Lexus GX 470 - Project TraiLex, Part 3

Project TraiLex, Part 1
Project TraiLex, Part 2
Project TraiLex, Part 3
Project TraiLex, Part 4

Readers following our Project TraiLex from Part 1 will remember that our original goal was to perform some typical, mild trail modifications to a Lexus GX 470 and take it over the Rubicon Trail. Sort of a we-told-you-this-vehicle-was-a-capable-trailmobile project in response to all the heat we took for picking a Lexus as our Four Wheeler of the Year winner two years in a row.

So now we've had our Lexus project for over a year. We've performed all the modifications that were covered in Parts 1 and 2, and we've 'wheeled the thing over a lot of trails, including the famed Rubicon. In this article, we'd like to share some pictures we took of our trip over the 'Con.

With early morning shadows still playing across the rocks of the Gatekeeper at the Loon Lake trailhead, we began our trek by testing out TraiLex's rocker guards (and door sheetmetal). Results: TraiLex 1, Gatekeeper 0. OK, half a point to the rocks for the door dent!

Shortly after conquering the Gatekeeper and only 15 minutes into the trip, we thought our fun was over. After flexing the rear suspension over nothing in particular, TraiLex's left rear suddenly farted loudly and fell to its bumpstops. For some reason, the left rear airbag popped off its perch, ripped its air line off, and departed from the vehicle. After raising the back end up with our handy Hi-Lift jack, we discovered the air line had only come out of its fitting. No blood, no foul.

Although TraiLex's suspension had been articulated far greater in shop tests than the flex that spit out the airbag, we opted to tack-weld the bag's mounting base to the axle perch so that this little inconvenience didn't happen again. In times like these, it's sure nice to have a Premier Power Welder on a rig for portable trail welding. For a minute, we thought the trail had won, but nope ... TraiLex 2, Rubicon 1/2.

TraiLex "walks" up Walker Hill, no problem. Once in a while, in tougher sections like this rock garden hill, we'd assist the factory Traction Control with the rear-axle ARB Air Locker. The Lexus could have made it with Traction Control alone, but it wouldn't have scored any Driving Elegant awards. It just doesn't make sense to have to feed in the throttle until you get wheelspin, in order to get traction assistance. It's so much smoother, quieter, and easier on drivetrain components to just push a button and calmly walk at idle over the obstacle. Wonder if the OEs will ever listen? Oh, and yep, that is the kiss in the driver's door from the Gatekeeper ... Gotta have trail patina, right?

Working our way towards the Little Sluice, it sure is nice to have good approach and departure angles. Hate to think what the factory bumpers would have looked like at this point. No, we didn't attempt the 'Box. If you think we should have, you've missed the point and should be reading a different article!

With our campsite in the distance, we work our way down the slab towards Buck Island Lake.