The vehicle

The Troopy

Bought stock, built slowly, and pulled apart every time I learned something on a trip. This is everything that's on it and why.

Specification

Model	Toyota Land Cruiser VDJ78R Troop Carrier
Year	2023
Engine	1VD-FTV 4.5 L V8 turbo diesel
Gearbox	5-speed manual, part-time 4WD
Diffs	Front and Rear Factory Lockers
Kerb weight	2,340 kg
Loaded weight	3,520 kg (GVM upgraded to 3950 kg)
Fuel	180 L — 90 L main plus 90 L sub tank
Water	165 L — 90 L under-body, 65 L under-body, 10 L hot-water tank
Range	~1,100 km on the highway
Odometer	120,000 km as of 31/07/2026

Sleeping setup
assets/img/bed.jpg

The build

Modifications

2" heavy-duty liftPedders constant 800kg rear
GVM upgrade to 3,950 kgDone Pre-Registration with Pedders
33" mud-terrain tyres Falken Wildpeak MT01 285/75R16. Five of them — spares live on the rear door.
Factory front and rear lockers

ARB Steel bull barWinch-compatible, with the aerials and driving lights mounted to it.
ARB Steel side rails and side steps Honestly wouldn't bother for the travelling I do.
Runva 13XP Yet to be used.

Custom Lithium 400 Ah batteryInstalled in the cabintery with ventilation.
DC-DC charger, 50 ACharges off the alternator while driving.
3,000 W inverterFor the laptop and induction cooking.
Battery monitorShunt-based.
Anderson plug at the front behind passenger Simply for Starlink Mini!.
USB charging ports throughout the fitout as well as 240v wall sockets Laptop, phone and other camera gear.

155 L under-body water tanksStainless, water inlets and outlets hidden in custom troopy air-vent replacements.
Inline water filterSo bore water is drinkable and doesn't taste like a coin.
85 L Bushman Upright fridgeInstalled in the rear cabinetry.
Hot water shower10L of hot water - quick showers!
Kmart Induction CooktopUsed about 3 times. Chews up a lot of battery, will probably go back to gas cooktop or a Nomadiq BBQ.

Unwind Designs Upright RoamDrawers, drawers and drawers! Plus a fold out bed "downstairs"
Headspace Campers Roof Conversion10 seconds to setup, 1 minute to pack down.
Kings 270° awningWraps the passenger's side and the back. Never really use, plus it adds a fair chunk of weight.
Xploreaus Roof rackLow profile. Only the light stuff goes up there — weight up high is the enemy.

Starlink MiniExpensive per month but can be activated just for a trip! Wouldn't do a trip without it
GME XRS 370C4P UHF radio setupWorth every cent!
MappingPaper maps and Starlink.

Honest assessment

Kings Shower Awning - I don't particularly care about fixing this though. Will replace with an Australian made one when it eventually falls apart

Still to come

Xplore_Aus Roof Rack for the Headspace Roof Conversion
In preparation for the Canning Stock Route trip - has been purchased, waiting for delivery.
Ark Earth Rear Bar
Second spare tyre for the CSR - undecided on this mod still.
Maxtrax Table
Mainly for cooking, also undecided due to legalities of this modification.

Ask away — I'd rather tell you what didn't work than have you misled.