Lexus GX470 Expedition build
- Thread starter boo471
- Start date
boo471
Adventurer
Naaw Im not to sure about the vents either. I was just sketching away. We will see how it will look in the end. First I need to get me a LT suspension.
Any time my friend, anytime!
OK, bigger tie rods it is. All of this is very far down on my list but it might happen. Only time will tell.....and my wallet.
SAS, noooo quitter!
I like the updates!
Wow on the lighting. You are not short on any of it. Great setup for wide open places. For those kinds of trails, you should lead the way or else you'd blind the poor soul in front of you. hahahaha Get those rock lights going, those will be the bee's knees. The up high side floods are definitely awesome. Just wait till you go night snow wheeling.
For the front suspension (I'm learning here in this section, lol) does the GX share any similarity with the FJ Cruiser? Check out my friend here at about the 2:58 mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQyr6zXRazE
Yeah the lights are crazy!
That FJ looked good. Nice flexing both in the front and rear. Early FJs suspension is identical to the GX. More or less.
boo471
Adventurer
It's the orange accents. Looks like something a Jeeper would do. Maybe just black or dark gray or color matched blue to match your body would be more subtle and Lexus like. Bad *** rig otherwise.
What? The orange is the icing on the cake
Darklight777
New member
Marten, I like the sketch and you are right on track if you want to go LT. You will need glass fenders for the added travel. As for fitting 35's that would be allot of work and may require a body lift. I am not sure what goes into a b/l for the GX but it shouldn't be much different than the 4Runner as they share the same prado 120 platform. Also re-gearing to 4.88's is a wise choice if you decide to make 35's work. Aside from that I like the idea of LT if it's in the budget
Bobby
Bobby
boo471
Adventurer
Huge roof pop up?!
So when I first got this truck I wasn't sure how much I would modify it. Well I have kind of gotten to the point of no return and would really like to make some new holes in its sheet metal.
I also want to bring this truck with me home and will most likely install a gasoline driven parking heater to heat up the engine and the cab of my truck in winter time (Sweden gets pretty cold). Something like this, Esbar Hydronic 4
When doing that I will be able to use it warming a fresh water tank for a shower install or heat a bigger area of the truck (or a trailer camper if I'll ever get one).
So I would like to get that heat flowing in to my tent as well and I would also like to get a bigger "living area". And since I am a big fan of the design of the JK Habitat I was looking at doing something similar for my GX.
So here is a first draft I did in CAD. I will make a hole thru the roof over the passenger area in the truck going in to the sleeping area. The design of the pop-up will be very similar to the habitat version. If you cover the entrance in the floor of the tent you should be able to sleep 4 people.
Having hot air flowing from the cab up to the tent, thru the hole or thru vents will keep the entire tent warm and cozy even during cold nights. These parking heaters produce a pretty solid amount of heat and having it running on gas will get me a pretty decent amount of run time before it empties my gas tank.
Side view in closed position. I should be able to create a lower profile if I chop up the entire roof and weld in reinforcements instead of building the frame on top of the current roof.
In open position
Draft of the frame work. A little heavy duty right now. Main frame designed in 1"x2". But its only a draft.
With mattresses and bars for holding up the tent canvas. Puh, sowing a tent will be interesting.
Feels good getting some of the ideas on paper/3D
So when I first got this truck I wasn't sure how much I would modify it. Well I have kind of gotten to the point of no return and would really like to make some new holes in its sheet metal.
I also want to bring this truck with me home and will most likely install a gasoline driven parking heater to heat up the engine and the cab of my truck in winter time (Sweden gets pretty cold). Something like this, Esbar Hydronic 4
When doing that I will be able to use it warming a fresh water tank for a shower install or heat a bigger area of the truck (or a trailer camper if I'll ever get one).
So I would like to get that heat flowing in to my tent as well and I would also like to get a bigger "living area". And since I am a big fan of the design of the JK Habitat I was looking at doing something similar for my GX.
So here is a first draft I did in CAD. I will make a hole thru the roof over the passenger area in the truck going in to the sleeping area. The design of the pop-up will be very similar to the habitat version. If you cover the entrance in the floor of the tent you should be able to sleep 4 people.
Having hot air flowing from the cab up to the tent, thru the hole or thru vents will keep the entire tent warm and cozy even during cold nights. These parking heaters produce a pretty solid amount of heat and having it running on gas will get me a pretty decent amount of run time before it empties my gas tank.
Side view in closed position. I should be able to create a lower profile if I chop up the entire roof and weld in reinforcements instead of building the frame on top of the current roof.
In open position
Draft of the frame work. A little heavy duty right now. Main frame designed in 1"x2". But its only a draft.
With mattresses and bars for holding up the tent canvas. Puh, sowing a tent will be interesting.
Feels good getting some of the ideas on paper/3D
boo471
Adventurer
The hinge idea sounds good if I can get them strong enough. The styling is currently just a "box" at the moment. Will smoothen it out to look better and get better aerodynamics when I do the final design.
I kind of just wanted to sketch on the idea a little.
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DanKunz
Adventurer
I think if you did thick enough bar stock for the hinge and inlay it into the roof (bottom) and top (lid) you could have a pretty flush hinge with a lot of strength since you could have 3-4 across the roof vs. two on the sides. You could even have a 2 hinge (bottom and top) that could flatten the front airdam when it was deployed and still fold properly. I think I need to get better and drawing
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boo471
Adventurer
I think if you did thick enough bar stock for the hinge and inlay it into the roof (bottom) and top (lid) you could have a pretty flush hinge with a lot of strength since you could have 3-4 across the roof vs. two on the sides. You could even have a 2 hinge (bottom and top) that could flatten the front airdam when it was deployed and still fold properly. I think I need to get better and drawing
Hmmm yeah got to look in to that.
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boo471
Adventurer
boo471;1462826 With mattresses and bars for holding up the tent canvas. Puh said:
I will remove the headliner on the truck this weekend and have a look at the roof reinforcements. I think I will do the cut out bigger. Going from one side to the other and starting by the neck rest of the front seat and ending just before the rear hatch. Than there will be a lot of space to stand up in the back of the tent if you are not using the rear area for a bed.
Using the pop up frame as reinforcement should make the car rigid and not compromise the strength of the body.
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boo471
Adventurer
My wheels are busted.
I have been having a pretty bad vibration in my wheels the last months. I thought it was one of the tires that was screwed up and went to have them rebalanced yesterday. Apparently two of my wheels are pretty badly dented and crocked. Hence the vibrations.
So Now I need to get new wheels. I don't feel like buying two OEM wheels. Probably the cheapest option but they seem to be easily dented. So I was looking at ordering 5 of the level 8 Guardians in Bronze. And maybe finally order my spare tire as well:ylsmoke:
Any thought on these or does anyone recommend any other wheels?
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/wheels/level_8/product/submitProductSize.do?pc=55509&tmn=Guardian&typ=Truck
I was looking at getting the 17"x8.5" with -6 offset so I don't need my 1.25" spacer that I currently have mounted (I run 285/70/17 Hankook Dynapro MT RT3).
I also need to order the last things I need for my rear bumper build. I need square tubing, some sort of hinge/hardware for rear swing out. Spare tire mounting plate.
Anyone has some suggestions on where to get the parts needed for the rear swing out?
//Marten
I have been having a pretty bad vibration in my wheels the last months. I thought it was one of the tires that was screwed up and went to have them rebalanced yesterday. Apparently two of my wheels are pretty badly dented and crocked. Hence the vibrations.
So Now I need to get new wheels. I don't feel like buying two OEM wheels. Probably the cheapest option but they seem to be easily dented. So I was looking at ordering 5 of the level 8 Guardians in Bronze. And maybe finally order my spare tire as well:ylsmoke:
Any thought on these or does anyone recommend any other wheels?
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/wheels/level_8/product/submitProductSize.do?pc=55509&tmn=Guardian&typ=Truck
I was looking at getting the 17"x8.5" with -6 offset so I don't need my 1.25" spacer that I currently have mounted (I run 285/70/17 Hankook Dynapro MT RT3).
I also need to order the last things I need for my rear bumper build. I need square tubing, some sort of hinge/hardware for rear swing out. Spare tire mounting plate.
Anyone has some suggestions on where to get the parts needed for the rear swing out?
//Marten
I've seen some folks using this kit: http://www.atozfabrication.com/store/product.php?productid=16138 ... seems to be decent quality. I've also heard about folks adapting parts from a trailer wheel hub/spindle ... might-could re-purpose something from a junkyard?
boo471
Adventurer
Good price for a pretty good looking kit. Might actually go for that. They had. Tire carriers and latches as well.
Thanks for the tip!
//Marten