Well it is time again for me to do a fun project, despite all the "must do projects" I have on my plate, I think a few of you out there know what I am talking about 
The last expedition build I did was my 2007 Toyota Tundra, and that was out of nesessity because my regular expedition vehicle was a 1997 HZJ75 from Australia and it was right hand drive, which is really not a good idea to drive in Baja with (small roads for the ones they have so lots of passing, scarry with Right hand drive).
So I have been asked why I am always buying and doing project with Cruisers that are diesel and not found here in the US. The answer is simple, I like them and I have can do them. But some seem to get upset because of that none the less.
For all those that want to see more projects with Cruisres sold here in the US, this project is for you
We have a wonderful Land Cruiser here in the US that in my opinon is a great platform for work on. I am talking about the Land Cruiser Prado Plaform, not a rugged as the normal Land Cruiser platform but is still much better than what else is sold here in the US. Typically you know about the prado from the 4runner or most recently from the FJ Cruiser, but call me old school, I like the shape and design of the prado that is sold everywhere else in the world and the closest to that in the US is the Lexus GX 470, aside from the front clip is the shape of the Real Prado, and one thing they got right or better of the FJ is the engine, they use the 4.7l V8 which I like much better than the 4.0l V6. Sure there is some debate you can make between the two but the biggest reason I like it is it is better on fuel economy, on average around town in the 14's and up on the hyway 19-20 easily, I have not seen those number with the FJ at all.
My vehicle of choice is Lexus GX470, I picked a used 2005 for a very good price, I like the 05' because it has the VVTI 4.7 which bumps the power to 270hp.
I did not know what to expect with the GX, just knew that I liked the body style and having an FJ in the past and selling and installing lift kit for the 4runners and FJ I knew the suspension pretty well. I can tell you that after getting the Lexus I was even more impressed with the power and factory ride, and handling on the GX so much so that it is routinely my daily driver to work. This completly changed my thinking on what to modify and it certainly became an expedition build over an off road build.
I don't want to mislead you, there are those out there that have gone completly crazy with mods and built some great wheeling GX's so it is very capable, this is not going to be one of those builds. It is going to mild in comparison just enough to make it a very decent Expedition rig for going camping and expeditioning, and I will certainly test it out in Baja very soon.
So enough chit-chat here are some pics of the stock GX, I will have mod pictures to follow:
Cheers,
Michael
The last expedition build I did was my 2007 Toyota Tundra, and that was out of nesessity because my regular expedition vehicle was a 1997 HZJ75 from Australia and it was right hand drive, which is really not a good idea to drive in Baja with (small roads for the ones they have so lots of passing, scarry with Right hand drive).
So I have been asked why I am always buying and doing project with Cruisers that are diesel and not found here in the US. The answer is simple, I like them and I have can do them. But some seem to get upset because of that none the less.
For all those that want to see more projects with Cruisres sold here in the US, this project is for you
We have a wonderful Land Cruiser here in the US that in my opinon is a great platform for work on. I am talking about the Land Cruiser Prado Plaform, not a rugged as the normal Land Cruiser platform but is still much better than what else is sold here in the US. Typically you know about the prado from the 4runner or most recently from the FJ Cruiser, but call me old school, I like the shape and design of the prado that is sold everywhere else in the world and the closest to that in the US is the Lexus GX 470, aside from the front clip is the shape of the Real Prado, and one thing they got right or better of the FJ is the engine, they use the 4.7l V8 which I like much better than the 4.0l V6. Sure there is some debate you can make between the two but the biggest reason I like it is it is better on fuel economy, on average around town in the 14's and up on the hyway 19-20 easily, I have not seen those number with the FJ at all.
My vehicle of choice is Lexus GX470, I picked a used 2005 for a very good price, I like the 05' because it has the VVTI 4.7 which bumps the power to 270hp.
I did not know what to expect with the GX, just knew that I liked the body style and having an FJ in the past and selling and installing lift kit for the 4runners and FJ I knew the suspension pretty well. I can tell you that after getting the Lexus I was even more impressed with the power and factory ride, and handling on the GX so much so that it is routinely my daily driver to work. This completly changed my thinking on what to modify and it certainly became an expedition build over an off road build.
I don't want to mislead you, there are those out there that have gone completly crazy with mods and built some great wheeling GX's so it is very capable, this is not going to be one of those builds. It is going to mild in comparison just enough to make it a very decent Expedition rig for going camping and expeditioning, and I will certainly test it out in Baja very soon.
So enough chit-chat here are some pics of the stock GX, I will have mod pictures to follow:
Cheers,
Michael
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