Builds 2001 LX470 build LEGUSY (6 Viewers)
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- Thread starter
- #282
After another memorable night on the trail, we were at it again. I was a bit disappointed and surprised that I dropped the bolt, and pleased that nothing was damaged. I do a lot of maintenance and work on this rig to keep in working well and prevent issues on the trail. Regardless, this truck sees a lot of rough use and things are bound to happen. 10 years ago I saw the same thing happen on an 80, so I should have known better, but the same repair wouldn't work here. In the end, I settled on a couple of stout tent stakes bent in place. It was a bit noisy over rough terrain, but it held the rest of the way to the end of the trail and back out to home.
There was a bit of collateral damage as the bolt hole didn't survive as a perfect circle.
So I welded a couple washers on each side of the bracket that gave me the perfect fit that I wanted.
The sleeve on the bushing was still in great shape so I cleaned everything up, put on a coat of fresh paint, and installed a new bolt. I went through and added lock tight torquing all the link bolts to the 111 ft/lbs spec.
I now have a spare too.
For comparison, here is a 100/80 link bolt side by side. I had thought about drilling the hole to 18mm and using the 80 bolt/bushing sleeve, but the washers worked better.
There was a bit of collateral damage as the bolt hole didn't survive as a perfect circle.
So I welded a couple washers on each side of the bracket that gave me the perfect fit that I wanted.
The sleeve on the bushing was still in great shape so I cleaned everything up, put on a coat of fresh paint, and installed a new bolt. I went through and added lock tight torquing all the link bolts to the 111 ft/lbs spec.
I now have a spare too.
For comparison, here is a 100/80 link bolt side by side. I had thought about drilling the hole to 18mm and using the 80 bolt/bushing sleeve, but the washers worked better.
- Thread starter
- #283
I gave the truck another good check over and identified some more items for maintenance while reevaluating some more of the spares that I carry. The main battery had not been holding a charge, so it got replaced. While that was out, I threw in some 4500K 9005 DRL/high beam bulbs. Then I drained and refilled the rear diff, the fluid was due for service, but not overly so and in decent condition. The rest of the fluids will all be changed soon.
I recently came across a photo from a year ago and couldn't help but think that the truck isn't quite as clean looking now.
I've had the truck for 3 years now, and its come a ways and gone a long ways. I dont mind so much all the scratches and dents and wear when I think of all the places we've gone. We've covered a lot of ground, especially in the past year and this truck still has a long ways to go. I'll have to get after it soon and touch up some of the armor and undercarriage before all the winter moisture causes rust to set in.
The tires have been getting some rough wear so I'm swapping them to my truck and getting a new set for winter. For now, I decided to throw on another set I had sitting around to keep this rolling. Halloween is as good a time as any for something mean, ugly and scary.
We got together with Wasatch Cruisers for a trunk or treat club activity.
I recently came across a photo from a year ago and couldn't help but think that the truck isn't quite as clean looking now.
I've had the truck for 3 years now, and its come a ways and gone a long ways. I dont mind so much all the scratches and dents and wear when I think of all the places we've gone. We've covered a lot of ground, especially in the past year and this truck still has a long ways to go. I'll have to get after it soon and touch up some of the armor and undercarriage before all the winter moisture causes rust to set in.
The tires have been getting some rough wear so I'm swapping them to my truck and getting a new set for winter. For now, I decided to throw on another set I had sitting around to keep this rolling. Halloween is as good a time as any for something mean, ugly and scary.
We got together with Wasatch Cruisers for a trunk or treat club activity.
I always suspected it.... Ironman drives a LX470
- Thread starter
- #286
Yep. I could probably point you to a few others that I found useful as well.
This report on Expedition Utah no longer has the photos, but I still found the maps which were useful.
Hole in the Rock 4×4 Trail | Expedition Utah
http://www.expeditionutah.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/hitr-n.gif
http://www.expeditionutah.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/hitr-s.gif
I also found a TR with tracks on TrailDamage.com that was nice and accurate.
This report on Expedition Utah no longer has the photos, but I still found the maps which were useful.
Hole in the Rock 4×4 Trail | Expedition Utah
http://www.expeditionutah.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/hitr-n.gif
http://www.expeditionutah.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/hitr-s.gif
I also found a TR with tracks on TrailDamage.com that was nice and accurate.
- Thread starter
- #287
We took another trip up to some higher elevations while the weather still holds.
I decided that I couldn't stand the rough ride and sound of the swampers, so they got swapped out for another set of BFG KO2 285/75/16. I found a good use for my old set and I like new tires, so this is the 3rd new set on this rig in 3 years. I though about trying a different tire and kept coming back to these for various reasons.
Then we took them out to Antelope Island State Park for a nice family drive.
Also, got the alignment rechecked and dialed in.
I decided that I couldn't stand the rough ride and sound of the swampers, so they got swapped out for another set of BFG KO2 285/75/16. I found a good use for my old set and I like new tires, so this is the 3rd new set on this rig in 3 years. I though about trying a different tire and kept coming back to these for various reasons.
Then we took them out to Antelope Island State Park for a nice family drive.
Also, got the alignment rechecked and dialed in.
- Thread starter
- #289
Buffalo Point by the restaurant overlooking White Rock bay
- Thread starter
- #291
More adjustments with the ARB front bumper.
I've had issues with the bumper moving in the mounting bolt locations. There is a lot of room for adjustment and that allows the bumper to move when bumped into rocks/ dunes and such. I realize that I might drive it a bit more rough than most, but I know of others that have issues with this too. So even though this bumper isn't quite stock, its not a complete anomaly either. However, my bumper might flex a bit more than others and that exaggerates the issue. When the bumper moves close to the fenders, then the bumper can flex and hit the fenders more. I tried to remedy this in the past, by adding a bolt that doesn't have a slotted hole and cranking the bolts down tight. This probably helped, but the bumper was still able to pivot on that bolt. after being hit several times on Hole in the Rock, the bumper was up against the fenders again and so was my buddy's 100 LC with the combo bar. We took a quick pit in the morning before leaving camp to straighten them out.
My bumper had done a bit more damage to the front fender and was bound up on the portion under the front grill that I never trimmed. So, I removed the mounting bolts and freed it all up. In the process, the trim piece under the grill transformed into several broken pieces of trash. It was very brittle, but fortunately didn't break the other pieces. I'm fine leaving this piece out. With the way my light bar sits in front you can barely tell that its not there and there is no negative impact to performance that I observe. if anything, it allows a bit better airflow, and is one less thing to deal with.
After re positioning the bumper with plenty of fender clearance, I welded the mounting bolt washers to the bumper to help eliminate alignment issues. then I touched it all up with some paint. Time will tell soon enough if this fix will hold up, but so far after a couple hundred miles of dirt it's still right where I set it. As long as the bumper to fender clearance stays good, the bumper can flex without hitting the fenders.
I've had issues with the bumper moving in the mounting bolt locations. There is a lot of room for adjustment and that allows the bumper to move when bumped into rocks/ dunes and such. I realize that I might drive it a bit more rough than most, but I know of others that have issues with this too. So even though this bumper isn't quite stock, its not a complete anomaly either. However, my bumper might flex a bit more than others and that exaggerates the issue. When the bumper moves close to the fenders, then the bumper can flex and hit the fenders more. I tried to remedy this in the past, by adding a bolt that doesn't have a slotted hole and cranking the bolts down tight. This probably helped, but the bumper was still able to pivot on that bolt. after being hit several times on Hole in the Rock, the bumper was up against the fenders again and so was my buddy's 100 LC with the combo bar. We took a quick pit in the morning before leaving camp to straighten them out.
My bumper had done a bit more damage to the front fender and was bound up on the portion under the front grill that I never trimmed. So, I removed the mounting bolts and freed it all up. In the process, the trim piece under the grill transformed into several broken pieces of trash. It was very brittle, but fortunately didn't break the other pieces. I'm fine leaving this piece out. With the way my light bar sits in front you can barely tell that its not there and there is no negative impact to performance that I observe. if anything, it allows a bit better airflow, and is one less thing to deal with.
After re positioning the bumper with plenty of fender clearance, I welded the mounting bolt washers to the bumper to help eliminate alignment issues. then I touched it all up with some paint. Time will tell soon enough if this fix will hold up, but so far after a couple hundred miles of dirt it's still right where I set it. As long as the bumper to fender clearance stays good, the bumper can flex without hitting the fenders.
Do you like these control arms? They still holding up/did they make your ride quality better? Im at 207k on original
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Been looking into these as well since they have their cyber Monday sales. I would appreciate any feedback on these as well
- Thread starter
- #294
I have been very happy with the Metal Tech offset lower links. They have take a ton of abuse with no more than scratches in the powder coat to show for it. The link mounts that I reinforced with steel plates have since been hit and significantly bent though they still aren't touching the links and I don't think that the link position has changed.
I recently inspected them with a straight edge and could not find any dents or bends. I maintained the joints and bushings greasing them at least annually. The joints still do not have any free play, though the bushings did start to reveal some movement and show some wear. The movement in the rear bushings was minimal and seemed to go away the last time I greased them. I expect that it will return and plan to replace the poly bushings at some point sooner than later. It might be a good idea to order a set of replacement bushings with the links to save $ on shipping them in the future.
I can't say that I really noticed a ride quality difference, but they do seem to flex well. I don't really have room for more flex.
I recently inspected them with a straight edge and could not find any dents or bends. I maintained the joints and bushings greasing them at least annually. The joints still do not have any free play, though the bushings did start to reveal some movement and show some wear. The movement in the rear bushings was minimal and seemed to go away the last time I greased them. I expect that it will return and plan to replace the poly bushings at some point sooner than later. It might be a good idea to order a set of replacement bushings with the links to save $ on shipping them in the future.
I can't say that I really noticed a ride quality difference, but they do seem to flex well. I don't really have room for more flex.
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- Thread starter
- #295
Went out exploring around the Great Salt Lake prerunning for some upcoming events.
We pushed hard through the rain and enjoyed wide open views with the clearing clouds. Hit the high speed dirt and some good puddles. Then camped at the astronomical observation tunnels art project. It was well below freezing, peaceful and quiet.
We pushed hard through the rain and enjoyed wide open views with the clearing clouds. Hit the high speed dirt and some good puddles. Then camped at the astronomical observation tunnels art project. It was well below freezing, peaceful and quiet.
- Thread starter
- #296
The sun was a welcome sight and it almost rose in line with the tunnels, a sight to be seen on the solstice. Then we explored a variety of attractions, remnants and remote routes.
Upon our return home, we had circumnavigated the entire lake.
Upon our return home, we had circumnavigated the entire lake.
The Spiral Jetty is pretty cool!
- Thread starter
- #299
Yeah, I'm also organizing the Wasatch Cruisers January trail run that will be an Adventure Rally type activity out in that area. If your interested in participating, check it out on our club forum and sign up.
Wasatch Cruisers
Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
Wasatch Cruisers
Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
- Thread starter
- #300
I installed a direct connector for a Noco G3500 3.5A battery charger. It's wired up to the main battery, but will charge both and power the fridge when connected. Its automatic and convenient to connect to the water resistant connector at the front bumper.
This truck isn't really a daily driver these days, though I run the fridge constantly. It commonly sits for 48 hours when driven regularly and often longer. If its parked outside, the solar panel provides adequate charging for several days- weeks. When it gets parked inside, I like to keep the batteries charged. I have run a couple different chargers, and found a few issues that I improved upon with this setup. First I ran a 1.5v trickle charger and maintainer, but it wasn't enough power to keep up with the fridge running. I also ran a conventional charger, but It was less convenient to pop the hood and connect to the battery. I would always use a strut clamp, cause I don't trust the hood struts to keep the hood up while a charger is connected unsupervised. So now I have a setup that seems more ideal with a convenient connection that doesn't require the hood to be opened.
This truck isn't really a daily driver these days, though I run the fridge constantly. It commonly sits for 48 hours when driven regularly and often longer. If its parked outside, the solar panel provides adequate charging for several days- weeks. When it gets parked inside, I like to keep the batteries charged. I have run a couple different chargers, and found a few issues that I improved upon with this setup. First I ran a 1.5v trickle charger and maintainer, but it wasn't enough power to keep up with the fridge running. I also ran a conventional charger, but It was less convenient to pop the hood and connect to the battery. I would always use a strut clamp, cause I don't trust the hood struts to keep the hood up while a charger is connected unsupervised. So now I have a setup that seems more ideal with a convenient connection that doesn't require the hood to be opened.
