Articles

  • Tire Review: Falken Wildpeak AT4W

    Tire Review: Falken Wildpeak AT4W

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    For more than a decade, I’ve been driving on a single type of tire – the BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2. I’ve had a set on my 4Runner, my Bronco, and my Land Cruiser. The reason why I did not switch to any other tires is because the KO2s have been great to me. They were quiet,…

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  • Project Tesla – Dashing Through No Snow

    Project Tesla – Dashing Through No Snow

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    In January we introduced something different than we’ve ever done before, our Ace Performance Project Tesla. (As I am writing this, it occurred to me that perhaps we should have a better name than “Project Tesla” for it?) While modified Teslas are nothing new, our modifications are meant increase winter weather, dirt road or trail…

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  • This Lexus GX470 is the replacement for my JDM Land Cruiser Prado

    This Lexus GX470 is the replacement for my JDM Land Cruiser Prado

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    Last summer I sold my Japanese-market 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. I really liked the Prado; it was unique, cool looking, reliable, and functional. You can read about it here (part 1), here (part 2), here (part 3), and here (part 4). But there were also some things about it that put it into my…

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  • Your Toyota may have a secret factory remote starter

    Your Toyota may have a secret factory remote starter

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    Toyota, to my knowledge, has never offered a remote starter button that was integrated into the factory key. I always found that omission odd, as most American and Asian automakers add the remote start feature to most mid-range and higher models. But I’ve never seen one on a Toyota or a Lexus. Other exceptions are…

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  • Genesis GV70 ELECTRIFIED adventures in single digit temps

    Genesis GV70 ELECTRIFIED adventures in single digit temps

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    Genesis, as well as its corporate siblings, Hyundai and Kia, have been on the roll for a few years. Each new or updated model is significantly better than the previous one. They all look great and offer a variety of powertrains. Genesis, especially, has put design first, and their cars look fantastic. Interiors are great…

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  • Project Tesla – ICE Geeks Playing with an EV

    Project Tesla – ICE Geeks Playing with an EV

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    Ace Performance is an automotive performance shop owned by one of my best friends. I have written about Ace Performance here many times. They build and maintain race cars, spend an incredible amount of time at the track, and they are a retailer of Ariel and Ginetta cars. They also spend a good amount of time…

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  • Goodbye, JDM Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

    Goodbye, JDM Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

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    In the summer of 2022, I bought a freshly imported ’96 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, also known as the 90-series. At the time, this Japanese-market Land Cruiser was unique in the United States as 1996 was the first year of that generation of medium-duty Land Cruiser. Given the 25-year import rule, 2021 was the first…

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  • What’s the Difference Between the Lexus TX and the Toyota Grand Highlander?

    What’s the Difference Between the Lexus TX and the Toyota Grand Highlander?

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    Recently, Toyota introduced two new vehicles – the Grand Highlander and the Lexus TX. The Grand Highlander is a slightly longer version of the venerable Highlander, the vehicle that so many have settled for because the significantly more functional Sienna minivan doesn’t match their desirable lifestyles. The Lexus TX is a more opulent version of…

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  • Did this new 2024 Wrangler 4xe come with an old-style 2023 grill?

    Did this new 2024 Wrangler 4xe come with an old-style 2023 grill?

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    Having recently sold my Land Cruiser Prado (more on that later), I have been casually shopping for something new. A local Jeep dealer had a used Grand Cherokee V8 in an almost perfect trim for me. After my test drive (I liked the GC, but probably not that one, this was an Overland but I…

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  • My Land Cruiser Prado – Modifying It; Part 3

    My Land Cruiser Prado – Modifying It; Part 3

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    My 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has now been on US soil for over a year. For better or worse, it was completely stock when I bought it. It was well maintained but it needed some modernization. After some basic maintenance updates, I began modifying it. First, it received a new radio and suspension. I…

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