Nomad's Lexus GX 460 - aka - Land Cruiser Prado 150

  I need to occasionally haul things back from the HD store for projects and a nice solid roof rack would be a great addition that would allow me to haul long items and 4x8 sheets with ease. Granted it'll be relatively light weight use but attaching some roof boxes, accessories and an awning will also be easy in the future. There are companies selling heavy duty crossbars but they blow what I'm willing to spend for something so basic. I may eat my words later... or just remove them and go on with life... First iteration: Superstrut The factory rails, while much maligned for being low profile, only need a J hook clamp and a top flat surface. So the design is relatively straightforward. While I should have built with straight cuts as proof of concept I went ahead and complicated things by doing 45 degree ends and filler plates right off the bat. I want a nicer, streamlined look (if that's even possible) More progress: The superstrut has J shaped bottom section and 2" pie...

 Just for fun I decided to figure out a way to add Paracord Grab handles to the Lexus GX460.  Is it an essential mod? No.  Does it solve a problem? No.  Is there a good reason to do it? Yes! Mods = fun. My method is completely reversible if I don't care for them or need to put it back to stock.  Problem 1: When the factory handles are removed there are odd shaped holes left behind. I measured then modeled some finish plates to mount the handles to. 3D printed a set and will see how they fit.  Problem 2: The factory uses clips in 3/8" x 3/4" square holes to attach the stock handles. This makes it tough to just "bolt on" another option. I had to get creative in how to mount them. I settled on what I hope is a simple/strong enough design. A little garage time whipped these up. Inserted into the hole is a 1"x 3/8" drilled and tapped tab. A "C" shaped spacer is then entered into the hole to position and clamp the tab to keep it from spinning behin...

 I have a 2013 Lexus GX460 with the premium package (basically a Prado 150 or 5th Gen 4Runner chassis) and while it does have KDSS, locking center diff, traction control, 4-lo etc it does not have the Toyota "Multi Terrain Select" option.  New Module with MTS This module changes the way the traction control system works, tailoring it for various terrain types: Mogul, Rock, Mud and Sand, or Loose Rock. This is a very easy fix though, by just changing the traction module in the dash. A few bolts, screws and dash panels are removed and the module is swapped. Easy as that. There are plenty of writeups online.  About an hour moving slowly and I have a nice upgrade for offroad use. A little intelligent electronic intervention only serves to make the GX460 more capable. As they say: Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.  Useful and inexpensive compared to many other options often advertised. 

 Without getting into arguing about Toyota "Lifetime Transmission Fluid" claims, or the ususal debates... Lets just say I read and made my decision based on logic, mechanical knowledge, coupled with experiences of my own and others and my comfort/time/budget levels...  I chose the quick maintenance option of the ATF drain and fill method. Why? It is quick, easy, least intrusive, and introduces nearly no known issues. I have high mileage vehicle: 170k and I have no record of the ATF being serviced before I bought it.  I plan on getting another 100k out of it but with all the other maintenance time I've spent recently I wanted to hold off on a full pan/filter/gasket job. I can tackle all that later. 3-4 drain and fills will swap out a lot of the old fluid and only takes about 30 minutes and uses 2 sockets.  You can do this on a cold vehicle all in 1 day (drive a few miles and let it cool) on consecutive days, or with each oil change or whenever you find time.  Jus...

 As many have dealt with, the factory air pump draws in air from the engine bay but uses a small piece of foam suspended above small turbine blades to filter the air. The foam breaks down over time and contacts the fins and gets sucked into the system. Many have cleaned out the foam gunk and more have had to do larger jobs of replacing pumps etc.  So the easy safeguard/fix, is a cheap air filter with a 1" opening.  The lid comes off with one screw, then I removed the foam, and carefully pried off the factory intake end. The filter goes on the end easily and all fits back where it belongs. 

So for all the hardcore rock crawlers that want to maximize their 470 and 460 this may be a little extra mod to add to the rig. These are ABS sensor guards that also have mounts for small rock lights. If you're going through heavy scrub or rocky terrain then these would protect the sensor and wire. While not terribly expensive or difficult to fix, the sensor ties into many driving modules so if its cut then your dashboard will light up like disco. These are from Ohana Rig Supply. More of a just for fun mod for me, but I figured I'd get them fit up and take a look. After all, "just for fun" has always been a legitimate excuse to mod! They use the abs sensor mount bolt, and the wire bracket bolt. These put a guard in front of the ABS sensor and wire. They fit up against the inside of the brake shield and bend behind the tie rod. Small rock lights can be mounted to the top of the bracket above the steering link. These will move with the wheel so will aim where you point....

TPMS is basically a good thing, but it can be a bit of a pain for those who like to modify our vehicles. Several scenarios cause annoyance: leaving the TPMS sensors in the OEM wheels when changing to aftermarket, buying a second set of wheels for various uses. or finally, airing down offroad. Yes, you can buy more sensors, but that increases the budget. I figured I'd just try out a $3 solution; I can always spend money if I'm not happy.  Tools: Screwdriver, wire cut/crimper, 2 ft small gauge wire, electrical tape or heat shrink. Optional: soldering kit. I did not invent nor figure this out but wanted to document it for any new owner looking for ideas. I followed the directions online, easy to find. Mine refers only to the 2010 - 2013 GX460, so you'll need to do some research if yours is a different year, but the concept is still the same.  The TPMS module is behind the rear driver side interior panel, directly above the cargo net connector.  You remove the connector and t...

 The options to change the suspension on the GX460 are varied and slowly growing. I won't bother with all the other versions and details about them.  I merely chose what I did based on: 1. How I ACTUALLY use my vehicles (not how I dream it could be after watching some cinematic video):   Mostly onroad commuting, with short stints offroad to go shooting or a day trip up some mountain fire roads. A rare, longer trip for camping once I have the vehicle ready. No rock crawling, no desert pre-running, no sand dune jumps, no week long overlanding far from civilization. 2. My budget.      Yes, I prefer not to spend money and to "be frugal" (not cheap, there's a difference!... I think) I also am reluctant to sink a lot of money into something like a vehicle. I have a limit to what I will spend as I have much more important personal goals and focus (hence all the diy). Well ok, it was a simple choice for me.  Other than keeping the stock shocks, which I wa...

The GX460 has a 4.6L V8 but you'd never know it in stock form. Is it a Hellcat screamer or Coyote growler? Not really. But I do think it should at least SOUND like a V8.  There's just something about a good V8 sound, not a straight piped obnoxious one, but a well tuned, healthy V8 sound... The GX is whisper quiet in stock form. While I certainly can appreciate the engineer's emphasis on luxury, I'm only here because: "capable offroader with V8" and any luxury is a bonus. I didn't buy this for posh walnut trim and heated and cooled seats... but I ain't complaining! I purchased a Magnaflow #11226 muffler. I could have gotten a slightly longer body version but I'd read several reviews so was confident it'd be ok. Worst case scenario I either weld in the stocker, take it to a pro to redo, or buy an off the shelf bolt on catback system. UPDATE: I recommend a longer muffler body. I should have gone with my gut and gotten a 18" or longer body. Ma...