LX470 Family Adventure Rig

[Bretthn]

Sound restoration part II

I stayed up to finish one more item on the LX. I got the foam kit in the mail today.

Since I had already prepped the speaker ahead of time by removing the old surround and creating a clean cone and fame edge to glue the new one too, this went pretty quick. The prep is what takes the longest.
First, make sure the new surround is the right size by doing a dry fit. Make note of the inside edge so you don't apply glue too far into the cone where the foam will not cover it.

Start off by applying a good even bead of glue around the outside edge of the cone.

Apply the new surround to the glue making sure it is centered and even. Start out applying light pressure to set the glue once it is oriented correctly. Work your way around the cone using two hands working opposite of each other. If you try to slide your finger around the edge it will cause the foam to stretch and make it uneven, creating lumps.. so don't do that. I continue to press it into place working my way back and forth around the cone, with two hands, for a couple of minutes.

After about an hour the glue is bonded good enough to start on the outside edge. I prop the cone up and away from the frame by gently putting paper towels between the cone and the frame. This gives you room to apply the glue to the frame without the foam falling into place until you are ready.

Apply a good even bead of glue to the lip of the frame. Remove the paper towels and allow the cone to fall into place. Lightly push up and down on the center of the cone a few times to center the voice coils. You will feel slight grinding when not centered and it will move up and down smoothly when it is centered. Once centered, start working your way around the edge, with two hands, pressing the foam to the frame and setting the glue.

Do this for a few minutes. Then put a bead of glue on top of the outside edge of the foam and put the plastic speaker edge back on. Flip the speaker over, apply a little pressure, then let it sit and the weight of the magnet will help hold things in place until the glue is completely dry.

It came out good. I will see how it sounds tomorrow.
Old and busted.

New Hottness!

 

[chitown40]

Yeah, the parts guy at the Toyota dealer said that it was part of the carpet and the entire carpet needed to be replaced... I insisted that this was retarded, (in a much more polite way) and asked that he speak to some of the technicians. He did and came back with a handful of different grommets. None of them looked like mine, I am guessing due to the updates. I picked one that looked like the closest fit and of course that was wrong. I think it was about $5 so I would rather have an exact part number next time.

Just an FYI in case anyone else needs floor mat grommets.

I just picked up a set of Weathertech liners for my 4th gen 4Runner. The plastic floor mat clips were missing so I headed to my dealer parts guy who promptly GAVE me a bag containing two front floor mat clips. The bag actually had a part number on it (which of course I threw out right away.. sorry). They were free since they are a safety item. That was the exact words from the parts counter rep.

 

[Bretthn]

I got some more stuff in the mail and have finally finished the dual battery wiring.

All wiring was made using 2 awg marine wire and lugs. The connections are soldered and sealed using marine heat shrink then protected with 3/4 inch split loom.

It took just a little trimming to fit the Blue Sea dual battery switch into one of the factory blanks.

I also ran 2 awg to the Safetyhub in the back for all of the constant power house wiring. It and the ground bus are held in place with heavy duty velcro for ease of access. So far the only thing wired into it is a power outlet for a fridge. I will be hooking up some better trunk lighting, air compressor, power inverter, and some more constant power outlets.

 

[Bretthn]

New toy

Got an awesome delivery at work today!

 

[Bretthn]

Trip report Mortimer, Wilson Creek and NC105

We did not camp this time but will probably be camping in the area next month. There is so much to explore out that way, we will be back many more times. I cant wait to make a snow run out that way this winter. Will definitely need some company and a second vehicle for that though...

We ran 40 to 421 from Greensboro then got off on 16 to 18 in Wilkesboro. We then took 90 to Adeko RD and Adeko will take you to Brown Mountain Beach Rd where the pavement ended for the next 40 miles or so.
Link to a map of routes we explored. https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...ll=35.956888,-81.790123&spn=0.039602,0.076818
We always try to stop at the small local shops to spend a little money when we travel. They usually can offer up some details on things you won't find on the internet or in a map. These small shop owners are also the ones who will fight to keep trails open or from being paved in these areas when the time comes, if "we overlanders" are good patrons and help provide them with income.
We stopped by a small shop in Collettsville to get some worms and a few cold drinks. They had a great selection of often forgotten camping and fishing gear. Though they did not sell fishing licenses or trout stamps in our case, they were more than happy to point us to another store that did.

My daughter throwing some rocks at a one lane bridge on Craig Creek Forest Service RD.
We almost missed this view pulling out of Craig Creek onto 181.

The entrance to Brown Mountain Beach RD off of Adeko.

After stopping at the Wilson Creek welcome center and another small shop right next door to it, we found the old abandoned foundations that were once the logging community of Mortimer back in the early 1900s before a tragic forest fire and severe flood forced the residents to abandon their homes and mills.










There are three old buildings in this one area on a short road off to the right when heading North. Marked by the building shown in the last picture above.
There is also a short walking path from the end of this road that will take you to a nice swimming hole with a small single fall that and a couple sandy areas along the banks for lounging. When we got there it was overrun by partying college students so we moved on.
We saw this thing at a small camping area along the way.

Another one lane bridge, this ended up being where we stopped to fish and swim for a few hours. There were only a few other families/fishermen in the area but we all still had a couple hundred yards or more between us.

This old shop is actually the local post office.

We parked down a side trail and got to use our little tent before heading down to the water. We bought this for a camping trip last year and this is the first time we actually used it and the pett toilet ever. It was pretty convenient and looked right at home in the woods.

 

[Bretthn]

Here is where we set up our cooler and camp chairs and had a couple peaceful hours splashing in the water, fishing, and soaking up some sun. Did I mention the perfect weather of about 73 degrees! It was in the mid 80s at home.








And introducing Moby Dick. My daughter's first fish on her first fishing trip and the only fish of the day.



I was not paying attention when my daughter asked if she could free him and I said yes. She almost baseball pitched it back into the water or off a rock. Luckily my wife caught her and we were able to teach her how to properly release the fish.
Before the sun started to set we packed up and decided to grab some barbecue at Spear's BBQ and Grill.

We took our food to go and headed south on Old NC HWY105 in search of the perfect place to eat dinner and watch the sunset. Unfortunately we did not find a good spot for to watch the sunset but did get some good views in a different light than we have seen on previous trips.






I love this spot. The Grand Canyon of the East.

This little guy was one of many that we saw this trip. We have seen deer on other trips. I hope to eventually see a bear.. at a safe distance. I hear there are a lot in the area and many accidents involving bear and automobiles.


Another fantastic trip and good memories for the family.

 

[twentyocho]

Great pics and awesome spot.. You guys look like u had a blast

 

[Bretthn]

Great pics and awesome spot.. You guys look like u had a blast

Thanks. It was a blast.

 

[Bretthn]

I am about to drop some coin on tires tomorrow. I have been going back and forth between the BFG All Terrains and the Cooper ST/Maxx since I bought the LX.
Whichever flavor, it will be a 285/75r16. I put many miles on BFGs on other vehicles and loved them for their quiet, smooth ride, and long tread life. I disliked them in mud and wet North Carolina clay.
I have never run the Cooper ST/Maxx but have read a lot of good reviews. I have however been unable to find a review from anyone that has completely worn a set out and can give the milelage they go out of them. They are also 5lbs heavier per tire in this size. 20 pounds of unsprung weight is pretty significant. Since the LX is a pig on gas anyway I am still leaning towards the Coopers.
Please let me know what you think.

 

[FlammableFishie]

I am about to drop some coin on tires tomorrow. I have been going back and forth between the BFG All Terrains and the Cooper ST/Maxx since I bought the LX.
Whichever flavor, it will be a 285/75r16. I put many miles on BFGs on other vehicles and loved them for their quiet, smooth ride, and long tread life. I disliked them in mud and wet North Carolina clay.
I have never run the Cooper ST/Maxx but have read a lot of good reviews. I have however been unable to find a review from anyone that has completely worn a set out and can give the milelage they go out of them. They are also 5lbs heavier per tire in this size. 20 pounds of unsprung weight is pretty significant. Since the LX is a pig on gas anyway I am still leaning towards the Coopers.
Please let me know what you think.

Should've considered DuraTracs!

 

[Bretthn]

Should've considered DuraTracs!

I did but if going with an aggressive AT tire, it looks like the Coopers are better than the Duratrac. Stronger sidewall and better in mud.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

I was recently looking at the same two tires, when I sliced through two tires at one time last Thanksgiving. I ended up with Duratracs because of availability over a holiday weekend on 18" rims. I have Cooper STs and they have worn like steel on my 100 and now my 80.

I had my STs siped when I bought them and they have been great in everything, but noise. They are a bit noisy at highway speeds. I will be interested to see how the MAXX's do.

Great photos! I wished I was better at taking good photos!

 

[boo471]

Great thread! Looks like you are enjoying your LX. I was looking at the LX before deciding to get the GX instead.

I'm located in Greensboro as well. My wife and I spend every free time we got with the truck in the NC wild life. Would be fun to meet up some time.

Regarding tires, I got the Hankook Dynapro MT tires which are often overlooked. These are an aggressive AT or mild MT tire. They have served me very well so far. Great off road and not to noisy on the highway (spent 25h driving to Maine a few weeks back and they didn't bother me a bit). The price isn't to bad either.

Stop by some day and try them out!

Here's my build thread if you want to have a look.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/120-series-toyotas/749918-boo471-build.html

//Marten

 

[Bretthn]

I was recently looking at the same two tires, when I sliced through two tires at one time last Thanksgiving. I ended up with Duratracs because of availability over a holiday weekend on 18" rims. I have Cooper STs and they have worn like steel on my 100 and now my 80.

I had my STs siped when I bought them and they have been great in everything, but noise. They are a bit noisy at highway speeds. I will be interested to see how the MAXX's do.

Great photos! I wished I was better at taking good photos!

LCHardriver_02, thanks for helping confirm my decision not to get the DuraTracs. I will let you know how the Maxx's do once I get them.

Great thread! Looks like you are enjoying your LX. I was looking at the LX before deciding to get the GX instead.

I'm located in Greensboro as well. My wife and I spend every free time we got with the truck in the NC wild life. Would be fun to meet up some time.

Regarding tires, I got the Hankook Dynapro MT tires which are often overlooked. These are an aggressive AT or mild MT tire. They have served me very well so far. Great off road and not to noisy on the highway (spent 25h driving to Maine a few weeks back and they didn't bother me a bit). The price isn't to bad either.

Stop by some day and try them out!

Here's my build thread if you want to have a look.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/120-series-toyotas/749918-boo471-build.html

//Marten

boo471, nice to meet someone else from Greensboro. I just checked out your build and it looks great! We definitely need to meet up for a beer sometime. There is supposed to be a meet and greet ride in Boone this month. I will send you a pm.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

LCHardriver_02, thanks for helping confirm my decision not to get the DuraTracs.

How'd I do that?

The DuraTracs have been great and quiet.

 

[Bretthn]

How'd I do that?

The DuraTracs have been great and quiet.

I thought you were saying you sliced through the sidewall of two Duratracs which many others have done.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

Nah, I had Michelins on when I sliced through them. The DuraTracs were the available replacement. They have been a good, albeit soft, tire. The Coopers are far stiffer, sidewall wise, which sounds like what you are looking for. If so, you are making the correct decision for you.

Now let's see those bad boys installed and hear how you like them!

 

[Bretthn]

Maintenance day

Today I got to know the LX a little better. Mileage is now at 165,202 and I was due for my first oil change.
This is one of the cleanest oil changes I have ever done on a vehicle. There are no obstructions in the way to make the oil go everywhere when draining or removing the oil filter. What got done today:

• New OEM Toyota filter and oil drain plug washer
• Mobil 1 5w30
• Flushed AHC fluid using 1 2/3 cans of Toyota AHC fluid. Graduations before flush: High-5, Neutral-8, Low-10. Graduations after flush: High-10, Neutral-14, Low-17.
• Greased driveshafts
• Topped off the charge on the second battery with new CTEK multi us 25000 charger. I have a short commute to work and the fridge is always running so it doesn't always get a good charge from the short drives.
• Cleaned Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF).
• Cleaned throttle body.
• Washed and applied a coat of wax. I'll be putting on a new RTT soon and figured it would be a good idea to have a coat of wax to protect the roof since it will not be able to be washed easily with the RTT installed.
• Vacuumed the interior and applied some 303 aerospace protectant to the hard parts.

I wanted to finish up the fridge slide today but did not get to it.
I should have five new tires sitting at my doorstep when I get home from work tomorrow afternoon. Cooper ST/Maxx 285/75R17. Hopefully I can find time to get them installed this week.

 

[Bretthn]

Camping trip

Just realized I never posted our most recent trip on here.
Two weeks ago we camped at Carolina Hemlocks in Burnsville, NC and did some exploring in the area. Heres a few pics from the trip. The rest of the details are here.

 

[Bretthn]

New Tires

These things look so much better in person! My new 285/75R16 Cooper ST/MAXX were sitting at my door when I got home tonight. I can't wait to get them mounted.