Cooperd0g’s 2006 Sport

[Cooperd0g]

1. Which dropdown table did you go with? I'm considering this one, FYI.
2. Overall, what do you think of the Go camp trailer? I've looked at that thing for years and always assumed it would be too lightweight for winter camping but.....what do I know?

I camped once out at Kofa with a buddy probably........3 years ago (?). I doubt I'll ever head back but cool to see another Az guy with a GX here. Cheers!

Yes, that is the drop down table I got. Several folks on the Facebook GXOR seemed to have have good luck with it.

The Go is awesome for family camping / glamping. It is still a tent, but large, spacious, standup headroom, easy to level, and up off the ground. Best for base camp vs quick stops though. As far as winter camping goes, it is still a tent. People use Mr. Buddy heaters in it, but I haven’t done a lot of camping with it when it is that cold. I would, but I have two little kids and my wife doesn’t want to camp when it is that cold.

 

[Cooperd0g]

On my previous overnight camp with my son the Flexopower was dead. I'm not sure why as I thought it was plugged in the house, but that killed using the fridge and we had to last minute go get some ice and use a cooler. That bumped rear power delivery to the top of my list. I did a bunch of research and had some parts already, but not all.

I used a mirror switch panel from Steve Berson (SBE PRECISION PRODUCTS – The Leaders In Followers - https://sbeprecision.com) that is made for the LRA aux tank and one additional switch. My LRA install is scheduled for August. I made the power switchable just in case I noticed a battery drain while driving. Plus it required me to go ahead and set up my aux fuse panel which I will need for any future accessories. I went with the Overland Equipped 4th Gen 4Runner panel and it needed some minor re-shaping to fit in the back section. Now I can power the fridge directly from the GX, but I can also charge the Flexopower at the same time.

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• Cooperd0g
• Jun 5, 2021

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• Jun 5, 2021

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• Jun 5, 2021

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• Jun 5, 2021

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• Jun 5, 2021

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• Jun 5, 2021

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• Jun 5, 2021

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• Jun 5, 2021

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• Jun 5, 2021

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• Jun 5, 2021

 

[Cooperd0g]

Just ordered a Becky with plate holder from ACC Garage! I'll likely post up the Wilco Hitchgate for sale after. Possibly in the market for a travel trailer so I needed to free up tongue weight.

 

[Cooperd0g]

Completely unintentionally, my GX has become the test bed for the LRA 24 Gallon tank. Sounds like mine might be the only KDSS 470 to get a LRA tank.

 

[Cooperd0g]

I got my GX back from Ben at Arizona Toy Pros in Mesa, AZ. We had several conversations over the last couple of weeks and he was on the phone with LRA about my 24 gal aux tank. Word is that they re-designed the tank to fit KDSS for the 5th Gen 4Runner, but it didn't exactly line up with the 470 with air suspension, KDSS and OEM hitch as expected. He had to cut a bit of the hitch out, re-drill some mounting holes and weld on an extension plate for mounting. He also put some new Arnott air springs in since my complete Lexus service history prior to my ownership never showed any air spring replacement. Unfortunately since the install took a lot longer than expected he wasn't able to get to my Becky install. I'll have to do that on my own now.

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• Cooperd0g
• Sep 12, 2021

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• Sep 12, 2021

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• Sep 12, 2021

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• Sep 12, 2021

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• Cooperd0g
• Sep 12, 2021

 

[Cooperd0g]

Been a while. Turns out the Becky won't work with my LRA tank. I can't say it won't work with other LRA installs, but since mine was modified to slide back some for KDSS, the LRA tank and the bottom support for the Becky were competing for space. That got tabled for a while and I finally got around to installing my hidden winch and upgrading my battery terminals. Fitting that control box in there was a PITA! I went with a ComeUp 9.5 package from Treaty Oak Off Road on the Southern Style Off Road Incognito mount with recovery points.

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• Cooperd0g
• May 29, 2022

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• May 29, 2022

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• Cooperd0g
• May 29, 2022

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• May 29, 2022

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• May 29, 2022

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• Cooperd0g
• May 29, 2022

 

[Cooperd0g]

I had a few trips planned so I really wanted to get my spare tire situation figured out. I went to one of the airframe mechanics in the squadron; word was he did side welding/fab projects. We talked it out and I showed him pictures from a similar build I found online. He had never done a tire carrier before, but he literally welds on airplanes for a living so I know he knows what he is doing. It was a totally custom job and it came out great! The mounting points are welded to the rear cross member.

A lot of people with similar swing outs put jerry cans opposite the tire, but with the LRA tank I didn't need EVEN more gas. I decided to take a cue from Chris Cordes's previous Excursion with the Alu-Box to hold some gear. We also added a 2" receiver so I could add a bike rack or cargo carrier and they would be swing out as well.

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• Cooperd0g
• May 29, 2022

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• Cooperd0g
• May 29, 2022

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• May 29, 2022

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• May 29, 2022

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• May 29, 2022

 

[Cooperd0g]

Went ahead and did some headlight restoration and put some PPF on them. I used the same guy who did my hood wrap for the TrailPower Hoodie.

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• Cooperd0g
• Jun 11, 2022

 

[CarGuyCarl]

This is an awesome transformation! I also have a KDSS model and love it.

I do have a question for you on the drop down table on the rear hatch. I have the same metal "net" currently and was wondering if you would be willing to share how you installed the drop down table.

 

[Cooperd0g]

It fits around it. It is just mounted to the same interior door panel.

 

[Cooperd0g]

I have wanted to install a forward facing camera for a while. In fact, it was the ability to run multiple cameras, the Power Switch integration and the InReach integration that sold me on the Garmin Overlander. I have the camera set with with a relay to turn on with the ignition. That way the view is always ready for the Overlander.

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• Cooperd0g
• Jun 12, 2022

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• Jun 12, 2022

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• Jun 12, 2022

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• Jun 12, 2022

 

[Cooperd0g]

My wife gave me this engine bay LED kit from yodaTEQ a few months ago. Since I already had all my electrical stuff out for the camera install I went ahead and got this installed as well. It uses a pressure switch so when the hood is down it kills the light. I did have to play with the height adjustment to get it right, but there is a decent amount of adjustability in the switch.

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• Cooperd0g
• Jun 12, 2022

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• Cooperd0g
• Jun 12, 2022

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• Jun 12, 2022

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• Jun 12, 2022

 

[Cooperd0g]

I'm having a high output alternator installed with my 180k service. I figure since my mechanic is doing that big of a job, it is probably easiest to get this done at the same time vs trying to do it myself later.

 

[Cooperd0g]

I think the GX is well prepared for an upcoming 10 day Tour of Arizona (Sedona, Monument Valley, Petrified Forest National Park, and Tombstone) before we move to Virginia in a few weeks. The alternator upgrade will be done after this trip. Then probably no more mods until winter. My BMW GS is going to get some attention this summer and then I'll be looking to do some more upgrades to the GX.

Next on the docket includes:
Garmin Power Switch
Ditch light mounts with KC Flex Era 3 combo pattern lights
Side mounted camp lights
Rear mounted follow/camp lights
Shore power connection

 

[iwantoffroad]

sweeet rig. i also built a tire carrier like that. one of my favorite upgrades

 

[Cooperd0g]

Unfortunately A few thing happened. My alternator ended up dying. The high output alternator did not mount properly so an OEM one was sourced to be able to make my trip on time.

My mechanic, a super trustworthy guy, also was taking a look around for the pending 180k service. He asked me to check the service history for cam and crank seal replacement as they seem to be weeping. Unfortunately there are no records of that. He also said the rack & pinion is starting to leak as are all of my shocks/struts.

We started talking about him doing everything except the suspension. But with my move he doesn’t want to do such a big job and have me leave. He wouldn’t be able to take care of me if something didn’t go right.

It also bumps the lift up higher on the priority vs the lights. So I’ll get all the service done and then the lift once I get to Virginia.

Unfortunately our trip came to a halt. After a stretch of off road in Sedona my KDSS appears seized with my passenger side significantly lower than driver.

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• Cooperd0g
• Jun 21, 2022

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• Cooperd0g
• Jun 21, 2022

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• Cooperd0g
• Jun 21, 2022

I tried a few tricks from people on the Facebook group to jack it up at a few points, but no luck. A friend with a shop in Phoenix linked me a KDSS leveling video, but I couldn’t access the valves with the tools I had so we came home. Once home, the procedure didn’t work. He told me that if it didn’t work, it would need a dealer, not an independent shop like his.

There is no Lexus dealer in Yuma, AZ. I have an appointment with the local Toyota dealer for them to check it out. If they can’t do it then it looks like I’ll be heading to a header in Phoenix!

 

[Cooperd0g]

The Toyota dealer said their TechStream didn't find any issues with KDSS. After talking with Ben McCalley, owner of AZ Toy Pros in Mesa, AZ, he thinks it is more likely a binding shock. After some investigating only the driver front strut appears to not compress. I don't have a spring compressor so my local mechanic is going to check it out and do my oil change in a few days. If the strut is bad, we will source an el cheapo for now. I move in a few weeks and then I can order a full kit for a suspension refresh and then get it into a local shop for all the engine service.

 

[CarGuyCarl]

For what it's worth, the Luftmeister shocks on Amazon have treated me well before I went to a Dobs lift. They allow you to keep the electronic adjustment if that is important to you and I believe they are about $500 for all 4.

 

[Cooperd0g]

Update to the massive lean:

My local mechanic put the GX on a lift. He was not able to compress the driver front strut. He took it out and disassembled it. Once it was disassembled the shock would extend and compress. He thought that likely meant it was binding when in though. He also checked the passenger side and the spring had lost most of its tension. So it was a weird dual failure.

Due to my pending move, I didn't have time to really decide on a lift, get the parts shipped here and get everything installed before I have to hit the road. I bought some cheap struts from O'Reilly's to install and just get me cross country and until I have time to do the full suspension refresh.

He did tell me that my alignment gussets are smashed up some and should be replaced. He recommended the ones from Total Chaos. They will require a fabricator to weld them in place though. So I will do that before I install the lift.

Coincidentally, Kai at Tinker's Adventures, just posted this video on the Ironman 4x4 Foam Cell Pro and it may end up being my choice. I was originally looking at a Bilstein 6112/5160 system, but there are a few issues. They only come in kits with stock weight springs or heavy weight springs. They sell medium weight springs separately, but there is no way I have found to buy the kit with the medium springs. That means you are buying two sets of springs. Another issue was that I don't have a spring compressor and I'm not using a home style one. But if you want to change the height after install, you have to uninstall, disassemble, reset the cir-clip, reassemble and reinstall. I looked at Dobinsons IMS, but I just can't handle the color scheme. I started looking at Icon even though I don't really need high performance shocks. But after watching Kai's latest video I like the advantages that the Foam Cell Pro have. My only issue is the green colored springs, but I can handle those better than the baby blue of the Dobinsons.

 

[Rednexus]

I have the FCP kit and like it, it's great for a weekend-warrior GX, and also drives better on the highway. Regarding the cam seals, I'd leave them alone and either let them weep or use a bottle of ATP-205 seal conditioner at your next oil change. It seems to be a very labor-intensive and expensive process to replace the cam seals, so unless there is a bad leak, it's really not worth it IMO.