Finally, she is here... (1 Viewer)

[voland]

22 GX Premium. Came in late last week. Its my first and likely last brand new car.

I'm thinking to drive it for about a year with no mods, just to get the feel for it. After that, Im thinking of doing a 2" lift and upgrading the wheels and tires to something more appropriate. Ill likely take out the 3rd row seats and put in a drawer system of some sort. Probably do something about that low front bumper too. After that, I intend to drive the snot of out if for as long as I can drive...

Ill be asking a ton of questions around lift/suspension and wheel/tire sizes and rubbing... I've been reading a lot, but you know how that goes...

Anyway, Im really looking forward to being a part of this community!

 

[re_guderian]

That's pretty cool! What kind of experience do you have off roading? My advice, if money's not an object, is to not wait on the mods. After 25+ years of off roading, my GX is the first rig I've had where other life priorities weren't screaming for all my cash. I plowed money into mine (used, not new) right away, and don't regret it a bit.

 

[voland]

Honestly, not a lot. In reality, I want to build it for comfort as I am not planning on doing anything super difficult. We typically do a lot of car camping and occasionally we end up in muddy spots. Generally, its hard packed dirt trails. I've only got my old CR-V stuck once and it was during a bad rainstorm... 99% of the time, it will be on pavement and occasionally jumping the median or taking the dirt exit from the freeway when traffic is backed up(without trying to be an ahole).

 

[r2m]

Very cool!
When you're ready to start the mod's, draft out a build plan with an end game of where you want it to be when you're done.
This will help with purchasing things only once or and avoid the over spending on mod's you don't really want or need.

 

[re_guderian]

Honestly, not a lot. In reality, I want to build it for comfort as I am not planning on doing anything super difficult. We typically do a lot of car camping and occasionally we end up in muddy spots. Generally, its hard packed dirt trails. I've only got my old CR-V stuck once and it was during a bad rainstorm... 99% of the time, it will be on pavement and occasionally jumping the median or taking the dirt exit from the freeway when traffic is backed up(without trying to be an ahole).

Awesome! Sounds like some larger tires, and Mullti-Terrain Select might do it for you.

 

[jiggletits]

The off-road community is pretty oblivious to how capable stock vehicles are with just a set of good tires. I think most just want a specific look. If that's all the offroading that you plan to do, don't get caught up in all the BS modifications and save your MPGs. Get a good set of tires and a very basic recovery kit and have fun man! Replace the bumper when you rip it off on a rock...

 

[Seanzky]

I'm on the same plan as you are. My '22 GX is almost 7 months old and I feel like any moment now I'm going to start modding. I'm looking at either Dobinsons MRR or Elka 2.5 DC to start with and then keeping the stock rims and just getting 32-33" tires on it maybe. I don't think I'll really need anything beyond that, to be honest, but we all know how that goes. As long as I'll be able to do easier/simpler adventures this way, I'll be good. Until there's somewhere I need to go that my set up can't take me to, that's when I start thinking about chopping off bumpers and all that and at the same time weighing whether it's worth the expense or just getting a different truck for that kind of stuff.

Where in TX?

 

[Banandalorian]

Honestly, not a lot. In reality, I want to build it for comfort as I am not planning on doing anything super difficult. We typically do a lot of car camping and occasionally we end up in muddy spots. Generally, its hard packed dirt trails. I've only got my old CR-V stuck once and it was during a bad rainstorm... 99% of the time, it will be on pavement and occasionally jumping the median or taking the dirt exit from the freeway when traffic is backed up(without trying to be an ahole).

It sounds like you don't need to do anything if you're comparing capability to an old CRV. Throw some new wheels (or spacers) and ~32 inch tires on there and it immediately gets rid of the OEM soccer-mobile look.

 

[voland]

Very cool!
When you're ready to start the mod's, draft out a build plan with an end game of where you want it to be when you're done.
This will help with purchasing things only once or and avoid the over spending on mod's you don't really want or need.

It sounds like you don't need to do anything if you're comparing capability to an old CRV. Throw some new wheels (or spacers) and ~32 inch tires on there and it immediately gets rid of the OEM soccer-mobile look.

This might be the first thing that I do. I wonder if there is a market for the OEM wheels and tires...

 

[r2m]

I wonder if there is a market for the OEM wheels and tires...

Not likely. You may be able to sell them cheap to someone who needs tires and doesn't want to buy new ones.
Consider yourself lucky if you get $50.00/wheel & tire ($250.00 for all five)
Also, if you're going to stay with a mid-size tire, consider some of the threads that discuss the largest spare tire you can fit in the stock location.
DO not consider using/keeping your factory spare if you're going to be installing oversize tires.
Remember GX's are ALL wheel drive, ALL the time.

 

[OllieChristopher]

My recommendation is to stay as light as possible. With tires watch the weight. Oversized heavy tires, especially E rated will give a harsh ride and accelerated ball joint, hub bearing, and steering component wear.

I have never owned a 4wd and am able to take my 2wd rigs in almost as many places short of a rock crawling Jeep trail. Bone stock with proper tire placement and a set of traction pads you should be able to navigate all but the hardest trails. Less is more. Think about backpack/motorcycle light when choosing to "overland".

The trend to load these rigs down to hundreds of lbs past the GVWR is disheartening. It also makes them less capable.

 

[OllieChristopher]

The off-road community is pretty oblivious to how capable stock vehicles are with just a set of good tires. I think most just want a specific look. If that's all the offroading that you plan to do, don't get caught up in all the BS modifications and save your MPGs. Get a good set of tires and a very basic recovery kit and have fun man! Replace the bumper when you rip it off on a rock...

This is great advice. I never understood nor am able to get my head wrapped around doing modifications for a certain "look". IMHO function and reliability are the number one considerations.

 

[sedonut]

I went with a set of 4Runner take offs, new tires with rims and some extra sidewall for $400.00.

As your wheels and tires are new they should bring at least $500.00. If it were me I would wear the tires out before I swapped them. I'm cheap.

 

[Banandalorian]

My recommendation is to stay as light as possible. With tires watch the weight. Oversized heavy tires, especially E rated will give a harsh ride and accelerated ball joint, hub bearing, and steering component wear.

I have never owned a 4wd and am able to take my 2wd rigs in almost as many places short of a rock crawling Jeep trail. Bone stock with proper tire placement and a set of traction pads you should be able to navigate all but the hardest trails. Less is more. Think about backpack/motorcycle light when choosing to "overland".

The trend to load these rigs down to hundreds of lbs past the GVWR is disheartening. It also makes them less capable.

There are a lot of people who throw $20,000 of steel bumpers, roof tents, Icons, fridges, etc etc onto their trucks to drive down gravel roads to campgrounds. There are also a lot of people who think you can't drive over any rock or mud pit with less than 35s.

Modify as you see fit because built GXs are cool. But a stock GX with all terrains is shockingly capable.

 

[r2m]

There are a lot of people who throw $20,000 of steel bumpers, roof tents, Icons, fridges, etc etc onto their trucks to drive down gravel roads to campgrounds. There are also a lot of people who think you can't drive over any rock or mud pit with less than 35s.

Modify as you see fit because built GXs are cool. But a stock GX with all terrains is shockingly capable.

Good advice all, but please note there are people, myself included that drop a ton of money on our beloved "overlanders" and actually use them to go over the Mojave trail, high country, low desert, high desert cross country, snow, sand, mud, etc. We're completely self contained including potty facilities, food refrigeration, sleeping, complete set of tools and the list goes on. Very often we go where no single wheel drive 2-by could go, either because of extremely soft material, deep water, rock garden, mud or very steep. I actually use my front and rear lockers and large tires to get me where traction boards and a 2 wheel can't even think of going.
People with 2 wheel drive and stock 4x4's haven't done any "real" wheel'n when they say "... with a set of traction boards and stock tires we can go over most anything!" (I chuckle to myself....) maybe, but probably with some serious damage to your vehicles or getting yourself very stuck needing someone like me to get you out.
So to all those diss'ing built overlanders, and rigs, your rigs are great for the fire roads, graded roads, packed sand beaches and shelf roads you go on, but you'll never be seen on some of the more serious trails. Please note, I'm not talking rock crawling, because I didn't build my rig for that (although it could). I don't mind pin stripping form trail brush, but I draw the line on buckled panels. Our vehicles are just a little too expensive to be fixing dented fenders and doors.

But I do enjoy seeing EVERYONE's rigs on here! Stock, mild or wild!
So as I've said before, opinions are like belly buttons, everyone's got one! Just my .02¢ worth of ramble.

 

[jiggletits]

I go plenty of places and love my lockers. Most people don’t. Most people don’t need most of the s*** they buy. I sell built rigs and parts to these types of clowns all the time on craigslist. They at least typically admit it and say “I know I don’t need it but I love the look”.

There is always a harder obstacle, bigger rock, deeper mud pit. There is typically also always an alternate route.

My rig is built as capable as possible with MPGs and driveability in mind. I saw 17.9 on a full highway tank recently. In overlanding, fuel range is far more important than axle clearance.

 

[OllieChristopher]

People with 2 wheel drive and stock 4x4's haven't done any "real" wheel'n when they say "... with a set of traction boards and stock tires we can go over most anything!" (I chuckle to myself....) maybe, but probably with some serious damage to your vehicles or getting yourself very stuck needing someone like me to get you out.

I might also add a lot of this has to do with driver ability. Of course I won't be doing John Bull or Holcomb Creek East. I would not be doing it in a GX either. Mojave trail with the exception of up Watson Wash hill can be easily navigated in 2wd with 265/70 x 17 street tires at 15- 20psi. Knowing ones ability and when to turn around is just as important as modifications for clearance and big tires.

My point is that I'm 100% sure that these GX460's are far more capable in stock form than what the average driver realizes.

There is always a harder obstacle, bigger rock, deeper mud pit. There is typically also always an alternate route. My rig is built as capable as possible with MPGs in mind. I saw 17.9 on a full tank recently. In overlanding, range is far more important than axle clearance.

Ain't that the truth!! With my own rig I chose carefully on the gearing and tire size. I ended up with 3.73 gears, reasonable sub 32" tires and TruTrac diff coupled with a NV3500 transmission. I wanted 4.11 but it would have killed my mileage.

I'm on this forum because I'm deciding on a GX 460 or some other SUV for going to our winter cabin/cross country travel. Having cross shopped with the 4Runner it's a no brainer as the GX is actually available at dealer lots and cheaper with out the crazy 4Runner markups.

 

[r2m]

I go plenty of places and love my lockers. Most people don’t. Most people don’t need most of the s*** they buy. I sell built rigs and parts to these types of clowns all the time on craigslist. They at least typically admit it and say “I know I don’t need it but I love the look”.

There is always a harder obstacle, bigger rock, deeper mud pit. There is typically also always an alternate route.

My rig is built as capable as possible with MPGs and driveability in mind. I saw 17.9 on a full highway tank recently. In overlanding, fuel range is far more important than axle clearance.

Ha-ha! I was getting about 18 mpg going to Maine 2 years ago! My mileage went up when we were west of the Continental Divide and gas octane went up to 95%!
Locally with my work commute, it's closer to 13.5 mpg.

 

[r2m]

My point is that I'm 100% sure that these GX460's are far more capable in stock form than what the average driver realizes.

Absolutely agree!!! That's why I think we're the 1 percenters that actually realize that and why we purchase them!

 

[Banandalorian]

^This forum is generally good for people actually doing stuff to and with their various vehicles.
Also modding cars is cool. There's just a pervasive idea across the automotive community that you "have to" do some major mod before you can go to a pretty basic thing.

You have to get coilovers and a tune to do a track day (meanwhile you never learned how to heal/toe shift).

You have to get a lift and 35s and light bars to drive off road (meanwhile you have open diffs and no shovel)

I've derailed OPs thread. Welcome! If you want to do basic car camping, your stock GX is fine. If you want to add a bunch of cool stuff to your GX, you're in the right place.