Thanks. I'll add it to the list of options.
toothaker1219's GX470 Build Thread
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Just want to say thanks for a quality build thread.
Even though you said you didn't document your projects well, the photos and walking us through the progression of the build is great! So much better than just one pic with a giant list of "mods done".
We need more of these!!! Crap just floats away never to be seen again on FB.
Even though you said you didn't document your projects well, the photos and walking us through the progression of the build is great! So much better than just one pic with a giant list of "mods done".
We need more of these!!! Crap just floats away never to be seen again on FB.
Nice! Another fellow Alabama GX owner!
A few miles south of Birmingham checking in.
toothaker1219
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Small upgrade I did last weekend. Installed new battery terminal connections in an effort to clean up some supply and ground wires.
toothaker1219
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Ok! Lots to catch up on so here we go.
May 2021:
New CVJ re-man steering rack installed, the OG rack was leaking and needed to go. This job is not terrible, but i do suggest taking off the inner tie rods to make things easier. I did end up having to replace the bushing in the new steering rack with some from whiteline, as CVJ at the time did not replace bushing in their re-man process.
May 2021:
New CVJ re-man steering rack installed, the OG rack was leaking and needed to go. This job is not terrible, but i do suggest taking off the inner tie rods to make things easier. I did end up having to replace the bushing in the new steering rack with some from whiteline, as CVJ at the time did not replace bushing in their re-man process.
toothaker1219
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August 2021:
New rear springs from Australia, these took forever to arrive. That being said buyer beware when ordering from 4xOUSA.com
I will say these are the perfect springs for my set up, 75mm over factory length, long travel and Ultra Heavy Duty for the added weight.
New rear springs from Australia, these took forever to arrive. That being said buyer beware when ordering from 4xOUSA.com
I will say these are the perfect springs for my set up, 75mm over factory length, long travel and Ultra Heavy Duty for the added weight.
toothaker1219
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November 2021:
New front suspension parts starting arriving. This took some research, due to some deals that were available and d some used parts from Derrick. So, the King remote resi coil overs are for a 5th gen 4runner, which normally would need new lower misalignment spacers to fit GX470 LCA's. But I picked up a set of used Dirt King 2nd gen Tacoma boxed LCA's which fit the 5th gen coilovers. You will need new bushings for the alignment bolts to fit and new uniball hardware but otherwise it all fits.
To convert Dirt King 2nd gen Tacoma LCA's to fit a GX470/4th gen 4runner you will need:
LCA Spacer Kits × 1 (03-21 Runner)
LCA Inner Sleeve | DK-IB8703482 × 2
LCA Inner Sleeve | DK-IB9302768 × 2
New front suspension parts starting arriving. This took some research, due to some deals that were available and d some used parts from Derrick. So, the King remote resi coil overs are for a 5th gen 4runner, which normally would need new lower misalignment spacers to fit GX470 LCA's. But I picked up a set of used Dirt King 2nd gen Tacoma boxed LCA's which fit the 5th gen coilovers. You will need new bushings for the alignment bolts to fit and new uniball hardware but otherwise it all fits.
To convert Dirt King 2nd gen Tacoma LCA's to fit a GX470/4th gen 4runner you will need:
LCA Spacer Kits × 1 (03-21 Runner)
LCA Inner Sleeve | DK-IB8703482 × 2
LCA Inner Sleeve | DK-IB9302768 × 2
toothaker1219
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November 2021 continued:
Ordered some matching uniball UCA's
Seats from PRP came in, and also welded on some TC fab spindle gussets. Then began to get everything installed.
Ordered some matching uniball UCA's
Seats from PRP came in, and also welded on some TC fab spindle gussets. Then began to get everything installed.
toothaker1219
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So the front suspension project took up until February 2022 to complete. When it came time to pull it out of the garage the 500lb coils were not cutting it. Ordered some 700lb coils but at least the new to me wheels and tires, some Black Rhino Rift bead locks and some 35x12.50r17 BFG KM3's looked good.
Ordered some parts that would end up on the shelf for a while, some beefy rear lower link mounts (still not installed as of 10/22/23) and some Califab rear shock conversion mounts.
Ordered some parts that would end up on the shelf for a while, some beefy rear lower link mounts (still not installed as of 10/22/23) and some Califab rear shock conversion mounts.
toothaker1219
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February 23, 2022:
New springs in and everything was fitting good. Not shown was the new Duro-Bump bump stops that were installed.
Just in time for a trip down to Florida for some perfect camping weather.
New springs in and everything was fitting good. Not shown was the new Duro-Bump bump stops that were installed.
Just in time for a trip down to Florida for some perfect camping weather.
toothaker1219
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toothaker1219
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May 2022:
Prep for my yearly run to Ouray Colorado included a new ORS dash mount, and also learning about the common issue of the AC drain clogging up.
Typical loadout for my long distance trips:
Left to right:
Tool roll
Air hose/Inde-flate
Tire repair kit
Electrical tools/parts
Pelican with spare parts and larger tools.
Not shown is recovery gear and the usual assortment of camping supplies.
A few shots from Ouray:
Prep for my yearly run to Ouray Colorado included a new ORS dash mount, and also learning about the common issue of the AC drain clogging up.
Typical loadout for my long distance trips:
Left to right:
Tool roll
Air hose/Inde-flate
Tire repair kit
Electrical tools/parts
Pelican with spare parts and larger tools.
Not shown is recovery gear and the usual assortment of camping supplies.
A few shots from Ouray:
toothaker1219
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August/September 2022:
This time of year means only one thing, ATR. In 2022 Derrick and I competed in the 24 Hours of Windrock hosted by Overlander Project during this years ATR. This was a 24 hour straight competition that put teamwork and navigation skills to the test. This event really let the GX shine and made me really see the values of the countless hours and $$$ that I have put into the GX of the past few years. All the new parts and upgrades performed as expected or better. Due to some navigational errors and a lost rear link bolt we wound up in 3rd place overall due to time penalties, but I'll proudly say we had gained more points than any other team.
This time of year means only one thing, ATR. In 2022 Derrick and I competed in the 24 Hours of Windrock hosted by Overlander Project during this years ATR. This was a 24 hour straight competition that put teamwork and navigation skills to the test. This event really let the GX shine and made me really see the values of the countless hours and $$$ that I have put into the GX of the past few years. All the new parts and upgrades performed as expected or better. Due to some navigational errors and a lost rear link bolt we wound up in 3rd place overall due to time penalties, but I'll proudly say we had gained more points than any other team.
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toothaker1219
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January-March 2023:
In prep for a Utah BDR trip I wanted to add some extra fuel capacity. Easy solution is the Rotopax.
New RCV's on deck.
Finally got around to installing the cam-tab gussets.
Derrick decided to go a new direction with one of his projects which allowed me to snatch up his NWF Eco-crawler secondary transfer case.
Decided to ditch the drawer system for a plate style mounting system, DIY of course.
New steel skids from RCI to take place of the aluminum skids. And finally adding a real fuel tank skid. The engine skid had to be modified to fit around the cam tab gussets.
In prep for a Utah BDR trip I wanted to add some extra fuel capacity. Easy solution is the Rotopax.
New RCV's on deck.
Finally got around to installing the cam-tab gussets.
Derrick decided to go a new direction with one of his projects which allowed me to snatch up his NWF Eco-crawler secondary transfer case.
Decided to ditch the drawer system for a plate style mounting system, DIY of course.
New steel skids from RCI to take place of the aluminum skids. And finally adding a real fuel tank skid. The engine skid had to be modified to fit around the cam tab gussets.
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toothaker1219
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January-March 2023 continued:
New Spicer u-joints in both drive shafts.
And a sick new shifter.
New Spicer u-joints in both drive shafts.
And a sick new shifter.
toothaker1219
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The end of March took us back to Windrock park in Oliver Springs, TN for the the Southeast Overland and Camping Event.
Decided to let the fiancé give the first black trail of the trip a go.
And she got to learn how to winch...
Decided to let the fiancé give the first black trail of the trip a go.
And she got to learn how to winch...
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toothaker1219
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Got to test out the trailer on some trails on day 2.
Day 3 was a little wet.
Windrock steals nuts and bolts from me I swear.
Day 3 was a little wet.
Windrock steals nuts and bolts from me I swear.
toothaker1219
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April 2023:
Ditched the plastic cladding, used some plastic hole plugs from amazon as a temp filler.
Ditched the plastic cladding, used some plastic hole plugs from amazon as a temp filler.
toothaker1219
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July-October 2023:
Finally got to work on the Califab shock mounts. A saws-all, a standard cutting wheel, and a flap disc will do 95% of the demo. The smaller air powered die grinders are very use as well. The most valuable tool for this job would be an air hammer. Makes easy work. of moving the body metal above the frame out of the way.
The axel end mounts hang pretty low. I will be looking for some type of guard until we can re make them. But I am happy with the overall outcome.
Finally got to work on the Califab shock mounts. A saws-all, a standard cutting wheel, and a flap disc will do 95% of the demo. The smaller air powered die grinders are very use as well. The most valuable tool for this job would be an air hammer. Makes easy work. of moving the body metal above the frame out of the way.
The axel end mounts hang pretty low. I will be looking for some type of guard until we can re make them. But I am happy with the overall outcome.