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GX460 Lightweight hitch install - Class III

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What do you use your hitch for? Leave a comment So I sold the full size hitch that came on the GX460 and just now installed another hitch... Did I make a mistake? Was that a dumb idea? Well, for me, no.  The factory hitch is large and really built well. Of course this equals about 80lb extra on the vehicle and I have no campers or boats to tow, so really no need with my lifestyle for that type of Class V hitch strength.  I do, however, carry a bike or two around and perhaps a cargo mount or similar small duty item. So I grabbed a Class III hitch for $60 and a few twists of the wrench later it's on.  I really wanted a higher mounted hitch and the 2013 looks like it has bolts holes for the 4Runner type mounting but I could not find any for cheaper than the new one. I was hoping for something even with the spare tire or higher. A hitch coming directly out of the access panel would have been great.  Again, with no serious rock crawling in my future, just trail driving, I figured the lo
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Ditch Lights for offroad visibility

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Comment below what light location you find most useful. A little extra lighting, especially off to the sides can be fairly useful offroad. I didn't want tall ditch lights that blocked my view during every day driving so I found some lower profile dual LED lights to try out. 5th Gen 4Runner light brackets were cheap on the jungle store. Easy install and easy to mount lights.  I purchased a premade wiring kit since it was actually cheaper than buying a roll of wire alone. The wiring was straightforward with a small slit in the wiring boot to get into the cabin and a few crimped wire ends. I purchased a dual switch for future light expansion and installed the wires according to the diagram.  That's where my only issue came up. The switch did not work. I tried a few different wiring configurations, chased some wires with the Multimeter, and even tried the basic switch that was originally included in the harness. The basic switch worked but not the Toyota style switch. My las
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DIY Full Platform, Low Profile Roof Rack for GX460 - under $200!

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Full size roof rack mounted, a time consuming DIY My goals with this rack: DIY, full roof size, able to stand on, as low profile as possible, can connect to stock rails and be quickly removable.  The heavy duty cross bars I made work fine for hauling beach items and lumber from the 'Depot. I was planning on making a fairing to eliminate the little bit of wind noise and adding flat platform material to it. The larger issue I ran into was they were not long enough to support a full 8' sheet of material, leaving the front to bend down toward the roof, and the curve of the roof track made them uneven for a flat cover.  Reality is I felt the itch to do a project and weld more. I want a solid platform to mount items to that are odd shapes or heavier, like max tracks, an awning, or a spare 5 gallons of gas for offroad excursions in this thirsty truck.  But really, who doesn't want to look like they are on a safari, rolling curbs in the Target parking lot? After looking at several
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New (old) shoes = Sequoia 17 wheels and "Pizza Cutter" tires!

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Spend $1300 on wheels? Spend another $1200 on tires? No thanks. Not this guy... I tried the Rust-Oleum Metallic "Oil Rubbed Bronze" paint to see what it looks like. Figured I'd share what it looked like. It does a good job of looking like some of the other bronze wheels available but I actually preferred the satin black. OEM Sequoia wheels, poorly painted when I picked them up  After replacing my JK Wrangler with this  GX460  trying to make it more of what the "Land Cruiser Prado" was made to be in all other countries.  It looks ok from a distance but thick paint is sagging in areas. Yes, this has way better tech, a better engine, more comfortable interior, quieter more powerful engine, and more, that the Jeep JK didn't have, but it lacks in the looks department (and, as Jeepers say ad nauseum - no removable top or doors).  After chemical stripping. The aluminum surface is perfect So I want less "Latte Lounger", and more "Capable Cruiser"
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Less weight - Remove 3rd row seats and DIY Cargo floor for GX460 or 4Runner.

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Do you prefer drawers or a flat cargo space? Leave a comment below. I revised the rear setup to give me more options and storage here: https://nomadsgx460.blogspot.com/2022/08/more-versatile-rear-storage-drawers-3rd.html I won't be using the 3rd row electric seats so I pulled them right away. 127lbs of associated seats and brackets gone! Heavier than I thought!  I also removed the large class IV hitch which was another 85lb or so. With 200lb less weight in the rear and 6 inches lower trunk floor I have something a little more useable and versatile.  In order to finish it all off I built a cargo floor with locking tie down points. I used much of what I had available and only bought what was necessary.  The silver you see is two layers of my favorite -budget- sound deadener which is "PEEL N SEAL" window seal. Look it up. It's only $20 for a roll of foil backed butyl. It deadens the resonance of the steel panels. Same as Dynamat. I used two layers as I heard some more
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DIY Rock Sliders for $125! Remove side steps, GX460 frame same as 4Runner. Budget fabrication

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"I welded, it helded." I was thinking about  adding rock sliders. Not to hit rock gardens and pivot around obstacles or grind over boulders, but as a 'just in case" measure as even mild trails can reach up and grab those low hanging plastic steps the GX came with.  I had a few options: Several suppliers have bolt on designs for $600-1,000 Trail Gear DIY kits are around $350-400 Raw steel tube would cost $250 (still need to buy a bender) I researched and watched used markets for take offs... As I looked at used parts, I noticed how much cheaper the Jeep JK stuff was. DIY kits are basically sliders welded up but you do the fitment, mounting plates, and extensions. Weld it and finish it. Well, my catalog of poor ideas keeps growing... I had another one. I picked up a set of Smittybuilt rock sliders for the Jeep JKU (4 door) for $80 locally. Cheaper than I can buy the same amount of raw tube steel... Jeep sliders for the Lexus? Just my style. Stock sideskirts are 74"
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