GX460 & GXOR B.S. thread (30 Viewers)

[r2m]

I generally just keep the throttle at the point where there's no wheel spin.
Looking at Matt's Off Road channel, he is ALWAYS flooring it when he's stuck. But again, he's running 54" tires and hundreds of ponies under the hood of the Wrecker or Morvair than we have in our puny GX's.

 

[Ohio Nori]

Whatever height lift you get will eventually settle a little, so a 2" lift in time over time may relax into a 1.5" - 1.75" lift.
Be sure that the lift you get will be representative of your load. If all you do is tote around kids and light gear, stay with lighter weight suspension.
If you plan on the future doing trips with more gear like bringing a fridge, roof top tent, extra gas and water, etc. then start out with heavier weight springs and shocks and just deal with the firmer ride for a while. It'll be cheaper than having to swap out suspension if you decide to add more gear when camping or doing outings.

Of note, most folks will agree that adding a good aftermarket suspension and taller tires (read: taller sidewalls) will greatly improve ride quality.
The important thing, as I've posted before, be sure you know your end game of what/how you will want your rig to be in the future.

My ideal end game is a more comfortable version of my TRD Pro 4Runner. This started with rear climate control for the kid, a 6-speed, and KDSS. I will add skid plates, aluminum since I’m in the rust belt, but everything else I would add is already installed (expo1 roof rack, rear hitch bumper). I carry a few medium Plano sportsman totes on the roof. For full week trips, we take a 65qt rotomolded cooler, no need for a fridge but those are heavy on their own. Some weight offset is the 3rd row delete. I plan to go 17” wheels and likely 275 tires. I doubt I’ll push to 285/70s.
I read OME are harsh, Kings and Icons require more tlc. Bilstein seemed reasonable, but digressive rate may put them with OME. I don’t know much about Toytec. Dobinsons was popular, but seemed a lower end option. Ironman I think of as a generic equivalent, I think it’s their constant sales that create this perception.
I live in Jeep country, literally the birthplace, Toledo, OH. Toyotas are the outliers, which I like. Just hard to get any of my own impressions from driving or riding in another well suited Toyota.

 

[Hiluxforever]

The difference in vehicle height between the 275/70 and 285/70 is very small so you probably won't miss the .2 inches in height.

 

[jdam]

The difference in vehicle height between the 275/70 and 285/70 is very small so you probably won't miss the .2 inches in height.

This and 285s are more common and therefore easier to secure a replacement if you're out and about. You'd have to do about the same about of work to fit either tire anyway.

 

[Hiluxforever]

This and 285s are more common and therefore easier to secure a replacement if you're out and about. You'd have to do about the same about of work to fit either tire anyway.

Yep and almost every firestone or Tires plus will have either Revos or Destination XTs available and those have a light carcass.

 

[Ohio Nori]

This and 285s are more common and therefore easier to secure a replacement if you're out and about. You'd have to do about the same about of work to fit either tire anyway.

I was under the impression the extra 10mm in width would necessitate a BMC.

 

[Hiluxforever]

I was under the impression the extra 10mm in width would necessitate a BMC.

Not with oem offset, I could go up to a 34x10.5 (actually 33.5) easy peazy. Alignment is another variable and those of us in the rust belt may lose LCA adjustability. My passenger LCA is frozen.

 

[Banandalorian]

Here's some catnip for the chat:

Every time I feel ATRAC kick in, I bury the throttle in the carpet. My logic is that Mr.T will make sure I don't spin tires into the abyss, but won't add any throttle when it's needed, so give it max throttle and let the computer dial back as needed. I use a light touch right up until it starts to slip, after which there's nothing to lose in flooring it and hoping for the best.

One of my sketchier moments in this truck was a long hillclimb with ruts and mogal humps while I was towing a trailer. Near the bottom I hung a front tire in the air and felt ATRAC shutter so I mashed the pedal and stayed in it all the way to the top, accompanied by the constant rattle of the traction control. I made it out, so the technique worked in that instance, but it was bad and the consequences of not making it would be dire. I've used the same technique in sand/snow and had doubts if that was really prudent, vs feathering the throttle to keep it from engaging. I grew up driving in snow, often unplowed, so this pedal mashing goes against my instincts.

What's the consensus? Pussyfoot to avoid activating ATRAC, or floor it and let the computers do their thing?

In my experience, if you just floor it and hope ATRAC sorts it out, ATRAC will often sort it out quite well. But if ATRAC can't sort it out, it will eventually just kill all power and you end up sliding backwards down an icy hairpin turn where you are thankful you stay in the ruts multiple times and/or just running out of steam.
I figured this out earlier this year doing some winter off roading on my worn out tires that stopped working on ice (a fun time to learn that). If I locked to 1st or 2nd, I would just end up spinning wheels without enough speed to get through things. If I locked to 3rd, I could reach enough speed at a lower rpm to keep ATRAC/MTS happy and power through/over the zero traction stuff.

I think the magic zone for ATRAC is like 2000 - 4000 rpm. Closer to redline, it feels like it is more about limiting power vs limiting wheel spin.

 

[jdam]

I was under the impression the extra 10mm in width would necessitate a BMC.

I'd pay more attention to the offset of the wheels rather than the width of the tire. A +5 or +0 offset should be fine with alignment, really anything higher than that will rub.

I think my intent is really to steer you towards either a 265/70 or a 285/70. Both are incredibly common (so same ease of replacement) and some 265s can fit in the spare tire well under the truck. A 275/70 is really an intermediate size and relatively uncommon compared to the other two for a reason. You're unlikely to really notice the difference in sizes - I've run all three on mine and really you notice the differences between the actual tire (brand, weight, tread pattern, tread composition) rather than size.

Also a BMC isn't really a big deal. I know it's cutting, but once it's done you never have to worry about it again.

 

[JDUB fab]

My ideal end game is a more comfortable version of my TRD Pro 4Runner. This started with rear climate control for the kid, a 6-speed, and KDSS. I will add skid plates, aluminum since I’m in the rust belt, but everything else I would add is already installed (expo1 roof rack, rear hitch bumper). I carry a few medium Plano sportsman totes on the roof. For full week trips, we take a 65qt rotomolded cooler, no need for a fridge but those are heavy on their own. Some weight offset is the 3rd row delete. I plan to go 17” wheels and likely 275 tires. I doubt I’ll push to 285/70s.
I read OME are harsh, Kings and Icons require more tlc. Bilstein seemed reasonable, but digressive rate may put them with OME. I don’t know much about Toytec. Dobinsons was popular, but seemed a lower end option. Ironman I think of as a generic equivalent, I think it’s their constant sales that create this perception.
I live in Jeep country, literally the birthplace, Toledo, OH. Toyotas are the outliers, which I like. Just hard to get any of my own impressions from driving or riding in another well suited Toyota.

I just got a set of Radflo 2.5s for the rear, granted long travel, but I definitely notice a bit of improved ride from the s*** yellow dobbies that I had before. (No offense Dobinson) if I got them again I’d for sure go MRRs. I believe radflo is progressive? My bigger issue are the coils I currently run, or more so the lack of weight in the rear, I think when the bumper and sliders go on my ride quality will definitely be better. I’ve removed so much weight from the back (both rows of seats) and got springs based on my final weight so it’s a bit harsh at the moment. But I knew what I was getting into.
Anyway, throw radflo into the pool! But any quality rebuildable shock will probably suffice, just be cautious with spring rate..

 

[Cold Iron]

I remember seeing a map of every dirt road in Iowa on the interweb a while back. Might be useful to you.

I have a handful I used to build my list, this was the first tim I just went out dead reckoning to see what I could find. Only one had a muddy exit and Atrac handled it just fine. Getting better at feeding just enough throttle to trigger ATRAC.

In Iowa a Class B road is an earthen road. According to a friend of mine from Iowa it started with the Mn. vs. Iowa football game down there 100 years ago. I just looked it up and he is right 1922 and Mn. lost. The roads at the time were all earthen (not graveled) and it rained during the game soaking the roads making them impassable. Thousands of people were stuck in the roads on the way home in freezing temps and they decided it was time to start work on their road system. They still have a lot of gravel roads but a few earthen as well. So does Mn. and many other States but Iowa is unique in their classification. Then again there is Wi. where County roads have letters instead of numbers so who am I to judge.

Hiluxforever likely knows this but you can pull up and download Iowa County road maps like most States on line. Iowa County Roads Index The Class B roads are in green and earthen roads. If you look at the color pdf option. You also have the option of AutoCAD (DWG) files and MicroStation Design.

That is because Avenza Maps has become the defacto standard for government agencies from Federal to State including Counties as of late. The app only runs on mobile devices but of course if you have the native app for the file you can also read it, georeferenced PDF files are the most common on websites. You don't need cell phone reception to utilize the GPS functionality of your phone with them which is good as most places I go have no cell phone reception.

The complete National Forest System is regulated for Motor Vehicle Use and you can download Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) for the entire Country on National Forest Lands.

There is 6 million square miles in Superior National Forest alone, with the State and County public land you are looking at more than 10 million square million miles in the Mn. Arrowhead. The NF roads are regulated and with today being May 1 many of them open today for the first time since last year. Doesn't mean you will be able to drive down them many you can not. Washouts, beaver dams causing road flooding, stream changes over the winter, and downed trees. And some have been overgrown for years and will continue to be until they log a section of land off a spur road. But it is just a Forest Road they said LOL. I carry a chain saw during hunting season not to clear a road, I'm not there to play Paul Bunyan. But in case of blowdowns and have to cut my way back out.

 

[Hiluxforever]

In Iowa a Class B road is an earthen road. According to a friend of mine from Iowa it started with the Mn. vs. Iowa football game down there 100 years ago. I just looked it up and he is right 1922 and Mn. lost. The roads at the time were all earthen (not graveled) and it rained during the game soaking the roads making them impassable. Thousands of people were stuck in the roads on the way home in freezing temps and they decided it was time to start work on their road system. They still have a lot of gravel roads but a few earthen as well. So does Mn. and many other States but Iowa is unique in their classification. Then again there is Wi. where County roads have letters instead of numbers so who am I to judge.

Hiluxforever likely knows this but you can pull up and download Iowa County road maps like most States on line. Iowa County Roads Index The Class B roads are in green and earthen roads. If you look at the color pdf option. You also have the option of AutoCAD (DWG) files and MicroStation Design.

That is because Avenza Maps has become the defacto standard for government agencies from Federal to State including Counties as of late. The app only runs on mobile devices but of course if you have the native app for the file you can also read it, georeferenced PDF files are the most common on websites. You don't need cell phone reception to utilize the GPS functionality of your phone with them which is good as most places I go have no cell phone reception.

The complete National Forest System is regulated for Motor Vehicle Use and you can download Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) for the entire Country on National Forest Lands.

There is 6 million square miles in Superior National Forest alone, with the State and County public land you are looking at more than 10 million square million miles in the Mn. Arrowhead. The NF roads are regulated and with today being May 1 many of them open today for the first time since last year. Doesn't mean you will be able to drive down them many you can not. Washouts, beaver dams causing road flooding, stream changes over the winter, and downed trees. And some have been overgrown for years and will continue to be until they log a section of land off a spur road. But it is just a Forest Road they said LOL. I carry a chain saw during hunting season not to clear a road, I'm not there to play Paul Bunyan. But in case of blowdowns and have to cut my way back out.

Most of the Iowa maps are not current.

 

[Cold Iron]

Most of the Iowa maps are not current.

You mean they finally put gravel down on them?

At the Federal level the maps are the law in regards to Class 1, Class 2, width and weight restrictions and operational dates. I just looked and the Gunflint area is still on June 30, 2022. Hopefully some expansion for trails coming this summer they have held several meetings in Grand Marais about it last couple of years. Lot of people from Wi. and Mi. have attended them as well as Mn. of course.

 

[Hiluxforever]

You mean they finally put gravel down on them?

At the Federal level the maps are the law in regards to Class 1, Class 2, width and weight restrictions and operational dates. I just looked and the Gunflint area is still on June 30, 2022. Hopefully some expansion for trails coming this summer they have held several meetings in Grand Marais about it last couple of years. Lot of people from Wi. and Mi. have attended them as well as Mn. of course.

It's going the other way. The roads pass through level B on their way to Level C where public access is removed. Iowa is an anti access state that is continuing to double down on anti-access as a "cost saving measure" and is in contempt of previously approved legislation that requires the state to buy more public land as it has one of the lowest amounts of public land in the country and what isn't used for interstates is almost exclusively rented out to farm.

They are also turning gravel roads into level b roads as they let bridges collapse and such. Part of how they are dealing with that dilemma.

 

[Cold Iron]

It's going the other way. The roads pass through level B on their way to Level C where public access is removed. Iowa is an anti access state that is continuing to double down on anti-access as a "cost saving measure" and is in contempt of previously approved legislation that requires the state to buy more public land as it has one of the lowest amounts of public land in the country and what isn't used for interstates is almost exclusively rented out to farm.

They are also turning gravel roads into level b roads as they let bridges collapse and such. Part of how they are dealing with that dilemma.

Iowa is tied with Nebraska with Kansas bringing up the rear for public land. I see a common theme.

 

[Hiluxforever]

Iowa is tied with Nebraska with Kansas bringing up the rear for public land. I see a common theme.

Yea, and it's a bummer. There could be some gorgeous trails.

 

[r2m]

Also a BMC isn't really a big deal. I know it's cutting, but once it's done you never have to worry about it again.

A BMC is like having your tonsils removed. It's easy peasy and done all the time. Afterwards, do what they do after the tonsils are remove, treat yourself to an ice cream!

 

[Hiluxforever]

A BMC is like having your tonsils removed. It's easy peasy and done all the time. Afterwards, do what the do after the tonsils are remove, treat yourself to an ice cream!

I have spent the last hour looking at 285/75R17s after you said that...

 

[Hiluxforever]

Did a drive by to check dirt road conditions and they are a bit on the wet side yet. I may see how things look this afternoon. Big rains again tomorrow and Monday.

 

[Arailt]

Did a drive by to check dirt road conditions and they are a bit on the wet side yet. I may see how things look this afternoon. Big rains again tomorrow and Monday.
View attachment 3622720

Looks fun. When in doubt, throttle out!