You have a business that specialises in repairing trucks and heavy equipment in the Central North Island, your business fleet consists of a number of Toyota 4WD utilities set up for mobile servicing, you love 4WDriving and you have a 2.2 tonne off-road caravan.
Taupo Iron Man and Terrain Tamer agent Klem Christensen’s blood runs ‘Toyota Red’. He has a new ‘built’ 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 79 double cab ute, with the mighty V8 diesel engine.
The LC is still fairly standard mechanically with mods limited to a larger crossover exhaust pipe for the single turbo and larger fans for the top mounted factory intercooler to help power and cooling. Air comes to the engine via an Ironman snorkel. Klem says the engine is lazy, and an ECU tune is on the wish list.
While the mechanicals are standard not a lot else is, the set-up shows that a lot of care and attention have gone into the build. The rear deck is a local custom-made alloy unit from Taupo company CPS integrating a number of Klem’s ideas. It is set up so that he has two alternative sets of pods that can be mounted on the deck. The single black pod in the photo is the camping pod, which normally contains a small compressor, gas shower unit and induction stove. However, when we saw it he was heading off to the bush for a weekend-long staff Christmas bash and it mainly contained the beverages. The single pod leaves deck space for camping gear and toys. This pod slides off and can be replaced by a pair of white pods that have a larger compressor and tools for work duties. The roof-top tent fits above the pods on the deck roll cage frame and there is a 270-degree Ironman awning set up for camping.
Along the deck sides are sliding and removeable load retaining rings in 250kg and 500kg ratings. There is a rear pull out draw and a couple of side compartments under the rear deck corners. At the front there is an Ironman Roof Rack for extra load carrying.
The body has been coated with PPF protection film, which Klem says lets you wash off scratches from the local Manuka and there are Airplex sun and bonnet visors.
More serious body protection comes from the Ironman Premium 60mm tube bull bar and the Premium 60mm rock sliders/side steps – on some very robust mounts.
The suspension features a road legal two-inch lift, the front has Ironman springs and Ironman Foam Pro shocks along with Ironman Panhard rod and steering damper. The rear features Terrain Tamer parabolic springs, air bags and Ironman Foam Pro shocks, there is an onboard air system for the airbags. To fit the 35-inch tyres Klem also did a 50mm body lift which lets the suspension articulate more and avoids the tyres fouling on the body.
The tyres are Maxxis RAZR MT 35x12.15 17-inch, which both look good and perform well off road, assisted by factory front and rear lockers.
If things do go wrong there is a 12,000lb Ironman winch at the front and a removeable rear 9,000lb winch that mounts between the rear chassis rails and feeds through a hawse via the tow bar receiver hitch. The tow bar is the standard heavy duty Toyota part, which Klem thought was the best option.
Loaded the LC can tip the scales around 3.2 tonne and has a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes.
Apart from the standard starting battery Klem has set up behind the rear seat two slim line 120aH Gel batteries (240aH total) with a CTEK dual charging system. There is an interconnect to allow these batteries to start the engine if needed. There is a 2000w inverter which is used to run the induction stove and other appliances. Klem has an ingenious ‘pool noodle’ seal for the rear window which lets the power cord come out the window whilst keeping rain out.
In the interior, Klem added extra sound proofing to most panels and added aftermarket leather trim for door panels and seats.
One of the indispensable upgrades in Klems view is the Terrain Tamer electric park brake which is a vast improvement over the temperamental factory unit.
Klem also highly rates the Clearview exterior mirrors that replace the factory units, these extend out when towing for better rear visibility.
Future plans include an engine tune, adding some heavy-duty recovery points front and rear . Currently the bull bar points are used at the front and a receiver hitch recovery point at the rear.
The LC proudly carries the name Medusa across the front bonnet guard (With some custom designed Medusa signage coming for the bonnet). Klem’s son came up with the name based on how many people stopped and stared at the truck as if they were turned to stone!
Klem says Medusa puts a smile on his dial every time he drives it – his dream build indeed.
Meanwhile he has found a BJ44 Land Cruiser to restore and build for wife Sharon, this was the first of the mid-wheelbase Land Cruisers and will be getting new panels and we would guess quite a lot more for a project we may well revisit in the future!
By Cathy Parker
