Builds DRANGED's GX470 build/ownership thread

[HomersCanyonero]

Good reminder for me to check all the bolts on things I installed myself during the last couple months (front coilovers, rear lower/upper links, front bumper, etc).

I did a shakeout run and forgot to retorque everything back down.

 

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Off to alignment shop this morning, I'll pick it up tomorrow!!

 

[DRANGED]

I finished it up yesterday, put the Tundy coils in the 5100's lowest spring perch to assess. I buttoned it up w/o the FSB dropped it on the ground to settle the springs. It looked like a little over 1" lift over stock, so a little lower than the levellers I had, BUT with real travel and 5100's longer travel vs repositioned stock travel.

put it back on the stands, pulled out the struts and bumped up to the second circlip setting (circa 0.86" lift), slapped it back together and wrestled with the KDSS FSB and new bushes after 11PM, but torqued everything on the ground with new cotters after the new cotters from round one ;P

Stance is good, drives (the 12 block town tour @ 1AM ) well, and i didn't hear aberrant noises.

Seems to spec about 21.5(pass) -22 (dr) hub to fender which is about where it was on the stock struts and 0/75" spacer (1.5" lift). BUT I think it's actually a little higher.

That's a better wheel gap and coils showing above the UCA (kinda My quick glance at a suspension upgrade "across the room assessment"

 

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[DRANGED]

You may start to notice maint items @ 250K miles.

 

[Rednexus]

I bet an ounce of two of AT-205 would dry that right up

 

[Hardazclay]

I bet an ounce of two of AT-205 would dry that right up

You would add an ounce of AT-205 into the transfer case? Have you had experience doing that and did it work? I've used AT-205 before or rubber boots bushings before but stopped because it was a huge mess and I wasn't sure it actually helped all that much.

 

[Rednexus]

You would add an ounce of AT-205 into the transfer case? Have you had experience doing that and did it work? I've used AT-205 before or rubber boots bushings before but stopped because it was a huge mess and I wasn't sure it actually helped all that much.

I've added it to my 2UZ to slow down the rear main seal leak, and it does work. If the leak is occurring from from a seal, the AT-205 should be able to improve the performance and slow down the leak, at a much lower level of effort than pulling/replacing the seals.

My TC has a bit of a seep and I'll add in the AT-205 next time I change the fluid.

 

[DRANGED]

Update on the front end and modified Bilstein 5100 with Tundra coils (specs listed above):

I think overall as of this writing the front sits about 2" over stock and the rear 1" higher by using airbag sensor spacer, this will probably tax the stock-travel AVS shocks if I use it to full articulation on trail, so I have ideas for a real 1" rear lift with the newly replaced Arnott air springs and probably Bilstein 5160s, b/c I like the idea of their added travel and a remote reservoir over the 5100 rear shock. but $300ish each vs $100ish each.



My evolution was:
Stock, then stock on 265x70 17" BFG, AT/KO2

Then 0/75" strut top spacer (levelling spacer). I daily drove and wheeled this configuration for 6.5 years.

Then with the recent front end refresh (UCAs, LCAs, Pass CV, outer tie rod ends, hubs and bearings, FSB bushes), and Bilstein 5100s on 2006 Tundra SR5 4x4 crew cab front coils, I think I'm around 2" over stock.

Initially, with coils in the 5100s at lowest spring perch setting, I think it was about 1.2" over stock, so about 0.25" lower than the strut top spacer lift.

spacer only (w/ bike rack (thanks auto-levelling air springs!)

So I pulled the 5100 struts and moved the lower spring perch to the second setting, 0.86" lift, with the Tundra coil, and I think this configuration yields about 2" front lift.

I mentioned elsewhere, that whenever I see a lifted GX or 4R, I always look under the fender and whenever I see coils above the UCA, that gives me a clue what kind of suspension lift it has...

So this makes me happy, with 5100s and 'stock Toyota' coils... 2" functional increased travel lift on a budget!

 

[DRANGED]

(GX's new garage mate) ownership (post)...

Garage just got a refresh, out with the 03 Suby OBS (needs clutch, bearings, struts... maybe become a kid car), in with a 2013 CT200h.

 

[DRANGED]

FINALLY got some replacement bump stops!

Possible Timbren bump stop hookup may not be happening.

But Amazon $30, with stock PNs is a good compromise to the packed out blown stocker!

Driving, loaded, on blown airbags will do that to bump stops.

 

[DRANGED]

(GX's new garage mate) ownership (post)...

Garage just got a refresh, out with the 03 Suby OBS (needs clutch, bearings, struts... maybe become a kid car), in with a 2013 CT200h.
View attachment 3828234

CT200h's first mod, LED reverse bulbs.
I was considering diode dynamics, but $ $25 or $50 I I assume per pair but was not clear), but ended up with some $10ish amazons.

(stock)

LED

AND first repair!
FSB links and an outer tie rod.

There was a yucky clunk when purchased (PO provided full set of tie rods w/ car!), clunk's gone now!

Aligned!

 

[Gxunit201]

So I pulled the 5100 struts and moved the lower spring perch to the second setting, 0.86" lift, with the Tundra coil, and I think this configuration yields about 2" front lift.
View attachment 3819997

This is good info, thank you

 

[DRANGED]

Alright, I got the hubs pressed into the Toyota bearings
View attachment 3784940View attachment 3784941


BIG shout out to Rich a new mobile mechanic in Moab!!! When in Moab, hit him up for repairs and i guess even some trail recovery work.
View attachment 3784931View attachment 3784932


But!
While employing the 'ballistics-shield' creeper while hanging off the 20 ton shop press handle to seat those 555s into the UCA... NO-GO!!!
The 555 upper ball joints did NOT fit into the 2019 Taco UCAs....
So there's something more than just the shaft taper and length difference across those ball joints.
(Don't ask why we didn't caliper the 555 vs the taco UCA opening first )

*EDIT*
Mic'd, the diameter of the taco ball joint is 1mm less than the 555 spec'd ball joint for the GX 470...
So there's yer answer!
View attachment 3784936
View attachment 3784937View attachment 3784938

As such, Back to rock auto for some loaded GX UCAs.

And another week down.

Notes to self RE: wheel bearings... (b/c i just learned my Rt one is wobbly and toast... ... described as fall out bad)

3 months later I need to reference yota and quality bearings.
Again, The B!+9# of it I installed a Lexus wheel bearing from Mylparts.com, KOYO, in November, 2024.

watch---> YIPES, that's scary!! <---watch
We drove to death valley and back on that!




From a couple other threads I was yappin' in during that front end job, here are some reminders:

06 GX470 wheel bearing replacement thread

I Just got wind of these two sites for good bearings.

2003-2009 Lexus GX470 4x4 DORMAN HUB/KOYO BEARING Wheel Hub Assembly

2003-2009 Lexus GX470 4x4 DORMAN HUB/KOYO OEM Bearing Front Wheel Bearing Assembly

bluepitbearings.com

and

Shop | Yota Bearings and Hubs

Shop for American made bearings and hubs.

www.yotabearingsandhubs.com

and the other bearing thread

GX 470 Front wheel bearings question/advice?​

And CruiserTeq has some options too for the GX.

Cruiser Teq | Powered by Cruiser Outfitters

Cruiser Teq is powered by Cruiser Outfitters. Get high quality OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts direct to your door, fast!

cruiserteq.com

Wheel Hub Bearing Assembly (Japanese Bearing) - Fits 120/150/GX470/GX460/FJC/4RNR Front LH/RH Applications (FAHUBGXKITJP)

Wheel Hub Bearing Assembley

cruiserteq.com

 

[Timujin]

I used a SKF pressed bearing assembly from Rockauto. $120ish shipped. Getting another one soon so I have two new ones.

 

[Rednexus]

I used a SKF pressed bearing assembly from Rockauto. $120ish shipped. Getting another one soon so I have two new ones.

SKF bearings are very good. I will be getting them for the rear bearings on my rig. I'll likely use them in the front the next time it needs a set. SKF is a Sweedish company - not Chinese junk.

 

[DRANGED]

watch---> YIPES, that's scary!! <---watch
We drove to death valley and back on that!

now assembly ordered from yotabearingsandhubs, to arrive Mon or Tue.

 

[DRANGED]

Slapped this on this morning
yotabearingsandhubs
NSK-Japan

Post alignment specs.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Slapped this on this morning
yotabearingsandhubs
NSK-Japan

off to alignment tomorrow (definitely eager for this to be done and dialed!).
View attachment 3854635

That looks like money!

 

[DRANGED]

aaaand then another front right wobble..


Inner tie rod (woulda-shoulda done it with the rest, while you're in there...)

but got to break in and scratch a brand new tool, thanks O'Reiley!