I took a day trip to Gulches ORV park outside Greenville on Friday to give the GX it’s first true off road test. I ended up getting stuck for the first time in my life after I misjudged a silt pond as “just a small puddle” and had to get winched out. I tried digging myself out and using recovery boards, but that did no good. Lesson learned


Once I got out, I tooled around the various trails, and my takeaways are that I need a bumper chop and sliders to feel the most confident. Luckily RSG happened to slide a hefty discount code into my inbox the next day 👏🏽








Once I got home, I disassembled all of the underbody plates for cleaning. While I had them all out and clean, I gave them a spray of metallic silver for a little extra touch.

 

We also finally had the chance to try out our new IronMan 4x4 roof top tent! I’m a side sleeper and thought it was very comfortable. My husband said he could feel the floor beneath, so maybe another layer of foam will help. I’m leaving it mounted tonight to see how it handles the storms rolling through the SE.

 

Ordered coolant since I’m at 95k...the old coolant looked ok, but I’d rather know a baseline for sure. I followed the FSM which called for 4 gallons - I only got 2.5 out from draining the radiator and both sides of the block. Maybe the rest is in the lines to the rear heater core?




While I was ordering from OEM Vehicle Parts...why not throw the CC/MTS computers in too?




Crawl took 20 minutes to install and set up. The MTS module seems to be lost in the mail somewhere though. OEM Vehicle Parts isn’t very responsive to calls or emails.

 

For crawl, did you purchase the controller to get that done? Part 86104-60040. Would love to add CC and MTS to my premium but that CC controller alone is pricey.

 

Incorrect PN...that appears to be for the rear entertainment system.

Part numbers for crawl & MTS are here

[MTS]
2010-2013
Part Number: 859A1-60020
Part Name: Computer, Driving Support Switch Control
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[MTS]
2014-2019
Part Number: 859A1-60040
Part Name: Computer, Driving Support Switch Control
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Crawl for NON AVS/RAHC models]
2010-2019
Part Number: 84970-60090
Part Name: Combo Switch
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Crawl for AVS/RAHC models]
2010-2019
Part Number: 84970-60070
Part Name: Combo Switch

or crawl via buttons

 

Yeah see Acrad’s post for correct part number - I ordered the OEM switch. The link he posted at the bottom to make a crawl selector yourself is an awesome budget option!

 

Thank you both! I am excited to see how it turns out with the OEM switch. Please update when the switch comes in how easy/difficult the process is. If it proves pretty straight forward, I will definitely be going the OEM route as I like the look much better.

 

Add “CC” with OEM switch is pretty straight forward. Just replace the current switch, then perform the “Zero Calibration” with either Techstream tool or with short pin process via OBD port. The process is well documented in stick threads (thanks to Acrad).

 

OEMVehicleParts came through with a replacement MTS module that got lost in the mail, so I just installed that. We've got a monsoon coming through the SE so I was rushing to get it in - I timed myself at 20 minutes to get to the old module, and 30 with everything buttoned back up! Besides fiddly clips, the whole process is so straightforward, especially thanks to this thread!






While I was in there, I suspected that something was up with my parking sensor ECU, because whenever I turned the sensors on, I would get error messages saying to check the system. From what I understand, if one sensor was bad, it would display that sensor with an error, but all of mine would come on. That coupled with the fact that my scan tool wasn't detecting the parking sensor ECU made me think something was up with it. It's behind the glove box with the MTS module so I waited until the install to dig into that issue. I pushed on the connector and it felt like it wasn't in all the way. When I started the truck up, I had MTS *and* functioning parking sensors!

 

Took advantage of the beautiful weather to swap out all the differential and transfer case fluids this week. I used this awesome thread for instructions, complete with part numbers and torque specs (thanks @Acrad )! There's a lot of debate (like, a LOT) about acceptable alternatives to the "golden" Toyota OEM transfer case fluid that's about $40-50 per can plus shipping. I did enough research through the forums and saw enough people recommend the Ravenol fluid that I felt comfortable using that instead. What sealed it for me was that the part number for the Toyota fluid is listed right on the front of the Ravenol bottle, plus it being $40 shipped for two bottles.

 

Did a complete ATF flush today and started some chopping in preparation for something big that's on its way to me from RSG

 

Checked another GX must-have off the list - running board chop with RSG flat grip sliders! Now I just need the chance to go test them out...

 

Looks good! I just ordered some sliders from CBI and can't wait to get them installed. Lead time is 6-8 weeks though so it will be awhile.

 

I was lucky, RSG had mine in stock and I had them in my hands less than 5 days after ordering.

 

That is VERY lucky! I gotta ask, now that some time has passed, how are you liking that Ironman gas kit lift? I am wanting to do a mild lift (app. 2 inches) in the next month or two.