Fran - The Next Generation
Fran is a 2006 Toyota Landcruiser HDJ78 Troopcarrier with the full Alu-Cab Hercules roof conversion. She has the last of the solid straight-6 turbo diesel Toyota engines, the 1HD-FTE, with minimal electronics for maximum reliability. We had been watching the rare 1HD-FTE powered troopies for a long time and when this one came up with the roof conversion done and many of the parts that we wanted to do anyway we jumped on it immediately.
Why “Fran”?
Our previous car, Ruth, was named by the previous owners after Ruth Mallory wife of George Mallory the famous Mt. Everest mountaineer.
Ruth Mallory had one daughter, Frances Clare, which we have shortened to Fran as a fitting name as our next generation overland vehicle.
Specifications:
Make: Toyota
Model: Landcruiser HDJ78R
Year: 2006
Engine: 1HD-FTE 4.2L straight-6 24 valve Turbo Diesel (4164cc)
Fuel: Diesel
Fuel Capacity: 180L from factory
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Drive: Right Hand Drive
Country of Origin: Japan
Country of Registration: Australia
Fran was originally a Police vehicle used in Halls Creek, Western Australia a very remote part of Northern Australia. She is not the RV specification which means no-power windows and a slightly reduced interior specification.
We became the forth owners at around 190,000Km and it was the third owner that did the majority of the work (including the pop-top conversion):
- Alu-Cab Hercules roof conversion.
- Alu-Cab 270 degree shadow awning.
- 16 x 8 alloy wheels with 285 x 75 x 16 BFG All Terrain tyres (x 5)
- DP engine chip
- Dual spare wheel carrier (Thorburn engineering)
- Gas struts fitted to bonnet and rear barn door.
- Tinted windows
114W solar panel on roof tent.
Dual batteries, 200 amp Redarc controller.
Redarc DC/DC 12volt 25 amp charger.
240-volt power inlet plus power points and circuit breaker.
40L Engel fridge/freezer.
Caraforma 12-volt fan.
10L Hot water tank (12-volt/240-volt).
Hard Korr light bar
Falcon XR6 ute seats (they fold forward as standard seats).
Fully insulated cabin, doors and rear with Car Builders products.
Double din Alpine stereo, upgraded speakers and tweeters with bluetooth.
Central locking and immobiliser.
Outside shower (you can draw water from multiple sources).
Front Runner back door table.
120L drinking water tank with Shure electric pump.
Gear lever extension.
Upgraded headlights plus covers, bonnet protector, weather shields.
Door pockets with drink holders, centre console with additional drink holders.
Dometic glass top sink.