This customized Toyota Lite Ace is ready to go off-road

When Toyota Motor Philippines brought back the Lite Ace as a utility vehicle two years ago, the automaker was able to offer an affordable work vehicle that could cater to many businesses. With countless body configurations available like a dropside pickup, a utility/panel van, as well as a box aluminum van, there are many ways to customize the Lite Ace.

Over in Japan, however, a tuner decided to transform the Lite Ace into something more rugged and capable. This is the Toyota Mount Ace, and it looks ready to take on the road less traveled. Thanks to a conversion package by Japan-based tuner Papamama, Lite Ace-turned Mount Ace gets a healthy serving of off-road upgrades.

Starting with the exterior, the Mount Ace gets a redesigned grille, an aluminum-style skid plate, a roof rack, custom headlights, and a redesigned hood & front bumper. To give it more off-road prowess, the Mount Ace also gets a suspension lift kit and Maxxis Mudder Buckshot off-road tires.

Hop inside and the Mount Ace welcomes occupants into a cabin that comes with thick seat covers and unique floor mats that are available in multiple colors. Also present is an upgraded touchscreen infotainment system, a digital rearview mirror, and a navigation system.

No mechanical upgrades were mentioned by Papamama. That means the Mount Ace likely has the stock 1.5L four-cylinder engine that makes 98 PS with 134 Nm of torque. Transmission choices include either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic while a 4WD system is available. Given its off-road upgrades, a 4WD system will help the Mount Ace take on uneven terrain with ease.

The entire conversion kit for the Mount Ace will cost interested customers a whopping JPY 3,198,000 or around PHP 1,220,750. It's not exactly cheap although each upgrade can be bought individually.

Lite Ace customers in the country who want to customize their vehicle into something more rugged could find inspiration in the Mount Ace.