Backstory: Coming from a Gen1 Ford Raptor (with magnaflow exhaust and ADD front and rear "Venom" bumpers), I wanted the GX for reliability and comfort. I knew that I would want to change the 22" wheels to 17s and get some AT tires but my main goal for the GX is to keep it clean, subtle and quiet. After about a year's ownership, the GX was "too" quiet 
so I started looking at the aftermarket exhausts options available.
Let me preface that I have not been able to listen to any of these in person (relied solely on YT, FB groups and owners complaints) but I considered:
My overall impression is that it's perfect for me. It gives a nice little rumble but it's not loud enough to make it feel like a "non-Lexus". In regards to drone, I tried really hard to hone in on it and there is a little but in reality, with the combination of wind noise, AT tire noise and just ambient noise in general, I barely noticed it nor did it bother me. So far, the only downside for me is that I'll be filling it up more often b/c it's more fun to drive and I see myself driving a little more spiritedly.
Here's my DIY with some pics and videos:
Initial Impressions of the exhaust:
OEM Exhaust Removal
Revs in "Normal" drive mode -
Driving 10 mph -65 mph -
Backing up and revs -
so I started looking at the aftermarket exhausts options available. Let me preface that I have not been able to listen to any of these in person (relied solely on YT, FB groups and owners complaints) but I considered:
- TRD Cat-back Exhaust- Overall good sound but complaints of drone and the price tag (+$2K)
- Magnaflow Cat-back Exhaust - A little on the loud side for me and complaints of drone
- NYTOP & AFE - Axle-dump exhaust - Sound seems underwhelming
- Tanabe/Revel Cat-back Exhaust - Sounds good but not a fan of the side exit exhaust tip
- Remark "Bold" Cat-back exhaust - Sounds good but once again, too loud for me
My overall impression is that it's perfect for me. It gives a nice little rumble but it's not loud enough to make it feel like a "non-Lexus". In regards to drone, I tried really hard to hone in on it and there is a little but in reality, with the combination of wind noise, AT tire noise and just ambient noise in general, I barely noticed it nor did it bother me. So far, the only downside for me is that I'll be filling it up more often b/c it's more fun to drive and I see myself driving a little more spiritedly.
Here's my DIY with some pics and videos:
Initial Impressions of the exhaust:
- Nice and clean welds (way better than my NYTOP lower bumper)
- Includes all necessary hardware
- Nice and shiny and looks to be very high quality (has serial numbers etched into muffler)
- Ramps
- 3/8” Wrench with various extensions
- 3/8” Stubby wrench (not required but useful)
- 14mm Socket
- E10 Socket
- Channel Lock Plier
- Soapy Water to lubricate rubber hangers
OEM Exhaust Removal
- Take off spare tire
- Back up onto ramps
- Disconnect “Second” muffler first
- Remove 14mm bolts (2x). Use E10 socket if needed.
- Remove from rubber exhaust hangers (2x) (use soapy water!)
- Maneuver/tilt the “Second” muffler out
- Disconnect 14mm (4x) nuts between “First” muffler and Cats
- Disconnect rear-racing rubber hangers first (2x)
- Disconnect front-facing rubber hangers second (2x)
- Maneuver/drop the “Second” muffler out
- Where possible, pre-install rubber hangers onto Remark exhaust
- Install “First Muffler” first by connect it’s three rubber hangers onto body of GX
- Install the front pipes (2x) to the Cats (re-use OEM bolts) and to “First Muffler” – Use provided gasket (2x total) and bolts (4x total)
- Don’t tighten bolts all the way yet
- Install “Second Muffler” on rubber hangers (2x) and connect to “First Muffler.” Use provided gasket (1x) and bolts (2x)
- Check for alignment and clearance to other underbody parts
- Tighten all the bolts
- Recheck alignment and clearance
- Back GX off ramps
- Reinstall Spare Tire
- Doing this by myself, it took me 30 minutes to remove the OEM exhaust and another 45 minutes to put the Remark exhaust on.
- Perfect fitment and alignment
- Nice low/light growl (more fun to drive)
- Very minimal drone (if any) but with wind and road noise and AT tires, it's really hard to notice any drone anyway
- I'm very happy with it... not too loud but enough to put a life in the exhaust and more fun to drive
Revs in "Normal" drive mode -
Driving 10 mph -65 mph -
Backing up and revs -
