Rare indeed, and rare enough: Calvin Johnson was a devout Toyota bloke out looking for a replacement for his 80 Series, but ended up with a unicorn.
“I was sick of my 80 Series double cab as I had owned it for six years and rebuilt everything on it at least twice. I went looking for something tough to drive the harder tracks with and after missing out on a SWB 80 series I found the unicorn of a short wheelbase Safari.”
The truck is a New Zealand-new 2001 SWB GU fitted with a six litre V8 HSV engine. The big engine is fitted using a Mark’s Adaptors kit. It takes air through a custom four-inch stainless steel snorkel to a Trundles sealed airbox and four-inch intake system. and breathes out through tubular headers and a three-inch exhaust system. A GU Patrol radiator with twin Ford Falcon electric fans keeps the engine cool.
The engine sends power through a GQ Patrol five speed manual gearbox and transfer case. The diffs are 4.3:1 with a rear limited slip diff, a front locker and free-wheel hubs.
The suspension starts with a two-inch lift kit, a PSR four-link front radius arm set-up and long travel MSR Dobinson remote reservoir shock absorbers. The suspension and steering spec includes a chromoly adjustable drag link, Panhard rod and tie ends. There’s an Armada return-to-centre steering damper.
There’s also a dual battery set-up making camping easier.
Known as the Mudtrol, it was built by Mud Mods in Wellington and used as a workshop daily driver and exhibition vehicle to show off what the business can do to the average 4WD.
Calvin says the body was “very tidy” when he bought it. As part of the ‘hardening’ process, it received a rear quarter ‘chop’.
Cooper STT Pro tyres (35x12,5x15) run on steel beadlocks; Kut Snake flares keeping the mud and rock flicks under control.
“This once ZD-powered town car has been turned into a fire breathing track beater that puts a smile on the face of everyone who hears it coming and gives them a crick in their neck as they follow it down the road after seeing its splendour!”
Though he is a Toyota lover through and through, Calvin says this is by far one of the best builds yet “and there have been a few over the years”.
Among the key changes he has made since the truck bought are as nine-inch diff head unit and a separate switch for the electric fans because of the many deep river crossing it now does being based in Canterbury. In the back is a drawer set up for camping. In the cab, Calvin has fitted a Cadillac throttle pedal.
The truck is no trailer queen. It has WoF and registration and has been fully inspected and certified.
The Patrol has been used as a tourer and club truck.
“It has done most of the grade 2 to 4 tracks in the South Island and a couple of grade 5 but I have tried to keep it looking tidy rather than bush-bashing it like my last 4WD.”
Is it finished? Calvin says a swing-away tire holder would be nice some time in the future.
“This thing is my pride and joy and has been my daily driver for the past couple of years. It has been built and maintained to a very high level.”
Calvin has just completed another truck build, so he has decided he needs to move the Nissan on.
“I am not using it much any longer so I will consider letting someone else enjoy it if they have deep enough pockets. It’s not for sale, but it is available to purchase!”
