The Ultimate Overlanding 2021 Lexus GX460 Build

Lexus GX460 built to pursue off-grid adventure

Isn’t this one good-looking rig? Thanks to the hard work of owner J-Matt Garcia of Las Vegas, Nevada, this once-stock 2021 Lexus GX460 has spent the last year traveling around the West Coast, picking up more accessories and modifications as it goes. Working alongside some incredible brands has made lots of unique adventures possible for J-Matt and his GX, and you can bet there are more to come.

The GX460 sports a solid lift from King shocks, giving it an intimidating stance.

Getting Rolling

Though he’s been working on the GX a mere year and a half, J-Matt’s been customizing cars since he could walk, essentially. As a kid, he’d head out on family adventures with his dad, a car aficionado with a hobby of “customizing anything on wheels.” That quickly turned into a lifetime spent in the garage, working on builds of all different breeds.

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But how to combine that passion with the itch to get outside he’d established as a kid? “As a full time car enthusiast,” he explains, “I knew there had to be a way to admire nature with four wheels.” And that’s how he discovered overlanding. With the support of PURE4X4, he started to get off-grid more and more often.

A full series of Baja Designs lighting illuminates from the front grille.

The Garage Alpha Offroad grille stands out on an all-white paint job.

Platform Upgrades

You’d never guess it now, but when J-Matt bought his Lexus, he actually meant to keep it stock. Needless to say, it didn’t take more than a couple of days before he realized its true potential – thus began the process of turning it into the rig you see on these pages.

A lifelong car guy, J-Matt knew exactly how to build a base that would make the perfect basecamp for all his adventures. That includes engine mods, but also suspension, wheels and tires, a full body tint, skid plates all around, and more.

“Working alongside some incredible brands has made lots of unique adventures possible for J-Matt and his GX, and you can bet there are more to come.”

From the Warn winch up to the Inspired Overland RTT, the GX is seriously stacked.

His favorite of the bunch? His Stop Tech 6 Piston Big Brake Kit. Adding the weight of all the modifications we’re about to get into has a serious impact on the stopping power of an already heavy SUV, and J-Matt started to notice that it changed the way the GX reacted, both on-road and on the trail. “It’s not only safe, but the performance is like stopping in a sports car,” he tells us.

Starting at the core of the GX, J-Matt has kept the factory 4.6-liter V8, but added on an AFE Momentum GT Intake, Carven R Exhaust, and Dirtskum Side Exit, which work alongside Beatsonic Throttle Management, DRKDSS Controls, and CVC Custom Tuning to make her run like a gem.

Baja Designs LP4 lights in Amber work as ditch lights.

Off-Road Ability

Upgrading the suspension along with wheels and tires was a must for J-Matt when he started this build. The GX sits pretty on 17-inch Rays Wheels VV21-SX wheels wrapped in 35-inch Toyo R/T Trail tires. Both the front and rear suspension got King 2.5 Coilovers.

In the front alongside the King coils are King Shock Guards and DUROBUMPS bumpstops. Inspired Overland Upper Control Arms and DRKDSS Sway Bar End Adapters and Sway Bar Billet Clamps keep everything steady and help to achieve that trademark smooth King ride.

J-Matt’s rear window gives a rolling shoutout to all his brand partners.

The rear gets a slightly different treatment, starting with Icon Overland HD Springs, DUROBUMPS bumpstops, and a Rago Fabrications Shock Guard. Icon also supplied the track bar. Inspired Overland Rear Trailing Arms and DRKDSS Drop Spacers and Bolt On Track Bar Correction Kit round out the rear suspension.

With all of these upgrades in play, J-Matt is able to take full advantage of some killer departure angles and gets plenty of travel front and rear, keeping him comfy behind the wheel and the GX’s undercarriage safe from damage. Of course, a full set of underbody skid plates from C4 Fabrication, including his front bumper, diff skid, and rock sliders, plus a front grille from Garage Alpha Off-Road, helps with that, too.

A WARN VR EVO 12S winch uses Factor55 fairlead and UltraHook to get the GX or buddies out of any trouble.

What’s On Top

There’s so much going on up top on J-Matt’s GX that we felt the need to devote a whole section to talking about it. Before we get to the roof, it’s also worth noting that the hood and tailgate are customized as well, with a carbon fiber hood up front and swing-out, ladder, hitch skid, RotoPax, and more in the rear. Each and every inch of the GX has been customized to deliver max utility, bumper to bumper.

Adorned with a 40-inch Baja Designs light bar, a Front Runner roof rack also holds an RTT and more Front Runner gear including an awning.

On the roof, it all starts with a Front Runner Outfitters Slimline II roof rack. Its main companion is an Inspired Overland Lightweight RTT, but it also holds a series of Front Runner gear and so much more. An axe, table, roof handles, and Quick Release Awning all from Front Runner are just the beginning of rooftop accessories.

A Baja Designs OnX6 40-inch Amber light bar mounted on the roof completes the list, but there’s more lighting to come. Like, a lot more.

King shocks provide a smooth ride and help J-Matt handle a variety of terrain with ease.

It’s Lit

Practically all the lighting on J-Matt’s rig is supplied by Baja Designs. Aside from his rooftop light bar, he’s also sporting an additional S8 30-inch Amber bar on his bumper. LP4 Amber/S1 Amber lights work as his ditch lights, while Squadron Pro Ambers provide fog light illumination. S1 Ambers are his knuckle lights and hitch light, and S2 Ambers are camp lights and chase lights. Also included are RTL rear lights as well as some more white rock lights, just in case the rest were not enough.

In the rear, a NYTOP housing holds Baja Designs S1 tail lights, putting the finishing touch on a full collection of Baja Designs illumination. With all those lights, there’s absolutely no chance of this rig hitting any unseen bumps in the dark.

A rig this loaded gives J-Matt the opportunity to get off-grid with ease.

Rugged Rig

Exterior mods and accessories are the name of the game for this GX. In addition to the foundational things like bumpers, roof racks, and lighting that make the rig such a standout, J-Matt also employs a host of off-road accessories that help his vehicle’s performance match its looks.

Up on the front bumper, J-Matt keeps a Warn VR EVO 12S winch paired with a Factor 55 Fairlead and UltraHook. Also mounted to the GX are Action Trax USA Traction Boards and Moose Knuckle Offroad recovery shackles. The combo of these powerful recovery upgrades gives him the ability to pull himself or just about anyone else out of a sticky situation.

In addition to rear swing-out and ladder, the rear of the GX is also home to recovery gear, jerry cans, and more necessities.

He uses Pelican Vault Cases and BX Series Cases mounted on JW-Offroad side molle panels and the roof to keep all of his gear safe, dry, and organized. The decals you see all over the rig are provided by Grafix Lab decals.

Command Center

It seems crazy that we haven’t even gotten to the interior of J-Matt’s GX yet, but we’ve finally arrived. All the interior modifications were handled by Aiden James Customs out of Santa Ana, Calif., including dual rear drawers and a gear plate. Those drool worthy and very comfortable-looking red seats are by F-Sport Interiors.

F-Sport Interiors red seats give the inside a luxe feel without sacrificing performance.

Midland Radios set the standard for off-road comms.

In terms of gear, J-Matt’s essentials are his DMOS Pro Shovel and H3R Performance fire extinguisher. Safety first, right? He also uses an Ohana Rig Supply Captain Panel overhead to keep small items organized, along with Pelican Ruck Cases.

In terms of tech, he uses an sPOD BantamX for custom light management – a must to keep his whole list of Baja Designs lights working the way he needs them to. He also keeps a Dometic CFX3 55L fridge on a Dometic slider in the back. Midland Radios MXT-574 handles his comms and an Optima Battery keeps everything charged.

A Front Runner awning is ready to provide shade and shelter when needed.

Blacked-out Rays wheels pair with Toyo R/T Trail tires.

Adventure Showcase

One of the best things about having a full-built adventure vehicle for J-Matt is his ability to take spontaneous off-grid trips. Of course he enjoys heading to major events, like Pure Basecamp and Overland Expos (Keep an eye out for him at SEMA Show 2023!), but to him, “Being able to just get lost with a fully built vehicle goes beyond the experience.”

Additional storage boxes can be found alongside both rear windows.

A rear swing-out spare tire mount is home to even more gear.

A Baja Designs light also illuminates from the hitch.

Another major reason he enjoys taking the GX out so much is, “Definitely overlanding and showcasing the best companies you can have on any platform. The GX has influenced thousands of enthusiasts and the world’s feedback has given me purpose to keep unfolding different versions of the GX.” Like most rigs, his is constantly evolving, but he notes that, “The companies behind this build is what makes the GX such a beast of a platform.” One thing that he does anticipate changing soon is the addition of some boost under the hood… so be on the lookout for that.

Tag along on J-Matt’s adventures as he continues to get off-grid and evolve the GX on Instagram @jmattgarcia.

“A lifelong car guy, J-Matt knew exactly how to build a base that would make the perfect basecamp for all his adventures.”

Swinging open the rear door reveals a Dometic fridge.

UPGRADES

2021 Lexus GX460

Engine: 4.6-liter V-8 AFE Momentum GT Intake, Carven R Exhaust, Dirtskum Side Exit, Beatsonic Throttle Management, DRKDSS Control, CVC Custom Tune

Suspension: Front: KING Coilovers 2.5, KING Shock Guards, Inspired Overland Upper Control Arms, DRKDSS Sway Bar End Adapters, DRKDSS Sway Bar Billet Clamps, DUROBUMPS Bump Stop. Rear: KING Shocks 2.5, Icon Overland HD Springs, Icon Track Bar, Inspired Overland Rear Trailing Arms, DRKDSS Drop Spacers, DRKDSS Bolt On Track Bar Correction Kit, DUROBUMPS, Bump Stop, Rago Fabrications Shock Guard

Wheels & Tires: Rays Wheels VV21-SX 17-inch, +15 backspacing, front and rear; Toyo Tires R/T Trail 35/12.5/17

Interior Accessories: DMOS Pro Shovel; H3R Performance fire extinguisher; Well Visors window visors; F-Sport Interior seats, red; Pelican Ruck Cases, Aiden James Customs Dual Drawer, Aiden James Customs Gear Plate; sPOD BantamX Custom Light Management; Dometic CFX3 55L fridge, Slider; Ohana Rig Supply Captain Panel; Midland Radio MXT-574; Optima Battery

Exterior Accessories: Garage Alpha Off-Road grille; Prototype Carbon Fiber OEM Style Hood; NYTOP housing with Baja Designs S1 tail lights; Baja Designs OnX6 40-inch Amber light bar on roof, S8 30-inch Amber light bar on bumper, LP4 Amber/S1 Amber ditch lights, Squadron Pro Amber fog lights, S1 Amber knuckle lights and hitch light, S2 Amber camp lights and chase lights, RTL rear lights, White rock lights; Warn VR EVO 12S winch; Factor 55 Fairlead and UltraHook; RotoPax on Nashfabco rear ladder; Pelican Vault Cases, BX Series Cases on side and roof; Grafix Lab decals; Action Trax USA Traction Boards; JW-Off-road side molle panels

Additional Modifications: Front Runner Slimline II roof rack, with Inspired Overland Lightweight RTT, Front Runner Axe, Table, Roof Handles, Quick Release Awning; NYTOP hitch skid; Moose Knuckle Off-road recovery shackles; DIRTCOM Trail Swing LH Rear Swing Out; Tint Laboratory Full Ceramic Tint; C4 Fabrication front bumper, full skid plates, diff skid, rock sliders; NYTOP fender flares; StopTech 6 Piston Big Brake Kit

Editor’s Note: A version of this article appeared in TREAD Nov/Dec 2023.