Hi everyone, I recently got a 2013 LX570 with 82k miles. It took forever to find one because of super low inventory. My must haves were rust free + accident free. I was willing to settle on a few other things. I ended up finding one in the perfect color (Gray) but with the wrong interior color (white). However, the white interior is slowly growing on me.
Thanks to @1world1love for the inspiration. His build thread is great and I'm following his example pretty closely.
Why the LX570 and not the LC
I started with the search for an LC (which is when I created my username, haha). I even rented one for the weekend to make sure it was what I wanted. Then came the realization they are very hard to find for sale. I never considered driving a Lexus, but a roughly $7000 discount was very attractive. I did some research and came to the following conclusion:
Reasons to get the Land Cruiser
Reasons to get the LX570
Lots of changes in 2016+ model years, but I feel like they haven’t depreciated quite enough.
The goal
Build the perfect camping car, with the opportunity for some occasional offroading.
Phase 1 (completed)
Phase 2 (next few months)
Phase 3 (not sure if/when)
I'll update this post as I make updates. Thanks everyone for all your help on this forum. Please keep the suggestions coming!
Thanks to @1world1love for the inspiration. His build thread is great and I'm following his example pretty closely.
Why the LX570 and not the LC
I started with the search for an LC (which is when I created my username, haha). I even rented one for the weekend to make sure it was what I wanted. Then came the realization they are very hard to find for sale. I never considered driving a Lexus, but a roughly $7000 discount was very attractive. I did some research and came to the following conclusion:
Reasons to get the Land Cruiser
- Cool badge, and very understated. My friends refer to my car as “the lexus” no matter how often I call it “the land cruiser” and it hurts a little each time.
- KDSS (see this video for how much of a difference it makes)
- 18 inch wheels instead of 20.
- Easier to add sliders.
- All 2013+ have adaptive cruise control, which in the LX570 is a harder to find option.
Reasons to get the LX570
- Much cheaper. The $7000 discount would pay for most of my modifications and upgrades.
- Many more are available, and most of them have had very easy lives.
- AHC. No need to spend money on a suspension upgrade.
- Some people mention the “Variable Suspension” as an upside, but after 2k miles I’m convinced this is a placebo button. I truly cannot tell the difference on or off road.
- Somewhat nicer interior.
Lots of changes in 2016+ model years, but I feel like they haven’t depreciated quite enough.
The goal
Build the perfect camping car, with the opportunity for some occasional offroading.
Phase 1 (completed)
- Bought this little storage thing for the cool box.
- This really should come with the car from the factory.
- Added the Garmin dash cam mini.
- I like these because they are very small, and don’t have a battery that could overheat in the sun. The cable was relatively easily routed through the roof lining and A pillar on the passenger side. Took just a few minutes.
- Removed the engine covers.
- Apparently they are all for show, and if I ever find myself on the side of the road with a check engine light on, I want to be able to look inside. So when the road side assistance arrives I can confirm that I indeed...checked the engine.
- Got a Carista
- This is like a simplified TechStream and made a few changes. The doors now all open with 1 click which is great. I also disabled the ECO indicator, which is distracting and ridiculous.
- Bought the ProClip Vent mount phone holder with the wireless charger.
- I’ve gone through many phone holders over the years and they were always a bit flimsy. This is the first one that is super sturdy. The mounting location is perfect because it’s right next to the main screen. It makes me not need CarPlay. I can use Google Maps perfectly this way.
- There is something really cool about the wireless charging + bluetooth combo: zero cables, all functionality.
- Removed the 3rd row.
- I originally liked the idea of carrying 8 friends around, but we’ll have to wait on the vaccine first. The extra space is nice.
- Bought the floor mat for the 2018+ two-row LX570 to cover up the holes.
- Got a Waterport for camping, though I haven’t mounted it to anything yet.
- Built a sleeping platform.
- I considered drawers, but they are (1) generally expensive and (2) limit flexibility in terms of carrying things like long camp chairs. So I built the platform on 4 legs with 2x4s for the frame. The three panels (3 /4 inch plywood) are easily removable to grab things underneath.
- I then purchased 2 home depot Ridgid crates that fit perfectly underneath.
Phase 2 (next few months)
- Purchased a Thule Motion XT XL rooftop box which I’m picking up soon.
- 17 inch wheels and All-Terrains.
- Wheels: the Icon Vector 5. They are still weeks from shipping, so I might change my mind. But it’s surprising how hard it is to find some understated looking wheels without fake beadlock!
- Tires: strongly leaning towards the Falken Wildpeak 285/70R17. P-rated. They seem like a good option that can handle off-roading without adding the stiff ride from an E-rated tire. P rated tires are more prone to punctures than E-Rated tires (video) but I’ll be carrying a spare and a tire repair kit.
- I do realize that now that I’ve written that down, I’m guaranteed to have many flat tires. Oops. :/
- Slee Sliders.
- Skid Plates
- I don’t expect I’ll really need them, but they seem like a good insurance policy that’ll pay for itself after 1 mistake on the trail. Looking for tips on what to get.
- Roof Rack
- Really like the Prinsu sleek look, and low profile, but it doesn’t have Thule Rooftop Box accessories. The Front Runner seems cool too, especially with the table option. But that adds a lot of cost. This video by @Eric Sarjeant has been helpful in comparing.
Phase 3 (not sure if/when)
- Dissent offroad aluminum front bumper with winch.
- This has a cool and minimal look. Also, it seems like a winch can get you out when nothing else can. But it is the most expensive modification on this list.
I'll update this post as I make updates. Thanks everyone for all your help on this forum. Please keep the suggestions coming!
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