This thing just looks tough
from every angleCheckout the tray setup!
Shaun has storage for
everything he needs, but
with plenty of useable
tray space leftHow’s^ that^ for^ a^ mint^12 v^ setup!^
TOURING MODS
- 300mm chassis extension
- Custom alloy tray and mini canopy
- Redarc BCDC 1250D
- Pro Touring Concepts 12v fitout
- Clearview Easy Slide
- Stratos seats
- 150W REDARC Solar Panel
- Two under tray mounted AGMS
- 70L water tank
This is where Shaun has turned his attention to the most and
it’s clear to see why. If there is one bloke who would test his
gear just about more than anyone else in the country, it’s
Shaun. After all, when you’re on the road as much as he is,
you need your gear to work, and you don’t want it to be
overcomplicated – and this setup is exactly that. A few years
ago, Shaun had a mega chassis mount canopy on the 79 that
was loaded up for a month of filming up in the Cape. Shaun
realised after a few weeks living out of that setup that it was
just too much for the vehicle and he decided that it was time
for a lighter setup that still kept the essentials. When he got
home from the Cape, he removed the full canopy setup and
took the vehicle to Creative Conversions for a 300mm chassis
extension. Then, Darren at Custom RV Creations & Repairs
made a full custom tray exactly to Shaun’s specifications. With
the new alloy tray and canopy setup Shaun saved a stonking
500kg compared to his old setup, how insane is that!
Extending the chassis is a mod that LandCruiser owners
swear by, as these vehicles come from the factory with a lot of
weight over the rear axle. Extending the chassis allows you to
get more weight over and in front of the rear axle which is
perfect for touring. While we’re on the topic of weight
distribution, this tray and canopy setup would be the perfect
example of how to get it right. Shaun learnt from the old setup
and his other builds. Everything is nicely placed over and in
front of the rear axle, even the two spare 35s are on the tray
nice and close to the axle, not hanging way out the back like
some canopy setups on 79s.
It’s one thing to build a mint setup, it’s another to kit it out
for bushproof touring. Shaun’s good mate Caleb from Pro
Touring Concepts did the fitout with a Redarc 1250 Charger
and a 1000W inverter. Not only does this setup absolutely
pump when it comes to charging Shaun’s batteries, but it also
means the camera crew can charge sensitive batteries and
Shaun can charge his power tool batteries while on the go.
Combine that with the REDARC 150W Solar panel on the roof,
and Shaun can run his fridge 24/7. Under the tray is two AGM
batteries to keep the weight low, and it also has a 70L water
tank with a hot water exchange for showers, and a pump with
a two way outlet so Shaun can fill up from a nearby creek -
hows that for the ultimate setup!