Lifted Toyota RAV4

Toyota RAV4: Lift Kits Make a Fantastic Modification

Toyota RAV4: Transformation with a Lift Kit

Lifted Toyota RAV4

A Lifted RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is known for its blend of comfort, versatility, and reliability. However, for adventure enthusiasts seeking to push the boundaries of off-road exploration, a stock RAV4 might not always cut it. This is where the magic of lift kits comes into play. Lift kits are aftermarket modifications that raise a vehicle’s suspension, allowing for increased ground clearance and enhanced off-road capabilities. In this article, we delve into the benefits of a Toyota RAV4 transformed by a lift kit, offering a glimpse into the rugged transformation and newfound capabilities.

Off-Road Versatility

With its new lift kit-equipped suspension, the RAV4 is no longer confined to the paved roads. From gravel trails to mud-soaked paths, this vehicle now embraces the off-road landscape with enthusiasm. The combination of enhanced ground clearance and specialized tires enables the lifted RAV4 to traverse through environments that once seemed inaccessible.

Lifted Toyota RAV4

Elevated Ground Clearance

One of the most significant benefits of installing a lift kit on the RAV4 is the increased ground clearance. This means the vehicle can now conquer obstacles that were once deemed impassable. Rocks, roots, and uneven trails pose less of a challenge as the RAV4’s undercarriage is now elevated above potential hazards. This newfound clearance not only improves off-road performance but also enhances the vehicle’s approach, departure, and breakover angles, crucial metrics for traversing uneven landscapes.

Lift Kit Installation

Entrusting the installation to professionals ensures a seamless transformation that optimizes the RAV4’s performance and preserves its safety standards. However, REIKA lift kits can also be installed using our detailed instruction manual and YouTube video.

Choosing the Right Tires

Selecting the right tires for a lifted Toyota RAV4 is a decision that can impact the vehicle’s performance both on and off the road. With the increased ground clearance and altered dynamics provided by the lift kit, the choice of tires becomes even more crucial. Off-road enthusiasts should consider all-terrain or mud-terrain tires, providing enhanced traction and durability on challenging terrains. On the other hand, if a lifted RAV4 primarily remains on paved roads, all-season or highway tires are viable options, striking a balance between comfort, fuel efficiency, and reliable handling. Ultimately, finding the perfect tire for a lifted RAV4 involves a delicate balance between off-road prowess and on-road practicality, tailoring the driving experience to one’s preferences and adventures.

Balancing Act

It’s worth noting that while lift kits offer numerous benefits, there are trade-offs to consider. The lifted suspension can lead to altered handling dynamics and changes in ride comfort. Careful calibration is essential to maintain the vehicle’s stability, especially during on-road driving.

Lifted Toyota RAV4 at Lake Powell

Commanding Aesthetics

Beyond its functional enhancements, the lifted RAV4 boasts an unmistakable visual presence. The higher stance lends an air of ruggedness and adventure to the vehicle’s overall appearance. Enthusiasts can choose from various lift kit options, each offering distinct height increments. Whether you opt for a subtle lift or a more pronounced elevation, the lifted RAV4 stands out in a crowd and serves as an embodiment of the owner’s adventurous spirit.

Lifted RAV4 in the snow at Big Bear

RAV4 Lift Kit Transformation

Meet the modified Toyota RAV4, a true embodiment of adventure and exploration. Fitted with a REIKA RAV4 2” lift kit, this RAV4 has been elevated to new heights—both literally and figuratively. The lift kit’s components are robotically welded and the 1/4″ stamped steel strut spacers are manufactured with an anti-corrosive electrocoat and powder coat for a more durable finish. This transformation not only alters the vehicle’s stance but also opens up a realm of possibilities for tackling challenging terrains.

Conclusion

The lifted Toyota RAV4 is a testament to the endless possibilities that arise when automotive enthusiasts and the aftermarket industry collaborate to push the boundaries of vehicle capabilities. With a lift kit, the RAV4 transcends its original form, becoming a versatile vehicle for those seeking adventure off the beaten path. While not without its considerations, the lifted RAV4 proves that a touch of modification can transform an everyday vehicle into a remarkable tool for exploration. So, whether you’re conquering rocky terrains or simply seeking to elevate your driving experience, the lifted RAV4 stands as a compelling option for the modern adventurer.

The pursuit of adventure begins with you, REIKA is what gets you there! 

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Identifying Tire Markings: Red and Yellow Dots

As we were in the shop mounting a few tire and wheel packages this week, we thought it would be beneficial to explain a few markings that you may notice on the sidewall of your tires. Maybe you were cleaning your wheels or airing up your tires and had time to glance around to notice all of the letters, numbers and dots on your tire. What do these markings mean? Are they important? Is something wrong with that tire? While all tires are marked and stamped with obvious information regarding tire size, weight and manufacturer info, other information is sometimes unclear to the average person. In this blog we’ll explain one of the most commonly seen markings on tires that aren’t easily identified or understood, but play an important role in your safety and the ride quality of your vehicle. 

Imperfections and Irregularities

It’s an impossible task for tire manufacturers to produce a perfectly round and perfectly balanced tire. Because of this, slight imperfections and small irregularities are marked on the tires to ensure the tire is properly aligned and balanced when mounted onto a wheel. The way these imperfections and irregularities are marked are with two different colored dots, yellow and red.

 

Yellow Dots 

Yellow dots signify the lightest point on your tire or where the wheel weighs the least. The valve stem section of your wheels is the heaviest part, so placing the lightest part of the tire on the heaviest part of the wheel significantly reduces the amount of weight your wheel will need when it comes time to add weight and balance.

 

Red Dots

The Red dot signifies the flattest part or lowest point on your tires. The lowest point of the tire should always be adjacent to the highest part of the wheel which is usually indicated by some sort or marking on the wheel.

If there is only a yellow dot on your tire, you should line up the yellow dot with the valve stem of the wheel when mounting. If there are both red and yellow dots, the red dot should be lined up with the valve stem. The lowest point of the tire takes precedence over the lightest point of the tire in this case.

Proper Balancing 

Properly aligning the red or yellow dots with the valve stem is important for a number of reasons. Most notably, the proper amount of weight added to your wheels will prevent your vehicle from experiencing that annoying rumble or shaky feeling when traveling at a higher rate of speed. If improperly balanced, your vehicle handling and stopping distance can be negatively affected. Unbalanced tires can also cause excessive wear and tear and uneven spots on your tires, making the vehicle unsafe for travel.

Preventative Maintenance

If you happen to notice a vibration at any point while driving after ensuring these markings are properly lined up, it could be that a wheel weight has fallen off or that your wheel may be bent or damaged. In any case, it’s a smart move to head over to your local tire shop and get your tires checked out. Getting your tires checked, rotated and rebalanced may not only keep you safe while driving, but save you money in the long run. General rule of thumb is to have your tires rotated and checked as regularly as you get your oil changed. 



We hope this information was helpful whether you’re new to the service industry or just a curious auto enthusiast eager to learn the little details about the markings you see on your tires. Connect with us on social media and let us know what topics you’d like to see in our next YouTube video or blog. Thanks for reading, now get out there and explore! 

The pursuit of adventure begins with you. REIKA is what gets you there.

 

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True Bead Lock vs Simulated Bead Lock Wheels 

When beginning your adventure into the off-roading and overlanding world, you’ll notice many trucks, SUV’s, CUV’s and vans with performance upgrades: suspension systems, lift kits, larger tires, and different sized and styled wheels.  Some stock vehicles are well equipped and ready for adventure, but for many, upgrades are a must in order to ensure a safe and secure ride. In this article we’ll discuss what a bead lock wheel is, what they are made for and if it’s the right choice for you.  

Where to start? 

Generally, upgrading your wheel and tire setup is first on the to-do list. This can change the entire appearance of your vehicle, while also allowing you to handle and conquer terrain that your stock setup may not have been able to withstand. Before you make your purchase, you might ask yourself “what type of adventures will I be going on?” and “which wheel style is suited for what I will be doing?”. Popular choices seen on Jeeps and trucks may not always be necessary for the average adventurer and those same wheels may have specific uses that are necessary for those vehicles in order to properly handle off-road terrain. This brings us to the bead lock wheel. 


What is a bead lock wheel?  

A popular wheel style that is seen on many off-road vehicles is the bead lock wheel. A bead lock wheel is much like your standard wheel, but there is an additional ring that fits around the perimeter of the wheel’s face. This bead lock ring is equipped with bolt holes that match up with the bolt holes on the outer lip of the wheel. When installing a tire onto the wheel, the tire’s lip will be sandwiched between the lip of the wheel and the bead lock ring and locked into place by a number of bolts securing the tire in between. 

Why would I need a bead lock wheel? 

Bead lock wheels were designed as a measure of protection when airing down your wheels to go off-roading.  By sandwiching the tire bead between the wheel’s lip and the bead lock ring, an extra layer of protection is added. This method of securing the wheel allows for minimal air pressure in the tire when off-roading, enabling you to gain more traction through the dirt or mud and crawling over rough terrain without damaging or deflating your tires. If your tires were not locked into place, it’s possible that the tire would slip from the bead of the wheel with the tough turns and angles. 

Maintenance and Requirements 

Something to consider when purchasing a set of bead lock wheels is whether or not the wheel is necessary for off-roading. You may think to yourself that you do need a set, because you see plenty of vehicles out there with them, but if you’re not airing down to a super low psi and just doing some light off-roading, then you’ll be able to manage with a standard wheel. You may also consider that bead lock wheels are not DOT (Deparment of Transportation) approved and while bolting up, airing down and getting out there for an adventure sounds great, you’ll have to round up a set of DOT approved wheels to throw back onto the vehicle once you’re back off the beaten path and onto the road.

Bead lock wheels cost more than your standard wheel and require maintenance that can be quite time consuming. Might be a hassle having to torque your bolts every time you go out to make sure that nothing comes loose, when most bead lock wheels have an average of 24 bolts per wheel. If any bolts are missing or broken, it’s recommended to replace them all immediately. It’s a bit more work, but not impossible. 

However, there are options available that’ll provide you with the same rugged appearance without the extra time or work of having to haul an extra set around or that requires as much maintenance.

Simulated or “faux” bead lock wheels  

Simulated or “faux” bead lock wheels provide the appearance of a bead lock without the detachable ring. These wheels are a standard cast, forged or flow formed wheel with bolt holes drilled around the outer lip of the wheel. Some advantages of a simulated bead lock are how incredibly lightweight, customizable and less time consuming they can be, not to mention being DOT approved and completely street legal. With a chunky set of tires and good suspension, a simulated bead lock wheel will do the trick, even if airing down a bit. 

The REIKA VS R35 RAMBLER 

We’ve watched the popularity of simulated bead lock wheels rise and decided to get in on the game. We’ve designed and produced a simulated bead lock wheel with a unique design and are happy to share it with all of you this fall. Our R35 Rambler is a flow formed, simulated bead lock wheel, weighing in at 24.5 lbs. and will be available in 4 finishes, including Machine Clear, Satin Black, Bronze with a black ring and Graphite with a black ring. We will offer multiple fitment options, available for Toyota, Ford, Jeep, Lexus, Chevy and GMC vehicles. 

To bead lock, or not to bead lock, that is the question 

If you end up deciding to purchase bead lock wheels, it’s going to cost you a little more time and money, but they do look great. They definitely serve a purpose, especially if you’re heavy into the off-road game. If you’re not, simulated bead locks seem to be the way to go. A lighter weight, more cost efficient and less maintenance required wheel provides all the fun without the worry. Now that you have some insight as to what a bead lock wheel is, would you run a true bead lock or a simulated bead lock? Share your thoughts and connect with us on social media and stay tuned for the release of our R35 Rambler wheel this fall!  

The pursuit of adventure begins with you. REIKA is what gets you there.

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RAV4 Build: Our Shop Vehicle Goes from Stock to Stellar

RAV4 Build: Our Shop Vehicle Goes from Stock to Stellar

Toyota RAV4’s Beginnings

The RAV4, meaning “Recreational Adventure Vehicle with 4-wheel drive”, made a statement immediately upon its release in Europe and Japan in 1994 and North America in 1995.  The iconic Toyota RAV4 was brought to market to provide consumers with the comfort of an SUV, combined with the adventure of a 4-wheel drive. Known for the fuel economy and maneuverability of a compact car, the RAV4 is a perfect blend for both common, daily driving and for adventure seeking on tough terrain. The first of its class, the Toyota RAV4 paved the way for the midsize crossover utility vehicles (CUV) worldwide. Steadily becoming more and more popular with the rise of outdoor recreation and the overlanding craze, the Toyota RAV4 continues to be a top contender in sales and an overall choice when it comes to safety and reliability. 

We Chose the RAV4 for its Versatility

The 2021 launch of our company REIKA Vehicle Solutions, which manufactures wheels and lift kits, fell right in line with the fast-growing CUV community. We wanted to provide a solution for outdoor enthusiasts who wanted to customize their rides with a strong, lightweight and attractive wheel, while also offering solutions to those who need a little extra lift to get up and get out there. We decided that our first shop vehicle would be a 2021 Toyota RAV4 XLE. The capability of this vehicle, along with excellent safety features, AWD and useful tools implemented into the drive system, enticed us to test out its capabilities and we were not disappointed. We’ve taken our RAV4 on trips through the soft sands of the deserts, up into the mountains through snow, and over obstacles on the trails of Utah – it has not once let us down.

A few important safety features included with the RAV4 are the lane tracing assist, lane departure with steering assist, road sign assist and the full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control. All of these safety features make driving this vehicle feel safe and secure on any type of journey. Another incredible feature of the RAV4 is its Multi-Terrain Select, which allows you to select the drive mode for the terrain you are on. The four modes are: mud and sand, rock and dirt, snow, and normal, all of which have proven to be extremely useful on our trail runs. Our 2021 RAV4 XLE is equipped with a 4-cylinder, 2.5-liter engine and is capable of producing 203 HP with 184 pound-feet of torque giving the extra push needed when accelerating through mud and up steep terrain. 

The RAV4 Transformation

Over the past year, our RAV4 has transformed from the original stock vehicle to a RAV4 that is ready to join the overlanding phenomenon.  From the get go, we decided to throw on a set of our best-selling R20 Teton wheels with a +38 offset and a set of All-Terrain Nitto Grappler G2 245-65-17 tires to give our RAV4 an aggressive stance. In addition, we added our REIKA VS 2” lift kit, allowing for the new wheel and tire set up to achieve optimal clearance without any interference. Traveling often and needing a little extra cargo room, we added a Yakima roof rack to the top for our full-size spare. 

Knowing we would be displaying our vehicle at the Overland Expos, attending community events and getting to know some of the nicest people in the industry, we linked up with a few great companies. Beyond Wraps decked out our RAV4 with cool REIKA graphics, Light Force donated exterior performance lights and we installed a Rhino Rack to haul our gear.  

Fast forward to a few months before Overland Expo 2022, we released a new finish for our R25 Detour wheel – a beautiful bronze. Linking up with one of our good friends from Milestar Tires, we installed a set of our new R25 Detour wheels in bronze, with Milestar Patagonia M/T tires. The latest feature added to the RAV4 comes from a terrific company called C6 Outdoor.  They provided us with a versatile, heavy duty, lightweight 2-person roof-top tent called the Rev Tent. Weighing only 25lbs, setting up, tearing down and maneuvering the Rev Tent was very easy. 

Ready For Fun

That brings us current with the modifications on our shop RAV4. If you’re deciding whether or not to join the RAV4 life, we encourage you to take the leap. Our experience in building up the RAV4, taking it on adventures and displaying it at shows has brought us closer to the community and has allowed us to build positive relationships in the softroad, offroad and CUV communities.  Come check us out at the Overland Expos to see the build and stay tuned to REIKA Vehicle Solutions as we look for new products for the next adventure.

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Purchasing Aftermarket Wheels: Factors to Consider When Making Your Decision

Purchasing Aftermarket Wheels: Factors to Consider When Making Your Decision

Customizing your vehicle is a simple way of expressing your style and setting your vehicle apart from the crowd. Upgrading your wheels is typically the first big purchase, so it’s important to consider factors such as backspacing, offset, bolt pattern and the wheel sizes your vehicle will allow.  Each of these factors plays a significant role in not only how the vehicle will look aesthetically, but how it will handle and perform on the road or off the beaten path. In this blog, we provide insight to assist you on the journey of selecting your new set of wheels.

Understanding Fitment and Your Vehicle’s Bolt Pattern

Although it may seem like a simple swap, not all wheels will fit every vehicle. There are multiple variations of wheel fitments available for the consumer. Understanding your fitment and knowing the bolt pattern of your vehicle helps narrow down your options during your search.  Having knowledge of your wheel specs will help you avoid scrolling through pages and pages of wheels that won’t fit your vehicle. Review our Understanding Vehicle Bolt Patterns  blog along with our Calculating Fitment blog from our sister company, Factory Reproductions, for more information. 


A vehicle’s fitment incorporates the bolt pattern (PCD), wheel offset and wheel backspacing. Your bolt pattern consists of the number of wheel studs and the centerline measurement of those wheel’s studs. The wheel offset is the distance from the mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel. Backspacing is the distance from the mounting surface to the wheel’s back lip. For someone new to the wheel game, those terms may be hard to understand, but luckily with the help of configurators and vehicle specific searches on most websites, you’ll be able to see the wheel specs and verify the accuracy with a customer representative before purchasing.

Choosing the Material and Size You Want

Now that you are aware of the proper wheel fitment, you can move on to selecting the size and material of your new wheels. If looking to increase the size of your wheels from the stock size, in most cases you’ll have to run a thinner tire unless you plan on modifying your vehicle’s suspension or body in order to accommodate the width or increased diameter of the new wheels. For those who like to run chunky tires, the same rules apply, even with a smaller wheel choice.


The material used to construct the wheels can make a difference in many ways, depending on how your vehicle is used.  The options available for single piece wheels include forged, cast and flow form, with each having its own attributes suited to your style and preference. REIKA wheels are constructed using Flow Form technology providing light weight and durability. If you’d like to learn more about the construction process of our wheels and see why we chose this method, view this link https://reikavs.com/flow-form/ .

If you’re looking to customize your wheel setup with two or three piece wheels, your options are greater than with cast, forged or flow formed wheels. However, that may eliminate the weight saving concern. Two and three piece wheels weigh more with their additional pieces and parts that are used to hold the wheel together.

Finding A Design That Matches Your Style

The options available for determining the perfect set of wheels are endless, especially when it comes to size, offset, finish and design choices. With help from social media and website visualizers, you can compare which style wheels are common or uncommon for specific vehicles and also which styles are trending upwards. This may aid you in your decision making process by allowing you to choose what’s popular, or you can defy conformity and choose unique fitment options, colors and styles.

Determining Your Budget

With quality, generally comes cost. We’re not saying you have to hand over your next paycheck, but if you’re looking to upgrade your ride with a new set of wheels, you want to trust that you’re not going to have to reinvest in wheels after dipping into a pothole or accidentally running up onto a curb in a hurry.  Finding a reputable company that runs QA tests and provides a warranty that ensures and stands behind the quality of their wheels is important. Thankfully, there are lower cost yet valuable options available in today’s market with the rise of flow form technology. The durability and toughness of the wheels hold true, while the cost stays affordable due to the method in which the wheels are constructed.  Determining your budget may be something you want to do before you start your search so that you may narrow down your options and save yourself some time.

Browse Your Options

If you’re at the beginning stages of your search and are looking for ideas, we recommend browsing social media or popular sites to discover the options for your vehicle. Social media platforms possess an abundance of accounts, both individuals and businesses, that are dedicated to providing vehicle specific content. Many social media users are part of vehicle specific clubs and will likely go out of their way to assist you in your build and search for aftermarket wheels. Reaching your hand out to the community usually yields 10 in return and with that, comes advice, ideas, friendship and guidance.  Additionally, individual wheel websites will allow for a more specific search.  Many offer a configurator where you can see the wheels on your specific vehicle type.  This allows you to compare the different styles of wheels and how they would look before you make your final purchase.  

Knowing that wheels are a major investment, research and due diligence will assist in your decision making process.  Understanding your fitment, knowing your budget and selecting a wheel style that reflects you, can make your purchasing journey feel effortless.

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Social Media Photography: What Clicks?

Social Media Photography: What Clicks?

Telling stories with photos has been a part of our narrative since the first photo was taken with a camera in 1826 by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. Over the centuries, photography has evolved enormously and the advent of digital photography has revolutionized the entire field. Now, taking, posting and curating digital photos has become a form of art for many individuals who use social media platforms such Instagram and Facebook. It takes great skill to capture photographic content that is interesting to viewers perusing their Instagram accounts. What is going to grab someone’s attention as they scroll through? What is going to encourage someone to push that Follow button? Vehicle accounts are popping up like crazy on social media, but what makes one more interesting than another? One of our ambassadors, Michael Yi (@youngrav4) is extremely consistent with his excellent photos so we wanted to know “How do you create the magic?”


The Inspiration

Michael is an avid Instagram poster and created his YoungRAV4 page in July of 2020.  He has quickly amassed followers by posting anywhere from once to three times a week and everyday people are being drawn in by the very clever photography content. His trick is planning ahead.  Michael is not only a college student, but holds two jobs as well.  During his free time he researches photo locations via geo-tag and Google, concentrating on natural lighting, backgrounds and the “cool” factor.  He also likes to play with juxtaposition on his account as he switches back and forth between cityscape and nature.  Both places have hidden locations to explore and stories to tell.  However, wherever Michael plans to go, there is one thing he always does before he heads out the door – he checks the weather forecast, an absolute must if you want to have a successful shoot.



The Method

Lots of auto enthusiasts hire professional photographers to take pictures of their vehicle, but Michael takes all of his own using a Canon 5D Mark 4. Typically, he hand-holds his camera but in the case of a long exposure in dark areas or at night, he will use a tripod to keep a steady shot. He only uses natural lighting which is an incredibly challenging feat – no flashes, no reflection panels, no extra lighting.  Post photography, Michael will occasionally include filters or graphics from Photoshop, Lightroom, Snapseed and LD to add a humorous or fantastical touch to his photos. The post of a C-17 flying over his RAV4 exemplifies his graphically creative approach.  It is not only his favorite (he made it into wallpaper), but it is the most popular post on his page, as many viewers believed it was real!




















The Goal

The goal for Michael’s social media accounts is to grow a following that can share resources and helpful information within the Toyota and Subaru overlanding communities.  He is passionate about his RAV4 build and wants to share the process (his concept, what products he selected, and what companies he has partnered with) with other individuals as they look for assistance or ideas for their potential builds. His enthusiasm for both his vehicle and photography is definitely conveyed through the images he has posted of his “YoungRAV4”.


When asked for his best piece of advice for social media photographers, Michael immediately responds with “Take your time when taking photos and pay attention to the small details that can so often be missed.”  These small details in both photographic technique and content are often what makes the difference between a post that stops you in your tracks and one that keeps your finger scrolling.

Lift Kits: Get Up and Out There

Lift Kits: Get Up and Out There

REIKA Lift Kits are designed with adventure in mind. By increasing the vehicle ride height, your CUV can accommodate larger tires while maintaining the factory alignment and ride quality. With added ground clearance, you can now participate in more extreme adventures. Our lift kits are E-coated, affordable, easy to install and vehicle specific, ensuring that any adventure you embark on is an enjoyable one.

E-coating

All REIKA lift kits are manufactured and painted using E-coating, which is a wet paint finishing process meant to protect steel and metal parts from corrosion. This process is relatively complex in which a metal component is immersed in a water-based solution that contains a paint emulsion. Once washed and coated with Phosphate, an electric current is disbursed, causing the paint emulsion to condense and form evenly over the metal component. The strength of the electric charge is usually between 25-400 volts and determines the thickness of the coat. The part is then washed again and baked in an industrial oven at 375 degrees for a minimum of 20 minutes where the paint cures and becomes ready to go. 

Affordability

Our lift kits are designed with affordability in mind. With competitive pricing, we wanted to offer our customers a vehicle specific solution that increases the ability to get off the beaten path and explore, all while protecting the vehicle’s undercarriage AND not breaking the bank. We’ve manufactured a strong and durable product and offer our kits at the low cost of $249 plus tax and shipping. The increased ride height with our REIKA lift kits is a bonus when exploring the great outdoors. Adding just a few inches of ground clearance can significantly increase your ability to get over rocks, brush, or tough terrain that you may not have been able to manage before lifting your vehicle. 

Vehicle Specific

While developing our lift kits, we made sure to check all the boxes that ensure safety and perfect fitment for each vehicle. Designed for Subaru Outback, Forester, Crosstrek and Toyota RAV4 models, our kits will give you that extra lift you are looking for. REIKA kits can be installed either professionally or within the comfort of your own driveway or garage. Automotive experience is a plus, but not a requirement. In addition to the detailed installation guide provided with the kit, you can check out a live install with expert instruction on REIKA’s YouTube channel (link below). With plenty of resources available to assist in your upgrade, you will be lifted and on your way in no time.  

The pursuit of adventure begins with you, REIKA is what gets you there! 

Share your thoughts with us on social media.  

Connect with Us: 

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SEMA 2021: The Growing Overland Trend on Display

SEMA 2021: The Growing Overland Trend on Display

The SEMA Show 

The annual SEMA show was back and all geared up this year after the world was faced with a pandemic of great proportions. For those new to the world of SEMA, the association was established in 1963 and kicked off as a small group of manufacturers who provided performance parts and equipment to the hot rod community. Over the years, SEMA evolved into one of the largest leading trade show events in the automotive industry, providing a week-long social gathering for hot rods, trucks, tuners, classic cars, sports cars, rare builds, off-road rigs and some of the latest and greatest parts and equipment to hit the market.

A Time and Place

Each November, for one week, the event is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show’s popularity has gained tons of exposure resulting in larger crowds year after year. The enormous growth of trade shows in general, advanced the need for the construction of massive arena sized halls in the heart of the Las Vegas strip. For SEMA, this allowed for hundreds more exhibitors to display vehicles and products and thousands more auto enthusiasts to enjoy the show.

Off-roading and Overlanding at SEMA 

The overlanding and off-roading communities have swiftly come into the spotlight within the United States and are gaining considerable attention in the automotive market. This is clearly evident within the halls of SEMA, as the space committed to this type of vehicle has grown tremendously. With the explosion of remote travel and exploration, businesses have used their own outdoor experiences to develop new products and solutions that enhance the experience for all. The SEMA show provides the opportunity for small and newer businesses to not only be discovered, but to expand their network and introduce helpful and innovative products to the market.

REIKA Vehicle Solutions 

This year, REIKA Vehicle Solutions was able to display in the exhibitors hall, showcasing our newly established CUV wheel and lift kit line. SEMA was the perfect place to connect with existing customers and establish new relationships with future customers. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people and developing new relationships, as well as bringing awareness of our brand to the marketplace. In the midst of this ever growing off-road and overlanding community, we couldn’t be more excited to provide unique solutions for vehicles that are not always targeted in this market.

Event Highlights 

Roaming around SEMA, we had the chance to discover some of the brands that support the off-road and overlanding communities. The newly constructed West Hall held many companies and brands associated with the community. The ever-popular Overland Expo was in attendance at the back of the hall in the Overland Experience. Here, owners displayed their rigs and conversed with showgoers about the planning and effort that went into building their rigs, providing advice to those who inquired.  Overland Expo also hosted education sessions ⁠with industry experts who discussed market trends, responsible recreation, protecting public land for OHV use, and much more.

Onward 

We had a blast this year at the 2021 SEMA Show. REIKA Vehicle Solutions will be looking forward to attending for many years to come giving us the opportunity to connect with a great group of travelers, hobbyists and fellow auto enthusiasts. We are committed to the overlanding community and promise to provide the highest quality product and customer service to our partners and customers alike. We hope you enjoyed the show and can’t wait to see you all next year. Until then, go out and explore!

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Overland Expo: Exploring the Nature of Off-roading

Overland Expo: Exploring the Nature of Off-roading

What is overlanding?

The term “overlanding” is a combination of remote travel, off-roading and camping, relying heavily on self-sufficiency and can be traced as far back to the Australian Outback, when farmers moved their cattle across long distances as the seasons changed. In more recent years, however, overland travel has evolved with modern technology and has grown in popularity in the United States with people wanting to take a break from the constant goings of our everyday lives, to challenge themselves away from the noise and most importantly, to venture out and explore. With this in mind, Co-founders Roseann and Jonathan Hanson struck up a wonderful idea to bring both new and experienced overlanders together in one place. Thus was born the Overland Expo.

What is Overland Expo?

Overland Expo is North America’s largest professional trade show for overlanders and travel enthusiasts. The expo introduces innovative equipment for the camping life and vehicles and offers classes taught by experienced travelers from around the world. Co-founded in Prescott, Arizona in 2009 by ecologist and writer Roseann Hanson, her husband and journalist, Jonathan Hanson, among a few others, with the purpose of inspiring people to explore and giving them expert instructions in driving and riding. As the popularity in overland travel has increased over the last decade, the attendee list has grown exponentially. Sold to Lodestone in 2018; a professional event production company, Roseann and Jonathan are still heavily involved with the event and are still inspiring others every day to go out and explore the beauty of the earth.

The Purpose

To Inspire people to explore, to give expert instructions in driving and riding and to bring all overlanders from around the world to one place to learn skills, gain knowledge of off-roading and overlanding, travel advice, as well as being a place to purchase equipment, all while discovering new ways and ideas to enhance your overlanding experience. With many classes available at the Overland Expo, you can expect to learn a few things by taking a few minutes to stop and listen. The classes, demonstrations, roundtable discussions and conversations to be had, can be very helpful not only for your safety, but offer extensive know-hows and to-do’s that will be beneficial going forward and ensures your knowledge of safety and survival on your journey.

Attendees

Thousands of visitors from all around the world visit each of the three locations held by Overland Expo each year. Originally starting off in Arizona, the event has now expanded to Colorado and as far east as Arrington, Virginia, covering the span of the United States. The event sees an influx of overlanders, from novice to expert level, during the run time of the expo. Travel advice, skill training, instruction, entertainment and much more are all offered at the expo. With a combined total 57,000 attendees between all three shows, you can understand how popular this lifestyle has become and without a doubt, will continue to grow.

Vendors

Hundreds of vendors set up shop at each location. Companies selling wheels, tires, rooftop tents, compact generators, clothing, lights, accessories, swing-out racks, roof racks, winches, food storage solutions, gadgets and a ton more, are ready to outfit your journey with their products. It’s likely that if you come here with a problem or an idea, that  you’ll leave with knowledge and a solution. Adventure and expertise lies within any of the booths you’re walking past during your visit.

Builds and Rigs

The diversity of builds at the show varies from person to person. Some people sell their houses, hit the road, invest in expensive rigs and travel the land for years, while others may be satisfied camping in the back of their vehicles for a weekend. From one million dollar rigs to simple tents and blankets, we’ve learned that there is no wrong way to be a part of the overlanding movement. The journey becomes what you experience in your travels, whether you have a destination in mind or not. The overlanding expo is a great place to meet and make new friends, plan future adventures, discover incredible ideas and to learn from one another.

Camping

Another captivating attraction about the Overland Expo, is the ability to set up camp alongside hundreds of fellow overlanders for the entire span of the event. A great opportunity to make and meet new friends from around the globe, you’re able to enjoy and create new experiences with one another. From a price range of $160-$190 a person, you can reserve your space with a vehicle or trailer from Thursday through Sunday and enjoy all the general activities the event has to offer (demos, evening films, slideshows, roundtables).

Entertainment

Entertainment at the Expo comes in many forms. Ride alongs, training courses, skill based learning, contests, giveaways, evening film festival shows and much more are offered for anyone willing to sign up. If you ever find yourself in need of relaxation time, you can enjoy some live music, have a few drinks and grab something to eat at the Oasis bar and lounge.

Event Statistics

The event statistics show an increase in not only attendees over the years, but also in vendors, presenters and media outlets. The event had attendees present from Brazil, Japan, Chile and Portugal this year. Overland Expo West, being the original, sees the most people, in all aspects of the shows. With 28,000+ attendees this year, it beats out MTN West at 17,000+ attendees and doubles the attendance of East who had about 14,000+ attendees. The media outlets, exhibitor list, presenters and number of classes follow suit as far as attendance goes. Each show is set up with a great layout and you wouldn’t be missing out if you chose to attend any of the 1 of the 3 in the line-up.

Our Journey

The REIKA team was able to join the many vendors who participated in each of the three Expo shows this year. We met new friends and caught up with old ones, all while learning much more about the overlanding experience. Our goal is to provide safe, lightweight and durable wheels and lift kits that will enhance your vehicle for any of your adventures for years to come. We are committed to providing both product and knowledge to the overlanding community and look forward to growing our relationship. We thank you all for stopping by our booth and being a part of our experience. Hope to see you all at next year’s Overland Expo!

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 Overland Expo: Why We Roam