Beauty & The Beast

[Reckless]

So after years of wondering why I didn't like AHC in the 200, I finally, finally got my answer! I have driven 9 LX570s in my life trying to get to bottom of this. None of them with LT tires until last night. I didn't think tires could make such a huge night and day difference but they do. I can not begin to describe how much I hate the stock P rated tires. I had some on my LC but they didn't feel nearly as bad.

I drove @UCrazyKid highly modded LX570 and here are some of my thoughts:

-I love the AHC in regards to handling of the ARB bumpers. You couldn't even feel that they were there (even though they added 400 lbs to the vehicle). This might be superior than using ARB springs for a lift.
-The ride was much, much smoother, almost perfect. He had 20" rims and I love having the most rubber possible so I think I might have liked it better with some more meat on the tire.
-The difference between coilovers and AHC wasn't as pronounced as I thought it would be. I do feel the Icons had slightly better handling but it could be because I don't have armor. Also, the Icons give feedback from the road where AHC doesn't. We did notice more bounce going over train tracks with AHC.
-I loved the drop down on exit feature (I don't remember seeing it on the 2008-2009s I drove).
- I didn't get a chance to drive it over 85mph but he said the bumpers really change the aerodynamics of the vehicle and doesn't feel good. I hope to meet up again soon to verify. I did take it up to 70mph and it felt fine.
- He gets better gas consumption than I do by 1 mpg.

For somebody who stays on road all the time, the LX570 is not a bad option with LT tires. I am not sure how well AHC would handle offroad racing but I am sure it does well for rock crawling and slow maneuvers.

Definitely nice of @UCrazyKid for taking the time to let me drive and checkout his LX. I had a good time chatting about mods. He did like my TRD pads with stainless steel lines. I didn't like the ceramic pads on the LX too much. He had Hikari LEDs while I had IPFs, his were pointing downward but I don't feel like they were giving off as much light as my IPFs (I turned off my IPF high beam fog lights). He liked my SLEE sliders I got from Taco. Once you get used to sliders its hard to go back to stock plastic.

 

[Chocolate]

Ideally you would have one of each.

Side steps on the LX have to go. Like the 3rd row delete, it's a week one thing.

 

[ryanCA]

Ideally you would have one of each.

Side steps on the LX have to go. Like the 3rd row delete, it's a week one thing.

Someone of us use our 3rd row weekly

 

[Climbingnut]

The 3rd row is regularly used in my Cruiser. I removed it on my 80, but with 3 kids and their friends riding around, that 3rd row sees a lot of action!

 

[TeCKis300]

Hah, I'm not sure which one is the beauty or the beast.

Nice compare and contrast there. It's always neat to see how far we can tailor each base platform.

 

[Docboy]

They are both beasts!

 

[ryanCA]

Hah, I'm not sure which one is the beauty or the beast.

LC is the beauty. Now if those horrendous flares and terrible chrome wheels were removed from the LX, we could call that a beauty too.

 

[mcgaskins]

He had Hikari LEDs while I had IPFs, his were pointing downward but I don't feel like they were giving off as much light as my IPFs (I turned off my IPF high beam fog lights).

It doesn't appear you've fitted projectors in your headlights, so you may be wildly throwing out more raw unfocused lumens down the road which does not mean they're more effective. LED and HID bulbs are not designed for reflector style headlights, but some people think they work because they appear brighter. My guess is what you were seeing in the difference between the 2 is the LX headlights were actually aimed better with the projector, but you're accustomed to seeing more light scattered everywhere.

 

[Reckless]

Maybe that was it. It's over my head but I like LOTS of light. I can't get no satisfaction.

Good question who is beauty and who is beast? Normally LX are beauty and LC are beasts. I love ARB bumpers but I prefer to have them painted to match vehicle.

 

[Reckless]

Ideally you would have one of each.

Side steps on the LX have to go. Like the 3rd row delete, it's a week one thing.

I agree Side steps should be one of the first upgrades. I use my 3rd row weekly, one thing I like about LC is having them when I have 5+ in the car.

 

[UCrazyKid]

Great to meet you @Reckless as well. Nice to meet another cruiser head. I am also grateful that you shared your knowledge about these vehicles with me since I've only had mine 2 months and still learning.

@ryanCA why so much hate? I bought it this way just 2 months ago, so still figuring out what to keep, change, etc. and to each their own.

 

[Reckless]

Great to meet you @Reckless as well. Nice to meet another cruiser head. I am also grateful that you shared your knowledge about these vehicles with me since I've only had mine 2 months and still learning.

@ryanCA why so much hate? I bought it this way just 2 months ago, so still figuring out what to keep, change, etc. and to each their own.

I think he just hates fender flares (very polarizing item on mud). Also, 20" Chrome wheels not popular with offroaders. I don't think it was anything personal, it was more about the gear choice from an offroaders perspective. BTW, I don't like chrome wheels either but his wheels didn't look bad in person (the KO2s looked great in 20). I still debate whether I like fender flares or not - it does look good on some vehicles when paint matched.

 

[DirtNap]

Keep the flares, they will be perfect for some 40" tires, Iceland-style! Or 12.5" wide rubber with a nice spacer.

But in any event, it is YOUR truck, do with it what YOU want!!

 

[ryanCA]

I think he just hates fender flares (very polarizing item on mud). Also, 20" Chrome wheels not popular with offroaders. I don't think it was anything personal, it was more about the gear choice from an offroaders perspective. BTW, I don't like chrome wheels either but his wheels didn't look bad in person (the KO2s looked great in 20). I still debate whether I like fender flares or not - it does look good on some vehicles when paint matched.

@Reckless Thank you, well put.

@UCrazyKid nothing personal