The Kia Tasman is still a new addition to the Australian 4WD market, and plenty of owners are starting to think about what their setup could look like.
The good news is, you don’t need to build everything at once.
A great Tasman setup starts with the accessories that make sense for how you plan to use the vehicle now, while leaving room to add more as your towing, touring and adventure plans develop.
This Kia Tasman came through our ARB Rockingham workshop for a complete setup, including front and side protection, recovery, driving lights, towing equipment and an Old Man Emu MT-64 suspension and GVM upgrade.
It’s a solid starting point for a Tasman that can continue to develop over time.
Starting with Protection
Up front, we fitted an ARB Summit MKII Bull Bar, giving the Tasman front end protection while also providing a practical base for lighting and recovery equipment.
We also fitted ARB Side Rails and Steps, extending protection along the sides of the vehicle while providing easier access in and out.
An ARB 8T Rated Recovery Point was added as part of the setup, giving the vehicle a dedicated recovery point for when trips start heading further off road.
Together, these upgrades give the Tasman a strong foundation for weekend trips, touring and more adventurous driving.
Lighting for Travelling Further
Two Bushranger Night Hawk 9″ ADV Driving Lights were fitted to the Summit MKII Bull Bar.
For anyone regularly travelling regional roads, heading away early or arriving after dark, additional lighting can be a really worthwhile part of the setup.
It also gives this Tasman a strong lighting setup from the beginning, with the option to look at additional lighting later depending on how the vehicle is used.
Suspension and GVM Upgrade
One of the most important parts of this build is underneath the vehicle.
We fitted an Old Man Emu MT-64 Suspension Upgrade together with a GVM Upgrade.
When you start adding accessories, passengers, towing equipment and everything else that comes with travelling, vehicle weight can add up quickly.
Planning the suspension and GVM side early gives the Tasman a better foundation for the extra weight that can come with a more complete touring or towing setup.
The MT-64 suspension upgrade also allows the vehicle to be set up around its intended use and load, rather than waiting until everything has already been fitted.
For anyone planning to keep adding to their Tasman over time, getting the suspension and weight side sorted early is worth considering.
Ready for Towing
At the rear, we fitted a Hayman Reese X-Bar.
For Tasman owners planning to tow a caravan, camper, boat or trailer, including towing requirements early in the build makes it easier to plan the rest of the vehicle around how it will actually be used.
Combined with the suspension and GVM upgrade, it gives this Tasman a strong starting point for future towing and touring plans.
A Tasman Build That Can Keep Growing
The full setup on this Tasman includes:
- ARB Summit MKII Bull Bar
- ARB Side Rails and Steps
- ARB 8T Rated Recovery Point
- Bushranger Night Hawk 9″ ADV Driving Lights
- Old Man Emu MT-64 Suspension Upgrade
- GVM Upgrade
- Hayman Reese X-Bar
It’s already a capable setup, but that doesn’t mean the build has to stop here.
As more options become available for the new Tasman, there is room to keep developing the vehicle depending on what the owner needs.
That could include things like roof racks, MITS Alloy tray or canopy solutions, additional lighting and other touring accessories as suitable options continue to become available.
The point isn’t to fit everything possible straight away.
It’s about starting with the upgrades that make sense now and leaving room for the vehicle to grow with the way you use it.
Planning Your Kia Tasman Build
If you’ve recently picked up a Kia Tasman and aren’t sure where to start, think about what you actually want the vehicle to do.
Will you be towing? Carrying more weight? Heading away on weekends? Travelling longer distances? Spending more time off road?
Those answers can help determine which upgrades should come first and which can be added later.
At ARB Rockingham, we can help plan your Tasman setup from the beginning, whether you’re starting with a few key upgrades or working towards a larger touring build over time.
Visit us at 57 Dixon Road, Rockingham or book an appointment with the team to start planning your Kia Tasman build.
