Help me build my LC100 Series

[Mike Sheen]

Hi guys, my name is Mike Sheen and this is my first time to own a LC. I returned from my last deployment from Afghanistan 2013. Finished school, but had hard time living in big cities. My Doc recommended that I should do things I enjoy the most. I have done some off-road missions and came to I love off-roading, and being in the wild. I love off-roading, but I know noting about building off-road vehicles. Please see the attached pictures of my 1999 LC and help me build it with less money, just to take me some camping grounds and some light off-road and river crossing. Plus, it Truck has 166,667 miles one owner with all major and small maintenance done with Toyota and he give me the whole record. He changed the timing billet at 130000. i paid 10k, good deal or a bad deal?
Thanks, any suggestion will help me.

 

[Scottb4857]

Hey Mike!
First, let me say thank you for your service. That is/was a tough job and thank God we have men such as yourself who took on the challenge, not sure I could myself.

Second, welcome to the Hundy club. I'm a pretty new member myself but have admired them for years and was excited when things worked out so I could acquire one also. Mines a 99 also so if you have any questions related more than happy to help.

Sounds like you got a good one. Mileage is not bad at all and if PO did the maintenance as you've stated probably not even had half it's useful life yet. Price was fine - if you're happy with the deal then whatever anyone else thinks doesn't matter.

As for what you HAVE to do to build it up to start enjoying - absolutely nothing!!!! Straight from the factory the LC is one of the most capable consumer level rigs ever built. Camping grounds, fire roads, light off-roading, and stream/river crossing is what it was built for. Military, service orgs, and companies use the factory setup all over the world because again, that's what it was designed for.

Now, if you want to cross streams deeper than 24" then you will need to make sure door seals are tight, breather tubes are routed correctly and maybe extended, and look at adding a snorkel for the deep stuff. If you want to rock crawl over more than 6" ledges or rough fire roads then you should remove the factory running boards (a lot do this regardless, gives the truck a more aggressive appearance) and add a set of sliders. If you're looking to get more aggressive offroading then start thinking about things like bumpers to give better approach/exit angles, upgraded suspension to compensate for the weight of bumpers/gear and extended wheel travel, exterior tire carriers so you can change one should something go wrong, and winches to get through the really rough stuff (or recover the buddies Heep or Exploder who thought he was all tough or something ). After that it becomes how many creature comforts and how long far away do you want to get. The options are limitless - roof racks, drawer and sliders in the back to store gear, dual batteries, fridges, etc. Spend some time on the forum looking at other builds and you'll find lots of amazing ideas.

Best wishes on all your endeavors!

 

[Kofoed]

If the tires are decent, just drive it man.

 

[LEX]

As mentioned, they're already very capable in stock form. Just remove the running boards for the extra clearance and take it off road as is. That'll give you some ideas of what you'll want to upgrade. First thing you'll realize will most likely be tires.

Enjoy it and thank you for your service.

 

[SmoothLC]

Hey Mike, looks like you got a good one. Like others mentioned a good place to start is to just take it offroad and see how it runs and get familiar with the 4 wheel drive system. Running boards, tires, and suspension mods typically follow - you can get a lot of ideas just searching the 100 series forum. Good luck!

 

[El Cid]

Mike, pretty much every modification is a matter of personal choice. There is no right or wrong, just maybe better/more efficient ways of doing things. As the more responsible posters above me have pointed out, you can go the distance in stock form, no harm in that. Don't feel the need to 'conform' around here, if you like it, go for it. Take your time and read threads about things that you see or might be of interest, it will save you a TREMENDOUS learning curve.

Basically, there is no right answer.

 

[GregLCA]

Hi guys, my name is Mike Sheen and this is my first time to own a LC. I returned from my last deployment from Afghanistan 2013. Finished school, but had hard time living in big cities. My Doc recommended that I should do things I enjoy the most. I have done some off-road missions and came to I love off-roading, and being in the wild. I love off-roading, but I know noting about building off-road vehicles. Please see the attached pictures of my 1999 LC and help me build it with less money, just to take me some camping grounds and some light off-road and river crossing. Plus, it Truck has 166,667 miles one owner with all major and small maintenance done with Toyota and he give me the whole record. He changed the timing billet at 130000. i paid 10k, good deal or a bad deal?
Thanks, any suggestion will help me.

Welcome Mike!

Thank you for your service.

Start by reading the FAQ... Lots of great background info there. The photo thread is rediculously long but there are lots of fun photos of different LC configurations there and you will start to realize what setups you like.

Avoid "upgrade fever" as long as possible.... The internet makes it easy to find lots of ways to spend a LOT of money on this hobby, but it really isn't necessary. If you read the TLC FAQ (and you are mechanically inclined) there is a tremendous amount of maintenance and work you can do yourself to save money and keep your LC running tip-top.

-G

 

[Mike Sheen]

Hey Mike!
First, let me say thank you for your service. That is/was a tough job and thank God we have men such as yourself who took on the challenge, not sure I could myself.

Second, welcome to the Hundy club. I'm a pretty new member myself but have admired them for years and was excited when things worked out so I could acquire one also. Mines a 99 also so if you have any questions related more than happy to help.

Sounds like you got a good one. Mileage is not bad at all and if PO did the maintenance as you've stated probably not even had half it's useful life yet. Price was fine - if you're happy with the deal then whatever anyone else thinks doesn't matter.

As for what you HAVE to do to build it up to start enjoying - absolutely nothing!!!! Straight from the factory the LC is one of the most capable consumer level rigs ever built. Camping grounds, fire roads, light off-roading, and stream/river crossing is what it was built for. Military, service orgs, and companies use the factory setup all over the world because again, that's what it was designed for.

Now, if you want to cross streams deeper than 24" then you will need to make sure door seals are tight, breather tubes are routed correctly and maybe extended, and look at adding a snorkel for the deep stuff. If you want to rock crawl over more than 6" ledges or rough fire roads then you should remove the factory running boards (a lot do this regardless, gives the truck a more aggressive appearance) and add a set of sliders. If you're looking to get more aggressive offroading then start thinking about things like bumpers to give better approach/exit angles, upgraded suspension to compensate for the weight of bumpers/gear and extended wheel travel, exterior tire carriers so you can change one should something go wrong, and winches to get through the really rough stuff (or recover the buddies Heep or Exploder who thought he was all tough or something ). After that it becomes how many creature comforts and how long far away do you want to get. The options are limitless - roof racks, drawer and sliders in the back to store gear, dual batteries, fridges, etc. Spend some time on the forum looking at other builds and you'll find lots of amazing ideas.

Best wishes on all your endeavors!

Wow Folks, thank you for the feedback!!! Thank you Scottb4857, I didn't even think that anyone would looki at my post. Thanks for the advise, and recommendations. P.S. I was there for the ride, I have a lot of folks to thank for what they do to keep us free and safe. When you meet them you know they have changed the would for better. And i know for a fact that I am no wear close to them. But, thank you for the acknowledgement. It means a lot.

 

[Mike Sheen]

Good evening folks, it has been awhile since I got the truck and help from you guys. Plus, I didn't have the money to buy any equipment for modification. However, I just got BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 Radial Tire - 285/75R16 126R all 4 tires and complete OME 100 lift kits F/R shocks, front torsion bar, and rear springs. That is all I could buy for now. I am planning to paint the truck desert tan color with the plasti dip color. The goal is to make it look like the MRAPs we drove in Afghanistan. Any suggestion on the paint?