frogers Build - 2006 LX470

[frogers935]

Finally get to post a build thread. After 4 years of being my wife's DD she has moved to a mini van and I get to play with the LX. I have read many build/tech threads on Mud over the years and they have all had great info and insight so Thanks to all that take the time to post them.

Uses:
I think this should be the first question to any build - what is your intended use. Mine will ultimately be an expedition vehicle used for exploration/camping/offroading with 2 adults and 3 children. It will see moderate offroad trails several times a year. I may end up pulling a small expo trailer or pop up. It is not my DD.

Modifications:

Armor
Dissent Front Bumper - Installed
BIOR Sliders - Installed
BIOR Skids - Installed
BIOR Rear Bumper - Installed

Suspension
AHC - its working well so I intend to keep it with some slight mods if needed
Front Torsion - Adjust stock one to get pressures correct (May look into Stock LC or OME if needed)
Rear Springs - 80 Series Springs (Installed but may change)
1/2" BL - Installed

Tires
295/70-18 Cooper STT Pro stock rims


Drivetrain
(Distant Future) - 4.88 & Lockers

Electrical/Lighting
CB Midland 75-822 - Installed
Lightforce Blitz 240 - Installed
HID Low Beams with TRS retrofit and custom bracket - Installed
Engo 12000s - Installed
Aux Fuse/Relay box - Installed
Dual Battery setup - Installed
Fridge - Installed

Interior
Rear Cargo storage - DIY Built
Fridge slide - Installed

Exterior
Gavamiti Roof Rack - Installed


Interesting Maintenance:
Fluids - AHC, Diff, Power Steering, Tranny
Surface Rust Clean-up - POR15
Heater T's
Adjusted Torsion Bars


Stock Picture:

Current Picture:

 

[frogers935]

Fluids

I found myself doing a bunch of research on fluids and found it interesting to see what other people are using. This is my current list

Oil - Mobil1 5W-30
Filter - OEM
Diff Fluids - Royal Purple 75W-90 (Will be switching to Amsoil Severe I just had the RP lying around)
Power Steering - Redline D4 ATF
Transmission - Amsoil Signature Series
Brake - Amsoil Series 500
Grease - Mobil1 & Amsoil
AHC - OEM
Coolant - OEM

 

[frogers935]

Surface Rust Clean-UP

In preparation for installing my bumper I decided to clean up some of the surface rust, this also gave me an excuse to take off my running boards. A friend of mine had given me his leftover POR15 kit so that is what I used.

Before Pictures:

First Step was to degrease. I sprayed on the POR15 marine clean along with my pressure washer the combination did of good job of removing all the gunk. After letting that dry I hit the bad areas with a wire brush on my air grinder. I followed that up with applying the POR15 metal prep with a brush followed by another rinse. NOTE: The areas with the worse rust were on the top side of the front frame there were foam inserts there - not sure of there purpose except to trap moisture. I had to get in there with a screwdriver to scrap it all out.

Tool used (sorry for the blurry pic but you get the idea)

 

[frogers935]

Surface Rust - CONT

Etched Surfaces from Metal Prep

After allowing to dry I brushed on the paint.

Overall I am happy with the result although if I were to buy this stuff I would not get the high gloss black. When I go to change my rear diff fluid I will address the rear of the truck

 

[frogers935]

Dissent Bumper Install

I purchased a dissent bumper with full bar. I had Ben weld everything up except for the bar, I did this to save on shipping along with allowing me to get a free welding lesson from my friend. Let me say the quality and welds on this bumper are great. No issues mounting it up.

One thing I did before grinding off the bolt plates and drilling was to protect the AC lines

Drilled and painted

Fitting center section

Fitting and welding bar

Still need to clean up some welds on the bar but everything lined up very well

I went to a local powder coater and let's just say I didn't like the price. I have had success powder coating myself in the past so I am going to try and tackle this myself - after some minor modifications to my oven to fit these pieces in.


Regarding AHC pressures with the extra weight.

Before:
F: 7.1
R: 6.3

With Bumper:
F: 7.6
R: 6.4

I will adjust my torsion bar after powder coating but am thinking 2 turns or so.

 

[frogers935]

Tire Selection

I have decided to give the new Cooper STT pro's a try - what I have not decided on is the size. After reading all the threads on fitment of tires here and everywhere else still have questions. I could not bring myself to post a dreaded "will it fit" thread but if anyone has any real world experience with these sizes I would like to hear it.

Decision is between the 275/70-18 (33.31") or 295/70-18 (34.49"). Since this is a new tire I am still waiting for feedback on actual size, I know some tires run smaller/bigger than advertised.

Questions:
Will 295's hit the UCA without spacers
Seat of the pants power drop from 275 to 295 (I have run the numbers here)

Will replace this picture when I get the actual tires

 

[timer00]

I have used a few starter POR 15 kits with the glossy black on my 100 and 4runner and the gloss doesn't stay glossy for too long and fades to a nice satin black from what I have seen

 

[frogers935]

@timer00 thanks for the note

I have decided on 295/70-18 for the tires. Additionally searches only talk about plastic rubbing and maybe the pinch weld which I can modify - seems like the UCA's are not an issue. I am not planning on lifting via AHC trick or body lifts unless needed.

Need to wait for the wife to calm down after the bills for the bumper/skids/sliders, probably order tires at the end of the month.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Tire Selection

I have decided to give the new Cooper STT pro's a try - what I have not decided on is the size. After reading all the threads on fitment of tires here and everywhere else still have questions. I could not bring myself to post a dreaded "will it fit" thread but if anyone has any real world experience with these sizes I would like to hear it.

Decision is between the 275/70-18 (33.31") or 295/70-18 (34.49"). Since this is a new tire I am still waiting for feedback on actual size, I know some tires run smaller/bigger than advertised.

Questions:
Will 295's hit the UCA without spacers
Seat of the pants power drop from 275 to 295 (I have run the numbers here)

Will replace this picture when I get the actual tires

View attachment 1116796

Nice looking tire but I dont see either of the sizes you listed in STT PRO <link

 

[frogers935]

Nice looking tire but I dont see either of the sizes you listed in STT PRO <link

Yes Cooper took them off their site, I sent an email and they said they are behind in production but will have the 275s out soon. The 295s are out and in stock at treaddepot.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Yes Cooper took them off their site, I sent an email and they said they are behind in production but will have the 275s out soon. The 295s are out and in stock at treaddepot.

Thanks good to know

 

[frogers935]

Also the 295s are ~$30 cheaper per tire than the 275s

 

[frogers935]

Powder Coating - brackets & caps

Was able to sneak some work in on the bumper. I picked up a HF blaster and some baking soda media to prep the parts. I really miss my blasting cabinet - while this setup works its a pain with media flying everywhere. I did end up getting in there with a wire brush and scotch-brite.

My process was to blast/sand/buff, wash and degrease, put into oven to dry, clean with brake cleaner, coat. I coated the brackets with some old flat black powder that I had just to get the process down. I am using Prismatic Black Rock for the rest of the bumper. Overall these turned out okay, I am going to try and touch up some spots on the caps.

HF Cheap Blaster

Craftsman Powder Coater (I have been happy with this, I had the HF one and it was crap)

Impromptu Racking System

Finished Product

 

[frogers935]

Powder Coating - Main Bumper Sections

Slight modification to oven needed to fit the bigger bumper pieces...still a work in progress will update with finished results

 

[frogers935]

Slight setback with the powder coating. The insulation setup was not ideal (i.e. it melted). I think I still would have been okay b/c I was able to get the part up to 300°+ on the side out of the oven but had problems applying the powder. Not sure if was the Prismatic powder or the humidity but I had some clumping of the powder and eventually my gun stop spraying.

Plan now is to use POR15 as a base coat and rattle can the top coat. If I don't like it I did find a local shop that is almost reasonable with their powder coating prices.

 

[frogers935]

Turn Signals:

Quick mod for turn signals, I used the factory wiring and just swapped connectors so I have no running lights. I may modify whatever LED fogs I get to have 1 led on for running.

Typically I would solder and shrink wrap these but I gave a new tool a shot. Seemed to work well - it has a heat activated resin/epoxy to encapsulate the connection to be environmental proof. Crappy cell phone pictures and I forgot to get a shot of the heat shrunk connector.

 

[jhanley]

You have an LX, and daily an M3/4/5 - sounds familiar....

Subscribed. cool build thread.

 

[Squatchy Adventures]

Also the 295s are ~$30 cheaper per tire than the 275s

I have owned several sets of Cooper ST's in the past and have always thought they were a quality tire. Long life, aggressive tread and low noise were all nice. The tire guy I used at the time talked me into going with the Toyo AT-2's for my last two sets. They are also a very reliable mixed use tire.

Last Friday I decided to order the STT Pro's in 295/70/18 and should get them Thursday. According to my tire guy, they were the last 4 available in the U.S. at that moment. Apparently there is a huge demand for them due to their price point which I have to say is really nice at $279 per tire. Hopefully the quality will be on par with its less aggressive little brother the ST.

 

[frogers935]

@DoublePump good info. I couldn't wait and actually ordered my set last week from tirecrawler - expect them to arrive today. I am mounting them myself so probably won't get them on the truck until the weekend or next week. Let me know how you like them and how they fit - I will do the same.

 

[m3roar]

Looks awesome! Why not run tires in the middle? 33.98 ( 285/70/18 ) to be exact. Nitto has their Exo Grappler which is made for better snow traction yet is better than the All Terrain.

Anyways. I love those factory wheels on the 06. I need to find me a set.