Builds 2001 LX470 build LEGUSY

[Odyseuss]

I want to join next time you guys are in SE Utah. Looks like a blast.

It would be cool to have you join us on one of these trips. Few people have expressed interest in an upcoming trip, though it has only been discussed among club members so far. Its one of the many perks of being a member. There is a chance that the trip might open up to get more interested participants, I'll send you a PM if it does. We don't expect or intend for this to be a big gathering as it involves a decent amount of time and travel distance. In either case, I hope and plan to continue getting out to this area and others as often as possible so there should be many more opportunities.

 

[Odyseuss]

I have really been liking the Akro-mils 33228 bins for the ARB outback drawers. They are a good fit for the open section and when removed offers easy access to the remainder of the drawer. I was a bit too cheap in the beginning to buy all the dividers and lids for the bins so I made a few dividers out of cardboard. after enough miles bouncing around off-road, the contents got the better of the cardboard dividers. So I bit the bullet and bought the Akro-mils dividers 41228, 42228. Overall the organization is better, though it would be nice if the dividers were a bit more rigid and a tighter fit. we'll see how they hold up.

 

[Odyseuss]

In the spirit of Halloween, Legusy has visited a few sites and assumed another identity.

and Trick or Treat at @Equipt world headquarters and @cruiseroutfit ters.
Where I picked up a few items for the build.

Paul gave me a tour of the facility and showed off all of the cool Adventure Trailer and 4wheel camper setups on hand.

 

[bryson]

Can you tell me more details about your experience with BFG regarding your tire issue? My 37s have the same silly cuts around the tread and BFG is giving me the runaround...

 

[Odyseuss]

Can you tell me more details about your experience with BFG regarding your tire issue? My 37s have the same silly cuts around the tread and BFG is giving me the runaround...

I'm not sure what actions that you have taken to get the "run around" but there is another thread on this issue that may be of some help. I think that you need to deal with a reputable retailer.

BFG KO2 Cracking at 10k

I was originally under a misconception that these were related to siping until I realized that the condition was more widespread. I'm still not really sure what is going on here, as some people do not seem to be having this issue yet my new set was already showing cracks at under a month, and less than 2000 miles.

 

[Odyseuss]

I built a new receiver recovery mount. It fits the bumper lines pretty well so it doesn't stick out too much. The recovery tabs are actually 2 100 series stock recovery hangers welded together and clearanced for a 3/4 shackle pin.

It's and improvement on the previous version and I guess it comes in handy for keeping my son entertained as well.

 

[Odyseuss]

I was cleaning the LX recently when I noticed that the front seat belts were quite dirty. I read some threads about people cleaning these successfully so I decided to give it a go.

The belts were retracting a bit slow, but it hadn't really been much of an issue. the belt was also pretty stiff where it was dirty, so I though that cleaning it should help it retract faster, and I did not bother trying to add tension to the retracting unit. I had read about people completely removing the belts on an 80 series for washing. Upon inspection of these belts, it did not look like the belt was going to be easily removed from the spool unit. I could remove the pin at the end of the belt, but it looked like such a tight fit to get it through the spool that even if I could fit it through, it would not be worth the effort to try and reinstall it (besides, the portion that is first to wind up looked very nice and did not need to be cleaned). So, I extended the belt all the way and zip tied the spool in that position.

I filled a clean bucket with hot water and some laundry detergent, and proceeded to soak agitate and scrub the belts until they were clean. I then hung them to dry. I was surprised at how clean the belts looked after they dried.

 

[Odyseuss]

I noticed that the top tube of my rear bumper can carrier cracked all the way through.

It looks like it was caused by the added stress of the Hi-Lift, bike rack fork mount, and the lack of support in that area. When I built it, I had added gussets above it, but not below. Also, the top tube is somewhat thin. I wasn't able to measure it in this situation, but I seem to remember the bottom tube being made of thicker material though I cant be so sure anymore. I decided to weld the cracked portion and support it with a new gusset plate. I bent and dimpled the plate for strength and fit and welded it in.

Fortunately, I found a hammered black spray paint that I have been using to match the powder coat.

 

[Odyseuss]

I have been wanting to find a better way to pack around my Hi-Lift off road base for some time. This base can come in handy to help prevent the jack from sinking in softer surfaces. Like most things, I want it out of the way yet accessible when I need it.

I had a small issue with removing the rear tire in the past where my jack kept sinking in the softer dirt road and it was the hardest flat surface that I could find. I like to use the factory bottle jack to remove rear wheels because I don't want to deal with the suspension down travel and I can lift from near the axle housing requiring less lift. Fortunately, the factory service jack fits well in the off-road base.

So I made a bracket to mount the base with my Hi lift using a locking lug nut, and I painted it black with some outdoor plastic paint to hide its natural beauty.

 

[Odyseuss]

I made a set of brackets to support my Maxtrax using their mounting pin kit. I built it so that I could easily store them out of the way on top of the roof rack where they would be easily accessible and not impede on the removal of my slide out camp table.

I set the nuts in the brackets so that the mounting pins would be properly aligned when tight. Then I welded the nuts to the brackets so that the pins could be removed when not needed. I also cut off a portion of the threads that extends past the nuts so that they would not interfere with my table below.

As you can see, the table is still removable with the Maxtrax mounted.

 

[Odyseuss]

I recently extended my front and rear differential breathers. I extended the rear up to the top of the fuel filler neck near the gas cap on the inside of the fender, and the front breather was raised to the top of the firewall near the wiper motor.

 

[Odyseuss]

Another mod that I did was to install a switch for the keyless entry chirp horn. There are times when I like to hear if my doors are locked and there are times when I would prefer to remain in stealth mode (like when I'm camping and I want my truck locked at night while sleeping in my tent, and I don't want to wake people if I need to unlock the truck during the late hours.) So now I have a small switch wired into the horn harness that allows me both operational modes.

 

[Odyseuss]

Here is my report from a recent trip to SE Utah.


We had lift off at 7 am on Friday the 18th of November, as we installed our new Fun meter that was pegged the entire time. Aiden and I were leading the way in Legusy as Silly Dave followed along in the Land Bruiser. The outside temp read 5 degrees as we passed through Soldier summit around 8. It looked to be a beautiful day, yet I was still a bit concerned about how cold it might get overnight, outside the comforts of our trusty 100 series. None the less, we were armed with a couple Mr. buddy heaters as my wife trusted me to keep our 3 year old comfortable and alive.

My little crew chief kept us on course as we moved south, along through Hanksville and out to Hite. We stopped to soak in the vast scenery at several points along the way before hitting the dirt road for a drive out to Lake Powell. We were so stoked to have this MO for the next few days with enough destinations that they became part of the journey. Following a route through a notch in the cliff band and down across the wash, we arrived at Good Hope Bay on Lake Powell. We could see a couple boats passing by as we explored an area of large boulders sitting above the water. Eventually, we made our way down to a beach below Castle Butte. This was a great spot to throw rocks into the water and eat lunch.

 

[Odyseuss]

On our way back out to the Highway, we thought about how the trail navigated its way back and forth across the wash from one side of the canyon to the other. A few moments helped me to appreciate the option of low range as we passed through some technical terrain and cruised along some smooth track. We never saw another person in that canyon but the views of towering rock giants gave us plenty to talk about on the radio.

 

[Odyseuss]

Moving faster along the pavement was still ever so entertaining as we remarked on the numerous geographic formations and how well they resemble their given names. With time dwindling, we passed on another detour that we will have to return for on another trip. Like so many places, there's never enough time to see it all. Of all the things we find, is the constant reminder of how much more there is to discover. The Bears Ears reminded us that we were entering more familiar territory that would soon be our camp for the next few days.

We set out to establish camp before dark, settling into a quiet spot in Comb Wash. Before long more of our friends arrived and we all prepared for the cold night. Starting a fire and dressing warm, we eventually tucked into 2 sleeping bags each with a couple heaters running. After braving a cold night, my son woke me up early for a warm meal as I eventually set him up to watch a show in the truck as it warmed up for the days adventure. Our group assembled discussing optional plans for the day and we ventured off together for the time being.

With Comb Ridge towering above us, we discussed the various history of the routes in the area. More recently used by the Mormon pioneers, this emigrant trail had been home to natives long before. The evidence of one rock art panel after another left everyone for themselves trying to interpret some portion of the characters scribed into the rock. Further along the trail we came across proof of how challenging survival had been under circumstances that left ancient buildings from different cultures in ruins. Stories were depicted of the struggle and sacrifice that left some behind for others only to remember. I couldn't help but think about what stories these rock art panels told as we made a trip out on foot through some overgrown trail to the largest, most detailed panel that any of us had ever seen.

 

[Odyseuss]

Feeling fortunate that our efforts to explore were so abundantly rewarded, we moved on forward to Fort bluff. In the town of Bluff we had the opportunity to address the need for fuel, a small trail repair, and much of our curiosity about the area's history. With things sorted out, we drove on in the failing light to return through Comb Wash in the dark. I thought about the animals that had driven so hard to pull the wagons across this trail years ago and how nice it was to see so many of them living wild in the area now. It also left me thankful that the mechanical machines we were currently using were so capable and reliable.

The temperature had risen well into the 60's during the day and was much more comfortable than the previous night. With plenty of wood to burn, we enjoyed each others company and discussed all of our various routes. We met more friends that recently arrived as Nate returned from another adventure in search of more ruins. We really enjoyed the warmer weather and carried on our campfire conversation of similar interests late into the night.

So amazed by these ancient remains, we searched on into Arch Canyon for the coordinates of even more. After a few water crossings we found what we had been looking for and left it just as it had been, taking only photographs. Then we dispersed our separate ways again as we covered distance on our own paths. Some areas we explored together and others at different times, while some points were seen from an entirely different perspective. As Nate and Morgan drove on towards Muley Point, Silly Dave and I travelled down the Moki Dugway into Johns Canyon. Low and Behold, we reached a very similar location separated by over 1000 feet of elevation. We could communicate on the radio and barely see each other.

 

[Odyseuss]

In Johns canyon we followed a dirt road on the edge well above the San Juan River, yet still so far below the top of Cedar Mesa. We passed numerous turns in the river looking out on the tall Rock Monuments. Stopping to look at the rock art panels, we took more pictures of the amazing view. As we traveled on capturing video from various angles, an enormous rock slide could be seen in the distance. The route description that I obtained with a GPX file, mentioned a waterfall and an impassable rock slide ahead. It turns out that the stream only fell a foot or so where we crossed it, though areas could be seen where the water was likely to pass nearly a thousand feet to the river below. When we arrived at the rock slide, it was proven passable in our vehicles under the present conditions. We looked forward to the challenge of crossing it again knowing that we would need to return the way we came. Yet further ahead we searched for more rock art sites and as the sun descended we found them and proceeded to return. As we left the canyon behind I noted 40 miles of trail that we had traveled there.

Before the dark set in, we arrived at the Goosenecks for our next point of interest and fortunately, enough service to call home. A welcoming voice was reassured of our fortunate existence as I tried to calm the restless minimal maninmal passenger with the last of our fruit snacks. Reoriented, our bearing was set to return to base camp once again through comb wash in the dark. When we arrived at camp Dave was stoking a strong fire supplied by a tower of firewood and some welcome arrangements that had been left behind by our friends that moved on. Another warm day left us appreciating the last of our calm weather before the rain arrived.

 

[Odyseuss]

The night weather was hospitable enough for all the campfire we could enjoy until every last piece of wood was consumed. A drizzle persisted throughout the night as we packed up some soggy tents in the morning. We decided to modify our agenda for the day and set out to explore one last canyon in search of the House on Fire Ruin. The slight sprinkle of rain was accompanied by a cool fog during our hike up a fertile south fork of Mule canyon. We were amazed by the effect of the cliff dwelling roof that actually looked like flames. Aiden was ready to help guide the way in his Fire Chief rain jacket that seemed appropriate. On our way out of the canyon we continued to marvel at the many various plants, and signs of wildlife accompanied by a strong scent of sage.

Picking up the pace, we moved along the improved roads towards home. There were several stops along the way to capture the last checkpoint and a hot meal at Rays Tavern. We rolled on through the incessant rain eager to arrive at home. We have a lot of good memories to process as we scour through the photos and share them with our friends.

 

[Odyseuss]

I had been holding off to change out my heater T's because I wanted to do a Hot water kit and thought that it seemed reasonable to do both jobs at the same time. So I've been carrying a spare set with me just in case, even though the factory set still looked great. In any case, time came to install the Helton Hot water Kit, new T fittings, and all the associated hoses.

It only took me 15 minutes to get the old hoses off, as I have done these before and found a few tools that make light work of the job. In case it helps someone else, I used needle nose vice grips to move the clamps off the connections. Then I used a hose picker tool that I made from an old screwdriver to break the seal between the hoses and the pipe fittings (a bit of silicone spray helps on the stubborn ones). Then I used some needle nose hose pliers to twist and pull the hoses out.

All that said, my perfectionist slacker nature took a few hours to reinstall the new parts.

The old T fittings were actually in surprisingly decent shape and since they fit the factory hose sizes so well, I replaced them with the same OE quality parts, with the exception of the 2 hoses required to route coolant through the heat exchanger. I used the constant torque clamps on those hoses.

I noticed a couple of other things that I wanted to do along the way.

-It was helpful to have a small tray for parts and tools while working up under the hood. So I flipped the engine cover over and used that, which worked well. My paranoia of tipping the thing caused me to drill a hole in it that allows use of one of the mounting studs to keep it from moving much. This might come in handy again some time.

-The cycles of heat over time had caused some of the wire harness mounting loom and clips to become a bit brittle. So I replaced those that were broken or loose and decided to add some more protection from heat to the main harness loom. I wrapped it with a bit of header wrap and some gorilla tape to add a bit of heat shielding to the precious harness.

 

[Odyseuss]

I sourced this kit from Kurt @cruiserout and it is the hot water kit with more capacity than the shower kit. He informed me that there were limited quantities so I got mine while supplies last.
I tested the hot water kit out and I'm quite pleased with the results so far. The system is very simple and fast to deploy and clean up. To prevent damage from freezing, I use compressed air to purge any water from the system after use. Starting with 40* water in a single pass at 3gpm the output temp was 50* warmer with the temp reading of 165* at the heater hoses. That is probably about as cool as it will run with the engine at operating temp. I think that should be pretty nice for a shower as it seems to maintain that temp very well and the flow is decent, though it can be decreased to save water. If the pump is turned off, then water sits in the heat exchanger and increases in temp, after the initial flow volume the temp drops right back to around 90*. I can place the flowing shower head into a water tank to get a sustained higher temp output. I am not currently using a thermostatic mixing or anti scald valve though I may incorporate a function like that in the future to decrease the risk of a burn. For now that risk is low if the system is used properly. I installed the hoses to some fittings that I put in the front bumper during the bumper build in anticipation of this purpose. I wanted to keep any wet mess from the back of the truck where I have the most access to contents.
I look forward to some more use over time as a shower, hot water for cleaning, and maybe even a portable hot tub?