Is it just me or do others sometimes miss having a stock 200 series after they've modded it? Please tell me I'm not the only one!
Anyone miss their stock 200? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter remoguy55
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bloc
SILVER Star
I did, and that’s why I removed everything except the sliders.
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how long into your build did you revert?
I regretted building my 100 series. On my LX 570 I'm only adding sliders and maybe a hidden winch mount and winch.
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I think stock vs stock, the 100 series looks much better than the 200. It just has the right proportions without any help of wheels/tires even.
Timely thread, I've been thinking about removing the OME lift on my 2009 and going back to stock height with stock suspension or perhaps a Bilstein setup. The lift has been useful in a few offroad scenarios over the years, and handles the weight well when we are fully loaded for family camping/bike trips. But otherwise it seems unnecessarily harsh and perhaps detrimental for most of my driving (a lot of interstate/curvy mountain roads/winter conditions).
Removing the lift would leave me with sliders and tires as my only modifications. I worry some about rear bumper clearance without the lift, but the bumper tupperware is already scraped up so perhaps I just need to go for it. Although I'm also trying to justify spending any money changing out suspension on a 2009 that's approaching 200k miles.
Removing the lift would leave me with sliders and tires as my only modifications. I worry some about rear bumper clearance without the lift, but the bumper tupperware is already scraped up so perhaps I just need to go for it. Although I'm also trying to justify spending any money changing out suspension on a 2009 that's approaching 200k miles.
Nope. Stock won't do what she does now. At the same time, still has all the goodness as delivered stock to daily drive, commute, or let the wife borrow.
Except maybe the 10% worse gas mileage, largely on account of the 35x12.5 A/T tires.
Except maybe the 10% worse gas mileage, largely on account of the 35x12.5 A/T tires.
Yeah that’s why I kept mine stock. I learned from experience modding my 60, 100, and Land Rover Discovery. None of the mods, bumpers, winches, or racks made one bit of difference in the trips I take. Not one. Waste of money.
Only mod that ever mattered for me was tires.
Only mod that ever mattered for me was tires.
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For me, it's my daily (although I WFH for work), there's something timeless about our design vs new trends with angles, etc. I just put a wrap on mine so my wife would kill me if I decided to take it off. 
bloc
SILVER Star
I basically removed kings and swapped slee skids for the much lighter E&E setup. Removed rock warriors for stock wheels. As it is the bumpers on my past LS-swapped 80 educated me enough to not go that route on my 200.
Back on almost-new takeoff stock springs and struts plus the 10mm OE spacer. Stock size defender LTXs. Loving the increased torque at the wheels, lack of noise, stock mileage, and the vehicle being far better balanced for the 90%+ of time my rig is on pavement. Unfortunate reality of living where I do.
Everything, even stock performance as designed by Toyota, is a compromise.
I built my 4Runner up slowly, so I never got to the point of adding steel bumpers or extensive armor. I’ve brought it back down from a 3” lift to ~1”. I gave up on the ride from the racing style shocks, and went back to Toyota original equipment for the improved ride. I’m not quite to the point of being ready to backtrack from 33” tires to stock diameter. I have lots of creature comforts like dual battery, drawers, fridge, on board air that are sticking around, (and removable tent+awning). I do notice some chatter from the drawers and fridge and have a moment of longing for the silence and simplicity of totes. Still don’t miss coolers even though the fridge has some chatter to the internals!
I took those learnings and applied them to the 200. It’s staying as stock as possible until I have an absolute need to change something.
These trucks are very capable from the factory. And anywhere I could get on 33s, the stock size could take me there, too.
As Richard Hammond once said: “A car’s ability to get places and do things is governed entirely by the driver’s willingness not to care about it.”
I took those learnings and applied them to the 200. It’s staying as stock as possible until I have an absolute need to change something.
These trucks are very capable from the factory. And anywhere I could get on 33s, the stock size could take me there, too.
As Richard Hammond once said: “A car’s ability to get places and do things is governed entirely by the driver’s willingness not to care about it.”
What a great question and a constant source of wonder for so many people.
I resist the modification bug as much as I can, however, when it's time to replace something, I look for improvements without going full send.
For example:
I resist the modification bug as much as I can, however, when it's time to replace something, I look for improvements without going full send.
For example:
- Tires: wearing out and knowing I would need some in the not-to-distant future (<7k miles), I upsized to max that would fit without modifications - 33" all terrain tires on 18" Land Cruiser wheels. Acknowledging most of my driving would be on pavement, I stayed with standard load rating to avoid the inherent harshness / firmness of a LT load rated tire. I also avoided the inherent disadvantages of mud terrain tires on asphalt (noise, harshness, weight).
- Skid plates: the original ones were swiss cheese. So for less than the price of replacing them with OE ones, I went aftermarket and installed some real ones.
- Headlamp bulbs: halogen suck. Installed LED bulbs without hesitation.
- Rock sliders: although my running boards are in good condition, it's only a matter of time I will want to do some real wheeling. Ahead of that, I will source Land Cruiser rocker panel covers and install real rock sliders with steps.
- Splash guards: the front ones are hopelessly too small to actually prevent projectiles striking the AHC hardware along the frame rails. I suppose I could cover the AHC protective bars with rubber membrane between them, but that might trap too much schmootz.
- Front bumper: if I ever smash Bambi and need to replace front fascia, I already told my wife I would install a steel bumper, although I don't think I would install a bull bar (loop for headlamps and/or grille. Same with rear fascia.
I’m only just starting in on mine, but I did a very mild build on my GX460 and it was still very streetable. 1.75” lift with Bilstein 6112/5160’s, RCI skids and some 285/70R17 on 4Runner TRD Offroad wheels.
That said, my LX is really not a daily driver. It might get driven once a week when my wife and I both need a car at the same time. It’s mostly going to be used for towing and offroading while camping or to get up to mountain lakes on the weekends
Plus, the AHC suspension will allow me to modify it and still retain great handling and ride.
That said, my LX is really not a daily driver. It might get driven once a week when my wife and I both need a car at the same time. It’s mostly going to be used for towing and offroading while camping or to get up to mountain lakes on the weekends
Plus, the AHC suspension will allow me to modify it and still retain great handling and ride.
Nope, though I often debate going to a non bull bar front bumper. I’ve hit two deer with vehicles without one, tossed one on the lc200 after the first month and so far only smashing love bugs.
No regrets. But I have light modifications.. mild lift, wheels/tires and alum. skids.
The only other thing I would consider is a blower. Needs a few additional ponies, 700-800 should do it
The only other thing I would consider is a blower. Needs a few additional ponies, 700-800 should do it
Murphy’s law says…if one remove a bull bar, a critter will jump in front of you and smash your otherwise protected front end.
I bought 2009 with 217k on it and I just can't justify going real deep into mods. The only thing I've done was a set of OEM running boards, LED lights inside and out (A must) and a Carpuride system just to get Apple Car Play in it.
