Builds UTFJ GX470 Build (1 Viewer)

[UTFJ]

Here's my build information for my 2007 GX470 (non-KDSS). There are several build threads on this site, and I gained a ton of information from them. Thus, I want to post my build so maybe someone else can benefit from my experience. A BIG THANKS to Scat Adams and Moab CJ5 for their help and answering many questions that I had along the way.

First off, I had a 2010 FJ Cruiser that I loved but the rest of the family didn't. As my kids got older, the rear seats became an issue and eventually off-road trips were no longer enjoyable. My wife already had the 2007 GX, so I decided to trade in the FJ (resale value was great) on a new 2015 GX460 for the wife with one condition: I could mod out the 2007 GX. She agreed and here we are.

Here's the 2007 GX stock with 160,000 miles. Great vehicle. No problems whatsoever.

After a ton of research on MUD, Toyota120, and clublexus forums I decided on the following components.

• Running board delete
• ToyTec 3" Ultimate Lift with Bilstein 5100 front shock and Boss rear shocks
• ToyTec Superflex rear coils
• SPC upper control arms
• Diff drop kit
• Sway bar relocation brackets
• CV boot clamps (they started leaking after the lift)
• Metaltech rear coil conversion kit
• OPOR Sliders
• Front Runner Slimline II roof rack with exposition rails
• BFG KO2 285/70/17
• TRD Gunmetal gray wheels

A friend and I installed the everything except the roof rack in about 6 hours. Here are some pics.

Here's the final results.

Here are some measurements from the fender wells.
Before:

• Front driver - 34 1/8"
• Rear driver - 35 3/8"
• Front passenger - 34 1/8"
• Rear passenger - 35"

After:

• Front driver - 38 " (was higher but I adjusted down 1/2")
• Rear driver - 38 1/2"
• Front passenger - 38" (was higher but I adjusted down 1/2")
• Rear passenger - 38 3/8"
  

I absolutely love the way the truck rides. It is a little firmer than the original sport setting, but in no way harsh. It is so much smoother over bumps and overall is a big improvement compared to the stock 160,000 mile stock suspension. It actually rides close to the wife's stock GX460 yet still retains that "Lexus feel".

Took the GX and the family to Moab over Memorial Day weekend and it performed great. I'm going back over the July 4th weekend to have some more fun. The family no longer complains about going off-roading with me! I'm very pleased with how the truck turned out.

A few more pics on the next post....

 

[UTFJ]

Thanks again to the MUD members!

 

[JLee]

Nice truck! I'm starting to really like them in white.

 

[BlackUSK56]

Truck looks great. I see that you have the newer SPC UCAs with greasable zerk fittings, I'm jealous. Looks like you had a good time in Moab!

 

[ghost1]

Man that looks sharp!

Nice truck! I'm starting to really like them in white.

I was just thinking the same thing.

 

[UTFJ]

Thanks for the nice comments everyone. Moab is always a good time for me and the family. The one problem with Moab is that the trails generate the need for more mods. We scraped the rear bumper and hitch so much that the wife asked why I didn't put steel bumpers on the front and rear of the truck. Bumpers are not in the budget right now, but I think I will take her up on that suggestion later! In the meantime, I will have to chose some moderate and not hard trails....

 

[JLee]

Thanks for the nice comments everyone. Moab is always a good time for me and the family. The one problem with Moab is that the trails generate the need for more mods. We scraped the rear bumper and hitch so much that the wife asked why I didn't put steel bumpers on the front and rear of the truck. Bumpers are not in the budget right now, but I think I will take her up on that suggestion later! In the meantime, I will have to chose some moderate and not hard trails....

If you're replacing the bumpers anyway, who cares about scrapes now?

 

[UTFJ]

If you're replacing the bumpers anyway, who cares about scrapes now?

That's true. I just need to save up to get the bumpers!

 

[wingysataday]

where did you order your sliders?

 

[kbahus]

Great looking truck! @wingysataday Metaltech sells the OPOR sliders.

 

[UTFJ]

I ordered the sliders from Metaltech. They had the unpainted in stock and I had my painter at work paint them for me. The person taking my order did mention that they have been selling a lot of the OPOR sliders for the GX lately. She said about 4-5 per week. I guess there are more of us out there modding GX's than I thought.

 

[NMBruce]

Nice build.

 

[GXO]

I ordered the sliders from Metaltech. They had the unpainted in stock and I had my painter at work paint them for me. The person taking my order did mention that they have been selling a lot of the OPOR sliders for the GX lately. She said about 4-5 per week. I guess there are more of us out there modding GX's than I thought.

I suspect for every one of us on here there are 1-2 lurkers not posting, and another 1-2 not on the board (FB is very active on gx posts). I wager there are 200-250 gxes being built/built in the us

 

[Bluetribal]

I am on a 3 week wait for the OPOR sliders myself. Also will have them painted. Thinking maybe a gunmetal color because I just can't see black bumpers and sliders with my blue mica paint. But I have a tendency to do this since my 80 was Deset Dune and Grey liner I had to go with a silver grey color on my bumpers.

 

[JLee]

I am on a 3 week wait for the OPOR sliders myself. Also will have them painted. Thinking maybe a gunmetal color because I just can't see black bumpers and sliders with my blue mica paint. But I have a tendency to do this since my 80 was Deset Dune and Grey liner I had to go with a silver grey color on my bumpers.

If you want to know what black sliders with ash blue mica looks like:
2016 NM