The LandCruiser 250 has been on Australian roads since late 2024, and the verdict from most owners is the same: the factory build is a solid starting point and not much more. The moment you use it the way it was built (towing with weight on, working off the bitumen, the school-holiday Cape trip) you'll spot where the upgrades earn their keep.
Below is a rundown of the most common LandCruiser 250 modifications doing the rounds, with a note on the LC250 aftermarket products that earn their place once they're fitted.
Flares and Mudflaps
Most LC250 builds end up running wider tyres or a suspension lift, both of which push the wheels outside the original body line. The factory mudflaps aren't built for that. Once your tyres stick out past the panels, ADR mudflaps requirements come into play, and the rule is dead simple: if the tyre extends past the bodywork, it has to be covered.
LC250 mudflaps requirements follow the same standard, so any flare kit, wider rubber or wheel offset change triggers them. Most owners don't think about mudflaps requirements until they cop a defect notice, which is a stupid time to find out.
The TJM-compatible Prado 250 Flare Kit handles both. Flares match the new chassis without panel-gap nonsense, and it ships with mudflaps that satisfy LC250 mudflaps requirements out of the gate.
Bull Bars
A bull bar is the most common LC250 upgrade, and the one that earns its money fastest the first time you meet a roo on a country road. TJM has two engineered options for the Prado 250. The Outback Bar is the full-protection setup: triple-hooped, all-steel, from around $3,250 plus fitting (50kg net add). The Venturer Bar is the hoopless version, from around $2,850 plus fitting (40kg net).
Both come with 8,000kg rated recovery points, a 9,500lb-rated winch mount, and full compatibility with the 250's active safety systems, airbags and crumple zones. Engineered for the new chassis from the ground up, not adapted from an older model. Browse the Bull Bars collection or jump to Prado bullbars for the 250-specific options.
Suspension Lifts
Factory suspension on the LC250 is fine for driving to the shops with nothing in the back. Add weight or push it off-road and it gives up before you do.
TJM's XGS range covers most build types: XGS Rugged for hardcore tracks, XGS Roamer for touring, and XGS Remote with 8-stage adjustable compression and rebound for owners who want one setup that handles loaded and unloaded both. Lift range is 0 to 75mm. Bigger isn't always better, especially if you tow.
GVM Upgrades
A GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) upgrade is the one most owners underestimate, then need six months later. The Prado 250 leaves the factory with a payload of 580 to 615kg. Sounds like a lot until you load up: bull bar, drawer system, dual battery, water tank, fridge, four adults, full fuel, towball weight. Over GVM before lunch.
TJM's XGS GVM Plus kits, alongside Lovells partner kits, are ADR-certified and engineer-approved. The popular tier sits around 3,650kg, with options up to roughly 3,900kg for heavy-touring builds. A GVM upgrade reclassifies the vehicle from MC (passenger) to NB1 (light goods), which triggers extra ADR fitments like Category 6 side indicators on the front guards. Suspension-helper airbag kits are a useful partner for managing variable loads if you're not ready to commit to a full GVM kit.
Snorkels
A snorkel does two real jobs. It lifts the air intake out of dust on corrugations and keeps water out of the engine on creek crossings. If you've ever pulled the air filter out at the end of a long dusty track, you'll appreciate why the first one matters. TJM's snorkels for the 250 are engineered around the actual intake routing of the new engine, not a one-size-fits-most.
Exhaust Upgrades
A bigger-bore exhaust frees up turbo response with modest gains in power and a slightly happier engine under load. Most owners pair it with a tune to feel the difference. Useful if you tow or run sustained loads on long drives.
Lighting
Factory LED is fine on the highway, average on rural roads, and not enough for serious night driving in the bush. TJM's Ultima Lighting range covers driving lights, light bars and integrated mounts. Two well-aimed driving lights make a bigger safety difference than most other upgrades on this list, especially on dusk roo runs.
Where to Start
If you're at the start of a build, the sensible order is bull bar first, then suspension and GVM together (since they go in at the same fit), then the rest layered in over time. There's no single right way, but there's a sensible way, and that's the difference between a thoughtful LC250 aftermarket build and a shopping list. Most LandCruiser 250 modifications work better when they're planned around each other instead of bolted on as the budget allows.
Planning an LC250 build? Call 1300 856 888 for a build consultation at Brookvale, or contact our team online.
