Newbie Needs Help

[AZLX450]

Hello Gentlemen,

My name is J.P. and this is my first post so please send me lots of those little smiley flipping off face guys . I live in sunny Scottsdale (snottsdale) Arizona. I'll try not to offend or irritate any of you with my stupid newbie questions.

I'd like to acknowledge and thank the posters on forum. You probably don't get the appreciation you deserve for sharing your wealth of knowledge. Thank you.

I currently own a 2006 Lexus LX470 - totally stock. My wife is pregnant with our first child so I've decided to give that vehicle to her and finally buy something that I can modify and beat on to my hearts content.

I use the LX470 as my daily driver (duh) and for occasional offroad use in conjunction with my hunting and fishing. I probably beat on it more than 99% of the LX470 owners out there. The last time I had it in for service the tech said "finally someone uses this thing for what it is made for."

I'm a little bit different than most of my neighbors in that I'm a Financial Advisor by day (I play the part pretty well) and a redneck by night and weekends. It causes very strange looks when someone sees a guy in an expensive Italian suit who also has a mouthful of Copenhagen Snuff . I think I totally scare my neighbors when they see me loading ammo cans/guns, wearing camo and the strange mud and desert pinstriping on a seemingly otherwise perfectly good Lexus. I hope that my new rig really scares the bejessus out of them.

I'm in the process of buying a LX450 and have an autobroker on the hunt for it now. Hopefully I'll have it within a month. It will have lockers on it. I will be using the new rig as my daily driver so it is very important to me that it handles well on the road and is safe at high speeds on the highway. It would be great if it would handle as well post modifications as it does from the factory. I'm not looking for a total off road beast that handles Moab with ease. I've never been to Moab and doubt that I ever will. I'm not into the rock crawling scene (but I think the guys who are have big HUGE brass balls). This vehicle will be used for my weekends of hunting and fishing. I want a very capable vehicle that will take me anywhere I want to go and then get me back home.

I NEED your help in a couple of different areas. I trust and value your opinions and experience as I have no experience of my own to base decisions upon. My biggest initial concern is the lift and tires. Upon first impressions I'm leaning towards the Level Stance Kits put out by Man-A-Fre. I really don't like the stink bug look (although it may be very practical and no offense intended to those who do like it) and I doubt that I will have very much weight loaded into the rig very often. Here are the options that I'm looking at now. I welcome any other suggestions as I definitely don't know it all, or really much of anything yet.

Option A - OMEKIT 80F3R2 - here is how it is described on the man-a-fre website "The 3” front by 2” rear kit will clear most 3” tires, and is the most popular all around kit, as it is the easiest to install. Included in this kit are 4 OME coil springs, 4 OME Nitrocharger shock absorbers, an OME steering dampener, a 4+Plus Front Radius Arm Bracket kit for caster correction, 4+Plus front sway bar drop brackets, and 1” front bump stop spacers."

I would plan on matching this lift kit with BFG 33"x12.50" Mud Terrain tires.

Option B - OMEKIT 80F4R3 - here is how it is described on the man-a-fre website "The 4” front by 3” rear kit is what is on the white 1993 FZJ80 pictured above. This kit includes 2 front OME 4” Competition Coil, 2 OME rear 3” “J” Coils, 4 OME “L’ version Nitrocharger shock absorbers, an OME steering dampener, a 4+Plus Front Radius Arm Bracket kit for caster correction, 4+Plus front sway bar drop brackets, and 1” front bump stop spacers, front and rear adjustable panhard rods."

I would plan on matching Option B lift kit with BFG 35"x12.50" Mud Terrain tires.

The website for these is http://www.man-a-fre.com/pa3/80serieslevelstancekits.htm

I really want to get it right the first time. I'm not a mechanic although I don't mind getting my hands dirty. I'm really not into tinkering with this rig so I want to get it set up and then be able to use it at will without spending the weekends in the garage (it is darn hot here most of the year). Basically I'm a one shot guy and want it done right the first time.

I also plan on adding some armor that will add to the weight of the vehicle. I will put on an ARB front bumper with a winch, a rear bumper with tire carrier and some nifty sliders. I'm not sure how much this will/should influence my lift/tire decision.

I will also entertain the idea of swapping out the gearing and I'm looking for your input on that as well.

I will also be looking for a good mechanic who knows what they're doing on these things to be able to help me put all the pieces together. So if any of you know of someone good here in the Phoenix area, please let me know.

Thanks for all of your help and input. Your comments are greatly appreciated and some day I hope to be able to join the ranks of some of you HUGE brass ball guys who are some serious off road mo fos.

Sincerely,
J.P.

[sseaman]

welcome, i would think either kit would be fine, 33s will fit on a stock rig. Sounds like you got some money to spend, good luck, and post lots of pics

[CID 96]

I run the Man-a-fre level stance kit 3" and 2". It is a great kit, but loose the lower control arm drop brakets, b/c if you run bolt on slider the drop brakets get in the way. Go with the bushing replacements instead.

[azrider]

if your getting a locked LX450 and all you want to do is get to some fishing spots, i wouldnt think you'd "need" any lift at all, maybe just some meatier tires. Unless you "want" a lift because of the look. I suggest go check out youtube, search for landcruiser, 80 series, and LX450. Take a look at what some of these other guys have put their stockers through and compare it to your type of wheelin. You will leave impressed for sure. I live in Avondale with a 97 LX450 thats locked by the way.

[AZLX450]

Thanks for the input so far guys. Yes, I do have some money to spend but I don't want to spend anymore than I have to. I'm far more concerned with getting it right the first time than saving a couple of bucks by cutting corners. Any other ideas? Anyone?

[GA Trevor]

Welcome

[fzjconvert]

I have a stock height LX with lockers and there is nary a place I can not drive. I would suggest sliders and tires and your are golden. You will have plenty of time with a new baby. NOT! Also, say good bye to any extra money.... LOL! YOU ARE SO SCR****... And you don't even know it. HAhAHAHAHA


Sliders: Metal Tech Cage Products

As for tires, BF Goodrich are not all that great. Compare them to the Firestone Destination. I have had BFG M/T, Goodyear MT/r's and neither compare to the Firestone's. I was very surprised too...

Tires: Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels


But anyway, congratulations in advance on both your new babies.

[Blue Phoenix]

I am with the other guy with a locked LX, there really is not anywhere you will go in the 450 that you would have to worry about. I have 295s on mine, Ive been to Moab and had no problems with the trails I went on, but I am still looking for more.
For the money, I have to admit you cannot beat the price of the OME kit. If you werent as concerned about money, I would opt for the Slee 4 inch kit. I think there are those here that would say his springs are superior to the OME springs and they dont leave you with the "stinkbug" look. Sleeoffroad.com - Toyota SUV Off-Road Outfitters is the site.
I look forward to seeing your build.

[JO MAOMA]

might want to check in down stairs as well...

copper state cruisers

[AZLX450]

Since it is Saturday and the wife is out shopping for new bras (that pregnancy thing can do wonders to a womans shape) I have plenty of time to look at some of these posts and do some hardcore reading.

I am now seriously interested in the Frankies Off Road 3" lift and matching it with the 35"s. Frankie seems to be a first class dude and I always prefer to support a small business. In my experience I've found that sometimes the small guy just does a better job.

Does anyone else have any opinions about the 3" FOR lift? Also, I saw on their website that the lift kit is currently on back order. I'll give them a call on Monday to find out more. Anyone with further info on the back order?

Thanks for all your help and replies.

J.P.H.

[Fly Rod]

Originally Posted by AZLX450

Since it is Saturday and the wife is out shopping for new bras (that pregnancy thing can do wonders to a womans shape)

Only problem is when they are growing they aren't "playfull." Great to look at but be ready to duck if you touch them!

Check out my sig line to see how I am running. My truck is set up as a guide/kid rig. It is very comfortable and the clients like it. It is perfect for hunting and fishing. The only thing I would like to add are sliders for the occasional tree crossing.

FWIW, 35's are great if you are going to be the sole occupant. With 33's and the OME mediums some of my clients have to work to get in the truck. With 35's it would only be worse. My feeling is that the 33's will get me anywhere I will need to go hunting or fishing. YMMV.

[chitown40]

Welcome!

I'll keep it short and sweet. All you need to buy is a set of OME Heavies (850 fronts / 863 rears) and then get some type of caster correction (OME yellow bushings, Slee blue bushings, plates, etc.) depending on how out of spec you are after the putting on the lift. I don't have any experience with OME shocks on an 80 series LC, but I am very happy with my Bilsteins. The reason I say go with the heavies is because you say you want to do it in one shot and after you slap on an ARB, a winch, a rear bumper and some sliders, the OME heavies will sit nice and level. For the type of wheeling you described you don't need much more than that. 33's are a very good tire size and you won't need to re-gear, but 35's look that much better and will get you into and out of a few more places but with the added cost of bigger rubber, more weight, and the possibly you'll have to re-gear.

You might want to call Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters - he's real good and will help you get all the parts you need the first time.