NJ LX470 "Build"

[serran8r]

Just wanted to start documenting my "build".

Purchased an 05 LX470 with 220k miles in February 2019.

Bone stock:

 

[serran8r]

Purchased the car in Philadelphia, 2 hour drive from my house.

Drive home was completely uneventful and very comfortable.

 

[serran8r]

First step:

Routine maintenance.

Every time I purchase a new to me used car I like to change all the fluids and address any known issues.

One weekend I performed the following:

Replaced the heater T's
Oil change
Trans fluid replacement
Transfer case fluid
Front and rear diff fluid

I also brought it to my mechanic for a:

Power steering flush
Coolant flush
Brake fluid flush
Wheel Alignment

Total cost was about $400 for parts, fluids, and mechanics labor (not including beer)

 

[serran8r]

After the truck was up to date on all of it's essential fluids, I drove it for about 2000 miles before deciding to start modifying it. It took about 3 months to accumulate those miles because of my current 3 car setup but I drove the LX every chance I got it in the rain and snow and fell in love. During this time I had zero issues and noticed a few areas I wanted to improve upon as "quality of life upgrades"

 

[serran8r]

Quality of life upgrade #1: YotaMD Key fob

My care came with a few spare keys where the shell had broken and electronics were gone but I had a perfectly good cut key. I purchased this replacement FOB from amazon for the internals amazon FOB, I purchased the correct tp29 chip from a form member for next to nothing, and a black YotaMD fob.

Programmed using instructions from the forms and everything works as intended

 

[serran8r]

Quality of life upgrade #2: streaming bluetooth audio

Purchased a VIAS SL3b when it was on sale for 30 dollars off. Super easy to install. I placed the unit itself behind the air vent to the left of the center console.

The thing that took me the longest was programming it to unlock the navi screen without having to hit I agree. While I was enabling the setting I didn't realize that there was a delay from when the car starts to when the screen is disabled (the override essentially simulates a finger touching the screen on the "I agree" button about 10 seconds into startup). When I coded my M3 to do the same thing I disabled the warning screen all together so i thought that may happen as well.

 

[serran8r]

With everything still running fine I decided to cum up with a build plan:

Plan 1.0

1. TRD Rock warrior wheels because they are forged not cast so they will handel NJ roads and potholes and offroad
2. Slee spacers for wheels and TRD lugs (all needed to run Rock warriors)
3. Rock Sliders
4. Lift - ICON stage 3 or OME
5. Front bumper and winch
6. Lights

 

[serran8r]

Picked up a set of rock warriors from craigslist for 900 (fair price). They had KO2's but they needed to be replaced.

All 4 wheels fit in the LX no issues once I folded both sets of rear seats.

Now I need to find tires

 

[serran8r]

Sliders:

Metal Tech 4x4 had a group by so I jumped in. It reached its max goal so there was a discount and a large shipping credit.

I chose to go uncoated and paint them myself because I intend on using the truck offroad and when I rub a rock rail it is easier to rattle can it then remove it and have it re powdered.

I prepped the sliders using the instructions posted by metal tech. instructions

I used 2 coats of POR 15 followed by 3 coats of VHT Black Hi Temp, Roll bar and Chassis

POR 15 takes forever to dry but worth it for rust protection in the future.

 

[serran8r]

Once I had sliders I felt confident doing some light wheeling.

Car performs great for a relatively stock vehicle and AHC on high is plenty of clearance for the trails by me. Once or twice I had to be strategic around obstacles just so I didn't hurt the front bumper but other than that all good.

 

[serran8r]

Wheel and tire update:

So like most of us who are planning on modding the 100 series, I was planning on putting the largest tires I could fit and a lift.

However, I was able to get a steal on a brand new set of Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure tires. They were free to me as long as I pay for the dismounting and installation.

The size is 255/75/R17 which has the exact same circumference as my stock 275/65/R18. Thus, I will not need a speedometer adjustment. They will not give the truck any extra ground clearance but they are great off road tires and they were free.

They are also about 1/2 of an inch skinnier than my stock tires which I am hoping i will notice the difference on the street or trails. However, skinnier tires are better for unplowed roads so I should be able to have a bit more fun when the winter season kicks in.

These free tires have also impacted the remainder of the build in regards to the lift and front bumper which I will explain in a later post.

 

[serran8r]

Bumper update 1:

Received bumper and delivered to Powder Coat

Update 2:

Sneak Preview from Powder Coater

 

[MongooseGA]

Looking good. Reminds me of my 2005 Galactic Gray LX when I bought it.

 

[BEG]

Looking forward to seeing the rest of the build. Where in Jersey are you? Would love to get a group of NJ 100s together for a trail ride once the weather gets cooler.

 

[FrankieJoe14]

NJ 100s represent!

I'm down for a trail ride!

 

[serran8r]

I am up north in Pompton Lakes.

We should definitely try to set up a trail ride. There are a few off road groups here in NNJ but 100 series and toyotas in general are underrepresented.

 

[FrankieJoe14]

Dude! I'm 15 mins from you!

 

[serran8r]

Dude! I'm 15 mins from you!

where abouts are you located?

 

[serran8r]

Due to the freebie tires, my plans for the build have definitely changed (possibly for the better).


Old plan:

Big tires
Lift
Steel bumper / winch

So without the largest tires, I do not currently see the need for a lift. My AHC is currently working fine and I ordered AHC fluid and plan on doing a flush in the next few weeks just to keep the system running as good as possible for as long as possible. If and when the system fails I will install a lift but with AHC in high I have more then enough ground clearance to offroad as long as I am smart about the path I choose.

Also with the AHC, I am slightly concerned about adding tremendous amounts of weight to the vehicle. I reached out to Dissent off road and ordered their aluminium front bumper witch only adds about 30 pounds over stock. They have a few cruisers that are sunning stock AHC with full aluminium front and rear bumpers so I should be fine. I will also be ordering a winch with synthetic line for safety and weight savings.

I am currently feeling really good about this unforeseen change in build plans. The LX is so incredibly comfortable and that is, in part, to it's amazing stock suspension. Because 90% of this trucks life will be spent on paved roads I am glad that this new plan does not really change its on road performance and comfort at all. Speedo is correct, super comfortable, and when I need additional clearance it is just a push of a button away.

Current plan:

255/75/R17 on Rock warriors with spacers
Dissent off - road aluminum front bumper
AHC flush
Smittybilt (98512) X2O Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch - 12000 lb. Load Capacity

 

[BEG]

Current plan:

255/75/R17 on Rock warriors with spacers
Dissent off - road aluminum front bumper
AHC flush
Smittybilt (98512) X2O Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch - 12000 lb. Load Capacity

This is a solid plan. I run 255/85r16 tires and they've been amazing both on and off pavement. Skinny tires are great for how you plan to use it.
The Dissent aluminum is also a great choice. I have one with a Warn M8000 loaded with synthetic and it weighs less than what my Ironman Commercial Deluxe did WITHOUT the winch. It's definitely a good strategy to keep the armor as light as possible, and only as heavy as necessary. I also run a Dissent rear hybrid (steel base bumper, aluminum tire carrier and accessories) with double swing out. This pairs well with AHC plus some King KTRS-79 rear springs, which I recommend you consider. They're made specifically for AHC vehicles that plan to tow or carry lots of gear/ armor.
Regarding the winch, my unpopular opinion is to run an "undersized" one. That hunk of metal is going to be hanging off your front end 24/7, affecting road manners and suspension longevity. While the general consensus is that you should size your winch to 1.5x your GVW, there are a lot of factors that can influence what you actually need. Personally, I've opted to run a high-quality 8k winch with only 50' of synthetic line. This means that a) I carry around less weight b) I have to spool and unspool less line and c) I keep the line as close as possible to the drum which maximizes the winch's pulling force. I carry a snatch block and extension for double line pulls whenever possible. Nothing against the Smittybilt, but you might be able to get a smaller, better quality winch for the same or close to the same money.