Mountain Yotas Unveils MTN 550 Recon at SEMA

The custom Lexus GX 550 build debuted at this year's SEMA Show with portal axles, a 40-inch tire setup, and extensive off-road hardware.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Car Types

Lifted dark SUV with oversized tires and exposed axle hubs parked on a rocky desert trail beneath warm late-afternoon light. — Mountain Yotas unveiled its MTN 550 Recon, a custom Lexus GX 550 build with portal axles and 40-inch tires, at this year's SEMA Show. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Mountain Yotas unveiled the MTN 550 Recon, a custom build of the Lexus GX 550, at the SEMA Show. The modified truck features portal axles and a range of off-road upgrades designed for rugged terrain.

Why it matters

The build shows how aftermarket shops are reworking premium body-on-frame SUVs for serious off-road use. For U.S. buyers who favor capable trucks, it highlights the growing market for factory vehicles modified for extreme conditions.

The build pairs a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 with 40-inch Mickey Thompson tires on forged beadlock wheels. Pricing and availability for the MTN 550 Recon were not provided.

The players

Mountain Yotas

Mountain Yotas is a custom Toyota and Lexus off-road builder that produced the MTN 550 Recon.

Lexus

Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota, which manufactures the GX 550 platform used for the build.

The details

The MTN 550 Recon adds custom black anodized 74Weld portal axles, Fox Live Valve shocks at all four corners, and billet upper control arms and rear links. Portal axles are fitted to boost ground clearance, while a side-exit stainless steel exhaust was crafted with the engine left unchanged.

The MTN 550 Recon was unveiled at this year's SEMA Show.
The standard GX 550 was driven by the author last year.

Roadmap

Portal axles, long associated with heavy military-style vehicles, have migrated into premium SUVs through builds like the 2013 Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 6x6. The MTN 550 Recon shows that the same off-road hardware is now being applied to mainstream luxury trucks as aftermarket demand grows.

Buyers considering off-road modifications should note that portal axles and 40-inch tires raise ground clearance and change handling. Owners of standard GX 550 models would need to weigh these changes against warranty and daily-driving considerations.

The takeaway

Aftermarket builds like the MTN 550 Recon illustrate how off-road engineering from specialty vehicles is filtering into everyday premium SUVs. Readers interested in capability upgrades should compare modification costs against factory trim options before deciding.