesel engine has been tuned to develop 192kW and 710Nm.
As the standard transmission would have required extensive fettling, Armormax developed a special eight-speed automatic transmission with a bespoke cooling system that can manage all the additional forces in various difficult conditions such as thick sand and hot weather.
At the tips of the axles are burly tyres measuring between 31 and 35 inches, which can be removed with a single 13mm socket spanner for easy replacement.
Other aspects such as the axles and brake discs are factory spec, thus reducing the time and cost of finding and replacing parts.
To make it practical in a variety of environments, the Tac-6 comes with two fuel tanks with a capacity of 210 and 90 litres for a combined total of 300 litres – enough to drive for over 2,000km, Armormax claims.
It can also tow up to 4,400kg and gets a high-strength steel rear cross guard that can accept a military-grade tow hitch.
Buyers can also opt to install STANAG Level 1 armour which provides 360-degree protection against shell fragments as well as select firearms.
Regardless of whether you choose the single or double cab, the bakkie measures an imposing 5,995mm from nose to tail, 1,870mm from head to toe, and 1,870mm from mirror to mirror.
The Tac-6 is intended to fulfil a variety of roles for its buyer, including a personnel carrier, a weapon platform, an ammunition carrier, a radar platform, an anti-tank missile launch platform, a drone platform, and a mechanical field workshop.
It can also be used as a 3,500-litre fuel or water tanker, and can serve in non-combat roles in agriculture or mining.
The cost of the Armormax conversion starts at R1.5 million, though this does not include the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 itself, which currently sells for between R777,000 and R1,054,800.
Ulterio Motiv Land Cruiser 79 6×6
Like the Tac-6, the Ulterio Motiv Land Cruiser 79 6×6 is, you guessed it, based on a Toyota Land Cruiser 79. It’s a bit tamer in comparison to its contemporary, however.
Ulterio Motiv’s creation is a “blank canvas” that allows customers to tailor the vehicle for purposes such as emergency services, camping, or overlanding.
Available in 6×4 and 6×6 guise, the Land Cruiser sees a high-strength steel extension welded onto the standard frame for the installation of a third axle and extra set of wheels.
The rear axles are then track-corrected, meaning they are slightly wider to allow the tyres to run in line with those at the front, and the souped-up Toyota boasts three diff locks which enhance its off-road prowess even further.
Ulterio Motiv notes that whereas existing 6×6 systems generally employ a complex series of drive shafts and gearboxes, its design features a straight-through differential drive from the second to the third axle in combination with a slipper-type clutch, thus the full 6×6 drive is only activated when needed.
An upgraded hydraulic-assisted brake booster with braided hose lines is also fitted, enabling the driver to use less pressure on the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a halt.
As an option, both the 6×4 and 6×6 can be specified with 35-inch steel wheels that improve grip in off-road conditions when the applicable tyres are fitted.
Other add-ons comprise suspension and bullbar components from Ironman 4×4, as well as a custom drop-side load bin measuring 3.3m x 1.5m.
When all is said and done, the Ulterio Motiv Land Cruiser 6×6 comes in at a gross vehicle mass of 6,050kg – a significant 2,850kg up on that of the standard vehicle – and the 6×4 at 5,500kg.
Owing to the homologated load-carrying ability of the 6×6, it requires a code C1 (previous code 10) licence to operate on public roads.
The Ulterio Motiv conversion packages start at R389,950 for the 6×4 and R895,000 for the 6×6, excluding VAT and the price of the vehicle.
Owners of older Land Cruiser 79 models, either in straight-six, V8, or the newly launched four-cylinder automatic variations, can also get their bakkies converted.
Ulterio Motiv Ranger 6×4
Another brainchild of Ulterio Motiv, the Ford Ranger 6×4 doesn’t strictly have six-wheel drive, though it does still have two more wheels than what you’ll normally get on a Ranger so it’s more than qualified to make the list.
It follows a similar philosophy to the Toyota with a lengthened chassis and bespoke drivetrain that makes it far more versatile than its standard namesakes.
However, the extra rear axle is but a load-carrying component and does not receive any power from the engine. It shoulders roughly 40% of the rear mass with the middle axle carrying the rest.
“This provides the driven axle with more grip because of the higher contact force between the driven wheels and the road surface improving traction,” said Ulterio Motiv.
Additionally, an upgraded braking system is installed that adds a disc-brake setup to the third axle.
The standard Ford 4×4 system and differential lock remain in place and fully functional, as does the Ford ABS system.
Following the conversion, Ulterio Motiv can manufacture a custom drop-side load bin that measures 1.6m wide and 2.5m long for the Ranger, but buyers are invited to customise the vehicle to their heart’s content with a wide array of accessories.
The 6×4 Ranger has been designed, developed, and homologated to carry an increased payload capacity of 2,000kg over harsh terrains, leading to a maximum gross vehicle mass of 4,500kg, depending on the model.
This means drivers must possess a C1 licence to legally operate the behemoth on public roads.
The new Ranger is available in 6×4 only, with prices for the conversion starting at R265,000 excl. VAT and the price of the vehicle.
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