When you’ve owned more than 50 four-wheel drives in a relatively short life, you’re kind of justified in carrying the Mr 4WD tag on your number plates.

While Nick Walford’s 250 Series Toyota Prado wears an extra ‘D’ on the end of the title, you can rest assured that the MR4WD plates are bolted to one of his other rides. Nick’s current fleet includes a pair of new TroopCarriers, a couple of super-neat 80 Series Cruisers, a Patrol and, of course, this new Prado… and that’s just the 4x4s!

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Choosing the 250 Series platform

“It was a new platform to test and build,” Nick told us when we asked why the 250 Series. “I have had two Prados previously and they are the best all-round car.”

The 250 Series takes the Prado model to new heights in terms of space, comfort and ability, and has prompted some to say that it has finally earned the LandCruiser badge it wears. Of course, the 250 Series is sold as the new LandCruiser in the United States and some other countries where the Prado name has no meaning.

Nick chose the Altitude as it represents the most off-road focused model in the range thanks to its Multi-Terrain modes, rear locking diff and disconnecting front sway bar. It also comes in this super-cool blue-and-white livery. Previously called Retro Blue, and still going by that name on US-market LandCruisers, Toyota Australia now calls it Ningaloo Blue. Whatever you want to call it, we reckon it’s a winner!

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Modifications

Nick’s Ningaloo Blue Prado wasn’t going to stay stock for long.

We first spotted it late in 2024 when it was already wearing a replacement rear bar with wheel carrier from The Cruiser Company (TCC) in Melbourne. Not only was it one of the first new Prados that we saw on the road but it was already on the way to becoming modified, which certainly piqued our interest in it.

The bull bar you see on the vehicle in these photos is also from TCC, and by the time you’re reading this TCC rock sliders should be fitted as well. TCC is committed to getting quality protection gear out and available for new models as early as possible and the company’s product range is rapidly growing… and not just for Toyotas.

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All of TCC’s bar work is made inhouse in its Melbourne facility, and this front bar is made using a 5mm plate with provisions for a winch, lights and antenna mounting, while being airbag compatible. Nick has fitted a set of Bushranger VCT driving lights to the Prado’s bar and there’s a Bushranger winch on the way soon.

The TCC rear bar is likewise made inhouse using 5mm steel and it adds plenty of protection to the back of the Prado along with the flexibility of twin swing-out carriers. Nick has the Altitude set up with a full-size 35-inch spare on the offside and a jerry-can holder on the nearside swing-out.

Suspension upgrade 

Another great Australian company turning out high quality 4×4 products is JMACX, and Nick’s Prado is fitted with a set of the latest Alpha suspension system from the Queensland business.

The suspension kit includes JMACX’s 2.5-inch bore remote reservoir adjustable shock absorbers, coils to suit the Prado’s weight, Blackhawk replacement upper control arms, an adjustable Panhard bar, and extended rear sway bar links. The raised suspension provides enough clearance to allow the fitment of 35×12.5R18 Toyo R/T donuts under the sheet metal. They are fitted to ROH Assault alloys and really look the part while giving the Prado extra off-road ability.

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Roof-top camping set-up 

The roof rack is from another Australian brand Rhino-Rack; it’s the new Recon Rack developed specifically for the 250 Series Prado.

Mounted to the rack is an Alu-Cab rooftop tent. It’s the LT-50 RTT which is a relatively compact two-person tent that still has plenty of features including large openings providing three-way access from the back or sides. It’s a lightweight tent, weighing in at less than 50kg, which is most important when you are considering the weight going up on your roof and the effects that weight can have on vehicle dynamics.

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Real-world testing on the beaches of K’gari

While Nick has a collection of 4x4s they are not just for show; he tells us that his favourite place to get off road is K’gari and the Prado already did a trip up to the SEQ islands before it was kitted out.

The day after our photo shoot in Victoria, he was driving it back up to Queensland for the Brisbane 4×4 show, and then it was back across to the islands for some more time in the big sandpit. Nick commended on the performance of the Alpha suspension when driving on the beaches by saying, “It feels like you are driving a Trophy Truck! It’s fully adjustable so I can dial it in for comfort but it’s right at home on the beaches.”

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More to come

There’s more to come for Nick’s Altitude. When he stops for a minute there’s the aforementioned winch and awning to be fitted, and he hasn’t even started on the inside yet, where a set of storage drawers and a fridge will soon find a home.

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