Tactical Applications Vehicles Partners with Enduro Campers to Create the Ultimate Land Cruiser 200 Series Expedition Vehicle

Since the 1950s, the Toyota Land Cruiser has been a trusted companion for adventurers and military personnel alike. Initially introduced as the Toyota Jeep BJ and later renamed the Land Cruiser, this vehicle has evolved into a symbol of reliability and ruggedness in the overland and expedition community.

Over the decades, various series have emerged, each enhancing the Land Cruiser’s legacy.

Among these, the Land Cruiser 200 Series stands out, and now, with a custom camper offering by Tactical Applications Vehicles (TAV) in collaboration with Enduro Campers, is excited to introduce a Land Cruiser 200 Series camper that is built right here in America.

While Land Cruisers modified into campers aren’t a new concept, roof conversions and chopped Land Cruisers are still relatively rare, especially here in the States.

Most camper-converted Land Cruisers are modified overseas and are oftentimes based on the coveted 70 Series Land Cruiser – a model not officially available in the U.S.

TAV’s 200 Series-based luxury off-roader combines an abundance of off-road capability with the practicalities of easy maintenance and parts availability, both factory and aftermarket.

TAV’s Transformative Touch

The project began with a 2021 Land Cruiser 200 Series Heritage Edition, sent to Tactical Application Vehicles (TAV) in New Mexico.

Known for their expertise in creating robust off-road vehicles, TAV embarked on transforming this Land Cruiser into the its Stage 2 Long Travel System, ideal for tackling diverse terrains. The suspension and bumpers were stripped, making way for a comprehensive upgrade. 

TAV employed a combination of Total Chaos components and Radflo ROAM series coilovers and shocks. Unlike typical kits, TAV’s suspension system is a curated mix of components, tested and validated over years of rigorous use.

This Long Travel system ensures the vehicle can handle significant weight while traversing rough landscapes. The rear features Total Chaos Adjustable Links and custom-weight Ironman 4x4 springs.

A DR KDSS Bolt-on Track Bar Correction bracket maintains the rear axle’s proper position, facilitating smooth suspension movement over uneven ground. 

Protection and recovery gear are paramount for any serious off-road vehicle. The Land Cruiser was equipped with Dissent Off-road’s full range, including the full replacement modular front bumper and the modular rear (sans swingouts, anticipating a tire carrier).

The front bumper houses a Come-up 12.5 Slim winch with a Factor 55 UltraHook. Underneath, a Dissent Off-road three-piece skid plate safeguards the undercarriage, while Metal Tech Sliders protect the rocker panels. This setup ensures the vehicle can withstand and recover from the harshest conditions.

The Land Cruiser rides on Method Bead Grip 703 wheels, wrapped in 35” Toyo Open Country R/T Trail tires. When asked why they didn’t opt for 37” tires, Walt from TAV explained that the 35” tires offered the best balance of performance and practicality for this build.

The drivetrain was re-geared to 4.88 with Eaton E-lockers in both the front and rear, enhancing traction and control. Additionally, a Long Range America auxiliary fuel tank was installed, bringing the total fuel capacity to nearly 50 gallons — perfect for long, remote expeditions.

Turning a Land Cruiser into a Home

Once TAV completed their modifications, the vehicle was sent to Leif at Enduro Campers for the camper conversion. Enduro Campers, renowned for their innovative and lightweight builds, took on the challenge of transforming the Land Cruiser into a luxury camper. 

Since the inception of Enduro in 2019, the company’s builds have been based on pickup truck beds, both mounted directly to the bed frame and as a slide-in flatbed version that can be removed. While Leif had not built a camper on an SUV before, he was confident they could execute this project.

The first step was cutting off the vehicle’s rear. Leif’s team meticulously removed everything behind the driver’s seats down to the metal, ensuring every wire, hose, and mount was accounted for before making the cut.

They also made sure that the seats had room to move and slightly recline, as well as provide enough head and shoulder room for the driver and passenger to be comfortable for extended periods on the road.

The key was to find where the cross-member was in the roof, where they could make the cut and bond the camper to the cab, all the while making sure it was structurally secure.

Using an angle grinder, Milwaukee Sawzall and a good helping of surgical precision, the Enduro team proceeded to remove approximately 800-pounds of material from the vehicle.

Design & Layout

Enduro Campers employed high-strength, R-5 FRP/foam/FRP composite walls and an R-7.5 roof, resulting in a lightweight yet sturdy build. The shell of the Land Cruiser camper weighed just 500-pounds. The layout was designed with efficiency in mind. 

The camper’s queen-sized bed lifts to allow several adults to stand or sit comfortably inside, creating space for cooking and other activities. Storage cubbies on the rear wall were designed to perfectly fit a series of Step 22 Stingray boxes, and the bench seats doubled as storage for clothing and other gear.

Multiple USB charging ports were installed for convenience, and the Isotherm refrigerator was accessible from both inside the camper and the entry door.

Weight & Balance

With careful planning, the heavy interior components, including an 18-gallon water tank, battery, and electronics, were positioned forward of the rear axle. The refrigerator sat directly over the axle, with the only significant rear weight being the custom tire carrier.

The final build, including the camper, 18 gallons of water and both fuel tanks, resulted in a vehicle weighing 7,460-pounds — remarkably close to the vehicle’s original weight, thanks to the 800-pounds removed during the cut.

A Luxury Expedition Vehicle

The completed TAV x Enduro Land Cruiser Expedition Vehicle is a masterpiece of engineering and design. With a total weight just under 7,500-pounds, it remains agile and capable, ready to conquer any terrain.

This vehicle represents the pinnacle of overland luxury and functionality, making it an ideal choice for extended expeditions. 

Tactical Applications Vehicles and Enduro Campers plan to offer these builds as turnkey expedition vehicles, with complete builds priced around $350,000. This may seem steep, but for overland enthusiasts seeking the ultimate in off-road capability and comfort, it’s a worthy investment.

For more information, visit TAV’s website: tavllc.com.

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This article originally appeared in OVR Issue 10. For more informative articles like this, consider subscribing to OVR Magazine in print or digital versions here. You can also find the print edition of OVR at your local newsstand by using our Magazine Finder.