After 15 months of ownership

"deprecated account" (savethei4s) 05/31/2018 at 13:40 • Filed to: None

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I finally took the running boards off the GX 470. Next steps: 265/70R17 (32") tires (stock is 265/65 (31.5")) and 1" spacers. It will be a subtle but pretty sweet change I think. Makes it look more like a bona fide Land Cruiser. Eventually I’ll do a lift, and I plan on cutting the bumpers level with the side and custom fabbing a rear spare tire mount that can work with the stock rear bumper. Of course, most of this requires money, so it’s gonna be a hot minute.

HammerheadFistpunch > deprecated account 05/31/2018 at 13:48

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it does make it look nicer. I don’t think my side steps are ever coming off unless it becomes a primary off road rig...which I don’t foresee.

deprecated account > HammerheadFistpunch 05/31/2018 at 13:51

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This one’s my primary everything rig, haha

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > deprecated account 05/31/2018 at 14:00

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I’ve been debating removing them on my Discovery as well. Removing them improves ground clearance and they trap dirt really badly, but I’ve also used them offroad a couple of times when stuck in water or mud...

deprecated account > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/31/2018 at 14:03

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Replace them with sliders. That’s what I’m going to do eventually.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > deprecated account 05/31/2018 at 14:08

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I looked into it. So ‘spensive. $700+ for decent ones. :-/

deprecated account > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/31/2018 at 14:12

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Yep, a good powdercoated set for a GX is like $850.

Snowrydr01 > deprecated account 05/31/2018 at 15:48

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are you on ih8mud? Did you save the old steps? there are some sweet wright ups to cap off the behind the front wheel well. Rear splash guard should be modified if you take the running board off too. It looks out of place.

Full disclosure, i took the running board off of my LX a year ago and still havent gotten around to modifying the rear splash guard either

deprecated account > Snowrydr01 05/31/2018 at 15:56

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Yeah I am. I still have them but they’re sitting in my attic along with all the engine bay plastic. I’ll probably cut them before the summer is out as well as the splash guards.

Michael > deprecated account 05/31/2018 at 16:26

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Southern style off-road went on mine 2 weeks ago. $600. Plus about 2" lift

deprecated account > Michael 05/31/2018 at 21:40

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That looks great. I was looking at the OPORs, I’ll check out yours though. What lift do you have?

Michael > deprecated account 06/01/2018 at 10:02

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I went super-budget on the lift. Helps to have a grinder and a welder.

Fourwheeler magazine really let the charge for my lift... see this link for what I did in the front: http://www.fourwheeler.com/project-vehicles/129-0407-2004-lexus-gx470-customization/photo-11.html

It just extends the lollipop on the bottom of the shock. I think I made mine something like 3 1/4" long, and it lifted my front end by 2.5", to 37" from the ground to the fender, with 265 70 17 tires.

I used McMaster Part #89955K889 cut to length, which ensured the same cross sectional area as the original rod. 

In the rear I did the airbag trick with stainless washers as spacers for a 2" lift. It actually rides smoother than stock over the railroad tracks I cross on my way to work, because it keeps the axle off the bump stops.

All in, I’m riding 2" higher with factory adjustable shocks for under $20.

Michael > deprecated account 06/01/2018 at 10:04

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Still have to cut trim off the original running boards for behind the front tire

deprecated account > Michael 06/02/2018 at 16:55

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Well, poop. I have neither of those things. Love the stance though.