Ramathorn15's LX470 build

[Ramathorn15]

I don't remember exactly the spacing but I'm pretty sure it was 2 or 2-1/2 inches between each bearing. You'll see a couple bearings as close as possible towards the front on the bottom and top. That's because when the drawer is completely open, all the leverage is on the those bearings so I doubled up to handle the weight. Those really are the most important bearings in the whole thing. The rest can be spaced randomly, but obviously you'd want to do them evenly to make it look good.

If you look at the photos of the back boards, you'll see the turnbuckles. Because the arch of the back seat backs, there's still enough room to stuff something between the seats and the drawers. The top of the drawers meets super close to the seat backs though so you would have to fold the seats down to access whatever's back there. You could shorten the drawers and make a hatch in the top that access the back, similar to the sides, if you wanted.

Honestly, the bearings part was a pain in the ass. If I had to do it all over again, id probably save myself the time and just get 220 pound slides.

I'm hoping to make it to an outing with you guys! I'm pretty busy until next year, but plan on hopefully making one in the spring.

 

[Chrismanjs]

Very cool build!

 

[nnnnnate]

When you ran the wires for your switch panel I'm guessing you had to pull down the headliner. Is it stuck to the roof with just those compression clips or are there screws or anything else holding it in place? I'm going to be installing a external speaker for my ham radio in front of that roof panel and will run the speaker wire back down the pass side C pillar.

 

[Ramathorn15]

When you ran the wires for your switch panel I'm guessing you had to pull down the headliner. Is it stuck to the roof with just those compression clips or are there screws or anything else holding it in place? I'm going to be installing a external speaker for my ham radio in front of that roof panel and will run the speaker wire back down the pass side C pillar.

I actually didn't detach the headliner to pull it down. I removed the A pillar cover and and fed the wires through the hole into the liner. From there I could pull the liner down a few inches (enough to guide the wires with my fingers) where it meets the windshield. Hopefully that helps.

 

[Ramathorn15]

After a long weekend of working on the bumper and other various things. I finally got the thing installed!. I must say, this bumper is truly a masterpiece. As someone who has worked in garage with fantastic fabricators building $100k+ obnoxious mud bogging trucks, this bumper is by far one of the best pieces of work I've ever seen. The amount of forethought (probably in combination with lots of prototypes) is astounding. I was imagining that I would have to do a lot of work to get all the pieces of the bumper to line up because of its modular nature, but instead was amazed every time I put a piece on only to find it fit perfectly the first time.

Ben has raised the bar big time with this thing. Just the latching mechanism alone was what kept me from jumping on another bumper, but after getting it and seeing the craftsmanship, I'm extremely glad I waited (ALMOST A YEAR!).

BTW, I'm going to copy paste this and add it to a couple threads so you may see it more than once.

 

[nnnnnate]

That looks great. I like the color.

 

[Ramathorn15]

Thanks Nate. It wasnt a perfect match but it's close enough for me. I actually kind of like it being a shade more white

 

[redman333]

That seriously looks good man. I love how the paint turned out. Are you planning on getting the accessory mount also when he had it ready?

 

[Ramathorn15]

That seriously looks good man. I love how the paint turned out. Are you planning on getting the accessory mount also when he had it ready?

Thanks! I'm hoping to be one of the first to get the second accessory!

 

[Ramathorn15]

I also spent the weekend relocating the back up camera and covering the old camera and license plate holes with a peice of .025 aluminum and some rivets.

.

 

[redman333]

Awesome! Can't wait to see it. I like that we have the same rig and similar tastes. You get to be my guinea pig lol. I get to see how everything works on your rig before committing to anything.

 

[redman333]

I also spent the weekend relocating the back up camera and covering the old camera and license plate holes with a peice of .025 aluminum and some rivets.

View attachment 1415146

View attachment 1415148

View attachment 1415150
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Wheres the new camera location. Looks like it's above the back window from the pic.

 

[Ramathorn15]

Wheres the new camera location. Looks like it's above the back window from the pic.

It's where the 3rd brake light would be if my LX didn't come with the whale spoiler.

 

[redman333]

It's where the 3rd brake light would be if my LX didn't come with the whale spoiler.

Ok yeah that makes sense.

 

[Ramathorn15]

Checked my AHC pressures last night. Front is right at 6,9 and the rear came up from 5,7 to 6,5.

Once I get my second swingarm and put the tent on I'll definitely be over 6,7 in the rear. Looks like I may have to go with spacers in addition to the king springs to keep my rear in spec

 

[taco47001]

Here's a pic of why you never leave a 520 peice electrical connector set open and on the ground

View attachment 1338497

I love your build thus far. I thought the 520 piece wire connector debacle was surly unique to my garage... haha. I have the same kit, which ended up in the same condition. I saw your pic and genuinely LOL'ed.

 

[DigAir]

Great thread, appreciate all the details on your mods. I have a very similar white 2005 LX 470 and I'm about to pull the trigger on an ARB front bumper and wanted to know if you had any "Lexus" specific fitment issues when you installed yours. From the ARB website it looks like they list the Sahara bumper as an LX470 option but not the Deluxe bumper, can you confirm the ARB part number for the bumper you installed? Lastly, did you wire the fog light kit directly to your OEM fog light switch on the stalk? Thanks.

 

[Ramathorn15]

Great thread, appreciate all the details on your mods. I have a very similar white 2005 LX 470 and I'm about to pull the trigger on an ARB front bumper and wanted to know if you had any "Lexus" specific fitment issues when you installed yours. From the ARB website it looks like they list the Sahara bumper as an LX470 option but not the Deluxe bumper, can you confirm the ARB part number for the bumper you installed? Lastly, did you wire the fog light kit directly to your OEM fog light switch on the stalk? Thanks.

The deluxe bar fits. It has two antenna brackets on the center top bar that have to be cut off because, unlike the land cruiser, the LX's grill pops up with the hood. So they won't list the LX as compatable for that reason. And yeah, the fogs are directly wired into the factory fog wires. It was very easy.

 

[Ramathorn15]

This isnt an LX but you can see the two tabs on this bumper (one with an antenna mounted). You'll have to cut those both off entirely with an angle grinder to be able to open the hood on the LX.

Hope this helps.

 

[DigAir]

Great! That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I'll be ordering my ARB shortly.