Builds Roody’s 2018 Lexus GX460 Build, Adventure, and Hooniverse Podcast

[Roody]

Great review. Have you had anyone sit in the second or third row and assess the volume from there? I'm wondering if that final muffler was to help third row passengers.

Thank you!

My kiddo sits in the second row (rear facing car seat on the passenger side) and hasn't said anything about the sound level. And she's *very* vocal about when a car is loud (some of the press cars I've had are, let's say, "not quiet").

Third row has never seen a soul in the time I've had the truck. Literally pulled it open once the day after I got it to see what it looked like and it's been folded in place since. Should really get around to removing it...

 

[PoindAxster]

Fantastic write-up! Too many other posts on FB & Reddit's GXOR talk about this exhaust droning. Some have said it drones around 2,000 RPMs when they're cruising on the interstate. Those comments deterred me from buying this exhaust, but I'm beginning to think it would be easier to do it before some other mods.

 

[Roody]

Fantastic write-up! Too many other posts on FB & Reddit's GXOR talk about this exhaust droning. Some have said it drones around 2,000 RPMs when they're cruising on the interstate. Those comments deterred me from buying this exhaust, but I'm beginning to think it would be easier to do it before some other mods.

Thank you!

If there is any drone, the KO2s drown it out. I admit to running them at a higher PSI on the street than is "optimal" (by maybe 2-3 PSI) for the sake of MPG (every little bit counts, haha). The exhaust definitely lets itself be known when the truck downshifts a gear or two on the highway to climb bigger hills and the likes, though it isn't drone, just volume. Even if there is drone, I can't imagine it being that severe, at least not yet; exhausts tend to get a bit louder over time and I only have maybe 1k miles on the GX since installation, but no drone complaints here, or at least yet.

 

[Rednexus]

Drone is very personal specific. My rig had a 117 hz drone that was only 60-62 dB, but I found it very annoying, and it caused ear discomfort on longer trips. It didn't bother my wife and kids at all. I've got it down to around 57 dB now with resonators, and it's I rarely notice it, but do love the other V8 non-drone noises my system makes.

 

[PoindAxster]

Thank you!

If there is any drone, the KO2s drown it out. I admit to running them at a higher PSI on the street than is "optimal" (by maybe 2-3 PSI) for the sake of MPG (every little bit counts, haha). The exhaust definitely lets itself be known when the truck downshifts a gear or two on the highway to climb bigger hills and the likes, though it isn't drone, just volume. Even if there is drone, I can't imagine it being that severe, at least not yet; exhausts tend to get a bit louder over time and I only have maybe 1k miles on the GX since installation, but no drone complaints here, or at least yet.

Well, you talked me into it. Actually, I just figured I should do it before installing the long range tank… which was ordered today too. + clearance is king. + I love some V8 noise!

 

[Roody]

Drone is very personal specific. My rig had a 117 hz drone that was only 60-62 dB, but I found it very annoying, and it caused ear discomfort on longer trips. It didn't bother my wife and kids at all. I've got it down to around 57 dB now with resonators, and it's I rarely notice it, but do love the other V8 non-drone noises my system makes.

Re: Drone being very person-specific--- Can confirm, my wife is an audiologist so sound is a personal topic around our house.

Well, you talked me into it. Actually, I just figured I should do it before installing the long range tank… which was ordered today too. + clearance is king. + I love some V8 noise!

Glad to hear it! Think you'll enjoy it. Report back with your thoughts.

Also: Start spraying those exhaust bolts with WD40, Liquid Wrench, PB Blaster, penetrating oil, etc...

 

[r2m]

Well, you talked me into it. Actually, I just figured I should do it before installing the long range tank… which was ordered today too. + clearance is king. + I love some V8 noise!

Would love to add a long range tank, but CA pooh-poohed it on account of emissions (they say ).
Biggest waste of time... standing at a gas pump.

 

[PoindAxster]

Would love to add a long range tank, but CA pooh-poohed it on account of emissions (they say ).
Biggest waste of time... standing at a gas pump.

I thought all the good Californians moved to Texas already

….says the guy who still lives in Bernie land …and whose favorite brother lives in LA.

 

[dudemancool1904]

Wait you’re you? The guy that replaced my beloved glucker and Ron Baugh?? And you’ve teamed up with Dan from autoblog??? I am so baffled!

Mention to dude above: there are PLENTY of shops in California that will install an LRA tank and as long as your obd monitors are OK will pass without so much as a complaint.

 

[r2m]

I thought all the good Californians moved to Texas already

….says the guy who still lives in Bernie land …and whose favorite brother lives in LA.

Well.... my Dad moved to Texas from here for the same reasons.
If my family and I weren't so into ocean sports (surfing, sailing, diving, swimming, etc.) and the exceptional skiing and off roading, We'd do it.
As bad as CA is for those who share my political appetite, there is no other place in the country that I can surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon of the same day. No other place were I've climbed the highest summit (Mt. Whitney) in the lower 48 and at the same time I was able to view the very lowest pint in the U.S. (Death Valley).
You just can't beat the geography! And generally the people, as a whole are nice enough. Albeit, we are in a wee bit of a conservative bubble here in Orange County. All our neighbors around us are like minded.

 

[r2m]

Wait you’re you? The guy that replaced my beloved glucker and Ron Baugh?? And you’ve teamed up with Dan from autoblog??? I am so baffled!

Mention to dude above: there are PLENTY of shops in California that will install an LRA tank and as long as your obd monitors are OK will pass without so much as a complaint.

If you're referring to me, have no idea what a glucker is and who Ron Bough is.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

Would love to add a long range tank, but CA pooh-poohed it on account of emissions (they say ).
Biggest waste of time... standing at a gas pump.

Tell those communists to F off and install it anyway.

 

[Roody]

Wait you’re you? The guy that replaced my beloved glucker and Ron Baugh?? And you’ve teamed up with Dan from autoblog??? I am so baffled!

Mention to dude above: there are PLENTY of shops in California that will install an LRA tank and as long as your obd monitors are OK will pass without so much as a complaint.

Haha indeed, I am in fact that guy. Been behind the scenes writing at Hooniverse for almost 10 years and hosted a podcast of my own for ~200 episodes but Glucker (who's supposed to be recording with us on the next show) graciously handed us the keys.

 

[Roody]

State of the GX Update - End of 2024 / Start of 2025

• I've owned it for over 3 years now which is actually quite a long time for me to own a vehicle. I do occasionally think of letting it go but overall I'm very happy with it. The only reason I'd want to get out of it is because I only off-road it 6-7 times/year, which is likely to stay the same for the next few years but then increase once my family ages out of the newborn/toddler phase, and this is the perfect vehicle to do things like travel west to do Moab/CO and the likes with once that time comes.
  
  
• The D-load 34x10.5R17 KO2s suit it great overall and I love how the rolling resistance is lower than it was E-load 285/70/17 Toyo A/T IIIs. That said, I might try tall/skinny 35s this year; could certainly use the extra clearance. Just need to find a way to keep weight to a minimum.
  
  
• The Magnaflow Overland exhaust has made a huge difference in my feelings towards the truck. Cars/trucks/SUVs are supposed to please all of the senses, and this definitely helps with the audio part, which is a big one for me. I do sometime question whether it was a good idea to install it or not, but the OEM kit it long gone, so it's Magnaflow or nothing.
• The Grom VLine VL2 has partially left the chat. Bluetooth still works but CarPlay doesn't, and not even in plugged-in form. I've tried everything. She's dead, jim.
• The Accessorides remote start isn't currently working but I have a contact number at tech support that will reportedly help solve it once I have the time to do some troubleshooting
• As much as I love the Ironman bumper, I'm beginning to think something slimmer/more streamlined might be a good long-term plan. The Ironman setup weighs like 150 lbs and improves the approach angle over stock but definitely is the limiting factor when coming up to an obstacle in the truck's current form. A tube bumper or something that protrudes less would look less like the Aussie-spec truck I wanted this to become but would make it better at what it's meant to do.
• If the budget ever allows, it's getting wrapped a different color. In the interim, I might wrap just the roof white... anything to help with the heat in the summer.
• Not all SUVs are created equal, I knew space was somewhat limited in the GX vs others in the market but with a 2.5 y/o and another on the way I can already see the cargo hold being a slight issue when it already has tools/recovery gear in the back. And the 2nd row is fine for most instances but shockingly small when a massive rear-facing car seat is in the equation. Probably time for me to just pull out the 3rd row already.
• Just approaching 39k miles, when I was younger I used to do >30k miles/year but between working from home and driving press cars I've only put 10k miles on the GX since I bought it in Nov 2021

Here's the GX as it sits, next to my brother's T4R:

 

[r2m]

State of the GX Update - End of 2024 / Start of 2025

• I've owned it for over 3 years now which is actually quite a long time for me to own a vehicle. I do occasionally think of letting it go but overall I'm very happy with it. The only reason I'd want to get out of it is because I only off-road it 6-7 times/year, which is likely to stay the same for the next few years but then increase once my family ages out of the newborn/toddler phase, and this is the perfect vehicle to do things like travel west to do Moab/CO and the likes with once that time comes.
  
  
• The D-load 34x10.5R17 KO2s suit it great overall and I love how the rolling resistance is lower than it was E-load 285/70/17 Toyo A/T IIIs. That said, I might try tall/skinny 35s this year; could certainly use the extra clearance. Just need to find a way to keep weight to a minimum.
  
  
• The Magnaflow Overland exhaust has made a huge difference in my feelings towards the truck. Cars/trucks/SUVs are supposed to please all of the senses, and this definitely helps with the audio part, which is a big one for me. I do sometime question whether it was a good idea to install it or not, but the OEM kit it long gone, so it's Magnaflow or nothing.
• The Grom VLine VL2 has partially left the chat. Bluetooth still works but CarPlay doesn't, and not even in plugged-in form. I've tried everything. She's dead, jim.
• The Accessorides remote start isn't currently working but I have a contact number at tech support that will reportedly help solve it once I have the time to do some troubleshooting
• As much as I love the Ironman bumper, I'm beginning to think something slimmer/more streamlined might be a good long-term plan. The Ironman setup weighs like 150 lbs and improves the approach angle over stock but definitely is the limiting factor when coming up to an obstacle in the truck's current form. A tube bumper or something that protrudes less would look less like the Aussie-spec truck I wanted this to become but would make it better at what it's meant to do.
• If the budget ever allows, it's getting wrapped a different color. In the interim, I might wrap just the roof white... anything to help with the heat in the summer.
• Not all SUVs are created equal, I knew space was somewhat limited in the GX vs others in the market but with a 2.5 y/o and another on the way I can already see the cargo hold being a slight issue when it already has tools/recovery gear in the back. And the 2nd row is fine for most instances but shockingly small when a massive rear-facing car seat is in the equation. Probably time for me to just pull out the 3rd row already.
• Just approaching 39k miles, when I was younger I used to do >30k miles/year but between working from home and driving press cars I've only put 10k miles on the GX since I bought it in Nov 2021

Here's the GX as it sits, next to my brother's T4R:

Bet your brother is jealous every time you go wheel'n together!

 

[Banandalorian]

Sounds like you need a snazzy roof rack to resolve your storage space issues!

 

[Roody]

Bet your brother is jealous every time you go wheel'n together!

Haha, he's an ATV/UTV guy so no jealousy on that front. The T4R is his daily/pup hauler.

Sounds like you need a snazzy roof rack to resolve your storage space issues!

Maybe eventually.

 

[snowGX460]

• The Magnaflow Overland exhaust has made a huge difference in my feelings towards the truck. Cars/trucks/SUVs are supposed to please all of the senses, and this definitely helps with the audio part, which is a big one for me. I do sometime question whether it was a good idea to install it or not, but the OEM kit it long gone, so it's Magnaflow or nothing.

how come you question whether it was a good idea to install it?

 

[Roody]

how come you question whether it was a good idea to install it?

Continuous crippling self-doubt? Haha in all reality I don't regret it overall, it is just slightly loud on occasion and I have a baby due at the end of March so not sure how those will jive.

 

[snowGX460]

Continuous crippling self-doubt? Haha in all reality I don't regret it overall, it is just slightly loud on occasion and I have a baby due at the end of March so not sure how those will jive.

haha alright i can relate to that notion. how many miles do you have on the exhaust? in my experience, newly installed exhausts tend to mellow out over time as they get caked with soot / carbon buildup

also get a set of Baby Banz infant earmuffs. i go see a lot of live music and it is a very commonly used brand for people with kids