Operation Lexus Land Cruiser Prado - A Bubbles Joint (GX470)

Welp. I bought me a Lexus GX470 after giving up on finding a decent mileage LC100/LX470.

In doing research the GX470 is called the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 Series in the rest of the world, so its a baby Land Cruiser. Toyota takes that name seriously so anything that has it is built better than anything else they make. The major differences are the luxury items, different front end, the Lexus got the 4.7L V8 and has rear air suspension. Otherwise its a Prado, even has the third row like its big brother the Land Cruiser 100 series.

I really lucked out apparently as the one I got is a unicorn in the GX world. It's a sport package which means dark surround headlights and fog lights, black wood trim, KDSS and its a non navigation model.

Follow along while I turn this female owned, only serviced at the dealer, soccer mom mobile into the baby land cruiser that it is under the frilly Lexus surface.

I didn't take any pictures of it when I first bought it but this was before the modding really started. At this point the only things I did to it was have the windows tinted with the new 3M Ceramic IR, which is easily just as good as the Crystalline but much cheaper.

 

Next up those stock wheels and highway Michelin's had to go!

The wheels are the insanely fkin rare TRD "Rock Warrior" forged faux bead lock wheels in 6 lug, originally intended for certain 4Runners. They're a VIN locked part and no I can't help you score a set. I have had mine sitting in my garage new in the boxes for a long time and thankfully I have a full set of 5. Anyways I got em setup with some 255/75R17 BFGoodrich KM3's. Something about the tall and skinny's appeals to me.

 

This as you can imagine led to some rubbing so next up was lifting it. With the help of my pal @ahspurlock and color commentary by @ThaiChillyTaco an OME lift was installed along with a metaltech rear coil conversion to ditch the rear airbags. Looks much better with the lift!

 

Next up involved some cutting... Went over to visit my pal @ahspurlock again and this time got the factory 6k lb tow hitch installed so I can move my boat around again. Then we cut some holes in it, and took off the factory running boards and trimmed some plastics to assist with looks and work on alleviating some rubbing. Amazing how ditching the OEM running boards makes it look so much taller.

#SNORKELSQUAD

 

Let's see some interior pics!

 

I'll get some today

 

With the snorkel on you can barrel thru down town Charleston when it floods

 

Thats the plan! Get a winch bumper and pull morons out for $100.

 

She dirty.

 

looks good

you lucked out big time getting a non-nav model lol. Ive read on IH8Mud that it's like 50+ some odd splices you'd make changing the surround out and keeping all the functions lol

 

Thanks bro! Yeah I read that thread after I bought this one and was like..... whew!

 

im looking at getting a 80/100 series myself as a second whip.

Avoiding a Nav unit at all cost lol

 

I looked at those as well, 80’s are too problematic and costly for what you get and 100’s are double the cost of these 120’s. I still would love a 100 LC, but this 120 GX is my jam.

 

Aint no question. If you get a cheap 80/100 its that way for a reason, 100 series with the Rear Lockers are rare as well and ive seen a few good examples but they're often out of state.

the 120 series to me is the enigma lol. I like the V8 Limited T4R better aesthetically and such.

Looking forward to seeing one actually being built. Maybe i'll change my mind lol

 

Well that gen 4runner are 120's too lol. I prefer these aesthetically as its closer to the actual prado.

 

Installed my Prado tails. Still need to do some wiring for the reverse lights, but the rest works just fine.

 

I will be purchasing a GX soon

 

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I bought the next best thing lol