Up until last year Toyota sold the Land Cruiser in the United States, but those of us stateside never got the smaller Land Cruiser Prado, only its Lexus GX cousin. However, it seems one Prado afficionado decided to take that into his own hand by converting his GX into the baby Land Cruiser himself.
Up for auction on Cars & Bids, the 2010 Lexus GX 460 is virtually identical mechanically to the Land Cruiser Prado it’s trying to emulate, save for the engines, in which case the GX exclusively gets a V8. That being said, there are a few cosmetic differences between the two, and that’s where the conversion part comes in.
Read More: Toyota Land Cruiser Matt Black Edition Revealed In Europe With Dark Visual Cues
Since the Lexus has changed so little over the years (the current-gen GX has been around since 2009), the creator of this build was able to outfit their 2010 model with the bodywork of a 2018+ facelifted Land Cruiser Prado. Such bodywork includes new bumpers, new lights, a new grille, a new hood, new running boards, and new tailgate finishing. The shift knob, center console, and cup holders also come from a 2021 GX 460.
Other Toyota touches come in the form of new badges, which can be seen replacing the old Lexus ones on the steering wheel, engine cover, front bumper, and rear tailgate. Also found on the tailgate is a “Land Cruiser Prado” badge spanning across the once-blank trim panel above the license plate.
See Also: 2023 Lexus GX Gains Revamped Black Line Edition, Not Much Else
But probably the best part of this creation is that it retains the GX’s 4.6L V8 as opposed to one of the many 4 and 6-cylinder options available on the Land Cruiser Prado. That V8 makes a healthy 301 hp (305 PS / 227 kW) and 329 lb-ft (446 Nm) of torque, which is sent to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. And unlike many other “off-road” SUVs we come across, this one should have no trouble heading off the beaten path with its Torsen limited-slip locking center differential, Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, and 8+ inches (20 cm) of ground clearance.
