The Brief
I needed a long-range tourer that could handle genuinely remote country, carry everything I need for weeks in the desert, be mechanically accessible anywhere in Australia, and not fall apart in the process. After running a Land Rover Defender for 71,000 km — and dealing with something going wrong on almost every trip — I started looking for a replacement.
The criteria were straightforward: solid axle front and rear, a reliable diesel engine, automatic gearbox, and a platform I could build on properly. That left me with the LandCruiser 105.
The 105 is essentially a 100 series body on a solid-axle platform — the last LandCruiser Toyota built with solid axles both front and rear. I bought a 2000 105 petrol then bought a 100 series half-cut with the 1HD-FTE engine and A750 5-speed auto. Jason from TotalCare 4WD combined them. The result is one of the best diesel-engined touring platforms you can build in Australia.
The vehicle has now covered over 300,000 km. It is fully engineered with a 4.2-tonne GVM upgrade.
Build Video
Key Specifications
| Engine | 1HD-FTE turbo diesel, 5-speed auto (A750) |
|---|---|
| Diff lockers | TJM Pro Locker air-operated, front & rear |
| Diff gears | 4.88 crown wheel and pinion |
| Suspension | Icon 2.5" remote reservoir adjustable shocks, custom-rate springs, Airbag Man rear airbags |
| Axles | 300M chromoly with splined hubs |
| Fuel | 140L main + 120L long-range auxiliary (260L total) |
| Water | 55L tank |
| Tyres | 35" on 16x8 rims |
| Winch | Warn XP9500 (Raslarr Engineering barwork) |
| GVM | 4.2-tonne engineered upgrade |
| Alternator | M2K 180A high output |
| House battery | Roma 160Ah LiFePO4 (behind rear seats) |
Engine and Drivetrain
The 1HD-FTE is, in my opinion, the best diesel engine Toyota ever made. It has never given me a problem. Jason fitted a larger intercooler, larger transmission cooler, and dual viscous fans for the air conditioning as part of the conversion.
The torque converter was upgraded to a high-stall unit, raising the stall speed from 1,800 to around 2,500 RPM. For off-road driving it gives a more linear feel through the accelerator — much better for picking your way over technical terrain with an auto box.
Diff lockers are TJM Pro Locker air-operated units, front and rear. I had Harrop Eaton e-lockers previously — the TJM Pro Lockers are simpler, more reliable, and easier to use in the field.
Suspension
The current setup is Icon 2.5" remote reservoir shocks — fully adjustable, 10-point, with remote reservoirs and a built-in hydraulic bump zone. These were rebuilt at 80,000 km of hard driving, which I consider good life for that level of use.
Springs are custom-wound by Solve Off Road, built specifically for my loaded weight (I run between 3.6 and close to 4 tonnes loaded for desert trips). I added Airbag Man helper airbags in the rear to handle that load without bumping out on corrugations.
Fuel, Range, and Water
Main diesel tank: 140 litres. Long-range auxiliary tank: 120 litres diesel + 55 litres water. Total diesel capacity: 260 litres, giving a highway range of approximately 1,700 km. For serious desert work this capacity isn't optional — it's the minimum.
Electrical System
For the house system, I run a Roma 160Ah lithium battery mounted behind the passenger rear seats — out of the engine bay heat. Charging is through a Redarc BCDC1240D DC-DC charger. Battery monitoring via Victron BMV 712.
Comms and Navigation
- GME XRS 370 UHF — four years without a single failure
- Starlink Mini — roof-mounted, primary remote connectivity solution
- Teltonika RUT11 3/4G router + Poynting MIMO antenna
- iPad navigation with off-road maps (RAM mount)
- Spot 3 tracker on centre console
- Redarc EGT, boost, and transmission temperature gauges
What I've Done With It
In the first year alone: Fraser Island twice, Queensland and NSW hinterland, Tasmania, double Simpson Desert crossing (Medigan Track out, cross-country back), Victorian High Country. Since then: Canning Stock Route, Goog's Track, South Australia, Cape York, and most of Australia's significant desert tracks multiple times.
The vehicle has never had a mechanical failure in the field that was Toyota's fault. For a vehicle covering this kind of terrain at this kind of pace, that reliability record is remarkable.
Top 3 Modifications
- Engine conversion (TotalCare 4WD) — the 1HD-FTE in a solid-axle platform is the best combination for serious remote touring in Australia.
- Long-travel suspension — the Icon shocks with custom-rate springs and airbag assist transformed the ride and capability at loaded desert weight.
- Power system — M2K alternator, Redarc BCDC DC-DC charger, Roma 160Ah lithium, 700W inverter, and a portable EcoFlow bank. Keeps all gear charged regardless of conditions.
Full build videos on the AllOffRoad YouTube channel: youtube.com/alloffroadau