Lexus GX470 Makes One Heck of a Cool Off-Roader

For the price of a new economy sedan, somebody got this highly capable off-roader.

By Brett Foote - August 19, 2022
Lexus GX470 Makes One Heck of a Cool Off-Roader
Lexus GX470 Makes One Heck of a Cool Off-Roader
Lexus GX470 Makes One Heck of a Cool Off-Roader
Lexus GX470 Makes One Heck of a Cool Off-Roader
Lexus GX470 Makes One Heck of a Cool Off-Roader
Lexus GX470 Makes One Heck of a Cool Off-Roader
Lexus GX470 Makes One Heck of a Cool Off-Roader

Capability at the Right Price

Older Lexus LX and GX SUVs have become incredibly popular among off-road enthusiasts in recent years, mainly because they're a fantastic platform that's already capable to being with. Add the right mixture of upgrades, and you've got a seriously capable vehicle that can go just about anywhere. This 2003 Lexus GX470 that recently went up for grabs at Cars & Bids turned out to be fantastic value for the buyer, too.

Photos: Cars & Bids

Exterior Upgrades

The list of modifications here is long, as one might imagine, and starts on the outside with McQueen Prototype Design widebody front fenders a Califab front bumper, and a Califab roof rack, as well as  17-inch Pro Comp beadlock wheels wrapped with 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 tires.

Photos: Cars & Bids

Beefed Up

Underneath, the suspension of this GX has received a ton of mods that help make it far more capable off-road, including a Total Chaos 3.5-inch long-travel front suspension lift, King 2.5-inch triple-bypass front shocks, King front coilovers, a Califab 3 link rear suspension system, King 2.5-inch triple-bypass rear shocks, a Truetrac locking rear differential, 4.88 gears, and a fully-gusseted front end.

Photos: Cars & Bids

Mostly Stock Cabin

The interior of this SUV was left mostly alone, save for the installation of a Grom Bluetooth adapter and Kicker speakers to help provide some tunes when you're out on the trails. With 193k miles on the clock, there is some wear inside, but nothing too terrible.

Photos: Cars & Bids

Familiar Powerplant

Power for this GX comes from a familiar source - Lexus'  4.7-liter naturally-aspirated 2UZ-FE V8, which was originally rated to produce 235 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. That power flows to all four wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission and a two-speed transfer case.

Photos: Cars & Bids

Some Flaws

As one might imagine from an off-road build with nearly 200k miles on the clock, there are some flaws to note, including some stone chips, scratches, scuffs, dings, and creases on the front seat leather. Regardless, that's what a proper off-roader should look like, right?

Photos: Cars & Bids

Solid Value

With a selling price of $23,750, this wicked GX build is certainly a great value, regardless, as it would be difficult to replicate such a machine for that kind of money. Plus, we imagine that the new owner will have a heck of a lot of fun with it, too, whether that be on or off paved surfaces.

Photos: Cars & Bids

>>Join the conversation about this off-roading GX470 right here at ClubLexus.com.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our How-to section in the forum.

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