Is there a preferred order of upgrading?

[PhillipPinot]

Im planning on taking the Badlands Off-road Training course this fall and was wanting to do some upgrades before starting. I’ve already done a little bit of off-roading and scratched my bumper a little (see picture below where I’m sad my wife got her dream Prius—instead of the BMW diesel that I “suggested”). The only upgrade I’ve done is adding the Rock Warrior wheels with BFG A/T KO2 285/10/17 tires.

I’m thinking I want to upgrade the bumpers and adding sliders, but I would think I would have to upgrade the shocks to handle the weight. Is there a certain order to do upgrades in?

Would a better option to just upgrade the suspension and lift it a few inches?

This is my daily driver so I don’t want to do anything too extreme. I’m always nervous about messing with the geometry/physics of the vehicle, nervous about negatively affecting the lifespan of parts, but I don’t have any evidence supporting it.

I want to say my eventual goal is to go full-on expedition overland mode, but it’s not exactly cheap to do, so I’m just assuming this will be my only suspension mod.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Markuson]

Basic wheeling (The following will get you through 95% of trails most here do)...

1. Remove side steps (they are damage multipliers and clearance reducers).
-Free

2. AT tires 32”-32.6” or so (BFG KO2 or similar and fit fine without alterations)
-$1200-1500

3. Rock sliders (Slee, BudBuilt, Trail Tailor, etc)...which also make great side steps.
-$1000

4. Suspension Upgrade
-$1500 - $5000 +installation depending on type

If you plan on heavy bumpers, just know that weight-compensation rear coils and either front coils or an adjustment to front coil overs can be made after the bumpers/winch go on.

**Meanwhile...
-Get on the trails!
-Scratch up those Tupperware bumpers!
-Join a wheeling group or come to
-Telluride next week!

There is no better way to get a feel for mods you like and/or need. Also a great way to motivate spouses when they see this stuff in use.

Mark

PS. Even if you NEVER go off road...a basic suspension upgrade will be a massive improvement in vehicle handling. By basic, I mean something like Old Man Emu front/rear shocks and coils. Less body lean...less bouncy/sloppy.

 

[Mogwai]

Ditto above, forget the bumpers for a while. Sliders + lift, in that order.

 

[pdxlc200]

The lift will actually make your car perform better also. Stock suspension is squishy has heck. Btw, a basic Old Man Emu suspension is only 1K or so and is a great entry point. You can keep the springs and upgrade to their external reservoir suspension in the future and not have to throw away the entire suspension.

 

[PhillipPinot]

How high should a lift be?

 

[TeCKis300]

There's not much "required" mods given how competent the LC is stock.

My preference is a relatively large tire for real under the axle clearance and lift. Something in the 33-33.5" diameter territory. A milder lift, 1-1.5", to keep the suspension geometry in its sweet spot. She doesn't need much more. Perhaps sliders if you are more aggressive or like rocks. That's it, as everything starts really compromising daily use.

 

[SQRRRL]

40mm lift in front 20mm lift in rear. 285/65/18 on OEM wheels.

 

[tominboise]

How high should a lift be?

The lift should be the lowest one that will fit your tires of choice and articulation requirements. Higher lifts = worse fuel economy, handling and general PITA to live with daily, with small children, old people, etc. As mentioned above, 33" tires and 1 to 1-1/2" lift will get you across many trails in Moab, rougher terrain than I would want to run through.