Red 79 4×4 Mag
“To see his LandCruiser build come to fruition he enlisted the crew at AMVE 4×4 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 4×4 to manage the project from start to finish.
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.
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.
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.
“AMVE 4×4 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 and the boys.”
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