Jeep to Lexus convert.

[Meat Head]

Hello everyone. I have been lurking here for a couple days, trying to soak up knowledge. I have been wheeling and building Jeeps for a long time, but, after 14 different Wranglers, we have a 2022 GX460 inbound. We will build it modestly as it will be the wife’s daily driver, but it still must be capable of light to moderate trail use in Colorado, Moab, and Arizona.

First couple questions, do you guys regear after adding larger tires? Is there a tuner available to correct the speedo and odo, transmission shift points, etc.?

Looking forward to learning from you guys.

 

[r2m]

First off, just like to give you a big "Howdy"! And welcome to the party!
From what you've stated above, you've already been looking around, hopefully at some of the sticky posts like GX 460 Manuals, Guide to GX 460 Builds and Aftermarket Products and some of the build threads.
The build threads are a great way to find someone who has already traveled down a similar path that you want for your rig.
Regarding your questions about tire size and speedo calibration, here's the short answer:
There is not a specific product out there just for GX's (or 4R's). The closest thing and they say it "should" work are these guys: Official home page of the Yellow Box Speedo Recalibrator - https://www.yellr.com/yb_home.htm
But in all my years on this site, even when I was building my 100 series Landcruiser, I don't believe anyone has ever tried it yet. If they have, they've been keeping it to themselves.
For myself, I'm running 285/75R17 BFG M/T's which equate to about a 33.9" O.D. tire size. I DID regear and added ARB lockers to both the front and rear. I have no issues going over mountain grades and passes, especially with that V8 under the hood!
My speedometer is almost a perfect 10% off. When my dash reads 50 mph I'm actually doing 55 mph, reads 65, doing 71, etc. So it's pretty easy to calculate on the fly when coming up on a state trooper.
I know my build is way more than what you're looking at, but my wife loves our little "RV".
Here's the link to it: Builds - R2M 2013 GX460 Overland Build - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/r2m-2013-gx460-overland-build.1104719/

 

[Meat Head]

First off, just like to give you a big "Howdy"! And welcome to the party!
From what you've stated above, you've already been looking around, hopefully at some of the sticky posts like GX 460 Manuals, Guide to GX 460 Builds and Aftermarket Products and some of the build threads.
The build threads are a great way to find someone who has already traveled down a similar path that you want for your rig.
Regarding your questions about tire size and speedo calibration, here's the short answer:
There is not a specific product out there just for GX's (or 4R's). The closest thing and they say it "should" work are these guys: GX 460 Manuals
But in all my years on this site, even when I was building my 100 series Landcruiser, I don't believe anyone has ever tried it yet. If they have, they've been keeping it to themselves.
For myself, I'm running 285/75R17 BFG M/T's which equate to about a 33.9" O.D. tire size. I DID regear and added ARB lockers to both the front and rear. I have no issues going over mountain grades and passes, especially with that V8 under the hood!
My speedometer is almost a perfect 10% off. When my dash reads 50 mph I'm actually doing 55 mph, reads 65, doing 71, etc. So it's pretty easy to calculate on the fly when coming up on a state trooper.
I know my build is way more than what you're looking at, but my wife loves our little "RV".
Here's the link to it: Builds - R2M 2013 GX460 Overland Build - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/r2m-2013-gx460-overland-build.1104719/

Thank you. I will look over your build thread. Gears and lockers info is good stuff.

 

[r2m]

Thank you. I will look over your build thread. Gears and lockers info is good stuff.

When I was copying links I inadvertently cut and pasted the wrong link for the speedometer link. I've corrected above but here it is again for you:

Official home page of the Yellow Box Speedo Recalibrator

YellR manufactures the Yellow Box; World's best Speedometer Recalibrator for motorcycles, cars and trucks

www.yellr.com

 

[Meat Head]

I know a good place to order Jeep parts. Where is a good place to order GX parts?

 

[re_guderian]

I know a good place to order Jeep parts. Where is a good place to order GX parts?

for OEM parts, I use Genuine Lexus Parts | Bell Lexus North Scottsdale - https://parts.belllexusnorthscottsdale.com/ . Cheap parts and reasonable shipping if you need it.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

I know a good place to order Jeep parts. Where is a good place to order GX parts?

I have good luck from these sources...

LexusPartsNow.com
Bell Lexus of Scottsdale AZ
Eskridge Lexus of OKC

For general Toyota:
Olathe Toyota Parts Center

 

[Rednexus]

The nice thing about a GX is that it had widespread parts interchange with 4Runners, Tacomas, Sequoias, Tundras, etc. Most "normal" parts (air/oil filters, brake parts, CV axles, seals, gaskets, etc) I pick up at my local auto parts store. Most of the time they are even in-stock or arrive the next day. Nearly all engine, transmission, brake, and suspension parts are the same as a V8 4Runner. For "big" purchases where I can wait for shipping, I get stuff on Rock Auto (starter, radiator, suspension control arms, etc) as they are often a lot cheaper than the local stores.

For dealer-specific parts that can't be bought aftermarket I usually get them from one of the local Toyota dealers and just order it for a V8 4Runner of the same year. The only Lexus specific stuff is body and trim and those can come from just about any Lexus dealer.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Welcome to the Club!

In regards to gearing, I am taking that journey now. I will be ordering 4:88 R&P, front and rear ARB lockers Monday October 4th. Nitro Gear has already warned me that the ring and pinion won't be available until the end of December. Here are a couple documents that I made my gearing decision on. 4:56 is a close match to 4:30, which is what a direct swap to correct speed and factory setting should be. I am going with 4:88 as my crawl ratio will be around 44:1. Basicly a stock non Rubicon crawl ratio.

The 4Runner does not have the same transmission or transfer case. Essentially we have a double overdrive so 5th rear is in between and the 4R doesn't have it. Obviously the T case on the TRD 4R is part time and we are full time. Maybe the Limited 4R is full time 4 wheel drive?


My build thread Builds - 2018 Premium 460 build - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/2018-premium-460-build.1194757/

 

[Meat Head]

I should have clarified, I meant a recommended vendor to buy aftermarket parts. (Lift kits, lockers, ARB Twin, etc.) Due to the supply chain delays, I plan to start ordering build parts as soon as the GX arrives and I am in possession.

 

[THEOZMAN]

Apache Offroad | For the Brave - https://apacheoffroad.com/ - Brennen and his team offer great customer service!

Treaty Oak Offroad

www.treatyoakoffroad.com

 

[Meat Head]

Thanks guys.

 

[Meat Head]

I’m starting gather parts ideas. Thinking about this lift

Camburg Lexus GX470 03-09 FOX 2.5 Performance Kit

Our FOX 2.5 Performance kit is a great mid travel kit for your Lexus GX460 using FOX’s 2.5 coilovers, 2.0 rear shocks with our Camburg upper arms.

camburg.com

Or a Dobinsons IMS 2.5” front and 1.75” rear. Thoughts?

For wheels and tires, a set of Fuel Off-road 17x8.5” +14 offset wrapped with 285/70r17 Ridge Grapplers. Thoughts?

 

[r2m]

What size Ridge Grapplers? Tire size makes a huge difference on what you're bolting on for suspension.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

What size Ridge Grapplers? Tire size makes a huge difference on what you're bolting on for suspension.

I’m thinking with that tire size he’s gonna need a BMC even with the lift.

 

[r2m]

I’m thinking with that tire size he’s gonna need a BMC even with the lift.

Absolutely, unless he never goes lock-to-lock steering or hits bumps/dips.
Meat Head, just a headsup if you're a DIY'er, you may want to see where to cut for the BMC (body mount chop/cut). Both GX's and 4Runners need to have that done if they're running larger tires. Or go to a Toyota off road shop and they'll have the skills.
But it sounds good what you want to do!!

 

[Meat Head]

I usually do most things myself, except gears and lockers and such, but I plan on having a shop do this build for me. As long as the OCD control freak in me doesn’t win out.

 

[r2m]

I usually do most things myself, except gears and lockers and such, but I plan on having a shop do this build for me. As long as the OCD control freak in me doesn’t win out.

I've found that the usual scenario for me is, I have lots of time and not a lot of money, so I do most of the work myself, or I have lots of money and no time to do anything, thus I have a shop do most of the work. For my GX, it happened to be the latter, although I do enjoy tinkering on it as you can see on my build thread, it was nice to send 'er off to the shop and 3 or 4 months later get an awesome rig back!
I'm also in agreement with you, I don't necessarily like cracking open differentials. I put lunchbox lockers (automatic lockers) in the front and rear of our old '89 Toyota pickup a few years ago. The rear wasn't bad, but the front with the IFS was a headache.

 

[Meat Head]

I’m planning on a 17” by 8.5” wide wheel. What is the optimal offset in that i should be looking at?

 

[Meat Head]

Another question. Are you guys that are lifting 2-2.5” adding a adjustable track bar (panhard bar)? If my axle isn’t perfectly centered, my OCD will flare up.