Introducing my DIRTY LITTLE (Diva)

[Brock]

I installed the Performance with Gas Shocks TOY050BKG.....foam cell is if you do a lot of high speed offroad driving like in deserts of california or nevada to help reduce heat. Constant Load is if you are constantly carrying heavy loads...cargo drawers fully loaded, refrigerator in rear, rear bumper, hilift, spare, roof top tent, etc....more than 600 pounds of additional weight continuously.....in addition to heavy bumper and winch up front.

Talking to Eli at Camel 4x4...he recommended the regular gas shock version mentioned as best all around ride and still gives ability to carry 600+ lbs OVER the stock springs.

No spacers required...just the shocks, rear springs, and front torsion bars...period!

 

[Brock]

Good weekend but now the repairs/mods...depending if you talk to wife or me. LOL


Went to Uwharrie camping and offroading a little...a few rock climbs and such as well. Had a few little scrapes....so new changes coming:

- dropping drive shaft in a few minutes to drop off to get it repaired....slid down a large set of rocks on drive shaft, lower control arm mount and gas tank skid. Did not see marks on driveshaft until I noticed vibration at 50-60mph that would rattle your teeth. Found that if I stayed under 50 or over 65mph it was almost non-existent...almost. Shop has to order the metric pipe for the repair and replacement....so about a week I will be Front Wheel Drive Only.

- muffler got scrunched again as did tail pipe...so when driveshaft if fixed taking to get 18" oval Center/Offset Magnaflow installed...tucked up tight under body with new 2.5 inch tail pipe coming out of it and tucked up where spare used to go and then cut off flush with bottom of rear bumper.

pics to follow

 

[BBQ BOY]

How about the DT Cat Back? The sound clips sounded nice.

 

[Brock]

well....took rest of day off work to get some pricing and things worked out on repairs or upgrades..hahahaha...since I head to Boone NC tomorrow through Thursday.

- new muffler setup...almost went with DT or EMS cat back setup...just remove, bolt up new kit and be done. But having to fix driveshaft at same time opted out and will be doing a Magnaflow 18" oval with Center/Offset configuration and 2.5 inch inlet and outlet pipe size. It will be tucked up higher than frame rail on that side and the tailpipe coming out will be tucked up into previous spare tire well and then cut flush with BIO bumper bottom. Will add pics when complete.

- damage to forward mount of rear lower control on passenger side....may beat flat again and file to straighten up but unless Outrider Suspension can get someone to donate a 100 series for a couple days in Texas...not likely. I had asked Jason Braswell and others but nobody can make it down to play guinea pig. So guess I will have to get with BudBuilt or someone else to see about lower control mount armor, lower shock mount armor, and rear diff armor....not to mention skid plates in front and over tranny....then will see if I want to do it under gas tank as well or not. Oh well...on to the next.

- gas tank rash on skid plate....see above. blah blah blah blah LOL

 

[Brock]

Removed drive shaft today and took for repair....not really bad just looking at it just nice lazy spiral from midpoint to rear flange...and slight almost unnoticeable depression in one spot.

enough to make it vibrate like a vibrator in a cheap porno.....without the happy ending. only did it bad around 55-60mph and then around 65-70 it would smooth out again but did not want to mess up universal joints.

removed and took to shop recommended by LexTech....the guy (Larry) is going to order new metric steel tube....cut it...machine it...weld it and get it back right for me. Would have only taken a couple days but he is out of metric pipe so it is now on order. Should be ready for pick up by middle of next week. Forgot to take pic of the damage...but here is empty spot where it used to be

plus...I AM SQUATCHING YOU! so stay tuned for the new stuff within next couple weeks.

Now I want the snorkel, skids and maybe another LED lightbar more than ever. Nick lit up the entire campground with his lights on the abused 100 series from Atlanta (2000UZJ).....he could power a small town with that wattage!

 

[BBQ BOY]

can't wait to hear it.

 

[Nottajeep]

sorry man, my life is crazy with 2 kids, 50+ hr work weeks and grad school right now. I would be happy just to fit in some mild wheeling. I can probably break free in early 2013 to get with those guys but it's just been to hectic up to this point.

I had asked Jason Braswell and others but nobody can make it down to play guinea pig. So guess I will have to get with BudBuilt or someone else to see about lower control mount armor, lower shock mount armor, and rear diff armor....not to mention skid plates in front and over tranny....then will see if I want to do it under gas tank as well or not. Oh well...on to the next.
LOL

 

[Brock]

No worries i understand. I was not calling you out ha-ha

 

[Brock]

driveshaft fixed and back in place...one down, one to go. was getting muffler and pipe work done today but shop was too busy to get it done so going to try after work one day or on Wednesday morning before I take off for few days on motorcycle...

put shaft back on...tightened as tight as I could with hand tools...took for test drive and smooth as butter now. Tightened again but they did not budge so will go with it... LOL

Price out door was less than $200 for completely rebuilding DS...cutting off ends, new steel pipe, balance, etc. You have to remove it and bring it to them as they just do the shafts themselves and not anything else associated. Had it back in two days....if it was not the Lexus style and he did not have to order the metric pipe it would have been just a couple hours.

Thanks LexTech for the recommendation....very pleased.


Now for the Magnaflow and custom pipe bend to finish it up....muahahahahahaha

 

[custyota]

Nicks lights did lite up the whole damn campground. I think he blinded yall from a good couple hundred yards away. Looked like a bunch of deer drinkin beer. Haha. I cant wait till I get ny 100.

 

[Brock]

wait until next year when I add another row of lights on mine as well....the center of the septic field will be like a supernova and vaporize any stragglers that wander into their beam!!!!

 

[2000UZJ]

Nicks lights did lite up the whole damn campground. I think he blinded yall from a good couple hundred yards away. Looked like a bunch of deer drinkin beer. Haha. I cant wait till I get ny 100.

that was classic. Everybody turned around and the eyes the size of dinner plates. You better have a 100 by December!

 

[Brock]

Got 18" magnaflow today and had them bend pipes up higher. Love it. If in Charleston area I have to highly recommend Carolina Custom Mufflers on Dorchester Road. They have been around a long long time and the owner does most of the muffler work and pipe bending himself. Steve runs the front office and will hook you up.
















Haha can also see newly rebuilt driveshaft and name they write on them while building to make sure no mixups. Destroy yours at Uwharrie and you can have one custom made as well with your name hand written by a real pro!

 

[Brock]

Here is sound file of my 18" oval Magnaflow with 2 1/2 inch pipe I had installed today...but sound/video sounds NOTHING like in reality. It has a deeper, throatier sound to it in person...not obnoxious but you know it is there and makes you want to give it a little extra throttle to hear her moan a bit longer under your touch!

 

[Brock]

Better one I think...and dont have to hold head sideways to listen.

 

[BBQ BOY]

Better one I think...and dont have to hold head sideways to listen.

Redneck. This will be the first Lexus I have seen that will make peoples head turn to see a lifted Z71 but only to realize it's a Lexus.

 

[SparksParts]

Redneck. This will be the first Lexus I have seen that will make peoples head turn to see a lifted Z71 but only to realize it's a Lexus.

Those same guys will still not realize its a Lexus. They'll see the logo and think Brock spelled Chevy wrong.

 

[Brock]

This afternoon, I replaced the hood struts with a set that were from EBay, Strongbuilt Hood Lift Supports (Shocks/Struts)4361
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-USA-Mad...-Props-Gas-Springs-4361-/400349213413?vxp=mtr

$33.71 for pair...work very well and USA Made....vs $89 for Toyota Installation was a snap.

12mm wrench to remove OEM struts..recommend do one side at a time and get a length of 2x4 to prop up hood and to relieve pressure to make removal easier. For installing Strongbuilt you need 7/16 wrench....screw in brass colored balls into hood and fender....snap on chrome end to fender and black thick end to hood...DONE! Repeat other side.

First pic is side by side OEM and Strongbuilt....next is the new ball joint that fits on fender and hood...third is everything installed.

 

[Brock]

Also, today was maintenance day for the LX....oil and filter change, top off brake fluid, top off coolant, top off washer fluid, did annual wiper blade replacement.

Oil and filter are AMSOIL as always...5w-30 Signature Syn Oil SAE SN and the Ea15K51. Wiper blades for the LX470 through Amsoil (TRICO) are T241, T221, T161 for the Trico ExactFit. They also have NeoForm for areodynamics and the Winter for of course cold temps.

What was left... Empty gallon containers for oil, used filter, packages and old worn wipers, old hood struts...

I have been using AMSOIL for nearly 20 years....never a problem with quality of parts, protection of fluids, etc...use in my LX470, also used in my FJ60, FJC, BMW 335i, Dodge Cummins 2500 Turbo, Saab and every other vehicle I have had well since 1990....and that included two Indian motorcycles and a couple lawn mowers. I also like that I can order oil, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter, wiper blades, coolant, NGK plugs, etc all at one time and have it at my door in 4 days on average. order on Monday and able to do the maintenance by Friday or Saturday at latest.

I also sent off an oil sample to see how my oil change interval is doing....and whether going a little longer, staying same, or backing it off is recommended.

Next up......repack front bearings, grease all fittings, and have entire vehicle detailed inside and out...been a rough two years of camping, Uwharrie, daily driving and also deer hunting. Wife is ready for the blood to be gone from tailgate and cargo area....as even with cargo mat it gets on stuff dragging a full grown deer in and out of vehicle to process.

 

[GaFJC]

How often do you find yourself topping off coolant?

I'm planning on sending a sample to Blackstone at the next oil change. My OCD won't let me not do it.