Rebuilt 2005 GX470 Project - From CO to TX and Back (soon)

Had to order a tag gun so I could connect the OEM seat heater to the bottom of the new leathers for the front seats.

+ $16

Also got the GX sitting on wheels again. But still pending shipment of rear sway bar that's on backorder. It sits a little lower in the rear, and that's without the weight of the tailgate. Which is perfect. Because I thought the front was sitting a little high. So now I can lower the front. I was thinking about 275/70/17 which is 32.2" tires. I may even go one size lower, which is still bigger than stock.

 

Other angle

 

Researching a little last night and I think I'll be going with 265/70/17 tires, which equals 31.6". Stock tires are currently 265/65/17 or 30.6" Should fill out the wheel well nicely, especially after the suspension settles in.

The 265/70's SL rated (46lbs) weight 10lbs less per tire than the 275/70s in Load C (57lbs) I was looking at. Quite the difference

 

Been thinking about paint again, and I think I'm going to attempt to paint it myself. Inflatable paint booths are under $500, and spray gun kits around $600-900. Also found a site where I can order the new TRD colors, around $500 a gallon of pre-diluted paint of the higher quality paint. I still need to respray my M3 too, and then I can also throw some paint on my JK.

https://everestautomotivemarket.com...yota-terra-cotta-3a7-en/?variation_id=1492146

But I won't be doing any painting for quite some time. Likely over the summer.

 

Love the rebuild, it's looking good!

 

So, GX+BMW+JK all in the same color?
That's some team spirit right there.....j/k

 

Lol that'd be something! Just drag them all in tow to a car show

 

You might need more than just "a couple gallons" of paint for that project, just saying.....

 

Another "milestone". A friend came by and helped get the tailgate back on. Huge relief that it closes correctly, flush with the body! I was a little worried because the damaged tailgate I removed was bowed out at the top left, so there was a considerable gap between the tailgate and roof. I wasn't sure if that was just the tailgate or also the body. Luckily it was just the tailgate! And the color is super close to mine, even though there two different color codes.

 

I'm leaning towards the Lunar Rock (top middle) color. Paired with the black TRD wheels I have, and swap the chrome window trim for black.

 

Always was a fan of Lunar Rock, I think you're headed in the right direction!

 

You could be the first solar octane GX…

 

Working nights now, so I spent a day last week insulating the garage a bit. Instantly made a difference of almost 10 degrees warmer. And now my garage heater actually feels like it's working, instead of all the heat escaping upward.

5 rolls at $50 each

+ $250

 

Working on the front seats. Got one of the four seat heaters swapped over. Hoping to have the front seats done over the weekend.

 

Nice,,, looks and sounds like you have been busy.

 

Nice work, I hate working on interiors. lol

 

Getting it done little bit by bit

 

Looking good.

 

Happy new year!

Replaced the hood struts due to risk of being decapitated...

+ $30

 

Had to remove some interior parts in order to reconnect the rear wiper fluid line being disconnected. Found that out when I did a test spray and it went all over the cargo floor lol

 

I threw out the cabin air filter with the sub assembly that it goes in a while back. Finally ordered a new one from Lexus that came with the filter and assembly.

+ $30

I had ordered a filter from Amazon but when it arrived, it was just the filter. That's when I realized my mistake, but the trash had already been taken out by then

 

And a side note. My new job sucks! I mean, it pays well for what it is but 12 hrs night shift can kick rocks. And its almost a step backwards career wise for me. I have a third interview on Thursday for a Senior Data Center Engineer role. Really hope I get it. It's more like my previous role in that project work will be a big aspect of the job.

Current job pays less that what I made 6 years ago...New role would be more than I was making at the end of my last gig.

 

Shifts alternate between 3 and 4 days. Benefits are slightly better at place I'm interviewing. But new place is also higher up the CO best places to work list.

 

I just found this thread!

I always wondered where other people like me that like to put wrecks together were. Now I know.

I hope I'm not poaching on your thread, but here is my present project.

https://youtu.be/iGXLMCHGw0E?si=rGySJh_187QIZ-aT

Please tell me to get lost if this was inappropriate.

Thanks

Kirk

 

Nice! I kinda wish I had repaired my wrecked Tundra myself, but that was just a huge headache of dealing with insurance that I wanted it gone.

 

It's supposed to be 0 degrees when I go into work on Sunday night. And the jeep heater only works on the passenger side. In the middle of replacing the blend door on it. So gonna drive the GX instead. Just dropped it off to have the alignment done.

 

Good luck on the inaugural journey!