The Truck is a 2000 Toyota Landcruiser GXL. The GXL badge adds constant 4WD and a limited slip rear diff for traction, plus a CD player and assorted electric gadgets for convenience. We added AC, an essential (genuine) accessory in the Aussie heat.
It is registered as a station wagon, but the 3.2 tonne GVM means it has to be inspected every year. The full load it always carries (including huge steel bars at both ends) and the manual diesel configuration make it feel more like a truck than a car. Of course, it's registration number is "BUSHPC".
It turns heads. The sides are covered in logos and other info. The kayaks add significantly to the height, making it easy to find in parking lots. The bikes and the two spare tyres on the back add considerably to the length. The roof box holds light stuff, like life vests for the kayaks and helmets for the bikes. We had problems with water getting into it, but the airfoil we added to the front seems to have fixed that.
We have two solar panels providing up to 96 watts of power into the second battery.
The two biggest consumers of power are the fridge (always on) and the sat phone (on most days), but there are also heaps of other things that need recharging.
Initially we put a 32w panel on top of the box on the roof.
That wasn't enough, and the only open space left was the bonnet, so it now sports a 64w panel.
The big panel is removable, but in practice it's easier just to park in the sun.
The long range fuel tank gives us a total of 280 litres of fuel (in two tanks), and lets us do up to 1,800 kms (1100 miles) between fills. It is a major convenience with the distances we cover. A few "We're only 35 kms out of town" jobs add up quickly. We run on the large tank first, to eliminate weight behind the rear axle. When we switch to the small tank (about 100 litres or 600 km remaining) it's time to plan the next refill.
The other day on the way back from a job, Helen took out her first roo. She managed to burn off about 1/3rd of our speed before the impact. The bull bar did it's job, turning a happy healthy if stupid animal into meat without any damage to the vehicle. That's why we wouldn't drive without one. That is also why the pressure groups want them banned from our cities.
It only seats 2 normally.
The row of seats in the back is gone, replaced with shelves packed full.
One of the centre row is also gone, replaced with a fridge.
The other two seats in that row are normally folded, and the resulting space is packed full.
When we have somewhere to unload, we can unfold them and accommodate 2 additional passengers.
The shower runs of a heat exchanger on the engine. We only use it with an external water source, as the water tanks only hold about 70 litres (better kept as drinking water). The shower hangs from a short metal bar that hooks onto the roof rack, as does the switch for the water pump.
The compressor is under the bonnet. It's essential after a bit of sand driving, but is also just as useful for the bikes.
The best value accessories are also the cheapest. The primary purpose of the $10 rake on the spare tyre is clearing sharp debris from tent sites. It doubles as a place to hang a rubbish bag, and even a good place to hang the mobile phone. We also have a set of map pockets that hang over the folded rear seat between the front seats. It was custom made by Nan's Tarps in Lidcombe NSW for less than $50.