BAMA Crusher’s GX470

[BAMA Crusher]

After having a Land Cruiser for a couple of years, I needed to do some maintenance and maybe some mods. I wanted to do the work myself if I could, but I needed a backup ride. I decided on a GX, and started my search. I took a chance and bought one out of Florida without seeing it in person. Then the bug bit me, I couldn’t leave it stock. This is the day it shipped to me.

 

[BAMA Crusher]

The first thing I wanted to do was a baseline of regular maintenance. Then the problems started rolling in.

The first thing on the list was timing belt, but before it got started this happened...

 

[BAMA Crusher]

Then the threads to the tensioner pulled out with the bolt from the oil pump. After a couple of attempts to re-thread, things escalated quickly!

 

[BAMA Crusher]

I finally got a chance to start doing things more interesting. It was time for a lift. OME Springs and Bilstein shocks, and a Metal Tech spring conversion. A set of 4Runner Snowflake wheels and 285/70/17 BFG KO2ks to finish it off. I couldn’t get it leveled like I wanted, even after adjusting the coil-overs to the lowest setting. In hindsight I should have went with the SSO spring conversion. This is the way it was.

 

[BAMA Crusher]

I liked the wheels and tires, but it wasn’t what I really wanted. Let the research begin.....I decided on a set of Stelth Custom Series SR8’s in dark bronze. No complaints on the BFG’s, in fact they rode great. I just wasn’t quite satisfied with how they filled out the wheel wells. 305/70/17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers were the solution. So after test fit, cut, trim, repeat I finally felt like....this is exactly what I was thinking when I started. On a side note, the folks at my local Discount Tire were amazing. I was in the auto service industry for about 10 years, and these guys knew how to take care of business. I don’t think I will go anywhere else for my tire work. Here it is now.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Damn! All this in one day? JK

You got skill to be doing all those repairs yourself.

Anyways, it looks awesome on those big fat tires.

 

[Scat Adams]

Looking good, roll tide!

 

[4Point7Lucky]

Looking good, roll tide!

I agree.. and to add to this, I think the snowflake wheels look very "Vanilla," at least on a Blizzard Pearl GX

Now, colored/painted/plasti-dipped? That statement may change.

 

[vwynn]

i hope you reinforced the exhaust manifold while it was out!! they are prone to cracking.....

 

[BAMA Crusher]

Damn! All this in one day? JK

You got skill to be doing all those repairs yourself.

Anyways, it looks awesome on those big fat tires.

I wish it was just me. I’m intimidated by the engine work, so I let a friend from when I worked at the local Toyota dealership do that.

 

[BAMA Crusher]

Looking good, roll tide!

Thanks!!

ROLL TIDE

 

[BAMA Crusher]

i hope you reinforced the exhaust manifold while it was out!! they are prone to cracking.....

I hope he did, but I’m not sure. Maybe I got lucky.

 

[PokeyTWA]

Do I detect the Discount Tire on 72? I grew up a few miles from there, man do I miss Rosie’s Cantina. Rig is looking good!

 

[BAMA Crusher]

Do I detect the Discount Tire on 72? I grew up a few miles from there, man do I miss Rosie’s Cantina. Rig is looking good!

Exactly right. Love me some Rosie’s.

 

[StricIX]

I just bought one of these last week from a guy in Huntsville. Looks just like yours and I also plan to one day do the same thing you're doing to yours. I love the bronze wheels. Mine needs a timing belt.