Just don't add any front weight. I added the budbuilt hidden winch and now I need new front coils...
Builds Homer's 2003 GX470 Build 8.2 4.56 2.5 34s (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter HomersCanyonero
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- #302
Thanks for the tip. I thought that hidden winch option was a lightweight option than a full bumper.
Like 15 years ago, I went on a Boy Scouts long term backpacking trip as an adult leader in my son’s troop. It was less than a week long, but lightweight gear was a must.
I still have most of that lightweight gear. On solo offroad trips, I load my backpack
in the car and add some of the comforts of car camping like a 5” foam mattress, Some of car camping gear doesn’t always make the trip because i know I can survive a week on my backpacking gear. I guess that trip helped me think of keeping the GX470 lightweight and that’s why I haven’t gotten bumpers, roof rack, RTT, winch, etc.
Its definitely a lot lighter than a bumper but its still around 100lbs in front of the wheelsThanks for the tip. I thought that hidden winch option was a lightweight option than a full bumper.
Like 15 years ago, I went on a Boy Scouts long term backpacking trip as an adult leader in my son’s troop. It was less than a week long, but lightweight gear was a must.
I still have most of that lightweight gear. On solo offroad trips, I load my backpack
I guess that trip helped me think of keeping the GX470 lightweight and that’s why I haven’t gotten bumpers, roof rack, RTT, winch, etc.
I just went from the 700lb coils to 650lb coils (Wheelers Offroad) on my 6112 (47-284142) and so far I much prefer the 650's. I have no additional front weight and prefer a much smaller lift (1.5"-2"; low COG) than most. I was on the 700s for about 30k mi and the 6112 rubber bushings were SHOT which was causing a metal-on-metal clank on harder hits. They got pretty bad and needed replaced so it was a perfect opportunity to try out some new coils.
To be perfectly fair, I replaced the lower shock bushings at the same time (went to a poly bushing instead of the replacement rubber bushing) and it's only been about 1000 miles so far. There could certainly be some placebo/"newness" bias, but so far I'm happier.
Next step is to go back to 675v in the rear. I had to upgrade to the 677v to carry the weight of my drawers to stay level with the 6112 w/ 700s on the lowest setting. Now that I can keep a lower lift up front, I want to get the rear down a bit as well.
To be perfectly fair, I replaced the lower shock bushings at the same time (went to a poly bushing instead of the replacement rubber bushing) and it's only been about 1000 miles so far. There could certainly be some placebo/"newness" bias, but so far I'm happier.
Next step is to go back to 675v in the rear. I had to upgrade to the 677v to carry the weight of my drawers to stay level with the 6112 w/ 700s on the lowest setting. Now that I can keep a lower lift up front, I want to get the rear down a bit as well.
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- #305
I’ll watch out for my bushings in the coilover. They are new with this setup.
The 650 lbf/in may be the perfect spring for the front when unloaded.
I’m good with the 700 lbf/in for now. I hope they last a while.
The 650 lbf/in may be the perfect spring for the front when unloaded.
I’m good with the 700 lbf/in for now. I hope they last a while.
GX DAVE
SILVER Star
Figured it was worth mentioning that I have Dobinson 302 coils (which I believe are also 7000lb rating) in the front mounted on the extended travel twin tube shocks w/ the LFD Offroad hidden winch bumper and Superwinch Talon 9.5 winch w/ synthetic rope (roughly 120 lbs combined) and I have seen little to no shift in my ride height.
If it dropped at all its not noticeable and I experience no dipping or nose diving while braking hard.
Hope this helps!
If it dropped at all its not noticeable and I experience no dipping or nose diving while braking hard.
Hope this helps!
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- #307
Finished adding the rock lights as step lights to both rock sliders. They mimic the original stock step lights. They only go on when the courtesy lights go on in the inside like when you unlock the rig, open the doors, etc.
One lesson learned...test the lights before you apply heat to the heat shrink wire connectors. Don't ask me how I know...but test the lights before you make them permanent. And the wire splitters that have quick disconnects come in very handy if you happen to route the wiring in the wrong direction and you want to move. Again, don't ask me how I know. LOL
Here are some pictures of my cheap brackets using two $0.98 metal tie ins for wood and 2-way wire splitters with disconnects. This took me way longer in terms of time and way more tools/parts were used than I originally anticipated. The detailed rock lights brackets, and wiring is documented in a separate thread
I did have to re-do the wiring on the passenger side with new heat soldering wire connectors and a brand new Wagner HT1000 heat gun. No crimping required and having the correct gauge 18 ga wire connectors works way better.
One lesson learned...test the lights before you apply heat to the heat shrink wire connectors. Don't ask me how I know...but test the lights before you make them permanent. And the wire splitters that have quick disconnects come in very handy if you happen to route the wiring in the wrong direction and you want to move. Again, don't ask me how I know. LOL
Here are some pictures of my cheap brackets using two $0.98 metal tie ins for wood and 2-way wire splitters with disconnects. This took me way longer in terms of time and way more tools/parts were used than I originally anticipated. The detailed rock lights brackets, and wiring is documented in a separate thread
I did have to re-do the wiring on the passenger side with new heat soldering wire connectors and a brand new Wagner HT1000 heat gun. No crimping required and having the correct gauge 18 ga wire connectors works way better.
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- Thread starter
- #308
Dobinson 302 front coils are 586 lbf/in and are rated for 110-150 extra lbs. So, these are not heavies.
The Dobinson 350s are 730 lbf/in and are rated for 220 to 300 extra pounds. These are clearly heavies.
www.ExitOffroad.com created a really nice post here IH8MUD describing the Dobinson suspension parts. Really appreciate their contribution here on IH8MUD @crikeymike
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- Thread starter
- #309
Getting ready for a weekend trip…all the gear comes out to setup that 5” foam mattress inside.
Gonna see if it’s comfy for two on that twin mattress. If not, I have my backpacking gear to setup another sleeping area
Gonna see if it’s comfy for two on that twin mattress. If not, I have my backpacking gear to setup another sleeping area
Where you headed? We are off to Borrego Springs, hitting lower Coyote to Sheep Canyon tomorrow morning. Finally get to put my drawers to use. 
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- Thread starter
- #311
Headed in that area too, but not this weekend. Take pictures of the creek crossing. Just wondering if there’s more water now
I will be doing the rear-seat removal mod for a camping trip this weekend in front range of Colorado. Might just throw some junk under the rear seat footwell to support my head. Like you did minus the plank you threw down.
It's been maybe 4 years since I've been on that trail and the second crossing (last one before the main crossing) was much bigger than it normally is. I'd guess it was about ~15" deep. The "main" creek crossing was pretty empty. It was actually like 2 puddles...
The climb that was rocks is now just a dirt road which is a bummer, but more people that could never make it up before can now experience Sheep canyon.
I posted a couple videos of my son driving through the crossings and some photos on my instagram, if you want to check it out. @colin__ignacio
Have a good time next weekend.
This is the second crossing on the way out.
This is the main crossing on the way in. You would normally be in the water where we are in the photo.
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- #314
Yeah that rocky road going up was turned into a graded road.
Water not bad. I’ve seen it deeper and longer
Water not bad. I’ve seen it deeper and longer
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GX DAVE
SILVER Star
I was not implying they were heavy springs, I’m acutely aware of what I have and bought them specifically because they were for standard load springs +100lbs or so and was just giving some insight on how those particular springs preformed with my current setup.
I purchased them from Exit Offroad and worked directly w/ them via email to ensure I would have a proper leveled setup for my truck in its current build state.
I stand corrected on the load rating, I should have double checked the specs before weighing in.
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This is a good convo and I think ya'll are saying the same things not disputing, ya'll have different bases and needs and its good to hear life experience of products from the perspective of each user. I find some are more reluctant to buy stuff (self) and others are more eager to buy and try, and there's everywhere in between. To show a personal exemplar, I fall in the class of analysis paralysis investigating and trying to understand the minutiea before pulling the trigger (most typically) and trying to learn from others' experiences then I have a friend who's gone through like 3-4 iterations on his 4R to dial in what he wants...I've had my GX a year longer and still am rolling stock suspension plus spacers, but again we have different goals and uses of our rigs which drive our different wants and needs.
@crikeymike @exit offroad is rad and I really appreciated the GX 470 thread he started to storehouse GX beta for Dob's. I started a convo with him in Late Oct thru mid Nov asking pointed and specific questions about the myriad options that exist and his direction and explanation for why so many was spot on. Same rates but diff coil heits for similar performance but different lift gains based on truck configuration and expected load(s), etc... Knowing driver from passenger coil is important and which for US market vs branded Aussie driver-passenger, etc.
keep on keepin' on!
@crikeymike @exit offroad is rad and I really appreciated the GX 470 thread he started to storehouse GX beta for Dob's. I started a convo with him in Late Oct thru mid Nov asking pointed and specific questions about the myriad options that exist and his direction and explanation for why so many was spot on. Same rates but diff coil heits for similar performance but different lift gains based on truck configuration and expected load(s), etc... Knowing driver from passenger coil is important and which for US market vs branded Aussie driver-passenger, etc.
keep on keepin' on!
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- #317
@FROADER I ended up switching areas in Anza Borrego and didn't make Coyote Canyon/Sheep Canyon. Instead, we ended up going to Fish Creek and Sandstone Canyon. Ran into the Trailrecon crew (Brad, Marco, others...) while there. We did Fish Creek's Diablo Dropoff going uphill. The two prior days were super windy and tons of sand were on the dropoff. I got stuck twice before gaining speed and flooring it up the first half of the hill. Here's a video of the second part of the hill (less sandy, but more rutty).It's been maybe 4 years since I've been on that trail and the second crossing (last one before the main crossing) was much bigger than it normally is. I'd guess it was about ~15" deep. The "main" creek crossing was pretty empty. It was actually like 2 puddles...
The climb that was rocks is now just a dirt road which is a bummer, but more people that could never make it up before can now experience Sheep canyon.
I posted a couple videos of my son driving through the crossings and some photos on my instagram, if you want to check it out. @colin__ignacio
Have a good time next weekend.
This is the second crossing on the way out.
View attachment 2898105
View attachment 2898106
This is the main crossing on the way in. You would normally be in the water where we are in the photo.
View attachment 2898104
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Nice. I’m heading back out next weekend. Not sure where I’m going to end up, yet.
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- #319
Just added a video and two photos to my previous post. Anza Borrego State Park is quite large.
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- #320
Hold one…not sure why the wrong video was linked. Let me fix it…done
Here’s an offshoot
Oh, by the way. After this run in the dessert, the rock lights held on without a glitch, so they are in there good. Also, the rocks lights came in handy when I was setting up camp at night. It helps illuminate the ground as I was walking around the gx470 to setup my bed inside.
Raptor lights also worked great. I enjoyed these raptor lights on videos and photos!
Also, my stock oem rear bumpstops held up fine. These are the original stock oem bumpstops and no issues so far.
Finally, my rear and front suspension looks solid. It’s hard to judge how much (if any) of a difference the heavy front coils 700 lbf/in make over the standard 600 lbf/in. It felt a little more stiff in washboard roads but not exactly sure how much more. And the rear extended shocks might have given me a tiny better flex, but hard to say considering I have sway bars all around.
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