Hands down, Toyota won SEMA with the most concept vehicles and special builds. We previewed the incredible 4Runner TRD Surf and ROX Land Cruiser concepts before the show, and there are more pics of those below, but those only scratched the surface.
Here are the EIGHT best Toyota overland & offroad builds from the show, plus three killer tuner builds worth a look!
Toyota Modellista Overland Vision Concept
If you like futuristic, this Modellista Land Cruiser concept is a “sophisticated armored gear” build complete with bumped out body panels and storage to protect it from dings and scratches. Modellista, which means “designer” is a Toyota design branch in Japan offering customization parts for global models.
Brush guard (bush wire) cables and hood panels cover the front end, the latter integrating a full-width, wrap-around light bar, along with a more robust grill to protect the radiator.
Green LED panels add highlights in lieu of chrome. Turn signal and taillight protectors cover all four corners.
Silver storage boxes match the window’s shapes.
The roof rack has 360ยบ illumination, with the rear in red. Wide slots provide lashing points for cargo.
Check out the official web page for this vehicle here, and PDF download here. While this isn’t likely to see production, they do offer a “normal” Modellista Land Cruiser 250 edition for sale.
Toyota Classic Adventure Cruiser concept
This new LC250 is made better with a Trailhunter front suspension mod and custom rear suspension, rock sliders, and a sweet retro graphics scheme. The cream on top are these custom 20″ solid retro rims wrapped in 35×12.5″ General Grabber A/T tires.
Covered off-road lights keep the details muted and the focus on the graphics and wheels. The subdued look belies the extra performance and capability the bottom half provides, making it a bit of a sleeper adventure vehicle.
The roof rack is a now-discontinued KC M-Rack, and yes, that’s from KC Hilites the light brand. Their website says they’re working on an updated model, which is good because check out the sleek light integrations throughout…and the inlaid T-track side rails and multi-slot center platforms. Very cool.
Dubs.
Here’s hoping they offer more details (and availability) on the suspension for this one!
Toyota Baja Cruiser Race Edition
This modified Land Cruiser looks an awful lot like the FJ, thanks in large part to the wide, rounded fender flares, round headlights, and grill.
Side note: Speaking of the FJ, there are a lot of rumors around its return, but no, all those click-bait headlines and thumbnails you’ve seen featuring the ROX concept below are NOT the new FJ…saved you a click.
This Baja Cruiser Race Edition concept marries the high-speed desert racing capability of a proper Baja truck with the modern conveniences of the LC250. An odd pairing, but dang if we don’t want one.
Other than the multi-adjustable seats of the original, the interior keeps the complete dash, electronics, A/C, and other things you’d want from a modern car. It even keeps a sun roof and the ceiling panels, floor carpet, and center arm rest.
Then it adds racing seats, 5-point harnesses, and a full roll cage.
There’s even a second-row seat for the kid.
Massive custom quarter panels bulge out over the offset wheels, giving the vehicle a very wide stance. The driver’ side has quick-fill fuel ports…
…and the passenger’s side has auxiliary electrical connections with a kill switch.
Full size spare fits in the back, which is no small feat for a 37×12.5R17 Toyo Open Country R/T.
So, you know, a Baja race truck for a more discerning clientele. Champagne cooler optional.
Toyota 4Runner TRD Surf concept
The TRD Surf is a 2-door version of the 4Runner with removable top, a throwback to the originals.
Check our pre-show coverage with build videos for more details on this.
One thing they didn’t show off beforehand was the finished topographical hood. Made from carbon fiber in a full-custom, one-off mold, they went with a vented hood for the actual build. Thankfully this alternative design was on display in the booth, too. Yet another item we hope they’ll offer for the aftermarket.
A proper TRD off-road suspension and custom exhaust give it a polished look (and better performance).
Toyota ROX Concept Land Cruiser
Here’s the one that has YouTubers trying to convince you the FJ is making a comeback. It might, but it’s not this exactly.
The Calty Designs’ ROX Concept is a topless take on the latest Land Cruiser LC250, with full overland adventure build. There are a couple of really interesting touches that we’re hoping make it into future production parts.
The first is the low-profile light mount. We like that it sits right at the top edge of the windshield, and out in front so there’s minimal light cast on the hood to distract the eyes.
The second are what appear to be very well-integrated snorkels. Admittedly, the multiple holes all the way up them limit total wading depth, but let’s be real…how many of us ever get above the wheel wells?
It’s also noteworthy where they enter the engine bay, from behind the hood rather than beside it…and on both sides of the vehicle. If you’ve seen the new Tacoma Trailhunter snorkel, it’s incredibly sleek compared to aftermarket options, and these take it one step further. Definitely has us thinking…
The passenger compartment remains luxurious…
…but the rear end is converted to a truck bed with integrated water/fuel tank storage compartments. While most folks suggest not storing your fuel inside the vehicle, this one’s wide open to the outdoors, so it’s a solid space-saving solution.
Note the in-molded seats on the tailgate, sandwiched by lashing points for cargo.
Custom suspension fabrication makes for some super shiny, overbuilt lower control arms!
It’s fitted with 37×12.5R18 BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A tires. Check out the build videos and official pics in our pre-show coverage.
Toyota ’84 Tacoma TRD ProRunner Desert Race concept
This retro-looking 4th gen Tacoma is a nod to their recent partnership with Legacy Motor Club and legendary driver Jimmie Johnson (and Richard Petty…scroll down for a sweeeeeet tribute to his car!)
A custom Fox suspension lifts the truck and preps it for high-speed desert driving.
A possibly-functional roll cage section behind the cab holds the light bar, and the bed is dominated by a full-size spare (sorry, didn’t get the tire size) with net tail gate.
Racing seats and 5-point harnesses replace the stock seating.
Toyota RAV-X Rally Concept
Also one of the most exciting builds in their booth was this RAV-X rally concept. We all kinda new the RAV-4 could be more, and this proves it.
Retro rally-style rims with aggressive tires, taller rear spoiler, and oversized mud flaps give it the look. The high-clearance dual exhaust exits through custom ports in the rear bumper.
The build starts with their base PHEV (partial hybrid EV), which has the EV batteries at the bottom of the chassis like most, giving it a very low center of gravity even with the lifted design. The engine has a ram-air intake, and the entire front fascia is redesigned to improve venting and pressure zones around the wheels and facade.
While it looks like carbon fiber, I’m pretty sure this is just artistic refinishing to remove the paint with the surface then dyed black to keep the texturized appearance. Regardless of how they did it, it looks amazing.
The suspension is full custom with a 2″ lift and 6.3″ wider track. Custom, fully-adjustable 2.5″ shocks have dual high- and low-speed compression adjustments to fine tune the ride quality on-road and off. Custom forged aluminum lower control arms are used up front and custom forged upper supports in the rear.
The Fox shocks have external (front) and piggyback (rear) reservoirs for improved heat management.
The RAV-X sits on 265/65R17 tires on 17×8.5 alloy wheels. The only hint that Toyota provides at this becoming a production option is saying that it shows “the potential that lies ahead for small crossover vehicles.” Fingers crossed.
Toyota Sequoia overland build
This Sequoia was mostly stock save for a few accessories like the Prinsu rack and Kammok awning, but dang if it doesn’t look good. Just needs some more all-terrainy tires and a little lift and it’s ready to roll.
Toyota Suprabird Tribute
Want. This. Bad.
This tribute to “The King”, who is Toyota’s latest ambassador, was a striking entry to Toyota’s full-width exhibit. If I could build a “budget” sports car right now, it would be something like this.
It’s tuned with off-the-shelf parts, including a cold-air intake and coil-over suspension, but gets a custom cat-back exhaust and 19″ wheels. A custom wide-body kit and rear spoiler better mimics Petty’s classic Superbird, and it’s all finished with his signature blue color and hand-painted 43 on the sides and roof.
Want one? It’ll be available as a limited edition Hot Wheels, we’ll add the link here once it’s available.
’94 Tacoma Drift Racer
Because why not?
GR86 Rally Legacy Concept
Inspired by their ST185 and ST205 Celica GT-Four rally cars, this concept gets a complete engine swap with the 3-cylinder turbo GR-Four AWD drivetrain from the GR Corolla. It took some serious chassis modification to make it happen, but here’s the result:
The engine sits a bit high to make room for the new front drive system and suspension, which is perhaps why there’s no hood yet, but we’re OK with that.
The engine was left with the same stock 300HP and 273ft/lbs of torque, but thanks to an upgraded intercooler, race ECU, and oil cooler, they could tune it to do better. Here’s hoping they do.
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