Modified 79 Series LandCruiser: The Complete Guide to Building Your Dream Rig
Few vehicles hold the same place in Australian culture as the Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series. Whether it's parked on a cattle station in the Kimberley, hauling gear across the Simpson Desert, or sitting in a suburban driveway waiting for the next weekend trip, the 79 is the backbone of outback Australia. And almost nobody leaves one stock.
A modified 79 Series LandCruiser isn't just about looks — it's about making a capable vehicle truly fit for purpose. From suspension lifts and bull bars through to exhaust upgrades and touring setups, the right modifications turn a tough workhorse into a rig that's comfortable, capable, and ready for anything the bush throws at it.
In this guide, we'll walk through the most popular and practical mods for the 79 Series, what to consider before you start spending, and how to build a rig that works as hard as you do.
Why the 79 Series Is Australia's Most Modified 4WD
The 79 Series has been in production since 1984, and Toyota has kept the formula deliberately simple: a heavy-duty ladder frame chassis, solid axles front and rear, and a drivetrain built to last. That simplicity is exactly what makes it so popular with modifiers. There's no complicated independent front suspension to work around, no integrated body-and-chassis design to limit your options — just a straightforward, over-engineered platform that rewards upgrades.
With the V8 diesel (1VD-FTV) now phased out and the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel taking over, there's been a fresh wave of interest in building out 79s — particularly among owners keen to extract the most from the newer powerplant. Whether you've got a single cab, dual cab, or one of the last V8s, the modification path is well-trodden and well-supported by Australia's aftermarket industry.
The resale value of a well-modified 79 Series speaks for itself. Unlike most vehicles that depreciate the moment you drive them off the lot, a properly built and compliant 79 holds its value remarkably well. Quality modifications — particularly suspension, GVM upgrades, and protection — are seen as genuine improvements rather than customisations, and buyers in the second-hand market actively seek out well-built rigs. That said, dodgy or non-compliant work has the opposite effect, which is another reason to do things properly from the start.
Protection: Bull Bars, Rock Sliders, and Bash Plates
If there's one mod that almost every 79 Series owner fits first, it's a bull bar. Out in regional and remote Australia, wildlife strikes are a real risk, and a quality steel bull bar protects your radiator, intercooler, and headlights from serious damage. Most aftermarket bull bars for the 79 also include integrated winch mounts, rated recovery points, and mounting provisions for driving lights and UHF antennas — making them a genuine multi-purpose upgrade rather than just a cosmetic addition.
Underneath, bash plates and transmission guards are worth fitting before you head off-road. The 79's ground clearance is decent from the factory, but rocks, stumps, and washouts don't care about factory specs. A good set of underbody protection gives you confidence to pick lines without babying the vehicle.
Rock sliders and side steps serve a dual purpose — protecting the sills from trail damage while giving you a step up into the cab. If you're running larger tyres after a lift, that extra step height becomes more than just convenient.
Suspension Lifts and GVM Upgrades
Here's where things get serious. The factory suspension on a 79 Series is designed around a base kerb weight, and the reality is that once you add a steel bull bar, winch, long-range fuel tank, canopy, and rear bar with a spare wheel carrier, you're already approaching the factory GVM (typically 3,300–3,500 kg depending on body style) — and that's before you've loaded a single bag of gear or put a passenger in the seat.
A proper suspension upgrade addresses two things: ride quality and load capacity. Most owners opt for a 2-inch (50 mm) lift as a starting point, which improves approach and departure angles and allows clearance for 33-inch tyres. If you're planning on 35s, you'll likely be looking at a 3-inch lift with matched front coils and rear leaf spring packs rated for your intended load.
GVM upgrades are one of the most important — and most overlooked — modifications for touring setups. Companies like Superior Engineering offer kits that take the 79's GVM up to 4,000 kg or more, legally and with full engineering compliance. This isn't just about avoiding fines; it's about making sure your brakes, suspension, and steering are rated for the weight you're actually carrying. If you're building a touring rig, get the GVM sorted early — it influences almost every other decision you'll make.
Parabolic leaf spring conversions are also gaining popularity on dual cab models, offering a noticeably smoother ride compared to the standard multi-leaf packs without sacrificing load-carrying ability.
Exhaust Systems
Upgrading the exhaust on a 79 Series is one of the most rewarding modifications you can make. A well-designed aftermarket exhaust reduces backpressure, which helps the engine breathe more freely. The result is modest gains in power and torque, improved throttle response, and often better fuel efficiency — all things that matter when you're towing or loaded up for a long trip.
Stainless steel systems are the go-to choice for longevity, particularly if you're spending time on coastal tracks or in wet conditions where corrosion is a factor. For the V8 models, twin-exit systems are popular for both their performance benefits and the unmistakable sound they produce. The four-cylinder models benefit from a good 3-inch system that helps the smaller engine work less hard under load.
One thing to keep in mind: always check your state's regulations around exhaust noise. Louder doesn't always mean better, and a defect notice on the side of the road takes the fun out of any trip.
Snorkels and Air Intake
A snorkel is one of those mods that looks great and serves a genuinely practical purpose. By raising the air intake to roof height, a snorkel feeds the engine cleaner, cooler air — and that matters on dusty outback roads just as much as it does at a water crossing.
For the 79 Series, a quality snorkel also helps protect the air filter from premature clogging in heavy dust, which means less maintenance and more consistent engine performance on long trips through the red centre.
Lighting Upgrades
The factory headlights on the 79 Series are functional, but they leave a lot on the table for anyone regularly driving on unlit outback roads or bush tracks after dark. Upgrading to LED headlights is one of the simplest and most effective mods you can do — the improvement in visibility is immediate and dramatic compared to the standard halogens.
Beyond headlights, most modified 79 Series rigs run some combination of driving lights and light bars mounted to the bull bar or roof rack. A good pair of spot-beam driving lights extends your vision hundreds of metres down the road, which is invaluable for early wildlife detection at highway speeds. LED light bars provide a wide flood pattern that's ideal for slower off-road work, camp setup, or navigating tight tracks.
Don't overlook the smaller details either. LED indicator and tail light upgrades improve your visibility to other drivers, and under-bonnet or underbody work lights make roadside maintenance far less painful when you're stuck on the side of the track at night.
Braking Upgrades
This is one of the most underrated modifications for the 79 Series, and arguably one of the most important. Once you've added a couple of hundred kilograms of bull bar, winch, and accessories up front — plus a loaded canopy out the back — your factory brakes are working significantly harder than they were designed to.
Upgraded brake pads with a higher heat rating are a sensible starting point. They resist fade better under heavy or sustained braking, which matters on long descents or when towing. Beyond pads, slotted or drilled rotors improve heat dissipation, and for seriously heavy rigs, a full big brake kit with larger calipers and rotors is worth the investment.
If you've done a GVM upgrade, make sure your braking system has been assessed as part of that process. A vehicle that can legally carry more weight also needs to be able to stop that weight safely — and no amount of suspension travel matters if you can't pull up when you need to.
Wheels and Tyres
Your tyre choice is one of the biggest influences on how your 79 Series performs off-road, on-road, and everything in between. Most modified 79s run an all-terrain tyre in the 33-inch to 35-inch range, which strikes a good balance between off-road grip, on-road comfort, and tyre life.
If you're lifting the suspension, it makes sense to match the tyre size to the lift height — running oversized tyres without enough lift leads to rubbing issues and poor suspension geometry. Equally, fitting a 4-inch lift with 31-inch tyres looks odd and doesn't take advantage of the extra clearance.
Steel wheels remain popular for their durability and ease of repair in remote areas, though alloy options have come a long way in terms of strength. Beadlock-capable wheels are worth considering if you regularly air down for sand or soft terrain.
Interior and Comfort Upgrades
Let's be honest — the 79 Series cabin isn't going to win any awards for luxury. Toyota built it for durability, not comfort. But that doesn't mean you have to live with a bare-bones interior on a 3,000-kilometre trip.
Seat upgrades make a huge difference on long drives. Aftermarket options with better lumbar support and more cushioning transform the driving experience, especially on corrugated roads. Gear stick extensions are a small but worthwhile addition that reduce arm strain, and a quality armrest console adds comfort and storage in one hit.
For communication and navigation, a UHF CB radio is essential for remote travel, and purpose-built dash mount brackets make installation clean and accessible. Dual battery systems and 12V accessory panels in the rear give you power for fridges, lights, and charging without draining the starter battery.
Touring and Storage Setups
This is where the 79 Series really comes into its own. The single cab and dual cab platforms are perfect bases for purpose-built touring rigs, and the aftermarket options are extensive.
Aluminium ute trays replace the factory tub with a lighter, more functional platform that's easier to customise with toolboxes, water tank mounts, and tie-down points. Canopies — whether aluminium, fibreglass, or composite — turn the tray into secure, weatherproof storage and can be fitted out with drawer systems, fridges, and sleeping platforms.
Roof racks add even more carrying capacity for swags, recovery gear, or solar panels. Low-profile designs reduce wind noise and drag while still providing solid mounting points for awnings and light bars.
For long-range fuel, aftermarket long-range tanks or secondary tanks are a common addition that extends your range well beyond what the factory tank offers — critical if you're heading somewhere like the Canning Stock Route where fuel stops are measured in hundreds of kilometres.
Electrical and Off-Grid Power
Modern touring demands modern power. A dual battery system is the foundation, keeping your accessories running independently of the starter battery. From there, battery-to-battery chargers, solar panels, and inverters let you run fridges, charge devices, and power camp lighting without needing to idle the engine.
Wiring looms and fuse boxes designed specifically for the 79 Series make it easier to add accessories without hacking into the factory harness — keeping things reliable and making troubleshooting straightforward if something goes wrong.
Building Smart: Tips Before You Start Modifying
Before you start buying parts, it's worth stepping back and thinking about what you actually need your 79 to do. A rig built for weekend camping trips in the Victorian high country needs a very different setup to one built for long-range outback touring or heavy-duty farm work.
Here are a few things to consider early on.
Start with the suspension and GVM — these dictate what else you can carry and fit, and they influence tyre size, brake upgrades, and even your choice of bull bar. Getting the foundation right saves you from expensive do-overs later.
Buy quality once rather than cheap twice, especially on safety-critical items like bull bars, suspension components, and brakes. Cheap gear that fails in the middle of nowhere isn't a saving — it's a liability.
Keep weight in mind throughout the build. Every kilogram of accessories eats into your available payload, and it adds up faster than most people expect. Weigh your vehicle at a public weighbridge once it's built — you might be surprised.
Think about compliance from day one. A well-engineered, road-legal build holds its value and keeps you out of trouble at roadside inspections. Non-compliant modifications can void your insurance, which is the last thing you want to discover after an incident.
Plan the electrical system as a whole rather than adding bits piecemeal. A proper wiring plan from the outset avoids messy looms, voltage drop issues, and the headache of tracing faults down the track.
Ready to Start Your Build?
Whether you're fitting your first bull bar or planning a full touring setup, modifying a 79 Series LandCruiser is one of the most rewarding projects going. The platform is proven, the aftermarket support is massive, and the end result is a vehicle that's genuinely built for Australian conditions.
If you're looking for quality 70 Series accessories and parts to get your build started, browse our range — we stock everything from protection gear and exterior upgrades through to interior accessories and touring essentials, all chosen specifically for the 70 Series platform.
