The Story of GXPrado
Meet Alex, The Brain Behind the Builds
Growing up in Massachusetts, I never imagined I’d end up living in Panama with my wife, two kids, and a dog—but that’s exactly what happened. Once we landed, we needed a car… and suddenly I was surrounded by rigs we never see in the U.S. Ever heard of the Ford Everest? Nissan Patrol? Toyota Hilux? I was a kid in a candy store.
"I've always loved wrenching. Started with my first car - an '84 Jeep CJ-7. Growing up, my dad accused me of trying to pass the entire Jeep through the front door part by part with all of the aftermarket parts I was ordering."
From 2014 to 2021, Panama was home. When we moved back to the States and landed in Denver, I had to leave the Prado behind. Brutal. But I picked up the next best thing: a 2012 GX460 with low mileage.
At first, I was skeptical. It wasn’t a Prado. But I knew pre-2018 Prados could be upgraded to the 2018. So I thought—why not do the same with my GX?
There had to be a kit out there. Boy, was that a nightmare.
I found a few sites—probably the same ones you’ve found. I emailed. I called. No response. So I figured, “Fine, I’ll source it myself.”
When I finally got to the suppliers, it was like they didn’t want to sell me anything. "No, I'm not a body shop, just an individual. Yes, I only want one. Yes, I understand the shipping will be more than the kit."
And when I finally got parts to arrive? Total disaster—everything poorly packed, hood crushed on the bottom, bumpers dangling off the side, wrapped like like someone packed it with their eyes closed.
For a few years, I sourced a few kits, helped folks with installs, and kept refining the parts and process until the kit was 100% complete—better quality, better fit, no guesswork.
Then it happened.
I parked in downtown Denver, someone snapped a pic of my GX, and posted it to Reddit…REDDIT LOST ITS MIND.
Orders started flying in. More fans, more builds, more posts. The GXPrado crew was growing fast.
"I owe so much to the fan family."
What started as a one-off project turned into a full-blown business. I went from shipping a few kits a year to importing parts by the 40-foot container.
These days, I do it right—complete kits, proper installs, and service that doesn’t suck.
"I'm always here for a fellow GX/Prado owner."
What's on Alex's Rig?
- 2016 GX460 Premium Plus
- Bilstein 5100's (0" lift)
- Airbag Delete with OEM springs
- Crawl Control upgrade
- Beat Sonic Apple Car Play
- Sparco Dakar 18x8.5 rims with Pirelli Scorpions 275/65/18
- Yakima Lock and Load Platform
- Overland Vehicle Systems 270 Awning
- Land Cruiser Prado full body conversion w/rocker panels and spare tire door
- Prado Steering Wheel
Coming soon:
- Helivue extended range tank
- Lincoln Mark VIII electric fan conversion
