Roody’s 2018 Lexus GX460 Build, Adventure, and Off the Road Again Podcast

This is the story of my 2018 Lexus GX460.

This is what it looked like when I bought it on November 1, 2021:



And this is what it looks like as of this writing:


Backstory: After a slew of 4Runners (2005 V6, 2018 TRD Off Road, 2005 V8) and countless other vehicles, I concluded my vehicular home is in the land of Toyota 4x4s. I set out to buy another 5th gen 4Runner in the fall of 2021 and along the way realized its platform-mate, the Lexus GX460, was less expensive than comparable-age and mileage T4Rs. What sealed the deal was that it has a V8, can tow more than the Toyota, and wasn't a vehicle I had already had. Its Prado lineage and my “Land Cruiser taste on a used 4Runner budget” mindset eventually led me to a CPO 2018 Lexus GX460 with 27,562 miles on it when I bought it on 11/01/2021.

Pictures of it in its new-to-me state, circa November '21:




Now, to the fun stuff. For those that don’t know, I have a side gig as an automotive journalist. This includes writing for a few different car/truck/ATV/UTV websites and hosting an off-road podcast. I’m extremely fortunate and privileged to have written about the Lexus build for one of my outlets, and especially so that some partners got on board with the project. Toyo, Ironman4x4, Wheelpros/Motegi, Warn, Midland, Lightforce, and Pelican all helped with the parts, and I added a few items of my own along the way. Needless to say, I’ve spent countless hours writing about the GX, the build, and the work done to get it to where it is.

Here is the list of what’s on it at the time of this writing:

• Ironman Foam Cell Pro suspension
• Ironman Premium front bumper
• Toyo Open Country A/T III tires, 285/70/17, C load rating
• Motegi MR150 Trailite wheels, 17 x 8.5” w/Gorilla lug nuts
• Warn VR Evo 12-S winch
• Midland MXT500 radio and “Ghost” antenna
• Lightforce Genesis LED driving lights w/CH4x4 OEM knockout switch
• JW Offroad spare tire carrier w/license plate mount and extended backup camera
• Pelican toolbox / mount
• Curt Class 3 hitch receiver
• Maxpider Kagu floor mats in 1st/2nd rows, OEM Lexus rubber cargo mat
• Nextbase dash cam w/Dongar rearview mirror integration
• Vehicle OCD center console organizer
• Luyed LED reverse lights
• Phone dash mount w/Ram system

I’ve taken the GX wheeling a few times already and have done many local-ish road trips with it. The fancy badge is still something that bothers me, but the road manners and Lexus comfort that shine through even after the upgrades are a treat. Despite my vehicular ADD, I’ll probably have this thing longer than any of the other Toyota 4x4s that have occupied my personal/proverbial garage. Don’t hold me to that, but I figured a build thread is worth starting if for no other reason than to track the progress and adventures it’s subjected to, and to contribute to the website that I’ve made so many friends on.

Bonus pics of it as it sits now until I get another post done:






Stay tuned… more to come.

 

Nice ….that’s a lot of time and work there

 

Sub'd.

 

More than I can ever account for, and inevitably more going forward

GX community unite!

 

I need to make a build thread. I'm just to fucking lazy.

 

Never too late, took me 14 months to get this one started from the day I brought the 460 home

 

I've had mine since 8-23-21. And in the last 17 months I've built it farther than any of the other Toyota I've owned. And that list is quite long.

 

You beat me by a month in GX ownership... and ditto. I put a ton of work into the V8 4Runner that I bought off my podcast co-host but it was nowhere near as much as what I've put into and done to the 460. That's a big reason I'm keeping it. The time and emotional investment in this rig is up there with the Chevy Avalanche I had for 6ish years and the Kawasaki Brute Force that I had for 11 years. Eventually a vehicle becomes a part of the family, and this GX is effectively there.

 

I feel ya man. I look forward to following the build thread.

 

Yes!!! Totally in.

 

So glad you're keeping this thing

 

I should have bought it

 

Stay tuned!

So am I, apparently haha

Same, dude... now just to get back out on the trails together

Shoulda, coulda, woulda... but I'm honestly glad it's not going anywhere. I've loved a lot of the vehicles I've owned, and I really do love the GX.

 

Definitely subscribed

I was just talking to my wife today about the possibility of getting her a used Land Cruiser for her next vehicle. I’m not fancy enough for a Lexus lol

Yours looks awesome already!

 

Sub'd

 

I'm deliberately trying to un-fancy the Lexus, but there is definitely a novelty factor of people realizing the L badge and having a moment before they put two and two together. Don't rule a 460 out just because of the Lexus part, it's a Prado everywhere else!

Coming soon to your local mod day and wheeling trip

 

I looove seeing a built out Lexus. I just got back from a trip to the outer banks of NC and I always see a bunch of them out there.

I guess I just assumed they would be too pricey, I’ll have to take a look!

Can’t wait to see what else you do to your rig.

 

Everyone loves pictures (myself included), so here's some random shots showing the various upgrades that I've made to the GX thus far.

Ironman Foam Cell Pro suspension & Premium front bumper



Toyo Open Country A/T III tires, 285/70/17, C load rating & Motegi MR150 Trailite wheels, 17 x 8.5” w/Gorilla lug nuts



Warn VR Evo 12-S winch, in action



Midland MXT500 radio and “Ghost” antenna



Lightforce Genesis LED driving lights w/CH4x4 OEM knockout switch



JW Offroad spare tire carrier w/license plate mount and extended backup camera



Pelican toolbox (mount not on it in this photo)



Curt Class 3 hitch receiver



Maxpider Kagu floor mats in 1st/2nd rows, OEM Lexus rubber cargo mat



Kaon tailgate table


Dash speaker phone mount w/Ram system



No pictures of these, so take my word for them being on the truck:

• Nextbase dash cam w/Dongar rearview mirror integration
  
• Vehicle OCD center console organizer
• Luyed LED reverse lights

And shots of my prior Toyota 4x4s just for fun

 

I love what you did with the white T4R. It gives me the utilitarian, I’m not flashy but I’m here to have fun, vibe. Looks like it would take you anywhere you wanted to go but doesn’t look ridiculous. Same thing I’m going for with my build.

Thanks for uploading all the pics! Good stuff.

 

Appreciate the kind words! I actually bought the white 4Runner like that. Saw the listing on ExPo, drove to Canada with a truck/trailer, and imported it myself. Had it for 2.5 years, was a hell of a truck.