2007 LC “VX” (2 Viewers)

[GTV]

Wow, it's been a while since I updated this thread! In my defense I have done a lot of work to this truck and I had quite the eventful 2021. It's been all for the best though and I'm happier than I've ever been.
So, continuing where I left off, in June I received my Reef drawers from Land Shark. I'm glad I made this my first major addition as the ability to store and organize my junk is invaluable. Also gives me a place to sleep which came in clutch later...

The Reef drawers are very well thought out. Exceptional build quality, very satisfying product to use. I am still on the fence about them being made of wood as I feel like that makes them stand out as a non OEM part and I really like my mods to look like they could have been there from day one. I feel the composite ARB drawers would look the OEM part and possibly last a little longer than wood? In any case, they do the job very well. I do want to purchase the upgraded kits to bolt them to the floor, I haven't had any issues with the drawers moving around anymore but the straps in the wing area are annoying to pack gear around. The integral cutting board is also high on my wish list so I'm looking to add both of those and finally finish it properly with stain and trunk carpet soon.

I did get semi sidetracked with an '03 Sequoia that fell into my lap for only $1,000 but needed a bunch of love. I did a heap of work to it, timing belt, 5100 lift, 33's, etc. Basically caught back up on maintenance, fixed every little thing wrong and gave it a little curb appeal while I was at it. Then did the Gambler 500 which was awesome! It performed over 1500 flawless miles that crazy hot last weekend of June and I sold it for double my investment within just two days of getting back to Seattle.

I had almost nothing invested into it which really made it a ton of fun. Almost wish I could have kept it!

 

[suprarx7nut]

Wow, it's been a while since I updated this thread! In my defense I have done a lot of work to this truck and I had quite the eventful 2021. It's been all for the best though and I'm happier than I've ever been.
So, continuing where I left off, in June I received my Reef drawers from Land Shark. I'm glad I made this my first major addition as the ability to store and organize my junk is invaluable. Also gives me a place to sleep which came in clutch later...
View attachment 2895562
View attachment 2895563
The Reef drawers are very well thought out. Exceptional build quality, very satisfying product to use. I am still on the fence about them being made of wood as I feel like that makes them stand out as a non OEM part and I really like my mods to look like they could have been there from day one. I feel the composite ARB drawers would look the OEM part and possibly last a little longer than wood? In any case, they do the job very well. I do want to purchase the upgraded kits to bolt them to the floor, I haven't had any issues with the drawers moving around anymore but the straps in the wing area are annoying to pack gear around. The integral cutting board is also high on my wish list so I'm looking to add both of those and finally finish it properly with stain and trunk carpet soon.

I did get semi sidetracked with an '03 Sequoia that fell into my lap for only $1,000 but needed a bunch of love. I did a heap of work to it, timing belt, 5100 lift, 33's, etc. Basically caught back up on maintenance, fixed every little thing wrong with it and gave it a little curb appeal while I was at it. Then did the Gambler 500 which was awesome! It performed flawlessly over 1500 miles that crazy hot last weekend of June and I sold it within two days of getting back to Seattle.
View attachment 2895564
View attachment 2895565
View attachment 2895566
I had almost nothing invested into it which really made it a ton of fun. Almost wish I could have kept it!

FWIW, the ARB system (and all the other corporate systems I'm aware of) are inferior plywood just covered with steel sheet, plastic and carpet. I can't speak specifically to the Landshark stuff, but a skeleton of Baltic Birch and aluminum should fare better over time than ARB or similar systems that are using non-stainless sheet metal and low-ply plywood.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over skipping ARB.

 

[2001LC]

I'm way behind on reading this thread. But scanned last few pages a bit this morning, and saw AHC issue.

I'd not be overly concerned with high pitched squeal of AHC. They do that sometimes. It's likely, fluid passing an seal under high pressure. Seems to happen mostly when system pressures to high and need adjusting (lowered).

I'd lower front sensor until fender to axle center is about 19 3/16", than crank T-bar will likely be needed to bring pressure to 6.9Mpa (-+0 .5Mpa) in front, no higher. Than lower rear sensor, to get pressure down to near but not below 5.6Mpa (temperature sensor unplugged) in rear. Lowering rear height by the sensor adjust, puts more weight on coils/springs. It's important to keeping rear at a minimum of 3/4" higher than front (rake), fender to axle. Than re-adjust front pressure with T-bars, will likely be needed after rear sensor adjust. Basically front end can be as high or low as one likes. But it needs to be based on rear pressure as near 5.6Mpa, and front end lower with at least 3/4" rake, and with 6.8 to 6.9Mpa frt. Plug temp sensor back in, and typically the rear pressure reads a little higher. Accumulator should now read 10.5Mpa. If on level ground, and each front senor equal. We get 0.0" inch FL, FR & Rear height sensor reads, it is hard to hit 0.0..

Although I've never actually checked heights by the FSM method.. Which is not the "fender to axle", short cut we use. I do find all 100 series, that are still at factory sensor height (virgins), at 19 3/16 fender to axle front. With front down to this 19 3/16", it allows rear to be lowered bring pressure in rear down.

The idea behind spacer 15mm or 30MM, on new rear coils. Is to reduce pressures, saving it for when needed (loaded). Thereby extending life of globes. This a @PADDO suggestion to me, some years. It a nice touch I do to a lot of AHC system. We used, 15MM IIRC on this 07LC, as buyer wanted it to set low in N for his wife. Concern was we'd have pressure to high with 30MM.

 

[GTV]

I'm way behind on reading this thread. But scanned last few pages a bit this morning, and saw AHC issue.

I'd not be overly concerned with high pitched squeal of AHC. They do that sometimes. It's likely, fluid passing an seal under high pressure. Seems to happen mostly when system pressures to high and need adjusting (lowered).

I'd lower front sensor until fender to axle center is about 19 3/16", than crank T-bar will likely be needed to bring pressure to 6.9Mpa (-+0 .5Mpa) in front, no higher. Than lower rear sensor, to get pressure down to near but not below 5.6Mpa (temperature sensor unplugged) in rear. Lowering rear height by the sensor adjust, puts more weight on coils/springs. It's important to keeping rear at a minimum of 3/4" higher than front (rake), fender to axle. Than re-adjust front pressure with T-bars, will likely be needed after rear sensor adjust. Basically front end can be as high or low as one likes. But it needs to be based on rear pressure as near 5.6Mpa, and front end lower with at least 3/4" rake, and with 6.8 to 6.9Mpa frt. Plug temp sensor back in, and typically the rear pressure reads a little higher. Accumulator should now read 10.5Mpa. If on level ground, and each front senor equal. We get 0.0" inch FL, FR & Rear height sensor reads, it is hard to hit 0.0..

Although I've never actually checked heights by the FSM method.. Which is not the "fender to axle", short cut we use. I do find all 100 series, that are still at factory sensor height (virgins), at 19 3/16 fender to axle front. With front down to this 19 3/16", it allows rear to be lowered bring pressure in rear down.

The idea behind spacer 15mm or 30MM, on new rear coils. Is to reduce pressures, saving it for when needed (loaded). Thereby extending life of globes. This a @PADDO suggestion to me, some years. It a nice touch I do to a lot of AHC system. We used, 15MM IIRC on this 07LC, as buyer wanted it to set low in N for his wife. Concern was we'd have pressure to high with 30MM.

Thanks for checking in Paul! You put together a great truck, this thing is a pleasure to work on.

As far as I can tell I have the AHC issues sorted, other than the aforementioned squeal coming from the pump. I have received compliments from passengers on the ride quality, one of them a friend with the LX pictured earlier in this thread. So I *think* I'm all good there. Every time I get in any other vehicle I really appreciate the suspension that my LC has! I do have a second hand pump out of an '06 LC on standby if it ever becomes an issue. It is most definitely more of a cold weather/cold truck problem.
This truck had a 5mm coil spacer on one side and 10+5mm spacers on the other side. I assume this was to correct a lean but it seemed to be creating one instead. So I swapped them out with a pair of Ironman 30mm spacers to lower my pressure a bit more and square the rear up. This did end up giving me a stink bug stance, I could have adjusted the rear sensor down but instead I installed another pair of used front height sensors from the same '06 LC (I was getting DTC codes with the old ones but they seemed to be performing ok), put on the top of the slots which raised the front about 15mm (5/8") from stock. I gave each torsion two full turns to compensate. I haven't read my pressures since the changes but I think I'm in the ballpark. Since I still have the two 5mm coil spacers in stock I'm going to throw them on top of the 30's and check my numbers again.

At the same time I did the coil spacer swap I did my second oil change and a 5 tire rotation. I took the opportunity to install a Fumoto valve to make future oil changes easier. I also sent an oil sample to Blackstone and got great results back.

The drain access plate hardware had seen better days and I was missing some bolts for the mid plate so I replaced them as well.

While I had the spare out I removed the aftermarket Draw-Tite hitch in exchange for an OEM Toyota unit. I was after exhaust tip protection and a little more spare tire clearance. The spare was nearly touching the panhard rod with the previous hitch, now I have at least a half inch of clearance or more.

 

[2001LC]

Nice work! great to see the Unicorn ended up in hands of someone that cares for his rig as you do. You may not know this. But I was about to buy it back, when you out bid me. But no worries, I've more than enough work on my hands, with 100 series...

AHC, It is all about the ride as one likes (the feel), when adjusting pressures. But we do want to run lower end of recommend pressures, as it saves pressure for when needed/loaded, according to @PADDO. He said, running lower pressure also gives longer life to globes and accumulator. Which is why the spacer. The variation in thickness on the Unicorn in part, was what was on hand at time. Also to compensate for weight of driver (PO was a big man), yet keep rig lower for wife. I suspect, He playing with sensors adjusting, to get even lower for wife. It was her that wanted him to sell it, didn't like climbing in (I was told).

I've 07 I work on, that is loaded; bumpers, armor, box, winch the works. Then hunting buddies load in. He's running with 6.3Mpa in fronts now. Seems to really like it. We did put on LC non AHC T-bars and King coils rated for AHC. In this one we ended up remove 30mm spacer.

But in most all shock 100 series w/AHC. I do put in new OEM coils and 30mm spacer.

That engine I found for the Unicorn. I was very happy with, took me about 3 months of looking to find. It had a perfect oil change history and looked great inside.

 

[GTV]

Nice work! great to see the Unicorn ended up in hands of someone that cares for his rig as you do. You may not know this. But I was about to buy it back, when you out bid me. But no worries, I've more than enough work on my hands, with 100 series...

AHC, It is all about the ride as one likes (the feel), when adjusting pressures. But we do want to run lower end of recommend pressures, as it saves pressure for when needed/loaded, according to @PADDO. He said, running lower pressure also gives longer life to globes and accumulator. Which is why the spacer. The variation in thickness on the Unicorn in part, was what was on hand at time. Also to compensate for weight of driver (PO was a big man), yet keep rig lower for wife. I suspect, He playing with sensors adjusting, to get even lower for wife. It was her that wanted him to sell it, didn't like climbing in (I was told).

I've 07 I work on, that is loaded; bumpers, armor, box, winch the works. Then hunting buddies load in. He's running with 6.3Mpa in fronts now. Seems to really like it. We did put on LC non AHC T-bars and King coils rated for AHC. In this one we ended up remove 30mm spacer.

But in most all shock 100 series w/AHC. I do put in new OEM coils and 30mm spacer.

That engine I found for the Unicorn. I was very happy with, took me about 3 months of looking to find. It had a perfect oil change history and looked great inside.

I outbid you?! I gave asking price, which seemed like a lot to pay for an '07 at the time but nearly two years later I have absolutely no regrets. I think you would have been very disappointed to see how the PO "took care" of this rig! I've always wondered what he paid you for the truck initially...

I completely agree on keeping pressures on the lower end. AHC and I did not have a great introduction but I am definitely a fan of it now... at least until it randomly craps out on me.

And now for a project that I started but have yet to finish... someone along the line added a generic rear view camera, probably at the same time the head unit and amp were upgraded. It didn't work and was "installed" with a liberal amount of black silicone. Yet another case of hackage by a car audio "tech".

That bothered me but what really set me off was the two tone lighting. Unacceptable!

I stripped it all down to start. That silicone was a chore to remove. Luckily no wiring or metal was damaged.

So I got a camera recommendation from @kpecks. It fits in place of one of the original license light housings. I ended up finding another pair of OEM lights on Ebay (from Latvia of all places, McGeorge and Partsouq were out of stock) since the single one I had had seen better days. I combined them to get the best of everything. The black camera/lens base doesn't fit 100% Toyota tight, there's a little slop but it'll do.

I tucked all the wires up behind the interior hatch panel and called it good enough for now. I'll work on wiring it up properly once I change my head unit out (I really hate that thing!) but at least for now my lights match, ha!

I really want to figure out a way to mount this facia that fits a 10.1” screen. The upper display panel is redundant in 2022.

 

[GTV]

A few days after I returned from The Gambler I embarked on the longest road trip yet for me and my LC. Over about 2 1/2 weeks I drove from Seattle to Montrose, CO to meet my sister and help our mom and stepfather move down to Silver City, NM... and then I returned back to Seattle. The drawers made it possible for me to sleep in the back so I took advantage of that and camped out along the way. I did as much sight seeing as I had time for, which sadly was spent dodging wildfire smoke, pretty rushed and mostly from the drivers seat. Still, I did 4,162 flawless miles.

Camped above Park City, UT

Ouray, CO

Last Dollar, on the way to Telluride. My niece "posing"

Camped outside of Dolores, CO

Quick pass through Mesa Verde NP

Colorado NM

Camped in a NF somewhere in eastern Idaho

Flaming Gorge

 

[kennedymil]

A few days after I returned from The Gambler I embarked on the longest road trip yet for me and my LC. Over about 2 1/2 weeks I drove from Seattle to Montrose, CO to meet my sister and help our mom and stepfather move down to Silver City, NM... and then I returned back to Seattle. The drawers made it possible for me to sleep in the back so I took advantage of that and camped out along the way. I did as much sight seeing as I had time for, which sadly was spent dodging wildfire smoke, pretty rushed and mostly from the drivers seat. Still, I did 4,162 flawless miles.

Sounds and looks like a phenomenal trip!!

 

[GTV]

So... when I returned is when life sh!t started to get real. This is probably TMI for a car forum but I broke things off with my (now ex) wife. The split went about as good as I could have hoped for (thankfully we didn't have kids). In a matter of two months we sold our house, I helped her move into an apartment in the city and I began to drag my minimized belongings up north to a storage unit in Bellingham. I'd load up my LC about once a week and take the opportunity to camp out in the Mt Baker/Snoqualmie NF for some much needed time alone.

I also finally pulled the trigger on some new OEM headlights. To my eyes this was the biggest change in appearance I have done to date, it no longer looks like the truck I bought, it’s now mine. The light output is greatly improved as well.

While helping my ex move I spotted this package. Pretty much sums up why we went our separate ways.

 

[GTV]

Breaking up with the missus brought along a domino effect of other life changes. Of course selling the house meant moving, and if I was moving there was no way I was going to stay in Seattle any longer. It's a fine city as far as cities go but I'm a small(er) town guy at heart and needed to get back to that. That meant quitting my job that I had been hating for years as well. The fact that we were debt free and our house had gone up about 60% in 5 years gave me the fortunate opportunity to take some much needed time off.

House closed October 20th. Last night my LC slept in the now empty shop.

I couchsurfed at my buddy's place for a couple days until the house money was in the bank. Then hit the road. I left Seattle the same way I arrived in 2015, by ferry. From Edmonds I took the boat to Kingston and made my way to the coast. My only obligation was a flight out of Phoenix in about 3 1/2 weeks and just a vague idea of how I wanted to get there. I'd never had so much time on my hands and damn, it felt pretty f*ing incredible to be unemployed, homeless and single.

Timing was not great as far as the weather was concerned. My leaving the PNW coincided with the "atmospheric river" storm that drenched my first 3 days and mostly kept me inside the truck, so I just made my way down the coast until the weather cleared. The first night's camp was not glorious, parked just off highway 105 near Willapa Bay.

Spent some time at Cape Disappointment the following day.

I always look forward to the Oregon Coast, in my opinion it's the best part of the PCH. Unfortunately the weather made it pretty miserable and being late in the season meant that a lot of places were closed. Cannon Beach was breezy, to say the least.

The elk found refuge in the forest.

I found a spot to sleep near Manzanita but was pounded by wind and torrential rain all night long. I continued further south through the grey skies and beating waves of the Pacific.

Night three I found a drizzly but restful night's sleep in the Siuslaw NF.

 

[onemanarmy]

Glad life is moving forward!

Get rid of that AHC nonsense yet?

 

[GTV]

Glad life is moving forward!

Get rid of that AHC nonsense yet?

Negative! Going to keep it as long as it is sensible to do so. It really does work brilliantly overall but if it lets me down again at an inopportune time it is going in the trash. I have a set of standard torsions and a pair of 200 series rear coils in stock if/when that happens.

 

[onemanarmy]

I hear ya....but you know you're going to do it, and it WILL let you down. Why tempt it and have that slight dread always in the back of your mind when out exploring? Some nice progressive rate coils and fancy shocks and you'll be at 80% of ride quality on road, better offroad, and no chance of a 'failed' suspension.

Just my 0.02. I hate AHC and anything else 'auto' on a vehicle like the LC.

I wish you could simplify that dumb overcomplicated brake pump nonsense too.

 

[GTV]

I hear ya....but you know you're going to do it, and it WILL let you down. Why tempt it and have that slight dread always in the back of your mind when out exploring? Some nice progressive rate coils and fancy shocks and you'll be at 80% of ride quality on road, better offroad, and no chance of a 'failed' suspension.

Just my 0.02. I hate AHC and anything else 'auto' on a vehicle like the LC.

I wish you could simplify that dumb overcomplicated brake pump nonsense too.

Simply because I really have grown to like the comfort and the adjustability. And I'm not one to throw perfectly good things in the dumpster. It's a chance I'm willing to take.

Totally there with you on the brake booster though!

 

[GTV]

After 3 days and nights of being either cold and wet or trapped in my truck I decided I needed a break. I grabbed a room in Brookings for a hot shower and a killer meal at Oxenfrē Public House (highly recommended!). I filled my tank the next morning (fuel is about $1 higher per gallon as soon as you cross the CA border) and made my way to the Redwoods.
Weather finally starting to break!

I found camp on a lagoon just far enough away from the PCH that I didn't hear it, just the crashing waves of the ocean in the distance. The spot was convenient and quiet enough that I stayed two nights here.

Coffee and grits for breakfast.

Spent the whole day cruising around the Redwoods. I've got a thing for big trees. I always feel like I am on hallowed ground when in their presence.

 

[GTV]

The following day I began to head east. I took highway 36, which makes its way through Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. It was a jaw droppingly scenic drive (for a tree perv) and totally unexpected. I eventually camped somewhere on forest land a few miles off the highway in an area that had been burned a few years earlier.

It took me a couple days but on Halloween I made it to Lake Tahoe, first time there for me. My impressions? Nice, but judging by the prices, not nearly as incredible as the locals think it is. So I left and got drunk at a bar in Gardenerville, Nevada watching the World Series and slept out in the back parking lot that night. Ain't too proud.

The next morning I hooked up with the 395 and made my way south.

I previously knew nothing about the ghost town of Bodie but managed to find myself there. Freakin' cool place, one of my favourite stops on the journey. The chilly air and dark skies enhanced the ghostly feel of the place even more. Will definitely return next time I'm in the area.

 

[JGRaider]

Wow, that ghost town is just too freaking cool. Love the pics, imagining what it was like back in the day. Thanks for posting those, and the others are beautiful.

 

[GTV]

It had been a few days since I'd showered so I grabbed a room in Lee Vining that night. The next morning I checked out nearby Lake Mono.

I'm a breakfast burrito snob, found a damn good one for the money at Eagle's Landing near Silver Lake. Beautiful lodge and gorgeous area, I was the only one there!

I had been on the lookout for a remote natural hot spring. I found this one somewhere east of the 395. If I had not just taken a shower I would have hopped in.

Lake Crowley. I was attempting to make my way down to the waters edge where there is some really interesting rock pillar formations when I came across this sight. Getting here was the most technical four wheeling I had done up until then, I quickly learned that my truck is far more capable than I am, which is a good place to be! Unfortunately I didn't make it all the way down there, I was worried about fuel and I didn't have great directions to go by. Cell service was also spotty at best so I made the call to turn back. In hindsight I coulda made it.

I've been wanting to check out some Bristlecone Pines for a long while. They are oldest trees in the world, and incredibly unique. There is a stand in the Inyo NF high above the Owens Valley so I went up, and up, and up until I found suitable camp.

These trees are biological wonders. They can be 4,000+ years old. Slow growing, heavy as stone and the wood is hard as one too. The mountains I stood on were formed 650 million years ago under the sea. I was fascinated.

I bundled up and watched the sun go down behind the Sierras. It got down to the high 20's that night but I was more than comfortable inside the cruiser.
The next morning I made coffee and saw the first beams of sunlight. Hiked around a bit but was easily winded!

 

[OEMGUY0720]

You are literally cruising the land.

Awesome photos man.

 

[GTV]

Back down the mountain the next morning.

I stopped in Lone Pine for brekky then went back up north a few miles to the Manzanar Japanese Internment Camp. An educated citizen knows their complete history, the good and the bad.

Checked out the Alabama Hills briefly, reminded me of Granite Dells in Prescott, AZ where I grew up so I wasn't terribly impressed, lol.

I'd been wanting to go back to Death Valley ever since I drove through there in my old Tundra back in 2016. But I didn't have the time to explore and my Tundra and I wasn't equipped to do so. I felt pretty good about it this time so I stocked up on food and water, filled the tank and made my way... apprehensively. I don't really like Death Valley to be honest, I feel like it's a place where people shouldn't be. God forbid something happens out there, you better plan to be prepared or lucky if someone finds you. But there's some things there that I just had to experience. So just inside the west entrance I took the Saline Valley alternate road to the interior of the park. I get about 10 miles in, the first sign of life I see is this.

Hmmm. Obviously these are idiots in vehicles that have no business being out here but it gives me pause for concern if nothing else. I decide to camp out right there overlooking the Panamint Valley and sleep on it.