Hello and JustinLXTX LX470 Build

[JustinLXTX]

It has been a while since my last post, a ton of progress going on. First up are some photos from my suspension install and the first views before any height adjustments.

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[JustinLXTX]

I absolutely loved the 100 during Texas snowpocalypse 2021, helped tote myself and co-workers daily!

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[JustinLXTX]

Took a fun picture next to a sexy 60 series, so much lust going on haha. Gives a bit of perspective after height adjustments.

 

[JustinLXTX]

Pre Snorkel:

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Post Snorkel: Did the best I could with no template, slightly crooked to my eyes but I can live with it haha

 

[JustinLXTX]

A ton of progress and a continued diet of cash for the MONSTER, below is ball joint replacement.

A drink was needed.....

Of course, I broke off the ABS sensor bolt, been hitting the gym too hard apparently!

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[JustinLXTX]

Got a replacement and used cocoa butter petroleum jelly for the CVs until I can replace them, everyone knows the scent makes them last longer...

 

[JustinLXTX]

Scored 285s of a fellow cruiserhead in Houston, he had them sandblasted with a base coat of paint. I found a very close color of Rustoleum and threw on several coats. Future pictures will have matching caps.

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[JustinLXTX]

So a few weeks back the LX was out of commission for a week. When I got the truck back from alignment the guys at Bearden Automotive in Austin (great Toyota guys) helped diagnose a rattling I had been hearing from the engine bay. Turns out the Fan Pulley bearing was shot, it felt super risky driving it home, but once I made it I decided it was time to do a ton of PM while torn down. I went ahead and did the full water pump and timing belt kit, new Aisin fn pulley, and misc. hoses along the way. Sorry about the lack of pictures in many of the steps, I was more worried about getting things correct, this was a great example of how valuable the advice is from the MUD community. Super grateful to anyone who chimed in!

Here is what was replaced... would not recommend haha

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[JustinLXTX]

I followed up shortly after with a PCV kit from Wits End.

 

[silverhammer]

Finally got the driver side weather stripping! SO happy I can hear my music now

View attachment 2564748
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Also got a little something in the mail!

View attachment 2564749
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Where’d you pick up the weather stripping? And snorkel? Any noticeable engine performance?

 

[JustinLXTX]

It‘s been a while! Here are a few updates:

Took some family and friends to Broken Bow Oklahoma, I had repaired the AC system before the trip. Funny enough the whole system evacuated the first day there haha. So drove back 11 hours with the windows down!

With my dads help we got the start of the aluminum bumper completed, I plan to do an expanded metal section to protect the radiator more, add larger turn signals and add a protective plate to the corners.

 

[JustinLXTX]

After about 3 months of whining I decided to swap out the whole third member with a gently used one. It gave me the chance to inspect the inner axel shafts and bearings as well. You can see at the top of the ring the shiny section contributing to my noise. I was very happy to find a very clean Differential housing. I plan to slow build the extra third member with a locker of some sort, recommendations are welcome!

 

[JustinLXTX]

Where’d you pick up the weather stripping? And snorkel? Any noticeable engine performance?

Sorry for the delayed response! I found the weather stripping on a Toyota dealer site, just make sure you select the correct side if not doing both sides. The snorkel I got from eBay after reading reviews on here between the cheap snorkel vs an arb. Super happy with it after about 5-6 months. As far as performance I do notice a very clean air filter when I check it, adding the snorkel and rebuilding my whole coolant system dropped the engine run temp about 10-15 degree, which is huge for me here in Texas.

 

[silverhammer]

Sorry for the delayed response! I found the weather stripping on a Toyota dealer site, just make sure you select the correct side if not doing both sides. The snorkel I got from eBay after reading reviews on here between the cheap snorkel vs an arb. Super happy with it after about 5-6 months. As far as performance I do notice a very clean air filter when I check it, adding the snorkel and rebuilding my whole coolant system dropped the engine run temp about 10-15 degree, which is huge for me here in Texas.

Ha, no sweat! I actually bought the Ebay snork and too, love it! Will reach out to the dealership for the weather stripping - thanks a million!

 

[OEMGUY0720]

After about 3 months of whining I decided to swap out the whole third member with a gently used one. It gave me the chance to inspect the inner axel shafts and bearings as well. You can see at the top of the ring the shiny section contributing to my noise. I was very happy to find a very clean Differential housing. I plan to slow build the extra third member with a locker of some sort, recommendations are welcome!
View attachment 2813634

I have tried ARB Air F/R Lockers before on my 04LC 1HDFTE and 2012 Hilux 1KDFTV before, no complaints at all. It has its own maintenance trade offs. I recently ordered this though:

Air Intake Accessories

www.harrop.com.au

I haven’t installed it, have yet to meet with a local gear tech shop here that does specialty jobs like this. But the electricals are all lined up now.

It’s an electronic activated locking differential. The ARB (air) and this are similar, but not quite and definitely have their own differences especially on the engagement process. There’s a lot of videos on how Harrop E-locker behaves differently from the popular Air Locker. I chose this for the the basic principle of simplicity (I already have an air compressor for air up/down) that won’t require air source and line. But don’t take my word for it, read user feedbacks and watch the videos and you’ll see if this sings to you, maybe no maybe yes. Good luck and enjoy the build.

 

[JustinLXTX]

I have tried ARB Air F/R Lockers before on my 04LC 1HDFTE and 2012 Hilux 1KDFTV before, no complaints at all. It has its own maintenance trade offs. I recently ordered this though:
View attachment 2816703

Air Intake Accessories

www.harrop.com.au

I haven’t installed it, have yet to meet with a local gear tech shop here that does specialty jobs like this. But the electricals are all lined up now.

It’s an electronic activated locking differential. The ARB (air) and this are similar, but not quite and definitely have their own differences especially on the engagement process. There’s a lot of videos on how Harrop E-locker behaves differently from the popular Air Locker. I chose this for the the basic principle of simplicity (I already have an air compressor for air up/down) that won’t require air source and line. But don’t take my word for it, read user feedbacks and watch the videos and you’ll see if this sings to you, maybe no maybe yes. Good luck and enjoy the build.

Ahhh shiny! I will def look into the pros and cons of each. I do most of the work on my truck but would probably have someone do this part of the build as well.