Builds 2006 GX470 build thread - in seattle

[ObsessMuch]

OK so the first thing i will get out of the way is that i am Dan Kunz's brother so this whole obsessive building of things runs in the family. and i really would generally prefer not to copy my brother but damn these trucks are just the thing.

I am generally a Mountain bike/Downhill and Motorcycle guy. I ride a BMWGSA and actually do adventure rides off road on that. My other activities include camping, hiking, kiting and generally bombing through forest roads to shuttle bikes or rescue downed bikes. I have two kids which means i also need a daily driver that hauls them plus friends.

thus began my search for a vehicle that is a dream overlander with plenty of camping and bike capabilities. After looking at a bunch of different things and even owning a fully built FJ (which i bought from my sister heather- yup also on here) I had to cave a get the Lexus GX. it really is perfect. its big, the engine is powerful and smooth, it is luxury all over and yet not overly large and bloated.

This is actually my second one of these - the first met an untimely end on the 520 bridge with full airbag deployment. Also a good selling point of the truck - i had no injuries at all...

with the background established here is what the list entailed (s):
1) Suspension - must drive great on the road for long trips - we go to Whistler alot - metaltech 4x4 - Radflo front and rear conversion (2.5 inch lift- about)
2) Roof rack for my CVT roof top tent
3)Bike rack capacity for min. of 6 bikes
4) off road capable including sliders (stubbs welding for those) (also needed to reach the rack)
5) winch (ironman 4x4 hooked me up) - really insurance for when i get stuck or a tree is across the forest road which happens alot actually - need a bumper for that - Southern Style Speed hooked me up
6) tires that are great in snow and again on forest roads but are still good for long distance trips
6) dual battery power for camping stuff like my ARB fridge from Southeast overland
7) on board air - tires (bike and truck, kites, air tools etc. still working on this
8) on board pressurized water - my own invention - pushwater
9) new sound system and phone and electronic gizmos and power charging


this truck is mostly done. I will post some pictures later - it gets new wheels and tires today - flat black rims and 265/70 r17 Duratrack tires.

oh and as for that bike rack thing i use a one up rack and for whistler i have a 6 bike northshore rack.

 

[ObsessMuch]

The truck

Side shot of my 2003 with the same tires no lift but jacked up airbags in the back:

side shot of my 2006 after radflo and new tires:

 

[boo471]

Nice ride! The GX is the perfect companion. Not to big but still has lots of space.

 

[Vantage]

Did you add a spacer to the rear airbag setup?

 

[ObsessMuch]

Suspension

The biggest upgrade and the coolest one i think is the suspension. I wanted something not too high and not to low. I also wanted to adjust them and a great ride. i settled on a full Radflo system front and back which of course means a conversion from the airbags. Converting the airbags to springs has been discussed and done on here but i really didnt want to fuss with it so i called up the great people down at MetalTech 4x4 to help out. LT worked with me to get a simple bolt on spring perch and all the parts to convert the truck. I drove down early on a friday and LT spent the day putting new coil overs and TC control arms in the front and some really cool rear metaltech links and radflo springs with their new bolt on spring perches in the back. The ride is fantastic. we did leave off the sway bar although given how much on road driving and speed i do i think i need to try putting it back on for body roll...no idea if it will make a difference but ill give it a shot. the unknown was the computer...to handle that we pulled the relay and the fuses in the fuse box. the lights for the ride height stayed on so we tried the rear RH ecu...that didn't do anything, we unplugged the front suspension ECU under the driver side and all lights turned off. so i plugged in the rear one again and all lights stayed off. Im going to try a few more things with this just to see what combo keeps lights off. I have no idea just how much lift i got out of this but its not huge. im going to try and find a stock GX to park next to and measure...the ride and the capability has gone way up though.

to round out the package and bring up to bad ass i got some 265/70/17 Duratrack tires mounted to some cool flat black foe rim lock looking wheels from tire discounter...my TPMS dont work now. still tracking that down...i may end up disconnecting that ECU too just to turn off the light.

 

[ObsessMuch]

Did you add a spacer to the rear airbag setup?

Full conversion to springs in the back - Radflo and metaltech 4x4.

 

[IanB]

...my TPMS dont work now. still tracking that down...i may end up disconnecting that ECU too just to turn off the light.

I disabled my TPMS, very easy to do:

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-first-generation/189307-disable-tire-pressure-sensors.html

 

[brevitything]

Nice rides - truck and the bike

 

[CMiller]

Great looking truck!

 

[ObsessMuch]

One aspect of the GX I have never really liked was the wood on the dash....it just reminds me of a boat. I really don like it. I thought of painting it, replacing it but decided to try vinyl and that worked great! I got some dark metallic flat for the side trim panels and flat black for the dash. a leather steering wheel cover finished that off in 20 min. much happier now.

 

[ObsessMuch]

Roof rack

The roof rack is a Baja Rack for an FJ. I bought it then sold my FJ a month later so I figured why not try to put it on the GX. Baja rack didn't have a kit for the GX and most roof racks don't go the full length. this one was great. but the mounts are pretty far back making the front flexy. I built a new sub frame under the front of the rack to support it and had to weld in new mounting points. I bought the feet for a 200 series cruiser and had the whole thing coated in a thermoplastic coating...its flexible and grippy if scratched it wont crack and break off like powder coat can. To mount the RTT from CVT I mount a set of Yakima rails across the flat rack then things like my inflatable kayak go on the front part of the rack. the overall height of the truck with just the flat utility rack is less than the factory rack and it adds the ability to haul stuff up there easily. The next addition will be run electric for the tent and install some rigid D2 lights which I have on the front wind deflector.

Another little thing was the addition of a strip of LED lights on the back door (outside) this is for loading bikes in the dark. this time of year we ride with lights and loading and unloading can be tough to see...works well and they are on my second bat. so if I leave them on no big deal.

 

[TOYOTARIG]

What made you choose the Radflo kit? Adjustability?

I am getting ready to lift my GX and would like to learn from your experience. I am considering Old Man Emu? Do you have any pictures of the bolt on coil spring mount that Metal Tech made for you?

Your truck does look great by the way. Your brothers GX was a big reason for me buying one.

Sorry about all the questions, but thanks in advance for any response.

 

[ObsessMuch]

The radflo shocks coil overs and springs are a step up from the oldman emu and the ironman stuff. all good but as im told a different thing. I wanted adjustable shocks but spaced on it and forgot to ask for those. if i was doing it again i would get the adjustable ones...oh well less money. I don't have a pic of the bolt on part but if you contact them i bet they can work something out with you. they are trying to make it a stock part.

 

[TOYOTARIG]

Thanks, I will definitely contact them when I am ready to buy.

Thank you also for the quick reply.

 

[ObsessMuch]

sure thing! Oh just got clarity on the radflo deal from metaltech and LT - great place and people BTW - the big step up is progressive valving on the coilovers. If i want adjustability the right way to do it is a secondary shock with the controls. that requires a hoop and some other stuff. overkill for me and what ill do with my truck - well at least this year. we will see next year as i bomb through forest roads. toys to buy and always options for more.

 

[TOYOTARIG]

Can you give some details on the vinyl? Where you got it, how you installed it, etc.? I really like how it looks.

Are you planning on writing up your stereo install? A stereo is also on my list of "To Do's".

 

[safetydang]

This thing is awesome!

 

[GXO]

Nice Truck

 

[coyotejed]

Great looking truck. I would love additional details and pics of the roof rack. I've been searching for an full rack solution and this yours seems perfect. If you have any other rack suggestions I'd appreciate it. I have a maggiolina from a previous 4runner that wants to ride on top!

Thanks in advance.

 

[woody]

Great looking truck. I would love additional details and pics of the roof rack. I've been searching for an full rack solution and this yours seems perfect. If you have any other rack suggestions I'd appreciate it. I have a maggiolina from a previous 4runner that wants to ride on top!

Thanks in advance.

Front Runner has a full rack solution...the new brackets for their rack mount are coming...I've got their 'older' mount bracket setup and it requires drilling into the roof, so I'm waiting to finalize my install until the new bracket design arrive.

Great rack, light weight aluminum, and either 3/4 or full length available. Lots of accessory options for it as well.

I've got front 2.5" Radflo's on our GX470 as well, and have been very pleased. (rear is still cheated air, but planning on the new MetalTech kit soon).