Future-proof your 4×4 with the ultimate Ryco upgrade

Reliability, longevity and performance are just a handful of the goals we aim for when building our four-wheel drives. We crave reliability because, well, no-one wants their dream trip cut short. We work towards longevity so we can enjoy what we do for as long as mechanically possible. Finally, performance, and let’s be honest, this doesn’t really need any justifying.

When we modify our 4x4s, it’s usually hard to combine all three of the above aspects into one mod. But Ryco have a product that is a must-have. That is if you value your 4×4’s engine, performance, and some cheap insurance when you’re out in the remote areas of Australia. Having spent a good few years travelling the entire East Coast, I’ve seen my fair share of heartache when something fuel related goes wrong. Which is why I’m excited about what Ryco’s created.

The Ryco Filtration Upgrade Kit is going to change the way you tackle a DIY water separator and catch can install at home, let me explain. Building your own complex bracket at home out of scrap metal is now a thing of the past. Compact packaging is the new trend for 2023, and Ryco have grabbed it with both hands. The Ryco Upgrade Kits feature two very exciting products, Ryco’s epic fuel water separator and Ryco’s highly sought after catch can! For a long time however, trying to find space to mount both these types of products in a cramped engine bay felt like a bit of a nightmare, even to a seasoned DIYer. But a solution is now up for grabs.

What’s in the kit?

The Ryco Ultimate filtration kit combines two of your favourite products into one helpful kit and includes a vehicle specific mounting bracket that will neatly and securely fasten both the catch can and water separator to your 4×4. Before we dive into the kit specifics though, why exactly do these products do and why do you need them in your 4×4?

Catch can

Let’s talk about the Ryco catch can first. In every vehicle, the engine produces a small amount of crankcase gases, and needs to breathe. The way the engine deals with that is with an PCR system that basically vents the gases from the top of the engine back through the intake. Whilst in theory that’s not a bad thing, the gases are a cocktail of oil vapour, fuel vapour and air. Which over time can gunk up the intake system of your 4×4 basically restricting performance, fuel economy and overall reliability of your car.

The solution is the Ryco catch can which is one element of the ultimate filtration upgrade kit. The Ryco catch can installs between the crank case vent and the intake of your car and forces the blow-by gases through a filter and system of valves. What this is doing is basically filtering the gases so only clean air is recirculated through your intake and the catch can traps all the oil before it has a chance to turn into a carbon deposit! Pretty techy stuff isn’t it?

Fuel water separator

The other aspect of the ultimate filtration upgrade kit is the Ryco fuel water separator. Now there’s no denying, when traveling the remote parts of Australia, finding fuel can be tricky. More often than not, the quality of fuel we’re putting in our vehicles can be a little questionable too. Contaminants, water and other outback crud can easily make its way into the service station tanks underground which we then unknowingly pump into our vehicles.

Without a pre-filter like the Ryco unit, that water and crud will end up making its way into our fuel system and a few things can happen. Your factory fuel filter can become clogged extremely quickly, or you end up breaking down on the side of the road with a clogged injector or water in your fuel system. Both of these basically spell disaster for your trip and can sometimes even mean you finish your holiday on the back of a tow truck.

A cost effective and simple solution to avoiding this is the Ryco fuel water separator. This product is a pretty self-explanatory one! It’s fitted before the factory fuel filter in your vehicle and with its specifically fine micron filter, filters and separates water particles and other contaminants from the fuel before it hits your factory fuel system. The Ryco unit has a built-in viewing bowl at the bottom so you can visually see if there is any contamination in the fuel. And using the built in drain bung, you can discard the contaminated fuel easily without having to bleed the entire fuel system.

What’s in the kit?

So, let me guess. You’re sold! You want to protect your investment: your gorgeous 4×4. But what exactly comes in the kit and where can you get your hands on them? The kit includes the catch can unit, the fuel water separator, the vehicle specific dual mounting bracket, quick connectors, PCR hose, clamps and joiners, fuel hose, drain valve, and of course all the needed mounting hardware. It’s one hell of a comprehensive kit and ticks every box in our opinion.

The Ryco Ultimate Filtration upgrade kit is available at all your favourite retailers including Automotive Superstore, Supercheap Auto, and Marks 4wd to name a few. With an Ultimate Filtration kit to suit most modern vehicles, what are you waiting for? To find out more, head to rycofilters.com.au!