This extreme-looking Toyota Hilux is the creation of a Thailand-based tuner and we’re in love.

While we wait anxiously for Toyota to make a worthy rival to the cool and capable Ford Ranger Raptor, many tuners have filled the gap with their own creations.

Like South Africa, Thailand also has a fanatical passion for bakkies and there are plenty of custom shops catering for a rapidly growing market that all want extreme versions of their double-cab bakkies.

What you see here is the creation of a company called Rad Bumper who specialise in making extreme and capable version of the Toyota Hilux.

While product specifics were not mentioned, one glance at these photos gives you some idea of the extensive work that has gone into converting your run-of-the-mill Hilux into this mega machine. There are massive front and rear wheel arches, additional front lighting, an aggressive front bumper and we can see offroad-specific tyres.

The vehicle has also been given a heavy-duty offroad suspension and there’s a new bonnet complete with performance air intake. Finally, there’s plenty of aftermarket decals.

There’s no mention of any engine enhancements, so it’s fair to assume the excellent 2.8-litre 4-cylinder GD-6 with 150 kW and 500 Nm is on duty.

Will Toyota ever make a performance bakkie to rival the Ford Ranger Raptor? This has been a question asked many times and while we know a GR Sport Hilux is due soon, it’s more an enhanced version of the standard Hilux with sportier suspension than an outright performance offering. There are rumours of a GR Hilux coming, complete with the all-new Land Cruiser’s V6, but we’ll have to wait and see.

With an all-new Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok due in 2022, we’re in for an exciting time in the world of bakkies!

Further Reading

GR Hilux with V6 power

Hybrid Hilux must happen