If you had to Choose (lift,tires,arb bump)

[aamiggia]

I've got the offroading itch and it looks like I'll be making an investment into my stock LX450 soon. I may not be able to get more upgrades for a while as my wife's "biological clock *stamp 3 times* is tick, tick, ticking".

The price for stuff in Gay marrying Hippyville (Canada) is quite costly and $1000 CDN does not go that far when getting offroad equipment. if you see anything wrong with the specs I've listed please let me know. Think of me a the wet clay from that scene in Ghost (not that there's anything wrong with that). My choices are as follows. P.S. The trails around here are very wet and muddy.

1. Tires. Super Swamper LTB's 33x13.5x16 on 16x10 rims 4" backspacing. Will 13.5" wide tires even fit? (~1400 CDN)

2. OME 2.5" lift (maybe J springs for future larger tires) (~1200 CDN)

3. ARB winch bumper (~1000 CDN) + snorkle (~400 CDN)

Basically I'd like opinions on what is the best offroad performance bang for the buck. Eventually I would like to have my own "Short Bus", but for now the Lex is a work in progress.

Should I have started this Thread with Dear Junk? ;p

 

[chacoetaco]

aamiggia,

Check the FAQ - it has a discussion devoted to this topic.

 

[cruiserdan]

You will have a rubbing issue with that tire/wheel combination when you stuff one. You would need to lower the bump stops consideralby and you may still rub.

 

[NorCalDoug]

I would go in this order
1 - AT or MT tires. I wouldn't go wider than 12" (305mm width) with OEM suspension. I think 13.5" would be way too wide.

2. OME or OME J. Smarter to go with the J springs for future growth, but it means extending brake lines, messing with sway bars, bumpstops, etc -- which means a few more CDN $ spent.

3. Sliders.

4. Front or rear bumper.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Tires would make the biggest difference to your trail capability.

 

[cc93cruiser]

I say get your lift first. Then your m/t tires. Then after that it is up to you. then and then and then and then and then, so much stuff!

 

[RavenTai]

I am in a similar predicament, depends on the terrain in you area but I am thinking sliders will be my first purchase it is very rocky around here and and most tiem you cannot go around them. Lift and/or tires will just get to the spots where I can really screw up the body.

Got a tax return coming, it is supposed to go towards CC debt

 

[aamiggia]

Lift and/or tires will just get to the spots where I can really screw up the body.

Around here most of the guys try to stuff the biggest tire that will fit in their wheel wells. Usually jeeps, you know how they are. Mud is the most common terrain that you find, especially after the spring thaw. Some rocks, but mud bogs are very common, as with water crossings. Those pesky beavers.

 

[corbs]

IMHO, I would say go with lift first. My rationale is this: The lift affects what size tires you can have, but the reverse is not true. If you start with the lift you can add/change tires at any time. . . but if you start with tires and decide you want to lift you'll end up needing/wanting to buy new tires again after the lift anyway, so you've now bought two sets of tires (one smaller set to fit before the lift and then one larger after the lift), instead of just buying one set to fit after the lift. That seems more efficient money-wise.

True tires will probably make a difference offroad quicker, but, we're also talking money. . .

 

[GXO]

Get armor (sliders). I have always regretted not doing that on a few of my trucks because you get it somewhat trail worthy with the lift or tires and the first thing you do is a "mild" trail. BOOM. Body damage.

 

[cruiserman]

The best bang for the buck would be tires. The snorkel and bull bar are just bling. Lift the rig if needed.

 

[MTNRAT]

Sliders. lift, tires OR sliders, tires, lift.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

Alex:

We both need sliders! When you get out on some of the trails you'll get to see how bad the breakover angle is on this truck. I pend 1/2 my time hanging out the window easing off ledges. Then again, a lift helps with this. I'd like to do step sliders and lift - we can save on shipping.

Cheers, Hugh

 

[wb1948]

you could probably run those tires on a stock rim and not rub with j's and some packers. A lot of debate about tire width verse rim width, but if you search other forums you will find people that have run 13.5" wide on 8" rims, especially the iroks.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

For CAPABILITY (which was the question), better tires is the best bang for the buck. You probably don't want Swampers if you drive on the street much. 305/70/16 is the largest size you can run on a stock suspension. They are large enough to not look funny when you lift it later. Tire choice is up to you, but everyone but Junk likes Goodyear MT/Rs.

For PIECE OF MIND while wheeling, you just have to have sliders. The 80 series rocker is long and expensive. One ding on a small rock and $700 for sliders starts to look cheap.

An OME 2.5 lift is cost-effective and doesn't make a lot of other mods necessary. I would get the heavy, not the medium, unless your clock watching spouse drives the 80 much.

For those 3 upgrades you're looking at $2500 or so. That would be a good place to start. Call Christo Slee and get started. Be warned, though, it's a slippery slope, and it won't be long until you're looking for a 6 inch lift and wondering if the front axle will hold up with 37s.

 

[HZJ60 Guy]

ARB (I get a good deal here in Seattle) front bumper.

Kaymar (read above, same deal) rear bumper.

Slee 6" lift.

37" MTR's.

4.56 gears. (Turbo diesel, I need to keep the RPM's down.)

That is what I would do.



TB

 

[rgsiii]

I think that I'd go:
1)lift
2)tires
3)ARB bumper
4)winch
5)sliders
6)electrical stuff like extra cigarette lighter outlets, dual battery setup
7)rear bumper

That has been my game plan and I am only a Hanna bumper away (supposed to be in in June).

 

[robbie]

I would not get the MTR unless you are carrying chains for the bogs and such, your choice of the LTB is a good one. I personally would look at the chart of sizes more and look at the size of the tire that is included on the web site, not the stamped tire size. Interco is not that great on adhereing to the stamped size on the tire. It will either be big or small depending on the tire. So the 33 13.5 may only be a 10 wide tread, but the carcuss may be 13 wide. the height may only be 32.5 or some such thing. It is always best to read the other numbers for the almost truth of the matter. later robbie

 

[aamiggia]

Thanks, for all the input guys.

After my first real wheeling trip this weekend I realized what is an important first step....

...Not telling my wife how much the upgrades cost

But seriously, the only place I got hung up was in deep snow (yes there is still snow on some of the trails that are used for snowmobiles ). Only the guys with lifts and 32+ muds barely made it through. If I at least had a lift it would have been a cake walk. The snow gets packed under the truck until it's lifted off the trail. The funny thing is a wicked Samurai winched me through . That was funny! I'll try to find a picture.

The other good thing to have is a snorkle! There were a good amount of deep water crossings and if taken fast or with a steep entry the possiblity of water in the intake is high. They're cheap insurance for a blown engine.

blah, blah, blah.

The moral of the story is that I'll try to do the lift and tires together, but lift first.

Hugh, one of the guys I was with knows someone that makes sliders locally for $500 CDN. I'm also thinking of removing the rear bumper cover next time out. I'll reinstall it when I'm using the truck to go to the opera .

 

[aamiggia]

BTW, I've found out just how capable the 80's are offroad, epecially with lockers.

Here (0378 and 0383) is a '04 X-Terra with mud tires going up a hill after a few tries. Then me (0384) up the same hill locked with street tires. Slow and steady wins the race.