Toyota Fortuner GR Sport Turned Into An Off-Road Monster In The Philippines

The Toyota Fortuner is the SUV sibling of the Hilux, which means it can be pretty capable off road thanks to its ladder-frame underpinnings. An owner from the Philippines though dialed the Fortuner’s off-road prowess up to 11 with the help of a local tuner.

We came across this special Fortuner on the Indian website Rush Lane. The SUV was modified by a shop called Autobot Offroad PH, using parts from several well-known companies. The build, which its creator calls “Project Albino”, is based on a 2022 Toyota Fortuner GR-S, although the end result looks as wild as no factory-spec trim could ever be.

The most obvious change is the massive 6-inch (152 mm) suspension lift by Unicorn. In combination with the grippy 35-inch Nitto Mud Extreme tires around 20-inch KMC Grenade Crawl alloy wheels, the ground clearance is increased by a large margin, making the Fortuner look like a bigfoot truck. The upgraded suspension features Profender’s long-travel shocks, Old Man Emu’s upper control arms, and an adjustable Hardrace Panhard rod at the back.

The 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine benefits from an upgraded K&N air filter, probably retaining the stock unit’s 201 hp (150 kW) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. The long list of modifications includes ARB Air Lockers, Yukon Regearing, stronger brakes from AP Racing, and ARB underbody protection.

The off-road looks are complemented by a rugged front bumper sourced from Australian tuner Hamer, who also provided a set of automatically retractable side steps. The TJM snorkel further increases wading depth, the winch is there to help in more difficult scenarios, and the aftermarket bonnet makes the Fortuner look more aggressive. The roof rack by Front Runner provides extra room for kit, although you will probably need a ladder to reach that high. A sporty note is the TRD carbon exhaust pipe at the back. Interior changes are limited to a set of Recaro “Cross Sportster” Seats for the driver and the front passenger, with red upholstery and integrated headrests.

We don’t know the total cost of the conversion but from the extent of the modifications, we guess it didn’t come cheap. One thing is for certain – the “Project Albino” will never go unnoticed on the road. Performance and handling on the tarmac might be compromised due to the tires and the massive ground clearance, but the Toyota Fortuner should excel off the beaten track.