Added length with front & rear bumper

[white_lx]

I'm considering a front and rear bumper. I've decided on a ARB Sahara bar for the front. For the rear I'm still considering several options (leaning towards Slee or ARB with tire carrier).

How much will the front and rear bumpers add to the length of the vehicle? I would still like to be able to park it in the garage, and I don't have a lot of extra room.

Do I need to modify my suspension? It is still a stock LX470.

 

[hoser]

Not sure about the front but as for the rear Slee bumper, it depends on whether you use the tire carrier or not. If using the carrier, then it adds the width of your spare tire plus about 3 inches. Christo is coming out with a non-carrier version supposedly soon.

 

[macneill]

I would imagine that you will gain some length, though I'm not sure.

OM says 192.5 overall for the 100. I never actually measured it, but the given perception of the front bumper sticking out further is apparent, well at least the wife says so when she's parking it...

 

[bamachem]

i have a sahara on my 4runner and it sticks out about 2-3" past where the OEM bumper was - i imagine that the 100 sahara will be about the same.

for the rear, the slee bumper is maybe 2-3" more (with recovery points) than OEM, but then if you have the carrier on there, you add the width of a tire (about 12" or so for a 285/70-16).

here's a pic of the slee w/ rear tire carrier. you can see how the tire sticks out a bit.

here's a pic of my version of that bumper that i just finished with for reference...

and finally, here's a pic of christo's LX w/ fron sahara and rear slee bumper w/ carrier. you can get a feel for the added length...

 

[turboale]

I didn't know you got a rear bumper!!? Or is that filthy's rig?

 

[spressomon]

My 100 with TJM T3 Classique and Slee rear with tire carrier with 285/75R16 mounted is 205" end-to-end.

 

[white_lx]

Thanks spressomon. That will just fit. I measured 17 ft (204") of space. But if I move my compressor out of the way, I'll have a few inches more. No excuse anymore now.

Do I need to modify the suspesion, or is the stock LX suspension OK?

 

[hoser]

The stock suspension will be fine if all you are doing is adding F&R bumpers. Though some prefer to change out the springs and/or t-bars. Add the armor and see how you like it first.

 

[spressomon]

Thanks spressomon. That will just fit. I measured 17 ft (204") of space. But if I move my compressor out of the way, I'll have a few inches more. No excuse anymore now.

Do I need to modify the suspesion, or is the stock LX suspension OK?

If you add the Slee rear bumper with tire carrier you will need OME 865 or OME 866's depending on what other types of loads you will carry (if you decide to go with the 865's check out the Parts for Sale thread I think someone has a like new pair for sale ). Up front you will need to crank your OEM t-bars a little to compensate for the additional weight of the front bumper. If you are going to add a winch...you might need to go with the larger OD/heavier spring rate of the OME t-bars.

Be sure to take measurements at all four wheels from the uppermost lip of the rims to the lowest lip of the fenders for your 'benchmark' heights before doing anything.

 

[hoser]

Spresso--

white_lx probably has... a white LX.

I'm guessing he wants to keep his original AHC suspension for now.

 

[spressomon]

Spresso--

white_lx probably has... a white LX.

I'm guessing he wants to keep his original AHC suspension for now.

oooo...good point...I obviously wasn't paying attention!

 

[white_lx]

Yes, I do have a '00 Pearl White LX. I would like to stick with the AHC for now. I like the 'normal' setting for highway driving. Does it make sense to change the T-bars only? Or is that not required because of AHC?

A related question: the LC and LX have the same ground clearance, according to the Toyota specification. I assume this is for the LX in 'high' mode? IOW at 'normal' settings the LX is about 2" lower than the LC? Does that mean that a diff-drop only make sense for an LC? Because the LX would be running at much lower height for 95% of the time, even with a small lift.

 

[hoser]

The LC and the LX have roughly the same ride height when the LX is in the Neutral position. Switch to High mode, the LX will be approximately 1.7" higher. If you want to keep the suspension raised all the time, you can do so but you will want to get the Slee diff drop bracket. Look at the FAQ's for "How to adjust the AHC for lift." It's relatively easy.

The LX spring rates are lower than the LC's. The next rate up would be to swap for OEM 100 series front torsion bars and OEM rear 80 series springs as Christo has mentioned. The ending result will be a higher spring rate total than that of a stock LC. The reason is because the AHC shocks suspend part of the load. It is a combination of both the AHC shocks and the springs as opposed to an LC where the load is suspended by only springs.

If you had even more weight, the next step up in spring rate would be the OME springs that Spresso mentioned. Few LX owners would need to go there.

 

[turboale]

This brings another question...

Is the AHC load leveling? So when you start adding bumpers is it going to automatically keep everything level or will this extra weight eat into the "AHC Lift"? Then how many LX owners have taken the plunge with a Rear bumper? Can AHC keep up with the extra weight day to day?

 

[hoser]

AHC is the acronym for Automatic Height Control and so yes, it is load leveling. The suspension is more than just that though. They call it AVS for Adaptive Variable Suspension. There are 16 different shock valve settings that adjust using feedback from road, steering, brake and throttle sensors. It has anti-dive, anit-squat and anti-roll (sway) technology depending on conditions and suspension setting. I really like the system. I only wish that I could fit longer shocks.

I don't know how many LX's have heavy duty bumpers. The far majority of the 100's on this board are LC's. Probably outnumber the the LX's 6 to 1. But the added weight is about 200lbs. I don't think it'll be a problem. I have 150lbs sliders and 50lbs additional weight of the spare tire on a day to day basis. Much more weight when on a trip. Ask me again in a year.

 

[white_lx]

Thanks for all the great answers. I'm a real newby with this vehicle. I used to have a HZJ75 a couple of years ago in Europe. However, that vehicle was fine as it was, no mod's necessary. After my move to Canada, I wanted to buy another LC, but was surprised that these great vehicles are not sold in Canada. So I went with an LX470. I'm a real LS400 addict, so this was probably the most logical path anyway. Too bad these vehicles are almost too nice to wheel.

The LC and the LX have roughly the same ride height when the LX is in the Neutral position. Switch to High mode, the LX will be approximately 1.7" higher.

I'm surprised this isn't advertized any better. At least it should be in the spec. This brings up another question. I read a lot of threads about maximum tire size with stock suspension. I guess that most answers would be for the LC. If I would always off-road in 'high' mode. What would be the largest tire on a stock LX, so no rubbing occurs in 'normal' mode on 'normal' roads.

The LX spring rates are lower than the LC's. The next rate up would be to swap for OEM 100 series front torsion bars and OEM rear 80 series springs as Christo has mentioned. The ending result will be a higher spring rate total than that of a stock LC. The reason is because the AHC shocks suspend part of the load. It is a combination of both the AHC shocks and the springs as opposed to an LC where the load is suspended by only springs.

I did not see a reply from Christo in this thread. Are you refering to a specific earlier thread?

Thanks again for all the great answers.

 

[hoser]

I read a lot of threads about maximum tire size with stock suspension. I guess that most answers would be for the LC. If I would always off-road in 'high' mode. What would be the largest tire on a stock LX, so no rubbing occurs in 'normal' mode on 'normal' roads.

Take some time and read the old posts and FAQ. There is a lot of information. I referred to Christo because he was the one who first measured the LX T-bars and I just wanted to give him credit for suggesting the LC bars as an upgrade.

You could run 295's on the stock LX suspension and it should clear fine. 315's might look kinda goofy and might need some trimming to make work. I would expect it scrape here and there on bumps and turns. Anybody with a raised LX and 315's can take a picture while in "LO" mode and you can see what it would look like. Furthermore, if you travel over 18mph on rough dirt roads, the AHC system will revert back to Neutral mode.

Personally, I recommend that you either run 33's (285,305 or 295) on stock suspension. Or, if you want to go to 35's then tack on another $2k to regear and lift (diff drop bracket and alignment).