WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
My WeatherTech window covers and front floor mats arrived Saturday. I am impressed with the fit and quality of the items. The floor mats will protect the carpet quit well. The widow covers can be seen in the previous post.
2018 Lexus GX build
- Thread starter WashingtonTaco
- Start date
WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
The final bit of work this weekend was the removal, cut and reinstallation of the remaining plastic trim from the running boards. I have Demello rock sliders on order and may need to trim the plastic more for fitment.
WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
That‘s a great mod and way to go getting exactly what you want.
Gallowbraid
Adventurist
That table is huge! They could market it as an operating table.
WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
Suspension is on order, supposedly takes three weeks to build the shocks from Radflo. I‘m ok with this but with all the restrictions in limited travel I’m guessing this will stretch the time line.
http://www.sonoransteel.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_21&products_id=36
I went with Sonoran Steel for a few reasons.
1) I’ve know Steve for a few years. Helped out with my Taco suspension build and my daughters 4Runner.
2) One of two companies that would talk with me about spring rates and valving the shocks as needed for the rates. A few of the big name guys wouldn’t even respond to email.
3) The trac bar/pan hard bar is the only one on the market built to work with KDSS. I’ve read in several places that the kit being sold for GX 460/4Runner don‘t work with KDSS and the trac bar makes contact at full droop and compression.
After having to reconfigure my Taco rear suspension twice and front coil shock combo three times I wanted to get it right the first time.
http://www.sonoransteel.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_21&products_id=36
I went with Sonoran Steel for a few reasons.
1) I’ve know Steve for a few years. Helped out with my Taco suspension build and my daughters 4Runner.
2) One of two companies that would talk with me about spring rates and valving the shocks as needed for the rates. A few of the big name guys wouldn’t even respond to email.
3) The trac bar/pan hard bar is the only one on the market built to work with KDSS. I’ve read in several places that the kit being sold for GX 460/4Runner don‘t work with KDSS and the trac bar makes contact at full droop and compression.
After having to reconfigure my Taco rear suspension twice and front coil shock combo three times I wanted to get it right the first time.
WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
Made a Mach run to Portland to visit Ironman USA for a few parts!!
WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
More provisions arrived yesterday. I have long been a fan of Front Runner due to all the optional accessories available and if I don’t like what they offer I can fabricate what I want and bolt it on.
I had one on my Taco for years and made my own Maxtrax holder, side camp light brackets, shovel and ax holders as well.
I had one on my Taco for years and made my own Maxtrax holder, side camp light brackets, shovel and ax holders as well.
WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
I have two build schedules. Weekends for large projects that consume numerous hours. Day to day projects when I have an hour or two before or after work.
I started my HAM radio installation. The GX doesn’t offer great spaces to place items so it
won’t look tacky.
I fabricated a simple bracket to mount the control head forward of the shifter handle and a base plate that will reside under the passenger seat for the base unit. Both formed out of 2024T3 .063.
I started my HAM radio installation. The GX doesn’t offer great spaces to place items so it
won’t look tacky.
I fabricated a simple bracket to mount the control head forward of the shifter handle and a base plate that will reside under the passenger seat for the base unit. Both formed out of 2024T3 .063.
WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
I decided to put a joggle on the aft right seat mount bolt area to accommodate carpet and padding.
This is one of those day to day projects that I'll work progressively over a week or two, one or two hours Monday - Thursday.
This is one of those day to day projects that I'll work progressively over a week or two, one or two hours Monday - Thursday.
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WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
Nice! Finally got a proper radio too
I’ve had that for 5 plus years.
java230
Adventurist
Well damn, I havn't seen you in way too long.
WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
This should make one person installation a bit easier!
Wow that escalation in parts was quick. You'll be done in no time.
WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
Especially if and when I get laid off due to CV-19.
WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
So last weekend had me installing the Ironman Premium bumper. This is a “cut” bumper meaning the plastic factory bumper cover is cut and retained in some areas. Mind you this bumper is designed for the Land Cruiser Prado 150 and they are not exactly the same as a Lexus GX 460 150 very similar but not exactly. Some installation difficulty ensued. The power steering line that runs in front and at the bottom of the radiator needs to be rerouted and brackets modified, bolt orientation needs to swapped opposing directions due to thread contact on the radiator which has to be displaced. The parking sensor orientation has to be considered as well. That being stated Chris from Ironman warned me it was a full weekend install. He was not wrong with that statement. The final result did come out quite well. I am a Airframe and Power Plant mechanic by trade so my level of scrutiny is at a higher intensity than yours may be.
All said and done I removed 67 lbs of factory bumper parts, approximately half the weight of the new winch bumper.
All said and done I removed 67 lbs of factory bumper parts, approximately half the weight of the new winch bumper.
WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
So with the bumper installed I was ready for the winch. I have long been a fan of Warn and having worked with them on demos at various overland shows in the PNW they were the obvious choice for this build. Come Up was a close second but Warn's customer service is outstanding and the Zeon platform is hard to beat. IP 68 rated and still made in the USA. I went with the 10s, s designating synthetic winch line.
Synthetic winch line that I wont be using, Warn's Spydura line is a quality product but I prefer to use Safe Xtract Plasma rope instead. The Safe Xtract is 60' long 7/16" diameter and has a MTS of 21,000 lbs. Why only 60'? Winches only pull at rated power on the first layer of wraps on the drum, thus having only to pull 50'or so off the drum to get to maximum capacity vs 90' of the Spydura. I can add a winch extension if I need more length. A Factor 55 Flatlink E will be attached to the end for a closed loop system.
Fitting the Zeon into the cradle was no easy task. I had approximately 6 3/4" of space and the winch with the control pack removed is 7 3/4". Ironman really wants to sell you one of there winches to make an easy installation.
There is a stamped piece that attached to the remaining bumper cover that was going to need be removed to make room. After consideration and a cup of coffee I chose to drill out two spot weld and unbolt the remainder of the bracket. If need be I can bolt the whole assembly back in.
Synthetic winch line that I wont be using, Warn's Spydura line is a quality product but I prefer to use Safe Xtract Plasma rope instead. The Safe Xtract is 60' long 7/16" diameter and has a MTS of 21,000 lbs. Why only 60'? Winches only pull at rated power on the first layer of wraps on the drum, thus having only to pull 50'or so off the drum to get to maximum capacity vs 90' of the Spydura. I can add a winch extension if I need more length. A Factor 55 Flatlink E will be attached to the end for a closed loop system.
Fitting the Zeon into the cradle was no easy task. I had approximately 6 3/4" of space and the winch with the control pack removed is 7 3/4". Ironman really wants to sell you one of there winches to make an easy installation.
There is a stamped piece that attached to the remaining bumper cover that was going to need be removed to make room. After consideration and a cup of coffee I chose to drill out two spot weld and unbolt the remainder of the bracket. If need be I can bolt the whole assembly back in.
WashingtonTaco
Adventurist
Once the bracket was removed the winch slipped right in. The next issue was to locate a place for the control pack that would minimize airflow impact to the radiator. This also made it super simple to connect the wired remote. YES wired remote, I am not a fan of wireless controllers and prefer KISS.
The Warn relocation kit came with a bracket that needed a bit of manipulation, a bend here and a cut there and the control pack found a new home. I located 4 mount holes on the bumper and made a couple spacers for the front angle and bolted it down.
The Warn relocation kit came with a bracket that needed a bit of manipulation, a bend here and a cut there and the control pack found a new home. I located 4 mount holes on the bumper and made a couple spacers for the front angle and bolted it down.