Builds R²M 2013 GX 460 Overland Build

[r2m]

Would one of those solar panel chargers help?

ABSOLUTELY! That would be equivalent to having a trickle charger. Probably minimum of one panel at 100 watts should do it.
Now there's a solar panel designed for my iKamper RTT that will keep my batteries charge when camping but it'd also work for just keeping topped off while I'm at work or on weekends when I don't drive (I don't garage my rig).
BUT... it's about $800,00 total, including install and considering I'm doing the alternator right now, that's a little more than I can bite off presently.
There is a hood mounted one for a lot cheaper that I may consider:

LensunSolar

LensunSolar

www.lensunsolar.com

Lexus LX460 LX470 LX570 XterPower 100W 12V Hood Solar Panel - XTERPOWER Hood Solar Panel

Lexus LX460 LX470 LX570 XterPower 100W 12V Hood Solar Panel

www.hoodsolarpanel.com

Not sure if they're both from the same manufacturer.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

ABSOLUTELY! That would be equivalent to having a trickle charger. Probably minimum of one panel at 100 watts should do it.
Now there's a solar panel designed for my iKamper RTT that will keep my batteries charge when camping but it'd also work for just keeping topped off while I'm at work or on weekends when I don't drive (I don't garage my rig).
BUT... it's about $800,00 total, including install and considering I'm doing the alternator right now, that's a little more than I can bite off presently.
There is a hood mounted one for a lot cheaper that I may consider:

LensunSolar

LensunSolar

www.lensunsolar.com

Lexus LX460 LX470 LX570 XterPower 100W 12V Hood Solar Panel - XTERPOWER Hood Solar Panel

Lexus LX460 LX470 LX570 XterPower 100W 12V Hood Solar Panel

www.hoodsolarpanel.com

Not sure if they're both from the same manufacturer.

I’ve been looking for something like this!

 

[THEOZMAN]

I’ve been looking for something like this!

I have wanted a hood mounted solar panel for a while but after research I decided against it.

Heat is a solar panel's kryptonite! The hood (at least on my black gx) gets super hot to even touch and all that heat plus the heat that the panel generates from being a black cell is gona bake it all day long and decrease efficiency and life span. When driving its not too bad since there is air flow but it will be baking while parked under the sun. oh and lets add a little more heat from a running engine or when parked after a long drive all that heat soak.

Just something to keep in mind!

 

[GrizzlyClint]

I have wanted a hood mounted solar panel for a while but after research I decided against it.

Heat is a solar panel's kryptonite! The hood (at least on my black gx) gets super hot to even touch and all that heat plus the heat that the panel generates from being a black cell is gona bake it all day long and decrease efficiency and life span. When driving its not too bad since there is air flow but it will be baking while parked under the sun. oh and lets add a little more heat from a running engine or when parked after a long drive all that heat soak.

Just something to keep in mind!

That is certainly true. Wouldn’t be friendly here in the hot sweaty armpit of the country (Texas). Might be more friendly when we move to Idaho (not the desert LOL).

 

[r2m]

Agree with THEOZMAN and MrTorgue, might need to look up some reviews and see if there have been any reports/gripes of heat issues with it.

 

[OCGX]

I’ll chime in on the hood solar panel. Run away!
I get very poor performance from mine. Currently it is unplugged, until I add more panels. I was only getting 30watts out of the hood panel vs 65watts out of a 100w foldable panel placed on the hood.
I was given one with a hefty discount when these came out, but I wouldn’t recommend this at all.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

View attachment 3132878
I’ll chime in on the hood solar panel. Run away!
I get very poor performance from mine. Currently it is unplugged, until I add more panels. I was only getting 30watts out of the hood panel vs 65watts out of a 100w foldable panel placed on the hood.
I was given one with a hefty discount when these came out, but I wouldn’t recommend this at all.

Thank you for the mini review.

 

[r2m]

Looked up some reviews on this Lensun hood solar panel:

Lensun Solar Energy Hood Mounted Solar Panel for 3rd Gen Tacoma

Lensun Solar Energy Vehicle-Specific Hood Auxilary Solar Panel for Off-Road/Overland Travel - Detailed Install Guide, Full Review & Overview.

trailtacoma.com

(not really per the hood mounted solar, but a Lensun product): Lensun solar panel problems - Escape Trailer Owners Community - https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8/lensun-solar-panel-problems-17734.html

From what I've found, Lensun is kind of hit and miss with their products.
Maybe if I get a little discretionary funds I might get one or perhaps put one together myself? I still have the top of my iKamper I can use also, but I've been thinking about an adventure trailer. If I go the trailer route, then the iKamper along with the solar will be on the trailer and not on my rig. Then I'd need solar on both.

 

[r2m]

Just received my lug nuts from Amazon!
Amazon product ASIN B00B2FCAG4This is one thing I never really considered, but when on the trail if you ever lose lug nuts or damage them where you don't want to put them back on, I purchased a set from Amazon to keep a half dozen in my "on-board" kit.
They don't take up much space and are good cheap insurance.

 

[McDuff123]

Just received my lug nuts from Amazon!
Amazon product ASIN B00B2FCAG4This is one thing I never really considered, but when on the trail if you ever lose lug nuts or damage them where you don't want to put them back on, I purchased a set from Amazon to keep a half dozen in my "on-board" kit.
They don't take up much space and are good cheap insurance

good point on carrying a few spares.
ALSO, I’d suggest that anybody that actually goes Offroad in their rig remove any locking lug nuts (the security type, with the keyed adaptor needed to remove them) and replace with a regular lug nut.
If you need to remove a tire off-road and that keyed adaptor breaks (the fragile keyway can fracture), you’ll be well and truly screwed in the middle of nowhere.

 

[r2m]

good point on carrying a few spares.
ALSO, I’d suggest that anybody that actually goes Offroad in their rig remove any locking lug nuts (the security type, with the keyed adaptor needed to remove them) and replace with a regular lug nut.
If you need to remove a tire off-road and that keyed adaptor breaks (the fragile keyway can fracture), you’ll be well and truly screwed in the middle of nowhere.

Yep, agreed. Also, at least where I live, stealing wheels just doesn't happen anymore, or at least I don't hear about it.
It seams to have gone the same way as stealing stereos. I think most vehicles come with nice enough alloys now.
Now it's all about stealing catalytic converters.
I actually need to swap out the keyed lock lugs on my rig.

 

[r2m]

My new 240 amp alternator! Just need to make an appointment with my mechanic for install.
These are the guys I purchased from: 2013 Lexus GX460 4.6L 8 Cyl Alternator. Custom Built; 240 Amps | Tucson Alternator - https://www.tucsonalternator.com/PartDetails.aspx?OS1=HO&IDNum=131245
From what they say they build it upon order, so they're built here in the good 'ol U.S. of A.!
He looked up the suggested install time and said it's a 4 hour job in the books and requires removing the radiator!
These alternators must be really tucked in there! I know when I installed a high amp alternator in my old 100 series Landcruiser myself, I spent half a day and that was without removing the radiator! The issues were the new alternator was a little over sized and the wires were barely long enough, which caused me a bunch of grief and time trying to fit it in there. These guys said this is exactly the same size as stock, so should not cause my mechanic any problems. My mechanic also said that if he were to have replaced it with an OEM, the cost would have been closer to $500.00 just for the alternator! this was only $358.00, but I purchased the heavy duty cable as suggested, but in total it was still cheaper than OEM.
(Little side note, this is my five thousandth post! Yeah, I know, it's been mostly, "Bla-bla-bla..."

 

[THEOZMAN]

 

[Bang Bang]

Little side note, this is my five thousandth post! Yeah, I know, it's been mostly, "Bla-bla-bla..."

Nerd.......

 

[GrizzlyClint]

View attachment 3140305View attachment 3140305

MORE HRSPRS!!!

 

[Banandalorian]

This is one thing I never really considered, but when on the trail if you ever lose lug nuts or damage them where you don't want to put them back on, I purchased a set from Amazon to keep a half dozen in my "on-board" kit.
They don't take up much space and are good cheap insurance.

This is a good idea and just the excuse I need to order some different colored lugs.

 

[r2m]

This is a good idea and just the excuse I need to order some different colored lugs.

And considering the rising cost of everything else, these really aren't too expensive, especially compared to all the other mods we do to our rigs!

 

[Acrad]

r2m: Are you on stock water pump and/or radiator? If so, any thought to replacement while mechanic is in there?

 

[r2m]

r2m: Are you on stock water pump and/or radiator? If so, any thought to replacement while mechanic is in there?

All is stock. I just clicked past 100,000 miles about a month ago. All is still tight and strong.
But good point about doing an R&R on the pump and radiator. I'll ask my mechanic, but I have a little bit of the mind set that, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

[Hiluxforever]

+1, was wondering what folks thought a good list of items to replace while you had items apart.