After Fortuner, Toyota Hilux Gets Fitted With Land Cruiser LC300 Kit!
Most Toyota models are well-respected in the Indian market. The Fortuner is seen as a symbol of power and wealth in many parts of the country. The Hilux, on the other hand, is fairly admired as a lifestyle pickup truck. Models like the Land Cruiser rank much higher in terms of desirability. This is the reason why we see many 'wannabe Land Cruiser' builds and conversions. Images of a Fortuner that has been fitted with a Land Cruiser LC300 body kit had surfaced recently. Now, we've come across a Hilux with the same installed.
Interestingly, this body kit looks better on the Hilux than on the Fortuner! The reason for this could be the difference in design and dimensions. The Hilux is larger than the Fortuner and thus the kit looks better. Plus, it also has a relatively fresh design compared to the Fortuner. Thus, the kitted Hilux looks like a fresh design.
In the pictures shared on Instagram, we see the modified vehicle parked beside an LC-kitted Fortuner. The Fortuner is Black while the Hilux is finished in White. The kit has completely transformed the looks of the Hilux's front fascia.
If you look straight at it from the front, it would be nearly impossible to identify that this is a Hilux and not an LC. The kit used here seems to be an imported unit. It stays true to the original Land Cruiser with its design cues, panels and surfaces. The headlamps, grille, bumper and air vents- all remain identical to the original LC300. The grille is massive with thick horizontal Chrome slats.
The transformation, however, is limited to the front end alone. Adding the kit seems to have adversely affected the approach angle of the truck. The Hilux in its stock form, has an approach angle of 29 degrees. Due to the massive front bumper, the kit seems to have decreased the vehicle's approach angle.
In the side view, you will see the Hilux from near the A-pillar and towards the rear. The kit adds flared square wheel arches at the front. These look well with the Hilux's rear wheel arches, which already bulge out. The rest of the design, including the rear and luggage bay look the same as those of the standard truck.
The Hilux is a long-standing, highly successful model from Toyota. It is a global product and has managed to carve out a niche for itself among enthusiasts and off-road junkies in India as well. Land Cruiser is also among the most sought-after off-roaders in many countries. This build by Auto Daddy Customs thus stands extra-special. These days, many garages and customisation shops now source such body kits from suppliers abroad.
More About The Hilux
The Hilux was launched in India in March 2022. At launch, it had a starting price of Rs 33.99 lakh, ex-showroom. Today, however, it starts at Rs 30.40 lakh, ex-showroom. The truck is brought to India as CKD kits and assembled at Toyota's plant.
It measures 5,325 mm in length, 1,855 mm in width, 1,815 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 3,085 mm. It is underpinned by the same IMV-2 ladder-frame platform as the Toyota Innova and the Fortuner. It houses the Fortuner's 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine under its hood.
It is in the same state of tune as the SUV. The power and torque are 204hp and 420Nm respectively. Both manual and automatic gearboxes are available, the latter gets the engine to produce 500 Nm of torque. Both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations are available.