With Fox suspension, Agile Offroad steering upgrades, and a full suite of Leitner Designs accessories, this Magic Mushroom-colored Grenadier Trialmaster proves the capable British SUV is ready to go wherever adventure leads — and look good doing it.
From Workshop to Trail: Leitner Designs’ Custom Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster Overland Build
When Bernhard Leitner, founder of Leitner Designs, decided to build a 2024 Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster, the goal wasn’t simply to create another capable 4x4.
He wanted to showcase the versatility of his company’s products while putting the rugged British SUV through its paces in real-world conditions.
Over three months, with help from LGE-CTS Motorsports, Leitner transformed the already capable Grenadier into a thoughtfully equipped overland build that’s equally comfortable exploring the Mojave Desert or tackling everyday driving duties.
The Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster: A Modern Classic With Old-School DNA
Although relatively new to the market, the Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster draws heavily from the heritage of classic utilitarian 4x4s.
While it’s assembled in Hambach, France, the vehicle was conceived and engineered by a British team, with Ineos Automotive headquartered in London.
Under the hood sits BMW’s highly regarded 3.0-liter B58 turbocharged inline-six, an engine known for its smooth power delivery and proven reliability.
Paired with the equally respected ZF 8HP50 eight-speed automatic transmission, the drivetrain feels just as comfortable cruising the freeway as it does crawling through technical terrain.
Fox Suspension and Agile Offroad Steering: Solving the Grenadier’s Biggest Quirks
Suspension is the backbone of any overland build, and this Grenadier is no exception. Outfitted with Fox Performance Elite Series 2.5 adjustable shocks and an Eibach 2.5-inch lift kit, the vehicle gains the articulation and ground clearance needed for rocky trails, deep sand, and uneven washouts while maintaining excellent ride quality on the road.
The biggest transformation, however, comes from the steering. From the factory, the Grenadier has an unusual steering characteristic caused by limited caster in the front suspension.
Unlike most vehicles, the steering wheel doesn’t naturally return to center after completing a turn, requiring the driver to manually straighten the wheel. It’s one of the most commonly discussed quirks among Grenadier owners.
Leitner addressed the issue with a Fox ATS Direct Fit Steering Stabilizer from Agile Offroad. The Fox Adjustable Through Shaft (ATS) stabilizer controls steering forces in both directions without requiring dual opposing stabilizers.
The result is steering that naturally returns to center after a turn is completed. The improvement was immediately noticeable when the OVR team took the Grenadier out for a weekend test. Steering felt lighter, more predictable, and significantly more confidence inspiring than the factory setup.
Trail Testing the Grenadier Overland Build: Alabama Hills, California
To see how the Magic Mushroom-colored Grenadier performed away from pavement, the OVR team headed to California’s iconic Alabama Hills. The uniquely named factory paint perfectly complements the truck’s rugged personality, but it was the driving experience that truly impressed us.
From the first mile of dirt road, it was clear that Leitner’s carefully selected upgrades transformed the Grenadier.
The Agile Offroad steering stabilizer, in particular, eliminated the truck’s most notorious handling quirk and made driving feel natural and intuitive.
Washboard roads were dispatched with confidence, while rocky sections highlighted the capability of the Fox suspension. The Grenadier remained composed, comfortable, and remarkably stable, inspiring confidence as the terrain became increasingly technical.
Camp life proved just as enjoyable. A Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO rooftop tent provided a comfortable place to sleep, while the Alu-Cab 270° Shadow Awning created welcome shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Combined with Leitner Designs’ integrated storage solutions, every piece of gear had a secure home and remained easy to access throughout the trip.
Baja Designs Lighting and Leitner Designs Accessories: Built for Function
Lighting is one of the Grenadier’s standout features. Up front, a pair of Baja Designs LP6 lights turn night into day, while a rear-mounted Baja Designs S2 dust light improves visibility for vehicles following behind on dusty trails.
The lights are mounted using a collection of Leitner Designs brackets that were developed specifically around this vehicle during the build process.
Alongside the lighting upgrades are Leitner’s roof-mounted load bars, Side Kick accessory panels, and spare tire relocation bracket.
Every Leitner Designs component exists to solve a real-world problem.
Take the spare tire relocation bracket, for example. Fitting a larger spare often blocks rear door operation, interferes with the rear wiper, and obstructs the backup camera.
Leitner’s bolt-on solution moves the tire 1.75 inches upward, outward, and slightly to the passenger side, restoring full functionality while allowing tires up to 37 inches in diameter.
Together, these Leitner Designs Grenadier accessories form a cohesive system rather than a collection of individual upgrades, maximizing storage, accessibility, and functionality for overland travel.
Wheels, Tires, and Tire Management: Trail-Ready From the Ground Up
To match the upgraded suspension, Leitner selected Agile Off Road Overlander XT wheels measuring 17x8 inches with a +32 mm offset.
Wrapped in Firestone Destination M/T2 tires sized 295/70R17, the combination delivers excellent traction across rocks, sand, and loose terrain while maintaining confident road manners.
The wheels also feature Apex Designs Rapid Precision Valves, allowing tires to be aired down in seconds before hitting the trail and quickly reinflated afterward. It’s a simple but effective upgrade that saves time every time the pavement ends.
Inside the Build: Safari Windows, Dometic Fridge, and ARB Air Compressor
Inside, the Grenadier balances utility with comfort.
One of its most distinctive factory features is the pair of Safari windows positioned above the driver and front passenger.
These removable roof panels flood the cabin with natural light and can be opened—or removed entirely—for a true open-air safari feel.
It’s a thoughtful nod to classic expedition vehicles and one of our favorite features of the Grenadier.
Behind the front seats sits an ARB single air compressor, making tire inflation after a day on the trail quick and convenient.
A Dometic CFX3 35 portable refrigerator occupies the rear cargo area, ensuring cold drinks and fresh food are always within reach.
Together, these additions make extended trips significantly more comfortable without adding unnecessary complexity.
Like the rest of the build, the interior reflects Leitner’s philosophy of purposeful simplicity, adding capability without unnecessary clutter.
Building for a New Platform: Aftermarket Challenges and Custom Solutions
Every custom vehicle presents unique challenges, and the Grenadier was no exception.
“Finding parts for a vehicle that’s less than a year old was the biggest hurdle,” Bernhard Leitner explains.
With the Grenadier still relatively new to the market, aftermarket support continues to evolve. Rather than viewing that as a limitation, Leitner saw it as an opportunity to develop innovative products specifically for the platform, many of which are now available to other Grenadier owners.
Daily Driver and Overland Rig: Built to Do Both
Despite its expedition-ready appearance, this Grenadier isn’t reserved for weekends.
Leitner drives it every day, whether commuting to Leitner Designs’ headquarters in Corona, California, or heading into Johnson Valley to test new products.
The vehicle serves as both a development platform and a rolling showcase for the company’s growing lineup of Grenadier accessories.
Final Verdict: A Thoughtfully Engineered Ineos Grenadier Overland Build
Bernhard Leitner’s Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster successfully blends old-school overlanding philosophy with modern engineering.
From its BMW powertrain and British heritage to its carefully engineered Leitner accessories, every upgrade serves a purpose.
After spending a weekend exploring California’s Alabama Hills, we came away impressed not only by the Grenadier’s capability, but by how seamlessly the entire package works together.
It performs just as comfortably as a weekday commuter as it does a backcountry expedition vehicle, making it an outstanding example of a thoughtfully executed modern overland build.
| Vehicle Specs | Bernhard Leitner’s Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster |
|---|---|
| Base Vehicle | 2024 Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster |
| Engine | BMW B58 3.0L I6 |
| Transmission | ZF 8HP50 8-speed automatic |
| Suspension | Fox Performance Elite Series 2.5 adjustable shocks with Eibach 2.5” lift |
| Steering | Fox ATS Direct Fit Steering Stabilizer by Agile Offroad |
| Wheels & Tires | Agile Offroad Overlander XT (17x8, +32 offset); Firestone Destination M/T2 (295/70R17) |
| Armor & Racks | Leitner Designs Load Bars, Leitner Side Kick Accessory Panels, Leitner Spare Tire Relocation Bracket |
| Lighting | Leitner Front Bumper Light Mount, Leitner Scene Light Brackets, Leitner Dust Light Brackets, Baja Designs LP6, Baja Designs S2 |
| Recovery | ARB Single Air Compressor |
| Upgrades & Accessories | Dometic CX3 35 fridge, Roofnest Falcon 3 EVO roof-top tent, Alu-Cab 270° Shadow Awning, Apex Designs Rapid Precision Valve, Redarc Trailer Brake Controller, Maxtrax Lite, custom-painted jerry cans |
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This article originally appeared in OVR Issue 13. For more informative articles like this, consider subscribing to OVR Magazine in print or digital versions here. You can also find the print edition of OVR at your local newsstand by using our Magazine Finder.
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