African Bush Travel – the Cruisers:
This is a regular topic of discussion that generates much interest among fellow travellers and photographers. I have been asked to dedicate a section to my bush vehicles and their various upgrades and modifications.

I have a long history with the Toyota LandCruiser, especially the 70 series Cruisers. We have been using Cruisers for the past 20 years and have travelled more than half a million kilometres in choice assorted LandCruisers.

Our travels in southern Africa is predominantly a self-drive scenario, this scenario constitutes 3 different entities. Firstly travel of long distances on tar roads at speed, secondly it might entail distances travelled on gravel roads that may range from very good gravel to horrendously bad and slow roads.

Lastly in the game areas there are usually gravel roads in various conditions, also if the particular area permits there may be significant offroad travel through the African bush in pursuit of cats and dogs. The offroad bundu bashing is usually slow and tedious and also it can be very hard and demanding on vehicles. In other words one is in need of a highly adaptable vehicle, that will perform well on the highway and in the bush. Furthermore there is a need for toughness, reliability, load carrying capability, range and good offroad capability. The Cruisers as a general rule tick all the relevant boxes however the vehicles are in need of some modifications and upgrades in order to fit the mission.
Toyota LandCruiser
79 series V6 Pick-up:
This Cruiser is the vehicle of choice for trips that entail long distance travel to very remote areas. This vehicle being a pick-up has ample packing space combined with load carrying capability over very rough terrain.
Wild Dog Photo, Digital photography, mammals, birds, reptile, insects, wildlife photography
In summary the vehicle specifications are as follows:
Powerplant and gearbox:
Powered by the Toyota 1-GR-FE V6 petrol machine, a bulletproof powerplant, delivering 170kW and 360Nm@3800rpm. A manual 5 speed gearbox with standard Toyota transfer case with both low and high range gearing and auto-locking hubs. This vehicles comes standard with both front and rear differential lockers. In the stock standard configuration already an exteremely reliable and capable package. This powerful package performs beautifully in the thick sandy tracks and this vehicle becomes a racehorse in the dunes.
Suspension:
In suspension terms the vehicle has a solid front axle that is coil sprung and a solid rear axle that is leaf sprung.
Specifications:
Length: 5095mm
Width: 1870mm

Ground clearance:235mm
Approach angle: 36 degrees ( standard suspension )
Departure angle: 27 degrees ( standard suspension )

Primary fuel tank: 90l
Secondary fuel tank: 90l

Gross combination mass: 4700kg
Gross vehicle mass: 3200kg
Kerb weight: 2315kg
Towing capacity: 750kg ( unbraked )
Towing capacity: 1500kg ( braked )
Service intervals: 10 000km

The modifications and upgrades:
Tyres and rims:
The vehicles was purchased with standard Toyota splitrims and a fairly basic tyre not suitable for serious offroad application. I upgraded to a proper steel rim, powder-coated the rims and furthermore upgraded to proper tyres ( 285/75/16 sizing ). The initial 70 000km on this vehicle was done on Cooper STT’s, these tyres performed flawlessly in severe terrain ranging from rock to deep sand, running these tyres deflated for hunderds of kilometres.
I experienced only two flats with the Coopers both were due to steel nails penetrating the tyres. The death knell of these tyres were bubble formation on their sides due to low pressure driving while traversing vast areas of soft, deep sand. ( Khaudum area in north eastern Namibia and Luiwa in Zambia )

Subsequently I decided to give BF Goodrich KM2’s a try, thus far I have done 15 000km on these tyres and they have also been performing flawlessly.

On the subject of tyres , these days I always travel with a plethora of tools to change a tyres as well as all the necessary equipment to fix a tyres, more about this on the coming section of tools and spares. Also on the vehicle always two fully functional sparewheels.

Frontal protection:
On the front of the Cruiser I mounted an Ironman bullbar. The rationale for the bullbar is the following:

– Frontal protection in case of an accident – be it another vehicle or livestock
– Frontal protection when offroad bundu bashing
– Mounting of a winch
– Mounting points for VHF aerial
– Hi-lift jacking points
– Fixing points for the placement of a seednet .

Mounted on this particular vehicle is a TJM 9500lb winch fitted with plasma rope, this winch has been at times a lifesaver for myself and fellow travellers.

Also mounted on the front underneath the Cruiser is an 10mm aluminum bash plate, it replaces a plastic bash plate that is suppose to protect the bottom of the radiator.
In Kaokoland I got quite a scare when I destroyed the plastic bashplate and very nearly damaged the radiator on Van Zyl’s pass. Next to the bashplate are two proper frontal recovery points , however I am planning to upgrade these recovery points to the Australian Road Safe recovery points.

Toolboxes:
On both sides of the Cruiser located on the bottom in front of the rear wheels I have mounted two Onca toolboxes. These are all steel lockable toolboxes of a decent size. A wonderful storage space for hydaulic jacks and various tools however the one downside being , they are not absolutely watertight always.
Dual battery system:
The vehicle is equipped with a dual battery system, it facilitates the running of fridges, camp lights and battery charges. The dual system was kept exceedingly simple – no cutting or any interference whatsoever with the Cruiser own electrical harness – only 2 cables that connects to the vehicle’s starter battery. Simplicity is everything!!!!!!

The dual system consists of two deep cycle batteries ( lead acid 105A.h ) that is being managed by a CTek 250 DC-DC charger and a CTek Smartpass. Both batteries reside within National Luna battery boxes. Also proper thick cabling was utilised and industrial quality crimping and proper fusing was utilised every where.

Assorted upgrades:
The vehicle is equipped with a dual battery system, it facilitates the running of fridges, camp lights and battery charges. The dual system was kept exceedingly simple – no cutting or any interference whatsoever with the Cruiser own electrical harness – only 2 cables that connects to the vehicle’s starter battery. Simplicity is everything!!!!!!

The dual system consists of two deep cycle batteries ( lead acid 105A.h ) that is being managed by a CTek 250 DC-DC charger and a CTek Smartpass. Both batteries reside within National Luna battery boxes. Also proper thick cabling was utilised and industrial quality crimping and proper fusing was utilised every where.

Suspension:
The standard Toyota LandCruiser suspension is not bad however it can be improved significantly by some very good aftermarket products. The rationale of the upgrade being to improve handling and comfort but also to upgrade the load carrying capability. On the 79 Cruiser I used the Ironman suspension, an upgrade that replaces the shock-absorbers, the coil springs in the front and the leaf packs in the rear. It also involves replacing the steering-damper. I am fairly happy with the Ironman suspension, in nearly 100 000km I only had to replace one shock-absorber due to an oil leak.

However when the vehicle is fully loaded , the rear of the car tends to sag somewhat, it irritates me to no end! I decided to beef up the rear suspension with Firestone Air Helpers, these inflatable rubber suspension helpers gives a lot of additional control with regard to the stiffness of the suspension.

Rear Replacement bumper:
On the rear of the Cruiser is a IEF Engineering steel bumper. This bumper serves the following purposes:

– Rear protection
– Dual sparewheel carrier
– Hi-Lift jacking points
– Dedicated recovery points suitable for snatching with a kinetic strap or rope.
– Towbar for a trailer

Canopy and rooftop tent:
On the Cruiser we fitted an African Outback aluminum canopy, an all aluminum design fitted with a rear door and two hatches on each side facilitating access to the whole of the loading bin interior.The canopy is watertight, fairly dustproof and fully lockable allround. On the inside of the canopy the roof area is also utilised for the placement of solar panels, OzTent gazebo and assorted light items that can hang from the roof, tied down with bungee straps.

On the top of the canopy a African Outback rooftop tent ( the Penthouse )is mounted. The design of the canopy is as such that the top of the rooftop tent sits flush with the roof of the Cruiser cab. A lovely design that erects in a minute or two with a matress in situ and enough space for the bedding to stay permanently in the tent. Also a design that impresses with being fairly watertight and dustproof. The utilise the rooftop tent when on the road and for short stays ( less than 2 days at any locale ) . For any longer stays we would revert to our OzTent RV4 ground tent, the rooftop tent and associated ladder monkey business becomes annoying in short order.

The top of the rooftop tent is used to carry the OzTent RV4 and various bulky though light items for example MaxTrack recovery strips.

In cab vehicle upgrades:
– Melville and Moon seatcovers for the protection of upholstery.
– Melville and moon dashcover to protect the dash and also adds some storage space on the dash.
– Australian Sandgrabba vehicle carpets were placed in the foot wells.
– The standard centre console between the seats were replaced by a BigCountry console with an added safe for cash, wallets and important documentation.
– Also a Australian roofconsole was added for better in vehicle rooflights, storage and a mounting area for the VHF radio unit.
– A canvas transmission cover adds some protection and also additional storage space.
– Lastly additional electrical power outlets were installed – cigar type electrical power point and additional USB type power points to facilitate charging of cellular phone, satellite phones and GPS units.
Alternative configuration:
The Cruiser 79 is most often used in the configuration with the African Outback aluminum
canopy. A second configuration that also works very well is the following:

– Steel loadbin box on the open vehicle loadbin.
– Cattle railing steel assembly with side access on the right front.
– Game-viewing chairs mounted on the cattle rails loadbin.

This open configuration also works very well, we used this configuration when were staying in the Khwai area for a whole month. The downside is the elements – not a happy set-up in the rainy season and the sun can really be viscious on the back of an open vehicle.

In Conclusion:
How would I summarise the positives of the vehicle??

– Tough and capable
– Reliable
– Powerful
– Good range
– Fairly simplistic
– Good load carrying capability
– Fully kitted for hard use in the bush and facilitates extended stay in the bush.
( used this particular vehicle for a months stay in the bush at Khwai )
– Widespread Toyota dealerships.

..
How would I summarise the negatives of this Cruiser??

– Expensive to purchase
– Not cheap on fuel
– In photographic terms the cab becomes very quickly crowded with kit and long lenses.
– A single cab vehicle problematic for 2 photographers shooting across each other.
– A target in terms of auto theft.