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

[HomersCanyonero]

I’ve been chatting with copilot (chatgpt4.0) and this is what it reports.

Increased fluid volume by the GX460 calipers…hmmmm

 

[LRDV8R]

I think you made the right decision on the 460 calipers (I'm biased, but they have worked great on my rig). They are better than what the 470 came with. May just need to bleed again, or you may have other issues in the system. Remember brake fluid is hygroscopic (I think dot 5 is not, but we don't use that). If you used an opened bottle or didn't fully flush, that can contribute to this issue. If it was me I'd bleed again.

 

[Rednexus]

Are the 460 pistons a different diameter than the 470 pistons? If they are the same, the larger total fluid bottom in the calipers should not matter, as the ratio of added fluid volume to the amount of piston travel would be the same.

If the 460 pistons are larger diameter, then it would require more fluid to move them the same distance as the 470 pistons, which could cause a squishy feeling pedal.

I'd also suggest a re bleed, and the Motive power bleeder did it for me. It was around $65 on Amazon.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Are the 460 pistons a different diameter than the 470 pistons? If they are the same, the larger total fluid bottom in the calipers should not matter, as the ratio of added fluid volume to the amount of piston travel would be the same.

If the 460 pistons are larger diameter, then it would require more fluid to move them the same distance as the 470 pistons, which could cause a squishy feeling pedal.

I'd also suggest a re bleed, and the Motive power bleeder did it for me. It was around $65 on Amazon.

Per Copilot ( ChatGPT 4.0)

 

[Rednexus]

Well that certainly seems to be a potential issue. I may rethink the 460 brake upgrade. 50k on my OEM-style Bosch rotors with no warping so far.

 

[2dub]

It finally happened. Display started acting funky last night, and is either weird lines or totally black today. Multiple attempts at the reset button and a battery disconnect have not rectified it. I'm betting the digitizer is toast. Luckily, the HVAC still works, and Android Auto works too! I went ahead and ordered a new PX6. I'm betting my old one is around 5 years old.
View attachment 3740567

You've got me a little worried. I just installed the PX6. I really want to get more than 5 years out of it...

 

[Rednexus]

You've got me a little worried. I just installed the PX6. I really want to get more than 5 years out of it...

Like most Chinese stuff, quality control/quality assurance can be lacking. I'm betting some last 6 months, others might last 10 years.

It's still useful enough that I'm replacing it with the same thing.

It would really be nice if someone made an aftermarket module/dash insert for these NAV rigs with standalone HVAC physical buttons that also allowed any generic Android head unit to communicate with the Mark Levinson system and all steering wheel buttons. But, that module would probably also be Chinese in order to be cost effective.

 

[Rednexus]

Not much activity here lately as we're in full-bore house construction mode. Every weekend and evening is going towards that.

But, the GX is getting a ton of work truck use. Like hauling home $2k in knotty pine T&G paneling and Douglas Fir lumber.

 

[Rednexus]

Not GX related, but my turkey day weekend has been fabbing interior railings. I designed everything in CAD, had the post feet, drill jigs, and rod jigs cut by SendCutSend, and then built an angle iron jig on a Certiflat weld table. They came out perfectly square, so proper planning made up for most of my novice welding skills. Next I'm getting a die grinder to smooth out the interior welds that can't be ground with an angle grinder.

Around 70 ft more to build for the outside deck. Hopefully my welding will be better when it's bumper time in 2025.

 

[Rednexus]

Made another dice roll today, as I'd gotten unlucky on the last few and am possibly due for some better luck. Purchased a Lenz Series 2 snorkel - they were on sale and I got it for $341 shipped, in primer. These seem to have a Russian roulette reputation on this forum - most agree they are by far the best looking snorkel for a 120 but there are more than a few reports of poor customer communication, snorkels not getting shipped, and/or fiberglass that needs attention. BUT, all of the other options are (IMO) rather fugly and would be vine/limb catchers on our trails around here, so dice roll it was.

I'll update the thread when this comes in a few months from now (or if it doesn't come in and I go back to my card company to get a refund ). I'll likely take it to a local body shop to get it color-matched in Cypress Green, but may also consider getting it wrapped in satin black if the paint estimates come in high.

Lenzdesignshop.com | Lenzdesign

LENZDESIGN BODYKITS & SNORKELS Design, Manufacture & Sales

www.lenzdesignshop.com

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Made another dice roll today, as I'd gotten unlucky on the last few and am possibly due for some better luck. Purchased a Lenz Series 2 snorkel - they were on sale and I got it for $341 shipped, in primer. These seem to have a Russian roulette reputation on this forum - most agree they are by far the best looking snorkel for a 120 but there are more than a few reports of poor customer communication, snorkels not getting shipped, and/or fiberglass that needs attention. BUT, all of the other options are (IMO) rather fugly and would be vine/limb catchers on our trails around here, so dice roll it was.

I'll update the thread when this comes in a few months from now (or if it doesn't come in and I go back to my card company to get a refund ). I'll likely take it to a local body shop to get it color-matched in Cypress Green, but may also consider getting it wrapped in satin black if the paint estimates come in high.

Lenzdesignshop.com | Lenzdesign

LENZDESIGN BODYKITS & SNORKELS Design, Manufacture & Sales

www.lenzdesignshop.com

Good luck!

 

[Rednexus]

If the question is, "Can you move a family of 4 in a normal-sized house with your GX?", the answer is most definitely a "Yes".

Pretty impressed how well it's towing this, considering it's 3K dry and we've had around 2-3K of stuff in it (pretty darn close to maxing out the rig's GCWR), and it does not have a WDH. Guessing the tandem axle really helps out a lot.

 

[DRANGED]

@Rednexus
Local move or long haul?

 

[Timujin]

The GX is nice and level.

 

[Rednexus]

@Rednexus
Local move or long haul?

Just a couple miles, so we are making lots of trips with it. I actually had it last weekend too and rented it again this weekend (well worth $64 for 2 days). The rig would probably need airbags for a longer trip to keep porpoising down.

 

[Rednexus]

The new house wasn't quite done when we closed the sale on the old house, so we're officially moved into the Luxury Shop, thereby making it a Shouse. Honestly, it's not bad with floor heat, the camper set up inside (with full hookups), plumbing, and a full kitchen other than dishwasher. And it matches my GX pretty darn well .

If you're ever considering general contracting your own house, it's a good way to save a big chunk of money (if you know how to deal with contractors - which I often do for my day job), and retain creative/budgetary control over the process. But its a huge time commitment and massive project management undertaking that can last a year or more. It's been like having a second full-time job outside of my day job. Looking forward to having a bit more time in 2025 to get back on hobbies, like gears/lockers/bumper install inside the Luxury Shop.

 

[Rednexus]

No pics, but I finally go to use my Badlands stretch recover strap and soft shackles today. Our driveway (~10% grade) was pretty icy and the tile guy's Chevy 2500 van and tandem-axle trailer couldn't make it up it. Handed him a soft shackle and one end of the strap (which he hooked up to something under his bumper), and I hooked the other end up to the receiver of the GX with the hitch pin. Hit it medium hard and he popped right out with a nominal amount of wheelspin from the GX. It was a smooth experience with the stretch in the strap.

Pretty happy considering that van and the trailer must have weighed 9-10K pounds or more, plus over 5K pound from my GX. I used 4LO with the CDL engaged, but kept ATRAC on. Didn't bother airing down either.

 

[DRANGED]

Pretty happy considering that van and the trailer must have weighed 9-10K pounds or more, plus over 5K pound from my GX. I used 4LO with the CDL engaged, but kept ATRAC on. Didn't bother airing down either.

@Rednexus
You can turn A-trqc off?
Did you do that wiring mod CO_Hunter had a write up about, years ago?

 

[Rednexus]

@Rednexus
You can turn A-trqc off?
Did you do that wiring mod CO_Hunter had a write up about, years ago?

I used a slightly different approach, but do have a DIY ATRAC/VSC disable button.

 

[mtnco]

I used a slightly different approach, but do have a DIY ATRAC/VSC disable button.

Is there a situation that is better with full disablement of ATRAC/VSC? Or just hooning around? (No judgement here; gotta have fun)