Hi Mud!
I’m starting a build thread for my new-to-me 2011 LX570 (named “Grumvee”). During the past 3-4 years, we’ve been getting more into offroad/overland camping and adventure. We’re a family of four (me, my wife, and our two sons — ages 9 and 11). We like to spend a lot of time outdoors: camping, hiking, biking, and skiing.
Our first vehicle was a 2008 4Runner, also named “Grumvee." Served us very well. Sold last April (in under 12 hours!). Pics of this great rig below (on a trip through the Lost Coast, CA).
Why “Grumvee”? My 5-year-old (at the time) and I were talking about what we should name the 4Runner. We started riffing on the sounds that big trucks make and ended up with “gr-UHM… vee!” It’s goofy, I know. But it’s our thing. And once I ordered the personalized plates (GRUMVEE), that sealed the deal. I was going to get the plates “GRUM_V2” (v2, get it?) for the LX, but the CA DMV stopped doing personalized plates during the pandemic. So we stuck with GRUMVEE for the LX as well.
I’ve always wanted a Land Cruiser and have been reading about them and perusing classifieds for — if I’m being honest — a couple of years. The stars aligned earlier this year (around April), and I bought a silver 2011 LX from a one-owner in Texas (more about that in the next post).
Why am I doing this build thread?
What is my build philosophy?
I’m starting a build thread for my new-to-me 2011 LX570 (named “Grumvee”). During the past 3-4 years, we’ve been getting more into offroad/overland camping and adventure. We’re a family of four (me, my wife, and our two sons — ages 9 and 11). We like to spend a lot of time outdoors: camping, hiking, biking, and skiing.
Our first vehicle was a 2008 4Runner, also named “Grumvee." Served us very well. Sold last April (in under 12 hours!). Pics of this great rig below (on a trip through the Lost Coast, CA).
Why “Grumvee”? My 5-year-old (at the time) and I were talking about what we should name the 4Runner. We started riffing on the sounds that big trucks make and ended up with “gr-UHM… vee!” It’s goofy, I know. But it’s our thing. And once I ordered the personalized plates (GRUMVEE), that sealed the deal. I was going to get the plates “GRUM_V2” (v2, get it?) for the LX, but the CA DMV stopped doing personalized plates during the pandemic. So we stuck with GRUMVEE for the LX as well.
I’ve always wanted a Land Cruiser and have been reading about them and perusing classifieds for — if I’m being honest — a couple of years. The stars aligned earlier this year (around April), and I bought a silver 2011 LX from a one-owner in Texas (more about that in the next post).
Why am I doing this build thread?
- To further connect with (and hopefully give something back to) the IH8MUD community. We live in Northern CA (San Jose). It would be great to meet some local folks and go on adventures.
- Learn something. I’ll have questions along the way, especially about particular mods I’ve made or will be making.
- Have fun doing it. Building out and wrenching on my rig is one of my main hobbies these days.
- Posterity. Might be fun to years later to look back on this thread. If I pass the LX on to one of my kids, I’ll share the thread and they can have the history of the rig
What is my build philosophy?
- Keep it stock unless there is a compelling reason to upgrade.
- When considering an upgrade/mod, here is my general criteria (in order of importance):
- Utility (most important)
- Reliability
- Aesthetics
- Lowest cost option (least important)
- Offroad tires
- Wheels
- Sliders
- Roof rack
- Drawers / sleeping platform