While a proper introduction might include introducing the family, or the thought behind this blog, instead, I am going to introduce the ride that gets us to where we go. Several years ago when I started this "overlanding" fix that I have I bought a Nissan Xterra. I have always liked Xterras and knew it would be a good reliable and affordable vehicle. After my first short trip with just my oldest son and my Dad, my Wife said this was not acceptable. She would not be sitting at home while we are out having fun. It was also no surprise to me, when she said she didn't really like the Xterra. I said no problem, we can get a Land Cruiser! Jeeps were too small for what we wanted. When I started looking at Toyota Land Cruisers there wasn't much that I could afford. And I couldn't see spending 20k on something with 250,000 miles on it. 4runners are nice but not much bigger than the Xterra and I really wanted the 3rd row seating option. Then, magically Lexus SUVs started showing up in my online searches. But those are for rich people right? Wrong! I specifically started looking at the GX470. They were old enough to be affordable and more affordable than Jeeps and 4runners the same age. But you get a 4.7L V8 and legendary Toyota reliability with 3rd row seating. They also have a payload of over 1400lbs which means I can carry a decent amount of weight. We looked at a couple and fell in love with this one:
A 2004 Lexus GX470 with 167000 miles. It was a little rough around the edges but seemed to be pretty well taken care of, and it was old enough that I wasn't going to cry every time a branch came scraping down the side. At $8500 it wasn't a steal, but I don't care who you are, if you bought a car you got screwed, it is never a good deal! We were able to sell the Xterra to another adventurous person making it easier for me to make the trade. And now, it was back to searching online forums and doing research. to make this vehicle capable. Because after all, where was the last place you saw a GX? A shopping mall? Kids soccer game? Anywhere 4lo is required? Exactly. The first thing I did since the suspension was already converted to coil overs was put a $100 2inch spacer kit in the front suspension and throw some Falken 285/70r17 All Terrain Tires on (33inches...ish) and we hit the road! Over the next Year and a half I would be doing things to get her to where she is today. On our first big trip the kids named her Lady Nova. Lady, because she is a proper Lady and Nova because when she shines, she shines bright! No relation to Chevy Nova, at all. I almost immediately had to put a new transfer case in her for about $1500 and that hurt (okay that is Chevy Nova like) but other than small things that are normal for cars that old thats the only major thing, after the fact I realized it was a big problem for these vehicles and something I should have caught at the start.
So on that setup we have taken several trips and have yet to get stuck and other than bottoming out the receiver hitch on the most technical terrain, Lady Nova has chewed up everything we have thrown at her. The next trips which will be posted include, The Texas Coast, Arkansas explorations, New Mexico explorations and Big Bend National Park, all feature some sort of new upgrade. But for the sake of this post lets bring you up to speed to our current status.
The first much needed upgrade was the Suspension. I thoroughly thrashed what was on it, and replaced it with an Ironman 4x4 2inch lift with heavy duty coils on front and back and nitrogen gas shocks. While I had this pulled apart I replaced the warped rotors with some powerstop discs and new calipers and pads, and a new set of bushings for the lower control arms. (Had I known I had to do all this I would have done a Tundra brake upgrade!)
Now that we could handle the weight, next up is the Coastal Offroad front bumper, rear bumper with swingouts and sliders, dual battery system, winch and fridge.
Better Pics to come!
We had to Adventure first!
Everything I have added has a purpose and are things I only learned I needed by getting out there in the first place. Run what you brung! Have a backup plan but as you go you will learn your vehicle, yourself and what will best suit YOUR needs.
You will soon see that this is a very capable vehicle and has been quite the chariot for us already for the last 20,000 miles. We look forward to many adventures with you Lady Nova!
