The Chariot

1st 4wd:  1989 Landcruiser Ute 78 Series Diesel - TJM Steel Bullbar, Tow Bar, 50lt PVC pipe water tank which was replaced with an Atlas 60Lt water tank in 2004, Dual Fuel Tanks, 2" inch lift & Rancho shocks( in 2005), UHF Radio, HF Radio, after makret Turbo, after market bucket seats, over head console and centre console between seats. The cruiser was also stripped down to basically the chassis in 2003, having rusted panels replaced, chassis repainted & panels repainted.  The engine was also rebuilt. 33" Hankook AT went on in 2004.

Landcruiser Touring Accommodation:  In 2001 built a removable canopy from marine ply, with red soft canvas sides (2 side windows with midgey screen and rear clear window.  Slept in the tray on an air mattress and gear carried in nelly boxes & fibreglass locker made by Craig.  Gas BBQ to cook on and borrowed Waeco fridge.

















2004 Accommodation Modifications: 2 x Yacht hatches put in canopy roof with midgey screens for ventilitation and romance factor (looking at the stars while laying in bed)!  Another pair of side windows w/-screens were added to canopy sides and also a midgey screen for the back panel.  Side awning on caravan track on the driver's side of the canopy and a huge awning which could be slung off the back of the canopy.  Marine ply false floor made in 3 removable sections.  Drivers side section built to fit the new Evakool 60lt Fridge/Freezer, with rollout galley behind fridge (containing 2 burner stove, cultery holder, plates, cups, washing up/cleaning stuff, at the back one storage hatch containing camp ovens/cooking gear. Middle section contained 2 batteries, charger and mechanical spares, tools in forward half, back half had a large storage hatch for our clothing.  Passenger side section contained 3 hatch storage areas for bedding, food stuffs and lights, first aid kit, odds & ends.  At the rear of this section was the gas bottle storage hole also. Storage compartments were also added inside the length of the canopy lid and yes, Craig made all of this himself - it helps being a boat builder, they are very good at getting the most space out of an area!

2nd 4wd:  2006 Model Hilux SR Single Cab Ute Diesel (bought new) - Toyota Steel Bullbar & Tow Bar, TJM Airtec Snorkel, Alloy undertray side boxes, Airman Air Bags, Lightforce 240 spotlights, TigerZ II 9500lb winch, EFS 2" Lift (in 2008), ARB compressor, Rono Overhead console containing GME 4400 UHF radio and Coden HF Radio remote face, 265x75xR16 Hankook MT's. Ironman Long Range Fuel tank, Custom side steps, ARB Underbody bash plates.

Update to the Hilux:  Alloy Rims fitted October 2012.  Craig has designed and built some fibreglass under tray tool boxes and water tank, which are now fitted (3 x tools boxes & 1 x 70Lt Water Tank).  Next he will be doing an under tray draw, that will be water & dust proof.  All of these products are hand made by Craig and if you think they look good, you can buy them.

Driver Side Fwd Tool Box

70Lt Rear Water Tank

Passenager side Fwd & Rear Tool Boxes

Another Update to the Hilux:  A second set of Lightforce lights (170's) have been added to the bulbar (the ones off the old Landcruiser ute actually), plus a 40" LED Light Bar has been mounted on the roofrack.  Craig has also designed and built a fibreglass undertray draw and carbonfibre fishing rod holder.  We've also installed a couple of LED lights to the back of the water tank & rear tool box, which act as very bright reversing lights or can be turned on independently to light up the back of the truck for a late night setup.



Lightforce 170's & LED Light Bar

Undertray Draw

Undertray Draw

Carbonfibre Rod Holder

Hilux Touring Accommodation: Back to tent camping upon purchasing said Hilux until recently, borrowed a Travelander slide on camper for the Simpson trip in 2007 and had already fallen in love with the Travleander prior to this, so was stoked to have the opportunity to test run one.

2011 - Custom built Travelander slide on camper launched in June.

3rd 4WD - 2019 Hilux Rugged X Dual Cab Ute Diesel

Stock standard secondhand vehicle we purchased in 2023.  Craig has fitted the tray of the ute with a set of draws and surrounded them with storage holes that fit a carton of beer or box of wine. On top of the drawers is a 30lt Draw Fridge. In the forward section of the tray he has put a 40Lt water tank, 120AH Lithium Battery, Water Pump, Air Compressor, Trolley Jack. At the rear at the tailgate are the switches for the pump, compressor, Starlink on the driver's side and passenger side has the tap and filler for the water tank.

There is a roof rack that supports a solar panel to charge the rear battery, the Starlink antenna and also the kayak is carried up there.

Still to be installed is a mobile signal booster.

Purchased secondhand in 2023 was also our Swag Overlander Raptor X15 Hybrid caravan .  Craig has done a number of upgrades to the battery/charging system and tidy up stuff, but according to him the best upgrade was the bottle opener on the front of the van 😆