V8 LandCruiser 79 Series touring rig costs $337K!
Seeking a no-expense-spared, turnkey camping set-up for a Canning Stock Route assault? Look no further!Australia's often called the lucky country, and if you're an avid off-roader with deep pockets then the land down under is a great place to live. After all, you have easy access to some of the world's finest hardcore off-road RV and touring rigs.
If you don't mind towing, we're talking the likes of the latest Patriot ST7 Supertourer (small) and Bruder EXP-10 (larger), or for those who'd prefer not to drag a trailer, EarthCruiser's 6x6 (compact) and SLRV's Tatra 8x8 or a Unidan Unimog (big).
Now joining the ranks of money-no-object, go-anywhere standalone touring set-ups is the 'Big Tom' S6X 'Cruiser from Ballarat, Victoria-based Tommy Campers.
Bush bashing beast
Raising the bar for aftermarket turnkey, compact expedition vehicles, Tommy Campers' Big Tom is the Victorian custom slide-on specialist's flagship build; designed for long term touring and to "handle Australia’s toughest terrain, without compromise" according to the website.
It started life as a Toyota LandCruiser dual-cab GXL 79 Series with the discontinued 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 and manual transmission, before being subjected to a long list of structural, mechanical and touring mods including a 300m stretched JMACX super chassis, 4495kg GVM upgrade, and a 4in lift with remote reservoir shocks and airbags, in-cab controls and an onboard compressor.
Perfect for any Canning Stock Route attempt, it also runs two fuel tanks (185L and 115L), plus new aftermarket wheels with 35in muddies.
Then there's the custom engine tune that raises peak torque to 940Nm, aided by a custom airbox, 3.5in snorkel and 3.5in exhaust. While cabin upgrades include Alcantara trimmed and heated Recaro seats, new centre consoles, additional sound deadening, a premium sound system and dual UHF radios.
Plush Outback camper
For camping, Tommy's top-spec S6X aluminium slide-on sits on a custom heavy-duty tray with four toolboxes, and features an electric pop-top roof, queen mattress, diesel heater, dual fans, a couch, pull-out table, LED lighting, USB charging, a portable toilet slide and underbed storage drawers.
The external kitchen boasts a 130L upright fridge, 12V oven and induction cooker, with twin 75L water tanks and an electric water heater supplying the kitchen and external shower. Off-grid power is taken care of with a 300Ah Redarc lithium battery system with RedVision displays and a rooftop solar panel.
Completing the full off-road package are front and rear 12,000lb winches, deluxe front and scrub bars, spot lights, extendable mirrors and a canvas gear bag.
If you're interested in parking your own 'Big Tom' in the driveway, Tommy Campers has broken down some of the build costs of the $337,100 rig, including the suspension and stretch ($80,000), tune and turbo ($12,000), front bar ($8000), custom tray ($18,500) and S6X slide-on camper ($65,000).
"It doesn’t get much better than this," is how Tommy Campers describes its ultimate overlanding set-up.
More super-builds coming
Tommy Campers set up shop around 10 years ago, and says it now employs 30 staff at three locations, producing a variety of upmarket slide-ons, custom trays and canopies.
For its next 'super build' it's working on a Ford Ranger Super Heavy Duty, due to be unveiled in April.
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