First Time Land Cruiser Owner (1 Viewer)

[gomez268]

Hi Everyone

Well after many years of research and reading threads I finally pulled the trigger and got myself a Land Cruiser. This is my first time ever owning a Land Cruiser and for that matter an SUV period. I spent about 2 years researching what SUV to get. The contenders were Land Cruiser, 4Runner, Chevy Tahoe, and Ford Expedition. But in the end, the deciding factor came down to dependability and variety of parts available for an Overland Build. I have had my LC, about a week now. The only thing I have done to it has been to get weather tech floor mats which I love and replace the interior lights for LEDs.

Now the dilemma lol. I have no clue what to do next to the vehicle, it will be a slow build as I acquire funds to do one stage or another for this project. But I'm already planning on two if not more road/overland trips this year.

I'll be honest I have no off road experience, and my knowledge has been from reading threads and watching youtube videos. One of the trips that I plan to make is the overland expo east and the idea is to sign up for as many classes as possible for the short period of time that the expo runs.

So for the Build, where should I start? should I start with tires? suspension? or bull bar?

the dilemma with tires, the LC has brand new tires, I don't want to just throw them away, I was considering getting cheap rims and mounting off-road tires on them, and then swapping out the tires when I go on my road/overlanding trips. Or would it be better to invest in a bull bar and winch to get me started or suspension? I guess my question is what should I do first, which investment will get me out on the dirt road the fastest. I will only be able to do one for now, but I want to start my overlanding journey as soon as possible.

 

[T4Runner]

Congratulations — you’re off to a good start if you’re beginning with a Land Cruiser. Unless money is no object, no need to rush into anything the LC bone stone will do amazing things.

To answer your question though, I’d keep OEM wheels and slap on some decent A/T tires (you might find a tire shop willing to do something with your brand new tires too). Consider simply removing the OEM steps and getting decent some sliders. A recovery point for your receiver hitch. Maybe some skid plates. Consider a reliable portable air compressor. Throw in a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, basic tools, shovel, and maybe a CB.

I’d hold off on suspension upgrade/lift, wheel spacers, bumpers, winch, light bars, roof rack, dual battery system, fridge, ham radio, etc until you get more experience.

 

[tominboise]

Congrats. T4Runner has some good advice. I would ask - what kind of 4 wheeling are you planning on doing with the vehicle? A rig set up for rock crawling in Moab will require a different set up then mud bogging trails in Georgia. One can throw a lot of $$ at some cool s$*t and it is cool, but it may not be what you need. Ditch the running boards (something like 8 bolts per side, 10 minutes tops) and get some M/T tires on your stock rims. Then see what happens next.

 

[cc1999]

Congrats on the new Cruiser.
What year did you get?

I agree with T4 getting some good tires on there is generally always a good place to start.

 

[gomez268]

Thanks for the recommendations guys, handn't thought about rock sliders. Tires and then rock sliders it is thanks.

 

[TeCKis300]

Congrats on the cruiser!

In regards to tires, that's the first mod I would make. No need to feel bad about the good tires on them now as you can easily sell them. Lots of trucks use a similar size and you can readily sell them for just over half of what they are new on craigslist.

I would get a good set of AT tires. I wouldn't bother with 2 sets of rims/tires. As that's the premise of an AT tire - All Terrain. Great for just about everything, potentially at being the master of none. But with the tires/wheels as big/heavy as they are on SUVs, having multiple sets is a PITA.

Get a good set of ATs in 285/65/18. A mild 1-1.5" lift. And enjoy the vehicle! It really needs nothing more and can handle even serious off-road in that form.

 

[mcgaskins]

For every build I've ever done (I've had well over 10 built off road oriented trucks/SUVs and been driving off road since I was 16), the list of importance has always been tires, sliders, lift. After that, front bumper/winch, skids, rear bumper, lockers, and a roof rack somewhere in there. Recently I've put storage solutions like ARB drawers right at the front of the list too because it's something you will use every day as long as you own it. For off road, tires, sliders and lift will get you almost everywhere you want to go especially if you travel with others who can help get you unstuck and spot you. Also there are a bunch of little things that shouldn't be forgotten like a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, CB/HAM/FRS radios, recovery gear and tools. Above all it’s important to remember to get out there and have fun though- lots of people just get caught up in the idea of the build and end up not using the truck for its intended purpose much.

 

[18Cruiser]

Not to far different than you. Have my first LC, but did grow up with my Dad having one.

I do have another off road truck that's a beater, so for me I'm keeping mine stock on tires and wheels until tires are in need of replacing which will hopefully coincide or slightly before my other vehicle gives up the ghost. My LC also serves as my DD. Then, I'm going to do a modest lift, more aggressive tires (but not crazy) and probably a front bumper. I'm in Texas so I'm more likely to hit a deer than a horrible approach or departure angle I can't work around. We do go to Colorado a couple of times a year but it no big deal we go for skiing and hunting, neither of which a 100% stock vehicle can't handle without batting an eye.

Everyone is different, as is their situation, so consider your budget, your needs and where your likely to use your LC.

 

[I Eat Glue]

My thought process and recommendation for slow builds are do the weight then tires and suspension. I won't be going over what fits stock suspension (275/70r18) and will be doing skids/sliders first. After that I'm still deciding if I'm doing front and rear bumpers or maybe just a hidden winch. After that I'll do suspension so springs won't have to be redone or too stiff until I add the weight. When I bought my Landcruiser they swapped TRD tundra wheels and tires on so they're just slightly larger than stock so I'll wear these out before I replace. Just my two cents.

 

[gomez268]

Progress on the Land Cruiser not much just little things, focusing on refreshing it and modernizing a 10-year-old vehicle.

1. Weather tech floor mats
2. LED interior light kit, LED license plate lights
3. VAIS SL3B Bluetooth module
4. under Driver seat fire extinguisher
5. Wheel Alignment
6. Replace driver side mirror bolts, which fixed the dreaded shake.

 

[gomez268]

I also have a question on OE strut spacer that I saw on another thread.

part# 43136-60020

I was curious if anyone else had experience with having these spacers installed on their land cruiser?

According to the thread, it only provided 1/2 inch of lift to the front. I would think you would need 2 inches to level the cruiser. Was wondering if anyone had a picture of their cruiser before and after.

I would like to level my front end to gain as much clearance as possible until I am able to get a suspension lift. If these don't level the cruiser, I was wondering if anyone else was aware of another leveling kit. Or if a Tundra leveling kit would work, seeing as how they are both based on the same platform.

 

[Markuson]

Basic off-road setup:

-AT tires (KO2s, Nitto Terra Grapplers will do fine)
-Slider/Steps from Slee, BudBuilt or others (roughly $1k). Keeps wife happy due to step inclusion, and keeps your panels significantly protected.
-Consider suspension upgrade (Old Man Emu setup with front upper control arms will run you about 1500 and will improve handing immensely

These three basics will have you easily tackling most of what the yearly LCDC meet-up entails.

Beyond that...the list can be endless.

My favorite, indispensable, interior mod? Drawer system in place of third row seat (unless you have kids, etc.).

 

[Reckless]

My recommendation is to start with wheels and tires. Go KO2 if you are mostly street. Throw away old tires or you can possibly sell them on craigslist. I recommend coilovers either Kings or Icons with CDCs. Save up for them and buy them on cyber Monday. I don't think any other suspension suits the LC. Also, upgrade headlights/fogs with LED bulbs. I do love my sliders but don't plan on using them for what they are intended for. The plastic steps are junk IMO.

 

[blatant]

It's easy to get stars in your eyes reading all these threads and mod projects. Since you are completely fresh, I like the below quote along with the following. Get AT tires, CL the others. Get rid of running boards. Go places!

I suspect given your newness, you won't get tangled up in craziness and you'll fully surprise yourself in stock form and end up having a beer and a view in remarkable spots. After a bit, add mods if need be.

Go enjoy it, don't get wrapped up in modding it right away. Congrats.

 

[gomez268]

I appreciate all the advise, next upgrades I plan on getting slee sliders and 285/65/18 tires or maybe 285/70/18 tires depending if I can find a leveling kit for the front.

I would like to do a suspension but that upgrade may need to wait until after the Land Cruiser Destination Club meet in Telluride.

 

[T4Runner]

I also have a question on OE strut spacer that I saw on another thread.

part# 43136-60020

I was curious if anyone else had experience with having these spacers installed on their land cruiser?

According to the thread, it only provided 1/2 inch of lift to the front. I would think you would need 2 inches to level the cruiser. Was wondering if anyone had a picture of their cruiser before and after.

I would like to level my front end to gain as much clearance as possible until I am able to get a suspension lift. If these don't level the cruiser, I was wondering if anyone else was aware of another leveling kit. Or if a Tundra leveling kit would work, seeing as how they are both based on the same platform.

I have the above stated OE spacers and plan to keep them until which time I swap out the stock suspension some day (I’m currently at 42k miles and it’s my DD. My T4R is built for off-roading so I don’t feel the need to needlessly spend money on 200’s suspension right now.). Anyway, the spacers get rid of the factory rake nicely and it stands like it should. I don’t readily have before and after pics at the moment, but I’ll see what I can dig up later. (My only other gripe about the 200’s stance is the wheel offset as Toyota tucks the tires too far inside for “fuel economy,” but that’s a different discussion.)

I am running Cooper Discoverer AT3 (LT285/65R18) on my LC, which I’ve been happy with on and off road. I ran AT3’s on the 4R before stepping up to STT Pros and they didn’t let me down there. AT3s don’t scream ruggedness in their looks, but do what they’re meant to do and usually surprise the uninitiated when they see them in action. I like to think of them as “sleeper” all-terrains. (If you look on YouTube you can find some AT3 reviews.) Everybody’s got their favorite for their own needs/reasons, just find a decently brand that you’re happy with and get out there.

As you gain experience and figure out what terrain you’re most often traversing and how often you’ll find something that works best for you. When it comes time to replace that set, who knows, you may be ready for the suspension upgrade, more sidewall, mud terrains, who knows...

Also, as you’re gaining experience you might want to seek out mud members close to you, a local off-road club and/or find some off-road/overlanding classes.