Spotlight on Matt Wilkin & His GX460
At Ride Shocks, we love seeing how our customers push the boundaries of what’s possible. Few do that better than Matt Wilkin of Triple Locked Adventures.
Based in Western New York, Matt has earned a reputation for sharing honest insights about overland builds, gear choices, and the realities of backcountry travel. His vehicle of choice — a Lexus GX460 — has been transformed into a purpose-built expedition rig featuring armor, storage solutions, auxiliary lighting, and a fully dialed-in Ride Shocks mid-travel suspension system. You can explore the complete build here.
6,858 Miles of Real-World Testing
To close out the year, Triple Locked Adventures set off on a cross-country loop that stretched over 6,858 miles. The route took them from the snowy Northeast to the sun-baked deserts of the Southwest, then back home again — a trip designed to push both the vehicle and the gear to their limits.
This epic route included:
- Camping at Santa Rosa Lake State Park in New Mexico
- Forest roads and rocky climbs in Prescott National Forest
- Crossing Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Running the legendary El Camino Del Diablo through the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range
- Linking sections of the Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route and Southern California BDR
- Exploring Joshua Tree National Park
- Traversing the historic Mojave Road
- Reaching remote wilderness like Cabeza Prieta and Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
The journey combined every driving condition imaginable — endless highway miles, punishing washboard roads, technical rock climbs, and rugged desert tracks — all while carrying the weight of a fully built GX460 and gear for weeks of self-sufficiency.
Why Suspension Matters More Than Ever
Trips like this put enormous demands on a vehicle, which is why suspension is one of the most critical upgrades an overlander can make. For Matt, working with the Ride Shocks team was the first step.
Our specialists reviewed the entire build — from the added armor to the rooftop loadout — and then designed a suspension package tuned specifically for that setup. The process included:
- Weight-Specific Valving: Each shock was adjusted to handle the GX460’s loaded weight.
- Balanced Spring Rates: Ensuring the right mix of comfort and control on and off the road.
- Goal-Oriented Setup: Matching damping and ride height to Matt’s style of long-haul, mixed-terrain travel.
The result was a suspension system that wasn’t just upgraded — it was engineered for the exact way this rig would be used.
The Results Speak for Themselves
After nearly 7,000 miles, the difference was obvious:
- Highway Cruising: The GX460 soaked up miles with less driver fatigue and better comfort.
- Gravel & Washboard: Improved stability meant no more “white-knuckle” steering over long stretches.
- Technical Terrain: Predictable handling let Matt approach rocky climbs with confidence.
- Deep Desert Tracks: The suspension kept the vehicle composed and controlled, even on remote routes far from help.
This kind of real-world validation proves why Ride Shocks is trusted by serious overlanders — it’s not just about making a truck ride better, it’s about making it capable of carrying you through the toughest miles safely and comfortably.
Ride Shocks: Confidence to Go Further
Triple Locked Adventures exists to document what really works when you’re far from pavement, and this trip proved that Ride Shocks delivers when it counts most.
By equipping the GX460 with a suspension package tuned for its unique build, Matt was able to travel farther, tackle more challenging terrain, and enjoy the trip without worrying about how the vehicle would handle the next obstacle.
If you’re ready to take your own build to the next level, explore our mid-travel kits and custom tuning services. Whether your platform is a Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, or Lexus GX, Ride Shocks can create a solution matched to your exact weight, driving style, and adventure plans.
