African Bush Travel – Cruisers II
Toyota LandCruiser 76 series 4.5 V8 Turbo-diesel:
The second photographic vehicle that I used is the Toyota LandCruiser 76 series stationwagon V8 turbo-diesel. This highly capable robust vehicle I use in applications where extreme remoteness, long range and load carrying capablity is not required. However this vehicle can be used in remote,long range aplications but that would then require towing a trailer, I positively hate towing, especially when the going gets really tough!!
In summary – basic vehicle specifications are as follows:
Powerplant and gearbox:
The 76 series Cruiser is fitted with the Toyota 1VD-FTV 4.5l V8 turbo-diesel, a wonderfully powerful machine, delivering 151kW and 430N.m@1200-3200rpm. Over the years this powerplant has been battle proven as a capable, reliable and robust powerplant. With some selective aftermarket upgrades this machine is capable of delivering in excess of 300kW however I decided to keep the Cruiser powerplant stock standard.

The Cruiser is fitted with a manual 5 speed gearbox with a transfercase with high- and low range with auto-locking hubs. Furthermore as a standard feature the vehicle comes with front and rear differential lockers. Already in standard form this vehicle is an extremely capable 4×4.

Suspension:
The Cruiser is mounted on a ladder frame chassis with a solid axle and coil springs in the front. In the rear also a solid axle but leaf sprung.
Specifications:
Length: 4910mm
Width: 1870mm
Height: 1940mm
Ground clearance: 230mm
Fuel tank: 130l
Approach angle: 33 degrees ( Standard suspension )
Departure angle: 23 degrees
Gross combination mass: 6560kg
Gross vehicle mass: 3060kg
Kerb weight: 2320kg
Towing (unbraked) 750kg
Towing ( braked) 3500kg
The modifications and upgrades:
Tyres:
The vehicle comes standard with a fairly non-descript soft road tyre. These were immediately upgraded to BF Goodrich KO2 ( tough all terrain tyre ) , also uprated the sizing to 285/75/16.
Suspension:
As stated before the standard Toyota suspension can only be described as fair. I upgraded the front coils and rear leaf packs to an Australian Old Man EMU system. This does improve the handling of the vehicle and also improves the weight carrying capability of the vehicle. Furthermore the shock absorbers were also uprated with Old Man EMU Nitrochargers. In the whole process of upgrading the suspension a lift of about 75mm was gained.
Front bullbar:
An ARB front bar was decided on, This adds some frontal protection to the vehicle in case of collision but also adds some protection in scenarios of offroad driving.
It also facilitates the mounting of a winch, VHF aerials, spotlights and high-lift jack jacking points.
A winch is also fitted to the frontal bar. This time I decided on the American made Superwinch, specifically the Tigershark, a winch in the 12 000lb category. Currently the winch is spooled with steel cable, something that I will upgrade to plasma rope in the near future.
Frontal protection plate:
On this vehicle an Onca-made steel frontal protection plate was also fitted, it protects the front bottom area of the vehicle. It especially affords proper protection to the radiator,Toyota fits a flimsy plastic bash plate that is of no value at all.
Replacement rear bumper:
The spare wheel is fitted to the rear barn door of this vehicle, this is a configuration that does not impress me at all. A replacement rear bumper ( IEF Engineering) was fitted. This facilitates removing the spare wheel from the rear door and mounting the spare wheel ( weight about 40kg ) on a proper spare wheel carrier on the replacement rear bumper.

Furthermore the steel bumper affords good protection to the vehicle and has the added benefit of proper recovery points, towbar and also jacking points.

Fitted to the spare wheel is a canvas bag with large pockets, this is the ideal storage for braai grids, firelighters etc.

Vehicle interior upgrades:
a) Melville&Moon seatcovers.
b) Takla floor liner.
c) Canvas dash cover- this cover protects the dash but also functions as a storage device in 3 different pockets.
d) Centre console – additional storage space is added with the benefit of a vehicle safebox.
e) A visor shelf provides the ideal mounting spot for the VHF unit and also adds a significant amount of storage space for various odds and ends.
f) Navigation – Garmin 276Cx GPS unit.
Electrical upgrades:
Trailer electrical input
Thick cabling from the starter battery runs to the towbar, here it terminates in Brad-Harris plug. This connection supplies electricity to the trailer, the idea being to charge the deep cycle battery system of the trailer while driving. Important to use proper thick cabling in order to minimise voltage drop and also to protect the system with proper fusing.
Vehicle deep cycle battery:
Thick cabling also runs from the starter battery of the vehicle to the boot area – also terminating in a Brad-Harris plug. In the load area sits a National Luna battery box fitted with a 130A.h battery. The charging of this battery is managed by a Australian made Projecta DC-DC battery charger. The deep cycle battery is used to run the ARB fridge, spotlights and to facilitate the recharging of batteries.

Important points with regard to the installation:
– The use of proper size, thick cabling in order to minimise voltage drop in a 12V system.
– Circuit protection with good fusing
– Good connections – use Brad-Harris plugs
– Good connections – use proper connecting lugs and the use of a good quality professional crimping tool or alternatively proper soldering of the connections.
– At the lugs use a good quality heatshrink.
– Protect all wiring and cables with sleeving.
– Monitor the system – in other words measure voltages and amperage wherever possible.The Projecta has the option of a in cab monitor that monitors voltage and amperage continuously, also the ARB fridge has a remote wireless monitor that checks temperature and voltage on a continous basis. Whenever possible I monitor what I can – school fees has been paid in this regard!!

Power points:
Additional power points have been added. In the cab additional cigar lighter and USB points have been built in. Also additional in cab Brad-Harris powerpoints have been added specifically to run spotlights.