If I Were to Start All Over Again with a Stock GX470, I Would...

[ewillis]

Calling all veteran 120 series owners.

This is a successful thread over in the 80 series section created by @GW Nugget (hope you don't mind the plagiarism Nugget) and I thought it would make a good reference for newbies like me set up their rigs with the collective knowledge from those with experience modifying the 120 series platform. What we learned from that thread is that there is no "one size fits all" setup, but there is a fairly consensus"best bang for your buck" method for increasing off-road performance while maintaining everyday drive ability and overall reliability.

If you were to start all over again fresh, how would you set your GX470 up the 2nd time?

What would you change?

What costly mistakes have you made & want others to avoid?

What I'm trying to do here is give a historical record of the "I've Been There, Don't Do That.”

Please reply if you have owned a 120 series for over several years & have changed your set up and have made mistakes you would have avoided the next time around. Please give full technical details of lift, tires, shocks, electrical, armor., etc. Post lots of pictures...

I hope this will help all the noobs out there like me to learn from your mistakes & make more informed decisions in the future.

Thank you so much for your time & participation.

 

[little_joe]

I have thought about and researched (to death) the mods I've made, then waited weeks or months to make sure I was certain before doing anything. I have been thrilled with every mod - choice of tires, wheels, rack, sliders, kids, little stuff inside - except one.

If I had a do-over, I'd pass on the Radflo suspension. While it is "good," it really shines at high speeds onroad and off. Since I drive slow offroad and around speed limit on (although commuting is always under speed limit due to traffic), it's far too stiff or firm for my tastes. With Iron Man, Dobinson's, and others available now, there are far better choices for those not prerunning/desert running.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

I’ll promote my primer post on a mild build. I took the approach if I had to do a mild build with costs in mind, where would I start. It’s here GX470 Primer for the Ideal Mild-Build for Under $3000

I think the most difficult part of a build is picking the suspension. Many people are limited in funds, others like me still like the airbags, some want the plush ride of a luxury suv, others want to rock crawl, others want everything, etc. Brand preference also plays a role. Here’s where a lot of mistakes are made.

My suspension is a mismatch of Bilstein 6112 2.5” diameter front shocks with 600 lb coils. Rear oem air bags with OME 60004 rear shocks.

I bought my 2003 already lifted in the front with the 6112s, the 17x9 wheels and 285/70R17 tires and the rear air bag trick to lift the rear.

If i was starting again with a stock gx470, I would follow my primer. For the mild to medium exploration that I’ve done, my primer is perfect.

What would I change from where I’m at now? Homer's 2003 GX470 Build

I would still get the 6112s upfront since they are low cost over other brands and 2.5” diameter and adjustable. I need to rethink upgrading to 650 lbs springs in the front now that I’m adding skid plates.

In the rear, I still like the air bags, but need to try other shocks to match the front. The rear OME shocks don’t seem to match the valving of the front and I get too bouncy on streets or highways with wavy concrete or pavement.

Once I’m ready to convert the rear to springs, I’m going with Dobinson progressive rear springs (long travel? Maybe!) and probably Bilstein 5160 rear resi shocks. That would match the front Bilstein 6112s.

I think my trials and tribulations at the low end of the suspension price range resonate with a few people on here.

 

[half k cruiser]

6 ply BFG KO2's , everything else I've done to it I'm pretty happy with.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

I’ve been thinking about C load rated tires, but that’s the 6 ply. I think I’m gonna stay with e rated 10 ply even though they ride very stiff. I’m sure
The tires also change the plush ride to the stiffer ride on the highway.

I’ve gotten great feedback on the nitro ridge grapplers.

 

[NMBruce]

I have thought about and researched (to death) the mods I've made, then waited weeks or months to make sure I was certain before doing anything. I have been thrilled with every mod - choice of tires, wheels, rack, sliders, kids, little stuff inside - except one.

If I had a do-over, I'd pass on the Radflo suspension. While it is "good," it really shines at high speeds onroad and off. Since I drive slow offroad and around speed limit on (although commuting is always under speed limit due to traffic), it's far too stiff or firm for my tastes. With Iron Man, Dobinson's, and others available now, there are far better choices for those not prerunning/desert running.

My thoughts too, right down to the RadFlo’s

 

[ewillis]

I have thought about and researched (to death) the mods I've made, then waited weeks or months to make sure I was certain before doing anything. I have been thrilled with every mod - choice of tires, wheels, rack, sliders, kids, little stuff inside - except one.

If I had a do-over, I'd pass on the Radflo suspension. While it is "good," it really shines at high speeds onroad and off. Since I drive slow offroad and around speed limit on (although commuting is always under speed limit due to traffic), it's far too stiff or firm for my tastes. With Iron Man, Dobinson's, and others available now, there are far better choices for those not prerunning/desert running.

Seems like the suspension on any platform is where most of the learning curve applies. Too big, too soft, too harsh, too expensive, etc. Thanks for the info. Seems like the Dobinsons might be the ticket. Most are quite happy with the progressive/dual rate springs on the 80s. Will likely be going that route...just need to determine shocks to pair with them. Running Fox 2.0 with OME coils on my 80 and quite happy with them...will be switching to Dobinsons on my 80 too, so I might keep it consistent with the GX and pair Dobinsons with Fox.

 

[little_joe]

Seems like the suspension on any platform is where most of the learning curve applies. Too big, too soft, too harsh, too expensive, etc. Thanks for the info. Seems like the Dobinsons might be the ticket. Most are quite happy with the progressive/dual rate springs on the 80s. Will likely be going that route...just need to determine shocks to pair with them. Running Fox 2.0 with OME coils on my 80 and quite happy with them...will be switching to Dobinsons on my 80 too, so I might keep it consistent with the GX and pair Dobinsons with Fox.

I'm stuck researching (to death, again), which suspension might best fit my needs. I can revalve the Radflo shocks, but cannot afford the down time. Progressive springs are the absolute shiznit (had Frankie's on my 80), so I'll likely go that way again, with matched shocks. Expensive lesson learned.

 

[NMBruce]

So far I have been lucky, that a friend of mine rebuild my Radflo while I was at the shop doing other stuff

 

[HomersCanyonero]

That’s a good friend to have! One that can rebuild shocks!

 

[Bluetribal]

I would have added those Trail-Gear *CORRECTION* Total Chaos LCA tabs to strengthen the stock mounting points for the LCA’s. Mine are bent to crap and not even sure how I will remove my LCA’s right now.

TOTAL CHAOS FABRICATION

 

[GW Nugget]

Should have bought a 80 series now, I'm just joking well no I'm serious well not really because I'm trying to be polite, but yeah you should have really bought an 80 but since I'm just saying yeah you should build a 100 series. Just joking, but not really Saying it, kind of, but not really, sort of.

 

[ewillis]

Should have bought a 80 series now, I'm just joking well no I'm serious well not really because I'm trying to be polite, but yeah you should have really bought an 80 but since I'm just saying yeah you should build a 100 series. Just joking, but not really Saying it, kind of, but not really, sort of.

Gotta have one of each...

 

[Bluetribal]

@GW Nugget
Been there done that with the 80 Series. Cracked head and then after fixing that the bottom block went. See ya under powered 6cyl and Hellow V Mother F’n 8

 

[JLee]

Should have bought a 80 series now, I'm just joking well no I'm serious well not really because I'm trying to be polite, but yeah you should have really bought an 80 but since I'm just saying yeah you should build a 100 series. Just joking, but not really Saying it, kind of, but not really, sort of.

I sold my 80 and never looked back.

Now, an 80 with an LS swap..sure.

 

[ewillis]

I sold my 80 and never looked back.

Now, an 80 with an LS swap..sure.

Different tools for different jobs I guess. I just did 700 mile trip in the 80 with wife and 2 kids. I must admit that I was longing for the comfort and power of the GX but there's no way I could have brought all my gear...it just won't fit in the GX. I was eyeballing some tent trailers I saw around camp though which would work. Kinda cool to have multiple camp neighbors come by and want to know about the 80 though...it's fun to chat about.

 

[JLee]

Different tools for different jobs I guess. I just did 700 mile trip in the 80 with wife and 2 kids. I must admit that I was longing for the comfort and power of the GX but there's no way I could have brought all my gear...it just won't fit in the GX. I was eyeballing some tent trailers I saw around camp though which would work. Kinda cool to have multiple camp neighbors come by and want to know about the 80 though...it's fun to chat about.

If I needed more space I'd be looking at a 200. The 80's are just too slow. I loved mine (it treated me well on a 6 day Baja trip) but it needed another 200hp.

 

[GonzoShinyPants]

Half k are you saying you would go to 6 ply, or not use 6 ply?

6 ply BFG KO2's , everything else I've done to it I'm pretty happy with.

 

[GonzoShinyPants]

Do you mind linking the part and/or a photo or detailed description for a somewhat noob? I'm looking at some of the little armor options like rear link mount guards, too. I bent one of those the first time I was off road and can see them getting pretty beat up.

I would have added those Trail-Gear LCA tabs to strengthen the stock mounting points for the LCA’s. Mine are bent to crap and not even sure how I will remove my LCA’s right now.

 

[GonzoShinyPants]

Will be curious to know what you decide and let me know when you're working on it and I'll try to lend some labor if needed. Still haven't gotten a day to go back to URE will let you know!

I'm stuck researching (to death, again), which suspension might best fit my needs. I can revalve the Radflo shocks, but cannot afford the down time. Progressive springs are the absolute shiznit (had Frankie's on my 80), so I'll likely go that way again, with matched shocks. Expensive lesson learned.