Family truckster.

[campbellsoup24]

Hi guys, just picked up my first LC last week from South Dakota. Have a few ideas for some tasteful mods. First thing is I want to level it, unfortunately I see a lot of options, 1/2 OEM spacers, 30mm, 50mm, etc… I think I want to go 30mm as that seems to be what would get me level front and rear. Any insights, photos, etc? Really trying to keep it on a tight budget.

 

[ElJayBird]

You sound like everyone who buys a Land Cruiser.

Pro tip - if you want to save money and not modify it to be a mountain-climbing monster, stay off of Mud and don’t look at LC pics. LOL

Seriously though - I started with the OEM leveling kit and tires and said that’s all I was gonna do. It was fine. Perfectly capable truck that could do 90% of the things I wanted it to do, if not more.

Then a year or two later, somehow ended up with this thing in my driveway. It all happened so fast.

 

[ElJayBird]

Oh and congrats on the truck! She’s a beauty! Love the black on black thing you’ve got goin on there.

 

[Tex68w]

The OEM 10mm front spacers get you pretty close to level and allow clearance for 33's, that's a great place to start. Congrats on the new Cruiser and welcome.

 

[campbellsoup24]

Oh and congrats on the truck! She’s a beauty! Love the black on black thing you’ve got goin on there.

Thanks! Hoping to just level it and do a roof rack, but I know what you mean. I have a few other cars that I planned on only doing a few things too and ended up in over my head, but it’s been a fun ride! (Or rides) LOL

 

[CharlieS]

Congratulations. Nice cruiser.

I'm not sure the obsession many new owners have with leveling. As I understand it, the slight rake in the suspension is by design.

 

[ElJayBird]

Love that Mustang!

 

[Tex68w]

Congratulations. Nice cruiser.

I'm not sure the obsession many new owners have with leveling. As I understand it, the slight rake in the suspension is by design.

Nobody likes the stink bug look.

 

[CharlieS]

Nobody likes the stink bug look.

I'm more concerned with function over form, so I miss things like this.

 

[Artie]

Thanks! Hoping to just level it and do a roof rack, but I know what you mean. I have a few other cars that I planned on only doing a few things too and ended up in over my head, but it’s been a fun ride! (Or rides) LOL

View attachment 3193318

View attachment 3193319

Your fox body really takes me back to junior year of High School. Based on what you’ve done to it you’re gonna need a second job with your cruiser.

Nice collection.

 

[Tex68w]

Fox bodies will always hold a special place in my automotive heart.

 

[Artie]

Fox bodies will always hold a special place in my automotive heart.

Sad thing is there aren’t a lot of good examples left, so many were modded out and totaled with front end damage.

 

[Tex68w]

Sad thing is there aren’t a lot of good examples left, so many were modded out and totaled with front end damage.

Agreed and that's likely what's leading their soaring prices. I had a 1993 Cobra in Teal Metallic, I never should have sold it. I had my fathers 1999 Cobra for a year in HS (bad mistake on his part lol), a 2004 Terminator that I bought upon graduating college, and then two GT500's. It's safe to say I like the snake cars lol. Now days I still contemplate another but I am leaning more towards a P-Car for the next sports car but I still love and appreciate the Cobra cars.

 

[AnyMal]

You sound like everyone who buys a Land Cruiser.

Pro tip - if you want to save money and not modify it to be a mountain-climbing monster, stay off of Mud and don’t look at LC pics. LOL

Seriously though - I started with the OEM leveling kit and tires and said that’s all I was gonna do. It was fine. Perfectly capable truck that could do 90% of the things I wanted it to do, if not more.

Then a year or two later, somehow ended up with this thing in my driveway. It all happened so fast.

View attachment 3193168

Truer words have not been uttered in these halls.
Im a buffoon for joining MUD.

"ill just get some tires"
"oh, i need wheels ok! no problem"
"hmm, doesn't look right, i need to lift"

You may feel like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole...

 

[AnyMal]

Congratulations. Nice cruiser.

I'm not sure the obsession many new owners have with leveling. As I understand it, the slight rake in the suspension is by design.

Yes it is indeed.
The way the weight is levered over the axles, you dont want to remove the rake.
Anywhere the rig is loaded, front, cargo whatever, the rear squats like its supposed to as its all levered behind the front axle.
The weight distribution unladenis like 300-400 lbs forward on the LX when i cat scaled it stock.
The entirety of the payload is supposed to load the rear axle.

I do love the level look, but ive had the slight rake and kept it throughout all the BS I've done to it.

 

[AnyMal]

So OP what will it be?
Trust us, there is no such thing as mild here.

 

[campbellsoup24]

Nobody likes the stink bug look.

Haha, good way of putting it. I just like the look a little better leveled, and want to fix the rubbing with bigger tires.

 

[campbellsoup24]

Yes it is indeed.
The way the weight is levered over the axles, you dont want to remove the rake.
Anywhere the rig is loaded, front, cargo whatever, the rear squats like its supposed to as its all levered behind the front axle.
The weight distribution unladenis like 300-400 lbs forward on the LX when i cat scaled it stock.
The entirety of the payload is supposed to load the rear axle.

I do love the level look, but ive had the slight rake and kept it throughout all the BS I've done to it.

Thanks for all the input, not too familiar with these rigs so like to hear multiple views on it. If I do go with something it will most likely be the 10mm factory spacer. Gives me a little more clearance for bigger tires but still has a slight rake to it.

 

[campbellsoup24]

Love that Mustang!

Thanks! Have had her since 2001 when I was stationed in ND. Unfortunately she cracked a valve guide a few years back and needs a rebuild.

 

[Sandroad]

Level it by loading it up and going on adventures. A couple hundred pounds of fun stuff in the back and you'll be looking for airbags to level it the other way!