Custom 79 Series Cruiser created to conquer

There’s no denying that Aussies love to one-up their mates whenever possible.

Be it building your 4x4, having the best camping set up or being the fastest at something, we all like to be one step ahead of our buddies. This was the case when Queensland builder Ian Stuck was planning this LandCruiser 79.

You’d think that having owned a few nicely built VW Amaroks and a monster Ford F250 that Ian was used to being ahead of the pack but when his business partner built his own 79 Series Cruiser, Ian liked what he saw. But he knew he could do better!

74

When we asked Ian who he’d like to thank for helping with the build of this car he answered, “My business partner Will Leckie for coming up with the idea and doing most (almost all) of the legwork and initial research, and for building his first so I could make some improvements on it!”

All stirring aside, there’s a lot to be said for looking at what other people have done and modifying it to suit your own needs. For Ian, that meant a reliable 4x4 capable of getting his family and their caravan to their favourite campsites.

“We need something that can carry everyone and everything, can tow our offroad van anywhere it will fit, and is reliable so we don’t find ourselves stranded somewhere isolated,” Ian told us.

74

While the LC79 double-cab ticks off most of those requirements, a standard Cruiser is a pretty basic commercial vehicle, and getting one up to the standard of a modern family tourer can easily double the initial purchase price of the new truck. But with Will’s Cruiser build to use as a marker, Ian knew pretty well what he was up for when it came to building his own.

"To see his LandCruiser build come to fruition he enlisted the crew at AMVE 4x4 to manage the project from start to finish"

As a builder Ian knows all about working to plans and to see his LandCruiser build come to fruition he enlisted the crew at AMVE 4x4 to manage the project from start to finish.

The double-cab Cruiser was bought new in 2021 and there were a few mods that had to be completed before fitting accessories could even begin. A chassis extension and GVM upgrade were high on the list of priorities and had to be done pre-registration.

74

Ian handed the new rig over to the team at AMVE and they sent it straight JMacx to have the chassis extension, GVM upgrade and a few other important mods done first up.

JMacx has done countless such conversions and can tailor the job to suit the owner’s needs. For Ian’s 79 they added 300mm to the chassis and fitted one of the brand’s renowned bolt-in rear coil conversion kits.

These coil conversions swap the leaf springs out for a set of coils to give a more comfortable ride and better vehicle manners without sacrificing load-carrying capacity. For this build the GVM was tapped up to 4200kg to accommodate what Ian had planned to put on the back of that longer chassis.

74

The conversion entails a lot more than replacing the leaf springs with coils; it includes a replacement rear section of the chassis made by JMacx to suit the new suspension. The conversion also includes a JMacx fabricated rear differential housing which has all the required brackets on it and rectifies the difference between the front and rear wheel tracks on the VDJ LandCruisers.

A JMacx suspension package was also fitted and these were specifically developed by JMacx to work in sync with the company’s GVM and coil upgrades. The Alpha suspension includes 2.5-inch remote reservoir shock absorbers with matched coil springs. They are adjustable and fully rebuildable, and are made right here in Australia.

Connecting that suspension to terra firma is a set of BFG 35-inch muddies on Allied wheels.

74

The next big part of the Cruiser build was the custom-built canopy to go on the back if it. For this job, AMVE had just what was needed as canopies are the company’s specialty. The aluminium canopy is a tray-replacement style unit; that is it bolts directly to the chassis and doesn’t sit on a tray. This saves weight overall and the design of the canopy maximises the internal storage space.

And the Cruiser has plenty of storage space! Inside the canopy, on the passenger’s side, you’ll find a 96-litre Evacool fridge on MSA drop-slide, a 700W microwave oven, a storage drawer, and an Enerdrive 12-volt power system. The driver’s side of the canopy has been left open for carrying large items.

The power set-up centres on an Enerdrive Adventurer 200Ah lithium battery, a 2000W inverter, 40-amp DC charger, and a 40 amp AC charger – all the gear to power those accessories like the microwave and big inverter.

74

Externally the AMVE canopy includes a 1200mm rear trundle drawer, front and rear underslung toolboxes, and an integrated roof rack. There’s a 180W solar panel up on the rack to keep that power system charged when parked up at Ian’s favourite remote bush camps.

Aside from the AMVE stainless steel snorkel, airbox and 3.5-inch Torqit exhaust system, Toyota’s 4.5-litre diesel engine remains relatively stock. It’s once you get behind the big V8 that things take a change.

In an effort to improve the drivability and comfort of the LandCruiser, the standard manual gearbox has been replaced with an Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission taken from a 200 Series Cruiser. This adapts to the factory part-time transfer case and driveshafts running back to Toyota locking diffs.

74

A host of interior mods also improve the comfort of the Cruiser for Ian and his family. The entire cabin was stripped and fitted with sound deadener before leather covered seats from Proseat were fitted, as well as a roof console, JBL speakers and subwoofer, PVS steering wheel and PVS 12-inch infotainment screen. Vehicle-to-vehicle comms are handled by a GME XRS UHF radio while a Cel-Fi GO unit boosts mobile phone reception.

"The Cruiser has proven to be just the rig to get them and their off-road van to their favourite campsites on the islands"

As a South-East Queenslander, it comes as no surprise to find that Ian and his family’s favourite places to get away in the red 79 are the sand islands just off the coast including Straddie and Fraser. The Cruiser has proven to be just the rig to get them and their off-road van to their favourite campsites on the islands.

Ian hopes to swap those golden sands for red dirt over the coming winter months with a trip to the Red Centre.

74

“The Northern Territory is top of the list,” says Ian when we asked about future trips. “My wife has seen a lot of it but I have never been so I’m keen to get over there and take a good look.”

Again the Cruiser will be up to the task and it goes to show the value of having a plan when building your vehicle and working with good brands and people who know what they are doing.

“The Cruiser is the most modified 4x4 I’ve ever had and it hasn’t put a foot wrong or had any problems,” Ian said.

“AMVE 4x4 did an outstanding job overseeing the whole process, giving us great advice and being flexible with personalising the build and not trying to stick to what’s been done before,” says Ian of the build process.

“The end product is testament to their efforts and their capabilities. When it’s time for a new truck I’ll be going back to see Jamie, Cam and the boys.”