THERE’S no denying that Aussies love to one-up their mates whenever possible. Be it building your 4x4, having the best camping set-up or being the fastest at something, we all like to be one step ahead of our buddies.
This was the case when Queensland builder Ian Stuck was planning this LandCruiser 79. You’d think having owned a few nicely built VW Amaroks and a monster Ford F-250 that Ian was used to being ahead of the pack, but when his business partner built his own 79 Series Cruiser, Ian liked what he saw. But he knew he could do better!
When we asked Ian who he'd like to thank for helping with the build of this car he answered, "My business partner Will Leckie, for coming up with the idea and doing most (almost all) of the legwork and initial research, and for building his first so I could make some improvements on it!"
All stirring aside, there's a lot to be said for looking at what other people have done and modifying it to suit your own needs. For Ian, that meant a reliable 4x4 capable of getting his family and their caravan to their favourite campsites.
"We need something that can carry everyone and everything, can tow our off-road 'van anywhere it will fit, and is reliable so we don't find ourselves stranded somewhere isolated," Ian told us.
While the LC79 double-cab ticks off most of those requirements, a standard Cruiser is a pretty basic commercial vehicle, and getting one up to the standard of a modern family tourer can easily double the initial purchase price of the new truck. But with Will's Cruiser build to use as a marker, Ian knew pretty well what he was up for when it came to building his own.
As a builder Ian knows all about working to plans, and to see his Land Cruiser build come to fruition he enlisted the crew at AMVE 4x4 to manage the project from start to finish.
This story is from the April 2023 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2023 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
OUTBACK WATERING HOLES
SINCE OFF TRACK WINES WAS LAUNCHED, OWNERS ANNA AND BRETT FISHER HAVE DRIVEN MORE THAN 20,000KM UP, DOWN AND ACROSS AUSTRALIA SPRUIKING THEIR WINES-IN-A-CAN MADE FOR CAMPING. THEY DROPPED INTO PLENTY OF OUTBACK PUBS ALONG THE WAY AND THESE ARE THEIR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FAVOURITES
BIG COUNTRY
THE PILBARA IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF BIG COUNTRY, AND THERE IS PLENTY TO SEE, DO AND ENJOY IN THIS ANCIENT LANDSCAPE IN WA'S RUGGED NORTHWEST
ISLAND PARADISE
NEAR THE TOP OF THE BUCKET LIST FOR EVERY AUSSIE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVER, K'GARI IS PACKED WITH STUNNING HIGHLIGHTS AND BOASTS SOME OF THE BEST BEACH DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY
WEIGHTLIFTING
INCREASING THE GVM OF YOUR 4X4 SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN SHOULD NOT BE AVOIDED IF YOU NEED IT. WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS ON OUR FORD RANGER TO EXPLAIN HOW TO GET IT RIGHT
NOW HEAR THIS
THE CEL-FI GO MOBILE BOOSTER WILL KEEP EMAILS, MESSAGES AND CALLS COMING THROUGH TO YOUR DEVICES WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS HEARING CRICKETS
LOOKING BACK
A PAIR OF MSA 4X4 TOWING MIRRORS ENSURE WE ALWAYS KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND US WHEN WE HAVE A TRAILER HITCHED TO OUR MITSUBISHI TRITON
TRUCKIN' LIFE
CAN FORD AUSTRALIA'S NEW F-150 BE AN ACCOMPLISHED OFF-ROAD TOURING 4X4?
WHAT LURKS BENEATH
IT MAY LOOK LIKE A FAIRLY STANDARD (IF CLEAN) 80 SERIES, BUT DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER AND YOU'LL FIND A MONSTER BELOW THE SURFACE
EYE OF THE HURRICANE
RAM HAS DUMPED ITS HEMI V8FOR A SIX-CYLINDER, AND IT'S COMING TO AUSTRALIA
GETTING TANKED
GWM EXPANDS IT TANK 4X4 RANGE WITH THE LUXURIOUS TANK 500 WAGON