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- #201
I have one, single, stock rear 62 spring if it helps.
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GX DAVE
SILVER Star
For blue trails at Rausch you'll want to make sure to have at least C rated tires and sliders installed, for sure. Ive only ran trails there with E rated tires so I can't say how lower rated tires hold up out there. You can probably get a way with no lift but you might smash your bumpers or under carriage a bit more on certain trail obstacles.
Dave - I could really use your help with modding this thing. It is my 3rd GX but first one that I will take off pavement. I would lie if I'd say that your car hasn't inspired me after watching the video from KC 12/14/21 in one of the threads. Share your opinion on this:
This is what I have so far and I will not be doing much more for some time:
1. Ironman basic 2 or 3" lift that I got on their St Patrick sale
2. 285/65/17 BFG Ko2 over the stock 08 GX rims
3. 1.25 Spiderax spacers.
I will cut the side steps. I know next stop should be real rock sliders but we are going overseas (as soon things cool down out there) so that's my main focus really.
Things to fix:
1. After replacing the transfer case with 140K mile unit (reason I got this car cheap) the center diff light is blinking in the dash. . Need to look into it shortly; bought seals for actuator.
2. Both front axles have have torn inner booths - not bad but still. I will not be doing anything with it.
3. There is some hum when I apply gas; not really sure where to look.
4. Alignment after installation of all parts.
5. I really need towing hitch for my bike rack! I idiotically sold my other gx's with them thinking I'd not get another one.
6. Minor fixes when the weather finally allows.
My old 03 sold last year below. I essentially got the same car but two months younger and with dash with NO cracks!
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GX DAVE
SILVER Star
I'm happy to help however I can and nice to hear that my build is inspiring yours! I’ve left some notes for you to consider in blue below.
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions!
1. Ironman basic 2 or 3" lift that I got on their St Patrick sale
I have no personal experience with this kit but I do have their Air Champ Pro compressor and its worked great for me so far!
I have SPC UCA's w/ Dobinson extended shocks in the front (GS59-220 ) and standard length in the rear w/ Dobinson air bag conversion kit and Toytec bumpstop drops. The springs are C59-302 (front) and C59-505 (rear) standard load + 100 lb rated and preform well even with the winch bumper/winch installed resulting in minimal height loss. The truck sits level with this setup eliminating the factory rake, which was my goal.
Assuming you have similar specs from this Ironman kit, it should be solid and good for rocky trails. Only time will tell how it will hold up!
Maybe someone can weigh in who's had theirs for a while?
2. 285/65/17 BFG Ko2 over the stock 08 GX rims
I run the stock rims also, this size tire comes in both C and E load rating, any idea which ones you have? They are still fairly small tires but will get the job done if you take the right line!
I don’t have experience running less than E load rated tires at Rausch so can’t say how they would hold up! But I did run SL load 265/70/17 Falken Wild Peaks on the beach before I got the Toyo’s without issues, they were noticeably softer on road - but 100% not recommended for rocky trails.
3. 1.25 Spiderax spacers
I run these in black, they are working great for me so far, a did not want to buy new rims yet so for now these are doing well for me!
4. I will cut the side steps. I know next stop should be real rock sliders but we are going overseas (as soon things cool down out there) so that's my main focus really.
I am planning trip overseas myself, so I totally get it! Im not trying to scare you, quite the opposite, I want you to come out and know what you're in for and feel prepared for the obstacles on the trial before you encounter them. However, without sliders you will likely damage those side steps as some of the rocks are big and hard to avoid - you will just turn the steps into sliders, lol! If you keep that in mind and don’t mind the potential damage, then no worries! I would not cut them just leave them on until you get proper sliders. having something there is better than nothing and they just unbolt, no need to cut them!
I almost went to Rausch without sliders because I was antsy to wheel but I decided to wait and I’m glad I did! Attached are images of my trail damage after the last trip, the truck had only been used on dirt trails w/ no rocks before that day, basically like the pine barrens.
See the attached pics below of the trial damage. We ran green and mostly blue trails that day, which is usually the norm for me.
Things to fix:
1. After replacing the transfer case with 140K mile unit (reason I got this car cheap) the center diff light is blinking in the dash. . Need to look into it shortly; bought seals for actuator.
No experience in this dept. unfortunately, maybe someone else can weigh in?
2. Both front axles have have torn inner booths - not bad but still. I will not be doing anything with it.
Not much you can do about this other than replacing the CV axels.
If they are OEM axels in the truck right now, I would replace w/ high angle CV’J’s save the OEM ones and have them rebooted or re-boot them your self if you have the means and keep them for spares! This is my plan as I have one inner boot on its way out as well.
You can buy the kit here - BOOT RT08 - CVJ Axles - https://www.cvjreman.com/product/bootrt08/
3. There is some hum when I apply gas; not really sure where to look
This may be your wheel bearings, I just did mine at 206K miles (fronts). They start buzzing/humming pretty loud when they are other way out, audible from inside the truck. You can hear when you let off the gas while you are coasting as well, you can also feel it in the wheel and when I would go around corners it would go away, this is a good way to tell! Mine were buzzing pretty bad until one day they just crapped out and sounded like shaking marbles in a jar, this was when I knew it was time to change them - LOL!
I replaced them with Blue Pitt units, they been smooth as butter ever since - def should have done them sooner! I would not recommend waiting as long as I did.
2003-2009 Lexus GX470 4x4 DORMAN HUB/KOYO BEARING Wheel Hub Assembly - https://bluepitbearings.com/products/ols/products/2003-2009-lexus-gx470-4x4-dorman-hub-koyo-oem-front-wheel-bearing-assembly
4. Alignment after installation of all parts
Def a necessity and not to be over looked, small detail but an important one especially if you want to make your new tires last and not wear all funky. I was 1 degree out between driver and pass sides after doing my lift. I would take care of this ASAP - you will 100% need one after a Rausch trip, I always did in my FJ and same for the GX last time.
5. I really need towing hitch for my bike rack! I idiotically sold my other gx's with them thinking I'd not get another one.
I also need one! Depending on what you are planning to tow, you can go w/ the SSO off-road little hitch
"Lightweight" Small Receiver Hitch AKA "Lil Hitch" | SSO - https://www.southernstyleoffroad.com/product/the-lightweight-hitch-receiver-aka-lil-hitch-2/
Or just go OEM
Amazon product ASIN B00GKMPAJS
I don’t see it for the under bumper bar style hitch. Though, I think that is the only way to get max towing capacity out of our trucks. I plan to install one for a rear recovery point and light towing so Im not concerned about needing max towing capacity.
6. Minor fixes when the weather finally allows.
My old 03 sold last year below. I essentially got the same car but two months younger and with dash with NO cracks!
Amazing to find a dash w/ no cracks! Mine was pretty clean too but not crack free! People say the dash mats can help prevent cracking, could be worth looking into, my buddy got one for his 80 which he seems to like.
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Thanks for all the thorough responses.
I am shaking my head over the damage you were able to collect in Rausch! Almost to the point to not want to go there without sliders!. On the other hand, my car seems to be perfect for this challenge with its minor paint issues here and there. So are the green trails (assuming these are the easiest ones) still so challenging and can cause all these damages? I clearly underestimated rausch!.
Did you just say that you're going for alignment after every outing?
GX DAVE
SILVER Star
The greens are def more mellow but still have some bigger rocks on the paths that could cause similar damage, they are just not as technical I guess you could say, so maybe you can avoid damage a bit easier...but the thing is it's a crap shoot, you just don't know what you will encounter or what will cause you damage! You could run green trails all day no problem but once you're there it's hard to resist the harder trials!
On my most recent trip @Pacer had to steer me clear of a black section of a blue trail I was going for which I could not see was a bit hairier than I expected, so sometimes you find yourself in potentially sticky situation quickly, even though we are moving so slow! Lol
Yes I have gotten an alignment after every Rausch trip I have been on, in the FJ and the GX. However my buddy who did cam tab gussets on his Tacoma didn't have any issues last time he went out. My alignment wasn't terribly out but it was noticeable enough to get it squared away and once I compared the before and after specs on the print out I could see it was worth doing for sure. I have purchased the marlin crawler LCA Frame Brace Kit HD LCA Frame Brace, Lexus GX470 | Marlin Crawler, Inc. - https://www.marlincrawler.com/axles/front-axle-armor/hd-lca-frame-brace-lexus-gx470 - which is suppose to alleviate this issue and replace the cam tab gusset conversion but I have not gotten around to having it installed yet.
So, for now I basically just plan to get an alignment after every Rausch trip for good measure!
All good tips. Thanks a lot. I will simply need to be careful and stay out of trouble. My tires are 285/70/17 and C load rated (I made a mistake in previous post).
Time goes so fast; I really hope I will be able to get this car complete by 4/30.
- Thread starter
- #208
- Thread starter
- #209
Saturday May 14
Green trail intro run?
Green trail intro run?
Can't make the 14th have a family affair that day
GX DAVE
SILVER Star
I wont make this one, I told my self no more Rausch trips until my additional skids are installed.
StinkyPig
SILVER Star
Well since we are going to AOAA....you have no worries!
brian
SILVER Star
One of the rare cases were the fine print gives back what the large print took away.Well since we are going to AOAA....you have no worries!
GX DAVE
SILVER Star
Well since we are going to AOAA....you have no worries!
....oh well in that case....lol....tempting but I need to resist!
my car remained untouched due to me traveling for work, so although it’s very tempting to finally go out there it is pass for me.
StinkyPig
SILVER Star
I get it. My 80 is still on a lift in winter storage. It needs a few days on the road before a trip to AOAA I think.
Fugly, are you still looking for some springs? I may be able to help you out. Let me know.
I'm also down to do some wheeling anytime.
I'm also down to do some wheeling anytime.
Yes, still looking for fj60 springs and a spare 33” tire/wheel. PM me if you want, thanks!
Guys - as aa novice I could use your help with these two things:
1. I ended up with two sets of wheels that work with my car. I will need another two tires for a set of 4 wheels + 1 spare and one "attic stock". I will eventually the extra set to free up $$ and out into rock siders. Just need to know what I should use out of two for the car with minimal daily duties and occasional local (NJ/PA, read FRO) outings. So it is Falken Wildpeaks M/T MT01 vs KO2 question.
2. I use 1.25" spiderax spacers on the bothe set of wheels. The TRD ones are sticking out pretty far, which looks cool but apart from being cool is there any benefit? With TRD I could probably get rid of spacers altogether.
Disclaimer:
a. This is a budget project. I got many parts from other car that got into collision and was totaled (including the replica TRD wheels). My next goals are cutting bumpers ($0), front axles ($200), rock sliders ($800-ish). I probably can get $900 out of TRD wheels, and $500 of stock wheels with KO2 tires).
b. Car is leaning ion the back and I am correcting it next week.
Please help.
1. I ended up with two sets of wheels that work with my car. I will need another two tires for a set of 4 wheels + 1 spare and one "attic stock". I will eventually the extra set to free up $$ and out into rock siders. Just need to know what I should use out of two for the car with minimal daily duties and occasional local (NJ/PA, read FRO) outings. So it is Falken Wildpeaks M/T MT01 vs KO2 question.
2. I use 1.25" spiderax spacers on the bothe set of wheels. The TRD ones are sticking out pretty far, which looks cool but apart from being cool is there any benefit? With TRD I could probably get rid of spacers altogether.
Disclaimer:
a. This is a budget project. I got many parts from other car that got into collision and was totaled (including the replica TRD wheels). My next goals are cutting bumpers ($0), front axles ($200), rock sliders ($800-ish). I probably can get $900 out of TRD wheels, and $500 of stock wheels with KO2 tires).
b. Car is leaning ion the back and I am correcting it next week.
Please help.
I'd avoid the spacers. They work until they don't, then you are in for a bad day. As for tires, the BFG's will be nice a quiet on the road, the M/T's will work much better offroad. Depends where your priorities lie.
