African Bush Travel – Cruisers III

Toyota LandCruiser 79 DC V8 4.5 TD

The DC is the  third photographic vehicle in the stable of LandCruisers. Being a fairly new acquisition this vehicle is yet to be kitted. Being an unpleasantly expensive endeavour to fully kit a vehicle I would presume the kitting would take a minimum of 18 months to 2 years to be completed. This vehicle would function as a long distance tourer to very remote areas where load carrying capability is of importance as well as comfort in placing two photographers behind each other to facilitate photography.

In summary – basic vehicle specifications are as follows:
Powerplant and gearbox:

This Cruiser is fitted with the Toyota 1VD-FTV 4.5l V8 turbo-diesel, a delightful power-plant, robust, powerful and a reputation as bulletproof. It  delivers 151kW and 430Nm from a common rail driven V8. The Cruiser is fitted with a 5 speed manual gearbox with a Toyota transfer-case equipped with low range and high range 4×4. The front hubs have an auto-locking function.

In addition the front – and rear differentials are fitted with differential lockers.

Suspension:

The Cruiser come equipped with a ladder-frame chassis with rigid front – and rear axles. The front axle is coil sprung while the rear axle is leaf sprung.

Specifications:

Length: 5238mm
Wheel base: 3180mm
Ground clearance: 230mm
Fuel tank: 130l
Gross combination mass: 6800kg
Gross vehicle mass: 3300kg
Kerb weight: 2320kg
Towing (unbraked) 750kg
Towing ( braked) 3500kg

Service intervals: 10 000km

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:
Front bullbar:
Frontal protection plate:
Replacement rear bumper:
Vehicle interior upgrades:
Electrical upgrades:
Trailer electrical input
Vehicle deep cycle battery:
Power points: