Builds "Rednexus" - 2007 GX470 Build and Fabrication Thread (16 Viewers)

[Rednexus]

While we were there we flexed out the rig. Pretty impressed with how well it did for a non-KDSS GX with a front sway bar connected.

Tons of stuff in the back. With a stock rear bumper and control arms, I don't think there is much room for anything beyond a 34" tire in one of these unless you want zero-clearance or set the bump stops a bit higher. It's just about perfect with 33s. Pushing the axle back with adjustable LCAs and using an off-road bumper would probably clear 35s.

 

[Rednexus]

The EBC pad upgrade was timely as they totally saved my bacon today. Had a vehicle panic-stop in front of me on a 2-lane highway today (to use a driveway to make a U-turn of all things ) and I literally ended up 2 ft away from rear-ending them. I slammed the pedal thinking I was 100% going to hit them, but the GX stopped hard and I had enough control to be able to go into the other lane a bit and avoid a collision. The ABS kicked in a teeny-tiny amount. Very impressed with how well they did, especially considering I'm maybe 60 miles into the 500 mile bedding period. Bigger tires and hot pavement probably also made things nice and grippy.

I think the stock-type pads would not have been so responsive, which would have led to a collision where I would have been at fault. So, it was a very good use of $161 and a reminder that we should keep our stopping systems up-to-snuff.

 

[Rednexus]

My good luck from Sunday appears to have ran out. Got the ARB, but FedEx must have dropped it during shipping! Will be filing a claim with Jegs in the AM (they had it the cheapest with a new customer discount). This compressor is beefy. It weighs nearly 20 pounds. Other than the shipping damage, I am confident it will last much longer than the Smittybilt junk as it's definitely a well-engineered and well-built little machine.

I'll also have to re-do my mount so the compressor is vertical. I could fit it as-is but it would require a 2" spacer and the fan would be blowing on the engine wiring harness and some of my aux harness as well. It'll be much better-ventilated going the other direction.

 

[Rednexus]

ARB twin install and bracket fab. First job in the new shop! Amazing how much room there is, even with half of it full of construction materials.

My beads are drastically better with the MIG (Hobart Handler 210) running on proper 220V input. I was never happy before with the 120V welds, even on 1/8" material. This was on 3/16 flat stock

 

[aztoytec]

It’s amazing the stance difference with 285s,
Looks really stout! I will do the same once mine wear out. Congrats on the new shop. Looks like plenty of room for more toys!

 

[HomersCanyonero]

It’s amazing the stance difference with 285s,
Looks really stout! I will do the same once mine wear out. Congrats on the new shop. Looks like plenty of room for more toys!

Yeah 33s look great…

 

[Rednexus]

All done. About 95% happy with the wiring but it should do for CO in 2 weeks.

This thing is smoking fast. 1 min flat per tire from 15 to 32 psi. Also much quieter and cooler running than the Smittybilt. I could touch the braided hose and not get a 2nd degree burn.

I removed most of the provided harness as I dont want the switch in the cab and won't use air lockers. It's ran off an 80 amp breaker with the ARB switch attached to my airbox with an Amazon bracket. I used rubber hose for the last foot to keep the QD from getting hot, which also worked. 6 ga feed wire also stayed cool after 4 tires. This setup feels overall much less sketchy than the Smittybilt.

 

[TLar25]

All done. About 95% happy with the wiring but it should do for CO in 2 weeks.
View attachment 3704805
This thing is smoking fast. 1 min flat per tire from 15 to 32 psi. Also much quieter and cooler running than the Smittybilt. I could touch the braided hose and not get a 2nd degree burn.
View attachment 3704806
I removed most of the provided harness as I dont want the switch in the cab and won't use air lockers. It's ran off an 80 amp breaker with the ARB switch attached to my airbox with an Amazon bracket. I used rubber hose for the last foot to keep the QD from getting hot, which also worked. 6 ga feed wire also stayed cool after 4 tires. This setup feels overall much less sketchy than the Smittybilt.
View attachment 3704807

Really clean install dude

 

[Rednexus]

Really clean install dude

Thanks! DS area was already taken with aux electrical so it went on the PS. Should have plenty of ventilation on this side.

 

[Rednexus]

Finally achieved NO RUBBING on the front tires! They had always rubbed in some capacity, usually while backing up at full lock. They were rubbing on the corner of the front fender and a bit of the fender liner. It was tolerable with 32s but intolerable with 33s. I had already moved the inner side of the fender liners forward with some zip ties and new holes, and had taken a heat gun to them. The problem was the outer side where the meet the bumper.

So I drilled two new holes in the liner that allowed it to be pulled around 1.5" forward using the OEM mounts on the bumper. Then Mrs. Rednexus was kind enough to freehand the cut line, giving me a good guide to slice with using a M18 oscillating saw with a multi-material blade (which worked pretty well).

That gave a good 1.5" more clearance at the fender corners.

Another show of how far it is moved forward.

I might clean this up with some edge guards, or I might just leave it. This rig will get a bumper soon enough anyway.

 

[Rednexus]

Packed and ready. This is camping fat and luxurious when you come from the world of ultralight backpacking/bikepacking.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Finally achieved NO RUBBING on the front tires! They had always rubbed in some capacity, usually while backing up at full lock. They were rubbing on the corner of the front fender and a bit of the fender liner. It was tolerable with 32s but intolerable with 33s. I had already moved the inner side of the fender liners forward with some zip ties and new holes, and had taken a heat gun to them. The problem was the outer side where the meet the bumper.

So I drilled two new holes in the liner that allowed it to be pulled around 1.5" forward using the OEM mounts on the bumper. Then Mrs. Rednexus was kind enough to freehand the cut line, giving me a good guide to slice with using a M18 oscillating saw with a multi-material blade (which worked pretty well).
View attachment 3709657
That gave a good 1.5" more clearance at the fender corners.
View attachment 3709659
Another show of how far it is moved forward.
View attachment 3709661
I might clean this up with some edge guards, or I might just leave it. This rig will get a bumper soon enough anyway.

You clear the front sway bar? Mine was rubbing it when I had a front sway bar.

 

[Rednexus]

You clear the front sway bar? Mine was rubbing it when I had a front sway bar.

Yup, no issues with the bar. It's offset down a bit due to my recovery points.

It's been very nice to have this rig driving with no clunk, squeaks, rattles, or rubbing. Just a bit of brake noise from the EBCs.

 

[drowzyGX]

Everything looks great, Red. That ARB compressor seems awesome. Love the new shop…a bit envious!

 

[Timujin]

Finally achieved NO RUBBING on the front tires! They had always rubbed in some capacity, usually while backing up at full lock. They were rubbing on the corner of the front fender and a bit of the fender liner. It was tolerable with 32s but intolerable with 33s. I had already moved the inner side of the fender liners forward with some zip ties and new holes, and had taken a heat gun to them. The problem was the outer side where the meet the bumper.

So I drilled two new holes in the liner that allowed it to be pulled around 1.5" forward using the OEM mounts on the bumper. Then Mrs. Rednexus was kind enough to freehand the cut line, giving me a good guide to slice with using a M18 oscillating saw with a multi-material blade (which worked pretty well).
View attachment 3709657
That gave a good 1.5" more clearance at the fender corners.
View attachment 3709659
Another show of how far it is moved forward.
View attachment 3709661
I might clean this up with some edge guards, or I might just leave it. This rig will get a bumper soon enough anyway.

Were you running these tires when you had the panic stop a few months back?

 

[Rednexus]

Yes.

 

[Rednexus]

 

[Rednexus]

 

[GrizzlyClint]

View attachment 3717710
View attachment 3717711
View attachment 3717712

Havin' some fun I see! Next year make it up to my neck of the woods. We're starting to finally go on some of these trails up to some alpine lakes and what a hoot it is to live here. LOL

 

[Rednexus]

Havin' some fun I see! Next year make it up to my neck of the woods. We're starting to finally go on some of these trails up to some alpine lakes and what a hoot it is to live here. LOL

I'd love to! ID is quite a ways from here, but a bucket list place for sure. We are planning a camper trip to Yellowstone and Glacier in 2025.