2015 GX Premium - time for a lift!

[BonedaleGX]

Just bought a 2015 GX460 and it's time to get it trail ready for the summer... will be my first lift so I'm going to ask a bunch of basic questions:

First - how I plan to use the truck:

• Plan to use the truck in western colorado (pearl pass, etc) and some moab (white rim, etc)
• I probably will do 5-7k on-road miles / year
• Plan to eventually do a steel front and rear bumper, and a rooftop tent

Anyone have good articles, youtube videos, or input on my dumb questions?

• How do you determine the biggest tire size you can run without needing to re-gear?
• Does wheel size matter much other than aesthetic?
• Should I go for a 2.5" or 2.5" lift?
• What is the benefit of a different lift front and back?
• Will I save much money buying parts separately for the lift vs a lift kit?
• What is the best lift kit you can buy for the 460? Whats the best value?
• What is the difference in stage?

 

[r2m]

Congrats! And welcome to the all things GX!
You have purchased one of the best AND most comfortable off road capable vehicles available.
I can assure you will get many years of enjoyment out of it.
So to answer some of your questions, I have to put out a disclaimer to all the good folks who post here on MUD, because I am repeating myself again with something I encourage newcomers to always do:
Decide upon what you want plan on doing with your rig! You've already articulated this to some extent in the front of your thread.
Next, develop a build plan. Don't just go purchasing a bunch of stuff on sale all willy-nilly.
Here is a general outline of a build plan to be configured to your likes, dislikes, time and budget.

1. Generally start out with tires. You can usually fit most any size tire except 35" on a stock GX. If they are on the larger size, say 33" or larger, just be real careful on bumps and turns and plan on a suspension lift sooner than later.
2. Then do the suspension. This is where the planning comes in. Do you want steel bumpers front and rear with full under carriage and sliders? Or just minimal armor. Roof top tent? Overland style? Rock crawling? Family hauler?? How you want to build your rig and tire size, will depend upon how high and what spring rates to get for your rig. Think this over carefully.
3. Now think about what kind and how much armor you want. Do you want a winch and rear tire mount? Rock sliders? The minimum I ever suggest to anyone unless they never go off road is at least under carriage sliders to protect your fuel tank, trans and oil pans, and "real" rock sliders, not thin walled tube steps.
4. Now that the basics are out of the way, the fun stuff, e.g. lights, roof top tents, HAM radio, and the budget, er... list goes on...

My last wee bit of advice, and again my apologies to all my MUD friends who have heard me repeat this, get yourself a cup of your favorite beverage (adult beverage if need be...) sit in your "Dad's" chair and take some time reading the sticky posts at the very top of the forum, e.g.
Guide to GX 460 Builds and Aftermarket Products Most the vendors we all use are here.
460-Add Crawl Control (CC) and Multi Terrain Select (MTS) to 2010-2019 models/all trims (a great thread if you don't plan on lockers and and want better trail control)
GX 460 Manuals A must before asking questions.
Ultimate Tool Kit (carry on for off road) And finally, when you think you have your rig all built out, here's the nickel and dime list of some things that you should carry with you.

 

[BonedaleGX]

Sweet! hadn't seen that MTS thread. That will for sure be something to look at.

Best way to describe how I'll use it is overlanding on some rough colorado mountain passes. Want to get the GX ready for this drive:

I'm going to want proper rock sliders, skid plates, steel bumpers on both ends with a full size spare. Also going to put a rooftop tent on. I am definitely going to need a suspension lift, so figured I'd start there then pick tires. I'd rather not have to re-gear, so am thinking something on the larger side that doesn't require re-gearing.

Am I thinking about this the right way?

 

[Bang Bang]

I’m running 275/70R18 (33”) Toyo Open Country MT’s with a Dobinson’s 2” lift and don’t feel the need for a regear. I felt a lot of lag in the pedal and added a throttle controller which has really brought it alive. I towed a small utility trailer with my RTT mounted on it about 4 hours and had no issues. You will get both yes and no opinions on the regear. I don’t anticipate moving to 35’s but if I do I will likely regear then but also do lockers while I’m in there. But I’ll only do all that when I’m ready to beat on it like a rented mule.

 

[re_guderian]

Sweet! hadn't seen that MTS thread. That will for sure be something to look at.

Best way to describe how I'll use it is overlanding on some rough colorado mountain passes. Want to get the GX ready for this drive:

I'm going to want proper rock sliders, skid plates, steel bumpers on both ends with a full size spare. Also going to put a rooftop tent on. I am definitely going to need a suspension lift, so figured I'd start there then pick tires. I'd rather not have to re-gear, so am thinking something on the larger side that doesn't require re-gearing.

Am I thinking about this the right way?

How unlimited is your budget for this build wish-list?. Your list is already minimum $12k, and goes up from there.

 

[BonedaleGX]

Yes.... not going to be cheap, but would rather do it right the first time. May run out of budget and leave out the roof rack / rtt for the initial build... we shall see.

Seems like I need to make up my mind on 35s and a regear, or 33s. Will talk to some friends in the area to get opinions on that

 

[re_guderian]

Yes.... not going to be cheap, but would rather do it right the first time. May run out of budget and leave out the roof rack / rtt for the initial build... we shall see.

Seems like I need to make up my mind on 35s and a regear, or 33s. Will talk to some friends in the area to get opinions on that

34's and a pedal commander... How many nights per year will you actually sleep in that roof top tent? Worth the day-in, day-out hit to your MPG? First tires, and lift. Then skids and sliders for protection. Then bumpers if needed. Roof rack and RTT only if you go out enough to justify it. Like, a lot...

 

[BonedaleGX]

34's and a pedal commander... How many nights per year will you actually sleep in that roof top tent? Worth the day-in, day-out hit to your MPG? First tires, and lift. Then skids and sliders for protection. Then bumpers if needed. Roof rack and RTT only if you go out enough to justify it. Like, a lot...

I like the way you think. Think this is what I'll go for.

 

[Banandalorian]

1. Generally start out with tires. You can usually fit most any size tire except 35" on a stock GX. If they are on the larger size, say 33" or larger, just be real careful on bumps and turns and plan on a suspension lift sooner than later.
2. Then do the suspension. This is where the planning comes in. Do you want steel bumpers front and rear with full under carriage and sliders? Or just minimal armor. Roof top tent? Overland style? Rock crawling? Family hauler?? How you want to build your rig and tire size, will depend upon how high and what spring rates to get for your rig. Think this over carefully.
3. Now think about what kind and how much armor you want. Do you want a winch and rear tire mount? Rock sliders? The minimum I ever suggest to anyone unless they never go off road is at least under carriage sliders to protect your fuel tank, trans and oil pans, and "real" rock sliders, not thin walled tube steps.
4. Now that the basics are out of the way, the fun stuff, e.g. lights, roof top tents, HAM radio, and the budget, er... list goes on...

This sums everything up quite well. But consider how much time you may have between these steps. Are you going to build your truck up over a couple of years, or are you ordering 800 pounds of steel bumpers, armor, and roof tents today? I know several people who bought lifts with heavy duty springs because they're "going to" add bumpers and all that stuff. They've been riding in hilariously uncomfortable trucks for a few years because reality means you may not just be able to drop 5 grand on your truck on a whim.

 

[Bang Bang]

I like the way you think. Think this is what I'll go for.

If you're gonna do a throttle controller and want something less expensive and MUCH smaller than the Pedal Commander, give MidAtlantic Off-Road a shot. I installed one on my 2013 based on another MUD member's comments and it has worked great so far. Super easy install.

Thrashed Off-Road

Thrashed Off-Road

midatlanticoffroading.com

 

[vegasfj40]

Not sure how you are planning your build, but if you are going with larger than 32 inch tires you will need a way to carry a matching spare. The largest diameter that will fit in the stock location is about 32 inch or less. The spare has to match the other tires in diameter. If you plan on buying tires before a bumper then plan on getting a hitch mounted spare carrier.