Builds The Bare Minimum GX470

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

While trying to remove the rear section of the exhaust I discovered that the spare tire is flat (I filled it not too long ago) and the lifting mechanism is rusted up and won't move so the spare is stuck. On the 80 series I could unbolt the crossmember and drop the whole assembly down but it looks like this is an integral part of the frame. Let the good times roll.
 
Tbelt time:

20160916_185147.webp


20160916_173020.webp


20160916_195141.webp


20160916_195148.webp


Figured I better get this done before the thing snaps. So far it has not been too bad but I sure would not want to tackle it at home with basic hand tools. I only had a hard time with one of the A/C compressor bolts being seized and one of the water neck bolts twisting so that has been a plus. This has to be the original belt too, it probably had a few more miles in it but would have snapped sooner than later (will get a pick tomorrow). I am impressed though, any other timing would have failed years ago. While I have it out I am going to throw in a new alternator as this one is a bit rusty and likely the original.

In other news I have been cruising around with the main muffler dumping before the axle. All I can come up with for an exhaust is a 409 stainless Gibson but I have a hard time swallowing $435 for an exhaust that will still rust in a few years time. It is cheaper than the oem replacement though.
 
Last edited:
Last edited:
Tbelt time:

In other news I have been cruising around with the main muffler dumping before the axle. All I can come up with for an exhaust is a 409 stainless Gibson but I have a hard time swallowing $435 for an exhaust that will still rust in a few years time. It is cheaper than the oem replacement though.

You can get a Walker muffler for $148 at Advance Auto Parts. With one of their online coupons you can probably get 15-20% off that price. Lifetime warranty. Rip it off and replace it when it goes south....
 
subbed for the restore...
 
I buy it at either Rural King or local John Deere store, it should cost no more than $9.99 a can.
Fluid Film seems like a lazy way to deal with rust! All your doing is slowing the rust by covering it with a film. It looks terrible and apparantly smells terrible. Why not neutralize it and rust proof it with POR-15 chassis Protectant? Its a two part system that is a super tought epoxy paint after the acid rust treatment metal prep. This stuff is amazing! Tougher than powder coating and lasts a very long time. It is a good bit more work with prep and wire wheeling all the rust you can reach but well worth the results. I run a business on the coast and drive a ATV by and in the ocean everyday and I have to coat the entire frame in POR-15 it works the best of any product out there. Beware of getting the product on your hands as it will be there for weeks. Just my two cents.
 
I completely agree, it is the lazy way to deal with rust. This truck is already behind the curve and Fluid Film is about the only thing I am willing to do it. I had an FJ40 frame that was POR-15 coated, it is very difficult to prep and apply properly and I am not interested in doing the work for a proper application. I am able to get Fluid Film in every nook and cranny under the truck and fully inside the frame rails, it's nice for what I am trying to achieve.
 
Still driving the GX470 and continuing with keeping it alive. Recently swapped over to 5th gen brakes as a caliper froze up and I am working on installing some brand new take-off 5th gen shocks and struts from a 4runner. The rear shocks are not a direct bolt in as the upper mounts are slightly different but will work. Hopefully the front struts go in with minimal modification as well. They look very close next to each other on the ground. Sourced the 5th gen take off shock/strut set for $80 plus shipping for all four corners. Front struts are loaded and ready for the install which is nice. New/used wheels and tires are coming up next. Oh yeah, the rear wiper arm fell off from corrosion :hillbilly:
 
keep it up... love saving an old truck.
 
keep it up... love saving an old truck.
by the way, my pipe failed in the same place aft of the muffler. I liked the sound, but it failed inspection. something about their has to be no holes in the exhaust to the tail pipe. I kicked around the idea of deleting my resonator on my 100 and welding a pipe to exit by the passenger rear door. Or, just weld on a down pipe tip on the muffler and remove the resonator. problem solved. Ended up putting in a magna flow exhaust and keeping the resonator. total cost was around 500 bucks with a new inspection.
 
The rear shocks are not a direct bolt in as the upper mounts are slightly different but will work. Hopefully the front struts go in with minimal modification as well. They look very close next to each other on the ground. Sourced the 5th gen take off shock/strut set for $80 plus shipping for all four corners. Front struts are loaded and ready for the install which is nice.

The 5th gen lower shock mount in the front is a hair wider than what you'll be taking off. You might be able to jam the new one in there, but you'll probably want to take a grinder and trim some of the width from the lower mount. It won't take much.

I had done the same thing, for roughly the same cost. However, the ride still wasn't what I was looking for so I pulled them off pretty quick. Hopefully the ride will match your expectations better.
 
The 5th gen lower shock mount in the front is a hair wider than what you'll be taking off. You might be able to jam the new one in there, but you'll probably want to take a grinder and trim some of the width from the lower mount. It won't take much.

I had done the same thing, for roughly the same cost. However, the ride still wasn't what I was looking for so I pulled them off pretty quick. Hopefully the ride will match your expectations better.

Put about 60 miles on the rears and my experience mirrors yours. I had higher hopes given the increased diameter shafts and rather large bodies. The ride is acceptable, but not even the slightest bit comparable to Bilstein 5100's. I will run them for now, the rust will destroy them in no time anyways.

Did you run the complete 5th gen front strut and spring assembly or just use the strut?
 
Last edited:
How's the truck sit with the 4runner springs ? I have a friend who is willing to give me a set but I didn't know if it would be level or not.

Don't bother, I am running 10mm Old Man Emu spacers in order to get it to sit nice. They are slightly soft for the GX470.
 
I did delete the frame-mounted bump stops and thus rely on the coil spring insulators. I do not bottom out with the current setup. The ride can best be described as acceptable, maybe a little Cadillac like. I doubt I will make any changes but if I could find a pair of FJ Cruiser springs I would give them a shot. I also have a pair of Airlift airbags I was considering trying as then I could play with the spring rates artificially with air. I will try and get a side shot of the current setup tomorrow.

My other GX has 895E springs and Bilstein 5100 rears and rides solid like my old 80 series, which I appreciate.
 
I did delete the frame-mounted bump stops and thus rely on the coil spring insulators. I do not bottom out with the current setup. The ride can best be described as acceptable, maybe a little Cadillac like. I doubt I will make any changes but if I could find a pair of FJ Cruiser springs I would give them a shot. I also have a pair of Airlift airbags I was considering trying as then I could play with the spring rates artificially with air. I will try and get a side shot of the current setup tomorrow.

My other GX has 895E springs and Bilstein 5100 rears and rides solid like my old 80 series, which I appreciate.

Pics would be awesome. I'm also thinking of doing a supplemental airbag setup for pulling a trailer. I'm still trying to decide what springs though. The 4runner coils were attractive as they would be free other than my time to install. You appear to be the only one actively on this forum that can give some opinions on them. I appreciate your input and nice work on bringing that rig back to life.
 
Put about 60 miles on the rears and my experience mirrors yours. I had higher hopes given the increased diameter shafts and rather large bodies. The ride is acceptable, but not even the slightest bit comparable to Bilstein 5100's. I will run them for now, the rust will destroy them in no time anyways.

Did you run the complete 5th gen front strut and spring assembly or just use the strut?

Strut and spring combo. Plus a top hat spacer. I can't recall the details off the top of my head, but I believe I got less height with the 4R springs than I did with the tired GX coils (same spacer). I like a cushy ride, but the 4R coils/struts in the front seemed to be outmatched by the weight of the GX. I pulled them out and replaced them with the big Bilsteins. Much better, but still cushy.
 
IMG_0242.webp


Really interesting to hear about the fronts. With as massive as the 5th gens are I assumed the weight issue would be irrelevant.

Here is a pic with stock GX front struts, 4th gen 4Runner rear coil springs and isolaters, 10mm OME spring spacers, and 5th gen 4Runner shocks.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom