The Time Has Come: My GX build

[J-man]

I think the GX is such a nice platform for a solid reliable powerful expo rig. Towing a trailer would be no prob. Sweeeet pic - thx for showing - just made it one of my screen savers...if you dont mind.

I love my 4runners, tacoma & land cruiser, but the GX is an under-rated special rig in my opionion.

 

[Jamin_GX]

Bonner-

Any plans for sliders or some kind of rocker protection?

 

[FireGuy]

Having wheeled extensively with Lexwoody, I can tell you that these GX's are highly capable off-road, especially in the rocks. Woody pushed his rig hard. We followed many a jeep right on through a rock garden with really no issue.

What I like about the GX better than the 4th Gen 4Runner is the size of the wheel wells. On Lex's GX, it looked like 35's would fit fairly easily. Headroom and useable interior space seemed much better too.

 

[brandonhedberg]

Very nice GX. With the rear airbags creating lift, how well does the axle articulate? Shock limited? Also, did you need wheel spacers to fit the 285's?

Great work. Keep the pics coming.

 

[BonnerBB]

Yes - sliders are planned as funds and need arise.
They are OEM shocks on the rear and the articulation is limited by the shocks.

This is TexGX's thread so I don't want to hi-jack it. If you have questions about mine please visit my build thread which is in my signature.

 

[TexGX]

Sliders delayed until next Monday. It should be interesting mounting the one on the drivers side. Will post pic's when they are done.

BonnerBB,

Are you having any rubbing with that size tire?

TexGX

 

[TexGX]

Sliders are done. I really like the finish product. Steve at Sonoran Steel really helped me out. I went with rustoleum hammered finish so I could touch up whenever I scratch them up. I am liking the color and thinking about painting the roof rack to match. My wife likes that it still works as a step for her to get in the truck. I attached grip tape so they would not be as slippery when wet.

 

[crawler#976]

Very nice! You will like having the rocker protected, and the extended length will keep the rest of the truck clear as well.

 

[Pedro]

Can you post more information on the roof rack? I am completely underwhelmed with the utility of the factory rack and bars. I am really interested in the mounting and if it was something you were able to buy or if it was something you made.

Cheers!
Pedro.

 

[TexGX]

You are right Mark. The old running board were pretty beat up when I took them off. I had to mount them a little futher out because of the KDSS system and my wife needs a step. I think with all the issues with my truck they came out perfect.

Pedro,

My rack is from African Outback. It just bolted on. I do not know if you can find one, but if I had to do it again, I would have went with Font Runner. The guys at Equipe carry them.

TexGX

 

[Pedro]

So I assume that the mounting was spec for an LC120 overseas? I know they changed a few things when it was made into a Lexus, I was hoping this would be one thing that fit.

 

[Flagster]

Y
My rack is from African Outback. It just bolted on. I do not know if you can find one, but if I had to do it again, I would have went with Font Runner. The guys at Equipe carry them.

TexGX

Why do you prefer the frontrunner rack...I have heard good things about both the FR and AO rack and am trying to make up my mind

 

[1leglance]

Those slider/steps look really nice and I bet they are plenty tough.
Nice job!

 

[TexGX]

Flagster,

AO no longer has a supplier in the US. If I wanted to by can holder, table, etc. I could not get AO stuff. I could retrofit FR, but why not buy FR from the begining. I did get a great deal on the AO so that was why I pulled the trigger on it.

Pedro,

I beileve that the racks are the same. If I ordered a frontrunner rack, I would have ordered the one for the Prado 120.

Lance,

I guess we need to test them out.

TexGX

 

[SWITAWI]

Flagster, TexGX nailed it on the head. The FrontRunner 'WindCheetah' rack is not a cheapie by any means, but it can be added onto like nobody's business. All the flat cross-members have T-slots for bolting on all their accessories, including tent mounting.

Get with Paul May at Equipt (Paul@Equipt1.com). Great guy who will answer your questions (even when you tell him you're still just looking). As a matter of fact he's been updating a thread on his 100-Series and posted this picture and write up on his roof rack just today...

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...s-Land-Cruiser-100-Series?p=967716#post967716

:drool: