Bakkie accessories
Bakkie owners' styling choices run the gamut from "keep it stock" to "let's throw everything at the accessory store at my rig," and here at AutoTrader, we say do what makes you happy! It's your vehicle, and you can style and accessorise it.
Related: Top 10 Must-Have Car Accessories in South Africa for 2025
We love bakkies and the vast array of accessories you can get to make them ideal for your life situation. With South Africa and the vast majority of bakkie owners being outdoors, we have assembled a list of the best bakkie-related accessories that will make your off-road life infinitely easier.
5 Overland accessories that you need for your 4x4
1. Bakkie Hakkie
A patented South African invention, the bakkie hakkie is just a hook on a stick that helps you retrieve stubborn items from your load bed without climbing in. It's especially useful if you have the following item installed.
2. Tonneau cover
Available as a coated canvas that clips onto the side rails, a fibreglass deck that attaches with hinges and gas struts, or an aluminium roller, the tonneau cover keeps your load bin secure and your goods away from unscrupulous individuals' prying eyes.
3. Seat Covers
With most double-cab bakkies now having leather seats, getting a set of hard-wearing seat covers is a good idea to protect that leather from zips, buckles, and the outdoor elements that eventually make their way inside your bakkie.
4. Aftermarket bumpers
If you plan on hardcore off-roading, you may want to consider fitting a set of aftermarket steel bumpers. You can flex your off-roading skills without any plastic bumpers to get damaged, and they make a handy spot to connect the next few accessories.
5. Winch
If you are out on the trails and find yourself properly stuck, a good-quality winch could be a lifesaver. Attempting hardcore offroading without a winch is asking for trouble that you may not come home from.
6. Spot lights
Finding yourself still on the trail, kilometres from camp, as the sun sets, can be heartbreaking because no one wants to be 4x4-ing in the dark. Fitting a set of high-lumen spotlights can bring a whole new element to your off-roading adventures as you easily tackle trails at night.
7. Aftermarket wheels and tyres
This is probably the first accessory most bakkie owners get. A rugged set of lightweight off-road wheels with beadlocks and chunky off-road biased tyres will make that next climbing adventure much easier.
8. Raised suspension
Many bakkie owners raise the suspension on their rigs by a few centimetres for that extra ground clearance. These kits are quite easy to install and can greatly expand your bakkies' off-road prowess.
9. Chassis protection
Hard core trails can be fun but come with the added danger of a sharp rock or protruding boulder severely damaging your bakkie's undercarriage, gearbox or differentials. Fitting a high-strength bash plate and transmission component guards will ensure that no trail obstacle keeps you from getting home.
10. Load system
If you're less of a 4x4 enthusiast and more of a traveller or work site manager, a set of load bin drawers or a bed organiser will make your life much easier as you no longer have to chase loose items around your load bed.
