Builds Iqbal’s 2015 White LC Build Thread (1 Viewer)

[iqbal624]

Welcome to my build thread. Never done one of these before but seems like a great place to keep track of mods as I do them.

History: I’ve owned a couple FJ’s and a GX470, always modding them a bit here and there based on deals I could find or what $ and time would allow.

What Happened? I was planning a trip to Moab with some friends and planning to take my GX470 down then realized I should probably swap the 8.0 out for an 8.2 in order to not blow up my rear end while on a trail. Hmm. $4k for a used rear end with 100k miles end installed? Do I really want to put another $4k into this thing? Am I going to keep this rig that long to justify it? Do I LOVE it still? Meh?
I’m someone who has been very frugal when it comes to cars. Meaning, I don’t mind driving an older rig. It gets the job done (Also have a 2007 Tundra with no need for the new bells and whistles)

But then I thought, maybe I treat myself just a little bit? So I started shopping for an LX570 b/c there is a cost savings. AHC? What’s that? How do I lift it? I can’t? I need tundra suspension? Ummm... no.

TLC? Ok, but here in WA, today, there are 4 LC’s for sale from 2008-2019... well that’s not going to work. I’m not buying new. Well one night after a few whiskeys and endless searching found my baby in ND in my favorite color combo. 2015 one owner LC in Pearl white with black interior. While I would have settled, this was the one. Talked over the phone the next couple days with the dealer. Finalized the deal and sent the funds.
She arrived yesterday 2/10.

it took me about 2 weeks to get it from the time we finalized the deal and in that two weeks, I got my parts list ready to prep for Moab.

First will come maintenance, then mod installs (mostly)

On Order:
Method 702 17x8.5 Bronze Wheels (5)
Falken Wildpeak AT3W 285/75/17 tires (5)
Bilstein 6112/5160 (still deciding on rear springs)
BudBuilt Rock Sliders
BudBuilt TC Skid (stainless)
Mobil 1 diff and TC fluid
Air filter
Cabin air filter
Husky Floor-mats
Heritage cargo mat (without 3rd row)
RLC Rear swing out
Rigid light to fit into fogs
Rigid ditch lights
40” Light Bar (taking it from my GX)
25” Light Bar (taking it from my GX)
Auxbeam 8 gang


Wishlist:
Grom VLine V2
TT Hidden Winch Mount?
Front window tint
Gobi Rack - wish I could get this before my Moab trip but won’t happen if any one has one they want to sell in the next 2 months, let me know.
Tranny Fuild
Power Steering fluid
Rear brakes?
coolant
Spark plugs
Serpentine belt

That’s all for now. I’ll post up more pics as things get installed. If you can think of things I must have, feel free to let me know.

 

[acruisinf]

Beautiful, looks in great condition. I’m biased...have the exact same color combo and year.
How many miles?
Congrats!

 

[04UZJ100]

Beautiful, looks in great condition. I’m biased...have the exact same color combo and year.
How many miles?
Congrats!

ODO says 113842.

 

[iqbal624]

That’s correct. 113k miles. I figure that’s just getting started for an LC200 right?

 

[tbisaacs]

AHC? What’s that? How do I lift it? I can’t? I need tundra suspension? Ummm... no.

OP you got bad info! But no matter, you’re gonna love the TLC. I’d add a Radiator to your list. They all go eventually.

What part of Washington are you in!? We try to do a couple of meetups a year.

 

[DPA200]

Congrat's looks great. When is your Moab trip? A lot of vendors I hear have crazy long wait times right now with the boom in popularity. Yeah my neighbor ordered a Gobi rack back in September, 6 months from then til expected delivery. Your build order looks pretty good. Wheels/tires take top priority. Might want to consider Icon 6-speed or Dakar Evo Corse to get better offset and hopefully not have to play the spacer game. Rock warriors are the best 17 out there by far, but good luck finding a set in this market. Only other thing I'd say is Transfer case I wouldn't use anything other than the Toyota liquid gold for that. Diff's you have some options, but not really on the TC. I have Budbuilt sliders and RLC rear both of which I would recommend as well. I didnt see you mention shocks, just the springs

 

[iqbal624]

OP you got bad info! But no matter, you’re gonna love the TLC. I’d add a Radiator to your list. They all go eventually.

What part of Washington are you in!? We try to do a couple of meetups a year.

I will say it was somewhat of a limited search but there really seemed to be an overwhelming response saying that unless you swapped out with tundra parts, you needed to continue using AHC. If I’m wrong, it’s a little too late now. Haha.

I’m in Seattle and would love to get together for a meet up (I’m guessing post Covid or for a drive?)

 

[afgman786]

That’s correct. 113k miles. I figure that’s just getting started for an LC200 right?

Too high mileage. I'll save you the struggles and give you half what you paid

Congrats on the purchase! Just make sure the KDSS valves aren't too rusty and see if they turn at all. Looking at your list, is your maintenance taking a back seat to the mods? If so I would prioritize baselining the rig first. I like how you started about saying you don't like to spend much money and frugal, then find a low mileage 200 and have a stack of mods ordered before even receiving. Go big or go home right?

 

[iqbal624]

Congrat's looks great. When is your Moab trip? A lot of vendors I hear have crazy long wait times right now with the boom in popularity. Yeah my neighbor ordered a Gobi rack back in September, 6 months from then til expected delivery. Your build order looks pretty good. Wheels/tires take top priority. Might want to consider Icon 6-speed or Dakar Evo Corse to get better offset and hopefully not have to play the spacer game. Rock warriors are the best 17 out there by far, but good luck finding a set in this market. Only other thing I'd say is Transfer case I wouldn't use anything other than the Toyota liquid gold for that. Diff's you have some options, but not really on the TC. I have Budbuilt sliders and RLC rear both of which I would recommend as well. I didnt see you mention shocks, just the springs

Thank you!
heading to Moab towards the end of April. I encountered some of those excessive wait times but was assured I would have my parts in time for the orders that I’ve placed. The last couple weeks will probably include a mad dash to install everything.

The Gobi def won’t make it in time...

I considered the RW’s and even had a line on a set but just couldn’t do it. I prefer a more aggressive stance and don’t mind pushing the limits. I think I’ll have to do some semi-aggressive trimming but should be ok after the lift. Also, I really wanted bronze wheels and decided with this build, I’m going to try to get exactly what I want. Also, the Evo’s just don’t do it for me. I know that Methods aren’t the best quality but I wasn’t ready to step up to the TE37’s (which would be my ultimate grail wheel) so the Methods will have to do. Also, I’m a fan of the poke.

 

[radman]

If I’m wrong, it’s a little too late now. Haha.

you screwed the pooch by passing up on AHC! Plus, if you're sporting a LV mask, you need the LX badging to go along with it!

 

[tbisaacs]

I’m in Seattle and would love to get together for a meet up (I’m guessing post Covid or for a drive?)

Let’s do it! We have a long running thread here where we try to plan meetups

Events/Trails - Seattle area role call and planning thread

Creating a placeholder to rally the Seattle area 200s to get together for coffee, beers and trails. There are a couple of regional clubhouses but I don’t have the rights to create a new one on this forum.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[iqbal624]

Too high mileage. I'll save you the struggles and give you half what you paid

Congrats on the purchase! Just make sure the KDSS valves aren't too rusty and see if they turn at all. Looking at your list, is your maintenance taking a back seat to the mods? If so I would prioritize baselining the rig first. I like how you started about saying you don't like to spend much money and frugal, then find a low mileage 200 and have a stack of mods ordered before even receiving. Go big or go home right?

Haha. SOLD!

I already ordered some kroil to start spraying over the next week or two before installing my lift. So hope those kdss bolts loosen up.

Maintenance is def not taking a back seat but I know that the lead time on parts is def longer than getting fluids and plugs so that’s why I focused on ordering those. I’ll start with all the maintenance stuff first as I wait for the mods to roll in.

Yeah, being frugal and responsible is great but once in a while you just need to Treat Yo Self... so that’s what I’m doing this time around. Typically even just the parts I’ve ordered would take me years to commit to, research, order and install...

The wheels and tires will probably be done before everything else (this Saturday) because the tires that it came with are worn to the point that I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking my kids out on them.

 

[iqbal624]

A little update: Got the wheels and tires put on before the snow storm.
Method 17x8.5 +0 on 285/75/17 Falken Wildpeaks

Also canceled my RLC Rear bumper as I felt like things were moving too fast and not sure exactly what type of swing out/rear bumper design I want long term so I’m going to decide on that after I destroy my rear bumper at Moab... haha.
Also ordered some OME UCA’s and decided on the OME 2722 springs for the rear. I’ll be installing those once the pets arrive.

also, anyone know why I can’t edit my initial post?

 

[04UZJ100]

A little update: Got the wheels and tires put on before the snow storm.
Method 17x8.5 +0 on 285/75/17 Falken Wildpeaks

Also canceled my RLC Rear bumper as I felt like things were moving too fast and not sure exactly what type of swing out/rear bumper design I want long term so I’m going to decide on that after I destroy my rear bumper at Moab... haha.
Also ordered some OME UCA’s and decided on the OME 2722 springs for the rear. I’ll be installing those once the pets arrive.

also, anyone know why I can’t edit my initial post?

View attachment 2588385

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What sort of rub/trimming did you have to do?

 

[Wicked0ne18]

Nice setups! Just went throught ur suspension setup and that's what I may be going with.

 

[iqbal624]

Nice setups! Just went throught ur suspension setup and that's what I may be going with.

I don’t have it installed yet but this gives me more confidence than the basic OME kit. Preface, I’ve never used the OME kit but I’ve used the 6112/5160 combo on an FJ before. The oversized pistons in the front and the reservoir in the back at least makes me feel as if it’s a step up as compared to the OME kit. I’ve had the dobinson kit on a GX and did not like it at all...
I should have it installed in 1-2 weeks.

 

[iqbal624]

What sort of rub/trimming did you have to do?

I cut about 12” out of the front fender and used a heat gun in the back after removing mudflaps and trimming a little bit of the body colored plastic above the steps. I still get a little bit of rubbing but hoping it’ll be solved by the UCA’s I have on order. In full disclosure, I didn’t do a great job with the heat gun in the back. I could probably solve it with a little more patience but I was getting cold. I got the UCA’s because I’m getting a lift, not to correct for the rubbing

 

[Wicked0ne18]

I don’t have it installed yet but this gives me more confidence than the basic OME kit. Preface, I’ve never used the OME kit but I’ve used the 6112/5160 combo on an FJ before. The oversized pistons in the front and the reservoir in the back at least makes me feel as if it’s a step up as compared to the OME kit. I’ve had the dobinson kit on a GX and did not like it at all...
I should have it installed in 1-2 weeks.

Awesome! Can't wait to get your thoughts on it. I have had bilstein before in one of my previous rides and I trust their shocks.

So far folks with the Bilstein kit are happy from the posts in mud.

 

[iqbal624]

Got closer to a baseline today but without pictures.
completed today:
Front and rear diff: Mobil 1 75w90
Spark plugs: NGK Iridium 6619
Air filter

also found a TON of clay/dirt under the skid plate that protects the front diff. Probably 2-3” worth.
This car must have been used in a red clay/dusty environment. Found some red dust under the covers that held the third row seats. Also removed the third row seats... really considering adding drawers. There’s so much space back there now.

there was also a LOT of dust in the air filter. The cover of the air filter box seems to have a built in filter and this filter is caked with this red dust. Is there a way to replace that or do I have to replace the top of the intake box?

 

[04UZJ100]

Got closer to a baseline today but without pictures.
completed today:
Front and rear diff: Mobil 1 75w90
Spark plugs: NGK Iridium 6619
Air filter

also found a TON of clay/dirt under the skid plate that protects the front diff. Probably 2-3” worth.
This car must have been used in a red clay/dusty environment. Found some red dust under the covers that held the third row seats. Also removed the third row seats... really considering adding drawers. There’s so much space back there now.

there was also a LOT of dust in the air filter. The cover of the air filter box seems to have a built in filter and this filter is caked with this red dust. Is there a way to replace that or do I have to replace the top of the intake box?

The black hydrocarbon filter? Rip it out and leave it out. I did on my 4 Toyota’s.