Inside the Crazy 8 Week Land Cruiser "Canopy" Overland Build

Building your own canopy is one of those projects that separates the weekend warriors from the serious touring enthusiasts. When you’re talking about months on remote tracks like the Australian Canning Stock Route, your setup either works or it doesn’t - there’s no middle ground out there.

The crew at Designed and Built just wrapped up an eight-week sprint to build what might be the most thoughtfully designed touring canopy we’ve seen. This isn’t some bolt-together kit or modified tradesman’s setup. Every piece was CAD designed before the first cut was made, and the results speak for themselves.

The foundation starts with 3mm (0.12") (0.12") aluminum sheet, cut on a CNC plasma table and folded with a CNC press brake. The subframe runs aluminum Unistrut throughout, which is brilliant for mounting accessories. Instead of drilling holes and installing nutserts everywhere, you just drop in spring nuts and bolt things down. The whole canopy mounts to the tray with four M12 bolts - one at each corner with oversized washers. Simple, strong, and removable when you need to pull the canopy for maintenance.

What sets this build apart is the attention to practical details. The door seals integrate into the door itself rather than mounting on the canopy frame. That gives you a completely flat floor without the 50mm (1.97") (1.97") return you see on most commercial canopies. No false floors needed, which saves weight and maximizes your storage space. The dual latches pull directly down to the canopy body, reducing flex and keeping everything tight.

The driver’s side houses a triple drawer setup that’s all about organization and accessibility. Up front sits an Angle 30L fridge-freezer drawer that proved itself during a month of road testing. The middle drawer is where things get interesting - it’s a custom charger drawer that stays powered whether open or closed. For anyone hauling camera gear, drone batteries, or just the usual collection of rechargeable devices, this setup is a game changer. The back drawer holds tools and recovery gear, with King Chrome tools getting the nod for reliability.

Water storage runs four jerry cans across the back with a simple pump system that draws directly from the containers. A coiled hose with a nozzle handles camp chores like washing dishes. The setup isn’t fancy, but it works reliably when you’re camped in the middle of nowhere.

The passenger side is where the camp kitchen really shines. The dual slide-out design houses twin 2400W Westinghouse induction cookers with stainless steel tops and a split lid design. Push everything to one side, open half the lid, and you’re cooking. The pantry section features adjustable shelves with elastic retention straps and a front section for taller items like sauce bottles.

The kitchen can be deployed and running within 12 seconds of opening the canopy. That speed matters when you’re setting up camp in fading light or trying to get breakfast sorted before hitting the track early. The whole unit is built from aluminum and stainless steel, TIG welded together for durability.

A Bushman’s 85L vertical fridge sits in a custom cage on the passenger side. Vertical fridges make more sense than chest-style units for touring - they’re lighter, more accessible, and don’t require the heavy-duty slides that chest fridges need. A canvas organizer on the front holds miscellaneous items and keeps sharp objects concealed.

The electrical system centers around two BattleBorn 110Ah lithium batteries for 220Ah total capacity. A 3000W inverter handles the 240V side, powering the induction cookers and general outlets. The 12V distribution runs through a simple fuse and relay block rather than fancy digital systems. Sometimes simpler is better, especially when you’re troubleshooting electrical issues in remote locations.

A RedArc 50A DC-DC charger handles battery charging from the alternator. Solar panels didn’t make the cut - when you’re running induction cookers and have limited roof space, the math just doesn’t work out. The alternator provides plenty of charging capacity during driving hours.

The control panel keeps things straightforward with rocker switches for lighting, USB outlets, and fridge power. A Victron battery monitor provides detailed system information through both a built-in display and smartphone app. An isolator switch for the induction stove prevents accidental power draw.

LED strip lights provide white or red illumination, and a portable projector screen tucks into the door for entertainment. The screen handles wind better than expected, especially with a drawer pulled up for support.

The whole build happened in eight weeks of after-hours work, driven by a hard deadline for a touring trip. That’s an aggressive timeline for a complete custom canopy and fitout, but the results justify the effort. The crew at Designed and Built has created something that works as well as it looks.

The real test came during a month-long shakedown on some of Australia’s most remote tracks. The canopy and fitout performed flawlessly, proving that thoughtful design and quality fabrication create gear that works when it matters most. For anyone considering a serious touring setup, this build shows what’s possible when you combine good design with solid fabrication skills.