Builds R²M 2013 GX 460 Overland Build

[RadoTracks]

Although, I've heard rumors, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that either Hyundai or Kia has pilfered engineers from Toyota, hence their vehicles are beginning to stand up to Toyota products. With Toyota losing some of it's engineers, that same rumor is inciting that Toyota may be losing some of it's reliability qualities.
Again, I heard this a couple years ago and don't know if this is just Toyota trash talk or not.
I'd like to think that's all it is, trash talk.

Good point. I think that is likely the reason so many of us chose the GX460's "older tech" rather than newer models. I know it was a big part of my choice.

 

[r2m]

Just got back from the transmissions shop with the 'ol girl. Ed say's it really needed the pan to be dropped and it all cleaned out.
Came out to a scratch over $2,000 (CA prices) to replace ALL the seals, pull the trans pan, new filter, oil along with draining and changing the transfer case fluids too.
He said that the GX's have a fiber filter, like the engine oil filters which most vehicles don't have, stating that these filters are much better because they filter out all the little particulate where most other trans only have a screen to filter out what he calls, "gravel". So that was good to hear that we actually have a good trans filtration system.

 

[rav8]

Since the trans cooler is on the left side, and from the pics there are no plates visible. My guess is that it is inside the tank and is liquid/liquid cooling, which is more effective than liquid/air. Even with a counter current flow, the trans temp will be at lowest coolant temp. Aux cooler or not, the trans fluid heat will go into the radiator.

Unless I am towing, my transmission fluid temps rarely reach the point to which fluid is circulated to this exchanger. The system as designed, works great.
Towing a 4k load from MD through SD and MT to YNP gave me 238F+ temps. My under $100 cooler keeps max temps around 212F. Hope you have the same luck.

 

[Splat]

Just spoke with Ed (owner) from Crown Valley Transmissions, he told me that I need to change out all the seals. The seals have sand and grit and that it's probably from all the off road trails we've done. I'm having him do all new seals and a trans service, e.g. drop the pan. Total when it's all done will be nearer to $2,000 and a couple days.

Just got back from the transmissions shop with the 'ol girl. Ed say's it really needed the pan to be dropped and it all cleaned out.
Came out to a scratch over $2,000 (CA prices) to replace ALL the seals, pull the trans pan, new filter, oil along with draining and changing the transfer case fluids too.
He said that the GX's have a fiber filter, like the engine oil filters which most vehicles don't have, stating that these filters are much better because they filter out all the little particulate where most other trans only have a screen to filter out what he calls, "gravel". So that was good to hear that we actually have a good trans filtration system.

A good trans filtration system, and yet you had enough "sand and grit" to require $2,000 in repairs. How many miles do you have? Have you done any transmission drain and fills?

 

[Rednexus]

Unless I am towing, my transmission fluid temps rarely reach the point to which fluid is circulated to this exchanger. The system as designed, works great.
Towing a 4k load from MD through SD and MT to YNP gave me 238F+ temps. My under $100 cooler keeps max temps around 212F. Hope you have the same luck.

On essentially the same tow with a similar weight (MO->YNP->GNP->SD->MO), I never exceeded 200F in the transmission, with the CSF radiator and Hayden 698 cooler. I am confident it would have hit 220F or more for short periods without the CSF radiator, even with the 698 cooler (as it would do that unloaded before when climbing passes off-road). At cruise speeds the temps usually ran 180-190F.

 

[r2m]

A good trans filtration system, and yet you had enough "sand and grit" to require $2,000 in repairs. How many miles do you have? Have you done any transmission drain and fills?

I have about 123k miles on the clock presently and did a fluids drain at about 80k. We do a lot of off roading, and out west, there's a lot of sand, dirt and grit.
The transmission guy said that's probably the issue with the drips.
Note, I wasn't losing trans fluid at an unsafe rate, it was only a drip every week or so. But still that was enough for me to warrant a full service on it.
For me, it's peace of mind.

 

[Hiluxforever]

I have about 123k miles on the clock presently and did a fluids drain at about 80k. We do a lot of off roading, and out west, there's a lot of sand, dirt and grit.
The transmission guy said that's probably the issue with the drips.
Note, I wasn't losing trans fluid at an unsafe rate, it was only a drip every week or so. But still that was enough for me to warrant a full service on it.
For me, it's peace of mind.

I agree with all of that. Expecting to need to do the same in 30-40k

 

[r2m]

Finally got some (rather poor) photos of the new suspension. To review what I bolted on, refer back to Page: 45, Post #885 in this thread.
So far less rub when turning, but haven't stretched them out on any trails yet to see how compression and extension are. Doing a week long in Sierra's very soon, so should be able to report back with some info from the trail then.
For reference, those are LT315/70R17's BFG KO2

Below, best shot I could get of the rear shock without crawling under.

 

[r2m]

Not sure if this is just me or...
Tell me what the tail lights of the Jeep Renegade remind you of:

 

[GrizzlyClint]

My wife and I bought a 2015 Renegade what a piece of crap that thing was. Those are essentially Fiat 500X's

 

[r2m]

My wife and I bought a 2015 Renegade what a piece of crap that thing was. Those are essentially Fiat 500X's

Hence the X's for the eyes. DOA.

 

[Acrad]

I always thought it was peculiar Lexus reintroduced Altezza/clear looking tail lights for '14+ 460 when that trend had already fallen out of favor in most of the industry 5+ years before. I had them stock way back on a '02 Maxima.

 

[r2m]

I always thought it was peculiar Lexus reintroduced an Altezza/clear looking tail lights for '14+ 460 when that trend had already fallen out of favor in most of the industry 5+ years before. I had them stock way back on a '02 Maxima.

Toyota/Lexus has never been known for innovation, but for reliability. I've always thought that Toyota let's all the other manufactures come out with the "gimmicks" first and if there's any traction, Toyota may do the same, albeit, several years after the other "guys" have already been using it.
Examples of coming to the party late: GX infotainment screens, cameras, dynamic cruise control, etc.
Truthfully, I'll take a simpler, reliable vehicle over anything with too many bells and whistles that hasn't been tested to see if consumers approve or not and the tech is reliable.
Also, especially with American manufacturers, many of the gimmicks are not reliable when they first come out.

Just what I seem to notice.

 

[llm]

I always thought it was peculiar Lexus reintroduced Altezza/clear looking tail lights for '14+ 460 when that trend had already fallen out of favor in most of the industry 5+ years before. I had them stock way back on a '02 Maxima.

yeah it's on the the ugliest parts, but I just cant justify money to change the look. I saw these coming out of overland expo last year. looks super utilitarian imo.

ORACLE Lighting Flush Lensless LED Tail Lights for 2010-2023 Lexus GX460 and Toyota Prado - PRE-ORDER

Product Description Features What's Included Installation ORACLE Part# 5931-504: Standard LensORACLE Part# 5931-504-T: Tinted Lens ORACLE Lighting is excited to reveal our new flush mount "Lensless" LED tail light design for the Lexus GX and Toyota Prado Platform. This unique low-profile design...

www.oraclelights.com

 

[Cold Iron]

I always thought it was peculiar Lexus reintroduced Altezza/clear looking tail lights for '14+ 460 when that trend had already fallen out of favor in most of the industry 5+ years before. I had them stock way back on a '02 Maxima.

I had to look up Altezza, all I know is that the chrome\clear tail lights on the GX was driving me nuts. The longer I had it the more I disliked them and that is something I don't normally even pay that much attention to.

yeah it's on the the ugliest parts, but I just cant justify money to change the look. I saw these coming out of overland expo last year. looks super utilitarian imo.

View attachment 3971485

ORACLE Lighting Flush Lensless LED Tail Lights for 2010-2023 Lexus GX460 and Toyota Prado - PRE-ORDER

Product Description Features What's Included Installation ORACLE Part# 5931-504: Standard LensORACLE Part# 5931-504-T: Tinted Lens ORACLE Lighting is excited to reveal our new flush mount "Lensless" LED tail light design for the Lexus GX and Toyota Prado Platform. This unique low-profile design...

www.oraclelights.com

The Amazon-Chinese aftermarket ones don't seem to be generally as bright. Or as reliable.

Went back and forth between red and blackline but $800-$1K for some reason is a bridge too far for me. However ~$500 I considered worth it. Went with blackline in the end during a decent sale from Treasure Coast Lexus in FL, they were even cheaper than Bell Lexus

Part #: 8156160C60 - LENS & BODY, REAR COMBINATION LAMP, LEFT - $255.81
Part #: 8155160C60 - LENS & BODY, REAR COMBINATION LAMP, RIGHT - $263.56
Total: $519.37 (with no tax for out of state purchase + free shipping)

While I was at it replaced the chrome Lexus badge with the blackline badge. The view of the rear end is much gooder now IMO and worth it, to me

 

[GrizzlyClint]

I always thought it was peculiar Lexus reintroduced Altezza/clear looking tail lights for '14+ 460 when that trend had already fallen out of favor in most of the industry 5+ years before. I had them stock way back on a '02 Maxima.

/me laughs in 2010 GX

 

[r2m]

I finally got around to cleaning my reg from being in the Sierra's for over a week. Boy, what it dirty. wood chips, bark, dust, pine needles, it was quite a mess.
So I pulled out the 'ol shop vac, pull out every floor mat and carpet.
Dusted and wiped down every surface clean.
So the point of this ramble is, pulling out the Weathertech floor mats that I've had for OVER 7 YEARS were still in almost new condition!
I don't care what all the naysayers say about Weathertech floor mats, I love them, I'll recommend them and I'll buy them again for any future vehicles.
Here they are after being cleaned, drying in the sun.

This is with them in the car.

And finally, this is with them in the car with the factory Lexus carpet mats on top, also locked into the floor hooks.
I like having the carpet, since we're mostly barefoot or just sandals here, but in an instant I cant take out the carpet and full spill protection from drinks, mud, snow, whatever.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

I finally got around to cleaning my reg from being in the Sierra's for over a week. Boy, what it dirty. wood chips, bark, dust, pine needles, it was quite a mess.
So I pulled out the 'ol shop vac, pull out every floor mat and carpet.
Dusted and wiped down every surface clean.
So the point of this ramble is, pulling out the Weathertech floor mats that I've had for OVER 7 YEARS were still in almost new condition!
I don't care what all the naysayers say about Weathertech floor mats, I love them, I'll recommend them and I'll buy them again for any future vehicles.
Here they are after being cleaned, drying in the sun.
View attachment 3972794

This is with them in the car.
View attachment 3972795

And finally, this is with them in the car with the factory Lexus carpet mats on top, also locked into the floor hooks.
I like having the carpet, since we're mostly barefoot or just sandals here, but in an instant I cant take out the carpet and full spill protection from drinks, mud, snow, whatever.
View attachment 3972796

I love my Husky mats, they've still got the factory black color and haven't faded or lost their shape.

I still do barefoot even on these. Guess my feet are tougher

 

[Rednexus]

Weathertechs are indeed awesome. I have them in my GX too (same color)! They've done an excellent job keeping mud, dirt, and spilled drinks off the carpet.

FWIW I usually wear Crocs on longer trips so I can easily slip them off and drive barefoot .

 

[r2m]

This post is not GX related and may be deleted, but that's okay. But it’s 100% Toyota related.

This is a shout out to Matt Yeomans and Stacey Tourout, creators of Toyota World Runners YouTube channel. They have a great Youtube channel of off adventures and building off road Toyotas. Two years ago (I think, 2 years?), they had to build a mid 1970's Toyota Chinook onto an 80 series Landcruiser frame, and drivetrain, then outfitted it for overlanding in only 100 days! I think they had sponsors dates to meet for their year long trip from their home in B.C. Canada down to the tip of Chili, where he finally proposed to Stacey.

This couple LOVED Toyota trucks, ALL kinds. Pickup's, Taco's, all years and models of Landcruisers, etc.

On 07 Aug 2025, while off roading a trail in their local mountains, the somehow lost control (maybe slipped off?) the ledge and to a ~650-foot tumble to the bottom. This was a section of the trail where there were no trees or other obstacles to stop their roll to the bottom. Matt was dead at the scene, while they found Stacey with severe trauma and died later at the hospital.

For some reason, I've been very moved by their deaths. My wife and I loved watching their videos, the builds, the year long trek down through South America, their trek through New Zealand, along with other off-road adventures and builds. We watched their entire journey from B.C. (Canada) down to the tip of Chili. They made an amazing log of their adventures. Watching this made us feel like we knew them, personal friends. It was everything from watching them get up in the morning someplace in South America, start brewing their morning coffee, then sit outside and look at some amazing views of where they just camped at the destinations they chose, all the way to when they cooked their day’s end meal. After that trip, then they went to New Zealand, purchased a 4x4 Hilux, did a simple overland build and traveled New Zealand for a couple months, almost ALL off road.

This couple had sooo much energy, love of nature, love of off roading, and LOVE of each other!

They were just in the middle of a completely frame off restoration of the Chinook with a new motor, and all kinds of mod's to make it even more capable when this tragedy happened. If you have time, please go check out their channel, ToyotaWorldRunners on Youtube. You will truly enjoy their adventures.

Prayers and comfort to their families, and most of all Cheers to Matt and Stacey! I know how much you both enjoyed a good beer.
The joy you both brought to this community will be sorely missed.