Builds Tex's 2019 GX460 build

[GrizzlyClint]

***12 month/26K mile review/update***

Nitto Ridge Grappler 285/70/17

So far I couldn't be more pleased with the performance of this tire. It does exceptionally well in every type of terrain I've had it in (road, sand, mud, rock, ice, snow, rain) and it has performed better in rain/snow/ice than my other favorite tire the BFG KO2. I am floored by how well it does in mud but seeing how it is more of an aggressive hybrid AT that is probably to be expected especially when compared to a more traditional AT like the KO2. They aren't H/T quiet on the road but they aren't bad either, I have noticed that they are starting to get a little louder at highway speeds recently but it's nothing excessive. Overall this is one of the best tires I've ever run on a 4WD and I wouldn't hesitate to replace them with another set in the future.

These tires when new have a 17/32" tread depth and I am averaging 11/32" after 12 months and 26K miles of use. At this rate I expect them to need replacement in the next 20-25K miles or around 45-50K total miles. I rotate and rebalance them religiously every 5K miles and I keep them at 36 psi for everyday use. My only concern and it's only a slight one, is how much they are starting to show dry rot in the tread between the main lugs. I am not seeing this in the sidewall or around the bead and it is very minimal, but I didn't expect this for a tire that is only one year old. So long as it doesn't advance much more than what it is now I won't be too worried about it going forward. I see very little chunking from use in rocks, but this could be due to the lower frequency of my rock usage. They've held up well to mesquite thorns too which is a huge factor down here.

At the rate I drive and with the trips I have planned for the remainder of the year, I'd be surprised if these tires are still on the truck a year from now, odds are I'll be replacing them by years end simply due to tread depth/life. I plan to move to a larger size at that time. Whether or not I stick with the Ridge Grappler going forward remains to be seen as there are a few other tires out there I would still like to try. I'm interested to hear from those of you out there that are also running the RG, are you seeing similar wear and performance?

I don't have the mileage you do but I do have similar experience with these significantly exceeding my expectations. I bought these frankly because they were; Nitto, looked aesthetically "meaty" and were inexpensive. I already feel like I've got my money's worth just on the wife's 470 after ~11k miles. They still look new on both trucks.

^^ Driver's rear on both trucks. Top = 460 @ ~5k miles bottom one 470 @ ~11k miles.

 

[Tex68w]

When comparing mine to yours it looks like I've already worn through that stepped area on the main lugs. I don't even remember them looking like that haha.

 

[Tex68w]

I finally got around to messing with mounting a holster on the Victory Center Console Molle Panel. It took some work to get it to where the holster sits at the right angle in order to properly and comfortably draw your firearm from a sitting position. After figuring the angle out it took even longer to get it secure to the panel beyond the belt clip attachment and more importantly, rattle free. Luckily the PHLster Floodlight holster came with a lot of different hardware and I was able to utilize that in order to get the holster secure without too much modification. It's a tight fit and I am sure that I will find myself rubbing up against it at times but it's not exactly in the way either so I am content. Only time will tell how well I'll like it, but for now I am happy with how it turned out and I am glad to have my EDC of choice (19X) securely within arms reach and no longer in the center console.

 

[r2m]

I love the idea, but, when driving, my right leg is ALWAYS resting against that darn center console. I definitely liked my 'ol 100 series better for having more room in the drivers cockpit.
Just speaking for myself, if I had that setup, I'd feel that my leg/foot would be more inline with the brake pedal than the throttle. But again, that's me, and I'll admit that right now I'm out of shape and over weight, so nothing fits me well right now! Mostly cause of COVID-19

 

[GrizzlyClint]

I love the idea, but, when driving, my right leg is ALWAYS resting against that darn center console.

This is me too. I need to come up with a solution that works for me. I have an idea, but it will be a bit before I can investigate it further.

 

[Tex68w]

I've got to head south this evening so I'll be on the road for three or more hours, I'll get a good idea of how I feel about it then. And I agree about having more cockpit room, I just drove the GX back to back with my LC and it's a night and day difference in that regard. At the end of the day you've gotta work with what you've got and this is far better than in the center console or loosely shoved in between the seat and console, YMMV.

 

[Tex68w]

It's hard to say just how much it might be in the way of my leg when the majority of my driving is on the highway with the cruise control set haha. That said, I didn't find it invasive yesterday, I knew it was there but that's also because it's new and I am hyper aware while testing it and getting accustom to it. For my needs I think I have a winner here.

 

[Tex68w]

I got the missing wing plates in for the Goose Gear Cargo Plate today. A big shoutout to @giovanni for being the middle man and helping get these to me in a timely manner, your help is greatly appreciated. I like the clean look and it tidy's up the sides where the plastics are unfinished. I left them unattached to the main plate and placed some felt in a few areas to create tension/friction to help keep them in place and to keep them from rattling while at the same time allowing them to be easily removed for storage underneath. I have tucked a few items in behind the wings which has freed up some of the space inside of the cubby compartments for air hoses and my winch remote.

Overall the product is fantastic but my one complaint is that the wrong sides of some of the wing panels were recessed for drilling and it didn't make for the cleanest finish out. I guess this is better than no recess at all which some have mentioned in the past, at least I got to use them for pilot holes before I drilled the opposite side. Now I need to decide whether or not I am going to order drawers or wait for the sleep platform due out this summer, decisions decisions.

 

[giovanni]

Looks great!

 

[r2m]

Very nice looking! Any space under them for anything like small tools, etc.?

 

[Tex68w]

Very nice looking! Any space under them for anything like small tools, etc.?

Some space under the wings, not under the plate itself. If I add the Goose-Gear drawers I think you have to ditch the side panels.

 

[Tex68w]

I've been trying to get around to replacing the Slee compressor mount with this giant doo-dad. It's a pretty cool option from a new company called SD Off-Road. It allows you to mount the Dual ARB compressor, bus bar, fuse block, circuit breaker, terminal block and compressor manifold all in one place along with a vertical mount for the Switch Pros 9100. It's impressive that they were able to pull it off in all honesty and make it look organized and clean at the same time. I doubt I'll get it installed on this short week before we depart early Friday but I wanted to get a pic of it out there so that those of you thinking about installing some of these items are aware that it exists. I told @giovanni about it a few weeks back and he has one on the way now as well.

What it'll look like installed.

 

[giovanni]

Mine is here, quality work for sure. I'll get mine installed in the next few weeks.

 

[r2m]

If I didn't already have my compressor and most of the associated components mounted, that would be the hot ticket, for sure!
I am planning on making a mount just in front of the compressor to do something like (Wasting time in the Woods) Jake did with his compressor manifold and gauge. But mine will be much simpler since I don't have a sheet metal brake and have to form metal old school, sledge hammer and anvil.

 

[PirateMcgee]

So if you pop a fuse it means taking out all that stuff right?

 

[r2m]

So if you pop a fuse it means taking out all that stuff right?

If he pops that 100 amp breaker, yep, all it'll be is art with no function.
But it won't affect being able to drive or operate the vehicle. All those fuses are just for added accessories like the compressor, HAM radio, aux. lighting, or whatever he has.

 

[PirateMcgee]

If he pops that 100 amp breaker, yep, all it'll be is art with no function.
But it won't affect being able to drive or operate the vehicle. All those fuses are just for added accessories like the compressor, HAM radio, aux. lighting, or whatever he has.

I mean the factory fuses. The mount covers the fuse box pretty well.

 

[r2m]

Ahhh, apologies. I see where you're going with this.

 

[Tex68w]

You do have to remove it but it's just a few nuts that aren't bad to get to.

 

[Tex68w]

Rago Fab lower rear shock guards installed, top notch quality on this item, welds look great and PC is very good. Installation was a breeze and if they clear the 3.0 Ironman FCP shock bodies they should be good to go with most any other non-piggyback shock out there. I never really paid much attention to how low and exposed the lower rear shock mount is until I put these on, cheap insurance.