The Landcruiser
This is it! Our new family member – our Toyota Landcruiser HZJ78. After a long research we identified the Toyota Landcruiser as the perfect car for our trip. Due to its lack of complicated electronics, its durability and a worldwide net of garages we decided to buy this all-terrain vehicle. Below we want to tell how we found, built and maintain our trusty companion.
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Six steps of how we found and prepared our Landcruiser HZJ78 for our overland trip
Step One:
How to decide on a vehicle for an overland trip.
Step Two:
How we found our Landcruiser and got it registered in Germany.
Step Three:
How we refurbished the interior of our Landcruiser.
Step Four:
How we made the electrical installations for our living compartment.
Step Five:
How we fit a drinking water system in our Landcruiser.
Step Six:
How we sewed kitchen and bathroom bags for our Landcruiser.
Our Landcruiser HZJ78
What we have learned from endless discussions and our long search for the right vehicle for this trip: Every overland vehicle is different. Depending on the destinations, the amount of off road usage and the level of comfort it is build for. Here is our equipment list:
| Vehicle components | Details |
| 140l additional diesel tank | Unknown make but does what it's supposed to do. |
| air compressor | We bought a new one in Australia by Bushranger. |
| air filter | K&N |
| auxiliary water heater | Eberspächer Hydronic D4WSC: not particularly suitable for heating the interior, but we are not planning to visit too many cold regions anyway 🙂 |
| bull bar | ARB 3412130 |
| diesel coarse filter | Monopoel |
| differential locks | Genuine Toyota |
| engine battery | Winner |
| fire extinguisher | ABC Pulverlöscher |
| fuel filter | we added a second fuel filter in Australia |
| heavy duty suspension | OME leaf springs and Koni dampers. Got them all replaced in Australia by EFS. |
| offroad jack | The good old HighLift to help us out once we're stuck |
| oilfilter | Trabold claims that oil changes are needless with their filters. We will still change the oil, but hope that the filter will help the engine deal with low quality fuel or oil. |
| radiator | Chinese made full aluminum aftermarket radiator |
| sand ladders | 2 on each side, Aluminium, by Därr |
| side pipe | Tour Factory; custom-built ending to the side to make space for the additional diesel tank |
| snorkel | ARB Safari |
| spare wheel carriers for back bumper | Twin carrier kit from a South Africa brand. |
| speakers | Infinity speakers should enhance the sound quality a bit |
| sports seats | Recaro Ergomed DS; got them perfectly upholstered in South Africa. |
| tires | BF Goodrich Mud Terrain Bought new ones in Georgia and again in Australia. |
| Camping equipment | Details |
| awning | Unknown make, big fabric to be attached to the sides with two awning poles |
| bathroom and kitchen cupboards | Check out this post |
| drinking water | Water tank, canister, pump, filtration system, bush shower; Read more in our post |
| foldable table in the back door | Self made by previous owner |
| fridge | National Luna Weekender 50 Twin (40l fridge, 10l freeze) |
| lighting | Hella chart table lamps with LED bulbs LED spots LED working light |
| living compartment battery | Winner. Changed in Australia to a Lithium battery! |
| matresses | NanoForm, perfect shop for custom-made foam cuttings |
| pop-up roof | Made by Marcus Haase |
| solar charge controller | Steca PR2020 |
| solar panel | Unknown make, installed by the previous owner, around 80-100 watts. Added by another 100 watts panel on the bonnet in India. |
| storage cupboards | Self made by the first owner, refurbished by us; read the story here |
Read more about our Toyota Landcruiser HZJ78
Expedition vehicle electrics reviewed
In one and a half years on the road, our electrical system has seen some major upgrades. We have changed almost every key component in ... Read More
Bathroom and kitchen bags
The capacity of storage space is quite limited living in a car. You need to use every free corner to stow your things but it has to be ... Read More
Our water filter system
According to the WHO there are estimated 842,000 diarrheal disease deaths per year. Although we do not fear the worst, the tap water ... Read More
Overland vehicle electrical installations guide
From the day we saw our Landcruiser the first time in Gouda, we knew that we would have to rebuild all the electrical installations. On Read More
How we refurbished the interior of our Landcruiser
Congratulations to your newly acquired rig! Now it's time to start customizing your overland vehicle interior to suit your needs. In ... Read More
How we found our Landcruiser and got it registered in Germany
Before starting the search for the perfect car for your trip you have to consider different things. It might be a long and exhausting ... Read More
How to decide on an overland vehicle
Deciding on an overland vehicle is definitely one tough decision. First, your choice will greatly affect the way of traveling: it will ... Read More
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