Last week we brought you a Toyota GR86 that was transformed into a Safari-style off-road sports car by a Japanese tuner called Kuhl. This week, it's another Toyota that has gotten the off-road treatment from Kuhl. It's not another sports car, though, it's a Toyota that's actually meant for dirt. Say hello to the Kuhl Blocker Iron Build Land Cruiser 250.
Retro Styling Paired With Modern Excess
Toyota's new Land Cruiser is a retro-styled joy to look at, but like any Land Cruiser model, the factory is just a starting point. Kuhl dove in head first, replacing parts to give this SUV capability to match the Land Cruiser generations that inspired the new model's looks.
Kuhl's efforts start with a lift. The company didn't say what parts it replaced, but this Land Cruiser is clearly way higher than a standard LC. It's tall enough to make the 37-inch tires look almost compact.
Sure, some of that effect is from the wheels. Adding 22-inch wheels to your beefy SUV will make any tire look smaller than it should. But these Yokohama 37s are equal to the largest-diameter tire you can get on any factory off-roader. They sure don't look this compact on the Ford F-150 Raptor R.
From there, Kuhl went wild with body protection. Tubular steel bumpers front and rear? Sounds great. Tubular rock rails along the bodysides? Sign us up for some of that extra protection. But tubular protection around the wheel arches? That's a new one for us.
The tubular wheel arch guards look amazing, and they'll probably protect the fenders from rubbing against trees. But we're not sure what they're attached to inside the Land Cruiser's structure. And they will absolutely make all the wind noise possible on the highway.You might not notice the noise from the fender guards, though. Not with the beefy 37s and a custom flat roof platform and light bar mounted up top, at least.
To help wrap up the build, Kuhl has added a pair of spoilers to the Land Cruiser's hatch. There's one way up top and then another at the bottom of the glass. The company had planned more aero parts, but said that they didn't arrive in time for the show.
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
