Seconding the recommendation above about the sliders! Body damage is the quickest way to ruin your day and ur resale value. Since you're prioritizing safety, I've gotta add: don't sleep on underbody protection.

In my experience building these over the years, people forget the radiator and oil pan are super exposed. I'd highkey recommend the CBI Offroad Lexus GX460 Front Skid Plate. It’s basically armor for the most vulnerable parts.

For tires, if you want reliability for a daily, check out Toyo Open Country A/T III 265/60R18. I've tried many, and these have great sidewall strength—a huge safety plus when aired down on sharp rocks. Stick to protection and tires first so you actually make it back to the pavement lol.

TL;DR: Prioritize the CBI Offroad Lexus GX460 Front Skid Plate and sliders to protect the vitals before doing a lift.

Here's what I recommend based on my experience:

- Sliders: Get protection from White Knuckle or a similar brand first. Body damage is a nightmare tbh.
- Tires: Grab any AT from BFGoodrich. They're great daily-driver tires and work well on trails too.
- Lift: I'd hold off. A mild lift is okay, but keeping it stock keeps ur CV axles happy.

I've been super satisfied with this conservative approach! Basically, safety first. gl!

🙌

Honestly, while everyone talks about tires, you gotta look at the technical weight-to-capability ratio if this is your daily. Heavy steel everything will tank your MPG and change the handling dynamics. Ngl, from a market analysis perspective, the GX aftermarket is shifting toward high-strength aluminum and "integrated" lifts to keep the weight down. If you want the clearance without ruining the Lexus ride, look at the Westcott Designs Preload Collar Lift. Unlike basic spacers, these retain factory geometry and shock travel—super important for KDSS-equipped rigs. Pair that with some Victory 4x4 Blitz Rock Sliders in aluminum; they give you the protection you need for mid-tier trails without adding 150 lbs of dead weight to your frame. Also, don't sleep on recovery. A lot of guys forget that the stock points aren't technically rated for heavy snatch recoveries. I'd highly recommend looking into Apex Chassis Front Recovery Points. They’re beefy as hell and bolt directly to the frame. Lastly, grab an ARB On-Board High Performance 12V Air Compressor. Tbh, being able to air down for traction and air back up for the highway is the single biggest "pro move" for a dual-purpose GX. It’s all about that data-backed reliability over just looking cool.

For your situation, I'd skip the lift and save ur cash. Honestly, tires are the best bang for ur buck. I've run Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/60R18 for years and they're realy great on-road too. Usually around $850 a set.

- Get AT tires first
- Check for used sliders (maybe $400?)

Basically keeps it a comfy daily while being way more capable. What trails are you planning to hit??