When you think of automobiles that are likely to roll 500,000 miles on the odometer you often think of the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Toyota Hilux and well not much more. These vehicles are made to be driven a half million miles with, quite frankly, minimal maintenance. The story goes, Land Cruisers are made to be driven 500,000 miles with an occasional oil change under an African acacia tree. 

Statistics of the longest running vehicles prove that Toyotas are indeed known for making some of the longest lasting vehicles in the world. 7 of the top 10 vehicles for average longevity are made by Toyota. In addition to the Land Cruiser and Hilux, other Toyota models on the list include the Highlander Hybrid, Avalon, Prius, Tundra and the Sequoia (with more average miles than the Land Cruiser). For reference, the Hilux has the longest average Toyota lifespan at 250,000 – 300,000 miles.

“What I found out was that a lot of people want to do this but it’s really intimidating to take that first trip, especially if you’re solo.”

Derek

When it comes to the Lexus GX (the premium badged version of the Toyota Prado) we’ve heard theoretically that it can obtain the vaunted half million mark but it’s mostly just that – theoretical. Statistics show the Prado has an average lifespan of 200,000 to 300,000 miles. Few examples exist to prove the GX can indeed hit 500,000 miles and stories are typically like a Sasquatch… “I heard ‘bout one” (insert grainy, fuzzy picture).

Derek’s Lexus GX will soon hit the half million mile mark… and it’s a story that all GX owners should find encouraging and promising. It’s an actual example of how well-built the GX is, and when treated with proper care and maintenance, can last an incredibly long time.

Derek’s GX470 started off humbly. The original owner put 30,000 miles on it. Chad, a co-worker of Derek’s, traded in a Toyota 4Runner with 375,000 miles on it and bought the GX putting over 430,000 miles on it transporting testing equipment from one factory to another. It was a pavement princess with zero modifications. Chad put 3 new sets of Goodyear tires on it, multiple sets of brakes (his only complaint of the GX), and of course synthetic oil changes when required.

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By the time it reached 460,000 miles Chad had repaired the air ride suspension, bearings, a few minor rust spots and had welded the exhaust. It was in pretty rough shape mechanically but still had the original engine, transmission, and diffs. Chad was ready to put the ol’ GX down when Derek offered an alternative. “He traded it to me for a good BBQ lunch.” Must have been one helluva a bbq lunch! Derek quipped, “Pretty good spot, Two Scott’s BBQ in Michigan.” 

Having taken delivery of his well-seasoned and somewhat mechanically-questionable GX, Derek set about making necessary repairs and upgrades to bring the rig back to life. “It was so beat down – to the point it barely ran, so he gave it to me. I’m about $10k into it with parts and labor and pretty close to having it mechanically sound.” Derek partnered with Midwest 4×4 for help with repairs and on-going repairs. In addition to mechanical repairs and “a ton of replacement parts,” Derek has upgraded the GX for offroad duty:

• 255/75R17 BFG KO2’s on 4Runner wheels
• ARB skid plates
• ARB differential breathers
• OME 2.5” suspension lift
• HK Off-road winch mount
• XBull 10k winch
• Freedom UCAs
• Lasfit 32” light bar
• Extended stainless brake lines
• GX460 front brakes
• Sand dune flag
• Rooftop cargo box 

Now that the GX470 is running well, Derek uses it daily for transporting the family. He’d also heard of a local Jeep group doing trail runs and one day decided to tag along. When he showed up he was told “you can follow us but we’re not stopping to help you if you get stuck or break down.” Put off by their attitude, he looked for a brand agnostic group of off-roaders to help him learn the ropes but didn’t find much in his local area. Derek started researching popular trails near him, contacting people who’d driven them to learn more, and then launched off on his own. Trip after trip, he connected with a few strangers who were willing to show him the local trails along the way. 

Derek developed a regular crew for trail runs and started planning his own rides that he and his friends would drive on the weekends. From there he started inviting solo riders he frequently ran into who would join him and his friends on their planned trips. As he gained overlanding experience and confidence, he decided to plan an ambitious trip to the Michigan Upper Peninsula. The amazing trails and scenic camping along Lake Superior attracted the attention of local overlanders who began contacting Derek about organizing trips for them. “After we started sharing, more and more people wanted to go. What I found out was that a lot of people want to do this but it’s really intimidating to take that first trip, especially if you’re solo,” which inspired Derek to form Mitten State Tours, a Michigan based guide hosting free weekend trips around the Upper Peninsula and beyond. 

Today, Mitten State Tours has grown into an organized group taking regular overland trips throughout Michigan. Derek and Joe (one of the original buddies in the group) are now the organizers, designing their own routes and itineraries, scouting campsites and taking enthusiasts along for the experience. They help new overlanders learn their

rig’s capabilities and what kit to bring to enjoy the trip. The community Derek and others have built has even taken on a life of its own with members self-organizing their own overland trips via the Mitten State Tours Facebook page. “It’s [become] a really cool community… that’s really positive and welcoming to all experience levels and truck types. The GX has really enabled me to do all that so it’s pretty special to me. It’s always at the front of the pack leading!” To continue expanding the community, they’ve recently partnered with local shops to do “rigs and coffee” style meetups and with retailers to do events at nearby offroad destinations like the Silver Lake Dunes.  

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