Media GX460 / Prado150 pic thread (12 Viewers)

[r2m]

Something I often tell folks new to the GX and/or off roading, the very first thing you want to do is figure out an end game.
Saying this, what do you eventually want your vehicle to be capable of? Do you want: rock crawling, difficult trails, camping, fire roads, or taking the kiddo's to soccer and violin lessons?
Although with what you've posted I have an idea of what you're looking to do, and it sounds like some light trails and camping and overlanding?
If so, I usually suggest building in stages, sans any really great prices on parts or free.
First thing which I and probably many on this forum should be first, aside from tires and lift which you already have, would be ARMOR!!
Get some skid plates to protect the belly and rock sliders. Rock sliders have absolutely saved me from a lot of damage, if not totaling my rig once when I was broad sided on the road. Aside from offering great off road protection, they also really protect you from a side impact!
Next, get some recovery gear, a good kinetic rope and a static one, some soft shackles and traction boards, suggest Maxtrax but there are others that are good.
And if you're not planning on front or rear bumpers, get some recovery hooks so if you ever get stuck or need to help someone, you have something to hook to.
This sticky post from the main forum page may help: Ultimate Trail Tool Kit (carry on for off road)

Also, you may not need it now, but if you ever need to fix, replace, upgrade and need to know part numbers, or how it bolts on: GX 460 Manuals
and if you want an idea of going a little extreme, here's my rig's build thread: R²M 2013 GX 460 Overland Build

Enjoy!

 

[Green4Gulf]

Free hand-me-downs. OE wheels are cheap and strong! Not the best looking though…

I paid for mine, but they were really cheap and lightweight. They go pretty well with the GX.

 

[scruffylooking]

Something I often tell folks new to the GX and/or off roading, the very first thing you want to do is figure out an end game.
Saying this, what do you eventually want your vehicle to be capable of? Do you want: rock crawling, difficult trails, camping, fire roads, or taking the kiddo's to soccer and violin lessons?
Although with what you've posted I have an idea of what you're looking to do, and it sounds like some light trails and camping and overlanding?
If so, I usually suggest building in stages, sans any really great prices on parts or free.
First thing which I and probably many on this forum should be first, aside from tires and lift which you already have, would be ARMOR!!
Get some skid plates to protect the belly and rock sliders. Rock sliders have absolutely saved me from a lot of damage, if not totaling my rig once when I was broad sided on the road. Aside from offering great off road protection, they also really protect you from a side impact!
Next, get some recovery gear, a good kinetic rope and a static one, some soft shackles and traction boards, suggest Maxtrax but there are others that are good.
And if you're not planning on front or rear bumpers, get some recovery hooks so if you ever get stuck or need to help someone, you have something to hook to.
This sticky post from the main forum page may help: Ultimate Trail Tool Kit (carry on for off road)

Also, you may not need it now, but if you ever need to fix, replace, upgrade and need to know part numbers, or how it bolts on: GX 460 Manuals
and if you want an idea of going a little extreme, here's my rig's build thread: R²M 2013 GX 460 Overland Build

Enjoy!

Fabulous advice. Grateful for it.

Yes, I think you're right. Goal is more light trails, camping, and overlanding. Already have the kinetic rope, soft shackles, traction boards, shovel, etc. But yes to armor and recovery points. Totally onboard for that. This is helpful for me to think about how to phase everything out!

And so it's still kind of on topic, here are pictures in a sketchy abandoned gold mine. Mildly terrifying.

Reward Mine, Manzanar, CA.

 

[scruffylooking]

I paid for mine, but they were really cheap and lightweight. They go pretty well with the GX.

Just realized we're twins.

 

[Cold Iron]

Bit of a cross post but got Falken Wildpeaks 265/70/17 on the new style TRD Pro wheels installed today. At my local and of course 4x4 shop. Like to give Jim my business and help him out whenever I can, ordered the tires through him.

Ordered the Expedition One sliders on Black Friday and having them shipped to him commercial delivery. Waiting on the AC Condenser skid plate to come in and talked to Jim about doing the chin chop for me, starting to get cold here and only going to get worse for a long time yet. I asked him if he had ever worked on a Lexus before and done anything like that.

He said yah sure, you betcha! Then turned around in his chair to the computer and said well I did build this for Jill

He mentioned that new tires being max size, had to do some work to make them fit, were stuffed pretty good

And asked if I had thought about a little lift now

I swear he can read my mind. I wonder if I should just setup a direct deposit to his account already LOL.

 

[r2m]

I swear he can read my mind. I wonder if I should just setup a direct deposit to his account already LOL.

Don't forget to drop off your first born male child too, just to cover deposit!

 

[Cerberus735]

Happy Holidays!!
Picked up a new to me GX460 last week for my next overland build and can't wait to get started.
My last build was a gen3 4runner which I absolutely love! But sadly, I'll be rehoming the 4runner to help fund this build.
So glad I stumbled on this forum, every time I click into a thread it turns into a 3 hour rabbit hole, the wealth of knowledge in this community is amazing!!

Planning sliders and bumper cut first to get some clearance. Leaning towards the Victory 4x4 blitz sliders (like that they keep the step lighting).
Westcot Designs rack, following that, then wheels and lift.

I'd like to fit 285/75/17s. If anyone has done this without a lift (maybe just a bmc and trimming?)

 

[xychromosome]

Nice ride, I like that silver, really pops. If you are looking at the Victory sliders, you may also want to check out the offering from Slee and also Expedition one as those are a similar flat step design and also retain the lighting. I ended up going with the expedition one, see some more info in this thread.

 

[Cold Iron]

Happy Holidays!!
Picked up a new to me GX460 last week for my next overland build and can't wait to get started.
My last build was a gen3 4runner which I absolutely love! But sadly, I'll be rehoming the 4runner to help fund this build.
So glad I stumbled on this forum, every time I click into a thread it turns into a 3 hour rabbit hole, the wealth of knowledge in this community is amazing!!

Planning sliders and bumper cut first to get some clearance. Leaning towards the Victory 4x4 blitz sliders (like that they keep the step lighting).
Westcot Designs rack, following that, then wheels and lift.

I'd like to fit 285/75/17s. If anyone has done this without a lift (maybe just a bmc and trimming?)

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Nice ride, I like that silver, really pops. If you are looking at the Victory sliders, you may also want to check out the offering from Slee and also Expedition one as those are a similar flat step design and also retain the lighting. I ended up going with the expedition one, see some more info in this thread.

This coming Thursday I will have had my GX for 3 weeks. The day after I bought it was Black Friday and I ordered Expedition One sliders.

For me and what I am looking for it boiled down to the Victory, Slee or Expedition One. All 3 allow use of existing lights or at least the wiring. Slee charges an additional $90 for their light kit.

Ran across a few posts about the Victory that stopped me from going with them. Including this video, do not know anything about the guy but what he says kind of matches a few posts I have read about some other Victory installs.



I totally trust the quality of Slee. On Black Friday Expedition One had 20% off plus a $70 discount on shipping because the shop I use has a forklift so are being delivered there. All in they were $470 cheaper than Slee, so it made my decision easy.

Well that and @xychromosome posted pictures of his installed with a good write up and he seemed impressed with them.

EDIT: I just remembered you wanted to put ~34" tires on and the largest diameter with the Expedition One sliders is 33"

 

[xychromosome]

This coming Thursday I will have had my GX for 3 weeks. The day after I bought it was Black Friday and I ordered Expedition One sliders.

For me and what I am looking for it boiled down to the Victory, Slee or Expedition One. All 3 allow use of existing lights or at least the wiring. Slee charges an additional $90 for their light kit.

Ran across a few posts about the Victory that stopped me from going with them. Including this video, do not know anything about the guy but what he says kind of matches a few posts I have read about some other Victory installs.



I totally trust the quality of Slee. On Black Friday Expedition One had 20% off plus a $70 discount on shipping because the shop I use has a forklift so are being delivered there. All in they were $470 cheaper than Slee, so it made my decision easy.

Well that and @xychromosome posted pictures of his installed with a good write up and he seemed impressed with them.

EDIT: I just remembered you wanted to put ~34" tires on and the largest diameter with the Expedition One sliders is 33"

Disclaimer, I haven’t installed mine yet, I linked a thread where others had installed them and provided a review.

Looks like you did your research, I looked at all 3 options you mentioned and top of my list was Slee given how factory they look, I’ve also seen them in person and they really do look OEM and offer plenty of step for ease of entry. However the Expedition one option looks just as good and their recent sale made it an easy choice!

 

[r2m]

This coming Thursday I will have had my GX for 3 weeks. The day after I bought it was Black Friday and I ordered Expedition One sliders.

For me and what I am looking for it boiled down to the Victory, Slee or Expedition One. All 3 allow use of existing lights or at least the wiring. Slee charges an additional $90 for their light kit.

Ran across a few posts about the Victory that stopped me from going with them. Including this video, do not know anything about the guy but what he says kind of matches a few posts I have read about some other Victory installs.



I totally trust the quality of Slee. On Black Friday Expedition One had 20% off plus a $70 discount on shipping because the shop I use has a forklift so are being delivered there. All in they were $470 cheaper than Slee, so it made my decision easy.

Well that and @xychromosome posted pictures of his installed with a good write up and he seemed impressed with them.

EDIT: I just remembered you wanted to put ~34" tires on and the largest diameter with the Expedition One sliders is 33"

Sorry to hear that. I've purchased a few items, primarily the rear quarter MOLLE panels and shelve. Had not a lick of problems with any of them.
They went on great, the assembly videos were clear and concise.
But again, I can't speak to their sliders, bumpers or other armor.

 

[jeremy j]

My understanding was there was a change to the Victory sliders but I will admit I can't find where I read that.

I ended up ordering a set so I'll be sure to come post a review here when I get them installed. I really like how OEM the Victory look so hopefully I don't have any issues.

 

[kpz1234]

Got my new wheels and tires on today. Wheels were some local lightly used 4Runner OEM's. I wanted to mount Nokian WR G4 SUV tires, but ended up mounting 265/70R17 Blizzak DM-V2's. Tip on the spare tire, to get it into place properly, you have to put one side up into the spare tire area and then the tire will fit - it won't just go straight up into place. The best part is, when the tire guys were putting the OEM wheels & tires into the back, they broke the rear seat handle & the cable probably needs to be re routed as well...

 

[khalid7412002]

My New 2023 GX Luxury Caviar with Rioja Red + Off-Road Package and factory hitch.

I added 15% ceramic tint on all windows (except front, just clear ceramic). I added a FitcamX oem looking camera. Recording quality could be better but really nice plug and play OEM look. Got all weather mats as well.

Help me to mod it with things I should add right away that are simple and things I should add that take more time. I do plan to take it off-roading, in the snow, road trips. I want new wheels and tires like KO2 or wildpeaks but open to suggestions. I was thinking about getting the TRD Pro rims from the 4Runner and would like the biggest size I can fit without a lift and heavy modification.

A few questions

1. If I go down to 17in rims, what's the biggest tire size people have put on with minimal modifications, eg, heat gun to move the inner fenders a bit, changing out the bolt with a flat head one.? I had 275/70/17 on my 4Runner and did minor bumper trimming. Could I run those in KO2 or another off-road tire with minimal modifications?
2. If I get an 18" rim, could I still run 275/70/18 with minimal mods?
3. I had to do a rear diff breather mod on my 4Runner. Do I need to do that for my GX as well?
4. This has the off-road package so comes with some skid plates, but are they good enough to protect the underside? If not, any good brands to look at for a complete skid plate system?
5. I'm going to replace the side skirts with rock sliders. Any good brands to look at it?
6. I'd like to replace the chrome taillights with the darker ones. Anyone selling a set locally in Los Angeles area or want to swap for chrome?

 

[Bang Bang]

1. If I go down to 17in rims, what's the biggest tire size people have put on with minimal modifications, eg, heat gun to move the inner fenders a bit, changing out the bolt with a flat head one.? I had 275/70/17 on my 4Runner and did minor bumper trimming. Could I run those in KO2 or another off-road tire with minimal modifications?
2. If I get an 18" rim, could I still run 275/70/18 with minimal mods?
3. I had to do a rear diff breather mod on my 4Runner. Do I need to do that for my GX as well?
4. This has the off-road package so comes with some skid plates, but are they good enough to protect the underside? If not, any good brands to look at for a complete skid plate system?
5. I'm going to replace the side skirts with rock sliders. Any good brands to look at it?
6. I'd like to replace the chrome taillights with the darker ones. Anyone selling a set locally in Los Angeles area or want to swap for chrome?

1. Someone else can answer this for you as I don't have that answer.
2. I run 275/70R18 MT's with a 2" lift, BMC and fender liner massaging and still get a little bit of rub sometimes when offroad.
3. Not sure if it's necessary but it won't hurt. I've had an axle breather kit on my bench for a while that I need to install.
4. For light offroading, those will likely work but for piece of mind (or if you plan to play in the rocks at all) get a full set of steel plates. I run the full Bud Built set. It has a "door" for the oil plug and filter so you don't have to remove the whole skid to do an oil change.
5. I run the SSO sliders.

For reference, this is my 2013......

 

[Arailt]

A few questions

1. If I go down to 17in rims, what's the biggest tire size people have put on with minimal modifications, eg, heat gun to move the inner fenders a bit, changing out the bolt with a flat head one.? I had 275/70/17 on my 4Runner and did minor bumper trimming. Could I run those in KO2 or another off-road tire with minimal modifications?
2. If I get an 18" rim, could I still run 275/70/18 with minimal mods?
3. I had to do a rear diff breather mod on my 4Runner. Do I need to do that for my GX as well?
4. This has the off-road package so comes with some skid plates, but are they good enough to protect the underside? If not, any good brands to look at for a complete skid plate system?

Welcome!

1. I run 275/70r17s on 17x8.5 0 offset. I had to move the fender wells forward and zip tie the running boards back. Other than that, no modifications, no heat gun. Very easy. No rubbing.
- here's a link to the thread where I show how I moved the fender liners/running boards. Builds - Arailt's GX - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/arailts-gx.970621/post-15078671
2. 275/70r18s are about an inch taller than the 17" variation, so you'll likely have to do a BMC and/or lift. My 275/70r17s clear the body mount by about 1/2". If you meant 275/65r18 (similar to 275/70r17), then you'll probably be OK unless you have a wider offset.
3. Yep, same axle.
4. I thought the OR package was mostly electronics, but I did see on the Lexus site that it has "fuel tank protection." I'm not sure what that means above and beyond the fuel tank skid plate that comes on every GX. It looks like it has all of the same other skids as all GXs come with, so short answer is probably NO, not good enough if you're planning to lean on them off road haha.

 

[Acrad]

#4 external AT cooler and full length skid plate over the fuel tank

Generally the stock fuel tank skid has a partial 1/4-1/3 on the front of tank

 

[Arailt]

#4 external AT cooler and full length skid plate over the fuel tank

Generally the stock fuel tank skid has a partial 1/4-1/3 on the front of tank

I'll be damned. That's criminal. I guess I figured it was the same as my 470. Cost cutting haha.

 

[r2m]

A few questions

1. If I go down to 17in rims, what's the biggest tire size people have put on with minimal modifications, eg, heat gun to move the inner fenders a bit, changing out the bolt with a flat head one.? I had 275/70/17 on my 4Runner and did minor bumper trimming. Could I run those in KO2 or another off-road tire with minimal modifications?
2. If I get an 18" rim, could I still run 275/70/18 with minimal mods?
3. I had to do a rear diff breather mod on my 4Runner. Do I need to do that for my GX as well?
4. This has the off-road package so comes with some skid plates, but are they good enough to protect the underside? If not, any good brands to look at for a complete skid plate system?
5. I'm going to replace the side skirts with rock sliders. Any good brands to look at it?
6. I'd like to replace the chrome taillights with the darker ones. Anyone selling a set locally in Los Angeles area or want to swap for chrome?

I've posted this multiple times and I know I'm going to sound like a skipping record (remember those???) but for those new the forum I don't mind, I tell everyone new to GX/off roading, have an end game and a plan on where you will want your vehicle to be. This way you only buy once (and maybe cry once) but you won't be constantly purchasing mods that don't suit your needs and then having to replace them with something better or more functional.
Generally first thing is tires and if needed suspension, then armor, minimum and build on from there.
I'll answer your questions point by point, but remember these are just my opinions and opinions are like belly buttons, everyone has one.

1. Definitely do 17" wheels. Reason: 1) Tire size prices are more reasonable than the same diameter in 18" or larger wheels. 2) You'll have more sidewall which will provide you a more comfortable ride and cushion when off roading. 3) Far more popular rim size for tires than 18", although 18"s are gaining in popularity.
2. Use this link to compare tire sizes between rim sizes. This will answer all your questions. Note that sometimes there will still be differences in tire diameter between manufacturers, but only a fraction of an inch. Tire Size Calculator - https://tiresize.com/calculator/
3. Seeing that you live in L.A. and I'm your southern neighbor in O.C., no you don't need diff breathers. When I built my rig I asked the same thing and the answer was I'll never need it. 5 years later and still have never needed it and I think I do a lot more adventurous off roading that you mentioned you may be doing. Here in CA we don't have the water fording and deep water that's in some of the eastern and northern states. Here's a link to my build thread if you think I have a wimpy rig or do wimpy trails: R²M 2013 GX 460 Overland Build
4. Yeah, the factory "off road package" is for wannabes. If you plan on doing our So. Cal trails, minimum at least get full skids for your under carriage. Even with careful driving you never know when you may drop in a rut, slam on a rock or stump and bust something underneath. It's cheap insurance that won't leave you stranded.
5. I am an absolute firm believer in rock sliders. Aside from off road protection, they saved my rig from a lot of damage in a side impact (on road) accident I had a few years ago. There are a lot of good brands and styles out there. Decide what style you want, e.g. tubular, tubular with a kickout, solid stock looking, etc. And you'll need to trim your front and rear bumpers.
6. Humm... As an engineer, form follows function. With all due respect I see no function with this mod.

Hope this helps and welcome to the forum!
Looking forward to seeing pictures of your rig as you mod it!

 

[ericm979]

265/70R17s usually fit without too much heat molding of the front fender liners, and usually fit in the spare tire well. But tires vary in actual size. Tire Rack publishes measured sizes. Wheels with more offset will make the tires rub more.

KO2s run small for their nominal size. The 265/70r17 Falken Rubitreks I put on would not fit in the spare well with the Lexus class IV hitch. I ended up putting KDSS spacers on the anti roll bar which made enough room. Someone else here has exactly the same tires and wheels I have and had no problem. I also had to heat hold the front liners a few times to get all the rub out.