How would you spend MY Money?

[yosshaa]

I have a 2019 Lexus gx460, 115k miles, well maintained, lightly modified, daily driver.

1.5" lift: Bilstein 6112s and 5110s: Standard weight Bilstein spring up front with an Eibach load leveling kit in the back
KMC Wheels: Cooper Discoverer All-Terrain 265/70R17 Tires

I am not building a crawler or overlander, I'm bulding a comfortable daily driver that can handle big road trips and get out in camp in primative areas.

I have developed a clunk in the front end, Lexus replaced the steering rack for me under warranty. L certified warranty expires in 5 days.
The clunk is still there and Lexus is saying its the impact bar hitting the frame, possibly due to a broken spot weld. This is insane to me as the car has never been in an accident, original bumper cover. L certified warranty will not cover it. Lexus is quoting me $1200 to install a new impact bar. This is not an option for me. I can do this myself. This pisses me off that they wouldn't cover something like this. Also the car is taken apart right now so they will put it back together with existing part for $0 but want $800 in labor to put it back together with the new part ($400).... how does that make sense?

My options:
1. Have them put it back together and drive it as is until the sound annoys me enough to address it.

2. Buy a new or used impact bar and do the work myself.

3. Buy a hidden winch bar from these guys and replace the impact bar with this and the winch in later, the steel section shouldn't be too much heavier than stock but ceretainly looks more stout.

I don't want to add so much weight to the car that the springs compress so a alumnium or steel full bumper is out of the question. Plus the cost is around 2k for this route.

 

[UURX]

did you contact lexus corporate? they might agree to cover the cost of the part if you cover the labor

understandably 800 out of pocket is not ideal

in the event you go and pay out of pocket, and the problem goes yet again unsolved, can you negotiate they eat the expense because they misdiagnosed this entirely?

 

[llm]

if you do solo off roading, no question get the winch mount

 

[Rednexus]

Have they given you a picture of the failed/cracked spot weld in the crash bar? That sound like either a fluke failure or a incorrect diagnosis. I've never heard of a spot weld failing in a crash bar either.

Either way, I would tell them to put it back together and fix it yourself. If you do find that the crash bar is cracked, it should not be a hard job to repair. Removing the front bumper cover is not a hard job (at least on my GX470, it's about 10-15 minutes of work), after that the crash bar only has a few bolts on it. You'd want two people to handle the front bumper cover to avoid damaging it.

 

[OG Zuninja]

Everything Red said but I'll add this: replace the crash bar with the hidden winch mount. If you're already in there and wheel solo, the winch mount and subsequent winch is the way to go.

 

[iwashmycar]

Did they drive it around without the bar to verify?

I think the pricing options are just "politely" telling you to F off....

 

[yosshaa]

Yes they took the crash bar off and the noise went away... honestly i'm just glad its not suspension or steering that was my main concern as warranty is almost up.

I too never heard of a spot weild cracking but I could see that happening if the bar flexed. Unfortunaly crash bar is cosidered part of the bumper which is not covered... welds are also not covered. So while I have had some good luck with the L certified warranty (they covered steeringrack/tie rods, and water pump) it is funny its not a "bumper to bumper" warranty.

 

[yosshaa]

I'm leaning towards this HK offroad hidden winch, seems like it sits a little higher than LFD which avoids the odd cuts on the lower grille boarder plastic.

LFD:

HK OFFROAD:

 

[r2m]

I have a 2019 Lexus gx460, 115k miles, well maintained, lightly modified, daily driver.

1.5" lift: Bilstein 6112s and 5110s: Standard weight Bilstein spring up front with an Eibach load leveling kit in the back
KMC Wheels: Cooper Discoverer All-Terrain 265/70R17 Tires

I am not building a crawler or overlander, I'm bulding a comfortable daily driver that can handle big road trips and get out in camp in primative areas.

I have developed a clunk in the front end, Lexus replaced the steering rack for me under warranty. L certified warranty expires in 5 days.
The clunk is still there and Lexus is saying its the impact bar hitting the frame, possibly due to a broken spot weld. This is insane to me as the car has never been in an accident, original bumper cover. L certified warranty will not cover it. Lexus is quoting me $1200 to install a new impact bar. This is not an option for me. I can do this myself. This pisses me off that they wouldn't cover something like this. Also the car is taken apart right now so they will put it back together with existing part for $0 but want $800 in labor to put it back together with the new part ($400).... how does that make sense?

My options:
1. Have them put it back together and drive it as is until the sound annoys me enough to address it.

2. Buy a new or used impact bar and do the work myself.

3. Buy a hidden winch bar from these guys and replace the impact bar with this and the winch in later, the steel section shouldn't be too much heavier than stock but ceretainly looks more stout.

I don't want to add so much weight to the car that the springs compress so a alumnium or steel full bumper is out of the question. Plus the cost is around 2k for this route.

Option 3!
Maybe even get one of those lower front like the Victory 4X4 Blitz bumper

PRE-ORDER | Lexus GX460 Aluminum Front Bumper | Evo Series Blitz | 2014-2023 - Victory 4x4

Offering quality steel and aluminum goods for Toyota and Lexus 4x4s.

www.victory4x4.com

You can get it in aluminum, increases your approach angle and still keeps a somewhat stock look without screaming "OVERLANDER!!" (what that last point really hit home for me with my rig...R²M 2013 GX 460 Overland Build)

 

[Hiluxforever]

Have the LFD hidden winch mount. If you do a little snip snip you can push it back for better approach angle. It also protects the lower part of the radiator quite nicely. Here is a pre-rhinoplasty pic.

 

[ducktapeguy]

I'd go for option 2 unless you have a need for a winch.

The weight of the winch, mount, cable, plus the expense of wiring etc. would just be dead weight most of the time. Realistically you're looking at about $1k and 150lbs or so when all is said and done.

You could probably find a impact bar for free from someone who's installed a full bumper. I'd give you mine since it's just taking up space in the garge but shipping would probably be prohibitive. Changing it out is pretty easy to DIY, for someone who's done it before it's probably a half hour job. I can't imagine a broken spot weld being the issue since the bar is aluminum but maybe it's a loose nut or something like that.

 

[1973Guppie]

VICTORY 4x4 is a horrible company with trash products and bad customer service! BUYER BEWARE! If you don't believe me just look around at the customer reviews.

 

[Hiluxforever]

VICTORY 4x4 is a horrible company with trash products and bad customer service! BUYER BEWARE! If you don't believe me just look around at the customer reviews.

I have not been impressed with the work I have seen, but my evidence is purely anecdotal and even the best fabricator/QA department has bad days.