This Self-Built Landcruiser Camper Is a Cleverly Designed "Two-Story Apartment" on Wheels

In case you're unfamiliar with overlanding, you can check out this article I wrote late last year, where I discussed what it takes to plan, prepare, and execute an overlanding adventure. Besides having many useful overlanding accessories, the rig I'm checking out today was significantly modified with a well-thought-out living space. '

What we have here is a Toyota Landcruiser J78, owned and converted by Sonja and Yanick. It sports a 4.2-liter diesel engine outputting 131 hp and 285 Nm (210 lb-ft.). What's more, diesel is fed by a 90-liter (24-gallon) main tank, but the couple installed an additional 100-liter (26-gallon) tank. That makes the rig capable of a range of up to a whopping 1,200 km (736 miles).

To be fair, Sonja and Yanick don't take this Landcruiser too deep off the beaten path. The sheer weight of the vehicle prevents them from going on more hardcore trails, as the rig tips the scales at 3.4 metric tons (7,500 lb.).

One of the things that makes a nomadic lifestyle so nice is the community – most people who live in or own a mobile home are eager to help each other out. In Sonja and Yanick's case, they were lucky to be contacted by the previous owner of this Landcruiser. Since they were too old to continue using the vehicle, they wanted to give it to someone who would use it for the same purpose: exploration. And that's how the couple ended up with this rig.

As usual, I will start with the exterior mods, which are plenty on this vehicle. First off, I must say I love the boxy look of the Landcruiser, and this unit's blue and white combo is a stunning color choice for the off-roader.

Of course, the most significant exterior modification of this vehicle is the pop-top roof. It holds a massive aluminum crate, lights, and two 100 W solar panels.

With so little space inside a mobile home of this type, it's critical to make full use of all the real estate you have inside out. And that's what this couple did with their rig. On the passenger side, they installed a small aluminum box and Maxtrax traction boards that double as a flip-down table.

Another notable feature is a 280-degree awning - it not only offers protection from the weather elements, but it also extends the living space of the vehicle. In a space this small, you want to also use the car's surrounding to set up camp.

At the rear, a small ladder allows you to hop on top of the Landcruiser. Next to it, a spare tire is mounted, which holds a backpack.

On the passenger side of the vehicle, you'll discover two metal tracks housing two canisters with white gas and another storage box. Furthermore, up top, you'll notice a "shower cube," a foldable curtain that allows you to shower in privacy outside.

Step inside the driver's cabin, and you'll notice Sonja and Yanick kept most of it as it came originally. They installed new speakers, new seats, a small table under the windscreen, two overhead shelves holding camera equipment, and a center console storage spot.

You might be thinking, "How the hell do two people live inside this Landcruiser?" Although the living space seems relatively cramped, Sonja and Yanick came up with a clever setup. Open the rig's two rear doors and you'll discover a kitchen occupying the left side of the interior.

The kitchen features a large countertop with many storage spaces underneath, such as drawers and cabinets, a small sink, a spice rack, and a tray with all things coffee-related. Furthermore, at the rearest part of the kitchen, Sonja and Yanick fitted two USB plugs and the controller for the vehicle's Webasto diesel heater system. However, this Webasto heater, unlike most I've covered in other campers, is used to heat the engine and not the living space.

Another notable element is a floor-to-ceiling unit behind the driver's seat which integrates a closet and two cabinets. One of them accommodates the electrical system – its highlights are a 150 Ah lithium battery and a solar charge controller connected to the 200 W solar panels on the roof.

On the opposite side, you'll find the couch/bedroom. It consists of a long bench that houses additional storage space, as well as a water heater that works off the car's coolant, so there's no power draw from the electrical system. Moreover, the bench's top panels can be folded out to create the bedroom.

However, Sonja and Yanick's main sleeping spot is the pop-top roof. Its bottom panels can be lifted to allow the couple to sit up inside the vehicle. When they're ready to go to bed, they can just pull the panels down, and they're good to go.

When dealing with campers this small, you should use every single nook and cranny. In this couple's case, they used the rear doors for extra storage by mounting various bags and holders.

All in all, this is a fantastic off-road-capable tiny home on wheels. It lacks a bathroom, which I'm sure is a dealbreaker for some of you reading this article, but you can't deny that Sonja and Yanick came up with an ingenious setup.