Intro - Help me toughen up this teal mall cruiser (1 Viewer)

[klax18]

Hi - Been lurking here for a couple years and finally pulled the trigger in November buying this eucalyptus mica LX with 87k and fresh dealer installed timing belt and WP. Not my first choice of color, but its growing on me and the color varies a lot depending on lighting. Its only teal in the right light. I haven't seen any pics on here of one in this color built up with all-terrains and armor. Anyone out there have anything? I'm trying to visualize what some different color bumpers, sliders, and trim might look like.

I'm going to use this to run some trails and explore and camp out here in mountains, and will be a part time daily driver. I've been slowly baselining fluids and playing with the AHC and tech stream. Looks like my rear springs have sagged so just ordered King springs hoping they'll support AHC and sliders and maybe rear swing out bumper.

Day 1

Last Night

 

[Squatch43]

Nice truck. Look forward to hear about your build. Post up king pictures please

 

[Batlowboy]

I think front and rear bars and a set of sliders powder coated black will toughen this teal cruiser up.

Mine was originally a grandpa looking silver sad mall cruiser, take your time and build it up to suit your needs. Check out the pics section on this forum, heaps of great looking cruisers there.

Good luck with the build.

 

[tacoduck]

love the color! go with new shoes... that would be my first mod... and running board delete.

 

[Battleship]

33's, take off the running boards and the factory roof rack, that will get you most of the way. Then go see Mike at BIO and he will complete it.

 

[IBWOZ]

Congratulations on scoring the truck !

I also purchased an lx that wasn't exactly my first color choice . However it has really grown on me and now wouldn't trade it for any other color .

The dreaded blue vapor metallic

 

[ikarus]

Same here, vapor blue metallic. Similar weird color. I haven't done bumpers yet, but if you get rid of the running boards, lift it, get some 33s or 35s, and get some better wheels that widen the stance a little, I think they can look great. Here's mine:

 

[CruiseLanderAZ]

What wheels are these? And are you running 285 STT's? They look awesome.

Same here, vapor blue metallic. Similar weird color. I haven't done bumpers yet, but if you get rid of the running boards, lift it, get some 33s or 35s, and get some better wheels that widen the stance a little, I think they can look great. Here's mine:

 

[Visceral]

1-inch spacers from Slee
Sliders to replace running boards from who-ever
275/70r18 BFG Radial AT K02 tires
Replace roof rack with AO rails (or a rack of your choice)

Then start in on the basic preventative maintenance with learning to use Techstream, flush and set your AHC, replace your heater T-s, and get your lighting optimized.

Then use your truck for awhile. The modifications after that will be expensive and should have an ROI associated with them. If you choose daily driver, overlander, or wheeler, your mods will vary considerably.

 

[rmedge7]

Congrats on the new ride!

@IBWOZ what rack is that?

 

[IBWOZ]

Congrats on the new ride!

@IBWOZ what rack is that?

Rhino rack vortex bars .

 

[ikarus]

What wheels are these? And are you running 285 STT's? They look awesome.

Stealth Custom Series F5, 16x8. ST Maxx in 285/75r16

 

[Kabanstva]

One of my favorite colors. Congrats!

 

[klax18]

Thanks for advice. @ikarus truck looks great. King Springs in, roof rack and running boards removed. Now its like a blank canvas. Tires and sliders probably next.

 

[El Cid]

A few offensive and or politically incorrect bumper stickers will distract viewers from the color....i think iT looks fine, iT Will be les noticeable when modded...

 

[geanes]

I like the color actually. I've only ever seen one in person (at a salvage yard recently....front was totaled). Super jealous you found one with low miles. As an aside, I notice yours doesn't have the damper do-hickey attached to the exhaust (looks like a half-football attached to the exhaust pipe just aft of the passenger front wheel). Do you notice any rattling or vibrations coming from that area?

 

[ikarus]

Looking great!

 

[Greenbean]

Looks great man!

Love that color...

Can I ask why the King springs? And not some other brand...or OEM.

 

[klax18]

Thanks all. I can't feel or hear any vibrations from lack of the thingy, but it wasn't there when i purchased so dont have a reference point. I'd like to keep the ahc and found that the neutral pressures were higher than spec in the rear, while front pressures were in spec and ride height was just a bit below spec. With that i figured the rear springs needed replacement, if not the globes, and the kings have around 20ish percent more spring rate than oem so went with those hoping i could retain stock characteristics with added weight of sliders and possible future rear swing out bumper. If i understand the ahc system correct, there is a balance between springs and hydraulics that has to be maintained for the designed function and globe longevity. King is only aftermarket option that is designed for ahc. There is a thread somewhere on here that shows the spring rates of different springs. Kings didnt change the ride height, but moved neural pressure from 7.0 to 4.3 which is what i think i am after. Pressures will rise back up i believe with sliders and heavy spare.

 

[Jefferson100LX]

I have a 2003 in the Eucalyptus Mica, 120k,and am interested in the upgrades you choose. Since it is an usual color I am not quite sure what will look good onit. I am thinking tundra wheels, KO2s, and sliders. Do you plan to put a lift on?