Builds GX470 Slow Build (1 Viewer)

[mtwilly87]

Did you set for 2.5 front? did you go for equal lift all around or a scosh more front to level the rake? Cool report, I was narrowed to the performance too, suspecting a tad firmer as DD put perfect wheeling and when loaded for multi-day trips or long-haul road trips...
thanks for the report.. do you have pix or a build thread with more shots?

I ordered the Foam Cells from Metal Tech on a Black Friday sale a few years ago, preassembled, and they said they were setting them for 2.5” of lift. I do have a slight rake, with the rear sitting about an 1” higher. I found a few photos of your rig, looks sharp. I love the backbone on the Rhino Rack, at the time I ordered mine I don’t think it was available, so I had to use the feet mounts. I really need to do a proper build thread, here are a few more pics.

 

[DRANGED]

I ordered the Foam Cells from Metal Tech on a Black Friday sale a few years ago, preassembled, and they said they were setting them for 2.5” of lift. I do have a slight rake, with the rear sitting about an 1” higher. I found a few photos of your rig, looks sharp. I love the backbone on the Rhino Rack, at the time I ordered mine I don’t think it was available, so I had to use the feet mounts. I really need to do a proper build thread, here are a few more pics.



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Yeah, i think you were pretty early in picking up ironman FCPs in the states and I recall seeing your build and bumper trim years ago, it helped imspire me to look at the rhino platform, and yes, the backbone for 470 wasn't known/determined as a fit for the GX470 back then; it might not have been been out yet.
Rhino USA was supposed to populate the backbone for the 470 (they promote it for the 460) to their website last year, but AFAIK their IT dept still hasn't.
Anyone can get it, the warehouse (AFAIK) still has some, rhino rack distributors just need to call the rhino warehouse and ask for RTPB2.

I really like the stance you've got, so more and more I'm Zeroing in on the fcp.

I've done a bunch of measuring and lulled the trigger on a gobi ladder, with the 84" platform,.it should perfectly fit under the tail of the platform.

And yes...a bud thread, now that the chidlers are past infanthood, its hard tondo ANYTHING before then

 

[mtwilly87]

I’ve always like the look of the later model GX tail lights with the clear turn signal. Swapped them out today, I think it looks good on a silver 2005.

 

[DRANGED]

^
YES!!!! 'Tis on my (eventual) list as well!! AND THEN you take the orange bulb out and give it a light squirt of silver spray paint, so as to coat the amber glass, but not too thick as to prevent the light from shining out amber...

 

[DRANGED]

@mtwilly87
is that the 76" platform?

 

[mtwilly87]

^
YES!!!! 'Tis on my (eventual) list as well!! AND THEN you take the orange bulb out and give it a light squirt of silver spray paint, so as to coat the amber glass, but not too thick as to prevent the light from shining out amber...

Good idea! I need to give that a shot, it would look pretty slick then for sure

 

[mtwilly87]

@mtwilly87
is that the 76" platform?

Yea it’s the

@mtwilly87
is that the 76" platform?

yea it’s the 76”x49” platform. Us early users got a simple “rhino rack” sticker on each side, and mine are losing life. I noticed they stepped up their game and now have that very nice looking metal RHINO RACK tag on each side, very sharp looking. I wonder If I can drill one on

 

[mtwilly87]

Installed some fj cruiser steelies with 255/80r17 Toyo Open Country At3 yesterday. I was running OEM 470 wheels with 1.25” spidertrax spacers all around, so I wanted to try something different with the pizza cutter size and no spacers. I like the old school simple look.

 

[Toyoland66]

Would love to hear your impressions of the AT3 after you get some miles on them, I’m running the same size AT2. I have always like the look of the OEM steelies, but I am guessing those are pretty heavy compared to the alloys?

 

[mtwilly87]

Would love to hear your impressions of the AT3 after you get some miles on them, I’m running the same size AT2. I have always like the look of the OEM steelies, but I am guessing those are pretty heavy compared to the alloys?

I’ll have to report back after I get some miles on them for sure. According to my bathroom scale, the alloys are about 26lbs and the steels are 29lbs.

 

[mtwilly87]

I’ll have to report back after I get some miles on them for sure. According to my bathroom scale, the alloys are about 26lbs and the steels are 29lbs.

 

[mtwilly87]

300 mile report on my 255/80r17 Toyo Open Country At3. The tires have been great around town and on the interstate. I have only been able to hit a few gravel roads so far, not much to report off road yet. I will say they are a little louder than I was expecting, especially around 40mph. It’s not annoying or making me regret them, but they are not silent. Not very many people running the AT3 yet, much less in 255/80. I think I am one of a couple in that size on the GX. I will be interested to see others thoughts on them as they get more exposure on the market.

 

[NJGX]

Not very many people running the AT3 yet

Just ordered a set of 285/75r17 (C load) for my new Tandem 612 wheels and should be able to get them mounted up next weekend. These tires seem to be getting some good reviews from the guys over on the taco forums, and the price/weight seemed to be better on paper for the AT3 vs Wildpeaks and KO2s. As long as they are not noisier than my 45k mile old Duratracs, I will be happy.

 

[mtwilly87]

Just ordered a set of 285/75r17 (C load) for my new Tandem 612 wheels and should be able to get them mounted up next weekend. These tires seem to be getting some good reviews from the guys over on the taco forums, and the price/weight seemed to be better on paper for the AT3 vs Wildpeaks and KO2s. As long as they are not noisier than my 45k mile old Duratracs, I will be happy.

Did you get yours mounted up?

 

[mtwilly87]

A big thank you to @DRANGED for this mod idea. Using basic superstruts and their mounting hardware which drop right into the channels of the rhino rack, I can now mount my cargo box to the rhino rack with these homemade crossbars. Works great, and very affordable. Thanks again man for the idea! Now I’m thinking of other cool stuff to make with these things.

 

[NJGX]

Did you get yours mounted up?

Yea I did. I made a post earlier in the year about the tires looking for feedback and just replied with my initial impressions there.

New Toyo Open County AT3 experience?

I've been looking into potential tires for when my current 255/75R17 Duratracs wear out. I was pretty much set on getting a set of Wildpeak AT3Ws, but recently discovered the new version of Toyo's AT tire. I heard mixed reviews of the AT2 with most negatives being poor snow and wet weather...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[DRANGED]

Yes!
Unistrut is rad! You can find 3/8" forged eyes the fit the unistrut nuts too to recreate the RR eye bolts for way cheaper!

Hillman 3/8-16 in. Forged Steel Machinery Eye Bolt in Shoulder Pattern (1-Pack) 320604.0 - The Home Depot

Machinery eye bolts are high strength bolts for heavy duty applications. Eye bolts provide a method for anchoring chain and wire rope to a fixed surface such as wood, metal, concrete, etc. Forged galvanized

www.homedepot.com

Rhino eyebolt kit

DIY version

 

[mtwilly87]

Yes!
Unistrut is rad! You can find 3/8" forged eyes the fit the unistrut nuts too to recreate the RR eye bolts for way cheaper!
View attachment 2431758

Hillman 3/8-16 in. Forged Steel Machinery Eye Bolt in Shoulder Pattern (1-Pack) 320604.0 - The Home Depot

Machinery eye bolts are high strength bolts for heavy duty applications. Eye bolts provide a method for anchoring chain and wire rope to a fixed surface such as wood, metal, concrete, etc. Forged galvanized

www.homedepot.com

I’ve only got 2 RR ones, I will definitely be snagging of 2 more from Home Depot next time I am in there. Another great idea!

 

[mtwilly87]

Applied the gx470 matte black hood decal from amaesing decals last night. It covers up some pretty bad rock chips on my hood, also breaks up the boring silver. If it helps reduce morning glare off the hood, even better.

 

[mtwilly87]

Using an old toyota4runners.org post as inspiration, I built a wind fairing from abs plastic for my Rhino Rack pioneer platform for about $40. I couldn’t justify the already made fairing from Rhino Rack for $150+, and didn’t like how it sat somewhat under the platform, not out in front. It’s quickly removable using the hardware left over from the superstrut mod earlier. I still need to paint the aluminum, but it’s pretty much finished. From getting up to 50mph, it really cuts down the wind noise, and I can open my sunroof again without losing my hearing.
Now I need to decide on what to do with the light bar sitting behind it. I barely use it, so thinking about removing it in favor of some ditch lights, or just keeping it up there and removing the fairing as needed for trail runs.

materials:
1/8” abs plastic 24x48” sheet to cut fairing
1/8” x 1” x 36” aluminum bar from Lowe's
Stainless steel hardware to mount fairing to aluminum bars