Builds DRANGED's GX470 build/ownership thread

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Tell me more about this piece

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This is a 3/8" unistrut/superstrut conical nut. It's standard vs metric, but Rhino-Rack uses basically identical hardware in their products (albeit metric...M8x1.25), e.g. here's their Rotopax "fit kit" but the same oblong camming nut is used to construct the Pioneer platform, see 1:04 (among other things).

 

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I need to update stuff and things...

In late summer 2019, I recreated the Rhino-Rack "grab handle" on the cheap using a thrift store stucco trowel and some hardware store hardware (3/8" bolts, fender washers, lock washers, and unistrut/superstrut 3/8" conical nut.

 

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Previously I'd impulsed the Treaty oaks recovery points, but did not understand the differences between pre '06 and post '06 front tie-down point differences. TO indicates mods may be required to fit their recovery points on post '06 GX 470s. The mod they refer to is cutting off the tie down loops as their orientation does not allow a hard shackle to fit into the TO holes, but on pre '06 they do...

Anyhoo, I impulsed some take-off Trail Taylor recovery points. The differences are small, but the geometry allows a hard shackle with the stock tie-down in place, plus they holes have been radiused such that they'd be soft shackle friendly too.

Treaty Oak:

Trail Taylor:

Some measurements and comparison...

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Another spring 2020 impulse purchase landed on my doorstep... Gobi Ladder

I've been eyeing the Gobi for a bit (especially since mounting and using the Pioneer Platform a bit) but mostly shirking it's utility over co$t, then a local buddy put one on his Pro 4X X-terra (which he's been slowly, mildly, but functionally building up).

In the interim I'd been taking measurements and pinging GX folks with the Gobi for measurements to see if it'd fit under the Pioneer Platform, fitted with the Backbone mounting system. The backbone affords a sleek and low profile mounting system for the paltform...

as it turned out, upon unboxing and quick hanging/fitting, the Gobi was like 5/16" TOO TALL (not mounted/fitted, just hung on the door)!!!
GGAAAHHHH!!!

BUT ....

 

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Not to be flustercated, having time and patience, I turned to my 'ol friend Unistrut/Superstrut! I spaced the pioneer platform up 1/4" with 6 unistrut block washers (and eventually used 25 mm M8x1.25 bolts) and shaved a little metal off the top of the Gobi, then mounted it per instructions and it all tidied up nicely.

which bought me the precious micromillimeter-level tolerances... (i did go back and shave off a bit more material a week later, but it's clean and doesn't tough the platform now...

\/ vid \/

New video by Mark Weissinger

photos.app.goo.gl

 

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Took the fam out for a spring overnight down Lost Spring Bottom rd, near the Green River, and noticed Hey Joe Canyon about 8 river miles upstream on the map. Sounded cool so we went for it! Made it about 1/4 up, then turned around @ a particular pinch-point...

in hind sight, one should use the all references available, like the trail guide which lives in the passenger door pocket, not JUST the map that's there too.

So, sadly I ran out of approach angle and track width, but excelled in wheel base and courage awarding myself sum moar camry dents...

 

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So out came the boiling water buffer!!

followed by the heat gun and a scotch bright. . .

 

[mtwilly87]

So out came the boiling water buffer!!
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followed by the heat gun and a scotch bright. . .
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It adds character! I have wounds on the exact same left side spot from Sand Dunes Park in Colorado haha

 

[bcomnes]

Took the fam out for a spring overnight down Lost Spring Bottom rd, near the Green River, and noticed Hey Joe Canyon about 8 river miles upstream on the map. Sounded cool so we went for it!

in hind sight, one should use the all references available, like the trail guide which lives in the passenger door pocket, not JUST the map that's there too.
View attachment 2313857View attachment 2313858View attachment 2313859

So, sadly I ran out of approach angle and track width, but excelled in wheel base and courage awarding myself sum moar camry dents...
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Hey what book is that? Been lazily looking for any kind of Utah related off-road trail guides. So far just driving randomly on the outskirts of St George.

 

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Hey what book is that? Been lazily looking for any kind of Utah related off-road trail guides. So far just driving randomly on the outskirts of St George.

@bcomnes
This is the Wells guide, but Massey has a bunch of good guides too (NM, CO, NV?, UT, etc...).

 

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I havent' forgotten (entirely)... i need to update and load my LocoCoco trip report (ahem, from last fall)...
I may end up lifting my buddy's report from his xterra site though...

Anyhoo. Recent trip through central CO and we checked out a new area (Uncomphadre Plateau). blahblahblah. It was a nice camping week out and away (during these times).
But I got touse sum recovery stuff!!
WOOHOO!

We were camped at the Columbine CG (an odd one, but free. . .) I looked at the Massey SW region trail book and came up with a good day trip/loop (dry mesa jeep rd-Escalante canyon rd).

Coming down a trail there was a downed tree so I was psyched to pull out the recovery kit, cut, drag and move it.

Simple pleasures but using the stuff we carry helps justify some of their existences

Cool country!

 

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some sights en route...

And this interesting cabin, built on the side of a large boulder, buy a tombstone artisan... the massey guide gives good history or things along trails...

 

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We pulled off a 2-night run on the Alpine loop last weekend!!

We drove in via Mineral Creek, just 3 miles or so out of Ouray. Just off 550, up the trail between trailered rigs at the staging zone, I stopped to air down as 2 motos were decending. They stopped at my window, one with an engine skid plate bungeed to the back, and the other 'quite concerned says, "Have you been up here before?" Me: "No, not this way." He: "It gets REALLY rough..." Me: "Yeah. Thanks ... We'll be fine, we're good." He: "hmpf, okay..." It's great having perspective. . .
We climbed Mineral Creek trail (to another similar encounter of a typically tricked Jeep spotting another heep...) Driver says to my wife (walking the trail near an obstAcle), "It just keeps getting rougher and rougher up there." Me: *thumbs up and a wave* "Cool, thanks man." We continued over Engineer pass (checking out various mining debris and historical artifacts along the route), and camped near Rose's Cabin by Hensen Creek Saturday night. Sunday we rolled eastward on the North loop through Capital City (wanted so much to see the stately Brick Mansion built by Mr. Lee) to Lake City and had pastries, then we headed towards Silverton via Cinnamon pass route (detouring up the Carson Ghost town trail to New Carson City's remaining cabins and stable). Sunday night we camped at the Mouth of American Gulch, then Monday, we visited Animas Forks and rolled out through Silverton.

I've been wanting to do the Apline loop for years and we foolishly hoped to try 7 years ago, but were ILL prepared young parents longing for camping and adventure. Fast forward, 7 'short' years, more experiences and (the right rig) we got a glimpse! Two and a half days and 2 nights is doable, but we could EASILY spend 5 days on The Loop!!!!

Again, these guides are great.
The black one (left) has LOTS of trails and basic info, the red one (center) is of a series breaking down the state into smaller areas with more trail beta for those areas and is GREAT for background info and history of the trails and sights, the one on the right is a great compendium for more historical mining and ghost town stuffs!

 

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Climbing into Mineral Creek (early look back towards Million Dollar Highway (550)

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Found raspberries along downslope just past first section of shelf road.

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Sweet Sceptor (@VidereStudios shoutOut!) near waterfall and camps around Mi 2.4

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Mineral Creek switchbacks nearing Engineer pass turn-off

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Sorta flexy GX. (it's hard to get the good pix when the photographer is also the driver , but I managed to have Wifey get this one fer me

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Approaching Engineer Pass via shelf road

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Typical poser Pass Pic

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Spotted a Jawa sand crawler on a fence!

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Decending the East side of Engineer Pass, we passed the "scenic Palmetto Gulch Cabin" (there's a strikingly similar picture in the book ;P )

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Room with a view

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We made camp near the Schafer Gulch turn and near the ramains of Rose's Cabin site.

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Blessed BeanTea breakfast drink!!

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Found treasures near Empire Chief Mine

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And passed through Capital City, hoping to see Mr. Lee's "Governor's Mansion" or it's remains ...

Then through the restoring site of Hansen (site of a pretty epic miner dispute)

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And on to Lake City for pasteries @
A big Thumbs Up!!!!

 

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Then on through Lake City, Past the appealing Lake San Cristobal (cool history of how it formed by two temporally separate rock slides) and up the Carson Ghost Town Trail to new Carson City. We didn't venture up farther to Old Carson City, by the mine and access to the Continental divide trail. Would've been fun to pee off each side of the divide.

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We ventured along the southern, westbound leg of the Alpine Loop towards Cinnamon Pass and made camp at the mouth of American Gulch.
After supper I went for a (2.3 mile) hike up to Sloan Lake, then bumped up a little farther to grab 13,000ft! Passed some Marmots and Rock Ptarmigans along the trail! 4 new photos by Mark Weissinger

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In flip flops!

There was camp

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and acrobatics...

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We broke camp and climbed to Cinnamon pass

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Then dropped into Animas forks where California Gulch meets up.

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We headed down towards Silverton and a stop at the Mayflower Mill site for lunch

A flashback to the 7 year prior, nieve approach to the A-Loop

exploring the slot adjacent to the site...

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And of course a gratuitous cruiser shot for a nice finish!

 

[mustyGX]

Thanks for sharing this. Looks like an awesome trip!

 

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Ugh. . . .
now this process.

fob still locks and unlocks and key starts engine. So I'll try a case, cut the blade, and swap the guts ...

2 New Replacement Key Case Shell Keyless Remote Fob Uncut Blade Lexus | eBay

No programming is required, this is for a shell only. In order to start using this you will need to have the blade cut and then swap your existing electronics over ,key blade its not removable. There are no electronics included, simply place your existing electronics inside and have the blade cut.

www.ebay.com

 

[mustyGX]

I got a new case from the link below. The FJ fobs are compatible with the GX fobs. You shouldn’t need a new key/blade. Just remove it from what’s left of the housing and put it in a new case.

Products | ajt-design

www.ajtdesign-llc.com

 

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I got a new case from the link below. The FJ fobs are compatible with the GX fobs. You shouldn’t need a new key/blade. Just remove it from what’s left of the housing and put it in a new case.

Products | ajt-design

www.ajtdesign-llc.com

wait... a case of fobs?

J/K. That's good to know that FJ fobs are compliant with the Lex fob guts and blade is transferable ... plus those look rad!