Looks like an awesome trip. I will have to check out that area!
Builds R²M 2013 GX 460 Overland Build (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter r2m
- Start date
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We had a rescue donkey named Beans when I was a kid. He'd been part of a herd on China Lake and the Navy was working towards eradicating them from the base, so some kindly hippies stepped in and the rest was history. Those guys might've been his cousins. I woke up to his braying on many mornings.Below, another random marking in the desert.
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Our next stop and campsite was an oasis: Saline Warm Spring, clothing optional....It literally looked like how you would imagine an oasis to look, but with clothing challenged folk. Wife and I stayed close to camp...
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There were a bunch of wild donkeys roaming 'round. Quite noisy throughout the night looking for anything the campers left out to eat.
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Straight up I need a donkey in my life and not just for property / equine protection. Damn things are adorable.
There was once a time when $50 could get you a nice ass in Denver. I got curious after posting what the actual backstory was and found this article from 1982.
4,000 Burros Need Homes - https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1982/06/05/4000-burros-need-homes/62882559007/
r2m
Richard
- Thread starter
- #845
Bring an extra 5 gal of fuel. There were 10 of us and most everyone needed to dump their carry on 5 gal jerry's into their thank.
I was one of the few that didn't need extra gas and gave most of it to another Jeep'er.
Note that I was the only Lexus (Toyota) in the group. But even I was getting pretty low after three days on the trail.
It didn't help that most the Jeeps are running 37" tires with one of the guys having 40" tires on his jeep. He was in the worst shape for fuel.
r2m
Richard
- Thread starter
- #846
Bring a trailer and hay bale and grab one! There's some young ones out there too.
They are basically a nuisance. That oasis had to have fencing around all the pools to keep the donkeys out or they'll
in the pools.If you've ever driven through Beatty, NV, they are all over. I mean, they are on the street corners, in the street, everywhere!
r2m
Richard
- Thread starter
- #848
Unfortunately, as far as I know to date, there are no kits available.
The shop that did a lot of the work for me, YotaMasters, here in So. Cal. fabricated it.
If you're handy doing some simple metal fabrication, or know someone, it's pretty easy.
First, about the only batteries that I've found that will fit are these Odyssey P1200 batteries. Just need a solid base plate, solid top plate and a couple threaded rods to sandwich the batteries between.
Since the batteries are shorter, you should be able to bolt the "new" base plate on top of the existing plate.
Hope this helps!
r2m
Richard
- Thread starter
- #849
Well, it's time to upgrade my suspension. Shocks have about bleed out. UCA's and LCA's bushings are about gone.
I'm done with rebuilding shocks every 1.5 to 2 years. I looking at shocks that will go 60k to 80k miles. I'm not a pre-runner and and not often on washboard.
I'm looking at either Bilstein or Eibach.
Issues is, I need a 3" lift and Bilstein tops out at 2.5"
Eibach can do it, but are our of some of the shocks I want.
After I do my suspension, anyone interested in my my Icon shocks, cheap? They will need a rebuild, but after a rebuild they'll be like new again.
The shocks are:
I'm done with rebuilding shocks every 1.5 to 2 years. I looking at shocks that will go 60k to 80k miles. I'm not a pre-runner and and not often on washboard.
I'm looking at either Bilstein or Eibach.
Issues is, I need a 3" lift and Bilstein tops out at 2.5"
Eibach can do it, but are our of some of the shocks I want.
After I do my suspension, anyone interested in my my Icon shocks, cheap? They will need a rebuild, but after a rebuild they'll be like new again.
The shocks are:
- ICON 2003-UP Lexus GX470/GX460 V.S. 2.5 Series RR Rear Shocks (0-3" Lift) ICON-57810P
- ICON 2010-Current Lexus GX460 Extended Travel Front Coilover Shock Kit ICON-58647-700
Hiluxforever
SILVER Star
Whether you go 2.5 or 3" of lift the shocks still have the same compressed length and extended length. Our biggest suspension constraint is the KDSS.
I'd also consider the Ironman FCP shocks. They come in 3" lift configuration for the front and for the year. Mine were installed 4 years ago (2021) and have over 40K miles on them. Still as good as new. I think one could easily expect a service life of 50K+ miles from them.
Good to hear you are still happy with them as I've been eyeing them for my next upgrade, although my Ironman nitros are still going strong after over 50k miles. After being out of stock for a while, I see they are now available, albeit at a higher price!
I am curious about the KYB JAOS lift kit option though. For a japanese made kit, they seem to be reasonably priced and are ride height and compression rate adjustable. Only offer a 2" lift, so not an option for @r2m! Yet to see a GX fitted with them, looking for a review.
To be honest, I think any of the other popular choices are going to have a way longer service interval than Icons even if you stick with fancier remote res stuff like Kings, Fox, MRRs, etc.
I spent a ton of time researching shocks and browsing forums/groups and Icon definitely leads the pack in people complaining about rebuild cycles. I really like my MRR setup and after 2.5 years and ~25k miles its no worse for wear.
The Ironman FCPs are probably still the longevity leader because you can rebuild them at home without special tools or nitro charging. They won't have the same fancy damping tricks as monotubes and remote res stuff but they are popular for a good reason.
I spent a ton of time researching shocks and browsing forums/groups and Icon definitely leads the pack in people complaining about rebuild cycles. I really like my MRR setup and after 2.5 years and ~25k miles its no worse for wear.
The Ironman FCPs are probably still the longevity leader because you can rebuild them at home without special tools or nitro charging. They won't have the same fancy damping tricks as monotubes and remote res stuff but they are popular for a good reason.
r2m
Richard
- Thread starter
- #856
Thanks for the link, jdam!
I called "Eddie" at Mudify.com who is actually the owner and it looks like I'll be going with OME MT64 2-3 inch Lift Kit for Lexus GX460 (10-23) with OME UCA's
The OME's are not rebuildable and have a full 3 year/unlimited mile warranty. Mudify is also giving me a good price with the front shocks assembled with springs, ready for mounting and free shipping.
r2m
Richard
- Thread starter
- #859
Thinking about this purchase, I realized that I didn't suggest using my current Icon rear springs. They're in great shape, the right height and I like the ride. I called Mudify back and Eddie, the owner, absolutely agreed and actually felt bad that he didn't think about repurposing the rear springs. So he refunded me the cost of the springs for the rear from the total. I got back $243.35 from the total above.
That'll go towards the install, which is going to be over $1500.00.
That'll go towards the install, which is going to be over $1500.00.
Yeah springs are springs, no point in replacing them since they're not a coilover set up in the rear. I hope they work out for you! They were on the short list of my suspension choices, but at the time when I was ready to buy, they didn't have a GX specific option yet - only the 4Runner. I didn't feel like being a guinea pig. The aluminum body and fairly large bore should definitely help with longevity as well.
