Toyota LandCruiser 79 GXL: Custom 4X4OTY contender

We’ve assembled an incredible list of modified machines for the inaugural Custom 4X4 Of The Year award.

After a spate of bad luck, Shane Griffiths decided he needed a 4x4 that suited his tough nature. “I did months of research and knew what I wanted when I went shopping” he said. He decided on a sandy taupe Toyota LC79 GXL.

However, 4x4s are all about individuality and versatility, so Shane decided on creating something that not only stood out, but also suited his extremely varied lifestyle.

With front and rear diff locks as standard, Shane took a more personalised approach to the tray. Collaborating with Tod from Tag Fab in Victoria, Shane’s tray is a two-piece design: the tray stays on the rig full time and comes with storage boxes for wet gear, a full length trundle tray that pulls the whole way out and a stainless-steel water tank in front of the drawer.

The headboard also doubles as an additional fuel tank, adding significant fuel range and keeping weight forward of the rear axle.

The lift-off camper is lightweight, quick and easy to set up and simple to remove – Shane’s got it down to three minutes. There’s an electronically operated pop-top with a full-size custom inner spring mattress and folding rear doors to provide an enclosed change space and ample standing room.

Rather than a traditional drop-slide and top-loader, Shane’s 79 is fitted with a 57L Engel upright fridge, powered by a lithium battery with an Enerdrive DC2DC 30A.

The leaf springs have been changed to a bolt-in coil conversion from Jmacx Off Road Solutions, with three-inch-lifted Dobinsons coils and Superior Engineering eight-stage adjustable external reservoir shocks front and rear. The wheels are 285/70R17 BFGoodrich KM2s wrapped around 17x9in KMC alloys.

Shane’s individual ‘functional but different’ approach continues at the front, where he opted for a front bar, slider, and scrub bar set-up from TJM’s commercial range. The front bar has a waterproof 12,000lb Sherpa winch and two spread-beam XRay HID driving lights from TJM.

Shane’s extremely proud of his LC79: “I took the plunge, made some financial sacrifices, built the truck of my dreams and I’ve never been happier.”

Vote for Shane's Sandy LC79 to decide this year's Custom 4x4 of the Year.