TheOtherGuy's Intro and Build Thread

[TheOtherGuy]

Hello Everyone!

First I want to say thanks for all the info Y'all have complied on this site. It really helped with my decision to buy the GX over any number of choices and has helped tremendously in planning maintenance tasks.

I picked up my 2006 GX a few months ago and sold my 1999 4runner V-6, 5speed, 4X4.

I intend to use this thread to document progress and small projects and share information that I have learned about the GX. Feel free to ask any questions.

So far I have done:

• Timing belt
• spark plugs
• Transmission service
• Change all fluids
• CV axle reboot and repack
• Little hitch trailer hitch from southern style offroad
• Ceramic window tint
• 2m ham rig
• CB and 10m combination radio
• Antenna mounts from CBI off-road
• Radflo front coilovers and rear shocks
• 4runner trail edition wheels
• 265/70/17 Good Year Duratrac Tires
• Cargo hooks for the roof rack
• Removed running boards

The Old Ride

The New Ride, I forgot to get a stock picture, already have the wheels and tires on.

The first big trip to Death Valley NP

 

[TheOtherGuy]

I had a little trouble with the day-time running light bulb housing that cracked and took me a while to track down all the info for it. So here it is. Hopefully this may save you some time.

The part needed is this pigtail assembly

The headlamp housing assembly was quite a pain to get out so I made a short video of how to do it. Unfourtunately you have to take the assembly out to change the pigtail wiring.

 

[Sleepy]

Same wheels I want. Looks good.

 

[Bluetribal]

Damn you don't mess around! All I have done with mine in the year I have had it is put AT tires, 21,000 miles, sliders, and four oil changes. Oh and beat my stock skid plates so bad on rocks that I had to crowbar the one skid off and back on for the last oil change. Already had to touch up the sliders too. :grin:

Could you share info on the roof rack cargo hooks.

 

[TheOtherGuy]

CARGO HOOKS

Here's all the info for the cargo hooks.

I was having some difficulty securing cargo to the roof so I started looking around for a better way. I came up with using some t-slot bolts and eye loops nuts and some rubber washers to protect the paint.

It was not a cheap solution but it works OK.

The t-slot bolts, unfortunately these are not stainless, if you do this project try to find some stainless ones. Mine have already started to rust with one trip near the pacific coast. Also these bolts are too long, I had to cut them. Try to find some shorter ones.
uxcell M8 Thread 30mm Length T Slot Drop-in Stud Bolt Screw 20pcs Silver Tone: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

The eye loop nuts. These are stainless.
uxcell M8 Female Thread Stainless Steel Lifting Eye Nuts Ring 10 Pcs - - Amazon.com

The installation:

 

[TheOtherGuy]

2 m RADIO INSTALL

For the radio installation I used CBI off-road ditch light mounts for the antennas. The 4th Gen 4runner models fit just fine on the GX 470.
The ditch light mounts re the exact same as the antenna mount they sell but If you by the ditch lights they are cheaper for no apparent reason. And you get a free shirt which is pretty sweet.


The mounts:
4th gen 4Runner Ditch Light Brackets + FREE SHIPPING | CBI Offroad Fab

Icom 2m radio location: mounted in the center console. If you remove the rear A/C and sound system controls you have acces to put bolts into the radio mount from the rear of the console.

The 2m antenna and mount:

 

[TheOtherGuy]

CB RADIO INSTALL

The guy at the radio supply store sold me on this Stryker SR89MC CB radio and 10m combo unit. I haven't used it very much yet and still haven't tuned the antenna but its all installed and it receives OK. I have mostly been using the 2m.

10 Meter Radio SR-89MC - CB Antenna - Strykerradios

I installed it under the passenger seat and the microphone/display come up near the center console. The mic cable is a little short though

 

[TheOtherGuy]

THE LITTLE HITCH

Finding information on how to get a trailer hitch on this truck was tough. Some say the FJ cruiser and 4runner hitches fit but I think there are two different bolt patterns ( and many different part numbers) that were made and if you get the wrong one you are kind of screwed. And the are nearly $300 for the OEM hitch.

Luckily southern style of road makes a solution for lightweight stuff.
The “Lightweight” Hitch Receiver AKA “Lil Hitch” | Southern Style OffRoad

The hardware you will need to install it are M12 -1.25 - 30mm 8.8 bolts and washers. The factory crossbar has threaded holes.
M12-1.25 x 30mm DIN 961 Class 8.8 Zinc Finish Hex Cap Screw | Fastenal

M12 DIN 127 Zinc Plated Split Lock Washer | Fastenal

 

[TheOtherGuy]

SUSPENSION


For the suspension I decided to go with Radflo front coilovers and FJ cruiser rear springs with radflo rear shocks.

On my old tacoma I had done Bilstien 5100 with a slight lift; 1" in the front I think. Anyway I wasn't super happy with them so I decided to go a different route with this GX.

After a good amount of research I went with Radflo and so far am very happy with them after about 1,500 miles on them. I took them on a full run through some pretty rough roads in death valley and was very impressed. I could bomb down these dirt roads at 55-60 MPH and felt totally smooth and comfortable. On the road they ride great for the most part. There is some strange behavior at very low speeds sometimes (parking lot speeds) where it feels like there is s spring with no damping component but this is a minor gripe. they can't be perfect for every situation.

For reasons I can't explain I didn't take any pictures during this install, but here are the coil-overs in their box:

 

[Source3]

Any pics with suspension and 265/70 tires?

 

[moodytico]

I see you did the timing belt....at 86k I am approaching the timing belt change. Was this something the average week end wrencher can accomplish?

 

[TheOtherGuy]

Any pics with suspension and 265/70 tires?

It doesn't look that much different from the pictures above. With the RadFlos and FJ coils in the rear I am lifted by maybe 1 inch all around if that. I forgot to measure the height before I installed everything so I don't know exactly how much it is lifted but my best guess is about an inch.

I will post some pictures soon.

 

[TheOtherGuy]

I see you did the timing belt....at 86k I am approaching the timing belt change. Was this something the average week end wrencher can accomplish?

The timing belt is the only thing I had someone else do. I got a local shop to do it and frankly I am glad I did. They found a leak in the radiator and were able to get the radiator the same day and have everything done in a day. I think it cost $1,200 for the timing belt kit, water pump, tensioner and belts and radiator all together. From what I have seen on these forums, the radiator leak is pretty common.


If I were to do it myself there is no way I could have got the radiator same day and would have been down for several days waiting on a radiator.

As far as skill required, that's a judgement call on your own abilities. I would suggest watching a few of the youtube videos on how to do it and make the decision for yourself after doing a little research. There is a good video of a guy doing it on a LS430 and from my understanding the GX is pretty similar. I would also want the FSM copy of the procedure before trying it.

I made the decision to have a pro do it because of the risk and time involved and the fact I have never done it before. I am pretty confident That I could have done it myself if I had done enough research and really wanted to.

 

[moodytico]

Thanks for the info. I have also heard the radiator leak is fairly common. I will more than likely leave it to the pros....was just curious if you tackled it yourself.