Introducing "Fifty" our 2016 GX460! Time for a build! (1 Viewer)

[prez1967]

Finally here I am!!!

We bought our 2016 GX460 new towards the end of 2015 when we were expecting our second child. From day 1 the plan was for me to take over driving it whenever my wife moved on from it.

The day finally came last week! Picked up a 2017 LX570 for my wife and now Fifty (Derived from the color Gray .... Fifty Shades of Gray) is MINE!!!!

Its a base GX with standard suspension. Came from the factory with a tow hitch which I've used in the past to tow a Uhaul trailer loaded with my 1993 Mustang with no issue other than rear suspension sag.

Anyway, the plan with this car is to make it more comfy for my daily drive and start exploring off road! I've previously had a 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport that was mostly stock but I wheeled it through some light stuff. Not really looking to go rock crawling but I do like a good road trip with my wife and the boys. Granted her LX will likely be more comfortable but who said modifying a vehicle had to be totally for purpose.

The truck came with the factory 6 spoke base wheels that we upgraded to a set of Premium wheels. I had those refinished in an aftermarket gunmetal finish to replicate that of the sport package wheels.

Last year I added a KAON rear shelf that holds two Front Runner folding chairs perfectly!

The plan over the next few months is to add MTS and Crawl Control (parts already purchased) and start collecting suspension bits to get the truck's stance a bit higher. Remember this will be my daily driver and I do not plan to add full bumpers anytime soon. Possibly a CBI front bumper down the road but I do plan on deleting the third row with a Goosegear kit and adding drawers for added out-of-sight storage.

I'll get some pictures shot of the GX soon when the weather breaks as its been a little rainy here but heres a garage shot of the current rides/projects.

Looking forward to being an active member!

 

[prez1967]

Here is the Garage as it currently sits. Fifty has been pushed outside since I cant stack the other cars while Im working on the Z

 

[D21FJ60]

Foxbody is best body

 

[prez1967]

Talking with Kyle over at Treaty Oak.

Debating which Dobinsons lift to go with. 2 vs 2.5".

More to come

 

[r2m]

Talking with Kyle over at Treaty Oak.

Debating which Dobinsons lift to go with. 2 vs 2.5".

More to come

Have you decided on what you want your end game to be?
Not only do you need to decide upon the height, you also need to decide upon spring firmness.
Will it always be just a fire road trail runner or possibly more adventurous trails?
Are you planning on adding full armor, e.g. front and rear bumpers, sliders, skid plates, roof top tent, jerry cans, etc?
So the final decision should be based upon what your final plans are. (Think long term.)

So in short, asking this community about what size lift to go with is like asking us what you should have for dinner. This is really something you need to decide.
BUT... if you know what kind of terrain and where your off roading will be, we can probably help you on what lift/suspension may work best!
Hope this helps.

 

[prez1967]

Have you decided on what you want your end game to be?
Not only do you need to decide upon the height, you also need to decide upon spring firmness.
Will it always be just a fire road trail runner or possibly more adventurous trails?
Are you planning on adding full armor, e.g. front and rear bumpers, sliders, skid plates, roof top tent, jerry cans, etc?
So the final decision should be based upon what your final plans are. (Think long term.)

I've been racking my brain indeed.

I will be adding rear drawers so that has been taken into account, decided to go with Dobinsons rear drawers as it seems like a more complete system vs the Goosegear.

I want to add Victory rack but currently I DO NOT plan to add front and rear bumpers. Might do some sliders depending on how adventurous I get (which may also require under body protection) but I suppose springs can always be upgraded?

Going to 2.5" and 33" tires poses a problem with mounting a spare in the stock location so that might create a bigger list of upgrades down the road than originally intended if I "need" a rear mount solution. This looks really slick Lexus 2014+ GX 460 Rear Bumpers | Expedition One - https://www.exp-one.com/products/lexus-2014-gx-460/ but also gets far more extreme than I'll need... especially as this will likely always be my daily.

 

[r2m]

Another question: how much weight are you planning on putting in your drawers?
Is this something that has to do with work and will always be loaded down? If so, I'd go with the heavier springs.
If you don't do bumpers, my suggestion would be trim the front and rear bumper for approach and departure angles, there's several posts on how to do that here.
Get sliders. Depending upon what you get, they will provide you a sturdier step than the factory, help avoid door dings from parking lot idiots and some off road protection.
And skid plates, just in case you ever bounce hard on something. Even on an easy trail that is rutted so your tires are running in grooves with a high center on a dirt road, you have the potential of smacking your undercarriage.
Here's an example of why you may consider skid plates on simple trails. (sorry for it being a Jeep...)

 

[prez1967]

Another question: how much weight are you planning on putting in your drawers?
Is this something that has to do with work and will always be loaded down? If so, I'd go with the heavier springs.
If you don't do bumpers, my suggestion would be trim the front and rear bumper for approach and departure angles, there's several posts on how to do that here.
Get sliders. Depending upon what you get, they will provide you a sturdier step than the factory, help avoid door dings from parking lot idiots and some off road protection.
And skid plates, just in case you ever bounce hard on something. Even on an easy trail that is rutted so your tires are running in grooves with a high center on a dirt road, you have the potential of smacking your undercarriage.
Here's an example of why you may consider skid plates on simple trails. (sorry for it being a Jeep...)
View attachment 2646225

Great visual and sound advice. Skids are on my list and I'd only consider side/step protection if it had a useable step so my boys (7 and 5 currently) can use them to get in/out of truck.

The drawers will likely be always loaded with whatever I put in there (small tool bag, different daily supplies, etc.

 

[BigSwede]

Sliders are one of the first things I would get to go off road with any seriousness. The need for skid plates can be minimized by wheel placement (on the protruding boulder/tree stump/whatever), but then your rocker panels are at risk after your wheel gets over it.

This all depends on your experience as a driver though, I have been doing this for 20 years and can gauge my risks pretty well, people new to off-roading can get into trouble without knowing it.

 

[prez1967]

Did some parts ordering!

KAON Rear Door Table
KAON Rear Door Cage

Dobinsons 2" IMS Lift
Treaty Oak KDSS Spacers
Treaty Oak Recovery Points

Rad Rubber Splash Guards

Phillips Interior LEDs
Phillips Back Up LEDs
Phillips Mud Light LEDs

Originally ordered the Rear drawer system but "the Boss" decided it would be best to keep the third row seats for now should the need arise... No problem. Ordered suspension sooner than later

 

[Tex68w]

While the Dobinsons drawers are more of an all-in-one application they are no where near the build quality of a Goose Gear setup.

 

[prez1967]

Dropped the truck off at BackWoods Overland today. Dobinsons Lift and 33” General Grabber ATXs going on! Nick has been awesome at communications and working with me to get the project scheduled.

Last week I had my oil changed at my local dealer since my lift has been tied up and they noticed my water pump seeping. Ordered a pump, idler pulley, belt tensioner, thermostat, fan bracket and belt and got it all installed two days ago. Relatively easy job, plenty of space once fan shroud and fan are out of the way.

Need to find time to get some other parts I have laying around installed.

 

[orangerock]

I ordered a 2.5 IMS kit from Treaty Oak as well but did not get the KDSS spacers.. hopefully I won't have too bad of a lean.

Jealous of the KAON stuff.. decent price but $230+ in shipping is a lot for me to justify lol

 

[prez1967]

I ordered a 2.5 IMS kit from Treaty Oak as well but did not get the KDSS spacers.. hopefully I won't have too bad of a lean.

Jealous of the KAON stuff.. decent price but $230+ in shipping is a lot for me to justify lol

When I ordered my Kaon goodies, Victory 4x4 didnt have their shelf system yet.
Not sure about the price/quality of the Victory gear but i have no regrets with my Kaon parts. Top notch!! Still need to install my barn door table

 

[Washingtontaco]

Kaon parts are great! If you order parts all together the shipping isn’t bad. Victory wasn’t available when I ordered mine but there pricing is higher than Kaon and with shipping is about the same. Kaon generally ships same day.

 

[prez1967]

Kaon parts are great! If you order parts all together the shipping isn’t bad. Victory wasn’t available when I ordered mine but there pricing is higher than Kaon and with shipping is about the same. Kaon generally ships same day.

Yup! I was surprised how quickly the packages arrived to my door on the East Coast!

 

[Superfly Snook]

Congrats on getting your build going. You mentioned the spare wheel earlier - any further thoughts on what you’ll do there?

 

[prez1967]

As

Congrats on getting your build going. You mentioned the spare wheel earlier - any further thoughts on what you’ll do there?

For right now, im going to ditch the spare into the shed all together. No point carrying dead weight if I cant use it when needed.

im planning on ordering the Rigd Ultra Swing with the 4 Gallon RotoPax setup by the time winter hits. Minimum weight and easy to stow for the daily grind where AAA will get me home to my spare should bad luck hit

 

[r2m]

As

For right now, im going to ditch the spare into the shed all together. No point carrying dead weight if I cant use it when needed.

im planning on ordering the Rigd Ultra Swing with the 4 Gallon RotoPax setup by the time winter hits. Minimum weight and easy to stow for the daily grind where AAA will get me home to my spare should bad luck hit

You may also consider a couple of cans of puncture sealant to keep in your rig. Unless you tear a side wall, that'll get you home a lot sooner than waiting 2 hours for AAA to come and get you.

 

[prez1967]

You may also consider a couple of cans of puncture sealant to keep in your rig. Unless you tear a side wall, that'll get you home a lot sooner than waiting 2 hours for AAA to come and get you.

Already have those tire plug kit also. Can never be too prepared.

Stopped by Backwoods Overland today to drop off some parts I forgot to leave with the truck. Install going down tomorrow!!!

Had to snap a shot of the GX stock next to the LX (and a random customer’s lifted 4Runner)