RARE TOYOTA MEGA CRUISER HIGH-ROOF TURBO-DIESEL WITH A SAFARI HISTORY

This isn’t your average Toyota. The 1996 Mega Cruiser was Toyota’s attempt at a civilian Humvee-style vehicle. With fewer than 150 civilian versions ever built, this high-roof model spent time in Kenya as a safari tour truck before landing in New Hampshire. With massive portal axles, locking differentials, and room for 10, it’s a rolling fortress that’s now ready for a new adventure stateside.

This Toyota was Built For The Wild And Primed For Adventure

Under the hood sits a 4.1-liter 15B‑FTE turbodiesel inline‑4, Toyota’s reliable diesel with 153 horsepower and 282 lb-ft of torque, tuned for torque-rich low-end power. It’s linked to a four-speed Aisin automatic transmission, which feeds power to all wheels through a dual-range transfer case and three locking differentials. That drivetrain is serious overkill: portal axles lift the chassis high and inboard disc brakes are ready for whatever terrain you tackle. The independent suspension gives 16.5 inches of ground clearance, making this as capable deep in mud as it once was through safari trails.

This rig is less about swift sprints and more about unstoppable hustle. With locking diffs, portal axles, and that hefty low-range gearing, it can crawl over boulders, ford streams, and carry a full crew through rough terrain. Classic comparisons to the Hummer H1 aren’t just fluff; the Mega Cruiser matched up with its military-grade design in many ways. Whether crawling muddy trails or cruising highways, this truck delivers presence and purpose.

It's A Civilian SUV That Looks Military

The Mega Cruiser started as Toyota’s imposing military prototype (the BXD10), but when civilian orders came, they built only around 133–150 units. This high‑roof variant is said to be the only factory-made civilian example with that extra fiberglass roof extension, complete with safari-style windows, roof hatches, and perimeter rails. It’s basically a military rig married to a safari camper, and that look is a head‑turner whether parked or rolling.

Dark blue today, it was green on safari and now looks refined but rugged. It sports a front bull bar, swing-away spare tire, rear pintle hitch, 17-inch steel wheels wrapped in 37-inch Bridgestone Mud Duelers, and inboard disc brakes. These details serve a purpose: protection, clearance, and real-world functionality.

Safari Comfort Meets Tactical Utility

Pop open the right-hand-drive door, and you’re greeted by a 10-seat cabin: 2 up front and 8 across two benches in the rear. Seats are trimmed in gray cloth, and there’s even a Kenwood head unit plus front and rear AC. For its age and purpose, the truck feels surprisingly user-friendly. You’ve got power windows, a 24V electrical system, and enough wood trim in the center console for a touch of home.

It’s not perfect; the headliner is saggy, and there are carpet stains. Still, it’s clear this was a work vehicle meant to carry tourists in comfort across dusty African plains. The selling dealer replaced the original Kenwood and refreshed the oil before import. With roughly 65,000 miles and a clean Florida title, this Mega Cruiser is ready for new life, whether it’s part of a collection, show, or another off-grid mission. It's currently listed for only $31,000 on Bring a Trailer at the time of publication, which is less than most new cars today and significantly cooler.

2025-06-20T00:36:32Z