The BJ71 Toyota Landcruiser is not the most common truck you’ll come across in the bush, but with fine examples like Graham Malone’s black beast of a BJ running around the bush tracks of WA Australia, you quickly realise just how capable these super short wheel base Toyota’s are…

With a fresh new set of 35 inch MTR’s, some wicked flex, and multiple hand made mods this is one capable bush track tamer. Graham takes a minute to tell us more about his black beauty.

Pictures – click to view

Owner Profile

Name: Graham Malone
Nickname: Gib
Place you call home: Perth, WA, Australia
Years Driving Off-Road: 2
View Graham’s Full Profile

The Rig

• Make: Toyota
• Model: Landcruiser BJ71
• Year: 1987
• Color: Black

The Mods

• 35×12.5r15 Goodyear Wrangler MTR’s
• Painted ROH rims
• EFS Anti inversion shackle lift
• Sway-bar removal
• Beefed up rear springs
• Custom guards
• Diff relocation (1 inch forward)
• Bunning’s garden edging flares
• Homemade drawer system
• GME UHF with 4.5Db fibreglass aerial
• Custom winch bar with PTO winch
• Spotties
• 24volt to 12volt inverter
• Safari snorkel

How did the project begin?

The truck came with a few bits already fitted, I have added the tyres, the drawers, shackles, and winch bar myself.

How long has the project taken?

The projects been going on for about 6 months so far

What’s been the mod that’s make the biggest difference?

Extended shackles and removed the sway bar, it flex’s great now, and the tyres of course.

What was your biggest challenge

The winch bar as it is the first attempt welding and working with metal.

If you could go back in time, what would you change?

I would have probably got the mid wheel base landcruiser as the short wheel base is a bit of a handful but it is all a learning experience.

What was your build budget?

My budget stretched as far as the purchase of the car. As for modifications they were done on the cheap, making everything myself, installing everything myself, saving up for every modification has been slow though.

What’s next?

Lockers both ends, 2 1/2inch straight through exhaust, better spotties, new converter as I flooded the last one, fit my arb air compressor from my previous car, and new shocks all round. If I win lotto maybe I will chuck in a set of reduction gears.

Who have you got to thank for the build?

Perth4×4.net , Ih8mud.com, and 4wdaction.com.

Thanks Graham for taking the time to tell us all about your terrific 4×4.

12 Responses to “Big, Black, and Beefy BJ71 Landcruiser”

• October 7th, 2008 MateyMate:

  Nice Truck Mate — you sound a little disappointed with the shorty — think it’s a little ripper.

• October 7th, 2008 John:

  Whooaaahh, great flex. I don’t think I’ve seen a BJ with flex like that for a while. Can you tell us a little more about your suspension setup?

• October 7th, 2008 wyworry:

  Bout time you put up another feature Shayne. Nice truck Graham, your doing pretty well for only two years in.

• October 7th, 2008 Jason:

  I agree the flex looks great!

• October 7th, 2008 Shayne:

  From 4X4 Fever, Thanks Graham for showing us a nice example of the BJ71.

  Cheers — Shayne

• October 7th, 2008 Mudbasher:

  nice article and nice cruiser. Like MM said — why wouldn’t you stick with the shorty. Seems pretty solid in my book.

• October 7th, 2008 TNA:

  nice article mate, and nice car

• October 7th, 2008 Graham:

  Hi guys, wow thanks for all the kind responces. And sorry for the confusion but i am thrilled to bits with my cruiser! The short wheel base is great but at times a real handfull during steep hills and decents… but that also means FUN! I wouldnt dream of swapping it anytime soon.

  John my suspension setup is pretty simple, removed the sway bar and added extended shackles with saggy springs… all of these contribute to the flex. And the 35’s would also help because they are a heavy tyre to drag to spring down a bit further.

• October 8th, 2008 john:

  Thanks Graham

• October 14th, 2008 mike:

  bloody nice rig mate
  love the look of all swb 4wd’s ypurs has great flex for a leaf sprung!
  i know wat ya mean when ya say there a bit of a handleful but i would think moving the diff forward would make it more unstable..what was the reason for this mod?

  cheers mike

• October 16th, 2008 Graham:

  Thanks mike. They are a bit of a handfull because the wheelbase is so short! Lengthening the wheelbase will make it more stable on uneven ground, it also improves approach angle and it also lets me fit the 35s without scrubbing on the rear of the front guard. And the shortys dont need anymore ramp over angle which is the only thing compromised. I wil be moving it forward another 3inchs when i get around to it for these reasons.

• December 5th, 2008 Why I ‘Heart’ 4X4’s:

  [...] why I love 4X4 driving. This footage of a 4X4 trip north of Perth WA (Australia) and features Grahams Beefy BJ71 Landcruiser that we’ve featured on this site [...]

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