The man holding high the banner for Nomad Wheels is Carter Kendall, a native Californian from Los Angeles who has been making waves in the off-road community with his meticulously customized 2007 Lexus GX470.
Carter’s journey with this remarkable GX470 began when he was in search of a reliable overlanding or off-road vehicle. “I’ve typically driven junky old trucks with more character than reliability,” says Carter. “So I decided I would check out what the craigslist 4x4 truck market was like with more modern 4x4s.”
His initial intention was to find a used Tacoma or F-150 but was dissuaded by their exorbitant price tags. Carter remembers: “I just about fell out of my seat seeing the prices.”
Eventually, he stumbled upon the GX470 on Craigslist for $13,000, and the bone-stock vehicle offered an attractive combination of reliability and affordability. Carter’s needed a dependable 4x4 for his daily commute to his newfound job.
Inspired by touring-style vehicles from Australia and South Africa, he started to formulate a plan. “I started drawing tons of inspiration from trucks that are built for long highway drives, moderate off-road terrain and completely focused on functionality for the purpose of extended camping trips. First things first, rip out those cushy air bags and throw in my favorite suspension, Kings. After suspension and some Nomads and tires, I just drove it for a bit.”
Leaning On Friends
The journey truly began at Overland Expo PNW 2022, where he met the Fit Garage crew, known for their rare imported Toyotas. A weekend of camaraderie and vehicle swaps led Carter to appreciate the roof-conversion setup on the Land Cruiser Troop Carrier at Fit Garage. This experience planted the seeds for the roof conversion on his own GX470, and work was underway.
“I wanted a $75,000 Troopy that I could never register in California or safely park in Los Angeles… and definitely could never finance. Instead, I had this soccer mom car that I had to figure out how to make work for me. That is when I thought, ‘What if I could convince Eric at Campteq to work with me on a GX470 Roof Conversion and build my very own mini Troopy?’
Turns out Eric was already toying with the idea and we decided to partner up on this build. And now you’ve got the first ever GX470/Prado 120 with a full permanent roof conversion, including a pass through from the roof sleeping platform down to the livable interior.”
Carter’s adventure-ready rig has undergone extensive modifications, both inside and out, to meet the demands of extended overlanding trips, but he didn’t undertake the journey alone.
In addition to Eric Lippincott at Campteq, “I had to lean on friends with shops and garages to get it done,” Carter explains. “I live in a 400-square-foot apartment in East Lost Angles with my tools and camping gear stuffed in every cabinet and credenza in my kitchen and living room. There’s no way I could have done this on my own at home.”
He received crucial assistance from RPM Off-Road Garage, Long Range America, and Fit Garage, all of which played vital roles in bringing his vision to life.
Front and Rear Suspension
A well-modified suspension system can make all the difference. Carter’s GX470 benefits from a series of impressive suspension upgrades, such as the SPC upper control arms, and the Total Chaos Cam Lock with the OEM lowers.
The aforementioned King Shocks 2.5 are renowned for their quality and performance and the remote reservoirs and adjusters offer superior dampening and ride control. This setup allows Carter to fine-tune his suspension based on the specific terrain he’s navigating, ensuring a comfortable and capable ride
In the rear, the Ironman Coils with Icon heavy springs enhances load-carrying capacity and ride comfort, while offering a balanced ride and supporting additional weight from camping gear and equipment.
Steering and Wheels
Notable modifications with the Toyo steering HD kit system include gusseted spindles, the 200 series inner and outer tie rods, and a new OEM rack, all of which enhance reliability, ensuring that steering responsiveness remains consistent even in the most demanding conditions.
The satin black 503 Saharas wheels in a 17x8.5 +0 configuration from Nomad Wheels not only enhance the vehicle’s aesthetics. They are wrapped by Kenda Klever RT tires (33x10.5 17) that offer reliable traction and durability, ensuring that the GX470 can conquer diverse terrains with ease.
On the Outside
Carter Kendall’s 2007 Lexus GX470 is not just a beast under the hood and at the corners; it’s an attention-grabber on the outside too. The exterior modifications are not merely cosmetic; they are carefully chosen enhancements that contribute to the GX470’s ruggedness and functionality.
The custom grille gives the GX470 a distinctive and rugged appearance, while the TEQ Customs’ headlights illuminate the path with clarity, essential for safe nighttime adventures. Additionally, the Baja Designs LP6 lights mounted on the front bumper, along with S2 lights on the rear door, provide far-reaching illumination for nighttime off-road excursions.
The Ironman Prado 120 front bumper offers robust protection and a place to mount the Ironman 9k winch, essential recovery gear to ensure that the GX470 can tackle even the most challenging trails without worry.
While in the back, the Kaymar Prado 120 Rear Bar holds a dual spare tire carrier. All of the metal was personalized and wrapped by Taco Troopers. The ARB twin compressors with lines running to the front and rear bumpers provide a quick and efficient solution for inflating tires and other tasks while on the trail.
As mentioned, the Campteq roof conversion is a game-changer, providing a permanent roof platform and a pass-through, allowing for an elevated sleeping area while maximizing interior livable space. Additionally, an Ironman Airforce snorkel improves the vehicle’s ability to wade through water and ensures clean air intake in dusty environments.
The Insides
Carter Kendall’s attention to detail and dedication to optimizing his 2007 Lexus GX470 for off-road adventures extends to the vehicle’s interior and an array of additional features and modifications that collectively elevate the quality of the build.
Inside the cabin, Scheel-Mann Vario F seats provide comfort and support during long journeys. These specialized seats ensure that every mile traveled is a pleasure, even in the most challenging terrains.
A full rear buildout by Viato Equipment offers extensive storage solutions, allowing for the organized stowage of essential gear and equipment. This is crucial for extended overlanding trips, ensuring that everything has its place.
The electronic equipment keeps tabs on the rig’s whereabouts as well as his communication with civilization. To keep the adventure on track, Carter has equipped his GX470 with a Garmin Tread Overlander navigation system.
This robust GPS solution ensures that he can explore remote areas with confidence, never losing his way. Communication is key when embarking on off-road adventures, so the Rugged Radio GMR45 ensures that Carter can stay in touch and be informed and safe.
For reliable power on the go, Carter has integrated a Redarc-managed Renogy Deep Cycle battery system, controlled by sPod Bantamx. This setup ensures that power-hungry equipment, from camping accessories to communication devices, stays charged and ready.
The Bantamx sPod switch panel system simplifies the control of various accessories, adding convenience to the overlanding experience, while the Redarc BCDC auxiliary system, wired for solar, ensures a reliable power source for various onboard electronics and equipment, especially in remote areas.
With a total parts retail value of $47,220, it’s clear that no expense has been spared in crafting this exceptional off-road rig.
Future Plans and Reflection
Carter’s GX470 is not just a showpiece. The vehicle was built for touring, work, and daily driving. Its purpose is to offer maximum comfort for extended camping trips, making it an ideal choice for those who seek adventure with style and functionality.
Carter’s GX470 has traveled from the Pacific Northwest to the tip of Cabo San Lucas, accumulating a wealth of experiences along the way. It has been featured at SEMA 2022, earned a spot as a Top 5 Vehicle at Overland Expo West 2023, and proudly represented Nomad Wheels at numerous overland shows.
Notably, Carter fondly recalls a 16-day adventure following and documenting the Norra 1000 race and spending quality time with close friends camping on beaches and enjoying fish tacos.
Carter’s most cherished memory with his GX470 is undoubtedly the Baja trip with fellow off-roader @LA.Cruiser. This trip epitomizes the freedom, camaraderie, and exploration that the off-road community is all about.
When asked about what he would do differently, Carter seems content with his build. “I wouldn’t do anything different per say,” he reflects. “I think this truck has everything you need. I guess the possibilities are endless but at some point you’ve gotta just enjoy the truck and put some miles down.”
| Vehicle Specs | Carter Kendall’s 2007 Lexus GX470 |
|---|---|
| Base Vehicle | 2007 Lexus GX470 |
| Engine | 4.7L V8, Ironman 4x4 Airforce snorkel, Revel Medallion Trail Hart exhaust systems |
| Suspension | Front— SPC UCAs, OEM LCAs with Total Chaos Cam Lock, King Shocks 2.5 with remote reservoirs and adjusters with 700lb springs with Duro Bumps / Rear— King 2.5 Rear Shocks with Remote Resevoirs and Adjusters, Ironman Coil Conversion with Icon Heavy Springs and Adjustable Sway Bar Links with Duro Bumps |
| Steering | Gusseted spindles and 200 Series inner and outer tie rods with new OEM rack |
| Wheels & Tires | Nomad 503 Sahara in Satin Black (17x8.5 +0 offset); Kenda Klever RT (33x10.5R17) |
| Armor & Racks | Ironman 4x4 Prado 120 front bumper, Kaymar Prado 120 rear bar with dual spares |
| Recovery | Ironman 4x4 9k winch |
| Body | Campteq roof conversion, Repop Lexus Grille, Taco Troopers wrap and decals |
| Storage | Full rear buildout from Viato Equipment |
| Lighting | TEQ Customs headlights, Baja Designs LP6, Baja Designs S2 |
| Electronics | Rugged Radio GMR45, Redarc BCDC, Renogy Deep cycle battery controlled by sPod BantamX |
| Upgrades & Accessories | ARB Twin Compressor, Scheel-Mann Vario F seats, Garmin Tread Overlander, Weathertech floormats, Rosen sun visors, Dometic fridge |
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This article originally appeared in OVR Issue 06. For more informative articles like this, consider subscribing to OVR Magazine in print or digital versions here. You can also find the print edition of OVR at your local newsstand by using our Magazine Finder.
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