Builds My FJC to GX 470 Build (1 Viewer)

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Some not so good bumper pics. Still need to find the right combo for filling the gaps but it is progress.
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Ok, lights are almost done. Wired in the STEDI fog lights, ambers and marker lights. For some reason, the harness provided by ARB is completely backwards for the Lexus. FYI for those that go this route. Factory amber DRLs are coded w/ red wiring and factory marker is coded with Green wiring. ARB harness is the exact opposite
The STEDI foglights have a DRL halo so my solution was to wire the fogs to the factory harness and tie the 12V+ wire to the factory Amber DRL along with ambers already in the bumper. Tied the bumper markers to the factory markers and so far, so good. The added bonus is when the fogs are on and the turn signal is engaged, the halos flash as well. Kinda corny but it works and I did not melt my vehicle in this exercise!
Best I can do for pics.
DRL combination with halo
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lights on, fogs on.
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Next up is the driving lights. Still have my old harness for this so it should be straightforward...
 
Finally able to get out for a weekend of social distancing. Recently just finished upgrading the battery on the trailer to 2- 6V golf cart batteries, in series w/ 230ah. Very noticeable difference. Spent essentially 4 days boondocking under canopy with very little solar opportunities and the batteries kept up with the fridge, lights, radio and all other accessories without dropping below 12.2V. I was able to harvest a little solar but not much. Still, much improved from the 80ah deep cycle that came with the trailer.
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Blew a low beam so decided it was time for a change. Replaced them with a LED conversion. So far, so good... cut off is crisp and the difference is very noticeable. Bought the Fahren plug and play with canbus and built-in fans. Now I’m feeling the need to replace the hi-beams!!
pics to follow.
 
Yes, it was taken from one of the Vistas in Bald Eagle State Forest in Centre County.
Nice, I thought it looked familiar. Pre-kids, my wife and I used to camp out that way every year with her Penn State friends.

This is near Rothrock shortly after I bought my GX four years ago.
full
 
Tires are getting very long in the tooth. Why is it so hard to find 285-75-17s right now? Been trying to buy another set of Cooper ST MAXX for weeks with no luck. Also time to replace my rear shocks so upgrades coming in that department.
Can’t post without a pic... last few trips of 2020
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New shoes arrived today. Went w/ the Coopers again since this last set has done so well. Couldn’t get 285-75 so went with 295-70 instead. Shouldn’t have any issues with my current setup but if I do, it’s nothing a hammer can’t fix!
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Tires are mounted but it was too dark to get a decent pic. My old 285s still had life on them so I mounted them on the FJC w/ no lift.😂 The 295s are catching plastic near the pinch welds on the GX so will have to deal with that and it looked like (from rub marks) I was catching the body mount when compressed. Haven’t needed a BMC until now but had done it on the old FJC. Nothing that a cutting wheel won’t correct.
Got a kick out of the 285s on the FJC. Had the same tires on mine but w/ a lift and spacers until I purchased different wheels. Surprisingly enough, they are not catching the UCA or the BM!
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A few pics of the 295s and a really good visual of why you can’t keep anything from rotting in the NE. I should have stock in Fluid Film
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Spent last weekend at a camp in Tuscarora State Forest. It was nice having full tread again as the roads are not maintained and there is a decent amount of snow on the ground. Everything went smooth until the ride out. Came across a late 70s F-100 that was off the road in a ditch and a fairly new F-250 that had found himself in the ditch while trying to pull the other out. Luckily I had most of my recovery gear with me and was able to give both of them a tug and get them on their way. No pics as I figured it wasn’t appropriate. The guy in the F-100 was hot and had been there awhile so I got him out, shook his hand and kept moving!
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Some overdue nip and tuck. While I was cutting, decided to massage the pinch welds a little. Since moving to a 295, Have been catching the body mount and plastic at full lock. Still need to tack on a new cover but this will do for now.
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Been a long time without a post. Sold our house, moved, bought another house, etc. etc. So the GX hasn’t received much love. Now that we are settled again I’ve been playing catch-up.

Wanted to log this as I’m reaching 200K and just completed milestone maintenance over the weekend.
We were able to tackle the following:
- Timing Belt
-Water pump
-idler and tensioner bearings
-Thermostat and seal
-Fan Pulley bracket
-serpentine belt
-New Plugs
-Coil packs
-fluid flushes
-Oil Change

As always, I’m not good at pausing for pics while I’m cussing!
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All of this to finally make our trek out west in T-Minus 4 weeks. Have been trying to make this trip happen for several years and it’s finally a reality. Super excited to spend 2 weeks exploring in the teardrop and happy to have the GX current with maintenance. Everything is greased and ready.

Plan is to leave on 4/5 from PA
4/7 Stopping in CO
4/8 - 4/10 Moab
4/10 Capital Reef
4/11 Bryce Canyon then onto Zion
4/11-4/13 at Zion then to Lake Powell
4/14 North Rim GC
4/15-4/17 Sedona
4/18 stopping in NM
4/19 Ozarks
Then back to PA between the 4/21-4-23 so we have some flexibility.
 
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Remaining to do:

-Mount storage case to roof rack for tools and miscellaneous items,
-Mount portable HW heater to the T@g
-Remove rear seats and build a platform to maximize storage and organize the back
-New tires on the T@G and service the bearings
 
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