The Toyota Prado has always had a bit of a soccer-mum school drop-off vibe. Practical and functional, yes – but you could never say a Prado was a cool car.

Enter the current 250 Series Prado, and all of a sudden the temperature has seriously dropped – we’re seeing some pretty cool-looking versions of Mum’s taxi out on the tracks. With the 250 Series landing in the USA a full year before we got it here, we were teased with what Americans were doing with them and the accessories they were fitting. But it didn’t take long before Australians started adding their own special touches.

Paul Toohey was never worried about any stigma attached to the Prado. After many years working in the local aftermarket 4×4 accessories industry with some of the biggest names in the business, he’s owned three previous-generation Prados, along with a few LandCruisers, a Jeep and even a Jimny. So he was quick to jump into a 250 when they hit the market here.

“The Prado is a vehicle that many people choose for its proven reliability, good resale value, comfortable size, reasonable towing capacity, touring capability and off-road ability,” he says. “The 250 Prado balances Toyota reliability, practicality and genuine off-road capability.”

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Off-road performance and style

To get the most from the Toyota’s factory off-road ability, Paul chose the Altitude model with its rear diff-lock, disconnecting front sway bar and 18-inch wheels and tyres for his new work rig.

As GM of EvaKool fridges, he definitely didn’t want the seven-seat Prado, as plenty of his company’s gear was slated for the cargo area – along with a heap of other top-notch modifications and accessories.

“We wanted to build a vehicle with a retro look to celebrate 31 years of EvaKool, and when we saw the shape of the 250 Prado, we knew it could look the part,” Paul recalls. “We looked at the available models and knew the Altitude was the right one for us.”

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The choice of a Ningaloo Blue Prado with a white roof also suited Paul’s plans for a retro look to celebrate the brand’s history – but he had bigger plans to ramp that style up to the max. You can’t miss the retro striping package down the Prado’s flanks, with subtle branding included, but what really gives it that old-school look are the Fifteen52 ‘Analogue HD’ alloy wheels that mimic classic steelies.

They’re actually alloy, so relatively lightweight, but maintain the vintage vibe of old 4×4 steel rims. Paul had them powder-coated to match the Prado’s roof colour before wrapping them in a set of 285 Blackbear All Terrains with raised white lettering – groovy, man!

Look behind the wheels and tyres and you’ll find some of the finest Australian-made suspension money can buy. The JMACX Alpha adjustable suspension package is designed to deliver superior ride and control, with adjustability to suit load and driving style. On this build it’s paired with Blackhawk upper control arms – the same parts used on the 300 Series LandCruiser.

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Body protection starts with a full steel bull bar from TJM, which houses a Torque winch – also from TJM – and a pair of Beast driving lights from Lightforce. Underbody protection comes from Kaon and includes front and rear shock protection – a valuable addition when you consider the price of those JMACX shocks!

The Prado’s powertrain remains standard, with the 2.8 diesel and 8-speed auto transmission – however, Paul suggests a Just Autos tune could be on the cards at some stage.

Interior and rooftop setup

Where the serious planning and work has gone into this Prado is inside, starting with the rear fit-out by RV Storage Solutions, which incorporates one of EvaKool’s 40-litre drawer fridge/freezers.

Paul is quick to point out that the unit offers a true 40-litre capacity and weighs close to half of what a 40-litre chest fridge with a slide would come in at. In fact, weight was an important consideration when building the Prado – especially when it came to what went up on the roof.

Rounding out the internal storage are a host of Kaon products, including the rear shelf, molle panels, tailgate console, storage bags and pouches. Hidden behind the left-side trim panel is a TJM Pro Series Twin Air Compressor and air tank, mounted on a JBA bracket, while the air hose is kept tidy on an Apex Designs reel.

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Under the cargo floor, powering the fridge and other accessories, sits an Invicta 100Ah slimline lithium battery managed by a Redarc Alpha BCDC, all fitted by Accelerate Off Grid Auto Electrics. A 2000W inverter runs items like the induction cooktop and for charging Kincrome power tools.

Back on top of the Prado, you’ll find a rooftop tent and awning – but not from the usual suspects in the local industry.

“For this build we were really trying to use the lightest products,” Paul explains. “Pairing the US-made Go Fast Campers rooftop tent with the Australian-made Clevershade Ultralite awning gave us the perfect lightweight combo for the Prado’s roof. At just 65kg for the tent and 16kg for the awning, we’ve kept the total weight well under what most people would have with just a rooftop tent installed.”

The awning and RTT are mounted on a prototype stainless-steel and aluminium roof rack from TJM, which should be available in stores by the time you’re reading this.

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The EvaKool Prado was finished to this stage in time for the Melbourne 4×4 Show in August and then joined us on our alpine drive – but like any build, it’s not finished yet.

Aside from the aforementioned tune, Paul says there’s a Lightforce light bar to go up on the roof rack along with some camp lights, a sound bar in the cargo area that will constantly evolve as new products are tested, and the possibility of fitting bigger Black Bear mud-terrain tyres.

“Being in this industry allows us a selection of amazing products,” Paul says of the Prado build. “With this build we were able to put together a vehicle that consists of products that we have used for years in both Industry vehicle builds as well as products that I run on my own personal vehicles. These are products that have been tried and tested.”

Having a new 4×4 loaded with some of the best gear in the country as your company ride is pretty special – but it’s something that comes with Paul’s years of experience in the industry. You might say it’s a pretty Kool company car.

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