Scotty Dosent Know's GX460 Build Thread (1 Viewer)

[ScotyDosentKnow]

Back in August we traded in our 17' Tacoma that we bought brand new for a 17' GX460. We loved the Tacoma but there just wasnt enough room for our 2 year old and german shepherd + gear. Looked for a 200 series LC for a while but couldnt stomach the price so we ended up with the GX. Has been a great suv so far and I have started to modify it some. Figured I would share some photos and modifications with the community.

Here is the GX when we purchased it, 1 owner, 50K miles and I believe we paid $32K which is a pretty decent price for Seattle area. Its a base but was fully optioned with 3 zone climate, heated/cooled seats etc.

I have purchased a bunch of parts for the GX since we picked it up including a Prinsu roof rack, Ironman FCP lift, RSG sliders, Work S1HC Wheels and a Grom Vline2 Will update this with some progress pics as I get it all installed. We are planning a trip to Zion area and are planning on road tripping it in the GX. Trying to get it all put together before then.

This is the Tacoma that we traded in. Had an OME lift and SCS Ray 10 wheels with 33's and a bunch of other little things. I put the Tacoma back to bone stock when we traded it in and sold the lift/wheels/tires to a friend that just bought a Tacoma.

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

One of the first things I did to the GX is install the Grom Vline2. To put it bluntly the factory head unit in the GX is a steaming POS. Its slow and so far behind the times its not even funny. My work car is an 18' VW Alltrack Golf and the head unit in that is amazing compared to the GX.

The first time I tried to install the Vline I got it all installed and the screen was black. Grom was very helpful and advised they had recently changed manufactures for one of the cables. I pulled everything out and put it all back together until I got the new cable. Put in the Vline with the new cable and so far works great using Apple Carplay. I have not figured out any of the standalone features of the Vline yet or added any apps to it. It seems to be working fine although there have been several small hiccups but I think I can live with them......some of them I think are Carplay and not the Vline.

 

[megawisdumb]

That is one hell of a project they I have considered many times on my 18 GX. Its really shocking what the GX offers compared to Ford or Kia for that matter. Especially will all the driving crap cameras that I've never used. Nice work!!

 

[Tex68w]

The infotainment in all Toyota's/Lexus that haven't received the CarPlay treatment is abysmal. I just forget about it, so long as it plays my music and phone calls via bluetooth I can survive and should I need maps I simply run it on my phone which is sitting in line of sight and also shouts commands via the speakers. I would like to have a better screen with CarPlay and a better map system but I am just not willing to drop $800-1K and rip the entire dash out in order to get it. Maybe after I finish everything else I want to do I tackle this mod should she get to stick around for the long haul.

Welcome to the forum, you've got a great list of mods planned for your GX, I am excited to see where the build goes.

 

[r2m]

How is the interface and does everything work as promised? Any quarks you're having or constant emails to the manufacturer?
About how many bananas (how hard) was it to install?

 

[mrshow]

The infotainment in all Toyota's/Lexus that haven't received the CarPlay treatment is abysmal. I just forget about it, so long as it plays my music and phone calls via bluetooth I can survive and should I need maps I simply run it on my phone which is sitting in line of sight and also shouts commands via the speakers. I would like to have a better screen with CarPlay and a better map system but I am just not willing to drop $800-1K and rip the entire dash out in order to get it. Maybe after I finish everything else I want to do I tackle this mod should she get to stick around for the long haul.

Welcome to the forum, you've got a great list of mods planned for your GX, I am excited to see where the build goes.

Agreed 100%. Plus I would hate for electrical gremlins to show up down the line... trying to diagnose with aftermarket head units.

But glad to know this solution works. It integrates very well with the dash

 

[Acrad]

There is that cheaper Lsailt unit for '14+ that I think is less than $500

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

The infotainment in all Toyota's/Lexus that haven't received the CarPlay treatment is abysmal. I just forget about it, so long as it plays my music and phone calls via bluetooth I can survive and should I need maps I simply run it on my phone which is sitting in line of sight and also shouts commands via the speakers. I would like to have a better screen with CarPlay and a better map system but I am just not willing to drop $800-1K and rip the entire dash out in order to get it. Maybe after I finish everything else I want to do I tackle this mod should she get to stick around for the long haul.

Welcome to the forum, you've got a great list of mods planned for your GX, I am excited to see where the build goes.

How is the interface and does everything work as promised? Any quarks you're having or constant emails to the manufacturer?
About how many bananas (how hard) was it to install?

I paid $530 shipped for the Vline2 on sale and I think not on sale they are about $100 more. Honestly the install is like a 2 out of ten. The dash apart looks intimidating but you can get to that point in about 10 minutes tops. All the surrounding trim pieces pop off easily and the entire head unit comes out in 2 pieces by undoing 6 10mm bolts. The unit installs with several piggyback harnesses that go between the head unit and the wiring in the dash.

Now that I have done it I could install one in about an hour. If anyone in Seattle area gets one let me know and I can give a hand if you are intimidated by it.

So far everything works like it should, havent lost functionality of anything. You can answer phone calls etc just like any car with Apple Carplay built in. I have had several instances where it wont read my phone/bring up carplay but I am attributing this to an Apple/Iphone issue and not the Vline as my VW does this several times a month. I just turn the car off and back on and it works syncs, same with the Vline in the GX.

I know you can get other units cheaper but I wanted to atleast try to support a US company and have some customer service. Grom has been excelent so far answering any questions I have had promptly. When I initially installed and got a black screen they sent me out an updated cable when they got them in and that fixed the issue. I guess the QC for that supplier was not great and they switched. All seems great so far.

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

There are probably sneakier places you could place the unit but I have it in the glove box. In this spot there is easy access to it. Later on I may mount it under the center console area a head of the shifter. There seems like there would be enough room down there.

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

I havent taken many pics of the GX stock just because its boring and not too interesting in factory form. These are probably the only 2 non driveway pics I have LOL This is the last outing it will go on before lift/wheels/tires. The tires that were on it were not fantastic and everything is snowy here up in the mountians. We are preparing it for an upcoming trip to Zion/Grand Canyon area.

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

Wheels for the GX. We have had many sets of Work Wheels on cars over the years and always loved them. Not sure if im wild on the color but we will see, I think they will look good on the gunmetal with the chrome blacked out. I guess they can always be powder coated in the future if I dont like it. They come with white stickers but ordered a black set from Work to use on the wheels.

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

Have had the lift sitting in my garage for a while and finally got around to installing. Space was open at my brother in laws shop so installed there as opposed to in my garage on jack stands. Happy that I did because the passenger front was a bitch. Everything else went pretty easily.

Purchased the Foamcell Pro lift along with upper control arms. Lots seem to have good results with it and I got it on sale and was able to combine the sale with a coupon code. Ended up paying $1,444.15 shipped for the stage 2 kit with upper control arms and a set of Tred traction boards. Cant beat that! Kit is really well put together, im excited to see how it rides. I still have to get tires, lug nuts etc. to get everything mounted up. On semi bald stock tires/wheels still.

 

[1ounce]

I would kill to have access to a lift!!

I have a '16 that I plan to basically follow your same plan, but I am picking up a set of Dobinsons IMS and OME UCAs.

To anyone also looking to add a Grom Vline, there is a group buy happening on the GX-OR facebook page.

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

I would kill to have access to a lift!!

I have a '16 that I plan to basically follow your same plan, but I am picking up a set of Dobinsons IMS and OME UCAs.

To anyone also looking to add a Grom Vline, there is a group buy happening on the GX-OR facebook page.

They do a lot of air cooled Porsche in that shop. Its always amazing to go in there and drool over all the neat cars. One day I will get one lol

Good tip on the Vline group buy. IMO its overpriced at the non group buy price for what it is, there just arnt really any other good options.

 

[1ounce]

Yeah I agree, but when you are the only game in town (and they are), you can name your price. All of the research I did on the Chinese Tesla style radios were not well received.

Very cool shop indeed!

 

[Tex68w]

Love the Targa!

 

[r2m]

That little black nine-fourteener sitting up on the rack in the back reminds me of the one I had. It was a '74 that I dropped a 2.2 liter in it along with 911 suspension, brakes and wheels all around. It was like a street legal go-cart!

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

That little black nine-fourteener sitting up on the rack in the back reminds me of the one I had. It was a '74 that I dropped a 2.2 liter in it along with 911 suspension, brakes and wheels all around. It was like a street legal go-cart!

Im currently in the process of trying to buy a 69' 911 that I found at a guys house my company was doing some work for. I love the older cars just for that reason, they are like go karts. I have a 93 Civic hatchback stored away that I have owned since 2003, that was the last "gokart" like car I have owned and want another! Much more fun that all the computer aided cars now imo

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

Went with 285/70R17 BFG KO2's since I had great luck with them on our Tacoma. Did good in the conditions we use them in and wore even with long tread life. I think they look great too. Put the black Work Wheels stickers on instead of the white stickers. Locking luc nuts were back ordreed that match the ones I purchased so I only have 5 on each wheel. As suspected rubs on the front and rear portion of the fender liner as well as the running board and cab mount (at full lock). Will need to do a little creative trimming. Due to no locking lugs no alignment yet.

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

Figured I would update this with a little info on the Grom Vline. The only real quirk I have been having is that randomly the volume will go down to 22. Its not super oftena nd not all of the time. You can crank it up or turn it down and it will go right back to volume level 22. I contacted Grom and they were very quick to respond. Apparently this is an issue and they have a different harness that kind of fixes it LOL I contacted them Thursday and the different harness is already in the mail with tracking. Here is there response:

"Hello
We are looking into this issue. We have a new harness that fixes it, however it seems to only work for an hour. We are still further testing new harnesses and methods to fully fix this. If you would like the harness that fixes it for hour long or less drives, please let us know.
Thanks,
Heath
GROM Audio"

I am not sure if this is an issue with all units/HU or just some but figured I would throw it out there as many seem to be considering this unit. Overall I have been happy with it and this will most likely cure all issues except if it occurs on a road trip I guess.