Build R²M 2013 GX 460 Overland Build

[r2m]

If the battery's older it might have been declining already and running the wiper without alternator was too much for it. Is it old school lead/acid or AGM or lithium?

It's an Odyssey PC1200, I have dual batteries. It's only a couple of years old, and I just replaced my alternator with a new 240 amp'er.
My battery jumper is just about 100% charged so I'm about ready to go out and try jumping again.
Fingers crossed...

 

[Acrad]

I have so many batteries between vehicles to other powersport gear (15) I picked up one of these. It has been very accurate to battery health for me.

If batteries are healthy then we need to go down the road of parasitic drain diagnostics.

Digital Battery Analyzer

Amazing deals on this Digital Battery Analyzer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[r2m]

With my LiPo battery jumper fully charged, clamped it on and it did turn over, aggressively and started.
Let it sit in the driveway for about 15 minutes and idle.
Nice thing about the new alternator is it has a slightly smaller pulley so it charges even at idle.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

and I just replaced my alternator with a new 240 amp'er.

Mind if I pick your brain? I think my alternator is about to need replacement. What’s the alternator you used and does it make sense of you only have one battery to run 240A? I’d like a beefier alternator but not sure if that’s TOO beefy.

 

[r2m]

I do have dual batteries, but don't think it really matters if you're running a single or dual battery setup. Here's where I purchased my alternator from:

High Output Alternators | Tucson Alternator

Tucson Alternator has a large selection of high output alternators for vehicles. Built in the USA. Shop today and save!

www.tucsonalternator.com

And this is the alternator:

2014 Lexus GX460 4.6L V8 Alternator | Tucson Alternator

It looks like you can get lower amperabe (or even higher amp) alternators from these guys, but my mechanic said that the GX Premium/luxury models (which I have) come with an 180 amp alternator. Going with OEM would have been over $500.00 through my mechanic, so another 60 amps didn't seem that extreme, not to mention the cheaper price.
Also, these guys use a smaller pulley (note: you'll need a shorter belt also) which allows the alternator to kick in charging at a lower RPM or at idle, which I really liked.
Also like that they're built here in the U.S.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

I do have dual batteries, but don't think it really matters if you're running a single or dual battery setup. Here's where I purchased my alternator from:

High Output Alternators | Tucson Alternator

Tucson Alternator has a large selection of high output alternators for vehicles. Built in the USA. Shop today and save!

www.tucsonalternator.com

And this is the alternator:

2014 Lexus GX460 4.6L V8 Alternator | Tucson Alternator

It looks like you can get lower amperabe (or even higher amp) alternators from these guys, but my mechanic said that the GX Premium/luxury models (which I have) come with an 180 amp alternator. Going with OEM would have been over $500.00 through my mechanic, so another 60 amps didn't seem that extreme, not to mention the cheaper price.
Also, these guys use a smaller pulley (note: you'll need a shorter belt also) which allows the alternator to kick in charging at a lower RPM or at idle, which I really liked.
Also like that they're built here in the U.S.

Bummer, they don’t show 2010 listed. Any idea what amperage the 2010 base has? I have a ton of standard features on this that became options later on in the year model range.

 

[r2m]

Bummer, they don’t show 2010 listed. Any idea what amperage the 2010 base has? I have a ton of standard features on this that became options later on in the year model range.

They don't show a 2013 either, but I purchased it anyways. I think they may need to update their website?
Give them a call, and I'm 99.99% sure it'll work for you. They're easy to get hold of and talk to. No stupid phone menus.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

They don't show a 2013 either, but I purchased it anyways. I think they may need to update their website?
Give them a call, and I'm 99.99% sure it'll work for you. They're easy to get hold of and talk to. No stupid phone menus.

How difficult is it to replace an alternator? I’m running without splash guards so I can see it though my drivers fender wheel well.

 

[r2m]

How difficult is it to replace an alternator? I’m running without splash guards so I can see it though my drivers fender wheel well.

I changed the one on my 100 LC, and it was kind of a pain, but that being my fault. Since it too was being built for overlanding, I just HAD to go with a larger alternator also. So the new alternator was just slightly oversized which took me an hour or two to just get that last bolt through the mounting holes and of course the holes were in the MOST awkward position for my fingers and body.
Okay, now moving forward 10+ years, per the Lexus mechanics repair manual, my mechanic said that the radiator needs to be removed for the R&R. Doing that revealed that I had a cracked radiator, which in a way worked out well since I only needed to purchase a radiator, but not pay anything more for the R&R as it was part of the alternator swap.

I've done other R&R's on alternators but those were on much earlier vehicles (read: before smog) when things were simple and there was room to work and even showed my daughter how to do one on her old '89 Toyota pickup.
In short, I'd check the manual in our manuals section and see what it says about doing it yourself and if you can get around without pulling the radiator. Or see if that one guy with all the Youtube videos did one himself.

Good luck!

 

[r2m]

With a few new members and others ordering bumpers and other armor, I'm assuming lead times are down to respectable times again, say 3 to 5 weeks instead of the 6 to 8 month (or longer) lead times?
I guess vendors are getting their raw materials in a timely manner again.
Or are armor (steel) related items still a long wait?

 

[r2m]

Well... I found the parasitic electrical drain.
It was the middle row interior ceiling lights.
Some how someone turned them on.
I never was able to see that they were on because of the timed delay when you exit and lock your vehicle, the lights stay on for "n" number of seconds. Well by then I'm walking away and don't think to look back. Same when walking to it, as I approach the vehicle picks up my key fob sensor and activates the interior lights. So coming or going, I don't really ever notice anything being on. It wasn't till Thanksgiving when one of my nephews was leaving, walking past my rig and yelled out that I had an interior light on. When down and looked, sure enough the center seat lights were on.

I have no idea how or when they were turned on. My kids are out of the house, I can't even remember the last time I had anyone in those seats.
So just a heads up for those of you with kids or use those middle seats often, keep an eye out that someone doesn't turn on those center lights and forget about them!

 

[r2m]

Just a quick shot-out to whoever has a very nice black GX460 with rear hitch swing-out tire and red jerry, lifted, bronze wheels that was parked in our church parking lot this morning second service.
Tried waiting for you to come out but had to go. Just wanted to introduce myself as see what all you've done!
Are you on MUD?
You can PM me if you see this post.

 

[r2m]

Just a quick shot-out to whoever has a very nice black GX460 with rear hitch swing-out tire and red jerry, lifted, bronze wheels that was parked in our church parking lot this morning second service.
Tried waiting for you to come out but had to go. Just wanted to introduce myself as see what all you've done!
Are you on MUD?
You can PM me if you see this post.

Bump...

 

[r2m]

I was just reading an article on Fox News about the new LandRover Defenders and how they now come in three sizes and bla, bla, bla, bla, blaaaa.
Then I read they have a feature, as the editor wrote, "There’s an ultrasonic water depth gauge that shows you exactly how high the water is on the vehicle, which is rated to wade through up to 35 inches of it."
What the heck??? I want an ultrasonic water depth gauge!!!

 

[Acrad]

I'm not into deep water fording myself but a water detection sensor at some set level may be an option with a dash light

or get a cheap shallow water depth sounder working

 

[r2m]

Nice try Acrad!
Only problem with depth gauges is they usually mark in meters for feet, or perhaps 10ths of.
We would need it in inches/cm for it to be useful.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

I was just reading an article on Fox News about the new LandRover Defenders and how they now come in three sizes and bla, bla, bla, bla, blaaaa.
Then I read they have a feature, as the editor wrote, "There’s an ultrasonic water depth gauge that shows you exactly how high the water is on the vehicle, which is rated to wade through up to 35 inches of it."
What the heck??? I want an ultrasonic water depth gauge!!!

LOL it’s a LR, that feature will spazz out in 20k miles along with everything else electric.

 

[Acrad]

r2m: Have you installed a rear diff breather extension?

 

[r2m]

r2m: Have you installed a rear diff breather extension?

Nope. That was something I specifically asked about from YotaMasters, the shop that did all my work.
The owner and his crew are very avid and hard core wheeler's. When I asked, the owner said that it's something you'll probably never need for the very few times (as of yet, not at all) I'd be fording anything deeper than my hubs.
We just don't get much moisture down here. Some day after I finish all the other little things I post on here that I threaten to do, I'll probably add them, but it's pretty low on the bucket list.

 

[r2m]

Just found this on Amazon: Amazon product ASIN B0BCKFPNCQ
Would this work for all those folks looking for a receiver? Or do they still need the structure that attaches to the frame?