GX IMSA Road Handling Suspension😊

[spkrmakr]

It will be interesting to see if I'm considered a nut or that there are others who would like to have their OEM GX handle better than it does!

Unlike many, I'm not interested in lifting, better "off road" performance, larger tires, etc and I'm not interested in lowering the GX. A recently highway speed experience made me aware of the limitations of the GX suspension. A rather abrupt road construction lane change occurred, first to the left and then back to the right. It scared the ever living crap out of me though obviously I survived.

The GX doesn't have a soft suspension. It simply can't corner! Period.

What might be done? Is there anything available that can improve the sloppy cornering characteristics?

Thank you!

 

[cmfhsu]

What trim of GX do you own?

On the highway, I run in Normal suspension mode on my Lux+, which is plenty stable enough for me - and I come from an extensive background of sports sedans, sports cars, and my endurance racecar miata. Comfort mode is pretty sketchy on the highway, IMO.

If you have AVS and Normal / Sport suspension modes don't feel stable enough, the GX might not be the car for you.

I guess you could have somebody make some mondo beefy sway bars for you, but this car is foundationally kinda top heavy. The 20 inch & 22 inch wheels & tires from the road going GX trims are also a little more stable, but I didn't find it made a huge difference.

 

[spkrmakr]

Thanks for the reply. I have a Premium + and have pretty much left it in the normal mode at all times. I came off of a 24 Platinum Tundra 4x4. I suppose the longer and wider wheel base made the pickup handle better than the smaller SUV. I'm sure that in time I'll adjust and modify my driving habits. Heavier sway bars would be a nice addition.

 

[cmfhsu]

Can you describe what you mean by "it simply can't corner"?

Was there too much body roll? Did it understeer & didn't turn when you turned the wheel? Did it take more steering wheel angle than you expected?

A few of those types of symptom details would help me give better advice.

 

[damooji]

I got a rear sway bar for my P+ from Whiteline, 24mm. At the time that’s all they had for GX, looks like they now have more suspension parts. Haven’t installed it yet but hoping to over weekend. Got it on sale for 223 shipped.

 

[spkrmakr]

Thank's for the reply. I believe what I experienced was an understeer and strong feeling that the vehicle was about to roll over. High center of gravity and narrow wheel base. Does that make sense. I had no one behind me and was able to brake fast enough without locking or skidding. It's obvious that I was not at a safe speed for the vehicle in a condition that I believe my wife's Subaru Accent would have held with ease. The Accent is much lower to the ground. Entering the lane shift, I was initially at about +/- 60 mph. A safe speed for the GX would have been 45.

Though I like the idea of heavy sway bars, the tipsy nature of the GX may simply be what it is. I would think that Jeeps and Bronco's exhibit similar driving conditions.

I got a rear sway bar for my P+ from Whiteline, 24mm. At the time that’s all they had for GX, looks like they now have more suspension parts. Haven’t installed it yet but hoping to over weekend. Got it on sale for 223 shipped.

Please post what you think and how the installation goes. Thanks for letting us know.

 

[4130]

My suspicion is you felt you could roll over but you weren't actually in danger of that happening. Certainly this thing will never handle like a sports car or even Subie. I think it is what it is and besides driving it like a truck in most situations you will need gain confidence that it won't easily flip under evasive maneuvering.

Also, keep in mind that Normal mode on a P+ doesn't change suspension characteristics, it's solely throttle response and climate control.

 

[spkrmakr]

My suspicion is you felt you could roll over but you weren't actually in danger of that happening. Certainly this thing will never handle like a sports car or even Subie. I think it is what it is and besides driving it like a truck in most situations you will need gain confidence that it won't easily flip under evasive maneuvering.

Also, keep in mind that Normal mode on a P+ doesn't change suspension characteristics, it's solely throttle response and climate control.

Agreed! Thanks for the note.

 

[jfalabrino]

I just came close to an accident on the freeway and if it wasn't for the exceptional handling of my GX OT it would have been a very bad accident. I was at 70 transitioning on a long on ramp when 2 cars in front of me locked their brakes. I was probably following a little closer than I should of. I hit the brakes hard and looked behind me and noticed I was going to get hit. I swerved hard right to the shoulder and there was not a squeal, no skidding, and complete solid steering control throughout the maneuver. I was amazed, as was my wife. No accident. I never thought this vehicle could ever maneuver that well. I have much more confidence in the maneuverability of this vehicle after this incident. Much more secure than any of the last 4 GX's I've owned.

 

[J250ish]

GX isn’t made to corner… the vehicle is boxy with a high center of gravity. It corners well for what it is.. once I installed kings, handling was considerably better? If you wanna get rid of body roll or better handling a sedan might be a better option for you.. or maybe pay more attention to abrupt construction lane changes.. I’m sure there was some kind of warning some distance ago lol

 

[cmfhsu]

I just came close to an accident on the freeway and if it wasn't for the exceptional handling of my GX OT it would have been a very bad accident. I was at 70 transitioning on a long on ramp when 2 cars in front of me locked their brakes. I was probably following a little closer than I should of. I hit the brakes hard and looked behind me and noticed I was going to get hit. I swerved hard right to the shoulder and there was not a squeal, no skidding, and complete solid steering control throughout the maneuver. I was amazed, as was my wife. No accident. I never thought this vehicle could ever maneuver that well. I have much more confidence in the maneuverability of this vehicle after this incident. Much more secure than any of the last 4 GX's I've owned.

Scary! Glad you had the quick reactions and decision making to avoid an accident.

I love the extra stability in the GX550 vs the GX460s and LX470s I've driven. Those things are cushy, but just so scary tippy.

IMO the GX550 has some extraordinarily well tuned ABS, Traction Control, and Stability Control. So subtle you don't even notice it most of the time, but very effective.

 

[AG-GX550]

I’m of the same mind and considering the OT+.

But not interested in off-roading or cosplaying some madmax scene.

Considering the GX since Lexus is high quality and like the blunt look of it in contrast with all the jelly bean shaped cars out there now.

Test drove the OT+ and it was okay. But spacer and a stiffer sway bar and springs seem like too much trouble.

Driven behind a few and they seem to have a narrow track which doesn’t help with the waterbed feelings in even mildly agressive corners or lane changes.

If only the defender wasn’t horrible for quality and gremlins.

Good luck.

 

[cmfhsu]

Remember - a wider track can only make body roll worse. The wider track allows you to tilt more before tipping over, meaning you will get more body roll before the ultimate point at which the vehicle tips over. Before that point, the vehicle should feel pretty much the same.

 

[Wayne]

When describing handling of the GX-550, keep in mind the OT has EKDSS and not conventional anti-sway bars. It will deal with roll differently than the other trims.

 

[BoostedGX]

Body on Frame truck with a solid rear axle was not intended to handle like a sports car … but we knew this…. But AWD is nice in the rain