After a string of “forever” cars that never made it to their unrealistic expiration date, I swore to myself that I would never use the phrase again. After all, nothing is forever and life, tastes, and needs all change, and automotive enthusiasts like myself tend to get bored. And yet, I’ve owned my 2018 Lexus GX460 for almost four years, making it the longest a vehicle has been in my care in my adult life. I’m absolutely enamored by it even despite the amazing things I get to drive on a regular basis, and I think I know why.
The GX460 didn’t get much appreciation during its production run. It lacked in all the wrong places: Not enough space, crappy fuel economy, driving dynamics from yesteryear, and a face only its mother could love. This all changed when the general public (and overlanding and 4×4 worlds in particular) came to appreciate its simplicity, off-road capability, reliability, and durability.
My journey to the GX was indirect. It started with hunting for a 5th gen 4Runner that proved moot thanks to Covid-inflated prices, as was evident in a used 2018 TRD Off-Road Premium selling at well over what I bought the exact same vehicle for new in 2018. A higher-mileage 2017 4Runner TRD Pro nearby then sold quickly, but the dealer had a used GX on the lot. I shared a chassis with the 4Runner and was effectively a V-8 powered version of the global Land Cruiser Prado. Its tame factory styling could be changed easily enough. Game, set, match.
The GX is far from perfect…
Poor fuel economy, tech that’s abysmal by modern standards, and the biggest tire that fits in the OEM spare location is only an inch or so bigger than stock all come to mind. The GX is far from perfect and I knew that when I bought it. Then dad duty came about– the reason I went back to a full-size, four-door vehicle in the first place– and other problems reared their heads.
The second row door opening is tight for our beloved Doona car seat and the back seat itself is relatively constricting compared to most comparably-sized vehicles. Base trim GX460s (like mine) don’t have overhead vents in the second row which makes airflow not great, and the rear side-swinging door is its own can of worms.
…but no great vehicle is
Despite that, the GX remains close to perfect as all-arounder for my use. Highway travel, off-roading, safety, comfort. Jack of all trades, master of none. The relative simplicity and Toyota durability makes it reliable and easier to repair than more complex, modern vehicles. Driving it is also truly refreshing, like stepping into yesteryear while still having some modern luxuries and safety features to keep me and my family comfortable and safe. Oh, and I write this while amidst a rewatch of The Walking Dead: In the event of a film/movie/book-esque apocalypse, the GX will always start, always run, and can traverse anything that might be in the way. Peace of mind.
And yet, my interest in the GX waned. My mind started to wander… Are there other vehicles I’d prefer if money, reliability, and safety weren’t primary concerns? Absolutely. Winning the lottery would mean a brand new Jeep Wrangler 392 which, optioned the way I’d spec it, is well over $100k. Yikes. Even a used 392 is over $50k and other 2024+ Wranglers (which crucially have side curtain air bags, a necessity in my mind given my two children) are just pricier than the vehicle is worth. 4Runners were considered but “been there, done that” and the Bronco just doesn’t charm me. The GX would be sticking around indefinitely.
A new era for the GX
There’s always a way to bring the interest in and excitement for your vehicle back up to a level that makes you want to keep and drive it. Ever furthering the quest to explore what works best as a happy middleground for both on and off-road duty, the extremely kind folks at Toyo Tires and WheelPros stepped in to further the GX project on the fronts of both form and function.
Toyo’s Open Country R/T Trail rugged terrain tire in the pizza-cutter 255/80/17 size were the first part of the puzzle. Skinny tires, as my friend Kai at Tinkerer’s Adventure put it, minimize rolling resistance to optimize fuel economy and retain stock-like driving characteristics while also allowing for the largest relative contact patch when aired down. I’ve been a fan of tall, narrow tires for years now. The Toyos are 33.1” tall and 10.0” wide while ticking at a light 52 pounds even despite their E load rating, and paired with the wheels the package is a reasonable 78.3 lbs/corner.
We also absolutely adore the 17×8” Pro Comp Heritage wheels that WheelPros supplied. The Heritage name alludes to the retro style and the evolution of the classic 8-hole wheel design, making for a modern look with a retro flair. They work beautifully with the GX’s chrome accents (door handles, window trim, grille, etc) and this is our favorite look for the GX yet. And if they look great clean, they look even better dirty.
Better than ever
The GX always did well on-road but now it’s even better. It drives admirably for something as capable as it is off-road, and much of that is now thanks to the narrow tires with stiff sidewalls that allow for great handling characteristics. It really drives great for a lifted rig.
And off-road? It’s even better. The aforementioned sidewalls and aired-down footprint make for great grip across the board, especially on rocks and hard pack. Loose pack performance is solid and it tracks straight anywhere and everywhere. Although mud performance isn’t great, it isn’t on anything that’s not a dedicated mud tire, and the R/T Trail really proves the worth of the middleground mentality of a rugged terrain tire. There’s also huge peace of mind in running a tire that’s rated for a higher load and damage resistance than is actually needed; what is slightly compromises in ride quality it makes up for in height retention when aired down, and again, peace of mind.
So here we are
So much of my reinvigorated love for my GX is thanks to the amazing partners that have joined in on the party to help showcase the GX460 as a platform for wheeling and overlanding. The aftermarket has finally taken to it in droves, and as an alternative to a 4Runner, Bronco, or Wrangler, it really is its own unique thing. My GX has evolved significantly in the nearly-four years I’ve had it and today just about the only thing I don’t like about it is the color. Just like I swore to never again say “forever,” I once swore to never buy another vehicle with black paint. Can’t undo forever on that one but wraps and decals exist, after all.
So here we are: My GX460 again has my heart. It has carried my children, taken me and my family on adventures, seen harder off-roading than most so-called off-roaders will ever tackle, and been the backbone to my automotive life since I bought it in November of 2021. Forever is a long time, but for now it’s perfectly imperfect. I love it. Now, time for more adventures.