BAW Automotive’s 79 Series LandCruiser

When it came time to build a shop truck to highlight just what BAW Automotive is capable of, it was an easy choice to sign on the dotted line for a 79 Series dual cab.

Owners of BAW Automotive, Brent and Amy Westbrook, have owned and built several four-wheel drives over the years, including a few Holden Colorados, a Hilux or two, and even a dual-cab converted 200 Series. After thinking long and hard about their next and most ambitious custom four-wheel drive to date, the 79 Series got the nod for a very simple reason.

“The 70 Series platform is by far the most common vehicle we see coming through our workshop,” Brent and Amy tell us. “By deciding to build one different to the rest, painting it in this unique Nori Green colour and taking our customers along on the ride, it has created huge reach and buzz in the industry.”

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The reason for building this particular 79 Series was to showcase the workmanship the BAW Automotive team churn out every day of the week.

The 70 Series platform is essentially limitless to what you can do to them, so a plan was hatched and a new Cruiser dropped off as a blank canvas.

“We wanted to create a rolling demo board to highlight the multitude of aftermarket accessories available to be installed by our talented team at our workshop,” mentions Brent and Amy. “Let’s be honest, it’s just another 79 Series, but we reckon the quality of what we have achieved speaks for itself.”

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We have to agree, this really is a stunning build that looks as good as it performs. Considering the entire process took roughly two-and-a-half years to complete, at an estimated cost of $300,000, it would have to be one of the neatest 79s in the country.

While building custom four-wheel drives is BAW Automotive’s business (and business is good), there were certainly a few struggles along the way for this project.

“We bit off more than we could chew,” admits Brent. “The idea that a new family business could build a vehicle of this calibre was a task equally thrilling as it was daunting. We pushed our limits financially and time wise, but thankfully the gamble has paid off.”

It probably doesn’t help that the BAW Automotive crew decided to build a new workshop at the same time as this Cruiser, a mammoth task on its own. As they say, in for a penny, in for a pound.

Front end

Phat Bars got the nod for frontal protection, and we think it looks mint! Not only does this bar work protect the front end of the 79 Series, it also houses a Carbon winch and an array of LED lighting from Xray Vision.

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Engine boost

It would be rude to leave the engine stock for long, so the BAW Automotive 79 Series has been tickled for more performance. What you can see is a larger PWR top-mount intercooler to keep intake temps down. What you can’t see as clearly is a Safari Armax performance ECU and turbo upgrade to help push those 35s on- and off-road.

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Tyres

The 35-inch Yokohama mud-terrain tyres fill the guards nicely, and look trick mounted on the 17x9 Grid Off-Road GD7 wheels. Look closely and you can see the upgraded braking system from Rugged Brake Systems.

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Canopy

Both the ¾-canopy and tray are from Boss Aluminium, providing a light yet robust platform to deck out for work or play. Inside, you’ll find a full Redarc electrical system, as well as an Enerdrive 200amp lithium battery to power the upright Dometic fridge and all-important Travel Buddy pie oven.

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Suspension

The four-inch raised and coil-converted suspension kit from JMACX also features 2.5 King remote-reservoir shocks to control the ride. This looks more like a trophy truck than a tourer, and we like that about the BAW Automotive Cruiser.

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GVM upgrade

Thanks to the JMACX coil conversion and rear axle housing, the Cruiser has an upgraded GVM of 4200kg – although Brent mentions if he were to do it again, he’d go for a 300mm chassis extension and the 4495kg GVM upgrade.

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Interior

Interior mods are out of this world, with an estimated build cost of $26K. A full Alpine entertainment system including 10-inch sub takes care of tunes, while a full-leather interior upgrade by Proseat Automotive handles comfort with a touch of class.

Slimline tent

That Boss Aluminium rooftop tent looks perfect mounted on to the Boss Aluminium alloy canopy. Brent and Amy tell us they love the product, because it’s top-quality and super easy to set up and pack down.

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Custom paint job

Not wanting to follow the crowd, Brent and Amy decided on a custom paint job. After much deliberation, they settled on a unique PPG Nori Green pearl, as well as a satin black finish on anything that used to be chrome.

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BAW Automotive's LC79 details

ENGINE: PWR Intercooler, Safari Armax ECU, Safari Armax performance turbo
EXHAUST: Custom stainless steel made by Hi-Frequency Fabrication
DIFFS: JMACX rear track-width corrected rear housing with factory diff locks
BRAKES: Upgraded kit from Rugged Brakes
SUSPENSION: 4-inch lift, JMACX rear coil-conversion with 4200kg GVM upgrade, King 2.5 remote-res shocks
WHEELS/TYRES: Grid Off-Road GD7 17x9 wheels, Yokohama MTG003 35/12.5R17
ELECTRICAL: Full Alpine entertainment system, 110L Dometic upright fridge, Enerdrive 200amp lithium battery, Redarc 2000W inverter, Redarc BCDC1240D, Hard Korr LED lighting, Narva 10-way fuse box
CANOPY/PANEL WORK: Boss Aluminium M Spec M4 tray, with Boss Aluminium ¾-canopy and Boss Aluminium rooftop tent
SPECIAL THANKS: All of the BAW Automotive team, JMACX, Boss Aluminium, The Bump Shop, A1 Custom Detailing, Clearview Accessories, Direction Plus, Safari 4x4 Engineering, Phat Bars, Xray Vision, Baxters, Hi-Frequency Fabrication, and Department Of The Interior

To find out more about BAW Automotive's other projects and builds, head to: www.bawauto.com.au