Under Bonnet Dual Battery Kit for Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series 2016+

Running a fridge, lights and a comms setup off your cranking battery is how you end up stranded at the far end of a track. This under bonnet kit gives the 200 Series a proper second battery, charged intelligently while you drive, with every bracket, fuse and length of cable cut to suit the vehicle.

At the centre is the REDARC BCDC1225D, a 25A DC-DC charger that takes your alternator output and delivers a full multi-stage charge to the auxiliary battery, something a simple isolator or VSR cannot do. It handles both standard and smart variable-voltage alternators, so it works with the 200 Series charging system as Toyota built it, and it carries charge profiles for LiFePO4 lithium, AGM, gel, calcium and standard lead acid.

An MPPT solar regulator is built into the charger, with REDARC Green Power Priority. When solar is available it draws from the panel first and eases off the alternator, saving fuel and taking load off the vehicle. Add a solar blanket later and it plugs straight in, there is no second regulator to buy.

The mounting side is what makes this a kit rather than a box of parts. The 304 stainless steel charger bracket is pre-drilled for the 200 Series and holds the charger clear of the radiator and the worst of the engine bay heat. The powder-coated Hulk 4x4 tray takes an N70 case battery, and the whole assembly bolts to factory mount points, with no drilling and no modifications. Six metres of 8 B&S twin core cable, midi fuses, holders, brackets, lugs, heat shrink and conduit are all in the box.

Suits the 1VD-FTV 4.5L turbo diesel V8, 09/2016 onwards, automatic transmission, with the battery mounted in the engine bay.

The battery is not included. We have tested and confirmed the batteries below fit this kit, because these are the ones we fit in our own workshop.

Lead acid. The Century N70ZZXHD MF Overlander 4x4/SUV, 760CCA, 100Ah → is our most-fitted option for cranking and general touring. The Century Dual Force+ 27X MF, 750CCA, 175RC, 90Ah → is dual purpose, which suits a second battery that also needs to crank.

AGM deep cycle. The Fullriver Deep Cycle AGM 105Ah → is built for repeated deep discharge, which is the pick if you are running a fridge for days at a time. The SSB HVT70ZZD 12V 105Ah Dry Cell AGM Deep-Cycle → is a sealed dry cell that handles vibration and heat well in an engine bay.

Lithium. The Invicta Xero 12V 120Ah LiFePO4 → is the only lithium we fit under a bonnet. An engine bay means sustained heat, vibration and dust, and not every lithium is built for it. It is around 10kg lighter than an AGM with far more usable capacity, 3000 plus cycles and Bluetooth monitoring. The BCDC1225D has a dedicated LiFePO4 profile, so it is a straight setup change.

The charger is solar-ready out of the box. To run a panel or blanket into it you will also need:

• 6mm twin core cable →
• SB50 Anderson plug →
• SB50 cover →
• Solar input bracket → Mounts the plug neatly in the engine bay.