Aside from the GR86 Rally Legacy, RAV-X and Ultimate Tailgate Tundra concepts, Toyota Motor North America has also built the intriguing Land Cruiser Rox for the ongoing 2024 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The Recreation Open eXperience, as it’s so called, is based on the Land Cruiser Prado/250 and the first pick-up truck version of the storied off-roader since the legendary 70-series model.
Developed by Toyota’s Calty Design Research, the Rox, as the name suggests, is meant to evoke the spirit of open-topped Land Cruisers from days gone by. To that end, the design studio chopped off the roof, rear section and D-pillars to open up the cabin and load bay, as well as adding a sliding canvas roof to provide a modicum of weather protection.
The Prado/250’s drop-down tailgate is retained but has been fitted with seating, perfect for tailgate parties and the like; the spare tyre is also mounted externally on a swing arm. A “midgate” forms a partition between the five-seater cabin and the bed, dropping down to provide access to the latter and the built-in jerry cans. Slots cut into the lower sections of the doors enhance the open-air feel.
Adding to the truck’s aggressive Mad Max-esque looks are the off-road-style bumpers with built-in lighting, exposed tow hooks and bash plates, along with fender flares (hiding a massive eight-inch track width increase thanks for forged aluminium control arms), rock sliders, roof lights, a chunky sports bar with perforated “molle” panels and 3D-printed rocker panels with integrated steps. In total, over 50% of the donor car has been chopped and changed to create the Rox.
Inside, the Rox is upholstered in Heritage Orange leather, which also adorns the door panels with built-in safety kits and webbing to store items such as sunglasses. Finishing off the look are 18-inch one-piece machined billet wheels, knobbly all-terrain tyres, a TRD four-inch lift kit and the vintage Spring Green paint.
No mechanical changes have been divulged, so the Rox should retain the use of the 330 PS/630 Nm i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, consisting of a 2.4 litre T24A-FTS turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, an electric motor and an eight-speed Direct Shift automatic gearbox as is standard in the US.
As with the other SEMA vehicles, there are no plans to put the Rox into production, but should there be? Would you want to see the return of the Land Cruiser pick-up truck? Sound off in the comments.
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Ive been shopping 2025 GX550’s vs LC’ vs the new Bronco Raptor, If the ROX were available I’d buy it immediately! Since it’s not…I keep on looking at my Sawzall, my 2012 FJ w/250k MLS on it….!