2020 GX460 Build Recommendations (1 Viewer)

[citadel1n0]

New to the forum and wanted to throw my ideas to the crowd and get some feedback. I've had my 2020 GX460 Premium since Dec 2023 and am looking at making some upgrades. I plan to install a Victory 4x4 Blitz front bumper with winch and their rear Strike bumper and move spare tire onto the swing-out. I'm rocking the stock 18" wheels and planned to keep those rims but upgrade to a wildpeak AT wheel or something similar.

With all that extra weight, I figure I need to improve the suspension but wasn't sure the best route to go. It's a daily driver (I don't care about mpg lol) but I do overlanding and want it to be offroad capable/comfortable still. No rock crawling. Wife is short so don't really need a lift but I'd be happy with 1.5" or so if needed.

 

[FishWithChris]

I'd suggest reaching out to Brennan at Apache Offroad - he sells a variety as well as their own brand, and is all very highly regarded. Dobinson IMS, Apache AX2, Eibach Pro 2, etc...

Otherwise, consider medium (step above stock) rate springs since you're adding a couple hundred pounds of metal; especially if you add in skid plates and sliders beyond those bumpers.

Expect your MPG to drop by 2 - 4 mpg.

A ton of threads here, do some casual reading and you'll find some great options out here.

 

[r2m]

New to the forum and wanted to throw my ideas to the crowd and get some feedback. I've had my 2020 GX460 Premium since Dec 2023 and am looking at making some upgrades. I plan to install a Victory 4x4 Blitz front bumper with winch and their rear Strike bumper and move spare tire onto the swing-out. I'm rocking the stock 18" wheels and planned to keep those rims but upgrade to a wildpeak AT wheel or something similar.

With all that extra weight, I figure I need to improve the suspension but wasn't sure the best route to go. It's a daily driver (I don't care about mpg lol) but I do overlanding and want it to be offroad capable/comfortable still. No rock crawling. Wife is short so don't really need a lift but I'd be happy with 1.5" or so if needed.

You're off to a great start, but the very next thing I'd highly suggest is rock sliders and skid plates. Get some under carriage protection for your fuel tank, oil pans and trans. Trust me, very important.
Regarding suspension, you'll find that if you get the right suspension lift for the weight you have added and PLAN on adding, your ride should be better than stock. Many folks on this forum will confirm that a good aftermarket suspension lift tuned to whatever weight has been added, e.g. bumpers, sliders, camping/overland gear, fridge, recovery gear, etc.
Again, if you do it right, you'll wind up with a better ride than stock.
Here are a few links that you may want to look over for ideas:

1. Ultimate Trail Tool Kit (carry on for off road)
2. Guide to GX 460 Builds and Aftermarket Products
3. GX 460 Manuals
4. 460-Add Crawl Control (CC) and Multi Terrain Select (MTS) to 2010-2019 models/all trims

These links can also be found on the main forum page.
Have fun!

 

[citadel1n0]

You're off to a great start, but the very next thing I'd highly suggest is rock sliders and skid plates. Get some under carriage protection for your fuel tank, oil pans and trans. Trust me, very important.
Regarding suspension, you'll find that if you get the right suspension lift for the weight you have added and PLAN on adding, your ride should be better than stock. Many folks on this forum will confirm that a good aftermarket suspension lift tuned to whatever weight has been added, e.g. bumpers, sliders, camping/overland gear, fridge, recovery gear, etc.
Again, if you do it right, you'll wind up with a better ride than stock.
Here are a few links that you may want to look over for ideas:

1. Ultimate Trail Tool Kit (carry on for off road)
2. Guide to GX 460 Builds and Aftermarket Products
3. GX 460 Manuals
4. 460-Add Crawl Control (CC) and Multi Terrain Select (MTS) to 2010-2019 models/all trims

These links can also be found on the main forum page.
Have fun!

Forgot to mention the skids! I’ll probably go with Victory or RCI for those. Victory provides a decent military discount, which I always appreciate. Might hold off on sliders for now just to parse the cost out over time but I’ll get to them eventually. A buddy is recommending spacers and shocks for now instead of a full on suspension but we haven’t fully worked out the plan. I’ll browse the forum more!

 

[llm]

Forgot to mention the skids! I’ll probably go with Victory or RCI for those. Victory provides a decent military discount, which I always appreciate. Might hold off on sliders for now just to parse the cost out over time but I’ll get to them eventually. A buddy is recommending spacers and shocks for now instead of a full on suspension but we haven’t fully worked out the plan. I’ll browse the forum more!

I ran full skids and sliders for 3 years before finally upgrading the suspension. if you dont mind the stock look, it's deceptively capable with bumper cuts. you'll obviously lose clearance with all that weight.

 

[r2m]

Forgot to mention the skids! I’ll probably go with Victory or RCI for those. Victory provides a decent military discount, which I always appreciate. Might hold off on sliders for now just to parse the cost out over time but I’ll get to them eventually. A buddy is recommending spacers and shocks for now instead of a full on suspension but we haven’t fully worked out the plan. I’ll browse the forum more!

Many on here believe in the "buy once, cry once", meaning, just get the right suspension straight off, and avoid the spacers, even if it takes you an extra several months for the extra cash. The spacers are cheap enough, but why buy shocks twice, once for the cheapo spacers and for the proper lift with springs, UCA, etc.?

 

[Hiluxforever]

Do the suspension when you do the bumpers and armor.

Don't get stiff springs until you have the extra weight.

I haven't seen a lot of Victory stuff but the stuff I have seen was pretty m'eh. Was on a hundred series. The GX stuff might be different.

 

[Washingtontaco]

I prefer to purchase my armor bare and have it locally powder coated. This provides you a consistant color palette. When I purchased my Victory Strike bumper it was bare. I always inspect the workmanship, fit and fabrication of armor. I rejected the first bumper they sent, sent them detailed pictures and videos. They sent out a new bumper. I was very pleased with customer service, even though I had to wait another 5 weeks.

If you don't know your final weight I would install all of your armor, load it up with water, food, beer, camping gear, family and dog if applicable. Go to CAT scale and weigh the truck. From there work with a manufacture that will valve your schocks for your weight and springs to be installed. My current GX is the first truck I built doing this and it still has a Lexus ride with outstanding offroad ride, handling and load carrying capacity. Not many manufactures will work with you in that detail and most will down right blow you off. Keep walking until you find the manufacture that will work with you. A one size fits all is not one size that works well.

Remeber when building or loading a vehicle try to place the heaviest items between the front and rear axles, lighter items aft of the rear axle. This will help provide better handling.

 

[Littlehouse]

Do the suspension when you do the bumpers and armor.

Don't get stiff springs until you have the extra weight.

I haven't seen a lot of Victory stuff but the stuff I have seen was pretty m'eh. Was on a hundred series. The GX stuff might be different.

This is the route I’m going. Keep track of the added weight over stock after adding armor so you can get the correct springs for the lift.

Current
255/70/18 BFG KO2s>JW Offroad tire carrier>Roof rack>Removed 3rd row, Added 3rd row platform>Bumper trim>Added RCI engine, transmission, t-case, gas tank, and catalytic converter skids
Future
Sliders>Victory blitz bumper>Suspension

 

[citadel1n0]

I prefer to purchase my armor bare and have it locally powder coated. This provides you a consistant color palette. When I purchased my Victory Strike bumper it was bare. I always inspect the workmanship, fit and fabrication of armor. I rejected the first bumper they sent, sent them detailed pictures and videos. They sent out a new bumper. I was very pleased with customer service, even though I had to wait another 5 weeks.

If you don't know your final weight I would install all of your armor, load it up with water, food, beer, camping gear, family and dog if applicable. Go to CAT scale and weigh the truck. From there work with a manufacture that will valve your schocks for your weight and springs to be installed. My current GX is the first truck I built doing this and it still has a Lexus ride with outstanding offroad ride, handling and load carrying capacity. Not many manufactures will work with you in that detail and most will down right blow you off. Keep walking until you find the manufacture that will work with you. A one size fits all is not one size that works well.

Remeber when building or loading a vehicle try to place the heaviest items between the front and rear axles, lighter items aft of the rear axle. This will help provide better handling.

Great advice, thank you!