In a world where everyone seems to be racing toward a promotion or a bigger house, Matthew Yeomans and Stacey Tourout decided to drive in the opposite direction. You might know them better as Matt and Stacey Toyota World Runners, the adventurous Canadian couple who turned a 1970s camper and a rugged Land Cruiser chassis into a vessel for their dreams. Their story isn't just about trucks or travel; it’s about the terrifying, beautiful decision to actually live before it's too late.
Honestly, it’s rare to find creators who feel like real friends through a screen. But for over 200,000 subscribers, that’s exactly what they were. They didn’t just post "van life" aesthetics. They posted the grit, the breakdowns, and the quiet moments in the mountains.
The Chinook: A Frankenstein of Overlanding Greatness
One of the most legendary things they ever did was build what they called the "world’s first Land Cruiser Chinook."
Think about that for a second. They took a 1976 Toyota Chinook—basically a fiberglass shell of a camper—and mated it to a 1996 FZJ80 Land Cruiser chassis. Most people would hire a professional shop and wait two years. Matt and Stacey did it in 100 days. They worked out of a shop in British Columbia, learning to weld and use CNC plasma cutters on the fly.
It wasn't just a vehicle. It was a statement. By combining the legendary off-road capability of an 80-series Land Cruiser with the (mostly) comfortable living quarters of a Chinook, they created the ultimate rig for the Pan-American Highway. They weren't interested in staying on the pavement. They wanted to go where the maps got fuzzy.
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Living the Pan-American Dream
The Pan-American Highway is the longest motorable road in the world. It stretches from Alaska all the way down to the tip of Argentina. For many, it's a "someday" goal. For Matt and Stacey, it became their backyard.
They spent years navigating through 16 different countries. They didn't just drive through; they experienced the places. In Colombia, they explored the "Coffee Axis" and camped inside a literal stratovolcano. In New Zealand, they spent 30 days building a classic Hilux just to see the island.
The highlight of their journey, at least for the romantic souls watching, happened in April 2024. While traveling through South America, set against the backdrop of the jagged Mount Fitz Roy, Matthew proposed. He didn’t have a fancy ring with him—it was back in Canada. So, he did the most "them" thing possible: he drew a ring on Stacey’s finger with a marker.
It was simple. It was authentic. It was perfectly "Matt and Stacey."
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A Community in Mourning: The Tragedy in the Purcells
The overlanding community is tight-knit, so the news that broke in August 2025 felt like a collective gut punch. On August 7, 2025, Matt and Stacey were involved in a tragic off-road accident in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia.
They were in their element, exploring the rugged terrain near Trout Lake, when their vehicle reportedly lost control on a steep slope. Search and rescue teams from Kaslo responded to the 911 call, but the terrain was incredibly difficult. One of them passed away at the scene, and the other succumbed to injuries shortly after at the hospital.
It’s the kind of news you don’t want to believe. You expect them to post another video next Thursday, laughing about a flat tire or showing off a new campsite. Instead, the community was left with a silence that spoke volumes about the impact they had.
Why Their Legacy Still Matters
People often ask why anyone would take the risks they took. Why drive old trucks into remote mountains?
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Basically, Matt and Stacey believed that the risk of not living was far greater than the risk of the road. Their YouTube channel, Toyota World Runners, remains a testament to that philosophy. They weren't trying to be "influencers" in the corporate sense. They were seekers.
If you look at their videos now, you’ll see thousands of comments from people who started their own projects or took their first camping trip because of them. They showed that you don’t need a million dollars to see the world; you just need a wrench, a reliable Toyota, and someone you love by your side.
How to Honor the Spirit of Toyota World Runners
If you’ve been inspired by their journey, the best way to keep their memory alive isn't just by watching their old videos. It’s by adopting a bit of their mindset.
- Build something with your hands. You don't have to build a Land Cruiser Chinook. Maybe it's just a shelf for your garage or a simple bed platform for your SUV. There is power in creating.
- Support the SAR community. Search and Rescue teams, like the one in Kaslo, are often made up of volunteers who risk their lives for others. Consider donating to your local SAR group.
- Don't wait for "one day." This was the core of their message. If there is a trip you've been planning or a life change you've been scared to make, start today.
- Prioritize safety. Even the most experienced explorers can face unpredictable situations. Always carry an emergency satellite communicator (like a Garmin inReach) and never skip on the safety gear, even when you're "just" off-roading.
Matt and Stacey lived more in their few years of travel than most people do in eighty years of sitting still. They proved that a legacy isn't built on what you own, but on the people you inspire and the way you choose to see the world. They were, and always will be, the heart and soul of the Toyota World Runners community.
Next Steps:
If you want to support the legacy of Matt and Stacey, consider visiting the official Toyota World Runners YouTube channel to see their build process or donating to BC Search and Rescue to help the teams that assist explorers in the backcountry.