98 LX First Outing and upgrade Advice (2 Viewers)

[ClassyJalopy]

I hear y'all. I had hitch mounted shackle but my friend's recovery gear consisted on a front winch and some false sense of security in his stock FJ.

To pull him out I used the hitch mounted shackle on my end and just improvised with hitch on his end. Lesson learned!

Get yourself some shackles. They can be had relatively inexpensivly at most hardware stores.

I also recommend you check out videos on YouTube regarding vehicle recovery and rigging.

If you ever need to use the hitch again just loop the end through a hitch pin. Keeps your tow strap intact and super cheap. I always carry one just for that reason. Most people have hitches but that's it

 

[Cola]

I hear y'all. I had hitch mounted shackle but my friend's recovery gear consisted on a front winch and some false sense of security in his stock FJ.

To pull him out I used the hitch mounted shackle on my end and just improvised with hitch on his end. Lesson learned!

That's what I'm saying. The hitch pin is an improvised recovery method for people with only a hitch. Put the loop into the hitch then put the pin in place through the loop. Keeps your tow strap from getting damaged in the case people don't have proper recovery gear.

 

[084runnerltd]

Tires-For Sure

Winch: I know this is a sensitive spot and there is a lot of brand loyalty. Just speaking from my own personal experiences and not trying to start a winch debate.....

I have owned 3 harbor freight “badlands 12k” winches and have never had issues. Had one on my 80, 100, and even on my H1. For your stated purpose, “mild off-roading” at 285.00, you can’t beat it.

Recovery Straps/Ropes/shackles: SouthEast Overland has good stuff and great customer service, all of my main ropes, bridles, straps are from them. However, they won’t be the cheapest option.

ARB is good-check on Amazon or a Mudvendor

I still have, and occasionally use some no-name straps (tree savers mainly). I have only been into this addiction for about 5yrs, but I think the biggest issue with recovery gear, is knowing how to use it properly.

Know what gear can be used for kinetic vs static recovery, don’t connect to a trailer hitch ball, use proper recovery points, understand the dangers of the hi-lift, know what chains are good for and what they are terrible at, buy a kinetic rope that properly matches the weight of your vehicle....

I keep a copy of the “Rigging Handbook” in my vehicle. Can be purchased on Amazon for about 15.00. It provides great info and illustrations, as well as formulas for weight ratings etc....only needed it a few times, but it was handy to have.

I think you can easily get tires, winch, kinetic recovery strap, some shackles, tree savers and still have money left over to swap winch cable to synthetic or pay for labor on the custom winch mount.

Check the classifieds on here for people selling their armor, if you can score a used skid plate at a good price, scoop it up.

When getting into the hobby my biggest limiting factor was myself, not the vehicle....heck that is still likely the case today...

Keep us updated with your purchases.

 

[TXLX100]

Good offroad tires will take a vehicle a long way. If you are really looking for offroad performance from a 1998 LX.... tires, locker, lift. 100 series has pretty good ground clearance in stock form and definitely with AHC.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Tires-For Sure
When getting into the hobby my biggest limiting factor was myself, not the vehicle....heck that is still likely the case today...
Keep us updated with your purchases.

Well said. I have splurged on a Smittybilt 9.5K winch with synthetic rope. At $360 it felt as right decision.

Good offroad tires will take a vehicle a long way. If you are really looking for offroad performance from a 1998 LX.... tires, locker, lift. 100 series has pretty good ground clearance in stock form and definitely with AHC.

While I already had Falken Wildpeak AT3 tires, they were probably too small. I have purchased 33" KO2s over the weekend, will see how much that helps. The plan is to install bigger tires, a winch and see how far I get with the 1.5" lift I already got.

 

[aging fleet]

Spent some more on my truck last night:

• 285/75/16 BFG KO2 tires ($630 shipped )

It's going to look so much better with those tires.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Sounds like it’s too late now, but with the ‘98 I would consider adding a Harrop Elocker (or ARB) to the FRONT diff. Kill two birds with one stone.

You will definitely be happy with your purchases. Just keep in mind that when you lose traction in the front end with 33s don’t mash the gas. A spinning tire that comes to an abrupt stop is a great way to break your front diff - especially in the ‘98-‘99 100 series.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

It's going to look so much better with those tires.

I found an excellent, like new set of Tundra 18" wheels but I have already ordered 16" KO2 . I guess I need to just get the new KO2s installed on my 16" wheels and stop looking at the CL ads

Sounds like it’s too late now, but with the ‘98 I would consider adding a Harrop Elocker (or ARB) to the FRONT diff. Kill two birds with one stone.

You will definitely be happy with your purchases. Just keep in mind that when you lose traction in the front end with 33s don’t mash the gas. A spinning tire that comes to an abrupt stop is a great way to break your front diff - especially in the ‘98-‘99 100 series.

So run a front locker with stock rear LSD? The lockers are about $1500 installed for each end - so I am hoping I can run for as long as I can without having to buy one.

 

[Cola]

I found an excellent, like new set of Tundra 18" wheels but I have already ordered 16" KO2 . I guess I need to just get the new KO2s installed on my 16" wheels and stop looking at the CL ads

So run a front locker with stock rear LSD? The lockers are about $1500 installed for each end - so I am hoping I can run for as long as I can without having to buy one.

You don't "need" a locker. Now without ATRAC you might feel like you need one sooner than an ATRAC model but you'll still be fine.

Pre 2000 have a notoriously weak front diff. So adding a locker up front will give you extra traction and strengthen the front diff. Two birds with one stone.. I still might consider the rear first. But doing the front might be good insurance.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Speaking of ATRAC, we had about a foot of snow this week and I noticed that without a traction control my LX470 is certainly more playful on the slippery surfaces.
To compare: we drove about 2000 miles over the last week or so and our 2012 Sienna with all season Conti tires did just fine cruising at 75 mph in all sorts of slippery conditions. I saw the traction control light come on quite a few times. Makes me wonder how my LX would do at highway speeds with no electronic nannies helping out.

You don't "need" a locker. Now without ATRAC you might feel like you need one sooner than an ATRAC model but you'll still be fine.

Pre 2000 have a notoriously weak front diff. So adding a locker up front will give you extra traction and strengthen the front diff. Two birds with one stone.. I still might consider the rear first. But doing the front might be good insurance.

 

[Cola]

Speaking of ATRAC, we had about a foot of snow this week and I noticed that without a traction control my LX470 is certainly more playful on the slippery surfaces.
To compare: we drove about 2000 miles over the last week or so and our 2012 Sienna with all season Conti tires did just fine cruising at 75 mph in all sorts of slippery conditions. I saw the traction control light come on quite a few times. Makes me wonder how my LX would do at highway speeds with no electronic nannies helping out.

Because you don't have VCS you're basically in manual mode. Here's a discussion on it

Poor 100 snow+ice handling.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Interested in seeing some pics of those weathertech liners when you get them in. I've been debating since the reviews are super hit and miss for the 100 series.

Just installed the floor liners. They fit really well (just like they do on my BMW and Sienna). See pics below. I will post an update after a while to see how they hold up with three kids using them everyday

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Because you don't have VCS you're basically in manual mode. Here's a discussion on it

Poor 100 snow+ice handling.

Yeah, I have read that before. The OP on that thread was using M/T tires which are known to struggle in icy wintery conditions. I am used to having my right foot act as VSC and ABS (my 99 Accord was like that) but LX is a big heavy vehicle and even with all-wheel drive it will require constant vigilance at highway speeds.

Had I known this before, I would have looked for an 2000+ model year, this is a pretty big deal for me since my wife and I share driving on longer trips and I would be uncomfortable knowing that there is no safety net.
see someone else's experience here: VSC saved us from crashing

 

[melepley]

Thank you for the suggestions. Discount tire is willing to buy my tires back (I will get a quote tomorrow), so I will feel a little less bad about buying a second set within 6 months. Jason @TRAIL TAILOR is taking a well earned break, once he returns, I will be getting a hidden winch mount.

Make sure when you order the mount you specify you have the LX. The LX has a larger condenser and different high pressure line on the left front because of the rear A/C evaporator. Before I purchased my HWM from Jason I asked him to send some detailed pictures of the mounting and noticed the difference between his original design for the LC and what I needed for my LX. Jason agreed to modify his HWM to work with the LX470 (he started working on it before his break and finished it up after he started his time off). I cut a template and sent it to Jason and he created a new design to work with it. I just test fit the final product this evening and it fit perfectly on the frame and around the A/C obstacles. I'll be working on getting the bumper reattached this week.

Jason was great to work with and his products are top notch.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Make sure when you order the mount you specify you have the LX. ....

Thanks for posting this. Jason did mention that he is working with someone to test his LX version and won't sell another HWM until that test is complete. Glad it worked out

I recently purchased this winch in anticipation of buying the HWM from Jason

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Bigger tires (285 75 16) were gotten

 

[Kabanstva]

Those tires will make a huge difference. You’ll love them! My favorite part about them is your coasting RPM on the highway should now be significantly lower! You’re in Madison? I was just there for work for a few days earlier this week.Talk about cold weather!

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Those tires will make a huge difference. You’ll love them! My favorite part about them is your coasting RPM on the highway should now be significantly lower! You’re in Madison? I was just there for work for a few days earlier this week.Talk about cold weather!

I really like them already. They are actually quieter than the 30" Falkens I had before. My speedo under reads by about 5% but it feels slightly slower off the line but every thing else about these tires is awesome.

You come to Madison often? I have been looking for decent trails around southern WI and Northern IL forever without much luck - perhaps you know of some?

 

[melepley]

Thanks for posting this. Jason did mention that he is working with someone to test his LX version and won't sell another HWM until that test is complete. Glad it worked out

I recently purchased this winch in anticipation of buying the HWM from Jason
View attachment 1874293

Link to my write-up. Trail Tailor LX470 Hidden Winch Mount

 

[ClassyJalopy]

So I got another chance to get out this weekend. Went down to Cliffs Insane Terrain park. This was forst outing with 33" BFG KO2 ATs.
What a world of difference it made! We aired down to 25 psi and went everywhere I damned pleased (or at least dared)