Hi y’all,
I used this site a lot when I was deciding what to do and how to do it to my GX470 so I figured I’d share my experience with everyone to make it easier for the next person. Thanks for all the folks that posted before! It helped a ton.
Parts list
· 2008 GX470
· 2.5” OME Lift Kit (OMEGX470S - Assembled OME GX470 Kit - Medium springs) with preassembled front struts from Rocky Road Outfitters. These guys are great – they answer questions quickly, they're friendly, all around 5 star experience. Next time I do something similar I will 100% use these guys.
· Bump stops (48302-35040 - Toyota Rear Upper Bumpstop) – also from RRO.
· Differential Drop Kit (300705-1-KIT - Toyota Diff Drop Kit) – Haven’t installed yet, but will at some point. Not required for 2.5” of lift but I’m sure my CV’s would like it.
· LT305/60R18 FUN COUNTRY - these are actually riding very nice and aren’t loud at all. Happily surprised.
· Method Roost wheels 18X9 6X5.5 4.5 backspacing -12 offset – love these. Would have went with 17” wheels, but couldn’t find anything I liked with enough offset to stay off the control arms, brakes, other gear. I think any less offset (without spacers) and you’d be in trouble. Got these from 4 wheel parts – Will not be using them again. They’re slow (2.5 hours to pick up wheels and tires and that’s with an appointment). Also pretty rude. Lesson learned.
Installation – I’m no mechanic
If you have a friend with a post lift and air tools, buy him a beer – or a case of beer – or a new bass boat. It will be worth it. This would have been a lot tougher without good tools and my father-in-law’s help.
Most of the videos online for air bag delete and suspension installations are of Toyotas. This was scary initially but it’s really straightforward. They’re pretty similar – the just has some additional electronics (trash). A lot of the videos mention hydraulic lines. I didn’t have any. Not sure about the details here. Maybe mine had aftermarket shocks on it.
Some special items
1. Penetrating oil. Use it early, like a week early, and use it often.
2. Get spring compressors – word on the street is they aren’t required. I couldn’t maneuver the axle out of the way far enough without them and I’m a big fella 6’5” 240.
3. More rear spring stuff - The lag bolt that attaches the lower spring support to the axle should be 2.5” – the kit had a 3” bolt, which hits the axle. Long story is that dog won’t hunt. No big deal but it would have sucked had tractor supply not been open.
4. There are electronics on top of the front struts. They are a huge pain to get off. Mine didn’t have teeth in the allen heads. Get your vice grips ready. These parts went in the trash after I got them off. I expected my dashboard to light up like a Christmas tree but it didn’t.
5. The back nut (there are three) on top of the front struts is damn near impossible to get to. Remember the penetrating oil? Use it early and often. I had to get at this with a hammer and a wrench. Might could have got it from the top.
6. Save those front strut nuts – new ones aren’t included.
7. Trimming was required on the fender well, front bumper, and running boards. My father-in-law and I did it with a dremel in about 30 minutes. I’m biased but I think it looks pretty darn good. My wife didn’t mention it – must look okay, right?
Note: The whole thing took us about 12 hours.
How it works
It rides and drives noticeably better than stock. This is coming from my wife, who thinks I’m a bit of a dumb redneck (true) for wanting to lift a Lexus. I personally love it and can’t think of anything I’d do differently.
Roll Tide
I used this site a lot when I was deciding what to do and how to do it to my GX470 so I figured I’d share my experience with everyone to make it easier for the next person. Thanks for all the folks that posted before! It helped a ton.
Parts list
· 2008 GX470
· 2.5” OME Lift Kit (OMEGX470S - Assembled OME GX470 Kit - Medium springs) with preassembled front struts from Rocky Road Outfitters. These guys are great – they answer questions quickly, they're friendly, all around 5 star experience. Next time I do something similar I will 100% use these guys.
· Bump stops (48302-35040 - Toyota Rear Upper Bumpstop) – also from RRO.
· Differential Drop Kit (300705-1-KIT - Toyota Diff Drop Kit) – Haven’t installed yet, but will at some point. Not required for 2.5” of lift but I’m sure my CV’s would like it.
· LT305/60R18 FUN COUNTRY - these are actually riding very nice and aren’t loud at all. Happily surprised.
· Method Roost wheels 18X9 6X5.5 4.5 backspacing -12 offset – love these. Would have went with 17” wheels, but couldn’t find anything I liked with enough offset to stay off the control arms, brakes, other gear. I think any less offset (without spacers) and you’d be in trouble. Got these from 4 wheel parts – Will not be using them again. They’re slow (2.5 hours to pick up wheels and tires and that’s with an appointment). Also pretty rude. Lesson learned.
Installation – I’m no mechanic
If you have a friend with a post lift and air tools, buy him a beer – or a case of beer – or a new bass boat. It will be worth it. This would have been a lot tougher without good tools and my father-in-law’s help.
Most of the videos online for air bag delete and suspension installations are of Toyotas. This was scary initially but it’s really straightforward. They’re pretty similar – the just has some additional electronics (trash). A lot of the videos mention hydraulic lines. I didn’t have any. Not sure about the details here. Maybe mine had aftermarket shocks on it.
Some special items
1. Penetrating oil. Use it early, like a week early, and use it often.
2. Get spring compressors – word on the street is they aren’t required. I couldn’t maneuver the axle out of the way far enough without them and I’m a big fella 6’5” 240.
3. More rear spring stuff - The lag bolt that attaches the lower spring support to the axle should be 2.5” – the kit had a 3” bolt, which hits the axle. Long story is that dog won’t hunt. No big deal but it would have sucked had tractor supply not been open.
4. There are electronics on top of the front struts. They are a huge pain to get off. Mine didn’t have teeth in the allen heads. Get your vice grips ready. These parts went in the trash after I got them off. I expected my dashboard to light up like a Christmas tree but it didn’t.
5. The back nut (there are three) on top of the front struts is damn near impossible to get to. Remember the penetrating oil? Use it early and often. I had to get at this with a hammer and a wrench. Might could have got it from the top.
6. Save those front strut nuts – new ones aren’t included.
7. Trimming was required on the fender well, front bumper, and running boards. My father-in-law and I did it with a dremel in about 30 minutes. I’m biased but I think it looks pretty darn good. My wife didn’t mention it – must look okay, right?
Note: The whole thing took us about 12 hours.
How it works
It rides and drives noticeably better than stock. This is coming from my wife, who thinks I’m a bit of a dumb redneck (true) for wanting to lift a Lexus. I personally love it and can’t think of anything I’d do differently.
Roll Tide
