New GX owner!

B

BlackCat914

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Been looking for one for a while now, found a really clean one owner 03 with all the maintenance records at a local dealer. Unlike my 97 4Runner, this one will stay mostly stock minus some window tint and LED's. So far everything works, and other than a missing wheel lock key, it's good to go!



 
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smallfry said:
Any plans for it?

Does it have the dreaded dashboard cracking?
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No, no dashboard cracking. Plans so far are window tint, HID's, and some LED lights for the running boards and license plate lights. I'm pretty fanatical with paint, so I'll spend 10hrs or so with a buffer to clean it up a bit. The only thing wrong with it so far is the back lighting on the drivers heated seat controls don't work.
 
Quick update; I installed my HID kit Friday night, man what a difference. I used a cheap set of Kensun H11 4300k bulbs and a pair of slim-line ballasts I had laying around. Why this truck never had HID's from the factory I'll never get. I also replaced my drivers heated seat backlighting bulb using a $1.99 bulb pack from radio shack. If anybody would like a DIY write-up, I'd be more than happy. Both mods/fixes were EXTREMELY easy and can be done in less than 30min.




 
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Another quick update after 3 weeks or so. I've blown 2 of the notoriously crappy Mark Levinson speakers, have a leaking radiator, and a clunk in the front end I need to track down. I'm far from mad because I did, afterall, buy an 11 year old used car with over 100k miles. I have a new radiator ordered which should be here Friday. I'm going to disconnect a front swaybar link and see if the noise goes away and go from there. We'll see! I still LOVE the truck.
 
470SNC said:
congrats! I'm loving the hell out of mine so far
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Thanks! I still miss my 4Runner, but this is a totally different truck in every aspect. I said I was going to more than likely leave it stock(ish), but I have a feeling a set of either FN or Konig wheels will be ordered at some point in the near future. Who knows, lol.
 
Radiator is in, no more leaking coolant in the garage. If any of you have this issue, I highly recommend TYC radiators. It was a perfect fit and actually seemed to be better quality than the one I pulled out. I got it on amazon for $170 shipped and used Toyota coolant.


Edit: and my clunk was either the front swaybar links or bushings. I just pulled the whole thing off and ordered everything. I couldn't stand it any more.
 
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Nice truck, love the dark interior, wish mine had that instead of the tan.

One thing you should do is pull the front calipers off and lube the pistons, they have a bad habit of seizing pistons on these trucks.
 
IanB said:
Nice truck, love the dark interior, wish mine had that instead of the tan.

One thing you should do is pull the front calipers off and lube the pistons, they have a bad habit of seizing pistons on these trucks.
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Both calipers are brand new. :bluejump:
 
Just as an update, I bought some FN BFD's and went with 285/60/18 Nitto Terra grapplers. I trimmed the lower running board area and used a heat gun on the wheel well liners.




 
Looking good :thumb3: Stock suspension/height? And what swaybar endlinks and bushings did you get?
 
Ed_C said:
Looking good :thumb3: Stock suspension/height? And what swaybar endlinks and bushings did you get?
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Thanks! Yes, stock suspension/height. I don't remember the name of the links, I ordered them on amazon though, and got them for a 4Runner, since they're the same and we're half the price. I didn't end up doing the bushings.
 
BlackCat914 said:
Just as an update, I bought some FN BFD's and went with 285/60/18 Nitto Terra grapplers. I trimmed the lower running board area and used a heat gun on the wheel well liners.




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man i really love these wheels! makes your rig look so sweet. makes me want to lower mine back down to stock height and get a set of these wheels!
 
the great him said:
man i really love these wheels! makes your rig look so sweet. makes me want to lower mine back down to stock height and get a set of these wheels!
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The only problem I'd have with lifting mine are 2 things; sacrificing ride quality and it still fitting in the garage. I spent some time hungover this morning doing some paint correction. Yes, the photos are edited a bit, but I'm fanatical with paint.


 
I've always liked this Lexus as much as the Land Cruiser. Those wheels and in that color complement the body quite well.
 
Morphyne said:
Black cat what do you mean by paint correction?
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Cutting, polishing, buffing, and waxing. Basically removing all the swirl marks and minor imperfections in the clear coat that come with age and improper car washes and stuff. Very easy to do, but extremely time consuming.
 
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