Dan Snare's Mahindra Scorpio: A Camera Car Built to Tour
Some 4WDs live a quiet life. Dan Snare's Mahindra Scorpio isn't one of them. Dan is a cinematographer and photographer based on the Gold Coast, and his Scorpio does three jobs at once: camera car on shoots, family tourer on weekends, and tow car for the camper trailer when the trips get longer.
Dan was one of the first Scorpio owners in Australia, and he came to Ryebuck Engineering to turn a good-value wagon into a properly capable touring rig. Here's how the build came together.
Why a Scorpio?
Value was a big part of it. The Scorpio cost less than most comparable wagons, which left room in the budget for the gear that actually makes a tourer β protection, suspension, power and storage. Before buying, Dan also drove an Isuzu MU-X, and the Scorpio came out ahead on price with money to spare for accessories.
Protection and recovery
Up front is a Ryebuck Engineering steel bull bar carrying a Runva 13XP winch. A pair of Lazer Lamps Sentinel driving lights sit in the bar, so the front end is ready for wildlife, night driving and self-recovery β the three things that catch out most touring vehicles.
Suspension and tyres
A bull bar and winch add real weight over the front axle, so the suspension had to match. Ryebuck fitted the Tough Dog suspension kit we developed with Tough Dog for the Scorpio β new coils and shocks front and rear for around 40mm of lift. The kit comes in versions matched to front-end weight (no bar, bull bar, or bull bar and winch) and rear load, so the ride height holds once everything is fitted.
Rubber is Maxxis RAZR 265/60R18 all-terrains on the factory alloys.
Breathing
A stainless steel snorkel raises the air intake β cleaner air on dusty tracks and peace of mind at creek crossings.
Roof, power and storage
On top is a Front Runner roof platform carrying a solar panel and a Lazer Lamps Triple-R 24 Elite light bar. Underneath the floor sits a 12V auxiliary system built around a Cangoee Power 110Ah lithium battery with a built-in DC-DC charger, monitored by a Victron shunt.
Inside, the third row is gone, replaced by a drawer fridge and storage drawer β exactly what you want when the car is full of camera gear one week and camping gear the next.
Where it's been
The Scorpio has already taken Dan and his family to K'gari, the Flinders Ranges and the Simpson Desert, often with the camper trailer in tow. Dan has racked up around 45,000km in it β you can read the takeaways from his long-term review on our blog.
What's next: more range
The Scorpio's factory fuel tank holds 57 litres β fine around town, tight for the desert. Ryebuck is working with Dan on a long-range fuel tank solution to stretch the distance between fuel stops.
See it for yourself
- Dan Snare's Scorpio build page β full build sheet and photos
- Dan's YouTube channel and Instagram
- The 4X4 Australia feature on the build
Want a Scorpio like Dan's?
Talk to the Ryebuck team about bull bars, suspension, snorkels and touring builds for your Scorpio.
