Great looking rig. I own a FJ Cruiser and did a very similar build. New factory lower control arms and SPC upper control arms. Bilstein 5100/5160 and Old man emu springs. I am getting ready to replace the rear OME springs with some Icon or Metal tech Over land series springs. I also got the Sema TRD rims and put 285/70r17 Cooper STT PRO tires on them. I know there is better and stronger setups but I definitely have budget restraints and it works perfectly for my use.
I love the the airbags for towing. My GX is 15 years old now and still on the stock suspension. I’ll likely have to start replacing components soon and trying to decide what to do, just stock, or aftermarket. It was still be a DD and tow my 21’ travel trailer.
Yeah, my airbags worked great, until they didn't. Nothing wrong with keeping them if they serve a purpose for you. It's all personal preference and what you plan to do with your rig.
Great video. I have an '05 with 260k miles and have newer OEM rear bags. Front suspension is stock and in need of replacing as struts are leaking. Im considering the Dobinsons IMS or Bilstein 6112 coilovers and not going beyond a 2" lift. I do have newer Moog LCA's and am replacing UCA's with OEM. I'm not sure what route to go with rear suspension as I do tow a 6x10 trailer for my audio company. I like the bags as they automatically inflate once trailer is hooked up, but I know ride capabilities with springs is better. Some suggest helper bags with springs, but im just unsure which route to go with.
If you're towing and not doing a lot of off camber trails/off-roading I would stick with the airbags. The auto-inflation has to do with the position sensor for the airbags (which you can 'fool' if necessary). I'm not 100% sure about any modifications for the airbags to help them stay in place. The GXOR group on Facebook might be able to help if you're not already a member. Good luck!
Yeah, you're right. I did not talk about my wheels or tires. In that video the wheels I 'was' running were the TRD wheels 17" 7" wide (which I would not recommend if you want to run a tire closer to a real 33" with this setup). I believe the offset on those is positive 4mm, but I don't remember exactly, you can look it up if you're interested. The tires I was running were the BFG KO2s 265x75 r17 which is about a 31.5" tire (only about .5" over stock. They were capable and I did not have any issues, but if I could go back I would have bought what I have now. I am currently running the SCS Ray10 wheels now, 17x8.5 with a -10mm offset. I got the same BFG KO2 but in 285x75R17 this time to get them closer to a 33" tire. I did replace the bumper but those tire will require trimming if you want them to NOT rub. I still have minor rubbing on the body just at the mount point to the frame, but I am not worried about it enough to trim the body. I have seem guys running 35's but I am not sure if there is an option to do that without modification to the body or frame to get them to fit, you'd have to ask them.
I personally have not towed anything with my GX. Towing a 3k lbs trailer is well within the capacity of the GX even with the lift you should be totally fine.
My air bags just failed on my 07 GX 470, the car was very difficult to drive, it seemed like the rear end was going to fall off the rig. It is bone stock, mall crawler. Funny Total Chaos is local to me.
Sorry to hear that, but it's not surprising. Luckily there is a fairly robust 4 link in the rear so even though it feels like riding in a covered wagon from 1893, it's pretty safe just not enjoyable.
If given the opportunity to go back, I would have probably done Total Chaos control arms. I like the Dobinsons upper and would have purchased a lower from them (if they made one). I tend to research the best band-for-the-buck options. So far, I have not been disappointed with my results. Thanks for the comment!
Mine, of course! Seriously, it depends on what you are looking for. The 03 to 06 models have a little less HP, they did a tech and engine upgrade (squeezed a little more HP from the existing engine) in 2007. The technology is still VERY dated compared to modern cars/SUVs but that is not why people buy the GX. It probably comes down to what you want to do with it and what modifications (over stock) you plan or can afford to do. My thoughts when I purchased mine, "I could buy a $65k 4-Runner TRD Pro, OR a used 07' - 09' GX and do the maintenance, lift, lights, and other upgrades all for $25k or less" (including the vehicle purchase). Which is what I did. My neighbor has an 03' (pretty much stock) and he still LOVES it. So, in short, it comes down to you, your budget, and the inventory of what is out there. Good luck!
@@gxforx4588I dig your video, but want to note a minor correction. 06-09 have the updated tune and prefer premium where as 03-05 had less power and were happy running 87 24/7
Sure, not my understanding, but I'm not going to argue. Frankly, running higher (premium) gas in any vehicle is going to be better, I have alway run 91-93 in ALL my Lexus vehicles, but if anyone wants to run something different, go for it! Glad you enjoyed the vid. Thanks!
Those rear shocks won't last long and are small for your heavy vehicle. You should have gone with the same shocks like in the front. By the way what recovery points are installed in your rig?
Thanks for the comments, the 5100's were a budget option. They are better than stock and its been over 2 years and they are still working great! The 6112's are not an option for the rear, so you would need to go with something like the 5160 or the much more expensive 8100. For the money, there is nothing better than the 5100. I plan to upgrade within the next several years and go with something a bit more substantial. As far as the recovery points, this is the option for the front: www.apexoverland.com/shop-by-brand/Apex-Front-Recovery-Points-p111923535 They were easy to install and VERY secure. Luckily I have never had to use them... fingers crossed! Thanks!
“A true thinker in a GX.” Thank you for the content. Interested in more.
Glad you enjoyed!
Great looking rig. I own a FJ Cruiser and did a very similar build. New factory lower control arms and SPC upper control arms. Bilstein 5100/5160 and Old man emu springs. I am getting ready to replace the rear OME springs with some Icon or Metal tech Over land series springs.
I also got the Sema TRD rims and put 285/70r17 Cooper STT PRO tires on them.
I know there is better and stronger setups but I definitely have budget restraints and it works perfectly for my use.
I love the the airbags for towing. My GX is 15 years old now and still on the stock suspension. I’ll likely have to start replacing components soon and trying to decide what to do, just stock, or aftermarket. It was still be a DD and tow my 21’ travel trailer.
Yeah, my airbags worked great, until they didn't. Nothing wrong with keeping them if they serve a purpose for you. It's all personal preference and what you plan to do with your rig.
Straight forward video, subscribed… i have an 08 4runner that i have been using for camping, but its not 4wd🤦🏻♂️..i picked up a gx last week..
Great video. I have an '05 with 260k miles and have newer OEM rear bags. Front suspension is stock and in need of replacing as struts are leaking. Im considering the Dobinsons IMS or Bilstein 6112 coilovers and not going beyond a 2" lift. I do have newer Moog LCA's and am replacing UCA's with OEM. I'm not sure what route to go with rear suspension as I do tow a 6x10 trailer for my audio company. I like the bags as they automatically inflate once trailer is hooked up, but I know ride capabilities with springs is better. Some suggest helper bags with springs, but im just unsure which route to go with.
If you're towing and not doing a lot of off camber trails/off-roading I would stick with the airbags. The auto-inflation has to do with the position sensor for the airbags (which you can 'fool' if necessary). I'm not 100% sure about any modifications for the airbags to help them stay in place. The GXOR group on Facebook might be able to help if you're not already a member. Good luck!
Dobinsons is the goat suspension
Subbed- good build!
The secret is out! I grabbed an 09 a few days ago.
Congrats! Love the 09'
Picked up mine last week, 06, i need to change the radiator and cv boots..i also have a 4runner v8😉
Got a 09 to just lifted it 3inch front and rear 116 thousand miles. excellent shape timing belt too.Yea mine was bedazzled.
Good info, and thanks for the links 👍😎👍
You bet
There ya go!
Subscribed!
thank you for sharing
My pleasure
Hey man, like the content but you didn’t talk about what the max tire & wheel size that can fit?
Yeah, you're right. I did not talk about my wheels or tires. In that video the wheels I 'was' running were the TRD wheels 17" 7" wide (which I would not recommend if you want to run a tire closer to a real 33" with this setup). I believe the offset on those is positive 4mm, but I don't remember exactly, you can look it up if you're interested. The tires I was running were the BFG KO2s 265x75 r17 which is about a 31.5" tire (only about .5" over stock. They were capable and I did not have any issues, but if I could go back I would have bought what I have now.
I am currently running the SCS Ray10 wheels now, 17x8.5 with a -10mm offset. I got the same BFG KO2 but in 285x75R17 this time to get them closer to a 33" tire. I did replace the bumper but those tire will require trimming if you want them to NOT rub. I still have minor rubbing on the body just at the mount point to the frame, but I am not worried about it enough to trim the body. I have seem guys running 35's but I am not sure if there is an option to do that without modification to the body or frame to get them to fit, you'd have to ask them.
Your thoughts on a rear-end build for towing 3000 lb. overland trailer.
I personally have not towed anything with my GX. Towing a 3k lbs trailer is well within the capacity of the GX even with the lift you should be totally fine.
I tow a 21ft travel trailer with mine. Everything is stock. A 3k trailer should be more than fine.
My air bags just failed on my 07 GX 470, the car was very difficult to drive, it seemed like the rear end was going to fall off the rig. It is bone stock, mall crawler. Funny Total Chaos is local to me.
Sorry to hear that, but it's not surprising. Luckily there is a fairly robust 4 link in the rear so even though it feels like riding in a covered wagon from 1893, it's pretty safe just not enjoyable.
@@gxforx4588 Thanks I will lift the GX and see what appears to be wrong and start ordering the parts necessary.
Why Dobinsons on the upper control arms but Moog on the lower?
If given the opportunity to go back, I would have probably done Total Chaos control arms. I like the Dobinsons upper and would have purchased a lower from them (if they made one). I tend to research the best band-for-the-buck options. So far, I have not been disappointed with my results. Thanks for the comment!
beautiful ideology ❤️ peace ✌️ from the desert 🏜
Is 2018 Tundra (billstein) suspension compatible with a 03 gxr470?
Not sure the specs on the Tundra, but based on a quick search from ShockSurplus.com, they appear to be different part numbers.
whats your opinion on the best year of a GX?
Mine, of course! Seriously, it depends on what you are looking for. The 03 to 06 models have a little less HP, they did a tech and engine upgrade (squeezed a little more HP from the existing engine) in 2007. The technology is still VERY dated compared to modern cars/SUVs but that is not why people buy the GX. It probably comes down to what you want to do with it and what modifications (over stock) you plan or can afford to do. My thoughts when I purchased mine, "I could buy a $65k 4-Runner TRD Pro, OR a used 07' - 09' GX and do the maintenance, lift, lights, and other upgrades all for $25k or less" (including the vehicle purchase). Which is what I did. My neighbor has an 03' (pretty much stock) and he still LOVES it. So, in short, it comes down to you, your budget, and the inventory of what is out there. Good luck!
@@gxforx4588I dig your video, but want to note a minor correction. 06-09 have the updated tune and prefer premium where as 03-05 had less power and were happy running 87 24/7
Sure, not my understanding, but I'm not going to argue. Frankly, running higher (premium) gas in any vehicle is going to be better, I have alway run 91-93 in ALL my Lexus vehicles, but if anyone wants to run something different, go for it! Glad you enjoyed the vid. Thanks!
Those rear shocks won't last long and are small for your heavy vehicle. You should have gone with the same shocks like in the front.
By the way what recovery points are installed in your rig?
Thanks for the comments, the 5100's were a budget option. They are better than stock and its been over 2 years and they are still working great! The 6112's are not an option for the rear, so you would need to go with something like the 5160 or the much more expensive 8100. For the money, there is nothing better than the 5100. I plan to upgrade within the next several years and go with something a bit more substantial.
As far as the recovery points, this is the option for the front: www.apexoverland.com/shop-by-brand/Apex-Front-Recovery-Points-p111923535
They were easy to install and VERY secure. Luckily I have never had to use them... fingers crossed!
Thanks!