The Toyota Land Cruiser Series 79 is a robust and versatile vehicle commonly used in challenging terrains, making it a popular base for conversion into safari vehicles. By undergoing specific modifications, a standard pick-up Land Cruiser can be transformed into a fully customized closed safari vehicle, capable of providing comfort, safety, and optimal game viewing. Here’s a detailed guide on how a Land Cruiser Series 79 is converted for safari use.
1. Pop-Up Roof Installation
One of the defining features of any safari vehicle is a pop-up roof, which allows passengers to stand and view wildlife safely. The pop-up roof enhances game viewing by offering unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape while keeping the passengers sheltered from the elements.
- Pop-up Roof: A retractable roof mechanism is installed that provides standing room for passengers to look out while the vehicle is stationary. The roof often comes with hand railings to provide support while standing.
2. Driver Cabin and Roof Modifications
The driver cabin and roof are customized to ensure functionality, durability, and practicality.
- Driver Cabin Roof: The roof is designed to accommodate hand railings for passenger safety during game drives. A roof carrier is also added for extra luggage or equipment storage, useful for longer safaris.
3. Chassis Extension and Reinforcement
The original chassis of the Land Cruiser Series 79 is extended and reinforced to increase the vehicle’s carrying capacity and stability on rugged terrains.
- Chassis Extension: The vehicle’s chassis is extended by 780 mm, giving it more room for passengers and storage. This extension requires the drive shaft to be extended and reinforced with a Toyota center bearing assembly.
- Chassis Reinforcement: Given the rough conditions often encountered during game drives, the chassis is reinforced to handle the added weight and stresses.
4. Suspension and Drive Shaft Modifications
To handle the tough off-road conditions of the Masai Mara or similar environments, the vehicle’s suspension and drive shaft are upgraded.
- Coil Spring Suspension: The addition of coil springs ensures a smoother ride, improving both comfort and performance on uneven and rugged terrain.
- Drive Shaft Extension: An extended drive shaft, complete with a Toyota center bearing assembly, ensures that the vehicle maintains its power and stability despite the increased length from the chassis extension.
5. Comfort Upgrades for Passengers
Comfort is critical for long game drives, and the Land Cruiser is outfitted with luxury features to enhance the experience for passengers.
- Super Deluxe Bucket Seats: The interior features reclining super deluxe bucket seats with armrests, adjustable headrests, and high-density foam. These seats ensure comfort during long drives, even on uneven terrain.
- Magazine Pockets: Magazine pockets are installed behind the seats to provide storage space for personal items, books, or magazines.
- Canvas Bottle Holders: Convenient canvas holders for water bottles are attached for easy access during the game drives.
6. Safety Features
Safety is a priority when converting a vehicle for safari purposes, and several enhancements are made to ensure passenger security.
- Lap Safety Seat Belts: Lap seat belts are installed for all passengers to ensure safety during drives, especially when navigating challenging terrain.
- Safety Luggage Bracket: A luggage safety bracket is added to prevent luggage from shifting while the vehicle is moving.
7. Luggage Storage and Accessibility
Adequate storage for luggage and equipment is a crucial part of a safari vehicle conversion, especially for long trips.
- Floor Storage Compartment: A dedicated storage space is built into the floor of the vehicle for additional luggage or gear.
- Luggage Access: Access to the luggage area is facilitated through a rear door with stationary glass, allowing easy retrieval of stored items.
- Double Tire Bracket and Bumper: The rear of the vehicle is equipped with a heavy-duty double tire bracket and bumper for storing spare tires, essential for long journeys through remote areas.
8. Enhanced Utility Features
Additional features are installed to make the vehicle more functional and versatile for safari use.
- Hi-Lift Jack and Jacking Points: A 4-foot hi-lift jack is included, with jacking points both at the front and rear of the vehicle. This makes it easier to lift the vehicle in case of a tire puncture or other issues.
- Power Outlet: The vehicle comes equipped with a 230-volt power outlet, powered by a 300W inverter with universal sockets and USB ports. This allows passengers to charge devices such as cameras, phones, and GPS units during game drives.
- Detachable Ladder: A detachable ladder is included to provide easy access to the roof carrier for loading and unloading luggage.
9. Future Installations
Some luxury features can be installed later, depending on specific needs or budget constraints:
- HF Radio: High-frequency radios are often added for communication, especially in remote safari areas where phone signals might be unreliable.
- Mobile Fridge: A mobile fridge is typically installed to keep drinks and food cool, ensuring a refreshing safari experience.
- Dual Air Conditioning: Rear passenger air conditioning with six independent air vents can be installed, ensuring passengers remain comfortable in warm conditions.
Conclusion
The conversion of a Land Cruiser Series 79 into a fully customized closed safari vehicle is a meticulous process that enhances the vehicle’s durability, functionality, and comfort. From reinforcing the chassis and extending the drive shaft to adding pop-up roofs and super deluxe seats, every aspect of the conversion is aimed at delivering an optimal game viewing experience. With added safety features, enhanced storage options, and comfortable seating, these customizations ensure the vehicle is well-suited for the rugged terrains and unforgettable wildlife experiences in the Masai Mara.
What type of suspension upgrades are best?
When converting a Land Cruiser for safari use, suspension upgrades are crucial to ensure comfort, stability, and durability on rugged terrain. The following suspension upgrades are considered the best for safari vehicles like the Land Cruiser Series 79:
1. Heavy-Duty Coil Springs
- Why: Coil springs provide a smoother ride compared to leaf springs, especially when traveling over rough and uneven terrain. They help absorb shocks and vibrations from bumpy roads, offering greater comfort for passengers.
- Benefits: Coil springs distribute weight more evenly across the vehicle, enhancing its ability to carry additional passengers and equipment without compromising performance. They are especially beneficial when the vehicle is carrying heavier loads over extended periods.
2. Heavy-Duty Shock Absorbers
- Why: Safari vehicles often encounter tough, uneven terrain. Heavy-duty shock absorbers help in absorbing shocks from bumps and potholes, maintaining ride comfort and vehicle stability.
- Benefits: These shock absorbers are designed to handle high impact, ensuring the vehicle maintains control on rough roads. They reduce body roll and increase the vehicle’s stability during sharp turns or sudden stops, improving both comfort and safety.
3. Old Man Emu (OME) Suspension Kits
- Why: OME kits are among the most popular suspension upgrades for safari vehicles. They are designed for extreme off-road use and offer a combination of improved handling, load capacity, and comfort.
- Benefits: OME suspensions come with a complete set of shocks and springs that are fine-tuned to provide a more comfortable ride while improving off-road performance. They are highly durable, reducing wear and tear on other vehicle components over time.
4. Lift Kits (2″ – 4″ Lift)
- Why: A moderate lift improves ground clearance, which is critical for safari vehicles that often need to traverse uneven terrain, mud, rocks, and water crossings.
- Benefits: Lift kits also allow for the installation of larger tires, further enhancing the vehicle’s off-road capability. The increased clearance helps avoid damage to the vehicle’s undercarriage, making it easier to navigate obstacles in national parks like the Masai Mara.
5. Upgraded Torsion Bars (for Independent Front Suspension)
- Why: If the vehicle has independent front suspension, upgrading torsion bars is essential for handling increased loads and maintaining ground clearance.
- Benefits: Upgraded torsion bars are stronger than factory-installed ones and ensure the front suspension can handle extra weight, such as that added by a pop-up roof, luggage, and additional passengers.
6. Polyurethane Bushings
- Why: Polyurethane bushings offer better durability than standard rubber bushings, which tend to wear out faster under the stress of rough terrain.
- Benefits: These bushings improve suspension articulation and reduce vibrations, enhancing the overall ride quality and longevity of the suspension system.
7. Leaf Spring Upgrades (for Heavy Loads)
- Why: For vehicles that still use leaf springs, such as heavily loaded safari trucks, upgrading to heavy-duty leaf springs is essential for load-bearing.
- Benefits: These springs provide more support for the rear of the vehicle, making it easier to carry extra gear, passengers, or water tanks. Upgrading the leaf springs will also improve overall handling and prevent sagging.
Conclusion
For a safari-ready Land Cruiser, the best suspension upgrades include heavy-duty coil springs, robust shock absorbers, and lift kits, along with additional options like Old Man Emu kits and upgraded torsion bars. These upgrades ensure the vehicle can handle the rough terrains of the Masai Mara while providing comfort and stability for passengers on long game drives.
How does the 4WD improve safaris?
4WD (Four-Wheel Drive) significantly improves the safari experience by enhancing the vehicle’s ability to handle rough and challenging terrain. Here’s how 4WD makes a difference during safaris, particularly in areas like the Masai Mara:
1. Enhanced Traction on Rough Terrain
- Why It Matters: Safaris often involve traversing unpaved, rugged roads, sandy areas, and muddy tracks, especially during the rainy seasons. 4WD improves the vehicle’s grip on the surface by distributing power to all four wheels.
- Benefit: With 4WD engaged, the vehicle can easily navigate slippery or uneven surfaces, reducing the risk of getting stuck in mud, sand, or on rocky paths. This allows for seamless game drives, even in remote areas where roads are less defined.
2. Increased Stability and Control
- Why It Matters: Safari vehicles must handle challenging conditions like steep inclines, descents, and river crossings. 4WD provides better stability by distributing power evenly across the wheels, ensuring maximum control, even when the terrain is uneven or unpredictable.
- Benefit: This stability improves the comfort and safety of passengers as the vehicle maintains better traction and minimizes the chance of skidding or tipping, particularly when navigating slopes or rocky areas in parks like Masai Mara or Amboseli.
3. Ability to Access Remote Areas
- Why It Matters: Some of the best wildlife viewing spots are off the beaten path. 4WD enables vehicles to reach these remote locations, where standard 2WD vehicles would struggle or be unable to go.
- Benefit: Travelers can experience more exclusive and diverse game viewing in less accessible areas, where they may encounter fewer vehicles and enjoy quieter wildlife sightings.
4. Improved Off-Road Capabilities
- Why It Matters: Wildlife doesn’t always stay near the main trails. 4WD vehicles can go off-road (where park rules allow), getting safari-goers closer to animals such as lions, elephants, or migrating herds.
- Benefit: 4WD vehicles offer more flexibility to explore off-the-beaten-path routes, improving the chances of spotting rare or elusive wildlife.
5. Better Handling in Wet and Muddy Conditions
- Why It Matters: During the rainy seasons, roads can become muddy, slippery, or even flooded. 4WD allows the vehicle to navigate through waterlogged or marshy areas by distributing power to all four wheels, preventing the vehicle from getting stuck.
- Benefit: Game drives remain uninterrupted, even when weather conditions are less favorable, allowing for continued wildlife viewing without concern about road conditions.
6. Greater Towing and Load Capacity
- Why It Matters: Safari vehicles often carry extra equipment such as roof racks, coolers, camera gear, and camping equipment. 4WD systems are typically built with a sturdier chassis and more powerful engines, making them better equipped to handle heavy loads.
- Benefit: Passengers enjoy a comfortable ride, even with extra gear, and the vehicle remains capable of tackling tough terrain without compromising on performance or safety.
7. Safety in Unpredictable Conditions
- Why It Matters: Safari environments can change quickly. Rain can turn a dry trail into a slippery challenge within minutes. 4WD provides better handling and responsiveness, reducing the risk of accidents when conditions worsen.
- Benefit: With 4WD engaged, safari-goers can have peace of mind knowing their vehicle is capable of handling sudden changes in terrain or weather, improving overall safety during the safari.
What are the best tires for safari vehicles and why
The best tires for safari vehicles are all-terrain and mud-terrain tires. All-terrain tires offer durability and traction across varied surfaces, ideal for transitioning between roads and rough terrains. Mud-terrain tires provide deeper treads for superior grip on wet, muddy ground, especially during the rainy season. Both types ensure reliability and safety in rugged safari conditions.
How does suspension improve safari experience?
Upgraded suspension enhances the safari experience by providing a smoother, more comfortable ride on rough, uneven terrains. A reinforced suspension system, including coil springs and shock absorbers, helps absorb the impact of bumps, rocks, and dips commonly encountered during game drives. This not only ensures better vehicle stability and handling but also reduces driver and passenger fatigue, allowing for longer, more enjoyable wildlife viewing sessions without discomfort.
Which Land Cruiser model is best for safaris?
The Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Series is widely considered the best model for safaris due to its durability, rugged build, and ability to handle tough off-road conditions. It features a powerful 4WD system, a reinforced chassis, and can be easily customized for game drives with features such as pop-up roofs, reinforced suspensions, and additional seating. Its reliability, high ground clearance, and ability to carry heavy loads make it ideal for extended safari trips in challenging terrains like those in the Masai Mara, Serengeti, and other safari destinations.
Other popular Toyota Land Cruiser models commonly used for safaris and off-road adventures include:
- Land Cruiser 70 Series: Known for its toughness and simplicity, the 70 Series (including the 76, 78, and 79 models) is the most commonly used model for safari customization. Its 4WD capability and ruggedness make it ideal for harsh terrains.
- Land Cruiser 200 Series: A more modern, luxury-focused model, it offers a balance of comfort and off-road capability. It’s used for high-end safari experiences and can be equipped with additional features such as leather seats and advanced suspension systems.
- Land Cruiser Prado (J150): A smaller and more refined model, the Prado offers comfort while still being capable of handling moderate off-road conditions. It’s favored by those seeking a mix of urban driving and safari excursions.
- Land Cruiser 100 Series: Though older, this model offers a strong combination of comfort and rugged performance, often used in more luxurious safaris due to its spacious interior and smooth ride.
Each model has its strengths, but the 70 Series remains the best for hardcore, rugged safari use, while the 200 and 100 Series offer a more premium safari experience.
Conclusion
In summary, 4WD greatly enhances the overall safari experience by allowing vehicles to handle difficult terrain, improving safety, providing better access to remote wildlife areas, and ensuring uninterrupted game drives in all conditions. Whether navigating muddy roads or rocky tracks, 4WD ensures that safari-goers can explore the wilderness with confidence and comfort.