2007 Lexus GX470: From Luxury SUV to Trail-Conquering Overlander

The GX470 Overland Adventuremobile

While it’s a relatively common sight to see a Lexus GX470 rolling around the local mall parking lot, at a kid’s soccer game or cruising Rodeo Drive, it’s a rare sight to find one tackling serious off-road obstacles as if they were speed bumps in a mall parking lot. The dynamic husband and wife duo Seth and Kande Jacobsen have assembled such a vehicle and have been spotted all over the southwestern U.S., exploring the most harsh and remote areas of the region. Their 2007 Lexus GX470 Sport has been built to a level of refinement rarely seen in any off-road or overland vehicle. The name of the vehicle is, “Lexy;” however, it’s often referred to as “Sexy Lexy.”

The GX470

While most of the world got the Land Cruiser Prado 120, which the Lexus GX470 is based on, only the North American and Eurasian markets got the Lexus version. While the Prado is the less off-road oriented model in the Toyota Land Cruiser hierarchy, it’s known to have Toyota reliability and capability. The “GX” stands for “Grand Crossover,” and is a pretty fitting badge for this vehicle. It offers all the comforts and luxury that you’d expect from a Lexus, while also giving you the capabilities to handle a wide variety of poor weather and off-road scenarios. While few envision taking this luxury crossover SUV on truly remote and demanding off-road journeys, it’s actually quite capable right off the showroom floor. While aftermarket upgrades aren’t as readily available as many other common off-road vehicles in North America, many companies can source Prado 120 parts that will work on the GX470 and truly elevate its off-road performance.

Best of Both

Lexy is a truly special GX470, as she brings together the luxury you expect of a Lexus and the off-road prowess that you expect from a Land Cruiser. Lexy was purchased used in early 2014, and has since covered about 30,000 miles of adventurous roads around the southwestern US. The vehicle was specially built to access remote areas with speed and efficiency. Durability and self-reliance were only slightly placed above off-road speed and capability on the vehicle build sheet, all while keeping the legendary comfort and luxury of the Lexus name intact.

“Lexy was purchased used in early 2014, and has since covered about 30,000 miles of adventurous roads around the southwestern US.”

The main capability upgrade on Lexy while still maintaining/improving comfort is a full custom suspension setup by Icon Vehicle Dynamics. It’s their Stage 7 Suspension System, with an additional “S2” secondary shock upgrade. The front is comprised of billet aluminum upper control arms, 2.5-inch coilovers with Icon’s compression damping control valve, and two-tube Omega Series bypass secondary shocks with compression and rebound adjustability. The rear factory air suspension has been replaced with ARB heavy-duty expedition springs, ICON upper and lower billet control arms, Omega Series bypass rear shocks and hydraulic bump stops. All of this combines to create a suspension setup that is well suited for the rough terrain and high speeds Lexy frequently sees, but is also comfortable enough for daily driver duty, with the ability to adjust the shocks for the perfect ride in any scenario. A 2.5-inch lift and 32.7-inch AT tires also help to keep the ride plush, while also improving the ground clearance and making it easier to drive over off-road obstacles.

Off-Road Armor

To make Lexy truly unstoppable off road, she’s been armored, locked, re-geared and fitted with a full compliment of recovery equipment, including: rock sliders, full undercarriage skid protection and custom bumpers. Besides the factory center locking differential, ARB Air Lockers have been added to the front and rear axels, making it possible to actively select which tires will gain traction in tough off-road scenarios. It has been re-geared by Nitro Gear and Axel, with 4:56 gear in order to better lay down the big V8’s power, adjusting for the increased vehicle and rotational weight, due to the large load of camping and camera gear and the bigger tires. What about recovery gear? Proper recovery points, an integrated ARB air compressor, Maxtrax recovery boards, a shovel, a winch and a full compliment of winching accessories complete the arsenal. The combination of all this carefully chosen and installed gear allows Lexy to go just about anywhere she pleases and get back again. The extra five gallons of fuel in the rear bumper jerrycan help with the getting back part.

Home on the Trail

Lexy is also a home away from home for Seth and Kande, as they regularly find themselves living out of the vehicle. On average, the couple spends 80-plus nights a year on the trail. They are never left wanting, however, as Lexy is outfitted with high-quality overland/camping accessories that make life in backcountry more of a joy than a burden. Lexy’s 23 Zero roof top tent, with annex room, provides a safe and comfortable place for Seth and Kande to lay your head each night, as well as a covered living area for protection from weather and bugs. A 12v ARB top load fridge keeps food fresh and beverages frosty, while the Goose Gear drawer system secures all the gear, keeping it organized and easy to access. The kitchen area is finished off with an innovative flip down cutting board/prep table, with custom utensil holder, all neatly built into the inside of the rear door. Cleaning yourself, and/or the dishes, after a long day of adventure couldn’t be easier, with the on-board 20-gallon fresh water tank and its high-pressure pump/sprayer and available hot water, courtesy of a Synergy hot water heat exchange unit.

“To make Lexy truly unstoppable off road, she’s been armored, locked, re-geared and fitted with a full compliment of recovery equipment,including: rock sliders, full undercarriage skid protection and custom bumpers.”

A battery isolator and solar charge systems keep the dual batteries topped off, never leaving the fridge, water pump, lighting, 12v charging ports or engine wanting for electricity. The couple also keeps their camera equipment, laptops, iPads and cell phones charged up through this system.

Seth is an avid photographer, and these tools of the trade allow him to foster his skill and get that much further afield, as Lexy allows him to access remote locations with all his photography gear, swiftly and efficiently. Lexy is also used as a lead guide vehicle on overland adventures, primarily around the Grand Canyon area. So, if you happen to spot her at off-road and overland events around the southwest, don’t be surprised: many companies view her has the perfect vehicle to promote their products. And it’s no wonder. Sexy Lexy is both as luxurious and durable as a ride can get—an appealing combination when itching for an escape.

UPGRADES

2007 Lexus Gx470 Sport

PLATFORM
2007 LEXUS GX470 SPORT

ENGINE
4.7 L 2UZ-FE V8, 5-speed A750F automatic, 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, 18×9-inch NV Matte Black Method Race Wheels, ARB air lockers front and rear, Nitro 4:56 gears, Cross drilled and slotted brake rotors, Differential breathers

ACCESSORIES
23 Zero Bundaberg roof top tent with annex, K-9 Roof rack,20-Gallon fresh water tank with RV 12v water pump, ARB snorkel, Custom Goose Gear drawer system with fridge slide, 12V air compressor, Two Blue Sea power distribution blocks, P3 Solar 200 Watt solar panel with quick connector, Come Up 9,500 lb. winch (with synthetic rope and wireless winch controller), Factor 55 FlatLink and HitchLink, 5-gallon jerrycan, Cobra CB, Black Berry Blue Tooth module, IBS dual battery controller,Front Runner spare tire step, 23 Zero recovery bag, Maxtrax recovery boards, RCI skid plate kit, Metal Tech rock sliders, Custom rear water tank skid plate, KC Lights