80 Series Chassis
In ProgressA 1997 Toyota LandCruiser 80 Series chassis becomes the modern backbone for a 1978 camper body.
The original 1978 Hilux-based ladder frame was never designed to carry a full camper body, a V8, and the loads of remote Australian travel. The 80 Series platform brings coil suspension, full-floating axles and a proven driveline into the project.
The frame was media blasted, inspected for cracking and corrosion, then prepped for the wheelbase extension and body-mounting work that follows.
Aligning the vintage body mounts to a chassis designed for a completely different vehicle, while preserving the factory coil geometry.
Retain the 80 Series suspension pickup points untouched so ride quality and articulation stay factory-predictable.
Blast and inspect before you commit a single weld — hidden corrosion changes plans.
Why I Chose an 80 Series LandCruiser Chassis
Coil suspension, full-floating axles and a bulletproof reputation. The case for putting a vintage camper on a modern LandCruiser platform.
Extending the Wheelbase Without a Chassis Table
Cutting a LandCruiser frame in a home workshop, sleeving it, and keeping everything dead straight.