💵 For Sale Westcott Designs Preload Lift Kit for the 2024-2025 GX550- 5 in stock and ready to ship!! No waiting on lead times. $499.95

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Land_Bully

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📦 Supporting Vendor
Feb 22, 2025
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Indianapolis, IN
This kit is a great option for those looking to upgrade their GX's ground clearance, without compromising on the ride quality and performance.
  • 2.5" lift in the front and .75" lift in the rear using your factory shocks and springs.
  • Includes complete hardware for an easy install
  • Retain factory ride quality, and factory suspension geometry.
  • Does not require new UCAs (upper control arms).
  • Allows you to run up to a 35" tire with a 17x8.5+35mm offset.
  • Lift kit has a hard Black Anondized Finish.
  • Has anyone else had experience with this lift kit? What are your thoughts?
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I've been running this Wescott pre-load collar kit for nearly a year now (installed July 2024). I've been very happy with it. It's a great piece of kit for the money. I've done full suspension upgrades on past trucks so I'm not clueless and I'm not afraid to spend the money. Keyboard warriors who have, or want, a full $5k+ suspension upgrade dismiss Westcott's kit as a cheap spacer kit and say it's OK if you don't want to really off-road your truck. I haven't found any real road-block limitations with it yet. The vehicle on-road handling is still great (I really couldn't tell any difference). Off-road handling and articulation are good. My only gripe is that suspension control over high-speed washboards could be better, the truck feels a bit high-strung and gets loose a little too early in my opinion. I did about 80 miles off-road this past weekend with lots of high-speed sections, which the truck handled fine, but on the big washboards on twisty uphills or downhills, the tires spend too much time in the air and the truck drifts too much. I'd expect a full suspension upgrade from King or Icon or similar to handle these situations better (like $5k+ better). I'm sure I'll upgrade the full suspension system at some point in the future - maybe next year when the truck isn't so new, has 30,000 miles on it, and I'm ready for new tires and I get the itch to go with 37s.
 
Bluegill said:
I've been running this Wescott pre-load collar kit for nearly a year now (installed July 2024). I've been very happy with it. It's a great piece of kit for the money. I've done full suspension upgrades on past trucks so I'm not clueless and I'm not afraid to spend the money. Keyboard warriors who have, or want, a full $5k+ suspension upgrade dismiss Westcott's kit as a cheap spacer kit and say it's OK if you don't want to really off-road your truck. I haven't found any real road-block limitations with it yet. The vehicle on-road handling is still great (I really couldn't tell any difference). Off-road handling and articulation are good. My only gripe is that suspension control over high-speed washboards could be better, the truck feels a bit high-strung and gets loose a little too early in my opinion. I did about 80 miles off-road this past weekend with lots of high-speed sections, which the truck handled fine, but on the big washboards on twisty uphills or downhills, the tires spend too much time in the air and the truck drifts too much. I'd expect a full suspension upgrade from King or Icon or similar to handle these situations better (like $5k+ better). I'm sure I'll upgrade the full suspension system at some point in the future - maybe next year when the truck isn't so new, has 30,000 miles on it, and I'm ready for new tires and I get the itch to go with 37s.
Click to expand...
I'm interested in hearing your experience with the Westcott as you use it more, and next year when you change to something else and put on larger tires.
Thanks!
 
I installed the lift last aug as the second upgrade to my GX and love it. I do landscape photography and I can get to places and back no worries. I do not do hard core off-road but this lift gets the front up for added clearance and adds stiffness to the suspension for better control and ride. I am using the stock wheels and tires still and plan to get the next size larger when they wear out.
 
texastate said:
Did you guys install yourself by chance? I'm pretty handy with car stuff but no 4 post lift in the garage.....
Click to expand...
I do a lot of my own work and I've swapped suspensions on a couple past trucks but I just had Westcott install it - I live about 18 miles from their shop and I wanted it done 100% correct. There are threads on this site where people have done it themselves. I'm sure a lift would make a world of difference. A reputable off road shop (i.e. not staffed by monkeys) should be able to handle it fine if you don't want to tackle it yourself.
 
Bluegill said:
I've been running this Wescott pre-load collar kit for nearly a year now (installed July 2024). I've been very happy with it. It's a great piece of kit for the money. I've done full suspension upgrades on past trucks so I'm not clueless and I'm not afraid to spend the money. Keyboard warriors who have, or want, a full $5k+ suspension upgrade dismiss Westcott's kit as a cheap spacer kit and say it's OK if you don't want to really off-road your truck. I haven't found any real road-block limitations with it yet. The vehicle on-road handling is still great (I really couldn't tell any difference). Off-road handling and articulation are good. My only gripe is that suspension control over high-speed washboards could be better, the truck feels a bit high-strung and gets loose a little too early in my opinion. I did about 80 miles off-road this past weekend with lots of high-speed sections, which the truck handled fine, but on the big washboards on twisty uphills or downhills, the tires spend too much time in the air and the truck drifts too much. I'd expect a full suspension upgrade from King or Icon or similar to handle these situations better (like $5k+ better). I'm sure I'll upgrade the full suspension system at some point in the future - maybe next year when the truck isn't so new, has 30,000 miles on it, and I'm ready for new tires and I get the itch to go with 37s.
Click to expand...
Do you think the rough handling of washboards is due to the lift kit or just the way the GX is from factory? I don't have kit (yet) and see that washboards are a bit worse than other vehicles I've had.
 
Todgrubbs said:
I installed the lift last aug as the second upgrade to my GX and love it. I do landscape photography and I can get to places and back no worries. I do not do hard core off-road but this lift gets the front up for added clearance and adds stiffness to the suspension for better control and ride. I am using the stock wheels and tires still and plan to get the next size larger when they wear out.
Click to expand...
Stiffer suspension? does this mean not so cushy a ride, esp on pavement? Thats one of the things I like about the GX - being less truck like than other body on frame.
 
Land_Bully said:
This kit is a great option for those looking to upgrade their GX's ground clearance, without compromising on the ride quality and performance.
  • 2.5" lift in the front and .75" lift in the rear using your factory shocks and springs.
  • Includes complete hardware for an easy install
  • Retain factory ride quality, and factory suspension geometry.
  • Does not require new UCAs (upper control arms).
  • Allows you to run up to a 35" tire with a 17x8.5+35mm offset.
  • Lift kit has a hard Black Anondized Finish.
  • Has anyone else had experience with this lift kit? What are your thoughts?
View attachment 11041
Click to expand...

Does this actually give more ground clearance before (without) putting bigger tires on the vehicle? Or do I need to go to bigger tires to get any more ground clearance?
 
cilles said:
Stiffer suspension? does this mean not so cushy a ride, esp on pavement? Thats one of the things I like about the GX - being less truck like than other body on frame.
Click to expand...
Not really, it stiffened up feel slightly so it does not seem to feel mushy and dive to much on the front end. I came from a 2013 GX 460 and its ride is a lot stiffer on the front end and it bothered me the 550 was so much softer turning and changing lanes and felt almost out of control. I like the stiffer feel, I am out in the hill country west of Austin with lots of back county roads I drive on. The over all ride is still cushy compared to the older GX.
 
cilles said:
Does this actually give more ground clearance before (without) putting bigger tires on the vehicle? Or do I need to go to bigger tires to get any more ground clearance?
Click to expand...
The stock 2024 OT is 22.5" on the rear and 21" on the front as measured from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom of the fender.

I installed the Westcott design leveling lift in Sept before going to Utah in Oct last fall and I am thrilled with the results and ride. After the install front is 1.5" higher and the back is .75" higher measured from the center of the wheel hub to the lower fender. I am running the stock tires and have a bit more ground clearence. The lift does give you more fender room to go larger on the tires if you want more clearance.
 
Todgrubbs said:
The stock 2024 OT is 22.5" on the rear and 21" on the front as measured from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom of the fender.

I installed the Westcott design leveling lift in Sept before going to Utah in Oct last fall and I am thrilled with the results and ride. After the install front is 1.5" higher and the back is .75" higher measured from the center of the wheel hub to the lower fender. I am running the stock tires and have a bit more ground clearence. The lift does give you more fender room to go larger on the tires if you want more clearance.
Click to expand...
And the 2025 GX from factory just gives 1" correct between front and rear?
 
cilles said:
Do you think the rough handling of washboards is due to the lift kit or just the way the GX is from factory? I don't have kit (yet) and see that washboards are a bit worse than other vehicles I've had.
Click to expand...
I didn't have the GX on washboards much before I had the Westcott lift installed so it's hard for me to compare. I think washboards are just tough for any stock suspension truck, especially a big, heavy truck like the GX550 that is trying to straddle the line between a luxury ride and a competent off-roader (especially the Overtrail model). To be both, and to be mass produced, there have to be some compromises.

The Westcott system puts a pre-load collar on the front spring, which means that it is pushing or compressing the spring a bit to effectively make the vehicle sit higher on the front end. A more compressed spring is stiffer and bouncier on the washboards. I also had a few hundred pounds of family and camping stuff in the truck. I was actually really loaded up, I just threw everything in & on the truck.

This is really where a high-quality, expertly-designed aftermarket suspension system like Fox, King, or Icon really shines. These suspension systems are tunable and they do a much better job of keeping the tires on the ground.

I'm doing some more off-roading and camping tomorrow, then a doing a longer trip in a couple weeks. I'm going to try to exercise the GX550 suspension a bit more. I might also try airing down a bit. I was too lazy to air down this past weekend even though I had my compressor with me. That would have made a big difference on the 28 mile each-way washboard road up & down from Crown King last weekend. These 35" tires should be nice & cushy at about 25 psi.
 
If you occasionally drive off road then the Westcott kit will do just fine. If you drive off road frequently, like every weekend, then I would suggest getting a proper suspension like King or Icon.

The King suspension along with airing down to 20 - 25 psi can absorb corrugated roads better than stock suspension. This past weekend I was driving up and down Fish Creek Wash at a top speed of 45 - 50 mph. Hardly felt anything. Lots of 4Runners with Kings were doing the same. Jeeps with Fox were likewise flying by. I think most were racing.

The point being a good suspension will be beneficial if you plan to take it off pavement a lot.
 
I also have to worry how this lift kit (or any suspension change) will change its towing characteristics. Which I still seriously need at this point. Eventually I'd like to get a Class A and put it on a trailer behind it instead of pulling a travel trailer.
 
cilles said:
I also have to worry how this lift kit (or any suspension change) will change its towing characteristics. Which I still seriously need at this point. Eventually I'd like to get a Class A and put it on a trailer behind it instead of pulling a travel trailer.
Click to expand...
Same thing here. Towing our travel trailer is a number one consideration, then want to be able to explore some seriously messed up roads..at decent speeds..and also have enough clearance to tackle ‘medium’ difficulty 4x4 trails at crawl speeds.
So my next step is to start talking with some reputable 4x4 shops in my region. I believe I’ll have to pay some extra $$ for an adjustable system in the end.

Really glad I’m on this forum, so many great ideas and discussion. Thanks to everyone.
 
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