I'm looking for input before I get started, I have not purchased my vehicle yet.
Uses: this truck will spend all but a few weeks a year in the suburban jungle. Family mobile. Comfort. Amenities are nice. Wife, 2 kids. However, very off road and overland capable. All but the hardest trails should be accessible. Dessert, but not a driving focus, rather climb up red rocks. Another big need is to be able to tow, at a minimum a two horse trailer, with the family, and all our crap in tow.
I've narrowed my search to a 05 or 06 100 series, or lx470. My budget post vehicle purchase is around $15k… and assume I drop another $5k down the line on odds n ends, but can't do it all at once.
First question, the AHC, I was planning to avoid an 06 because of AHC if possible, but these 05 trucks are proving hard to find. Is this a valid concern of mine or can I consider an 06 as equal to 05?
My initial thoughts are:
ARB front and rear bumpers, ARB sliders and Slee body plates. Slee diff drop. 33” BFGs mounted on 16” wheels.
2.5” heavy duty OME setupFront and rear steering (control arms).
Should I consider front and rear ARB air lockers, need to have or nice to have?
Do I need air lift bags for towing? Other than brake controller what else (major) would I need for towing? Bigger front brakes?
Warn winch. Snorkel. Dual battery setup. Some low profile roof rack. Canopy. Misc internal and external lighting.
Ok I'm probably closer to $20k now!
If you hate my approach, or have other suggestions given my use cases please let me know how you'd adjust! And I could really use specifics, most of what I have so far comes from a hundy build on expeditionportal. Thanks!
Uses: this truck will spend all but a few weeks a year in the suburban jungle. Family mobile. Comfort. Amenities are nice. Wife, 2 kids. However, very off road and overland capable. All but the hardest trails should be accessible. Dessert, but not a driving focus, rather climb up red rocks. Another big need is to be able to tow, at a minimum a two horse trailer, with the family, and all our crap in tow.
I've narrowed my search to a 05 or 06 100 series, or lx470. My budget post vehicle purchase is around $15k… and assume I drop another $5k down the line on odds n ends, but can't do it all at once.
First question, the AHC, I was planning to avoid an 06 because of AHC if possible, but these 05 trucks are proving hard to find. Is this a valid concern of mine or can I consider an 06 as equal to 05?
My initial thoughts are:
ARB front and rear bumpers, ARB sliders and Slee body plates. Slee diff drop. 33” BFGs mounted on 16” wheels.
2.5” heavy duty OME setupFront and rear steering (control arms).
Should I consider front and rear ARB air lockers, need to have or nice to have?
Do I need air lift bags for towing? Other than brake controller what else (major) would I need for towing? Bigger front brakes?
Warn winch. Snorkel. Dual battery setup. Some low profile roof rack. Canopy. Misc internal and external lighting.
Ok I'm probably closer to $20k now!
If you hate my approach, or have other suggestions given my use cases please let me know how you'd adjust! And I could really use specifics, most of what I have so far comes from a hundy build on expeditionportal. Thanks!
. I'm driving a Honda Pilot. Wife is driving a CRV. 've had everything from a 80s CJ w/ 350 conversion, to a BMW M6 (original 87'). It's time for a new (still practical) toy. Have been looking at everything from Diesel Chevy 2500HDs to LC. New Chevy's are too much, have yet to have the need to tow but as soon as I get something the wheels come off and then the wife gets a horse - we will NOT tow a lot, just locally, and every once in a while. Most use will be family mobile mid-week, that we take out into the "wild" for weekend/week trips (I'm in San Diego - so east and north of me).
