3″ Lifted Lexus GX470 with KDSS Suspension on beefy 34″ Tires
Thanks to many awesome off-road and overland builds we’ve seen during the last few years, the Lexus GX has shed the reputation of a soccer mom wagon and shifted towards the league of desired platforms for 4×4 projects. It’s no wonder, as being a nearly identical vehicle to a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120, it’s got everything one may need in an off-road SUV (well, except for the full set of lockers), plus it looks exceptionally good when lifted and outfitted with beefy tires.
Perhaps it’s one of the reasons why @imjustfoo Esteban has picked up this silver 2007 Lexus GX470 for his family fleet. Being a long-time fan of off-road vehicle aesthetics (we’ve already featured his lifted 957 Cayenne off-road build on Offroadium a while ago), there was no chance for this mint GX to stay stock, and so it was soon outfitted with a lift and meaty tires.
Suspension
The GX470 comes from the factory with 265/65R17 tires, which equals 31″, but the space in the wheel arches promises that it can be filled with larger wheels, especially with the help of a lift kit. The KDSS suspension system (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System technology) makes things a little bit more complicated in terms of lifting this SUV due to the more complex construction, but the aftermarket does offer some nice solutions to achieve this goal.
To maintain good on-road manners and optimal suspension articulation and damping, the owner decided to install an Iron Man Foam Cell Pro Suspension Kit designed specifically for the GX models equipped with the KDSS suspension.
Foam Cell Pro shock absorbers feature a tough, military spec, big bore 3″ twin-tube shock, the largest, strongest shock on the market; they are nearly indestructible, carry no internal parts which can jam, require little to no service, and are rebuildable.
Ironman 4×4
Freedom Off-road UCAs were added to correct the ball joint angle and maintain optimal suspension geometry on this 3″ lift.
To make sure the rear suspension operates safely with the lift, it was also decided to add a “Dr KDSS Gold Bolt-On Track Bar Correction Kit”. This product is a bolt-on track bar correction kit designed to improve vehicle stability in lifted solid axle vehicles, particularly Toyota and Lexus models. It addresses the issue of steep track bar angles caused by lifting the vehicle, which can lead to unwanted lateral axle movement, by allowing you to adjust the track bar’s pivot point to maintain a more parallel orientation with the ground.
Wheels
When the lift was completed, it was finally time to take care of the wheels. The shiny silver polished wheels you see in the photos are 17×9 Falcon Offroad TX1 Apollo with -25 offset. They’re wrapped in chunky 315/70/17 Hankook Dynapro M/T2 tires that are equal to about 34″.
Obviously, being this tall and wide, these tires required a lot of trimming to mitigate all the rubbing issues, and that’s where the Runnin4tacos cab mount chop became handy.
GX470 Build – Parts List
Suspension
- Iron Man FCP 3” lift
- Freedom Off-road UCA
- Dr KDSS Gold Bolt-On Track Bar Correction Kit
- Runnin4tacos cab mount chop
Wheels
- 315/70/17 Hankook Dynapro M/T2
- 17×9 -25 Falcon Offroad TX1 Apollo wheels
Conclusion
Unlike many GX builds we see flooding the internet, the owner of this particular rig took a slightly different approach. By refraining from installing the typical overland-style gear and body armor, he’s created an exceptionally clean aesthetic that sets this SUV apart from the crowd. This minimalist approach allows the Lexus GX470’s inherent elegance to shine through, while still highlighting it’s off-road attitude.
However, this build is far from being all show. Despite being oriented towards aesthetics, the owner didn’t skimp on performance upgrades. The installation of a legit functional suspension lift, complete with high-quality components like the Iron Man Foam Cell Pro Suspension Kit and Freedom Off-road UCAs, significantly improved the vehicle’s capabilities on challenging terrain. This careful balance ensures that the GX470 isn’t just a pretty face but a true off-road performer.
The brightest accent of this build is undoubtedly the wheel & tire combo. The awesome-looking oversized 315/70/17 Hankook Dynapro M/T2 tires, mounted on 17×9 Falcon Offroad TX1 Apollo wheels, give the GX that coveted beefed-up off-road look. This setup not only enhances it’s presence but also improves the overal ground clearance and traction.
