w.adventures GX470 build + Life’s adventures

Went to Caruthers Lake. Fun trail, tested out the stock skid plates and sliders.

 

Lexus smells like burning oil again. Haven’t had time to look into it yet, hopefully it’s a easy fix. Replaced the valve cover gaskets less than a year ago.

 

Added amber rock lights. I spliced them into the factory running board light harness so they turn on when the doors are opened and when I unlock the vehicle.

 

What lights u get?

 

8-pack of these when they were 50% off. Also picked up a 8-pack of blue ones when they were 70% off. Will probably wire those into a switch so I can rock those on trails at night.

LEDMIRCY LED Rock Lights Yellow 8PCS for Off Road Truck Car Boat ATV SUV Waterproof High Power Underbody Neon Trail Lights Underglow Lights Interior Exterior Shockproof(8PCS-Yellow)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MCR5R71?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

Installed a prinsu rack. Going to add a Plano case with all of my recovery gear. Have to make room inside the cabin for baby #2. I also want to mount some flood lights to it, haven’t decided which ones yet.

 

Installed a Plano 42” case I had already. Loaded it with all of my recovery gear.

 

Working on getting rid of the chrome. Window trim will be here next week, went with the cheap eBay Chinese trim.

 

Got a link to said window trim? And possibly a write up for it?

 

This is the window trim I ordered. Offered them $32 and they accepted. Not OEM quality but should be better than my failing window trim.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4PCS-For-L...2009/113778805791?fits=Model:GX470|Make:Lexus

The door trim is easy to replace. Undo one screw and slide them out, I didn’t order the rear window trim. Will probably plasti dip them for now until I order the OEM trim. Here is a how to video.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmt7nNAQugs

 

Just went through the entire thread. Liking what I'm seeing. Hoping to do similar to mine eventually. I did some research on using the stock compressor for the rear Firestone bags, but wasn't able to find much. Any additional info is appreciated.

 

Thanks. I wasn’t able to get the stock compressor to work and didn’t spend anytime trying to get it to work. I just use a pump to inflate them manually now. I think @TMFF got the stock compressor working on his. Maybe he will chime in with how he did it.

 

Any reason you wanted to keep the bags? May have missed the reason. I was a little hesitant to rip mine out and just do coils...... but I have 0 complaints and would do it again. I feel way less nervous about a blown bag when I’m out on trails.

 

Factory bags were ripped out and I did the coil swap. We are talking about the firestone airbags I added for when the vehicle is loaded for trips and towing.

 

I was hoping to keep the bags because I have a variety of loads and like the option to be level (a.k.a. not dragging the ass end). Biggest load is the RTT and motorcycle carrier that cantilevers weight way out back. The carrier rides danger close to the ground without the self leveling option...



I'm not against a manual pump option though.

 

Bags are definitely worth adding while installing the suspension. They are cheap(less than $100). It’s nice not having to drive around with heavy duty springs when you aren’t loaded up. Ride is super smooth.

 

Gotcha gotcha. Yeah I don’t carry heavy loads often and don’t tow, so I’ve been perfectly fine with my coils so far, but I can see where bags would be necessary after a certain point.

Being able to manually inflate the bags is awesome too. If you wanted best of both worlds, seems like @w.adventures is right on the money lol

 

Waited 48hrs to apply the clear coat but since the first 10hrs were in a 50 degree garage the paint didn’t set enough. Screwed that one up!

 

I had the firestone in the coil bags connected to the stock compressor and air ride system. If you cut the ends off the stock line off, heat it, the .25 air line will slide in inside and seal great. But trying to calibrate the system when running 2"+ rear springs is hard to do. I was able to make it work great with the eibach 1" lift springs but not reliably with taller springs. I ended up taking the compressor out and installing a schrader to fill my self.

 

Thanks. That's good info. Will have to look a little deeper into the Firestone bag install.

P.s. your DCLB 1st gen is...