Tour-ready Hilux: Lifted, turbocharged, and street legal

There’s a particular satisfaction in building a vehicle exactly how you want it – not how the aftermarket says you should, or how Instagram trends dictate.

Bri Voto, the force behind YouTube’s Driven Garage, has done exactly that with her graphite Toyota Hilux, producing a touring rig that challenges conventional wisdom about what makes a true Australian 4×4.

Best known for her gold Nissan GU Patrol builds, Voto has shifted both literally and philosophically toward something “a little bit more reliable,” as she puts it. But reliability here doesn’t mean predictable – this Hilux is a masterclass in purposeful modification, where every upgrade has a functional role and street legality is the foundation of the build.

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Street-legal lift: SSM done right

The story starts with paperwork, not horsepower.

Voto prioritised Second Stage Manufacturing compliance (SSM) before registration – a move most builders overlook. This early planning unlocked modification pathways that would otherwise be complex or impossible post-rego.

Partnering with Superior Engineering, Voto executed a full suspension overhaul. The Hilux now features coil conversions front and rear, upper control arms, remote reservoir shocks, braided brake lines, and chassis bracing capable of handling her touring weight.

The result: a four-inch lift running 295-section tyres, fully street legal, with a GVM upgrade to support heavy camping gear. “There aren’t many Hilux you can do that post-rego,” she notes – a rare combination of lift, rubber, and payload compliance in today’s regulatory environment.

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Turbo punch: 160kW and 730Nm on tap

With the chassis sorted, Voto focused on the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel.

She fitted a G-Turbo G300, paired with a full tune and a Radius Fabrications airbox feeding a stainless steel snorkel. Dyno results: 160 kW and 730 Nm. More important than peak numbers is drivability. “It’s really sharp and snappy,” Voto says, with throttle response transformed and lag eliminated – even under heavy load or steep climbs. Fuel efficiency remains impressive: around 10 L/100 km unladen and roughly 12.5 L/100 km fully loaded.

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Modcap Family Tempo by Alu-Cab

Voto’s approach to camping diverges from the mainstream.

Instead of a traditional canopy or rooftop tent, she opted for the Modcap Family Tempo by Alu-Cab – a modular aluminium structure converting the tray into a full standing-height living space.

Sleeping capacity for four, full standing height, 360-degree ventilated windows, MOLLE panels for gear organisation, a rear galley with pantry and drawers, and a 60 L water tank are all included. Voto is developing a 12‑volt electrical system for lighting, refrigeration, and device charging.

The layout prioritises usability: cook from the rear galley, store essentials logically, sleep comfortably, and stand upright to dress or organise gear. Daily five-seat usability remains, while touring capability rivals dedicated camper vehicles.

Protective film from Bushwrapz covers vulnerable panels, keeping scratches and chips at bay during real-world off-road use. ROH Assault wheels in polished finish, paired with 295-section Nitto Trail Grapplers, balance GVM compliance with visual appeal and on‑off-road performance.

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Purpose-Built Pragmatism – No Compromises

Voto’s Hilux isn’t about chasing extremes – it’s about a holistic, use-driven build.

Street legality, extended touring comfort, reliable power, and functional camping take priority over rock-crawling suspension or oversized tyres. The Alu-Cab ModCAP embodies this philosophy: unconventional for Australia, but perfectly suited to her needs. This build proves that questioning norms and designing around actual requirements often produces the most capable, practical rigs.

Follow Bri Voto’s full build and adventures on Driven Garage, where real-world testing separates meaningful modifications from Instagram props.

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Specs