My 2018 does
Anyone miss their stock 200? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter remoguy55
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I just sold my built LX470. I loved the car, but I never used it for what it is built to do. I am planning some minor mods on my 570, just not a full build. I have 295s on the stock 20” wheels. I would like to change to 18” wheels when the tires wear down. I will install some rear drawers, battery, and a fridge/freezer. I had a second battery in the 470. I think this time I will use a jackery or similar. For a swing out bumper, I bought a rear swing out hitch adapter that can hold a rack to use for beach camping. I may add sliders one day, but that will be about it.
I’m 2+ years in in my 24gal LRA tank, never had any codes, never had any issues, could be an anomaly I guess but I certainly don’t expect to have error codes
do you remember what rubbed and where
I don't regret for a moment the work that I have done on my LX570. I could not have made the trips I made and done the crazy adventures with my family that we did in Europe had I not built it out. Having said that... I am moving back to the states at the end of the month, I basically had to return the truck to "almost" stock in order for the government to ship it, and I have to say, of all the mods and work that it has (had) done, I think the best and most functional mod I've made is actually putting the third-row seats back in (for me). I do not believe that they will ever come out again, I will just make my set-up work around them.
I've related this story a couple times. I was at an LCDC event in Telluride, I think in 2018. I'd driven down from Imogene Pass, was pulled off the road in Ouray, airing up for the drive back to Telluride. My 2013 had Budbuilt sliders, 285/65-18 K02s, and no other modifications.
A couple guys on KTM dualsport motorcycles pulled into the gravel lot where I was parked. One of the guys walked over and asked me "are those 286/65-18s?" I thought that was an unusually specific question. I responded yes. He then told me that he previously had a 200. He had put on sliders, a lift, 35s, bumpers, regeared, rooftop tent, etc. He said that by the time he was done, he hated driving it and sold it. He said that he should have done what I did -- sliders and 33" tires.
Some folks really need all their mods for what they do. But if you don't, then maybe less is more. YMMV.
A couple guys on KTM dualsport motorcycles pulled into the gravel lot where I was parked. One of the guys walked over and asked me "are those 286/65-18s?" I thought that was an unusually specific question. I responded yes. He then told me that he previously had a 200. He had put on sliders, a lift, 35s, bumpers, regeared, rooftop tent, etc. He said that by the time he was done, he hated driving it and sold it. He said that he should have done what I did -- sliders and 33" tires.
Some folks really need all their mods for what they do. But if you don't, then maybe less is more. YMMV.
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Yes, absolutely agreed.
Everything has a trade and weight is a big one that can quickly get out of hand if not paid attention to.
When modded discerningly, even with 35s, you can have you cake and eat it too.
If I did all of those mods, you guys would be (rightfully) mocking me for building an "overlanding" rig in order to drive to the supermarket, since 95% of what I do is just daily driving. But, unlike me, some folks actually need all that stuff.
For my first outings in my ‘15 I was on factory sized KO2s, but with slee sliders and skids. The trails were tame, but I was able to keep up with two built LCs, both lifted, one with the full armor treatment.
For the overwhelming majority of people 33s and sliders are the best possible additions and are really all that is needed. If you add in an air source of some kind, onboard air or a tank, so tires can be properly deflated, that’s likely the best three mods.
For what it’s worth, that’s how I plan to modify the second 200 series. Onboard air and sliders have been installed and it’s on those same factory sized KO2s until I have a bigger garage at which point I’ll move up to 285/65s or 275/70s…
The first LCDC that I went to was in Breckenridge. On the first day, we went up a relatively mild trail. One of our 200s was completely stock, fresh from the showroom. On our way down, we ran into a group of Wranglers. The Wranglers were all built up - I think the mildest one had 35s. The vehicle we passed on the trail before the Wranglers? A stock Subaru Outback.
They rubbed in front of the tire on the fender liner and on also the mud flaps. The fender liner can be pushed forward and reattached. There are threads on that. The mud flap can be reshaped with a heat gun or trimmed.
I've modified mine mostly based on necessity. If I lived in Colorado or Utah, I'd probably wouldn't have modified it as much. In the NE, a lot of the times the trails are full of muddy water and you can't really see obstacles. The first time I went on a trail my OEM steps and front bumper made contact. Even going slow there's no way to see what's under the water.
This. Do some research and be selective and you can minimize the compromise in my experience.
The more I read this thread the more I want to put the 275/70s on the factory wheels I have and drive my 200. Although the 4.88s might be too deep.
I had 275/70/18 KO2s on tundra steel wheels for many years, drove the LC tens of thousands of miles around the lower 48 in all weather conditions, offroading in several notable spots, with and without armor/regear/RTT etc. it’s a very versatile size and it always got me where I wanted to go (and home)
The only thing I would change in my own build is possibly going for an aluminum bull bar instead of steel. Really affects ride and handling, though you get used to it.
As many have already said, eventually you might wish you weren’t so heavy. But go back to stock? No way.
As many have already said, eventually you might wish you weren’t so heavy. But go back to stock? No way.
The first LCDC that I went to was in Breckenridge. On the first day, we went up a relatively mild trail. One of our 200s was completely stock, fresh from the showroom. On our way down, we ran into a group of Wranglers. The Wranglers were all built up - I think the mildest one had 35s. The vehicle we passed on the trail before the Wranglers? A stock Subaru Outback.
I get what you're saying and agree. Most are not rock crawling and testing limits, so depending on use case, don't need much more than stock. A 200-series on on 33s is going to be able to do a lot.
Once things level up, there begins to be differentiators in capability, with big differences in experience. I wheel with a wide group of vehicles. Even a fairly modded and lifted subby is going to be taking hits, big scrapes, dragging/pulling off bumpers. They'll get through things, but not without careful line choice, stressing, and taking repeated hits. The damage adds up and they're not as likely to be having a good time. Versus a better suited rig, especially one that is well modded.
When I mean well modded, that's not bumpers. Bumpers do zero to help and only have value when making contact. They'll be more likely to make contact because even as they are cut higher up, they tend to stick past the OE body lines decreasing approach and departure angle. I'm only lukewarm to underbody skids also, because of some of the same reasons. Bigger tires will always be the better mod versus armor and maybe even suspension lift because that's real clearance that reduces the likelihood of contact to begin with.
We've been trying to convince our Subie buddy to stop throwing big money at his rig. It's not cutting the mustard to what we do, and is running into foundational issues like weak CVs and transmission.
No question that a Subie Outback is highly limiting as an off-road rig. Later that day we went on trails that an Outback would not have been able to manage without damage.
My point was just that we should think carefully about what our real needs are. Sometimes it is easy to get carried away into building up a rig that is more capable than we need. Then you are dragging around a daily driver that is heavier, more expensive, and less fuel efficient than need be.
My point was just that we should think carefully about what our real needs are. Sometimes it is easy to get carried away into building up a rig that is more capable than we need. Then you are dragging around a daily driver that is heavier, more expensive, and less fuel efficient than need be.
I have no doubt they would do what I want. And ill
This last sentence is me.
However the way people drive anymore I’m glad my lady drives an armored 200 with a 500 mile range. I fill it for her once a week and don’t have to worry about much. Other than evap and air injection
100% Agree with this completely.
