35s are the max without major suspension replacements. Stock Toyota shafts are plenty strong. Now, emotional wheel spin type driving will break anything and those emotional drivers will always be plagued with problems due to stupidity. 33s aren’t considered large so it is moot.
Awesome video man! I just got a 2008 gx470 a couple months ago. I fricken love it. I was thinking about getting a new axle but now I'm considering a locker and bringing it back to spec first. A lot to think about here. Keep the content coming. Thank you!
Thanks for watching Mike! Congrats on your GX470 purchase. They really are great vehicles, which is why I own 2. Glad I was able to help bring some additional considerations to your attention!
First off, I decided after owning my GX for nearly 18 years (wife drove it for the first 12 as a Soccer mom- zero off road driving), to begin to modify it for some fun off road trips with my kids. Honestly I don’t plan to do anything crazy (no rock crawls, etc). We really would just be driving some medium level off roading , mainly for camping trips and some surf ventures in Mexico. I’ve got a question for you about suspensions. I’m at roughly 245K miles and the air bags went out completely about 5-6K ago! So I need to get this done ASAP! With my basic needs I’m thinking 2” lift and am stuck on which manufacturer to go with? I would love to get your insight based upon my needs? Thinking OME or I think I heard you say you have Biksteins? Dumb question but I likely need a kit right cuz I’ll need rear and front suspension replaced right? Any other thoughts? Control arms? Other? Thanks in advance. Looking forward to your thoughts and to this build! Shoot while I’m at it, thoughts on a rear bumper? Chris
Hi Chris! There are lots of great manufacturers who make great kits for the GX. I don’t necessarily want to steer you toward one brand or another. With a suspension you’re concerned with 1. Cost 2. Spring rates (ensuring the suspension is right for how you plan to setup your vehicle) 3. Performance. I recommend reaching out to the customer support at Apache Off-road to guide you to a specific kit that balances these the best for your specific needs. apacheoffroad.com/ If you plan on going with a rear bumper setup, for example, you’ll need a higher spring rate in the rear coils to account for the extra weight, otherwise you’ll be driving around with a squatting rear. While UCAs aren’t 100% needed under 2”, it’s always a good idea to get fresher, higher performing parts in a high mileage setup. I have the relatively inexpensive Freedom Off-Road units and I have no complaints. They enable my alignment guy to get good caster. As for a rear bumper: I don’t see the point of running a full rear bumper personally. It’s a lot of metal and a lot of weight and there are better, lighter weight solutions if you want a tire swing out/carrying capacity www.restlessoffroad.com/product-page/gx-470-bolt-on-half-swing-out If you need armor and a hitch on the rear, Restless Off-road also has a rear slider/hitch. I have done several videos on suspension replacement on these rigs, so be sure to check them out if you want to DIY
Almost a year later, how has the 8 inch rear end lasted? Any issues. Debating if I wanna save for an upgraded rear or just regear/lock the stock axles.
If you look at 9:14 in the previous video ua-cam.com/video/7_Pvz56g_Sc/v-deo.html You’ll see the “similar floatation size” printed on my tire sidewalls as 35x12.50
Hard to say but going on what the in cad computer says, you can eek out 16-17 city/highway combined (same as EPA rating on modern GXs, even the 2024) with a stock gx470 if you drive efficiently. With my mods, you can Probably eek out 17-18 highway and around 12 combined with normal driving.
I’m probably not there with what I put on the list so far. You can get 80% of the way there with 10-15 ish. Just take out the rooftop tent and some other items and use cheaper alternatives like in-vehicle sleeping platform for camping instead. Most expensive item(s) is regear and lockers by far.
This episode alone made a subscriber, lots of useful information. Great job 👏🏽
35s are the max without major suspension replacements. Stock Toyota shafts are plenty strong. Now, emotional wheel spin type driving will break anything and those emotional drivers will always be plagued with problems due to stupidity. 33s aren’t considered large so it is moot.
Awesome video man! I just got a 2008 gx470 a couple months ago. I fricken love it. I was thinking about getting a new axle but now I'm considering a locker and bringing it back to spec first. A lot to think about here. Keep the content coming. Thank you!
Thanks for watching Mike! Congrats on your GX470 purchase. They really are great vehicles, which is why I own 2. Glad I was able to help bring some additional considerations to your attention!
Another great video. 👍🏻👍🏻
First off, I decided after owning my GX for nearly 18 years (wife drove it for the first 12 as a Soccer mom- zero off road driving), to begin to modify it for some fun off road trips with my kids. Honestly I don’t plan to do anything crazy (no rock crawls, etc). We really would just be driving some medium level off roading , mainly for camping trips and some surf ventures in Mexico. I’ve got a question for you about suspensions. I’m at roughly 245K miles and the air bags went out completely about 5-6K ago! So I need to get this done ASAP!
With my basic needs I’m thinking 2” lift and am stuck on which manufacturer to go with? I would love to get your insight based upon my needs? Thinking OME or I think I heard you say you have Biksteins? Dumb question but I likely need a kit right cuz I’ll need rear and front suspension replaced right? Any other thoughts? Control arms? Other?
Thanks in advance. Looking forward to your thoughts and to this build! Shoot while I’m at it, thoughts on a rear bumper?
Chris
Hi Chris! There are lots of great manufacturers who make great kits for the GX. I don’t necessarily want to steer you toward one brand or another. With a suspension you’re concerned with 1. Cost 2. Spring rates (ensuring the suspension is right for how you plan to setup your vehicle) 3. Performance. I recommend reaching out to the customer support at Apache Off-road to guide you to a specific kit that balances these the best for your specific needs. apacheoffroad.com/
If you plan on going with a rear bumper setup, for example, you’ll need a higher spring rate in the rear coils to account for the extra weight, otherwise you’ll be driving around with a squatting rear.
While UCAs aren’t 100% needed under 2”, it’s always a good idea to get fresher, higher performing parts in a high mileage setup. I have the relatively inexpensive Freedom Off-Road units and I have no complaints. They enable my alignment guy to get good caster.
As for a rear bumper: I don’t see the point of running a full rear bumper personally. It’s a lot of metal and a lot of weight and there are better, lighter weight solutions if you want a tire swing out/carrying capacity www.restlessoffroad.com/product-page/gx-470-bolt-on-half-swing-out
If you need armor and a hitch on the rear, Restless Off-road also has a rear slider/hitch.
I have done several videos on suspension replacement on these rigs, so be sure to check them out if you want to DIY
Almost a year later, how has the 8 inch rear end lasted? Any issues. Debating if I wanna save for an upgraded rear or just regear/lock the stock axles.
Any reason you did the 34's over the 35's? Love this series!
These are considered 35s. The patagonias measure about 34.7” (for some reason each manufacturer measures differently)
If you look at 9:14 in the previous video ua-cam.com/video/7_Pvz56g_Sc/v-deo.html
You’ll see the “similar floatation size” printed on my tire sidewalls as 35x12.50
Can you recommend a tow hitch, my GX does not have one.
I would recommend finding an OEM tow hitch. They bolt into the frame.
Nice. What RPM are you at when going 60mph?
Around 2k-2.1k at 60 in 5th gear with the torque converter locked.
@@lexus_offroad_adventures nice. I am surprised. That is very similar to my gx with 4.56. Your rig it set up nice now.
What front bumper are you running?
It’s the Demello Off-Road Stealth in steel
@@lexus_offroad_adventures thanks! Love the videos keep up the great footage and info.
Hey, I’m looking to do this exact build to my 470. I just want to know how your gas mileage has changed?
Hard to say but going on what the in cad computer says, you can eek out 16-17 city/highway combined (same as EPA rating on modern GXs, even the 2024) with a stock gx470 if you drive efficiently. With my mods, you can Probably eek out 17-18 highway and around 12 combined with normal driving.
Wish they had a larger fuel tank mod
@@athensteve1 I thought I just a vid with the larger fuel tank that was installed in the place of the old spare location
Is it on yt?? Link??
@@athensteve1they do it goes where the original spar tire is located.
I love getting stuck on my belly
20k man i need an extra job lol
I’m probably not there with what I put on the list so far. You can get 80% of the way there with 10-15 ish. Just take out the rooftop tent and some other items and use cheaper alternatives like in-vehicle sleeping platform for camping instead. Most expensive item(s) is regear and lockers by far.