New (to me) Red 2012 GX460! "Lando"

[Canyonero]

Land Cruiser + Prado + naming cars after Star Wars characters = Lando.

My Porsche Cayman 718 GTS is Han because he’s “so-low” and chalk is the color of the millennium falcon.

My Model 3 Tesla is black and a bit sinister, so Kylo -and also because he basically killed Han by being so fast and fun to drive.

Before Lando, I had a 2015 200 series Land Cruiser that I built up and wheeled all over Moab and Colorado (profile pic), but then sold in 2018.

The itch to have another capable 4x4 never went away... and the 200 hasn't changed... so I started researching the GX platform. Something with 3 rows that I could still take anywhere, but a bit smaller than the monster 200.

The GX was as close to perfect for my needs as I could find. A smaller 200 basically.

Anyway, I found this incredible low mileage (42k miles) 1-owner well-maintained example for $28k and had to grab it.

Behold! (It won't look like this soon, stay tuned)

 

[r2m]

Congratulations on your new toy! What trim level does it have?
How far are you going to take the mods? Mall cruiser, fire trail and snowy roads, tailgate camping, expedition/overlander, rock crawling?
Having already built a 100 series Landcruiser and having built my GX, I've found there are not as many options for the GX as for Landcruiser's, 4Runners, Taco's, etc. But, what's out there is pretty good stuff and should allow you to build to whatever level you want.
Looking forward to your build!

 

[Canyonero]

Thanks Richard, I believe the trim level is "premium" - it has the power 3rd row, rear entertainment, but no AHC or Crawl.

My build plan is geared towards expedition more than anything. I know I'm limited on this truck by tire size, so that will more or less preclude any real rock crawling. I ended up with 34's on my 200 series truck and while it was seriously capable, it was never going to be a full on rock crawler. Fun fact though, I believe our group of 200's is the only group of 200's to ever run Poison Spider, Golden Crack in Moab (profile pic is Golden Crack). That was intense and a lot of the trail involved a good deal of winching.

I also have the good/bad fortune of living near Slee Offroad in Golden, CO and I know when I'm ready I can drop it off, write a big check, and get a transformed GX on the other side!

Initially, I'm planning to paint my wheels black and I'm adding the 1.25" spidertrax spacers all around (already ordered). Weathertechs of course, but that's not really a mod!

Next up (probably all at once when I have the budget):

• 3" OME lift
• 33/34" Nitto Ridge Grapplers
• Air compressor and front and rear lockers
• Sliders
• Aluminum armor
• Front runner rack
• RTT

-Snorkel

Because of the challenge for options on front and rear bumpers, I will wait to do those last and probably keep my spare on the roof rack until I decide on a rear tire carrier/bumper. I know that once I add that weight I will also need to re-visit the suspension.

In the meantime, I will keep my hi-lift jack and maxtrax, tow ropes and d-rings handy for when I inevitably get stuck. I have a reasonable amount of experience using a hi-lift as a make-shift winch in a pinch (not ideal, but works when it's all ya got!)

 

[r2m]

Regarding tire size, I'm running 33.8" BFG M/T's (34" for all intensive purposes).
Slee is a great go-to for some things. I purchased my ARB dual compressor mounting rack from them for my GX. But unfortunately he is more of an 80's and 100's series LC kind of guy. But maybe you could help convince him otherwise!! Heck he may even put a straight axle front end on your GX!
If you want to get an idea of what I did to my GX to make it an overlander, my build thread is here: R2M 2013 GX 460 Expo
I have everything I've done listed and web links also.
I used YotaMasters here in So. Cal for my build.

 

[Qball]

SWEET! I love the color BTW. Can't wait to see your build.

 

[Qball]

Thanks Richard, I believe the trim level is "premium" - it has the power 3rd row, rear entertainment, but no AHC or Crawl.

My build plan is geared towards expedition more than anything. I know I'm limited on this truck by tire size, so that will more or less preclude any real rock crawling. I ended up with 34's on my 200 series truck and while it was seriously capable, it was never going to be a full on rock crawler. Fun fact though, I believe our group of 200's is the only group of 200's to ever run Poison Spider, Golden Crack in Moab (profile pic is Golden Crack). That was intense and a lot of the trail involved a good deal of winching.

I also have the good/bad fortune of living near Slee Offroad in Golden, CO and I know when I'm ready I can drop it off, write a big check, and get a transformed GX on the other side!

Initially, I'm planning to paint my wheels black and I'm adding the 1.25" spidertrax spacers all around (already ordered). Weathertechs of course, but that's not really a mod!

Next up (probably all at once when I have the budget):

• 3" OME lift
• 33/34" Nitto Ridge Grapplers
• Air compressor and front and rear lockers
• Sliders
• Aluminum armor
• Front runner rack
• RTT

-Snorkel

Because of the challenge for options on front and rear bumpers, I will wait to do those last and probably keep my spare on the roof rack until I decide on a rear tire carrier/bumper. I know that once I add that weight I will also need to re-visit the suspension.

In the meantime, I will keep my hi-lift jack and maxtrax, tow ropes and d-rings handy for when I inevitably get stuck. I have a reasonable amount of experience using a hi-lift as a make-shift winch in a pinch (not ideal, but works when it's all ya got!)

I'm envious of your pre-facelift GX, get the ARB front bumper pronto! no cutting with all the sensor holes and fog lights all predrilled!!!

 

[Canyonero]

Regarding tire size, I'm running 33.8" BFG M/T's (34" for all intensive purposes).
Slee is a great go-to for some things. I purchased my ARB dual compressor mounting rack from them for my GX. But unfortunately he is more of an 80's and 100's series LC kind of guy. But maybe you could help convince him otherwise!! Heck he may even put a straight axle front end on your GX!
If you want to get an idea of what I did to my GX to make it an overlander, my build thread is here: R2M 2013 GX 460 Expo
I have everything I've done listed and web links also.
I used YotaMasters here in So. Cal for my build.

I already read your build and saved the pictures to my phone

It looks great!

I'm not sure what you mean about Slee (Christo Slee I'm guessing is the one to whom you are referring), but they have been very receptive to my future GX build and they've already done a few builds of GX's at this point.

Slee built my 200 (IFS) and their workmanship is pretty amazing. Everything looked OEM - just like what you posted from Yotamasters, who apparently also does great work.

I think GX's are the next big overlander build for people. They are now really hitting the market and pretty much all of them were driven by old Korean moms (lol) or soccer moms generally. Mine has never seen dirt or towed, so far as I can tell.

Since you can get a mint GX for under $30k now, it kind of begs the question "why a 4Runner"? I will take the 4.6 V8, 6 speed transmission and 3rd row of seats any day of the week, all while saving $20k over a TRD Pro 4Runner... I know the 4Runner's have a big aftermarket, but I sense a shift coming towards the GX.

Anyway, great build, and mine will probably end up looking pretty similar!

 

[HitchCrack]

I have installed an ARB compressor using the Rago Fabrications 5th Gen 4Runner bracket. Fit like a glove, just an option.

 

[r2m]

I like it! Same compressor and location that mine is. I purchased mine from Slee Offroad.
I also have my quick connect right there, but I didn't add a pressure gauge.
Just curious what you may need a pressure gauge for? In the last three vehicles I've built that all had compressors I've needed one. but I'm open to a good excuse to put one on. I think I have an extra pressure gauge laying around in my garage somewhere. When I air down, and need to inflate, I just use the gauge on my tire chuck so I can see the pressure at the tire.

 

[eugarps]

r2m,

I may have to camp on Slee's parking lot! I've bookmarked your Expo build. Remember, imitation is the sincerest form or flattery!

 

[r2m]

Awwww, Now I'm blushing!!
Seriously, I'm excited for you! My wife and I were out at Anza Borrego (high desert in So. Cal.) this last Monday and it was awesome being able to hit some off road trails as it was beginning to snow and rain! It was absolutely beautiful out there and it was great knowing I had a very capable vehicle to enjoy it with. My wife and I have been doing day long excursions almost every weekend in the GX going everywhere from the high country, deserts, coast, etc. Gotta love So. Cal. for the diversity (I'm referring to the geographic diversity, not all the liberal fanaticism here).

 

[sugarsam]

Love that color! I am close, hopefully about a week (or less) away from purchasing a 460. Have three deals lined up for the facelift models, hopefully, I can pull the trigger on one of them. Second in line for the one I want, if that doesn't work out the other two are backups. Good luck with the build and hopefully I will be building mine to go out and explore!

 

[Canyonero]

Flex isn’t too bad. Not as good as my 200, but it’ll do!

 

[Canyonero]

First towing experience. 3,000lbs dry weight travel trailer, towed 1200 miles round trip from Denver to White Sands National Monument in southern New Mexico. I added a Curt hitch, trailer brake controller and went for it.

Lots of gear, 3 kids, 2 dogs, 2 adults and incredibly high winds passing through Raton and some other places. The truck did excellent when there was no wind, but in high wind I was floored in 3rd.

The weight and size of the truck were a significant advantage over any car-based crossover in terms of stability.

I would estimate 5,000 pounds all in on the weight.

Side note: check out Meow Wolf in Santa Fe NM! That place is crazy weird and cool.

 

[Huskernation]

I like your setup and about what I was thinking for a camper size (here in Denver as well). Did you do weight distribution hitch? did the trailer track straight or fishtail in the wind (would love to find a small dual axle). Have you added an additional tranny cooler? thanks

 

[Canyonero]

I like your setup and about what I was thinking for a camper size (here in Denver as well). Did you do weight distribution hitch? did the trailer track straight or fishtail in the wind (would love to find a small dual axle). Have you added an additional tranny cooler? thanks

No weight distribution, just tossed the trailer on the ball and went for it.

Tracked straight as an arrow, never got “fishy” on me, even in intense wind.

I didn’t add a tranny cooler. I moved the shifter over to 4th gear and let the engine rev higher than normal - I kept it from hunting between 3-4 by feathering the gas pedal most of the time. Cruise control really wanted to grab 3rd a lot, but once I got a feel for the transmission I was able to keep it in the power and without the extra shifting.

As for the trailer itself, we’ve really enjoyed it for the year or so we’ve had it. Very maneuverable and light, but also has enough room for our family of 5 and 2 dogs because it’s a hybrid (both ends fold out to queen size beds.) Still gives you the amenities of bathroom, kitchen, AC, heat, etc.

 

[Canyonero]

I should add that I have Spidertrax 1.25" spacers at each corner. 2.5" overall width increase - I firmly believe this helped considerably in high cross-wind situations.