I am in the "just south of Seattle" area. Nice looking GX and great info... I am going to follow your thread and learn what I can for my own GX.
Builds 2006 GX470 build thread - in seattle
- Thread starter ObsessMuch
- Start date
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Thought I should say hi also. I am in the "fair bit south of Seattle, and then across the bridge" area.
I have started my build, but it will be a bit slower of a process than some others around here. There are a lot of nicely built GXs around to get good ideas from. Want to thank everyone who is sharing for posting up great ideas for the rest of us!
ObsessMuch, how do you like your SouthernSS bumper, and why did you go with that one over an ARB? I like the idea that it is a direct fit, but was there anything else that went into your decision?
I have started my build, but it will be a bit slower of a process than some others around here. There are a lot of nicely built GXs around to get good ideas from. Want to thank everyone who is sharing for posting up great ideas for the rest of us!
ObsessMuch, how do you like your SouthernSS bumper, and why did you go with that one over an ARB? I like the idea that it is a direct fit, but was there anything else that went into your decision?
- Thread starter
- #43
Hey all - sorry its been a while since I've been on here.
OK:
1) the bumper - I like this one because of the direct bolt on of it and the fact that it doesn't hit the grill when you open the hood. My brothers does
it fits well but there is a gap near the fender flairs. I think id rather would have just cut the fenders and made it sit closer. at the point you bolt a giant steel bumper on the front of your truck there really is not much standing in the way of a few cuts in the plastic...
2) suspension - I honestly didn't look at how much the whole thing cost. I think it might have been more than I was willing to spend. the guys at Metaltech 4x4 did a great job but I did buy up. I got the TC control arms and the rear links. so the total was somewhere around $3k.
3) Ride quality - it rides as good/better than stock. The reason I went with the Radflow was the ride quality on the road. the progressive nature of it is VERY good. I built the truck to bomb fireroads at higher speeds. it does that in comfort. I might say it is a bit soft so I would prob think about a bit stiffer if I was to get a do over.
4) vinyl - I just got some on ebay and took the dash apart. pretty easy and fast. it looks so good. most people have no idea. I also like the steering wheel cover. It makes the wheel thicker so it feels good.
5) wheels - I bought them from discount tire - they did a good job getting the TPMs to work and I like the fake beadlock look...in general nothing special just faster and easier than pastidip.
to all of those in Seattle with GXs - Hi. i've seen a couple around - even one parked next to me at Duthie hill - nice truck if you are on here.
if anyone in Seattle needs the following I have them...Although I know its not the classified section I really would rather see these things go to people that need/want them:
A big (60") hilift (red) jack - $50
Spacers for an FJ or the GX front suspension $75
a set of Five GX wheels - $300
OK:
1) the bumper - I like this one because of the direct bolt on of it and the fact that it doesn't hit the grill when you open the hood. My brothers does
it fits well but there is a gap near the fender flairs. I think id rather would have just cut the fenders and made it sit closer. at the point you bolt a giant steel bumper on the front of your truck there really is not much standing in the way of a few cuts in the plastic...2) suspension - I honestly didn't look at how much the whole thing cost. I think it might have been more than I was willing to spend. the guys at Metaltech 4x4 did a great job but I did buy up. I got the TC control arms and the rear links. so the total was somewhere around $3k.
3) Ride quality - it rides as good/better than stock. The reason I went with the Radflow was the ride quality on the road. the progressive nature of it is VERY good. I built the truck to bomb fireroads at higher speeds. it does that in comfort. I might say it is a bit soft so I would prob think about a bit stiffer if I was to get a do over.
4) vinyl - I just got some on ebay and took the dash apart. pretty easy and fast. it looks so good. most people have no idea. I also like the steering wheel cover. It makes the wheel thicker so it feels good.
5) wheels - I bought them from discount tire - they did a good job getting the TPMs to work and I like the fake beadlock look...in general nothing special just faster and easier than pastidip.
to all of those in Seattle with GXs - Hi. i've seen a couple around - even one parked next to me at Duthie hill - nice truck if you are on here.
if anyone in Seattle needs the following I have them...Although I know its not the classified section I really would rather see these things go to people that need/want them:
A big (60") hilift (red) jack - $50
Spacers for an FJ or the GX front suspension $75
a set of Five GX wheels - $300
- Thread starter
- #44
BTW k9crazy - you can always just call or email I will send you some vinyl...just let me know what you need. its the brotherly thing to do
I thought that might be you that I parked next to at Duthie. Just when I think I have a unique vehicle, I park next to another one that is similar. Yours is very nice!
That bumper really looks good in person. Seeing it in person was enough to get me talking to Kevin at SouthernSS, and it looks like he will be making me a front and a rear, hopefully for installation at the Overland Expo next month. I was debating going with ARB and cutting metal to make it fit, but I certainly like having something that is made correctly for my vehicle in the first place.
I will say this about suspension: I put 5100s up front on mine, and it rides really harsh. It is certainly on my radar to upgrade after I get everything else where I want it to be. Radflo and Icon are on the shortlist. I did my lift very inexpensively, but I can tell while driving it. It will work for now, but putting more $ into suspension would be something I would have done had I known what I know now.
That bumper really looks good in person. Seeing it in person was enough to get me talking to Kevin at SouthernSS, and it looks like he will be making me a front and a rear, hopefully for installation at the Overland Expo next month. I was debating going with ARB and cutting metal to make it fit, but I certainly like having something that is made correctly for my vehicle in the first place.
I will say this about suspension: I put 5100s up front on mine, and it rides really harsh. It is certainly on my radar to upgrade after I get everything else where I want it to be. Radflo and Icon are on the shortlist. I did my lift very inexpensively, but I can tell while driving it. It will work for now, but putting more $ into suspension would be something I would have done had I known what I know now.
I am wondering what you did to convert the radio.? I have the same non-nav setup as you do. Did you buy one of the double din kits and if so what did you interface the controls.
Also, the vinyl looks great. Can you talk about the process you used to apply it. I can imagine you used adhesive but was the vinyl stretchy enough to handle the edges. Thanks, Al
PS. Looks like a very nice conversion of the suspension. thanks so much for taking the time and posting the information. It is very helpful. Al
Also, the vinyl looks great. Can you talk about the process you used to apply it. I can imagine you used adhesive but was the vinyl stretchy enough to handle the edges. Thanks, Al
PS. Looks like a very nice conversion of the suspension. thanks so much for taking the time and posting the information. It is very helpful. Al
- Thread starter
- #47
For the radio i had a shop install it. There is a company that makes a Double DIN conversion piece for the dashboard trim. Its a perfect fit but the interface was a bit of a mess. I don't have the documents anymore but i had to get the fit kit, an interface kit, a kit for the steering wheel buttons and an override for the must be in park safety feature.
the vinyl is a 3M product and they wrap whole cars in the stuff. It goes on pretty easy and you can use a heat gun to stretch it. You pull the pieces off (yes there are screws in the door panel pieces) then cut a piece and heat and stretch it to fit. Its a pressure adhesive so run it down with a felt tool and it will stick great. I just did my motorcycle with the stuff too but that was WAY more complex so had to have a sign shop do it.
White H20 - my friend said the same thing about the unique vehicle...now the obvious question and a side track what kind of bike do you ride?
- Thread starter
- #48
a new addition over the weekend. so after the conversion to coils in the back i found out that while the ride is great unloaded i need more "support" for my rear when fully loaded...wow that's an odd sentence. I found this out on a trip to whistler with the kids and 6 bikes which quickly put my back end on the bumpstops.
anyway - I asked advice from metaltech and they suggested airbags. airlift 1000 air helper springs to be more exact. Over the weekend I welded in the bolt on adapter kit form metaltech (so i could route the airlines through the bolt hole, and inserted the airlift1000 air bags. It works really well. it gives me the soft ride while commuting with the ability to jack up the spring rate when i load all my crap. Added plus is that i plumbed the airlines independently so now if im on a slope with my RTT i can make the two sides balance out.
anyway - I asked advice from metaltech and they suggested airbags. airlift 1000 air helper springs to be more exact. Over the weekend I welded in the bolt on adapter kit form metaltech (so i could route the airlines through the bolt hole, and inserted the airlift1000 air bags. It works really well. it gives me the soft ride while commuting with the ability to jack up the spring rate when i load all my crap. Added plus is that i plumbed the airlines independently so now if im on a slope with my RTT i can make the two sides balance out.
White H20 - my friend said the same thing about the unique vehicle...now the obvious question and a side track what kind of bike do you ride?
Currently on a Felt Compulsion (I like being unique in terms of bike also), but I am toying with getting something more DH specific.
My wife has a Trek Fuel and drives a Subaru WRX. She doesn't have the same desire to be unique.
You?
Looks great! Nice Santa Cruz as well!
Nice build!
- Thread starter
- #52
Well the time has come to say goodbye. This is one of the most fun vehicles i have ever had the pleasure of working on, creating and using to haul bikes around but alas things change life priorities change and you gotta do new stuff so as of now the GX is up for sale to a good owner. Ill add it to the for sale section of the site...
Overland built 2006 Lexus GX470
$17,000 OR Best offer
130K miles
All services cup to date and completed by Toyota or Lexus dealers the truck is in great shape and drives perfectly on the highway and off road
Very little (almost zero) off road abuse
Comes with a CVT 8’ side awning and CVT rainier Roof top tent with annex
Tow package
After market Pioneer Stereo with Bluetooth
Rear view camera with in mirror LED screen
All interior wood covered with (black and silver) 3M vinyl Wrap and leather steering wheel cover
3rd row seats
Overland Gear Details:
2.5” lift and suspension upgrades
· RadFlow progressive dampened shocks and coil over fronts
· Rad Flow Coil springs in rear with metaltech conversion parts
· Helper airbags in rear independently controlled
· Total Chaos fabrication Upper arms
· Metal tech Rear control arms
· Black aluminum wheels
· Wrangler 265/70/17 Duratrack
· Southern style Speed custom bumper
· Lifetime LED square fog lights
· Iron Man 9500lb winch with synthetic cable and Factor 55 thimble
· Custom Full length Baja Rack with reinforcements and protective powder coat
· Custom Rock Sliders (welded on) with rubberized powder coat
· Rear storage system by outback (ARB) two drawers and two slides for fridge (removable with 4 bolts)
· Rear 8 GA wiring for Fridge
· 2 optima yellow top deep cycle batteries (primary and secondary) with IBS battery management system allowing for manual link and charging
· Arboreal Systems Bluetooth circuit breaker for extra lighting circuits
· LED rear light for loading and unloading
· Heavy duty weather tec floor mats
Ill also throw in a High lift jack
Overland built 2006 Lexus GX470
$17,000 OR Best offer
130K miles
All services cup to date and completed by Toyota or Lexus dealers the truck is in great shape and drives perfectly on the highway and off road
Very little (almost zero) off road abuse
Comes with a CVT 8’ side awning and CVT rainier Roof top tent with annex
Tow package
After market Pioneer Stereo with Bluetooth
Rear view camera with in mirror LED screen
All interior wood covered with (black and silver) 3M vinyl Wrap and leather steering wheel cover
3rd row seats
Overland Gear Details:
2.5” lift and suspension upgrades
· RadFlow progressive dampened shocks and coil over fronts
· Rad Flow Coil springs in rear with metaltech conversion parts
· Helper airbags in rear independently controlled
· Total Chaos fabrication Upper arms
· Metal tech Rear control arms
· Black aluminum wheels
· Wrangler 265/70/17 Duratrack
· Southern style Speed custom bumper
· Lifetime LED square fog lights
· Iron Man 9500lb winch with synthetic cable and Factor 55 thimble
· Custom Full length Baja Rack with reinforcements and protective powder coat
· Custom Rock Sliders (welded on) with rubberized powder coat
· Rear storage system by outback (ARB) two drawers and two slides for fridge (removable with 4 bolts)
· Rear 8 GA wiring for Fridge
· 2 optima yellow top deep cycle batteries (primary and secondary) with IBS battery management system allowing for manual link and charging
· Arboreal Systems Bluetooth circuit breaker for extra lighting circuits
· LED rear light for loading and unloading
· Heavy duty weather tec floor mats
Ill also throw in a High lift jack
s*** that's cheap! I'd be better off selling my truck and buying yours...
Wish I didn't have one already.
Bump for my brother! GLWS!
GLWS!
Wow, you are selling yours? Is it still for sale, and are you in a hurry to part with it? My girl wants one, and maybe I'll have to giver her mine and buy yours. lol
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You're a little late I ended buying this GX from Mike about 6 months ago!
