2018 Lexus GX build

[WashingtonTaco]

A few pictures from our last trip on the East side of the Cascades. We camped along the Twisp River.

 

[WashingtonTaco]

I managed to get my light decorations wired up this weekend and actually function. I‘ll get them adjusted some night after work this week when no one is around in the neighborhood. Rigid Dually 2s with 6 LEDs per light for ditch lights and Rigid 360 series 6” on the bumper. I already had the SAE driving lights wired into the factory switch.

I really love the stock lights on the GX but the SAE driving lights really enhances the low beams.

This is about all the forward lights anyone could realistically use/need.

 

[WashingtonTaco]

After three months of waiting my Raingler storage net arrived. I had installed a BROG net in my daughters 4R and found it super handy. Raingler make there nets to order so the wait can be long.

These are great for storing jacket, sunshades, small blankets etc.. Raingler are made in the USA.

 

[Dave]

That's a very nice upgrade.

Who makes the slippers?

 

[WashingtonTaco]

That's a very nice upgrade.

Who makes the slippers?

Slippers are universal house/gardening/driving shoes for Stacey. Just not store ware.

 

[Twin Magnolias]

Look at that. I have talked myself into waiting on getting a LUSB Oscar's Mobile Hideout because I didn't have my rear tire carrier yet (bumper and tire carrier are on order), and it would just scratch up the truck paint and get in the way if I left it on the tailgate. Then you go posting a common sense solution by hanging it from the roof rack, and now the devil in me is trying to talk the responsible adult in me into getting it sooner rather than later.

 

[WashingtonTaco]

Look at that. I have talked myself into waiting on getting a LUSB Oscar's Mobile Hideout because I didn't have my rear tire carrier yet (bumper and tire carrier are on order), and it would just scratch up the truck paint and get in the way if I left it on the tailgate. Then you go posting a common sense solution by hanging it from the roof rack, and now the devil in me is trying to talk the responsible adult in me into getting it sooner rather than later.

Solid piece of kit.

 

[WashingtonTaco]

The parts are slowly arriving for my transmission cooler installation. The Lexus GX doesn’t come with a factory transmission cooler installed until model year 2020. Crazy for a vehicle rated to tow 6500 lbs. In North America only the Canadians in the highest trim level received the transmission cooler. Found a thread on Club Lexus with the complete factory parts list. Put everything on order through US Lexus/Toyota dealers with the exception of the trany cooler itself. It was half price of a NA. market cooler but same P.N. shipped out of the UAE.

Still waiting on the remaining parts shipping CONUS. Crazy a part can arrive from the UAE faster.

 

[WashingtonTaco]

A few updates from the weekend.

I installed my second AGM battery, wired up the NOCO trickle charger and started my scene lighting installation.

The NOCO trickle charger will keep both batteries topped up and since the alternator won’t fully charge the start battery it‘ll take care of that. In the field I can connect my portable solar panel to either battery for charging. Eventually I’ll install my 100 watt Renogy fixed panel to my roof rack for dedicated charging to the house battery and use the portable panel as needed for type of trip. For instance at a base camp event like Expo or Northwest Overland Rally I’ll be able to charge up to 220 watts.

The batteries are Northstar from the group buy this spring, both are group 24F, 78 amp hour reserve (stock is 65) and 310 more CCA.

I realize most people will think scene lights are OAF but I ski all winter long and the sun doesn’t show till about 7:30 so they are necessary to me for dawn patrol. Especially if the resort I’m skiing at doesn’t allow ski bum camping and I need to camp down the road, extra time to prep.

The scene light bracket are repurposed from my Taco but this time around I had them powder coated. They are fabricated from 15-5 .050” CRES. I fabricated my own as the Rigid scene lights were to long to fit anything Front Runner offered.

I located and drilled a few holes in the roof rack to run wiring in the channels. I still need to complete the wiring to the sPOD but now that they are located that’ll be a fairly easy task.

 

[WashingtonTaco]

Scene lights and routing. Trying to hide the wiring as much as possible.

For perspective, making breakfast/coffee at Whistler one morning. Up early to park in one of the few non paid parking spots mid mountain.

 

[WashingtonTaco]

After a couple weekends of driving Land Rovers I’m back home.

 

[WashingtonTaco]

After seeing trany temps hit 232 this summer a transmission cooler jumped to the top of my to do list. The GX didn’t come with a factory transmission cooler in the US until the Offroad Package was offered. In Canada the very highest trim package came with it. Still scratching my head on that one.

Over on Club Lexus there is a great how to thread with factory parts list and manual pdf.

I heading to Idaho next weekend for an event It will be great to test the cooler with a couple mountain passes.

 

[WashingtonTaco]

Spent last weekend in Northern Idaho at the Panhandle Overland Rally. The venue was fantastic, 100 acres of property with mild to wild trails and dispersed camping. The promoters want to keep the vender section small and focus more on trails and training. This year was approximately 200 attendees, not bad for the first year during COVID. With dispersed camping it felt more like camping than a refugee camp. The moon was full, elk bugling all night and individual camps were allowed to have camp fires. Great time. If you live in the PNW I suggest you partake next year.

I held clinics on Hi Lift Jack use, powered winching and tire repair.

 

[WashingtonTaco]

 

[WashingtonTaco]

This 110 was my favorite vehicle of the event. They held a Overland vehicle competition. Trucks with campers were the three finalist. The regular cab Taco won a $500 gift card for fuel.

 

[WashingtonTaco]

More information and decent write up here at the evil empire. Feel free to delete this mods.

https://expeditionportal.com/the-inaugural-panhandle-overland-rally-hits-idaho/

 

[WashingtonTaco]

Performed a transmission fluid level check yesterday, added 22 ounces. Trany cooler added more to the system capacity than I expected. Good how to video here:

I also dialed up a bit more suspension height and leveled out the front suspension.

 

[WashingtonTaco]

A couple of quick mods this weekend. The GX is well know for the plastic cladding that restricts its of road capability. My rear bumper cover had already taken a few hits and my concern was ripping the whole thing off on the trail. First I removed the spoiler trim, then I cut approximately 3” off the cover. This has afforded me better departure angle. The mud flaps are now exposed to damage when backing up and getting sucked in so I made some cable restraints. Not sure the cable I used will be durable enough. We shall see. Lastly I was able to relocate the trailer plug connector up higher out of harms way. The receiver hitch should protect it. Most of this is temporary until I find/purchase a rear bumper I like.

 

[WashingtonTaco]

Before my big trip to NM I built a small cubby to store paper towels, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer. Best part is the beverage opener.

Operational check good!

 

[Gallowbraid]

Before my big trip to NM I built a small cubby to store paper towels, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer. Best part is the beverage opener.

Operational check good!

I find with parts like that it is critical to test for extended durability. You should probably open a few more.