Salvaged 2005 GX470 Project - Now with Rebuilt Title & Plates!

Finally got the 22" FORGED TRD wheels sold! Took a loss but now I don't have to lug back to CO in June.

JK radiator arrived. Got it installed this morning. Looks like the Jeep has a head gasket leak :-( thought the oil looked a little runny when I changed it last week...I'll try some of that miracle gasket sealant and drive it till it dies. Hopefully I can afford an engine swap in the next couple of years.

 

Coming from this area

 

No fun. Sorry

 

Well the leak stopped itself so that's cool.

 

Are you doing a Tavarish unfinished project? lol

 

lol if only this was an exotic! I decided I needed the MIG Spot Weld Nozzle. Ordered that and should be here, hopefully before the weekend. I also need to order some panel bond.

Quick search and says I need: Use of 3M structural adhesive 8115 is recommended. 2009–2010 examples where this is allowed include the Toyota Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, Prius, Venza, and Yaris; the Lexus ES, IS, HS 250h, and RX 450h; and the Scion xB and xD.

I'm assuming that will apply to my 2005 GX also...stuff isn't cheap! $60 for the bottle and another $50 for the applicator gun. Will order that next week.

https://rts.i-car.com/10983.html

 

Also getting busier at work. Between shutting down the current DC, and slowly learning my new role. Had a meeting with my manager and director recently and it sounds like I have a huge opportunity ahead of me, as well as a huge workload!

At home, I've been trying to get used to not having as organized a garage as I used to. Slowly adding shelves and labeled storage bins. Doing anything before, it's like a bomb went off and I'd just have tools everywhere! Should make moving back to CO a lot easier. I've already gotten rid of about half a truckload of stuff I brought down here.

 

Last weekends organizing effort. So far produced a bin load of duplicate tools/parts that will be donated to local Habbit for Humanity or Goodwill

 

So many sharkbite's! I'm sad that both Home Depot and Lowes changed their return policies in the last year...no more returning an item a year after purchase, with no receipt. Not even for store credit. Even the ones I still had receipts for, they said it was too far out of the return period....

 

I have about 8 of the metal shelves, on wheels, makes life easy when I need to access the second row/clean behind them

 

That's a good idea! I'll have to get some casters to screw into the bottoms. I just now added a second set of shelves. And will have a third one soon (free from work)

 

Wouldn't the weight of the stuff on top bend/bust the wheels?
Otherwise, I like that idea....

 

nah, just get the appropriate casters/wheels. My heavy ass tool chest has casters.

Lots of choices: https://castercentral.com/collectio...d:global.product_Fastening_Type=Threaded Stem

 

This is what I need to order before welding in the QP. And I believe it's the last thing that I need to get the QP welded in. I just want to research another week before pulling the trigger.

 

These are the ones I have, wheels are fine, they are stuffed to the gills with stuff.

https://www.target.com/p/fdw-5-tier...k/-/A-93792624?preselect=92750668#lnk=sametab

 

Ok that's basically the exact same shelving unit I have!

 

I have had them for more than 2 years, they are great.

 

Was looking the front grill over and think I have a plan for a future mod. It only has a little bit of flaking on the black finish, but overall in good condition. I'll refinish it in black, and replace the emblem with an LED version like I did on my Tundra build. I actually still have that emblem in storage, but I don't think it'd fit the oval lol

https://youtube.com/shorts/2vjJGTQziFo?si=6-clVMY-w0hWKlj7

 

Consulted Reddit /r/autobody and got the 3M 8310 Seam Sealer instead. Should arrive tomorrow. Dual Caulk gun arrives Sunday.

+ $150

 

Got everything pulled out of the public storage locker, so that's like $75 a month saved. And I don't think I'm even going to mess with the tool chest again. Was only $300 originally. Put it up on FB for $200. The less stuff I have to take back to CO the better.

 

And it sold in under an hour lol

 

Awesome!!!

 

Great Job! I wish I had half the patience you do Sir!

 

Almost done procrastinating lol. One last thing before committing. When i removed the QP, along the bottom half of the window opening there was some sort of corrosion protecting grease lining. Not exactly sure what that was and how I'd be able to spot weld through it. I've seen some 3M spray wax on Amazon meant for panel corrosion protection. Need to research a little more. But hoping to weld this weekend.

 

Some more prep work. Think I have everything sanded and primed for welding.

Need to see which holes on the QP i need to make for mig spot welding, and what i can try and get with the HF spot welder.

 

Uhh ya that HF spot welder may have been a wasted $150, at least for this project. Pretty heavy. The youtube shop vids I've seen those types used from are all suspended from above to hold the weight.

I may grab the HF air hole punch instead of drilling out like 75+ holes. It runs $60, and it's paycheck week

 

+ $65

I need to revisit the front page and add up costs

 

With all the tool and parts costs, did you save any money buying a non wrecked GX?

Even I like the challenge of building something mechanical back from death, but this seems like a ton of effort.

 

Not at all. But I'm counting it as hobby/continued education spending lol

After all this, I need to do some minor body work and repaint my M3. Wouldn't mind buying a higher end wrecked vehicle in the future and rebuild it

 

Punching holes is very satisfying! Soooooo much easier than a drill bit