FLW Sequoia was first unveiled as part of the Hunter Engineering booth display at the 2009 SEMA Show. It's clean and classic upgrades stood out precisely because of the simplicity of execution. It is a checklist of the most common aftermarket mods made by owners--wheels, tires, suspension, intake/exhaust, and some accessories. The conservative Slate Metallic paint scheme and subdued sponsor decals say custom, but in hushed tones.
After hearing about Finishlinewest's post-SEMA on- and off-road adventures, we accepted an offer to drive it ourselves. Andy Cohen, president of FLW, assured us his Sequoia was no trailer queen. The FLW Sequoia attended the 2009 Jeep Jamboree in Moab, Utah, not as a participant but as the tow vehicle hauling a 24-foot enclosed trailer carrying FLW's customized JK.
The Truck
The FLW Sequoia isn't pimpified with the flotsam and jetsam of bolt-on paraphernalia. In SEMA terms, it's mildly modified with an eye toward off-road ability and utility. The front fenders were replaced with the more aggressive, four-inch flare and accommodating two-inch rise Glass Works Fiberglass Tundra set sprayed to match the Slate Metallic exterior. After experimenting with a Tundra wrap-under-mounted brush guard, a more stable through-the-grille-mounted N-Fab push bar was chosen. FLW added eight inches to center of the N-Fab for a wider, more balanced appearance. A Defender Rack from a Ford Expedition Toyota mounts to the standard Toyota roof rails providing a boxed, off-the-roof stowage area. A set of black Go-Rhino Dominator II side steps with aluminum step pads aid ingress and egress.
Normally, subtle wouldn't describe 22-inch KMC XD-Series Monster wheels mated to 50-series Toyo Open Country A/Ts, but the Sequoia's bulk can support big rubber before appearing out of proportion. To keep the overall look coordinated, Andy asked label maker Avery Dennison to create vinyl decal material to match the KMCs bronze centers. With the finished raw material in hand, FLW cut the sponsor decals in-house.
There's not a lot of hocus-pocus under the hood either. An AEM Cold Air intake system built for the Tundra helps the Toyota breathe more freely. To expedite the exhaust gasses, FLW fabricated a custom 2.5-inch cat-back exhaust coupled to a Cherry Bomb muffler to provide the proper exhaust note. Like the rest of the truck, it's complimentary without being heavy-handed. This kind of respiratory therapy lets the potent, normally aspirated 5.7-liter better handle the increased demands of this big fella.