Build: 1997 TRD Supercharged LX450 with OEM Lockers

Countries Visited with this Vehicle: USA, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama

 

Next Mod: Exterior lights   What’s Wrong with it: Exhaust is too loud

Powertrain:

  • 1FZ-FE 4.5L with TRD Supercharger

  • Factory Diff Lockers Front & Rear w/ CDL Switch

  • 4.88 Nitro gears

  • Front DC Drive Shaft

INTERIOR:

  • DIY Rear Sleeping Platform and storage - marine baltic birch

  • Sony XAVAX210SXM 6.4" Apple Car Play Android Auto CD /DVD Receiver with Bluetooth + backup camera & speaker upgrades

  • LED interior and Cree backup lights

  • Ultraguage OBD scanner w/ y-splitter

  • 3D printed TEQ Cupholder

  • Second Skin sound deadening and Thermal insulation

  • 8” Tuffy locking center console (custom welded & matching leather armrest)

  • WagonGear tailgate storage

  • Front seats reupholstered OEM color leather, added seat heaters

  • Custom steering wheel leather

Suspension:

  • OME 4” Competition Springs

  • MetalTech upper & lower REAR adjustable offset control arms

  • OME Sport Shocks

  • Slee HD draglink and tie rods

  • Cruiser Outfitters HD tie rod ends

  • Slee Front Control Arms

  • King steering stabilizer

EXTERIOR:

  • Expedition Centre Pop-top

  • Frontrunner Slimline II rack

  • ARB Front Bull Bar Bumper

  • Armor: Metal Tech Sliders, Slee AC Dryer Plate, Slee E-locker Plate

  • Kaymar Rear Bumper with dual swingouts

  • LCP Aluminum Gullwing Rear Quarter Windows

  • Gobi Hatch Ladder

  • Lighting: LED headlights, KC-lites HIDs, BajaDesigns

  • 315/75R16 Nitto TerraGrappler tires

Performance:

  • LRA 130L Long Range Main Fuel Tank replacement

  • 304 SS Header Down Mandrel Y-Pipe

  • Upgraded  & Extended SS Brake lines and brakes

Cooling System:

  • New Koyo radiator

  • FJ62 fan swap, JDM electric auxiliary fan

  • 100 series Hood Vents

  • Upgraded Blue Hub Fan clutch w/ 30k oil

Cooking, Food, & Water:

  • LifeSaver Systems Jerry Water Filtration: good for 10,000 liters

  • Scepter 20L Water Jerry &/or Water Bricks

  • AT Combo Slide out

  • Partner Steel Stove

  • Isotherm Marine Drawer Fridge

  • Custom designed 6lb Manchester propane tank mount

ELECTRIC

  • AGM Group 31M

  • Antigravity Batteries AG-XP-10 Multi-Function Power Supply and Jump Starter

  • Flexible Solar Panel 100W (ETFE+Fiberglass) & CTEK MPPT DC-DC Controller

  • 1800w Xantrex Pro Series Power Inverter: 0/2 gauge wire

  • BlueSea fuse box w 4awg

  • Scanstrut Deck Seals for the exterior wiring

  • Wit’s End Quarter Panel Mount to house much of the above

Major Maintenance:

  • Full Synthetic fluids

  • Birf / Axle rebuild - Wheel Bearings, Trail Gear Locking Washer

  • Preventative Head Gasket replacement, Valve Job (stem seals, Brian Crower springs), injectors cleaned, polished intake and valve cover

  • New OEM Bushings

  • Silicone High temp hoses

  • new u-joints

  • PHH Bypass

  • Replaced Rear Valve Control

  • Rear main seal

  • Replaced sensors: Knock, Transfer case speed

 

RECOVERY

  • Maxtrax

  • LCP or Safe Jack - Bottle adapters and stands

  • On-Board Air = ARB compressor mounted in bumper

  • Kinetic Recovery Rope

GEAR

  • Scepter MFC's 20L Jerry Cans

  • Fire extinguisher, orange vests, & safety triangle

PREVIOUSLY TESTED GEAR

  • 1.9m Hannibal Awning w/ Walls

  • AluCab Shadow 270 Awning

  • Previous RTTs:

    • James Baroud Discovery Space

    • Alu-Cab  Expedition Tent Gen 3

    • Eezi-Awn 1600 Series 3 T Top Roof Tent

    • African Outback Technitop RTT 1.3M

    • Maggiolina Autohome Colombus Carbon RTT - Medium

  • IBS Dual Battery System w/RBM

  • Trasharoo

  • Alu-Box

  • Warn VR 12000 w/ Viking Synthetic line and aluminum fairlead

  • Factor 55 thimble

  • 47L ARB Fridge

One of the most fun aspects of pre-trip planning is the vehicle build.  In short, I found one of the most reliable and capable "pinnacle vehicles" ever offered in North America to build the rig from.  As with almost everything, vehicle choice comes down to compromise and what you are willing to forego (I wish it got better MPG).  I would highly recommend Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide route and planning guide by Chris Scott, to determine your own vehicle path.