2018 Lexus GX460: Project Introduction

Hooniverse has housed stories about a find couple of of my vehicular doings more than the years. It started off with the Challenger, then the VehiCROSS, MR2, WRX, a 4Runner, Corvette, a further 4Runner, a Miata, and a 3rd 4Runner. Now it’s time to introduce my most modern build, a 2018 Lexus GX460. We discuss it on a regular basis on The Off the Street Again Podcast and as of this submitting its internet pixel-print house is correct right here on Hooniverse.

Backstory time

Fall, 2020. I was approaching eighteen months of every day driving a 2013 Miata and was completely ready to supplement it with a 4×4. My podcast co-host Chris marketed me his 4Runner, then appear summer season 2021 I offered the pair to pursue my existence-extended aspiration of possessing a 2-doorway, guide transmission Jeep Wrangler. Just after shopping for a JK from a fellow journalist and transport it cross-state, existence strike me quick: Before long following it arrived, my spouse and I found out that our very first little one was on its way. Passenger safety now paramount, the Jeep experienced to go.

Armed with a new motive, I seemed to my comfort zone. The pursuit of a different 5th gen 4Runner led to its system-mate, the Lexus GX460. Irregular marketplace circumstances meant that my spending plan permitted for a more recent GX460 with much less miles than what a comparably-priced 4Runner available. Intrigued, I remembered the Lexus has a V8, tows extra than the T4R, and brings something new and different to my garage. Some thing with a novelty aspect, not just a different recognized entity. A examination-push confirmed my suspicions. I was marketed.

Close friend of Hooniverse and Off the Road All over again Matt Farah often encourages obtaining the best setting up level you can. Which is accurately what I did, with a CPO 2018 GX460. It was very well cared for by its authentic proprietor and the odometer confirmed just above 27,500 miles when I brought it home. A creampuff of all over-town cars, its only concerns were being clear signs of generate-by way of automobile wash mistreatment and slight surface area rust on the frame wherever all Northeast Toyota 4x4s have a tendency to have it. Even so, this was the nicest vehicle I had ever owned by a state mile.

Introducing 4-wheeling goodies

But the sort of off-roading I really like demands far better equipment than the stock GX features. This is primarily so in the tire, suspension, and method angle departments. Exploration led to a number of providers setting up sections for the 460, albeit nowhere in the vicinity of as many as the 4Runner, permit by yourself the Wrangler. An opportunity turned very clear: Support lead the trek into the globe of modifying the Lexus GX460 when developing my aspiration do-it-all 4×4 (at least, one that isn’t sporting a Land Cruiser badge). The strategy would be a “triple-obligation establish,” targeting off-highway and towing functionality whilst maintaining day-to-day-driver compliance.

A couple of off-street powersports outlets that I was producing for at the time of invest in welcomed the GX job with open arms. Then a slew of partners jumped on board, all of which built this develop doable. Toyo sent in excess of a set of Open Region A/T III tires. Warn provided a VR Evo 12-S winch. Motegi, by way of Wheelpros, contributed Trailite wheels. Lightforce stepped up with a set of Genesis LED lights. Midland United states’s Zak guested on my podcast and mailed about an MXT500 GMRS for assessment. In the meantime, Ironman 4×4 discounted a front bumper and Foam Cell Pro suspension to a palatable price. The Custom made Store established to operate and brought it all with each other in killer fashion.

I extra a number of other parts to the GX along the way. This included an assortment of good quality-of-everyday living upgrades: Maxpider Kagu ground mats, a Ram dashboard cellphone mount, rear door-mounted JW spare tire carrier, Kaon tailgate desk, LED reverse lights, and a couple other merchandise I’m inevitably forgetting. Pelican desired me to take a look at a cargo box which now life in the trunk and incorporates restoration and fix equipment. The OEM trailer hitch remains unavailable, so I grabbed a Curt Class 3 device in the interim. Most not too long ago, I put in the Nextbase sprint cam that Hoon-In-Main Jeff Glucker kindly delivered me a couple of months again.

As with any project, there is a extended way to go right before it reaches its final variety. For now, it’s a good start off. It drives superbly thinking of the extent of the updates, remains risk-free and comfortable, retains the Lexus dependability, previously off-roadways extremely perfectly, and can tow when wanted. It does dad duty with ease, way too. I’m energized to share the GX challenge with this website’s visitors and the listeners of my podcast, as effectively as those people on the discussion boards which I recurrent. Continue to be tuned to Hooniverse and Off the Highway Once again for long run updates.