Sexy Lexy: The Ultimate Off-Road Lexus GX470

From Pavement to the Wild

While the Lexus GX470 is often spotted in suburban settings—whether it’s parked outside a shopping mall, a soccer field, or rolling down Rodeo Drive—it’s not every day you see one tearing through rugged terrain with ease. However, Seth and Kande Jacobsen have transformed their 2007 Lexus GX470 Sport, affectionately named “Lexy” (or “Sexy Lexy” as she’s often called), into a fully capable off-road and overlanding machine. Over the years, the couple has explored some of the most remote and demanding landscapes of the American Southwest, proving that this luxury SUV is more than just a city cruiser.

A Refined Overland Rig

Although the Lexus GX470 is often overlooked in North America as an off-road platform, it shares its roots with the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120, a proven global off-roader. While the Prado may sit lower on the Land Cruiser hierarchy, it still upholds Toyota’s legendary durability and reliability. The “GX” stands for Grand Crossover, a fitting label that merges luxury with genuine off-road capability.

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Straight from the factory, the GX470 already boasts a V8 engine, full-time 4WD, and a center-locking differential, making it a strong contender for overlanding. Though aftermarket parts aren’t as common as they are for vehicles like the Toyota Tacoma or 4Runner, plenty of Prado 120-compatible upgrades can elevate the GX into a serious off-road machine.

Balancing Comfort and Capability

When the Jacobsens acquired Lexy in 2014, they had one goal in mind: to build a vehicle that could handle remote destinations with speed and self-sufficiency—all without sacrificing the signature Lexus luxury. Over the past 30,000 miles, they have fine-tuned their setup to ensure Lexy is equally at home on rough backcountry trails as she is on the highway.

Suspension and Ride Upgrades

A standout feature of Lexy’s transformation is her custom suspension system by ICON Vehicle Dynamics, designed to improve off-road handling while maintaining on-road comfort. This setup includes:

Stage 7 ICON Suspension System with S2 secondary shocks
Billet aluminum upper control arms in the front
2.5-inch coilovers with adjustable compression damping
Omega Series bypass shocks with adjustable compression and rebound

For the rear, the factory air suspension was swapped out for:

ARB heavy-duty expedition springs
ICON billet upper and lower control arms
Omega Series bypass rear shocks
Hydraulic bump stops

With a 2.5-inch lift and 32.7-inch all-terrain tires, Lexy delivers a smooth, controlled ride both on and off the pavement while maintaining solid ground clearance.

The front bumper provides impact protection, a winch mount and solid recovery points.

Lexy is truly outiffted with everything to escape the ordinary.

Built to Conquer Any Terrain

A powerful suspension setup alone doesn’t make a vehicle unstoppable off-road. To handle extreme conditions, Lexy has been reinforced with:

Full underbody skid plates for rock and trail protection
Heavy-duty rock sliders
Custom steel bumpers for impact resistance
ARB Air Lockers (front and rear) for maximum traction
4.56 Nitro gears to compensate for added weight and larger tires

When it comes to vehicle recovery, Lexy is fully equipped with:

ARB winch-ready front bumper
Maxtrax recovery boards
ARB onboard air compressor
Heavy-duty tow points
Snorkel for water crossings
Full winching kit and accessories
Additional 5-gallon jerry can for extended fuel range

This carefully selected combination of armor, recovery gear, and drivetrain upgrades allows Lexy to tackle some of the roughest landscapes and return without issue.

A Home on the Road

Spending 80+ nights a year in their rig, Seth and Kande have outfitted Lexy with everything needed for comfortable overland travel. Their 23 Zero rooftop tent, complete with an annex, provides a cozy and weatherproof sleeping space.

To stay self-sufficient on the road, the GX470 features:

ARB 12V fridge for fresh food and cold drinks
Goose Gear drawer system for organized storage
Flip-down cutting board and utensil holder in the rear door
20-gallon freshwater tank with a high-pressure pump and hot water heater

A dual-battery system with solar charging ensures power is never an issue. This system supports lighting, 12V outlets, camera gear, laptops, and cell phones, making it possible for the couple to run their businesses remotely. A cell signal booster helps them stay connected, even in some of the most isolated areas.

Taking in the breathtaking sunset after setting up for the night.

The Goose Gear drawer system keeps everything secure and easily accessible.

With Lexy at their command, home for the night is wherever Seth and Kande can dream up.

A True Overlanding Workhorse

Lexy isn’t just a weekend warrior—she’s a hard-working expedition vehicle. The Jacobsens regularly take her deep into the Arizona desert and beyond, often serving as a lead vehicle for guided overland tours. Seth, an avid photographer, relies on Lexy to reach remote landscapes, where he can capture stunning, untouched scenery.

In addition to personal adventures, Lexy is a familiar face at off-road and overland industry events, where she often showcases some of the best aftermarket gear available.

Final Thoughts

Few vehicles strike the balance between luxury and off-road capability as well as this 2007 Lexus GX470. With a thoughtfully planned build, Seth and Kande have transformed Lexy into a rugged yet refined overland rig that thrives on adventure. Whether it’s carving through desert trails, scaling rocky terrain, or serving as a mobile home for weeks on end, Lexy proves that a Lexus can be much more than a city cruiser—it can be a true off-road powerhouse.

Sexy Lexy Specifications

PLATFORM:

2007 LEXUS GX470 SPORT

ENGINE:

4.7 L 2UZ-FE V8, 5-speed A750F automatic
ARB Air Lockers front and rear
Nitro 4:56 gears
Cross drilled and Slotted Brake Rotors
Differential Breathers
High-Output Alternator

SUSPENSION:

Front- ICON Stage 7 suspension system with 2.5 remote reservoir shocks with CDC adjusters
ICON Billet front upper control arms
ICON I Omega 2.5 bye pass secondary shocks
ICON front lower A arm skids with secondary shock mount Rear
ICON I Omega bye pass 2.5 shocks
ICON Billet upper and lower control arms
ICON adjustable pan hard bar
ICON rear pneumatic bump stops
ARB Heavy Duty Expedition rear springs/ Falken Wildpeak 285/70-R17 AT tires
18”x9” NV Matte Black Method Race Wheels