A few questions for a new project (1 Viewer)

[Capocaccia]

Hey guys, I drive a 1996 Lexus LX450. I just got it and am gonna start on making into a more off road machine so I have a few questions.

I want a lift, just for ground clearance, no body lifts, but all of the suspension lifts I find are very pricey. What do you guys suggest?

Right now the truck came with 275 Michelin LTX M/S tires. I was wondering what are some good all terrain tires such as BFG All Terrain T/A KO's? I had the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos on my Tundra that I sold and noticed in mud they clog pretty easily. Im looking for something that functions well in the mud, trails, and alot of on road use because this is also a daily driver.

Thanks guys.

 

[elmariachi]

Welcome to IH8MUD. Use the Search feature with the word "lift" and you'll get a zillion replies. That, along with the painstakingly assembled and much-revered FAQ should answer all your initial questions, including some you have probably not thought to ask yet.

 

[cruiserman]

FYI 80 lifts are comparatively cheap . . .

 

[John E Davies]

There are a number of modified LXs here, but they use the very same Cruiser parts, with a few gotchas here and there.

You can get an OME lift at discount through any good 4x4 shop like Central 4wd - they can order just about anything. Freight is a _major_ factor, so try to get that down as much as possible. Call around and you might find a shop that won't charge you for delivery.

You simply can't beat the Goodyear MTRs IMHO - they work great in all conditions except packed snow and ice. Depending on where you live that may or may not be an issue. I swap mine out for pure snow tires each December.

The BFG A/Ts will clog with mud big time.

Check out my website for some ideas:
http://home.comcast.net/~johnedavies/

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

FYI 80 lifts are comparatively cheap . . .

Comparitively cheap compared to what!?

 

[cruiserman]

Leaf spring lifts.

 

[Capocaccia]

Well Im talking about the OME lifts and a 2.5 inch medium is like 770 I believe. For now im just going to work on new tires. Im not even sure if I want to do the lift, Im trying to judge the practicality of it and how much it would even help me in the long run. For what Im doing right now, I dont really need it, I do however need the sliders. I bottomed out over a steep dirt hill and bent one of my running boards slightly. I know the lift would have prevented that but sliders are cheaper.

 

[KliersLC]

Look around for a couple threads about stock 80s in moab. You can fit 305s on your rig without any suspension work, and it will be a pretty formidable offroad machine. Sliders are more important than the lift IMHO(although I don't have any.....) Here is a pic of stock flex with 265s. Also, if you aren't doing rocks, lift may be better that sliders, but the diffs will hand up in the mud and snow on these rigs, so bigger tires are the answer. You can fit 33s with no mods, so I'd just stick with the tires for now.

Dan

 

[Capocaccia]

Good to know. I actually wont be doing any rocks, thats just not what people do around here. So I can fit 305's, but with how much scraping? Also, if I understand correctly, you reccomend the lift over sliders cause im not gonna be doing rocks correct?

 

[lovetoski]

Good to know. I actually wont be doing any rocks, thats just not what people do around here. So I can fit 305's, but with how much scraping? Also, if I understand correctly, you reccomend the lift over sliders cause im not gonna be doing rocks correct?

Sliders are cheaper than body damage. A stock rig + good tires is a formidable combination.

 

[KliersLC]

Good to know. I actually wont be doing any rocks, thats just not what people do around here. So I can fit 305's, but with how much scraping? Also, if I understand correctly, you reccomend the lift over sliders cause im not gonna be doing rocks correct?

No scraping with 305s, but that also depends on tire brand. some folks have just a tiny bit of rub at full stuff with the 305s, but other brands will stuff all the way with no rubbing whatsoever. I do recommend the lift over the sliders if you aren't doing rocks, but leave the running boards on as a guage to see if you'll need sliders. If you are wheeling and scraping the running boards, no big deal, if you are wheeling and bending the running boards, you might want to think about sliders.

Dan

 

[Capocaccia]

Alright thanks guys. Also, what about the spare? Fits alright?

 

[KliersLC]

I have a 285 spare, and I know that it fits, but you might want to do the spare tire carrier mod to keep it from hanging down too far..

Dan

 

[MTNRAT]

Get sliders, especially without lift. Even rutted roads can dent the rockers and that is $$$. It takes very little to dent the rockers and even seemingly small obstacles can rear their ugly head. BTw, lifting the 80 is cheap untill you get into the 6" range.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[NorCalDoug]

lift? larger tires? sliders?

why...if you do that, then you might look like everyone else...






the 305s will fit fine without a lift. They're just 1/4 inch wider than the 285s -- you shouldn't have issues with rubbing.


as for the lift first or sliders first debate, it really depends on what you plan on doing with your rig in the short term. unless I missed something, you didn't quite specify what kind of wheeling you'll be doing -- aside from stating that you won't be on rocks.

large logs will damage rocker panels just as easily as rocks will...

 

[Brian Macgyver]

Well Im talking about the OME lifts and a 2.5 inch medium is like 770 I believe. For now im just going to work on new tires. Im not even sure if I want to do the lift, Im trying to judge the practicality of it and how much it would even help me in the long run. For what Im doing right now, I dont really need it, I do however need the sliders. I bottomed out over a steep dirt hill and bent one of my running boards slightly. I know the lift would have prevented that but sliders are cheaper.

I have found some with J springs may have a 2.5-3" lift laying in the garage. They go for the 3" thing then step up. Maybe someone would sell you one?

 

[Capocaccia]

Alright, so 305's seem like a good size. But as for what kind of wheeling I will be doing is alot of trail riding, I live in Memphis Tennessee, and the big thing here is of course mudding trucks and mud bogging. But wih a 5k pound rig like a LX450 Im not goin for the mud scene. Id love to be able to have my rig able to do just about everything. But as for now, Im looking for tires that are gonna handle well just about all around such as mud, trails, and rocks. I dont plan on going straight up mud bogging but if I have to hit some mud on the trails, I dont want to worry about my tires filling up and gettin stuck.

 

[Capocaccia]

Hey guys, what do you think about Dunlop Radial Mud Rovers? They are a hell of alot cheaper than BFG All Terrains and I have read great reviews. Im just wondering about how long they will last so if anyone has had them before please tell me your own experience.

Also, with 305's, am I gonna have trouble making it up steep slopes? Im kind of worried that my LX450 wont be able to power such a big tire as well as it could say a 275 or 285.

 

[KliersLC]

The 285s and the 305s are the same diameter, roughly equivilant to a 33. 305s are just wider. 275/70s are about a 31/10.50. it will turn them just fine. If you want something that won't pack with mud, the AT is not the way to go. all ats pack with mud...some more than others

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