I have a 23 GX460 Premium with 23k miles on it. Recently, I was offered a different job where I got a new F150 as a company car, so my GX went to my wife, who gave her car to our 17-year-old. For the last 2 months, she has been complaining about how stiff and harsh the ride on the GX has been and wants me to trade it in. Before I give in, I want to know if anyone upgraded the suspension to something softer with different shocks, springs, etc.. Any ideas, suggestions or recommended brands would be much appreciated.

 

Here is an old thread on topic, however it did not get much feedback. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...uspension.html

You can make sure the tire pressures are at the specified 32 psi. The usual complaint here is that the GX suspension is too soft and people want something more firm, and there are plenty of options to go in that direction. Keep in mind the GX is a full frame vehicle with off road capability, so it will not be as cushy as a unibody SUV. Perhaps trading into a RX or TX is the something to consider, if you don't mind giving up the V8.

 

... the GX is a "Body-on-Frame" ... meaning "Truck" ... so the above is the best advice. The GX has essentially the same frame and suspension as the 4-Runner, Tacoma and FJ Cruiser ... so will never ride like a unibody (sedan or pretend SUV) ...

 

The GX rides well if compared to other body on frame trucks. I think the on rough roads it has the typical shuddering of a truck. I actually found instead of running 32psi cold, running 33-34 psi cold was actually better overall. I would describe the lower psi then uses the flexing tires more which has no dampening. Using the higher tire pressures involves the shocks and springs more that dampen better and it ends up being a bit sharper when turning and more confident. Also due to KDSS, the sway bars on the GX460 are very thick so they reduce body lean significantly but they are not as compliant over bumps involving only one side of the car. Its just the compromise for the GX. I think it was necessary to reduce the lean because the GX is tall and relatively narrow.

 

Have you thought about dropping down to 17" wheels? More sidewall will increase ride comfort. I have the factory 19's on my 23 and it can be firm at times.

 

what kind of tires are on it? I’ve noticed tires can make a big difference on the ride if my GX.

 

... agree with Misteracng ... counterintuitive, but I have also found that the shocks respond better to road conditions when running higher tire pressure ... the shocks can respond better without the muted road feedback at lower pressure. I run 36-psi ...

 

About the only thing you can do to make it softer than factory is smaller rims. The larger sidewall from the tires on smaller rims makes an enormous difference in ride quality. Dropping air pressure a bit also helps soften things.

Unless this GX has giant aftermarket rims, I think you're wife is being "dramatic" saying a nearly new GX rides too harsh. I think she just wants a different car.

 

To follow up I have the 18inch standard rims which i wanted specifically due to comfort and much more tire choices. Also I avoided the rear air suspension and the adaptive dampers. I think they actually make the ride worse and are much more expensive to replace when the time comes. The adaptive dampers in comfort arent actaully more comfortable, just more floaty and artificial. 17 inch wheels might help a bit, but 18inch already have plenty of sidewall and dont cost anything since you can get them standard. The 18inch wheels on the GX are really the upgraded size already. 19inch I thnk was only to follow the trend of flashy big wheels. They really are inappropriate for the purpose of the GX. All downside with no upside. Overall tire pressures and wheel sizes are going to result in small changes only. The overall ride is excellent over smooth roads, it handles smaller imperfections without issue, but a washboard for example will cause shuddering consistent with any body on frame truck, but better then most live axle trucks due to lexus tuning and the rear coil springs instead of leaf springs. IF you are looking for a dramatic change in comfort comparatively look at an rx350. It will be much smoother especially with 18inch wheels, washboards are significantly better and it will have the same and maybe even better interior volume then the GX. My wife has an RX350L with the optional 20inch wheels and even then it is still significantly smoother then the GX in all situations. You are trading ruggedness and ride height in the GX for comfort and space efficiency in a unibody SUV. This is always the tradeoff between the body on frame SUV and unibody.

 

Interesting. I traded in my Civic Si with an aftermarket suspension for my GX, and I found the GX leagues above in terms of comfort. Soaks up every bump with ease.
Here's a thought: perhaps have the drive play around with the seating settings. I've been messing around with mine for like 1 week before I finally settled on something that I could set to #1 on my memory seats.