Build "Blue Steel" GX470 Expedition Build

[470SNC]

So after a long and much cherished 8 years with the FJ, parted her out and decided to move on to a new build. The FJ didn't go easily, spent a month tracking down factory parts, destickering the rig was a pain in the ass, and the hood decal adhesive took 8 hours of goof off and scraping it off with a plastic razor blade.



Finally tracked down a clean, well kept, garage stored 06 Lexus GX470 in the exact color I wanted (Ash Blue Mica) owned by a CEO's wife just to drive the kids to school in. I ended up trading in the FJ and getting 9 grand for it with 152k miles on the odo and lots of offroad abuse. Reason for picking a GX was for the V8, having 4 doors, and the fact all the FJ suspension would swap over so I wouldn't have to start over, but mainly it was for the V8: 280 hp, 330 lb/tq. Also planning on a lot more traveling over the US and Baja Mexico next year, so the space was a huge plus for comfortable multi day traveling trips.

Next day after purchase, went straight to the exhaust shop and had them delete the resonator and install a Magnaflow exhaust to give that V8 some breathing room and add more rumble, I'm happy with the way it turned out, not too loud and no interior drone, but still sounds like a mean V8 on WOT.

Next day after that, tracked down a contact for Method wheels in Riverside and ended up buying a set of 17"x8.5 Method Double Standards for cheap. Mounted them on stock tires for now since I will be leaving for a Zion roadtrip for gas mileage. As soon as I get back, the Icon lift from the FJ will get rebuilt along with the TC UCAs and they will be installed along with 285/70/17 Falkens. Look forward to mods to come.

Upcoming this week: running board delete

Preview, the suspension coming off my FJ, in the process of getting them rebuilt for the new rig - Icon 2.5 extended travel coilovers with reservoirs/Total Chaos UCAs/Icon VS2.0 rear shocks/Toytec Custom Flex rear springs:





Slowly deleting all the chrome off this thing. Wet sanded, Duplicolor self etching primer, and Duplicolor bedliner.





Good riddance to the ugly running boards, sliders to come



Added Lamin-X yellow fog light vinyls, then took her camping for a week in Zion Canyon, Utah

 

[GXO]

Nice!

 

[shane4x4]

Great looking GX, can't wait to see the build

 

[470SNC]

Finally got a chance to devirginize the build and did a quick run to test out her flexiness offroad. Ended up playing around and scratching the hell out of the bottom left corner of the rear bumper, whoops oh well lift needs to get back on pronto! Went up to Santiago Peak with a FJ buddy of mine, enjoy the pics!









Shot a couple of videos of some minor flex, uploading now, will post later:

Quick pshop of my custom tube bumper design, sorry Adventure Driven for using your rig as a base needed a rig with a bumper already.

 

[devildogcruiser25]

sangstah right? I just stared following you on instagram. I am jonhagerman

 

[470SNC]

yes sir, good to find ya here too!

 

[yayo]

builds off to a great start !!!

 

[470SNC]

Little minor interior mods:

Lexus CF F sport auto shift knob:



Junction Produce rear seat neck pads for sh*ts & giggles:



Also installed a full LED interior light package, it is like daylight!

Kit includes:

(2) 20 SMD Panels - Front personal map lights.

(2) 48 SMD Panels - Center and rear dome lights.

(4) 10 SMD wedge base bulbs - Door courtesy lights.

 

[470SNC]

Mini mod: added WeatherTech window visors to front & rear windows. Love em!

 

[470SNC]

For temporary load use on trips until I can save up for a Baja Rack, picked up a Yakima LoadWarrior basket with locking cores and spare tire carrier for now. I need to buy the extension and hi lift mounts for it next. Painted the fairing to pay homage to my old FJ, reverse colors and reverse pattern.

 

[PbnFJ]

Looking good Sang....

What magnaflow did you have installed?

 

[470SNC]

Hey Paul, thanks! I went with the universal stainless steel Magnaflow 2.5 in/out muffler but opted for the longer 18" length as opposed to the standard 14" length muffler

 

[PbnFJ]

I tried talking Trisha in to getting a GX but she is liking the V8 4runner more. The ones we have test drove so far are really quiet and you only hear the v8 rumble at WOT.

 

[470SNC]

The GX has a little more power and refinement than the V8 in the 4runner, she pulls pretty hard on the street, probably something to do with Lexus tuning. When I first bought the GX, it was super quiet, the Magnaflow really opened her up, I sorta wish I went with the standard length now so its a little more louder, but right now its great. Sounds mean, and not too much drone at mid RPM.

 

[GXO]

I kept the stock muffler and cut off the resonator in the back and it rumbles just fine!

 

[470SNC]

Yeah, I ended up cutting out the resonator and straight piping that section as well as the Magnaflow and she sounds mean, but on second thought, I should have just chopped the pipe after the axle, since the tip is probably the first thing to get smashed on the trail. I'm hoping to get a custom y-pipe done up that will provide more clearance than the stock one as well like I used to have on my FJ.

 

[Sam Stewart]

The drivetrain is basically identical in the GX and V8 4Runner. ECU might be different in the GX because it's listed at 263hp while the 4R is listed at 260hp (same year, VVT-i versions). The engines are mechanically the same and the axles and all that jazz are the same. CV axles, tie rods, etc are all interchangeable between the GX, 4Runner, and FJC.

 

[GXO]

tie rods arent between FJ and GX, FJ are too short!

 

[470SNC]

^good to know, I'm assuming the tie rods are the same as the 4runner though?

 

[GXO]

I never checked, but I assumed they would be. I ordered proforged GX tie rods made to mining truck specs so I would stop snapping the damn things.