Intro - Traded 2013 GX460 for a Nebula Gray GX550 Premium+ (1 Viewer)

[sneakypete2]

After years of problems with our 2013 GX460 (lemon), finally traded it in for a new 2024 GX550 Premium+
I have not seen any on the road here in NJ, so I was initially intending to just test drive the Nebula Gray, as we were holding out for a white pearl Premium+ or Luxury+ Ultimately decided to pull the trigger after we saw it in person.

3 weeks and 1000 miles into ownership, the overall impression is pretty good. Here are the Pro's and Con's

• Pro's
  • Overall interior comfort is improved (less road noise, seat comfort, etc)
  • Throttle response is 100x better than the GX460. I no longer have to stomp the pedal to merge onto highways. I would have preferred a modern NA V8 but we all now know that is a thing of the past.
  • Brake system finally meets the needs of a modern vehicle as opposed to the GX460 where I never felt comfortable descending down steep grades or slamming the brakes when a deer jumps out.
  • Finally Lexus has put out a modern infotainment system. I know not everyone loves it, but I think its decent enough and gets the job done.
  • Ascetically, very sexy exterior styling.
  • LED headlights work very well. I was concerned about this but was pleasantly surprised the first night drive I took.
  • Finally can remote start with a few clicks from the key fob unlike the 2nd gen GX .... took them long enough.
• Con's
  • Widely reported hood flutter at highway speeds. Doesn't particularly bother me, but it is noticeable.
  • 20-inch wheels on the Premium+ are hideous and need to go.
  • The front bumper/grill and windshield are near vertical and gets coated with bug splatter nearly every day. I think that design gives it that sleek look, but I'm worried about rock chips over time. I am considering PPF on the front end to protect it but am not sure on how it will look on a gray vehicle.

My future plans are limited, as we won't really push it to the limits in our neck of the woods. Furthest we'll get from the pavement is driving on the beach (surf fishing) and some mild logging roads when camping. Priority list is wheels/tires, mild lift to accommodate the larger tires, and possibly roof rack if I can find a good black friday deal.

My mission right now is to find DEFINITIVE answers as to how large of a tire I can fit without cutting up this beautiful new truck.

-pete

 

[sneakypete2]

more pics

 

[Acrad]

What all failed on your ‘13?

Sounds like it was a flood car if the short range optional Lexus RES remote start was problematic.

 

[sneakypete2]

What all failed on your ‘13?

Sounds like it was a flood car if the short range optional Lexus RES remote start was problematic.

Records show it had a clean title with 1 NJ owner prior to my purchase. The 460 had no apparent issues from 25k miles until issues stated around 65k miles.

Trans died at 65k (right after warranty expired)
Cats went at 80.5k (right after EPA warranty expired)
Leaky sunroof since 90k
Electrical gremlins that affected window operations since 95k
Oil leak behind timing cover at 105k

The remote start always worked, I just had an issue with the steps needed to start it from the fob. Most other companies make it a few easy clicks of the lock button. The ‘24 is now in line with other vehicles.

The cats going and leaky sunroof I could deal with…. However I’ve owned several other vehicles that had cats that lasted the life of the vehicle and sunroofs that never leaked. But the other issues I wouldn’t expect from a Toyota/lexus… both from experience and reputation.
Regardless, I write off my previous experience as a bad draw and have given them another chance.

 

[Acrad]

Not that some of those don't occur but a vehicle with all of those problems does sound like a lemon. Electrical gremlins in these vehicles are usually water intrusion into ECUs or connectors. Failed CATs are on the rarer side of reported issues.

 

[sneakypete2]

I've been struggling trying to figure out what to do as far as wheels/tires. For my other vehicles I typically browse the forums to see what size/offsets other have gone with and make my decision after seeing photos of that setup. Seeing how the GX550 is new, it will be a while before most rim/tires have been tested here on the forums. Unfortunately for me, I'm too damn impatient and will have to be the guinea pig here.

While contemplating wheel/tire setups, I've browsed many of the earlier renderings of the GX after its announcement and have become partial to keeping larger rims (as opposed to less rim/more tire setups) since we will be on pavement 95% of the time. I know its not for everyone... but my wife who will be ferrying around the neighborhood kids is adamant about the wheel size.

Consulted my local offroad shop and tasked them to help me source a wheel/tire combo that will fill the wheel wells with minimal cutting of the factory plastics. My base requirements were a 20" or 22" rim, a 34" or 35" tire, black wheels, and minimal poke. They came back with a few wheel options and I've narrowed it down to this setup:

Wescott Designs Preload Collar Lift (yes I know, but I will slum it until more offerings are available)
Fuel Off-Road D854 (22X9.5) in gloss black w/ 20mm offset
BFG KO2's (35X1250R22LT)

Outer edge of wheel should poke just over 2" from where its at now which I think is reasonable. Needs about 1.5" to get flush with the fender.
While I am skeptical about fitment, my shop, which is quite reputable in the overlanding world, guarantees fitment.

What are your thoughts on the combo and fitment? Don't be shy.

 

[TexasHusker]

After years of problems with our 2013 GX460 (lemon), finally traded it in for a new 2024 GX550 Premium+
I have not seen any on the road here in NJ, so I was initially intending to just test drive the Nebula Gray, as we were holding out for a white pearl Premium+ or Luxury+ Ultimately decided to pull the trigger after we saw it in person.

3 weeks and 1000 miles into ownership, the overall impression is pretty good. Here are the Pro's and Con's

• Pro's
  • Overall interior comfort is improved (less road noise, seat comfort, etc)
  • Throttle response is 100x better than the GX460. I no longer have to stomp the pedal to merge onto highways. I would have preferred a modern NA V8 but we all now know that is a thing of the past.
  • Brake system finally meets the needs of a modern vehicle as opposed to the GX460 where I never felt comfortable descending down steep grades or slamming the brakes when a deer jumps out.
  • Finally Lexus has put out a modern infotainment system. I know not everyone loves it, but I think its decent enough and gets the job done.
  • Ascetically, very sexy exterior styling.
  • LED headlights work very well. I was concerned about this but was pleasantly surprised the first night drive I took.
  • Finally can remote start with a few clicks from the key fob unlike the 2nd gen GX .... took them long enough.
• Con's
  • Widely reported hood flutter at highway speeds. Doesn't particularly bother me, but it is noticeable.
  • 20-inch wheels on the Premium+ are hideous and need to go.
  • The front bumper/grill and windshield are near vertical and gets coated with bug splatter nearly every day. I think that design gives it that sleek look, but I'm worried about rock chips over time. I am considering PPF on the front end to protect it but am not sure on how it will look on a gray vehicle.

My future plans are limited, as we won't really push it to the limits in our neck of the woods. Furthest we'll get from the pavement is driving on the beach (surf fishing) and some mild logging roads when camping. Priority list is wheels/tires, mild lift to accommodate the larger tires, and possibly roof rack if I can find a good black friday deal.

My mission right now is to find DEFINITIVE answers as to how large of a tire I can fit without cutting up this beautiful new truck.

-pete

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To the OP, how do you feel the ride quality, comfort, and noise compare to the old model GX? Reason I ask is, I took my LX 600 in for service and was given a 550 for a few hours, and a few weeks later, I did the same and they gave me a 460. The 460 ride seemed a lot quieter, and nearer in behavior to my 600. The 550 had the huge wheels, so maybe that made it feel a lot more clunky?

 

[mrlittlejeans]

I've been struggling trying to figure out what to do as far as wheels/tires. For my other vehicles I typically browse the forums to see what size/offsets other have gone with and make my decision after seeing photos of that setup. Seeing how the GX550 is new, it will be a while before most rim/tires have been tested here on the forums. Unfortunately for me, I'm too damn impatient and will have to be the guinea pig here.

While contemplating wheel/tire setups, I've browsed many of the earlier renderings of the GX after its announcement and have become partial to keeping larger rims (as opposed to less rim/more tire setups) since we will be on pavement 95% of the time. I know its not for everyone... but my wife who will be ferrying around the neighborhood kids is adamant about the wheel size.

Consulted my local offroad shop and tasked them to help me source a wheel/tire combo that will fill the wheel wells with minimal cutting of the factory plastics. My base requirements were a 20" or 22" rim, a 34" or 35" tire, black wheels, and minimal poke. They came back with a few wheel options and I've narrowed it down to this setup:

Wescott Designs Preload Collar Lift (yes I know, but I will slum it until more offerings are available)
Fuel Off-Road D854 (22X9.5) in gloss black w/ 20mm offset
BFG KO2's (35X1250R22LT)

Outer edge of wheel should poke just over 2" from where its at now which I think is reasonable. Needs about 1.5" to get flush with the fender.
While I am skeptical about fitment, my shop, which is quite reputable in the overlanding world, guarantees fitment.

What are your thoughts on the combo and fitment? Don't be shy.

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I tried Toyo AT3's on my 22" rims on my LX600 and did not like the ride. They were only 33's so maybe the extra inch of sidewall all around with 35's will make it better.

I went down to an 18" rim and Falken At3's and the ride is much better. Personally, i would not go higher than 20" rims.

 

[Corbet]

What are your thoughts on the combo and fitment? Don't be shy.

That’s definitely not for me. Even if you don’t plan to wheel it ride quality likely reduced. But to each their own, your truck, do what you want.

 

[GeoRoss]

Icon has a pretty good video out on wheel offset and tire size.

 

[Oakleyguy]

I've been struggling trying to figure out what to do as far as wheels/tires. For my other vehicles I typically browse the forums to see what size/offsets other have gone with and make my decision after seeing photos of that setup. Seeing how the GX550 is new, it will be a while before most rim/tires have been tested here on the forums. Unfortunately for me, I'm too damn impatient and will have to be the guinea pig here.

While contemplating wheel/tire setups, I've browsed many of the earlier renderings of the GX after its announcement and have become partial to keeping larger rims (as opposed to less rim/more tire setups) since we will be on pavement 95% of the time. I know its not for everyone... but my wife who will be ferrying around the neighborhood kids is adamant about the wheel size.

Consulted my local offroad shop and tasked them to help me source a wheel/tire combo that will fill the wheel wells with minimal cutting of the factory plastics. My base requirements were a 20" or 22" rim, a 34" or 35" tire, black wheels, and minimal poke. They came back with a few wheel options and I've narrowed it down to this setup:

Wescott Designs Preload Collar Lift (yes I know, but I will slum it until more offerings are available)
Fuel Off-Road D854 (22X9.5) in gloss black w/ 20mm offset
BFG KO2's (35X1250R22LT)

Outer edge of wheel should poke just over 2" from where its at now which I think is reasonable. Needs about 1.5" to get flush with the fender.
While I am skeptical about fitment, my shop, which is quite reputable in the overlanding world, guarantees fitment.

What are your thoughts on the combo and fitment? Don't be shy.

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View attachment 3713731

I honestly would wait like 6months, as there will be loads of options for a proper lift and not that Wescott preload gimmick.

I personally am waiting on something from OME as their nitrocharger lift has served me well for years on my 200series.