Banjo’s Build thread (2005 LX470, GGM) (1 Viewer)

[phatdragon]

We live in Ruidoso. It’s a nice place to raise a family. Are you here in the Land of Entrapment too? I kid about that but it’s somewhat true. Love it here.

Charmington Baby. I honestly really like the location. Tons of 4X4, hiking and MTBing trails (literally trails for days). As well as great access to the San Juans and LaPlata mountains. Went to college in Durango and moved down here to raise a family. If you are in the area hit me up, would be happy to show you around.

 

[banjo1981]

DIY Roof Rack

I built a safari style roof rack for my 1999 2 door Tahoe back in 2004. Sold that vehicle years ago but kept the rack. Fast forward 17 years and here I am modifying it to fit the LX470. This time it will be a flat style platform for hauling junk and hunting off of in the upcoming feral hog slaughtering season (west Texas). I’ve always envisioned an elevated shooting platform to hunt the flat wheat fields outside of Lubbock. I bought the Ironman4x4 feet kit during the 25% off sale and got these for $150:

Dimensions will be 50” wide x 82” long. I will weld on plates to mate up with the feet then mount an Inno 48” fairing on the front. Should be done in a couple days.

 

[banjo1981]

Had to modify the forward most foot bracket by one hole width to match the front holes in the roof gutters. Other than that this is a nice kit from Ironman4x4.

 

[banjo1981]

Also replaced the fuel filter and one DRL/high beam bulb today. I even had Toyota order the little green clip .

The bulb took twice as long as the fuel filter because the battery has to come out to do it properly. 201,100 miles

 

[banjo1981]

Done with the roof rack build for now. (In my head) designing a ladder that will flip down and rest on the tire when needed, and flip up and bolt in place for traveling...

 

[banjo1981]

202,000 miles today: drain and fill transfer case fluid. Old fluid looked pretty good, but there was no history of it being done in the paperwork I received from the PO.

Yesterday I changed out the Charcoal canister.

And fixed some wires that got chewed up

 

[banjo1981]

@203,500 miles: Replaced both rear driveshaft u-joints with Moog brand u-joints from AutoZone. Chasing a bit of a vibration at 70-75mph. Had my tires balanced and re-balanced 4 times now, so I figured I should take care of anything else that can wear out and cause vibration. Driving 4hrs round trip to Las Cruces tomorrow, so I should be able to tell if it’s fixed or not. Might have to do the front driveshaft u-joints.

 

[banjo1981]

 

[ofourthreefive]

Great thread

 

[ofourthreefive]

Meant to ask how the ride is with the bilsteins and spring spacers, that looks like a good solve for an upgrade/lift but still oemish

 

[banjo1981]

Meant to ask how the ride is with the bilsteins and spring spacers, that looks like a good solve for an upgrade/lift but still oemish

The ride is smooth. Maybe not as smooth as a working AHC system or OEM LC shocks. But the Bilsteins came with the washers and bushings. The rear springs are perfect for everyday driving, but when I load it up with the whole family and all of our luggage... I can definitely feel the body roll and floaty ride when loaded down. For me, it’s the right setup. Can’t justify stiffer springs for the occasional (once every couple months) fully loaded road trip.

 

[ofourthreefive]

The ride is smooth. Maybe not as smooth as a working AHC system or OEM LC shocks. But the Bilsteins came with the washers and bushings. The rear springs are perfect for everyday driving, but when I load it up with the whole family and all of our luggage... I can definitely feel the body roll and floaty ride when loaded down. For me, it’s the right setup. Can’t justify stiffer springs for the occasional (once every couple months) fully loaded road trip.

I'm good with that. I think the LC crowd is mostly overlanders but in the jeep world there a few hobby'ers that don't load up their jeeps but 1 or 2 a year. I fall into the latter, the mud forum is funny I picture everyone as a modern day lois and clarke expeditioners every day from their setups haha.

 

[banjo1981]

Shocking. Heard some new noises coming from the rear suspension. Already ordered a set of Ironman nitro shocks.

 

[MongooseGA]

Very good thread and great documentation. You're smart to keep a running mileage tally, too. Your truck is identical to mine when I bought, looks great.

I've never been, but I'm gonna go ahead and invite myself to go shoot some hogs with you. Just let me know when.

 

[banjo1981]

Very good thread and great documentation. You're smart to keep a running mileage tally, too. Your truck is identical to mine when I bought, looks great.

I've never been, but I'm gonna go ahead and invite myself to go shoot some hogs with you. Just let me know when.

If I don’t document stuff somewhere, it will be forgotten forever. Thanks for the kind words!

If you hunt hogs with thermal, you’ll be hooked. Fair warning.

 

[banjo1981]

213,949 miles: replaced rear Bilstein shocks with Ironman4x4 nitro gas shocks. Ride feels fine, feels normal and no weird noises. Ironman4x4 shocks are about 2-2.5” longer, so this should compensate for any “topping out” of shock travel if that was why the Bilstein broke.

 

[banjo1981]

Passenger CV axle output seal replaced 218,000. Leaking since I bought the LX at 194k.
New OEM front rotors and pads at the same time.

New tires, alignment, air filter, oil change at 220,330 miles.

 

[DiegoCrzr]

How are you liking the Ironman Nitro shocks?

 

[banjo1981]

How are you liking the Ironman Nitro shocks?

They are nice. Definitely have enough dampening and travel for what we do.