Land Cruiser Camera Chase Vehicle... Why Not?

[Manhattan]

When you're shooting a car commercial and need a chase vehicle to haul gear, four guys, a camera rig that costs more than a new Porsche and keep up with the hero car... of course a 100 Series is the go-to.

A buddy and fellow Cruiser head (62, 100, 200) mentioned he needed a chase vehicle last minute (issue with booked vehicle). I jokingly suggested my 100. He said "Uhm... kinda perfect actually." The Grip on the job inspected the truck - the Dissent bumper particularly and said "Oh hell yeah. This will work." So, we swapped Land Cruisers for a few days - his 2016 for my 2006. This was good for me - I've been getting the itch to upgrade. More on that later.

All clamps and straps - not a scratch left anywhere. Yeah, the Grip is a pro.

Driver, director, DP (Director of Photography / Cameraman) and AC (Assistant Camera) had plenty of room. Two guys operate the camera (aim and focus) remotely via monitors.

Turns out a 100 is great for this, and the suspension and bumper mods made it even better. Next mods: Custom rear Dissent bumper and roof rack to mount the boom crane

 

[Red Beard]

This is so cool. Not surprised they loved it. I'm sure you got "this is a 2006??". I wonder if we'll see more 100's or 200's used for this type of work in Atlanta.

How was that 2016? I love the front end on the 2016+ 200's.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Yes they do! Top Gear (and Grand Tour) uses them extensively for their shoots. They used one in the Mongolia special where they had to pull it out of a puddle too!
photo credit: IMCDB

 

[Mike6158]

Wow.... those two gyro stabilized cameras are incredibly expensive;. That rig looks extremely solid. Thanks for posting this. I've always wondered how they got those kinds if shots

 

[brando1]

awesome

 

[onemanarmy]

sweet!

and yea...Top Gear/Grand Tour use 100's often. You can see them in the background of many of the hour long 'specials' they shoot.
Great trucks.

 

[ramangain]

Have you watched Top Gear and The Grand Tour on their overseas adventures? You typically don't see them using their home grown Range Rovers. If you watch closely you see LCs that show up more than once during the episodes.

To paraphrase/butcher Hammond on the Bolivian adventure, you count on a Land Cruiser to get you home from "there", wherever "there" may be.

 

[awesomeissquid]

Yes they do! Top Gear (and Grand Tour) uses them extensively for their shoots. They used one in the Mongolia special where they had to pull it out of a puddle too!
photo credit: IMCDB
View attachment 2686174

I wonder what the purpose of the exhaust extension is.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Sweet land cruiser!

 

[ClassyJalopy]

I wonder what the purpose of the exhaust extension is.

The crew typically has the rear hatch open for action shots. An exhaust extension would save them from sucking on the exhaust gasses!

 

[awesomeissquid]

The crew typically has the rear hatch open for action shots. An exhaust extension would save them from sucking on the exhaust gasses!

That explains all the extra rigging they have on the hatch. Thats really smart!

 

[jLB]

I’d seen a post elsewhere, talking about a 100 series filming a Ford commercial, and thought it looked like your vehicle...

 

[Manhattan]

That's crazy that you saw my truck on another site! I had intentionally not mentioned who the client was (even blacked out the tiny image on the monitor!).

I guess when they're shooting out of the back, with the hatch open, they're using a hand-held or steady-cam rig - as opposed to an outside mount rig. I'm certain the guys would've had to come up with a different rigging if they left the pavement... it looked like an anchor.

 

[phatdragon]

Saw this on the ol' facebook but cool getting some more info on it.

 

[77HesterSue]

I love your truck! My favorite color. Very cool story. These trucks are amazing

 

[cruiserpatch]

This is so cool. Not surprised they loved it. I'm sure you got "this is a 2006??". I wonder if we'll see more 100's or 200's used for this type of work in Atlanta.

How was that 2016? I love the front end on the 2016+ 200's.

I'm actually currently building a 1999 LX470 camera truck rig. I work in motion control in Atlanta but need to find some ATL vehicle rig folks to network with.

 

[Manhattan]

...need to find some ATL vehicle rig folks to network with.

I can connect you with some people.