good to know thanks
Builds Another GX build in Seattle
- Thread starter UNCnalledge
- Start date
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THeGeNTLeMaN
WooD GRaiN WaRRioR
I went black but the grey ain't bad ...
- Thread starter
- #23
Best Christmas Eve delivery ever. Now just waiting on Radflo to build my coilovers and shocks.
These are the custom coils I ordered based on input from @little_joe . Using the V8 runner as a base, adding 15% to the spring rate due to weight difference between the 2 vehicles, adding 200lbs in variable load, and trimming them 1.5 inches longer (vs the 1 inch that Joe went). I am thinking they will go on mid Jan depending on travel schedule and shop time availability at MetalTech.
These are the custom coils I ordered based on input from @little_joe . Using the V8 runner as a base, adding 15% to the spring rate due to weight difference between the 2 vehicles, adding 200lbs in variable load, and trimming them 1.5 inches longer (vs the 1 inch that Joe went). I am thinking they will go on mid Jan depending on travel schedule and shop time availability at MetalTech.
So cute
little_joe
SILVER Star
Ryan I sure hope you like them! If not, I call dibs. I was thinking of you today - I had about 150 lbs in the rear and did a 3.5 hr road trip and damn the ride was awesome! But I wish I had a bit more height. 
- Thread starter
- #26
Install date has been set to Feb 5. Are there any measurements anyone wants me to take pre/post? I already have the center of hub to top of the wheel arch on the list.
@little_joe I am sure they will work out fine. If not, the springs are yours, and I will drop the springs from Radflo or Icon in (the hard work will already have been done). Were you heading to OBX? My parents live outside of Wilmington, and they were out boating in short sleeves the day after Christmas. I was pretty jealous given the blah weather out here in Seattle.
@little_joe I am sure they will work out fine. If not, the springs are yours, and I will drop the springs from Radflo or Icon in (the hard work will already have been done). Were you heading to OBX? My parents live outside of Wilmington, and they were out boating in short sleeves the day after Christmas. I was pretty jealous given the blah weather out here in Seattle.
little_joe
SILVER Star
@UNCnalledge I was heading NE, over to Hampton Roads to visit my inlaws. I am pretty certain your parents are not out on the water, esp in short sleeves, the past few days - nice arctic blast down here!
I'll be anxious to hear how the springs work for you; and how much adjustment the front coilovers require to get your desired ride height f&r.
I'll be anxious to hear how the springs work for you; and how much adjustment the front coilovers require to get your desired ride height f&r.
Just curious..would anyone know whether these same modifications would also apply to the GX 460? (new owner of a 2012 Lexi!)
That's a 150 platform
Sent from my XT1585
Sent from my XT1585
little_joe
SILVER Star
@UNCnalledge Feb 5 has come and gone - any news on the install? BTW I am also curious about your front alignment specs/results post-lift.
- Thread starter
- #31
@little_joe I have been lazy about the update - sorry, its been a bit of a whirlwind since Friday. I hopped down to Portland on Thursday then down to Newberg on Fri to MetalTech's shop. Met the crew down there and got the truck on the rack. I got to meet Mark (@helocat on here) and he was nice enough to spend some time guiding me thru my future plans to outfit my truck as well as imparting some knowledge about suspension theory/practice. I would happily recommend that anyone talk to Mark should they have questions about what to put in their GX . The team (Mark, Kendall, and Chase) got the truck done around 4:30, but I couldn't get it in for an alignment that evening - so I drove it back to Seattle without the alignment. The truck drifted a bit, but it wasn't bad.
So far, I don't really trust my impressions since I am hypersensitive to a change having been made. BUT here goes (and expect an update in the future):
I haven't measured anything yet, but I would say I netted about 2 inches of lift in front and rear. The truck looks about right for me given the tires I have on it (265/70r17). From the side, it does not look like a drastic change, but when I parallel park and I see the truck from behind with a car behind it, I can visually tell it is higher. As a whole, the new suspension really smooths out the big bumps and potholes (nothing has felt jolting like before with the OEM stuff). There were times that I thought the OEM stuff bottomed out and felt out of control going over some nasty railroad tracks where I work. Now it is a much smoother ride over those tracks. The downside is that I feel the small stuff a bit more (like the joints of concrete highways) - this could be in my head though. I might drop my tire pressure a couple psi and see if it helps. The other thing I notice is that after braking, I have the initial rebound, then 3-4 micro-rebounds (these feel a bit abnormal). This also happens right after I hop in the car (the micro-rebounds) I will be hopping in a stock GX to see if this is just a bias of my brain since I know there was a change. Overall, the ride as a whole seems to have a little bit more bounce, but my passengers have not complained (and I asked how they felt afterwards). The bounce is much less than that of a stock Xterra (for a point of reference) and I don't really mind it (just notice it). I have not lifted a truck before, so these things might just be normal.
Looking back would I do it again - YES. I can't wait to get out to some forestry roads and see how it handles. The peace of mind of not having old bags that could start leaking any day is a huge bonus as well.
I would also recommend MetalTech and Mark for outfitting any 120 series (and 80 and 100 and 40, etc).
@Gx4sevend - Kendall took some pics of the KDSS system and some measurements, but they were not able to mock anything up or test fit the sliders while I was there. There was part of me hoping I would walk into the install bay and there would magically be sliders installed. Maybe you will get to be the guinea pig.
I will add pics and measurements on Wednesday. Alignment specs to come this week as well.
So far, I don't really trust my impressions since I am hypersensitive to a change having been made. BUT here goes (and expect an update in the future):
I haven't measured anything yet, but I would say I netted about 2 inches of lift in front and rear. The truck looks about right for me given the tires I have on it (265/70r17). From the side, it does not look like a drastic change, but when I parallel park and I see the truck from behind with a car behind it, I can visually tell it is higher. As a whole, the new suspension really smooths out the big bumps and potholes (nothing has felt jolting like before with the OEM stuff). There were times that I thought the OEM stuff bottomed out and felt out of control going over some nasty railroad tracks where I work. Now it is a much smoother ride over those tracks. The downside is that I feel the small stuff a bit more (like the joints of concrete highways) - this could be in my head though. I might drop my tire pressure a couple psi and see if it helps. The other thing I notice is that after braking, I have the initial rebound, then 3-4 micro-rebounds (these feel a bit abnormal). This also happens right after I hop in the car (the micro-rebounds) I will be hopping in a stock GX to see if this is just a bias of my brain since I know there was a change. Overall, the ride as a whole seems to have a little bit more bounce, but my passengers have not complained (and I asked how they felt afterwards). The bounce is much less than that of a stock Xterra (for a point of reference) and I don't really mind it (just notice it). I have not lifted a truck before, so these things might just be normal.
Looking back would I do it again - YES. I can't wait to get out to some forestry roads and see how it handles. The peace of mind of not having old bags that could start leaking any day is a huge bonus as well.
I would also recommend MetalTech and Mark for outfitting any 120 series (and 80 and 100 and 40, etc).
@Gx4sevend - Kendall took some pics of the KDSS system and some measurements, but they were not able to mock anything up or test fit the sliders while I was there. There was part of me hoping I would walk into the install bay and there would magically be sliders installed. Maybe you will get to be the guinea pig.
I will add pics and measurements on Wednesday. Alignment specs to come this week as well.
teejnut
SILVER Star
@UNCnalledge Thanks for letting me know about this thread! Looking forward to pics as well. I was thinking of going with the same setup as your or little_joe (he's running slightly narrower/taller tires) but just depends on the overall height. I'd be interested to know your overall height after the lift. Thanks!
- Thread starter
- #34
@Dannyk2 I am in for one now as well, I had been waiting to get the lift in to start a thread on it. Unfortunately, I am out traveling a good bit in the near future with work - so timing is up in the air for me. Given all the mods that @Mountain , @The Great Him , and @DNGRZN have done, I wouldn't mind making another trip to Portland.
Got a few pics in the garage this evening but no measurements yet. Early morning drop at Les Schwab tomorrow morning to get the alignment.
Got a few pics in the garage this evening but no measurements yet. Early morning drop at Les Schwab tomorrow morning to get the alignment.
- Thread starter
- #35
@little_joe here are my alignment specs. I also had the SPC UCA installed which allowed me to get into the normal ranges (actual is post alignment).
little_joe
SILVER Star
Very nice, thanks for posting this! I was wondering which UCA's you used, so good to know.............
- Thread starter
- #37
SPC LR UCA The tech at Les Schwab who did the alignment said they made the adjustments pretty easy - for whatever that is worth.
Measurements from center of wheel to wheel arch:
Front - 21'
Rear - 23'
The front is exactly in line what others had seen (I have a spreadsheet of the lift measurements I could find on all the forums). I gained more in the rear than I had planned. Originally, the rear sat around 20.75" to 21" so I gained 2 inches when I was shooting for 1.5". Not a biggie, but I would love to test a couple of springs back there to see what I like best in terms of lift and ride - however, this won't be happening any time soon as I am happy with what I have now.
here is the 120 spring rates from another thread on toyota 120 forum:
Measurements from center of wheel to wheel arch:
Front - 21'
Rear - 23'
The front is exactly in line what others had seen (I have a spreadsheet of the lift measurements I could find on all the forums). I gained more in the rear than I had planned. Originally, the rear sat around 20.75" to 21" so I gained 2 inches when I was shooting for 1.5". Not a biggie, but I would love to test a couple of springs back there to see what I like best in terms of lift and ride - however, this won't be happening any time soon as I am happy with what I have now.
here is the 120 spring rates from another thread on toyota 120 forum:
Nice wheels my friend. If you hit the portland area I would be down to try to grab a pint. I am way in the deep end on my education until May, so trips out of town I just cannot do between now and then unfortunately. Keep having fun with your ride!
