Builds Thed's Mod Journal ('22 GX460) (3 Viewers)

[r2m]

Okay, my .02¢
If the budget allows and doesn't take away from any other necessaries, I will usually purchase new. I like being able to pick my colors, my options my... whatever and it be for me.
The problem is I usually have champagne taste and a beer budget.
So if I want what I like and it doesn't fit the wife's budget, I go used, but sometimes I get to go new!
With my current GX, I probably could have gone new, but at the time I purchased it there were no front steel/winch bumpers for 2014+ GX's and I knew I was going to transform her into an overlander right away and I didn't want to wait for whenever someone started coming out with new bumpers..
That is the ONLY reason I purchased a 2013. It was the very newest one I could find (pre 2014) with only ~30k miles on the clock, premium edition, acceptable interior/exterior colors and very clean condition.

 

[OCGX]

I love that Milwaukee idea.

 

[JDUB fab]

Man this post is confusing. By your own logic you just overspent by about $30k on your vehicle. Why not get a 4Runner? Or a used GX? A 100k mile Toyota is just as useful and reliable as a new one. Yours is no better off road than a 2010 model.


Congrats on being cheap with modifications. Just think how much more you could spend if you didn’t buy a 2022. That thing probably dropped $15k in value the second you drove away from the dealer.

I’m totally being negative, but also realistic. Reminds me of the high dollar builds on Expedition Portal that never see more than gravel roads.

If you actually intend to use your winch, check out LFD offroad. They make similar minimalist winch bumpers that, unlike the Victory, aren’t stamped with gawdy logos and actually allow some access to the drum. Mine just shipped.

As someone who just purchased a 2010 with 108K ill chime in here. If I could have afforded a 2022 I would 100% have gotten it. If one can get over bashing and scratching up a new car then the rest is gravy! The feeling of being offroad and knowing all the parts have minimum miles is hard to quantify. I agree with Thed351W, when he looks back in 10 years and sees all the fun and memories he made with his brand new GX, and all the time he still has with it going forward, it will be worth it.

Until you can actually afford to do what @Thed351W did, best to leave your comments to yourself. If he was asking about the two routes then sure, give him your opinion.

Let the man do what he wants.

Looking forward to seeing how the build develops.

 

[jiggletits]

Until you can actually afford to do what @Thed351W did, best to leave your comments to yourself. If he was asking about the two routes then sure, give him your opinion.

Let the man do what he wants.

Fair point, but a but assumptive. He posted in a public forum about not getting what you want without "breaking the bank" and he got public opinions in return.

I could walk out today and buy 2 or 3 new loaded GX460s with cash on hand but I wouldn't do that because to me that would be stupid. The design has barely changed in over a decade. I could throw a stone here in Denver and hit a dozen nice, clean GX460s under 100k that some suburban soccer mom never took off of pavement and had serviced at the dealer for 1/2 the cost of a new one.

Lexus has always been behind the curve on features, MPG, horsepower etc. compared to other manufacturers that still rings true in 2022. I mean they just finally got Carplay in the GX what, this year? Lexus resale (LFA, IS-F aside) takes a huge hit in the first couple years. In early 2020 I bought a 60k mile 2017 IS350F; Clean as new, not a scratch, dealer serviced for $26k. No haggling with some dickhead salesman, no waiting for the "finance guy" to do your paperwork. In and out, wire transfer, private party sale. That's a $55k vehicle new that, when I bought in 2020 had the exact same features and options a brand new model would have. The IS is similar to the GX; Old, out-dated technology in a reliable, fast by 2006 standards, but somewhat stylish vehicle. Lipstick on an aging pig. Most of us buy these cars for reliability and longevity, that doesn't mean everyone should... but making a post about overspending, after doing what most people consider overspending, is going to get some responses.

Why people buy vehicles new that are capable of hitting 500k miles easily then sell them at 80k is odd to me. Just buy an Audi/BMW, they have WAY better features. Not knowing OP at all, I'd wager on a generalization that in reality he will have this thing for sale in 5 years and get ~$35k. Any takers?

 

[re_guderian]

The build looks awesome! Keep it up. The thread title is a little disingenuous, though... You've already spend 1/10 of a million bucks, and a lot more than many on the board that started $50K less than your build. That's all. Carry on...

 

[ducktapeguy]

Step 1 - Purchase $60k-$70K luxury SUV
Step 2 - add $5k-$10K worth of mods
Step 3 - Voila! Budget overlander!

J/k Do what makes you happy. There's no shame in having money, if you got it, then spend it. In the end nobody cares how much or how little it a build costs, all that matters is that you can look back at all the fun you had with it.

 

[r2m]

Step 1 - Purchase $60k-$70K luxury SUV
Step 2 - add $5k-$10K worth of mods
Step 3 - Voila! Budget overlander!

J/k Do what makes you happy. There's no shame in having money, if you got it, then spend it. In the end nobody cares how much or how little it a build costs, all that matters is that you can look back at all the fun you had with it.

Amen!
Only person that needs to be happy is you (and hopefully your wife and family too!!) along with the fun and adventures it brings!

 

[Thed351W]

Fine, I updated the title and the OP.

Spent some money with Victory yesterday. Ordered the rear upper shelf, fold-out table, and the Blitz front bumper. I wish I had the tools and welding ability to make things like that, but I've already tried my hand at welding. Let's just say that I'm pretty good at using the grinder.

My 2020 extruded aluminum for the fridge project came in today, Can't wait to get started on that. The dealer just wrapped the stock 18's in some 275/65R18 Falken Wildpeaks as well, and the service advisor told me that it looks pretty badass. Again, can't wait.

 

[Thed351W]

Sneak peak of the fridge I chose: a trucker fridge.

I'm making an enclosure out of 2020 extruded aluminum to house it, as well as a battery, a DC-to-DC charger, and an inverter. Flame suit on?

 

[ducktapeguy]

Flame suit on?

Only if you get the wiring wrong.

If you’re gonna go through the trouble of adding a battery and DCDC charger you might as well get a dual input charger and add a solar panel as well. Most of the electronics would already be in place so the added cost is minimal

 

[Thed351W]

Only if you get the wiring wrong.

If you’re gonna go through the trouble of adding a battery and DCDC charger you might as well get a dual input charger and add a solar panel as well. Most of the electronics would already be in place so the added cost is minimal

Honestly, I'm not very sure I want to go solar. The inverter is mainly for a "just in case" and not something I actually plan on using regularly, except for tailgating at hockey games.

 

[Thed351W]

Soooooo.... .the dealer put the wrong tires on. They put on Falken Wildpeak AT3WA's and not the AT3W's I asked for.

I hate being that guy to complain about such a small difference, but it wasn't what I asked for. I brought it home anyways, but I don't know if I really want to keep them. I guess it would help if I knew just how much of a penalty I'm taking off-road.

 

[re_guderian]

Soooooo.... .the dealer put the wrong tires on. They put on Falken Wildpeak AT3WA's and not the AT3W's I asked for.

I hate being that guy to complain about such a small difference, but it wasn't what I asked for. I brought it home anyways, but I don't know if I really want to keep them. I guess it would help if I knew just how much of a penalty I'm taking off-road.

View attachment 2830082

View attachment 2830083

What's the difference? And shame on Falken for making two different tires with nomenclature so close...

FWIW, I have the Falken Wildpeak AT3's in 275/70/17, since they came in a load range C, but I don't think I'd buy them again. They are HARD to keep balanced for more than one trip off road, and then they have an ever-so-slight hum/vibration. I've run the Nitto Terra Grappler's for years with great success on/off road. I'll probably go back soon, and not wait to wear these down.

EDIT - just updating this thread to repent for my Falken-bashing - the issue was a front wheel bearing on the way out, not the tires. My bad...

 

[Thed351W]

What's the difference? And shame on Falken for making two different tires with nomenclature so close...

FWIW, I have the Falken Wildpeak AT3's in 275/70/17, since they came in a load range C, but I don't think I'd buy them again. They are HARD to keep balanced for more than one trip off road, and then they have an ever-so-slight hum/vibration. I've run the Nitto Terra Grappler's for years with great success on/off road. I'll probably go back soon, and not wait to wear these down.

From what I can tell, they're the OEM tire on certain Ram 1500 trims and on G-Wagons. They're made overseas and they're more road-oriented. People seem to get good life out of them but the reviews are hard to sift through since they're so easily confused with the real things.

 

[Thed351W]

I'm thinking that I'm going to keep the AT3WA's. The big reason: load range C.

The regular AT3W comes as either a SL or an E range tire, three or ten ply. I had concerns with both, but the AT3WA splitting the difference at six plies seems like the "Goldilocks" place to be. It's not as aggressive as the AT3W's, and it will not clean mud out as easily, but it should be a good all-around tire.

 

[jiggletits]

I'd keep them too. Even with slightly less aggressive tread, you'll likely still get better traction when aired down in a load range C vs E, and it will ride better on pavement.

 

[re_guderian]

I'm thinking that I'm going to keep the AT3WA's. The big reason: load range C.

The regular AT3W comes as either a SL or an E range tire, three or ten ply. I had concerns with both, but the AT3WA splitting the difference at six plies seems like the "Goldilocks" place to be. It's not as aggressive as the AT3W's, and it will not clean mud out as easily, but it should be a good all-around tire.

This is why I went down to a 17" wheel. More sidewall, more flex at low psi in the AT3W.

Toyo AT3... Which Load Rating?

Decided Im going with Toyo AT3 275/65/18s for my stock wheels when the 2" Dobinsons lift comes in. Having a hard time deciding which load rating I should go with. The truck will see 80%+ street time so logic says to go with the SL tires but would going up to a C or E rating destroy on road...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Thed351W]

This is why I went down to a 17" wheel. More sidewall, more flex at low psi in the AT3W.

Toyo AT3... Which Load Rating?

Decided Im going with Toyo AT3 275/65/18s for my stock wheels when the 2" Dobinsons lift comes in. Having a hard time deciding which load rating I should go with. The truck will see 80%+ street time so logic says to go with the SL tires but would going up to a C or E rating destroy on road...

forum.ih8mud.com

I wasn't really ready to switch wheels yet. I actually like the stock grey 18's a lot, even if they are pretty worthless (bad offset, questionable strength, etc).

However when the time comes, I'm absolutely going down to 17's.

 

[Thed351W]

Dobinsons lift installed. 2" front, 1.25" rear. I absolutely love it. It rides better than it has any right to, in my opinion better than stock.

Front spring: C59-350
Front shocks: GS59-700
Rear springs: C59-505
Rear Shocks: GS59-705
No UCA's.

 

[Meat Head]

Looks good!