Road handling focused mods on OT+ (1 Viewer)

[AG-GX550]

So I’ve been watching reviews of the GX550 for the last two years and have decided to get a OT+.
Here’s why:

• my in laws, who barely take care of their car, have had 3 ES models with no real problems for 10+ years each time.
• I need the 2 row version to throw my bike in the back
• I need storage to drive to see family, especially more as we move into retirement.
• need the massaging seats on long drives.

I’ll never take it off road, but what I need is advice on improving handling on the OT+ on roads. I get car sick in minivans or my wife’s old 2005 rx350

The OT starts with a wider track than the other models. The sport+ mode seems marginally better. But looking for other ideas on how to get it to be a take turns a little flatter in corners.

Most places seem to have solution more for off-roading. I’m not sure a Lexus dealer’s service center will add negative camber or adjust toe.

Are there springs or sway bars or other options?

Also how easy it to roll back the 1 inch lift Lexus added as a my25 feature?

Thanks.





Thanks.

 

[BoostedGX]

In my very unprofessional opinion , this truck is not for you …. It’s a heavy body on frame rig so handling upgrades won’t be there how you would think …. Handling should be far down on your list when purchasing this truck …

 

[Bic Jet]

I am no expert either and I dont know if there is a possible way to lock the EKDSS in place so it never releases. If that is possible, maybe someone smarter than me could let me (us) know if this would be help.

My understanding is that the EKDSS is active regardless of terrain and may aid in the “sway” you might be experiencing.

I feel your pain as I cannot spend more than about 15 minutes in an older RX. The RX makes me more ill than a deep sea fishing trip.

 

[kscarrol]

I typically drive in sport+ mode on the road which helps but as mentioned earlier it’s a large, top heavy vehicle.

 

[NewSchool OldSchool]

AG-GX550 - have you driven the OT+? I encourage you do so so before buying. I have a 2024 version. Just a few observations: 1) the EKDSS system stiffens up and provides as flat a turning experience as possible while at speed on road; at low speed it allows greater articulation that a sway bar disconnect would allow; 2) the vehicle can't trick the laws of physics, especially since the 1 inch lift adds to the higher center of gravity. It's a great road worthy vehicle too, not just an off roader. But there are trade offs in handling typically as compared with unibody based SUVs.​

 

[joodokick]

So I’ve been watching reviews of the GX550 for the last two years and have decided to get a OT+.
Here’s why:

• my in laws, who barely take care of their car, have had 3 ES models with no real problems for 10+ years each time.
• I need the 2 row version to throw my bike in the back
• I need storage to drive to see family, especially more as we move into retirement.
• need the massaging seats on long drives.

I’ll never take it off road, but what I need is advice on improving handling on the OT+ on roads. I get car sick in minivans or my wife’s old 2005 rx350

The OT starts with a wider track than the other models. The sport+ mode seems marginally better. But looking for other ideas on how to get it to be a take turns a little flatter in corners.

Most places seem to have solution more for off-roading. I’m not sure a Lexus dealer’s service center will add negative camber or adjust toe.

Are there springs or sway bars or other options?

Also how easy it to roll back the 1 inch lift Lexus added as a my25 feature?

Thanks.





Thanks.

buy a BMW, Mercedes or Audi

 

[cmfhsu]

So I’ve been watching reviews of the GX550 for the last two years and have decided to get a OT+.
Here’s why:

• my in laws, who barely take care of their car, have had 3 ES models with no real problems for 10+ years each time.
• I need the 2 row version to throw my bike in the back
• I need storage to drive to see family, especially more as we move into retirement.
• need the massaging seats on long drives.

I’ll never take it off road, but what I need is advice on improving handling on the OT+ on roads. I get car sick in minivans or my wife’s old 2005 rx350

The OT starts with a wider track than the other models. The sport+ mode seems marginally better. But looking for other ideas on how to get it to be a take turns a little flatter in corners.

Most places seem to have solution more for off-roading. I’m not sure a Lexus dealer’s service center will add negative camber or adjust toe.

Are there springs or sway bars or other options?

Also how easy it to roll back the 1 inch lift Lexus added as a my25 feature?

Thanks.





Thanks.

I can say my Luxury+ handles just fine on the road in normal suspension mode, and I suspect the minor reduction in trunk space would be unnoticeable unless your bike is exactly tall enough to need the extra like 2 inches of height. It also has massaging seats.

I've never driven an OT, but the Lux+ definitely feels like Lexus put a 3x stiffer sway bar compared to GX460s and LXs of the past (never driven an LX600). So stiff in fact that I get pretty considerable head bob when hitting ruts & speed bumps at a 45 degree angle.

My friend, who has only ever owned small, sporty cars, test drove an OT, decided he didn't like it because it was so tippy, then drove my Lux+ for 2 hours and came back saying it was worlds better for body roll - something he might actually buy. The drives weren't back-to-back, but it might indicate the road-going versions might have noticeably less body roll than OTs. Take that anecdote with a grain of salt, being second hand information and all.

In the worst case, you can simply run sport suspension all the time, because it makes a pretty big difference, but still isn't a particularly punishing ride, though I mostly have owned sports sedans and track cars. But yes - this car will never match the handling & ride characteristics of a unibody SUV like an X7, no matter how hard you try.

 

[AshOT]

I highly recommend taking a test drive if you have the opportunity, especially if you’re prone to getting carsick. At the end of the day, it’s still a body-on-frame platform, so just keep that in mind.

As for reversing the 2025 1-inch lift, I believe you’d need to switch to the 2024 coil springs—front coil part number 48131-60T71 and rear coil part number 48231-60N30. I hope it all works out for you.

 

[MallCrawlerGX]

Try the custom drive modes. You can stiffen the suspension without changing throttle response etc.
Air up the tires to 40 or replace them with a highway rated tire instead of the off-road tires which have a lot more sidewall flex. Replacing the wheels and tires with the 20 or 22 inch rims for a premium or luxury trim model will also help by reducing the size of the tire sidewall.
Aside from that, you could take a couple inches off the springs, get stiffer struts, increase the size of the bump stops, etc. to stiffen the suspension.
Also, you could widen the track with wheel offset or spacers to increase stability.
There are lots of options. You just have to decide what works for you.

 

[hoholala888]

If you get car sick in minivans or your wife’s old 2005 rx350, Body on Frame trucks are not the right car for you. You should get a unibody sedan such as LS500 which has more comfort drive with same powertrain.