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AIRAID's Engineer Shows His Modified 1987 Toyota FJ60 Landcruiser at 2016 SEMA

Airaid Landcruiser FJ60 Speedhunters Trailhunter Expedition Adventure

Keith's Landcruiser started as someone else's basketcase project, which he quickly remedied

AIRAID's Product Development Manager, Keith Charvonia, recently debuted his latest project vehicle at the 2016 SEMA Show, a 1987 Toyota FJ60 Landcruiser known simply as The Trailhunter. The name ties in with Keith’s extracurricular pursuit as a photojournalist for the popular car culture site Speedhunters.com, where the build will unfold in detail.

Keith picked up the 'Cruiser as a basketcase project that needed everything, “but at least I was able to drive it home and evaluate what it needed,” he says. The upside was that a lot of work had already been done; a 454 Big Block engine swap along with a TH400 transmission and NP205 transfercase were in place and running. Everything leaked though, the interior was trashed, and the 14 Bolt rear axle’s eight lugs were matched up front by a set of haphazard wheel adapters.

Airaid Landcruiser FJ60 Speedhunters Trailhunter Expedition Adventure

Instead of paint, Keith went with Aero Paint Film in a modern camo theme from Andy Blackmore Design

Searching eBay for the missing interior components, he slowly brought the Trailhunter back up to the condition it deserved. A rare, crack-free dash and low mile upholstery were sourced, then a new carpet kit was installed by a local upholsterer. When Keith learned that there was an open spot for an AIRAID feature vehicle at the 2016 SEMA Show, he decided to fast-track the build, completing a frame-on resto in less than three months.

The end result is an FJ60 that appeals to the overlanding crowd; classic Toyota styling blended with the latest trends in car culture, such as the urban camo livery designed by Andy Blackmore. Keith couldn't stand the thought of destroying a new paint job on the trail, so Aero paint film was called on to install a wrap, but not just any old vinyl wrap. Aero is used in the racing industry on Formula 1 and Indy cars for its superior durability, something that will come in handy when dragging the FJ60’s body panels through tight trails and brush. With the Aero paint film installed, 4Plus front and rear bumpers were added. The front bumper holds a MileMarker 15,000 lb winch and PIAA LED light bar, while the rear swingaway bumper supports a spare tire and a pair of gas cans. Fuel wheels bring a modern yet fitting look, and Keith chose to run the newly released Nitto Trail Grappler for a tire that can handle anything offroad, but still track smoothly on the highway too.

Airaid Landcruiser FJ60 454 BBC Comp Cams Holley EFI Concept II 801-451

The 454 Big Block Chevy uses an AIRAID Concept II air filter, Comp performance cam and Holley EFI

The tired 454 was freshened up with a Comp Cams valvetrain, including a mild camshaft and roller rockers. Classic M/T valve covers were installed with a Weiand Dual Plane intake manifold in between, and a new Holley Terminator EFI system now runs the old smog motor much more efficiently. Flowtech ceramic coated headers were added to the true dual exhaust, and the wiring was updated using Painless Performance products including their new Trailrocker accessory system. Dual Odyssey AGM batteries were installed so the FJ will never be stranded on the trail with a dead battery. Finally, to cool the Big Block Keith chose a heavy duty copper radiator made by CSF.

Airaid Landcruiser FJ60 Speedhunters Trailhunter Expedition Adventure

Icon Vehicle Dynamics 2.5 shocks and SPC Jounce Shocks provide a smooth ride in the desert

Of course, Keith wanted to run the AIRAID Concept II air filter housing, which was designed by AIRAID’s in-house Product Development team. Concept II round air filter assemblies feature a lightweight aluminum lid which is curved to enhance air flow. The drop base is ideal for applications with minimal hood clearance, such as an FJ60 stuffed with a 454 Big Block! The Concept II's filter element is made using SYNTHAMAX mateiral, a 100% synthetic, non-oiled, color fast, classic red media.

To address the mismatched eight lug rear axle, a forged six lug hub kit was sourced. This was also the perfect opportunity to convert to rear disc brakes, shedding over 100 pounds from the massive rear axle. Future plans include a shaving the bottom of the 14 bolt to improve ground clearance and a doubler kit with an NP203 range box for an extra low crawl ratio.

Airaid Landcruiser FJ60 Speedhunters Trailhunter Expedition Adventure

Mounted to the 4Plus front bumper are a PIAA LED lightbar and Milemarker winch

While the truck had already been converted to spring over axle (SOA) by the previous owner, the leaky, blown shocks left a lot to be desired. Icon Vehicle Dynamics stepped in with a full set of 2.5 piggyback reservoir shocks with twelve inches of travel front and rear. This required new shock mounts to utilize all the travel and keep the shocks tucked up tight out of harm's way. Coming from a long travel Tacoma, Keith knew this was an opportunity to make the FJ60 handle the whoops in his nearby Phoenix desert, so a full set of SPC Performance Jounce Shocks were ordered, allowing him to bottom out the suspension without cringing.

It was a work-filled couple of months leading up to SEMA, with Keith and his friends working on the truck up until the minute it went on the trailer for Vegas. Now that the hustle of SEMA is behind him, he's looking forward to hitting the trails and putting his rig to the test. Look for Trailhunter ride reports and build stories on Speedhunters.com in the future.

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The AIRAID MXP Air Intake Adds Estimated 8 Horsepower to Your 2016 3.5L Toyota Tacoma

The additional aiflow of AIRAID MXP system allows the 3.5L Toyota to produce more horsepower

The AIRAID MXP air intake system adds an estimated 8 horsepower to your 2016 3.5L Toyota Tacoma

If you’ve purchased a 2016 Toyota Tacoma with a i-FORCE 3.5 L V6 engine, you’ve bought a truck that’s as tough and durable as it looks. Toyota has upped the ante with their most recent trucks when it comes to styling, bringing to market a look that many find the most aggressive of all compact pickup trucks.

The 3.5 L, internal name 2GR-FKS, engine is both stout as well as finely engineered. It features a V6 architecture with DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder. Fuel delivery is via direct-injection, while the engine timing model is an Atkinson-cycle with VVT-iW (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Wide) intake and VVTi (Variable Valve Timing-intelligence) exhaust. The 2GR-FKS produces 278 horsepower.

However, when compared to Chevy’s slightly larger 3.6 L engine in the Colorado, which makes 305 horsepower at the flywheel, that’s a 27 horsepower difference over the Tacoma -- which is more significant than you might first think.

Want to catch up? A fast, simple, and inexpensive way to increase the power of your 3UR-FE engine by an estimated eight rear-wheel horsepower is the installation of the 510-309 AIRAID MXP air intake system.

The entire 510-309 AIRAID MXP air intake system is designed to maintain proper mass air flow readings and calibration through the use of extensive computer modeling. Part of the secret is the cold air dam, which is a replacement one-piece roto-molded air box that addresses some of the shortcomings of the restrictive OEM design.

Additionally, this MXP air intake system has a built-in velocity stack, which further promotes airflow. while incoming cold air from outside the vehicle is directed through a new air intake tube with a smooth, low-restriction interior thanks to its construction of cross-linked, high-density polyethylene. The MXP air box incorporates an aluminum lid that shields the air filter from hot engine air and provides easy access to the filter when service is required.

Filter, intake tube, and all connectors and mounting brackets are included in the kit

All components needed to install the AIRAID MXP kit are included in the box

Another critical factor is the AIRAID premium air filter providing outstanding air flow and filtration through its reusable, red oiled premium conical air filter. The air filter is constructed of multiple layers of cotton and synthetic non-woven material filter media resulting in a superior filtration system. Maintenance of the 510-309 is simple: clean your AIRAID filter every 30,000 to 50,000 miles for normal driving, or more often if you’re driving off-road or in heavy dust conditions, with AIRAID 790-550 filter cleaning kit.

Installation of the 510-309 AIRAID MXP air intake system is fast and simple, with highly-detailed instructions. You need only a few basic tools and not more than a couple of hours to increase the power and responsiveness of your 3.5L Toyota Tacoma.

Plus the 510-309 MXP air intake system is backed by AIRAID’s “No Hassle” Lifetime Warranty, which is simple. If you are ever dissatisfied with the materials, workmanship or performance of this air filter, call us at 800-498-6951 and we will be happy to assist you. You don’t have to worry about a warranty card; AIRAID filters are warranted for life.

All AIRAID Premium Filters are proudly manufactured at AIRRAID facilities here in the USA using only the finest materials available and highly specialized manufacturing equipment to ensure a level of quality control no other filter company can match. This is just one of many reasons why all of AIRAID's filters are backed by our "No Hassle" Lifetime Warranty.

The AIRAID 510-309 MXP air intake system is designed to fit the following vehicles:

2017 TOYOTA TACOMA 3.5L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2016 TOYOTA TACOMA 3.5L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models

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2016-2017 Toyota Tacoma AIRAID Air Intake Offers Estimated 8-Horsepower Boost

The AIRAID 510-309 Air Intake Kit for 2016-2017 Toyota Tacoma

The AIRAID 510-309 air intake kit features an AIRAID 700-462 air filter and built-in velocity stack

Introduced into the U.S. market in 1995, the Toyota Tacoma is considered by many as one of the best selling compact pickup trucks available today. Named after Mount Rainier in Washington State (Tacoma is the Native American word for Mt. Rainier). During its existence the vehicle has been named “Best Vehicle on Earth" by 160 different countries and the 2005 refreshing resulted in Motor Tend Magazine naming it “Truck of the Year.”

The 2016 Tacoma was completely redesigned and included access extended cab and double cab (a larger crew cap) body styles. The all-wheel drive and 4x4 share the same raised suspension and ground clearance. The 4x4 still features capable off-road performance, but there is also a TRD Off-Road model with automatic transmission that includes the Crawl Control system from the 4Runner and Land Cruiser. The interior has also been redesigned to include the latest touchscreen interface; standard lockable damped tailgate and tri-fold hard tonneau cover as an option.

A 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 159-horsepower and 180-lb-ft of torque continues to power the base model and a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 278-horsepower and 265-lb-ft of torque has replaced the 4.0-liter V6. A 6-speed automatic transmission mates with the two engines while the 4x4 model has a manual gearbox option as well. The 4x4 also gained a new transfer case and a larger rear axle.

There were six trim levels –- SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road and Limited.

The 2017 Toyota Tacoma has the same features as the 2016 model.

Created to replace the stock intake tubing, air filter and air box, the AIRAID 510-309 air intake kit is specifically designed for the 2016 and 2017 Toyota Tacoma and offers an estimated boost of 8 horsepower at 4900 rpm. The kit includes the AIRAID 700-462 washable and reusable tapered conical universal air filter, a one-piece roto-molded air box, a high-density polyethylene tube, built-in velocity stack, and four stainless steel clamps.

The filter includes a multilayered cotton gauze and non-woven synthetic media and AIRAID’s filtration technology, which combined provide superior filtration. The media consists of an inner and outer layer of wire mesh to prevent deformity or collapse under high airflow. AIRAID also offers an air filter cleaning kit that is specially formulated to cleanse and recharge the 700-462 air filter each 30,000 to 50,000 miles so that it can be used over and over again over the lifetime of the vehicle.

The tube of the air intake system has been computer modeled to maintain proper mass airflow readings and calibration and the velocity stack helps to promote airflow. The air box deals with the problems in airflow restrictions inherit in the factory design.

The AIRAID 510-309 MXP air intake system is engineered to fit the following vehicles:

2017 TOYOTA TACOMA 3.5L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2016 TOYOTA TACOMA 3.5L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models

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A Look at Andrew Faris' 1,200 Horsepower, Cummins-Powered 1929 'Plymouth Rock'

1929 Plymouth custom at 2016 SEMA show in House of Kolor booth

Faris' 1929 Plymouth under the lights at the 2016 SEMA show in House of Kolor's booth

Few custom cars can blow your mind in every possible way, but if there’s a car out there that can do it, it’s probably the “Plymouth Rock” 1929 Plymouth custom built by Andrew Faris at ACR Collision and Repair in Warman, Saskatchewan, Canada. Not only is the choice of car and the custom execution beautiful, but the custom’s 1,200 horsepower Cummins 6BT is ready to throw down some beastly performance in the pre-war Mopar.

Faris’ customer originally wanted to build a massively powerful diesel truck, but he opted for more passenger room for his children in the custom machine. That customer found a 1929 Plymouth near the side of the road and given his request for a Cummins engine—used in Dodge trucks—the pre-war Plymouth seemed a natural fit. Owing to the extent of Faris’ customization, not much is left of the original Plymouth.

“The only parts that you can really say are left from the original car are the two front doors,” Faris said.

Andrew Faris' 1929 Plymouth wears a teak wood trunk and wheel spokes.

Teak wood and a 1,200 Cummins six-cylinder stand out on the 1929 Plymouth Rock custom

Everything else was modified or custom-built from scratch. Faris hand-built the frame from 2x4-inch square tubing, adding custom tube-axle and differential setups for the four-link and air suspension. The body was widened not just for aesthetics, but also to create more space in the cabin and, more importantly, to accommodate the width of the big engine, which needed more firewall and more car width for the exhaust routing. Faris elected, however, to leave the profile the same because the original Plymouth body worked well with the intended proportions.

Industrial Injection in Salt Lake City built the engine to the primary requested specs and shipped it in a crate to Faris in Saskatchewan. The engine, a 5.9-liter Cummins six-cylinder, is compound-turbocharged to make the absolutely insane figures of 1,200 horsepower and 2,100 lb-ft of torque. The compound-turbo setup breathes through an AIRAID cone filter.

Big horsepower up front and a unique look inside, Andrew Faris' Plymouth Rock is a showstopper.

The view from the driver's seat includes a glimpse at the monstrous 1,200 horsepower Cummins diesel

To get that immense power to the ground, a Bowler-built 4L80E transmission was selected with a shift kit. A Strange center section housed the Eaton TrueTrac limited-slip differential to carry all the torque to the wheels. Unlike other diesel builds, Faris didn’t want to dump the exhaust right out of the engine bay. Instead, he routed the exhaust under the low-slung frame, then brought it up through the back of the sedan body to exit through the roof via tractor-style rain caps to complement the modern industrial theme with a tidy finish.

The plans developed over the project’s two years. Unlike other projects that might have stuck closely with original concept drawings, Plymouth Rock grew as building proceeded.

“The project just evolved as it went,” Andrew said. “It wasn’t a car that was rendered from the beginning. It was kind of just something I freestyled with.”

The Mayflower badge ties together the pioneering design of Andrew Faris' 1929 "Plymouth Roc

The Plymouth Rock's compound-turbo setup breathes through an AIRAID filter.

Faris’ original concept envisioned the car in a modern industrial design with unpainted bodywork and materials like stainless steel and aluminum that can be left on their own to withstand the elements. However, the opportunity arose to paint it in House of Kolor’s limited-edition 2017 color Indigo Blue. That necessitated some relatively last-minute changes to the original materials and Faris turned to something he’d used in previous builds to complete the desired aesthetic: wood. Specifically, he turned to naturally oiled teak wood because it could withstand weathering and that one design element spawned more creativity over Plymouth Rock’s build. “It just played into the project,” Andrew said.

The teak was first applied as spokes to the custom-designed, Evod Industries wheels, 19 inches in the front and 21 inches in the rear. Those wheels sport 325/30R19 and 325/30R21 Pirelli tires that the healthy engine could easily vaporize into dense tire smoke. In addition to the teak wheels, Andrew applied teak to several more surfaces to accentuate the design. Faris covered the steel transmission tunnel with a teak-wood veneer that had to come from the East Coast, where teak is primarily used in shipbuilding. Accents and trimwork in the interior are also in matching teak. Faris completed the teak treatment by adding a custom, old-school trunk to the back of the car.

Teak wood inserts garnish the Plymouth Rock's custom-made wheels.

Andrew Faris applied teak wood to the wheels, transmission tunnel, trunk, and interior trimwork

The single instrument in the dashboard was a custom-designed version of Classic Instruments Big Ol’ Gauge, which Faris had styled like an old steam-era industrial gauge. The Lokar handles, shifter, and emergency-brake handle all fit the modern-industrial design, as well. The upholstered bucket seats and a matching bench in the rear came from Relicate Leather.

Most of these details came together in a relative last-minute thrash once the customer decided he wanted to debut the car at the SEMA show in November 2016. Faris and designer Mike Miernik faced a five-month window to complete a number of intense custom aspects of the Plymouth. Those included everything from the paint to the custom wheels, which include the whitewall as part of the wheel and fit the teak wood-spoke inserts.

Unfortunately, the tight deadlines on the project completion mean that Faris hasn’t had the chance to take it out for a blast on the open road yet. With the Canadian winter firmly in place, he has no intentions of taking it out until the thaw, but he’s looking forward to a spirited drive in the 1,200 horsepower car he estimates weighs a bit over a ton.

“It’ll be a beast,” he concluded.

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Own a 2010 5.4L Ford Raptor? AIRAID Can Add The Torque and Horsepower You’ve Always Wanted

A repacement low restriction intake tube delivers air from the filter to the engine

The SYNTHAMAX dry, non-woven synthetic filter media provides outstanding air flow and filtration

When the original Ford Raptor broke cover in 2009 as a 2010 model, it was universally hailed as the most radical factory-built off-road pickup ever offered to the public. Based on a 4WD F-150 Super Cab, it was lauded for its 11.2 and 12.1 inches of front and rear suspension travel dampened by honest-to-goodness Fox Racing Shox internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs.

Body-wise, from the A-pillar forward and behind the cab, the Raptor is different from other F-150 models with a composite hood and fenders. Its 5.5-foot box is unique to the Raptor as well. Newly-developed leaf springs, wider front upper- and lower-A-arms to increase front track, and a wider, thick-walled rear axle were also developed for the Raptor. Also added was a driver-selected Off Road Mode button which alters ABS, Traction Control, and other functions to a more aggressive setting for driving in low-grip, off road situations.

In fact, almost every component in the suspension and driveline was addressed to deliver robust off-road performance. There was only one thing that let it down: the base engine.

For the Raptor’s introduction, the base engine was the 5.4L V8 which produced a none-to-impressive 310 horsepower. A 411 horsepower 6.2L engine was optional and in 2011 the 6.2L became the sole engine available in the Raptor, with the 5.4L being discontinued.

So if you’re an early adopter and bought yourself a 2010 5.4L V8-powered Raptor and now find yourself at a horsepower deficit to newer models, we have a solution that doesn’t require you to tear your truck apart. It’s the AIRAID 402-257 cold air dam (CAD) intake that’s engineered to give your 5.4L larger amounts of cooler air to produce more horsepower and torque, an upgrade so simple it can be installed on a Saturday morning with nothing but a few common hand tools.

The Cold Air Dam blocks engine heat from entering the intake track, reducing available power

The original location of the air filter is retained, but the massive filter is sheltered by the CAD

Another critical factor is the AIRAID premium air filter that’s housed inside the CAD providing outstanding air flow and filtration through its SYNTHAMAX dry, non-woven synthetic filter media and replacement low-restriction intake tube. It’s recommended that you clean your AIRAID SYNTHAMAX filter every 30,000 to 50,000 miles for normal driving (or more often when driving off-road or in heavy dust conditions) with AIRAID 790-558 premium dry filter cleaning solution.

And something not all cold air intake system manufacturers can claim: the 402-257 CAD air intake system is street legal in all US states.

Plus you get the piece-of-mind that the 402-257 CAD air intake system is backed by AIRAID’s “No Hassle” Lifetime Warranty, which is about as simple as it gets. If you are ever dissatisfied with the materials, workmanship, or performance of this air filter, just give us a call at 800-498-6951 and we will be happy to assist you. And you don’t have to worry about holding onto a warranty card -- AIRAID filters are warranted for life.

All AIRAID premium filters are produced in-house using only the finest materials available with highly specialized manufacturing equipment to ensure a level of quality control no other filter company can match. This is just one of many reasons why all of AIRAID's filters are backed by our "No Hassle" Lifetime Warranty. All of AIRAID's product lines are proudly manufactured in the USA.

The AIRAID 402-257 is designed to fit the following models of Ford Raptor:

2010 FORD F150 SVT RAPTOR 5.4L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models

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