LC200 Arctic Trucks AT35 build advice (long-term)

[nhammond25]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum and to the LC200, I recently purchased a bone stock 2013 LC200 and have some big aspirations for a long-term build for it. I would like to emulate the Arctic Trucks AT35 LC200 to an extent and I could use some help finding out what I will need to do for a US-spec KDSS equipped LC200.

From what I have found perusing these forums and the internet at-large, I have found the Fjallasport fender flares that seem to be a reproduction of those made by Artic Trucks. They look like they flare out about 2-2.5" from standard (haven't found the actual measurements) and do not have any rise (so no fender cutting necessary).

I have been looking into suspension options as well, of which there are many depending on price range. So far, I have seen Bilstein's 6112/5160 package, OME's BP51 suspension, ICON 2.0's with UCA's and trailing arms, King 2.5's with UCA's, and Iron Man 4x4's Foamcell Pro's with UCA's.

I have seen one other post on this forum from @Wotan back in 2019 who seems to be located in Italy. From what I read, his LC200 is not equipped with KDSS but rather the AHC that I believe is equipped on the LX platform. Here is his LC200 for reference:

In terms of wheels, I currently like the 2023+ Sequoia/ Tundra TRD Pro wheels. But those come in the 6x139.7 bolt pattern from Toyota and the LC200 has a 5x150 bolt pattern. That being said, I've managed to find a solution to this problem from AGP who offer a reproduction of this wheel in the 5x150 bolt pattern as seen below:

BUT, this wheel only comes in a +18mm offset vs. the factory +60mm offset, which might be good for the wider fender flares but could create clearance problems due to poking out a bit further (and thus having a wider arc). I might eventually be able to offset front clearance issues as I plan to fit either an ARB or Dissent front bumper which I imagine will help in this regard (and massively improve approach angle).

Of course an aftermarket bumper also opens up a whole 'nother can of worms. The Fjallasport fender flares are designed to taper inward on the stock LC200 front bumper. This likely means I will need to enlist the help of a professional fiberglass fabrication shop of some kind to match it to whichever bumper I end up choosing. I would like to find one somewhat close to my current location or at the very most in the southeastern US.

In terms of tires I am currently thinking about using either the Toyo Open Country R/T Pros, or some BFG KO2's in the 35x12.50r18 size (though I am not opposed to a smaller width if it can reach out to the fender flares). Of course I imagine these tires will require me to purchase some aftermarket UCA's and relocate the KDSS at the very least.

So that's my future build plan currently. I don't have a ton of free time at the moment, but I'll get a weekend or two every now and then over the next 4 years to do some things on the LC myself and take it in stages.

I would like to avoid going completely broke on a build like this and so I will be spacing it out over a period of years with this end-goal in mind. But I imagine final costs will likely end up approaching and/or exceeding $20k by the time I'm finally done.

This is my LC as it currently sits:

Let me know any and all advice you guys have for me! Also, if you know anyone in the US or abroad that has done something similar please send them my way or tag them in this thread!

Thanks!

 

[pvchaitanya]

Have you considered lug conversion kit to fit in the 6 lug tundra wheels on LX200? I always wondered if anyone does it.
Veteran wheel hackers, any comments on doing the conversion kits?
I read somewhere, even wheel spacers are a bad idea.

 

[nhammond25]

Have you considered lug conversion kit to fit in the 6 lug tundra wheels on LX200? I always wondered if anyone does it.
Veteran wheel hackers, any comments on doing the conversion kits?
I read somewhere, even wheel spacers are a bad idea.

Yes, actually, that is an idea I’ve had. The OEM TRD Pro wheels are actually somehow lighter (if a good deal more expensive). Given the fender flares I want, a little extra width might not be such a bad thing.

Although, as you said, I’m a bit weary of using wheel spacers if I’m ever going to do any serious wheeling with it.

 

[pvchaitanya]

I am also thinking through it as I have couple of Tundra TRD pro wheels available locally as well as a newly removed 2025 land cruiser wheels with 6 lug pattern.
Anyone else have experience with this ?

 

[TeCKis300]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum and to the LC200, I recently purchased a bone stock 2013 LC200 and have some big aspirations for a long-term build for it. I would like to emulate the Arctic Trucks AT35 LC200 to an extent and I could use some help finding out what I will need to do for a US-spec KDSS equipped LC200.

From what I have found perusing these forums and the internet at-large, I have found the Fjallasport fender flares that seem to be a reproduction of those made by Artic Trucks. They look like they flare out about 2-2.5" from standard (haven't found the actual measurements) and do not have any rise (so no fender cutting necessary).

I have been looking into suspension options as well, of which there are many depending on price range. So far, I have seen Bilstein's 6112/5160 package, OME's BP51 suspension, ICON 2.0's with UCA's and trailing arms, King 2.5's with UCA's, and Iron Man 4x4's Foamcell Pro's with UCA's.

I have seen one other post on this forum from @Wotan back in 2019 who seems to be located in Italy. From what I read, his LC200 is not equipped with KDSS but rather the AHC that I believe is equipped on the LX platform. Here is his LC200 for reference:


View attachment 3934802

In terms of wheels, I currently like the 2023+ Sequoia/ Tundra TRD Pro wheels. But those come in the 6x139.7 bolt pattern from Toyota and the LC200 has a 5x150 bolt pattern. That being said, I've managed to find a solution to this problem from AGP who offer a reproduction of this wheel in the 5x150 bolt pattern as seen below:

View attachment 3934806

BUT, this wheel only comes in a +18mm offset vs. the factory +60mm offset, which might be good for the wider fender flares but could create clearance problems due to poking out a bit further (and thus having a wider arc). I might eventually be able to offset front clearance issues as I plan to fit either an ARB or Dissent front bumper which I imagine will help in this regard (and massively improve approach angle).

Of course an aftermarket bumper also opens up a whole 'nother can of worms. The Fjallasport fender flares are designed to taper inward on the stock LC200 front bumper. This likely means I will need to enlist the help of a professional fiberglass fabrication shop of some kind to match it to whichever bumper I end up choosing. I would like to find one somewhat close to my current location or at the very most in the southeastern US.

In terms of tires I am currently thinking about using either the Toyo Open Country R/T Pros, or some BFG KO2's in the 35x12.50r18 size (though I am not opposed to a smaller width if it can reach out to the fender flares). Of course I imagine these tires will require me to purchase some aftermarket UCA's and relocate the KDSS at the very least.

So that's my future build plan currently. I don't have a ton of free time at the moment, but I'll get a weekend or two every now and then over the next 4 years to do some things on the LC myself and take it in stages.

I would like to avoid going completely broke on a build like this and so I will be spacing it out over a period of years with this end-goal in mind. But I imagine final costs will likely end up approaching and/or exceeding $20k by the time I'm finally done.

This is my LC as it currently sits:

View attachment 3934838

Let me know any and all advice you guys have for me! Also, if you know anyone in the US or abroad that has done something similar please send them my way or tag them in this thread!

Thanks!

As one that leans towards functional upgrades, meaning it'll perform as good or better than it looks, here's my thoughts.

Stay away from low offset wheels. That in itself makes huge compromises to suspension geometry, performance, and fitment.

I'm all for 35x12.5s tires. KDSS makes that harder to fit. But as you're looking to get a wider stance with fenders, I'd recommend looking into fitting Tundra arms that extend each side by 1.5". Pair that with moderate offset wheels like +35 to +50 and that'll let you fit 35x12.5s with clearance to the KDSS bars, while also helping fitment issues against the body mount and wheel well.

Those new to the LC200 underestimate the amount of upwards travel up into the fender wells. With flares, this might provide the opportunity to cut the metal fenders to really keep all the goodness of full travel.

A minor note, ARB front bumpers may provide downward clearance but are actually terrible for approach angle because of how far they stick further forward.

Welcome to the 200 forum!

 

[nhammond25]

As one that leans towards functional upgrades, meaning it'll perform as good or better than it looks, here's my thoughts.

Stay away from low offset wheels. That in itself makes huge compromises to suspension geometry, performance, and fitment.

I'm all for 35x12.5s tires. KDSS makes that harder to fit. But as you're looking to get a wider stance with fenders, I'd recommend looking into fitting Tundra arms that extend each side by 1.5". Pair that with moderate offset wheels like +35 to +50 and that'll let you fit 35x12.5s with clearance to the KDSS bars, while also helping fitment issues against the body mount and wheel well.

Those new to the LC200 underestimate the amount of upwards travel up into the fender wells. With flares, this might provide the opportunity to cut the metal fenders to really keep all the goodness of full travel.

A minor note, ARB front bumpers may provide downward clearance but are actually terrible for approach angle because of how far they stick further forward.

Welcome to the 200 forum!

I'm curious, I've heard of swapping over tundra arms before but I’ve also heard it’s quite expensive. If they just bolt on I don’t see how they would be considering tundra parts are far less expensive than LC200 parts (family member of mine has a 2014 Tundra). Also, with the tundra arms, do you have to delete KDSS at all? From my understanding, it attaches to the stock LCA.

Also, I assume you’d have to swap to tundra CV shafts, tie rods, etc. as well due to the increased track width?

Thanks!

 

[linuxgod]

Have you considered lug conversion kit to fit in the 6 lug tundra wheels on LX200? I always wondered if anyone does it.
Veteran wheel hackers, any comments on doing the conversion kits?
I read somewhere, even wheel spacers are a bad idea.

The prior tundra wheels were 5x150 like our trucks. It’s only the brand new trucks that have a 6 lug pattern. Not sure there’s a backwards conversion option at this time. The older 6 lug wheels were for tacos

 

[Omega3651]

Always loved the look of the Artic Truck builds. Wish they sold the upgrades here for less than the price o f a kidney.

 

[Adam from PL]

Have you tried to contact Arctic Trucs directly? Maybe they would sell you some of their parts?

 

[rlynch356]

+18Et will be a problem with the up travel in the rear generally unless it is restricted via bump stops. My kit can clear the KDSS system in the front using the stock LCA's. Mods will still be needed for the rear of the front wheel clearance but that's pretty normal stuff, trim, push in the mud flap support, removal of mud flaps which you will do with the arctic trucks style flares anyway.

There is an artic trucks reseller or might be an them in England that use to ship parts, haven't checked in years though. I'd try that first if possible, the cost may be offset by prep work cost..

It typically say to shoot for an ET of +35 to +25 to fully articulate the rear wheels up. but with really wide flares, your probably in the 0 offset or negative range, idk.. what arctic trucks uses for offset but looks at least to be a 0ET.. Not sure what mods they are doing to the body to clear the tires or limiting travel etc. Which wouldn't surprise me one bit given the use case.. its not made for rack crawling..

 

[bloc]

The one user here that tried the 5-to-6 lug converters called them a “disaster” after it was all said and done.

 

[rlynch356]

Found this interesting...

AT35 CORE SPECIFICATION:

• Extensive Arctic Trucks re-engineering to frame, inner arches, body, bodywork and axle
• Widened 10-piece Arctic Trucks fender flare package, front and rear (body colour)
• Rugged 17×10 ET-52 Arctic Trucks alloys
• 35” (LT315/70 R17) BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tyres

 

[nhammond25]

Found this interesting...

AT35 CORE SPECIFICATION:

• Extensive Arctic Trucks re-engineering to frame, inner arches, body, bodywork and axle
• Widened 10-piece Arctic Trucks fender flare package, front and rear (body colour)
• Rugged 17×10 ET-52 Arctic Trucks alloys
• 35” (LT315/70 R17) BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tyres

Interesting, the way they describe "re-engineering to frame, inner arches, body, bodywork and axle" almost makes me think they have some kind of proprietary way of widening track width. If I couldn't get it direct from Arctic trucks I would bet a tundra front end swap might be the closest thing.

I've found a few threads on here of people who have done it to LC200s and LX's and it seems like that also requires some modification due to the different shock sizes of Tundras vs LC200s. One guy I saw who did it to his LX used a BDS 4.5-5" lift for a tundra with SPC UCAs but it required some extensive custom work on the rear to get suspension geometry just right. On the other hand, I also found a guy who just used mostly stock tundra parts from ebay on an LC200 and that seemed a bit simpler.

My hopes aren't too high that Arctic Trucks would be willing to sell me an AT35 kit piecemeal to the US considering they don't do business with the US (to my knowledge) and they seem like they would be protective of their products and their installation as they also do business with some militaries in Europe.

 

[YellowJacket]

There's a fun Arctic Truck you could come check out in SLC, UT at the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum for ideas.

I was curious. What are your plans with the truck? Do you plan to offroad with it?

 

[rlynch356]

Possibly a tundra swap front end but i would imagine that all the description means is, cutting a lot of the fenders out for the flares and body mount chop/mods, and a diff ratio swap to support the tire size.
And -52mm is apx 4" further out than say a Rock Warrior wheel