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

[chiz45]

My 120 is pretty mild, but I would have skipped the Billstein 5100 and FJ springs and gone Dobinson's basic kit ($1000 or so assembled). I feel that my current set up is too soft.

I had a bunch of preventative maintenance done immediately--new brakes, brake fluid, transmission fluid, diffs, t-case, new radiator, fan clutch, water pump, belts, thermostat, and upper lower radiator hoses. Shifting is very smooth, air blows very cold, as we're getting into 110+ territory.

 

[Bluetribal]

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 updated my original post it is actually provided by Total Chaos not Trail-Gear.

Here is the link: TOTAL CHAOS FABRICATION

 

[HomersCanyonero]

@Bluetribal I can’t do my own soldering, so I’m wondering how much it would cost a shop to solder and install. Are you taking them to a shop? Or soldering yourself?

One more question. Did the oem tabs get worse at Moab with the wheeling you did there? In my mild to medium trail runs my tabs are holding up the alignment, but i can see the tabs starting to bend and move.

 

[ewillis]

My 120 is pretty mild, but I would have skipped the Billstein 5100 and FJ springs and gone Dobinson's basic kit ($1000 or so assembled). I feel that my current set up is too soft.

I had a bunch of preventative maintenance done immediately--new brakes, brake fluid, transmission fluid, diffs, t-case, new radiator, fan clutch, water pump, belts, thermostat, and upper lower radiator hoses. Shifting is very smooth, air blows very cold, as we're getting into 110+ territory.

Thanks for that! I'm going with the Dobinsons kit. My GX was exclusively dealer maintained and has had the air bags, starter, dash, timing belt, water pump, diff fluid, and brakes replaced. Truck has 93K miles. Are there weak points on these trucks that the veterans advise replacing prior to failure like radiator or fan clutch or particular radiator hoses?

 

[joabmc]

I’m on my 3rd suspension setup in the 120 platform. Pretty content w/ my setup but wish I would have just saved and gone with a King setup right away.
Oh well, it will be next.

 

[ewillis]

I’m on my 3rd suspension setup in the 120 platform. Pretty content w/ my setup but wish I would have just saved and gone with a King setup right away.
Oh well, it will be next.

Does King make a direct fit spring/shock combo for the 470?

 

[joabmc]

Does King make a direct fit spring/shock combo for the 470?

Yes. Just go with the 07-09 FJC package.
Any setup will need a coil conversion
kit when moving away from airbags.

 

[joabmc]

Does King make a direct fit spring/shock combo for the 470?

Something like this will bolt right up.
FJ Cruiser King Shocks Kit | King Stage 1 Kit | Toyota FJ Cruiser Shocks | Total Automotive Performance

 

[ewillis]

Something like this will bolt right up.
FJ Cruiser King Shocks Kit | King Stage 1 Kit | Toyota FJ Cruiser Shocks | Total Automotive Performance

That's pretty sexy! Would be hard to choose between that kit and the Slinky long travel if I were going top end suspension. I need to live with the GX for a while to determine if I want to sell my 80 for a full GX build or just keep both trucks. The GX is growing on me...that V8 is silky

 

[joabmc]

That's pretty sexy! Would be hard to choose between that kit and the Slinky long travel if I were going top end suspension. I need to live with the GX for a while to determine if I want to sell my 80 for a full GX build or just keep both trucks. The GX is growing

Sort of the same boat. Wasn’t sure if I’d really like the GX in comparison to my FJC but really liking the power, comfort and space. Needs some stuff to get it where I’ll be satisfied but I’m really liking the GX. Have a hybrid suspension setup now with OME in the front, front swaybar disconnects, Metaltech dual-rate LT coils in the rear paired w/ OME 6007ILs. So I have 11.25” travel in the rear but would like it a little softer. Spoke to King and they’ll set me up with a rear shock to fit that bill and travel parameters.
I think with a few hacks and a locker, the GX will make a great trail/ whatever you need type of rig. Can’t beat the 4.7!

 

[ewillis]

Sort of the same boat. Wasn’t sure if I’d really like the GX in comparison to my FJC but really liking the power, comfort and space. Needs some stuff to get it where I’ll be satisfied but I’m really liking the GX. Have a hybrid suspension setup now with OME in the front, front swaybar disconnects, Metaltech dual-rate LT coils in the rear paired w/ OME 6007ILs. So I have 11.25” travel in the rear but would like it a little softer. Spoke to King and they’ll set me up with a rear shock to fit that bill and travel parameters.
I think with a few hacks and a locker, the GX will make a great trail/ whatever you need type of rig. Can’t beat the 4.7!

The space is actually the only downside for my situation. I love the smaller profile of the GX for everyday use, but it's cargo space is vastly limited in comparison to my 80. With a family of 4 and all the gear, it just will not fit for extended travel. I've been looking at off road trailers though, which might fit the bill.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

@joabmc tell me more about the rear long travel. I’ve been wondering if one weakness of keeping the rear airbags is that the rear travel sucks big time.

By having long travel rear springs and rear shocks, I’m assuming that your rear tires stay on ground more often when off camber situations.

Is that the advantage of long travel rear springs and long rear shocks?

Do you know what’s the standard travel with airbags compared to long springs/shocks?

As I ponder my rear coil conversion, I want to make sure I make the right choice of long or standard progressive rear springs and shocks.

 

[joabmc]

@joabmc tell me more about the rear long travel. I’ve been wondering if one weakness of keeping the rear airbags is that the rear travel sucks big time.

By having long travel rear springs and rear shocks, I’m assuming that your rear tires stay on ground more often when off camber situations.

Is that the advantage of long travel rear springs and long rear shocks?

Do you know what’s the standard travel with airbags compared to long springs/shocks?

As I ponder my rear coil conversion, I want to make sure I make the right choice of long or standard progressive rear springs and shocks.

I’ll have to do some digging in order to get you hard numbers for LT vs standard but it is significant. It is night and day. My standard OME might have had 4” of travel beyond its normal range.
Traction is key on the trail IMO. I went from stock, to standard lift, to ultimately a LT. It’s honestly one of my favorite mods. Didn’t like hanging tires and for the most part LT does that for me. Keeping tires planted gives me a much more stable, confident stance on the trail.
I snapped a few pics to give you an idea. And I’m not hanging a tire in this pic. There wasn’t enough to get it to break free...
Extended makes the 285s look small!

 

[ewillis]

@joabmc tell me more about the rear long travel. I’ve been wondering if one weakness of keeping the rear airbags is that the rear travel sucks big time.

By having long travel rear springs and rear shocks, I’m assuming that your rear tires stay on ground more often when off camber situations.

Is that the advantage of long travel rear springs and long rear shocks?

Do you know what’s the standard travel with airbags compared to long springs/shocks?

As I ponder my rear coil conversion, I want to make sure I make the right choice of long or standard progressive rear springs and shocks.

If you're going to replace the suspension, I'd highly recommend long travel if you off road the rig. Your wheels will stay planted much better. This is not 470 specific, but has great info from vendors and consumers who know suspension and demystifies some of the common terms. Compiled 80 series suspension component spec thread... shocks, coils & more.

 

[half k cruiser]

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

I would have gone with a 6 ply over a 10 ply.

 

[DRANGED]

sub'd

 

[ebbs15]

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.

Really appreciate this picking up my 09 GX today, but have been researching to death everything I plan on (just need the $$$ lol) but the FEEL of the suspension is one that is really hard to nail down without finding someone with that setup and convincing them to give you a ride. I like you want comfortable at everyday pace. I had a 99 Tacoma with an OME setup and it felt like riding in on a buck board on the street (granted it had leafs in the back and an empty bed most of the time)... but I want something that is as good if not better than stock feel on street. I'm really leaning towards the Dobinsons

 

[GXO]

I would do what I have now, without the 10 iterations lol

 

[DRANGED]

I would do what I have now, without the 10 iterations lol

@Vlad do tell, yes tell tell. I think youre experiences are well appreciated, respected and wanted in this thread. . . .

I've been contemplating Dob's but caught wind of the ironman foam cell pros. I appreciate overbuilt, and while both can be had as kits (and while kits are convenient, hand-picking may lead to precise performance, i.e. maximizing travel) but Ironman comes with UCAs. So while Dobs are around $900ish for front and rear coils and shocks and some would need the coil conversion kit (available many ways) which add$ a little, the ironman comes with UCAs (@ $2500ish) which seems like a reasonable "you should do it when you're doing it" on a 2" lift...

So, grand overloard, PLEASE do tell (I've actually been drafting a PM to get your opinion on the foam cell pro...now available Stateside). . . .

 

[GXO]

The FCPs I have helped a few people install. They are very stout (reliable) as they are built for military vehicles and are intended to not be serviceable. For me? I wanted performance and I knew I was ok with a maintenance. I started coming out with GXOR stuff for the things I have tested and believe in. I have UCAs out there now. They are the best UCAs I have used. Treaty Oak is selling them. I am working on the rest now. I have rear links sorted, working on rear shocks (stage 1-3 are done, I am still working out stage 4). I have front stuff sorted as well for those stages (1-3). The Stage 4 is the hard part...lots of math. Have to work out LCA issues with OEM LCAs, etc. I run a primary (non-resi) and a secondary (resi) S2 with a custom bump. Icon jounce front and rear vs normal bump stops so I can change pressures and control when I bottom out. GXOR trailing arms (upper and lower) in back with OEM rubber bushings. I am working with ACC for a 75% stronger steering solution, and will eventually get the Marlin RCLT (already have LT coilovers waiting) and a steering solution from either Marlin or Hefty. I have see how they play out. I am at the top end of cost/performance and I know I have to rebuild after 10-20k. FCPs...haven't see anyone run them and complain. Friend here has them on their GX460 and they are pretty bulletproof.