Cruiser newbie...

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J

Just a Ninja

Joined
Mar 23, 2019
Threads
10
Messages
247
Location
USA
First time Toyota owner, just bought it. '13, 113k miles, super clean, one owner, all maintenance done on time, soccer-mom driven in it's former life, totally stock everything. Used this forum a lot in research to figure out which model I wanted so thought I'd post a pic or 2 to give back a little.

Plans:
Lift/tires/wheels
Bumpers

I'd like to eventually set it up with a rtt, awning and maybe some kind of storage in the back but that's down the road a little.

Haven't done a lot of research other than knowing I want a nice suspension set up that's comfy on the road but can still get me way out in the middle of nowhere, most likely Fox, Icon or OME. Any and all advice on those would be appreciated. It's a DD with weekend camping trips and maybe some med off road trips eventually also.

Anyway, thanks a lot for all the info and help before getting my first LC
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Ditto on the welcome! Sounds like you made good use of MUD.

Just so you know, the stock LC will be comfy on the road and still get you way out in the middle of nowhere (and home again). These things are incredibly capable right off the showroom floor, so to speak. And still work great as a DD. :bounce:
 
I def plan on driving it for a while stock... As well as taking it up to the mountains, etc in it's stock form. But I also want the lift/wheels/tires for looks as well... So while I will use it offroad and camping I would do at least a level kit and wheels/tires if nothing else but for how they look.
I'm really liking the dark bronze look for the wheels and might go ko2 for the tires. Thanks for the advice guys.
 
Congrats! Stock will impress you with how capable and how much flex you can get. Mine is still stock as I'm trying to save money for the the same things you're looking at getting. Has managed the trails amazing, bumpers got a few scabs now, but no biggie
Black with bronze wheels will look nice!
 
Did a couple really small things to the truck this weekend

First did the headlight restoration because they looked horrible... I'm always amazed at how well those little kits work.. Big difference for $15.

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Then blacked out all the faux wood trim on the inside.. except steering wheel and shifter. Used SEM trim paint and it turned out really great

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after:

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Also threw in some Husky mats
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I would also put drawers in the 3rd row very high on the list of mods that you'll use constantly.
 
Cfbrenton1 said:
in the LX, that’s REAL wood. I would guess it’s real for the LC, too, but I am not 100 percent sure.
Click to expand...

No it's just plastic faux wood... If it was real wood I honestly wouldn't have painted it. I'm a woodworker and appreciate real wood
 
Snapper194 said:
I would also put drawers in the 3rd row very high on the list of mods that you'll use constantly.
Click to expand...

I'm absolutely already looking at drawer options... May end up building my own but I'll have some eventually one way or the other
 
I initially wanted to build my own (I also do some woodworking), but ended up getting the ARB drawers due to time constraints. I can absolutely vouch that the ARB drawers are awesome and something that I use on a daily basis. Anyone that sees them thinks they are original equipment on the LC.
 
Snapper194 said:
I initially wanted to build my own (I also do some woodworking), but ended up getting the ARB drawers due to time constraints. I can absolutely vouch that the ARB drawers are awesome and something that I use on a daily basis. Anyone that sees them thinks they are original equipment on the LC.
Click to expand...

I'll def check them out
 
Cfbrenton1 said:
You are right. I just learned that LC has fake wood. I have always appreciated the real wood in the LX.
Click to expand...

Yeah real wood would've been a lot better - like they have in a Mercedes E63S I recently drove - it had real Walnut with nearly no finish on it so the grain was still visible and "feelable"..haha
 
Yep. That’s exactly how the wood in the LX is if you get the right version. I love it. I am told it takes 60 days for them to properly bend and cure the wood for the steering wheel. Most people are surprised to see the real wood. I guess that’s what makes it worth the extra $20k versus LC. Haha
 
If you're set on lift/tires/bumper, then I'd consider doing it all at once. For me, I knew if I got the tire size I wanted, I'd need to trim a ton or just lift it. Even with the lift, I knew I may need to trim the front so I just got the bumper also. It really depends on what tire size you want.

Honestly, if this is your first Toyota and first adventure in the Toyota offroad community - Welcome! I would get some all terrain tires or some nitto ridge grapplers (hybrid a/t-m/t) and see what OEM Toyota can do for you. You can use that time to get to know the capabilities and limitations based on what you will primarily do with he vehicle. Furthermore, you can use that time to research on these forums and elsewhere to really narrow down what you want.

Union
 
Union said:
If you're set on lift/tires/bumper, then I'd consider doing it all at once. For me, I knew if I got the tire size I wanted, I'd need to trim a ton or just lift it. Even with the lift, I knew I may need to trim the front so I just got the bumper also. It really depends on what tire size you want.

Honestly, if this is your first Toyota and first adventure in the Toyota offroad community - Welcome! I would get some all terrain tires or some nitto ridge grapplers (hybrid a/t-m/t) and see what OEM Toyota can do for you. You can use that time to get to know the capabilities and limitations based on what you will primarily do with he vehicle. Furthermore, you can use that time to research on these forums and elsewhere to really narrow down what you want.

Union
Click to expand...

Yeah that's the conclusion I came to as well.... It's best to do everything at once. So I'm gonna hold off until I can do that. Yes I've had several people give me the advice to keep it stock but I don't see many people on here keeping anything stock and I've had it long enough to get a feel for what stock is like... I like the function and looks I'll get from a lift, the ext range fuel tank and a rear bumper so those parts will be getting done at soon as I have time to leave it at a shop for a few days. Thinking I'm going to powder coat the stovk wheels for now tho and maybe get small spacers to push them out just a hair.
 
A couple more little things....

Blacked out the chrome on the bumper... left the gray part gray and just painted the chrome, I think it came out pretty decent.
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A couple process pictures
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And also blacked out the chrome "land cruiser" plate on the back gate as well as removed a dealership sticker and blacked out the "V8" emblem and the Toyota logo emblem... I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but I've always loved the "black out" look.

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Also have her a nice wash and dry. I used to work in a body shop so I've done plenty of body work, prep, paint, etc but I've never done the clay bar detail then full wax job... But I think this black paint needs it.

I've read a couple of the other guys here had done it but any recommendation would be awesome.
Took her on a road trip this weekend and I seriously love this truck.
I think next actual mods are going to be extended range fuel tank, suspension, tires and rear bumper.
 
Looks Good! I just bought my first @00 series as well. I started in the in side.
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Once the molding came off seat removal was cake!

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Holly cargo space!
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I did this at work so didn't take the tine for process pics. But after a few hours she was in.

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I'm supe excited to get this thing out on the dirt! well after I sort out wheels and tires.
 
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