- 6×6 and 6×4 capability put to the test
- Go anywhere ability with extreme payloads
- Many civilian and commercial applications
- Fully homologated for road use
Ulterio Motiv, the company known for six-wheel conversions, has brought two of its demonstration vehicles to Western Cape for the media to experience on one of The Winelands’ most picturesque wine farms, Zevenwacht.
The vehicles – Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8 GD-6 Double Cab 6×6
Heading around Zevenwacht’s farm roads and obstacle course the Land Cruiser 6×6 shows its true conquering ability. It makes light work of the most demanding axle twisters as well as the steep uphill at Zevenwacht’s 4×4 obstacle course. Owing to the two, standard differential locks, as well as the third on-demand differential lock on the third axle, there is no wheel spin detected.
Equipped with the 2.8-litre GD-6, turbodiesel engine, connected to the automatic transmission, it makes it easy to slowly traverse and climb obstacles owing to the available level of torque. The custom fittings throughout the cabin such as the upgraded steering wheel, reverse camera and full leather interior, this Land Cruiser is unlike any other available on the South African market.
The aim of this product is to supply chassis to customers who want a bespoke product or a blank canvas for a vehicle that can be built up for camping, emergency services or off-road load carrying to their own specification. As an example, suspension and bullbar components from Ironman 4×4™ (as depicted here) can be specified, however the customer may also choose their own preference depending on their unique requirements.
Undoubtedly the ultimate incarnation of the Toyota Land Cruiser, this 6×6 version will not only allow customers to tackle off-road excursions with confidence, but the GVM (gross vehicle mass) increases to a substantial 6 050 kg. That is a significant 2 850 kg up on that of the standard vehicle.
Apart from the additional axle, a number of options are available. An upgraded, hydraulic-assisted, brake booster can be fitted with braided hose lines which allow the driver to use less pressure on the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a halt compared to a standard vehicle. These parts can also be ordered separately from Ulterio Motiv and fitted to existing Land Cruisers 70-series vehicles.
Owing to the homologated load-carrying ability of the 6×6, it requires a code C1 (previous code 10) licence to operate the vehicle on public roads.
Do note, that a more affordable 6×4 conversion can also be specified. The only difference is that the rear axle in this case is not powered by the engine. However, as it is still based on the standard Toyota product, the 4×4 system is still in place with the third axle in this case only assisting in the load carrying capacity – rated at a slightly lower but still substantial 5 500 kg GVM.
Both offerings will be available, as an option, with unique 35-inch steel wheels. These will not only improve ground clearance, but add to the level of grip in off-road conditions when the appropriate tyres are fitted. As with the 6×6 model, the new axles on the 6×4 are also track-corrected.
The vehicles – Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT Super Cab XL Auto 6×4
The Atlantis sand dunes is often only the playground for the most hardcore of off-road vehicles. However, even with only a 6×4 system, the Ford Ranger proved that it can still tackle the dunes as the third axle provided floatation on the loose sand and the four driven wheels still supplies enough grip. Dunes can be tackled with simply a more planned approach. At Zevenwacht’s off-road course some wheelspin was detected, but the Ranger still managed to cover the obstacles with only a little bit more driving skill required. Offering a true cost effective, 6×4 load carrying ability, this Ranger is evidently as comfortable to drive in town as on more challenging gravel roads.
The base 6×4 chassis is supplied to individuals or companies that manufacture their own loading bin, closed canopy or any other designs whether for camping, or for example, emergency services. Ultimately this new 6×4 chassis is a blank canvas for the potential end user. More importantly, all the comfort, luxury and safety systems from the original Ranger remains once the conversion has been completed.
The standard Ford chassis is extended to cater for the extra length needed to add the non-driven third axle. This load-carrying axle does not impact on the standard Ford drivetrain and the 4×4 system, with the differential-lock which is still in place. Following the conversion, Ulterio Motiv can also manufacture the custom drop-side load bin. It is 1.6 metres wide and 2.5 metres long as shown in the pictures. These are the interior dimensions.
The rear suspension setup works on the principle of a bogie system that results in the third axle carrying around 40% of the rear mass with the middle (driven) axle around 60% of the rear mass. This provides the driven axle with more grip because of the higher contact force between the driven wheels and the road surface improving traction.
The braking system has been upgraded by adding a disc-brake setup to the third axle which also benefits from the standard Ford ABS system.
The scope of product possibilities is widened by the fact that any single or extended cab Ford Ranger 4×4 from the current generation can be converted.
Specifications after conversions:
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 6×6
Tare: 3 100 kg
GVM: 6 080 kg
Loading capacity: 2 980 kg
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 6×4
Tare: 2 910 kg
GVM: 5 500kg
Loading capacity: 2 590 kg
Ford Ranger 6×4
Tare: +- 2 500 kg
GVM: 4 500 kg
Loading capacity: +- 2 000 kg (depending on model)
Pricing
6×4 Toyota Land Cruiser 79 conversion R389,950 (ex VAT)
6×6 Toyota Land Cruiser 79 conversion R895,000 (ex VAT)
6×4 Ford Ranger conversion R265,000 (ex VAT)
Pricing of upgrades for Toyota Land Cruiser 79:
Brake booster: R18,950 (ex. VAT)
Braided hose kit: R10,950 (ex. VAT)
GVM upgrade: R32,950 (ex. VAT)*
*Includes brake booster and braided hose kit
These upgrades can be done on both the latest 79-model range as well as earlier models.
Owners and drivers can select to have all the brake improvements done, without doing the licencing for an official GVM upgrade. In the process they will have more confidence behind the wheel when applying the brake pedal and undoubtedly feel safer as well.
As always, a couple of exciting new products are in the pipeline which will be launched in the next few months.
