Building South Africa’s First Gaming Bakkie for Rage Expo
For years, international content creators have transformed everyday vehicles into jaw-dropping mobile gaming setups. Think high-performance rigs, LED lights, and sleek branding, all on wheels. We at TechSceneZA have always planned on doing the same, but with a unique South African twist. This year, TechSceneZA finally had the perfect excuse to bring this vision to life at Rage Expo, South Africa’s biggest gaming and tech convention.
Durban to Joburg: A Boring Drive, An Epic Build
The drive from Durban to Johannesburg is long. Six hours long. And if you’ve done it, you know how monotonous it can be. So we at TechSceneZA thought: Why not make the journey part of the experience? Why not build a gaming vehicle, specifically, a uniquely South African Toyota Hilux bakkie rigged out for mobile gaming?
Why a Hilux Bakkie?
Well, if you’re South African, you know the answer: the Hilux bakkie is practically a national icon. It’s rugged, reliable, and part of our culture. So, if we were going to build the ultimate local gaming ride, it had to be done in a Hilux, no question.
Building the Gaming Bakkie: Step by Step
1. Interior Setup
We started by designing a functional and cozy space in the back of the Hilux.
- Wall Mount: We installed a full wall panel to mount our gaming monitor and gear.
- Monitor: A high-end Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ, a 27” LED QHD display with 170Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. Perfect for smooth, immersive gameplay.
- Gaming Rig: The heart of the system is the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 laptop, packing:
- Intel Core i9-185H processor
- NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU
- 32GB RAM
- 2.5K OLED display
This beast of a machine is connected to the larger monitor for maximum visual punch.
2. Gear Mounting & Accessories
- Pegboard System: Perfect for organizing controllers, headsets, and accessories.
- LED Lighting: Because let’s face it, no gaming setup is complete without RGB lighting.
- Gaming Peripherals: Headphones, keyboard, and a mouse neatly mounted for convenience.
- Handheld Backup: We added the Asus ROG Ally X for handheld gaming on the move.
3. Comfort Comes First
- Carpeted Flooring: To give it a warm, inviting vibe.
- Bean Bag: For laid-back gaming sessions.
- Fridge Spot: We even left space for a mini fridge—though it didn’t arrive in time.
The Tech Powering the Rig
All electronics are powered by a Gazu 512W portable power station, capable of handling:
- The gaming laptop
- External monitor
- LED lights
- Additional accessories
This makes the Gaming Bakkie fully off-grid and mobile—ideal for on-the-go gaming, even at roadside stops.
Branding the Beast
We didn’t just build it, we branded it.
- Custom decals
- Neon Blitz signage
- Photo-ready from every angle
If you spotted the rig at Rage Expo, you’ll know how much attention it drew. This was more than a build, it was a statement.
Rage Expo: The Big Reveal
We drove the Gaming Bakkie all the way from Durban to showcase it at Rage Expo in Johannesburg. It was a full-circle moment—bringing together gaming, creativity, tech, and the local community.
Special Thanks To:
- Rage Expo – For giving us a platform to showcase the Gaming Bakkie.
- ASUS Republic of Gamers – For sponsoring high-end gear.
- Neon Blitz Signs – For their stunning branding work.
- Team Tex – For helping pull off the build and making the long drive.
This project has been a dream come true. From concept to execution, the Gaming Bakkie represents what’s possible when you mix creativity, tech, and a bit of South African flair. Whether you’re a gamer, tech enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates wild builds, you’ll want to stay tuned for what’s next.