Let's put Christo in the "hot seat"?

[sleeoffroad]

Comparing static height does not mean much. In maximum height the lexus might not articulate as good as when it was in lower setting. The hydraulic are more flexible but also have a lot more complex sytem that would be very hard to fix if something went wrong on the trail. Not to mention way more replacement cost compared to OEM LC @20 shock.

I agree, that is why I want longer shocks. As for things that can go wrong, yes that is true, but if one is scared about technology and stuff that can go wrong then neither the LX470 or UZJ100 is the right vehicle. There are a ton more systems that can disable the truck on the trail than just the suspension.

You can rip the hydraulics out and go regular shocks, springs and torsion bars.

The advantage of getting extra ground clearance with the push of a button and normal road driving otherwise is really nice for a lot of people. Also, the height control that compensates for weight is nice.

That said, I believe that the system would not be ideal for people that want to build a 100 series to travel the jungles of South America. For 80% of the people that are building camping/forrest service road etc etc type vehicles it offers a lot.

 

[Stewart Machine]

First time on this board, see if I can figure it out. I was invited to bring my '86 FJ60 on the ARB trip to Canada. Spent several days on the trail with Christo. We tried to keep our rigs together to make Nolen's job easier. After that much time together I could comment on the abilities of the Lexus. But I think that may be classified information untill the TT article. I will say this, the rev limiter works great!

 

[bjowett]

Just a bunch of run on brainstorming here... One of those companies that builds hopping hyraulics could probably hook you up with a longer damper... check out the low rider scene for that.

More travel could be had in the front by going to longer A-arms. You have already proven the inner axle shafts to be the weak point, chromoly units are already needed, so producing them in a longer length to accomidate the long arms could be part of the expensive kit. Maybe the rear dampers could be moved to the front for more travel? Not enough dampening? A dual damper kit could use an additional conventional damper per wheel along with the stock height adjustable hydraulic unit. blah blah blah...

 

[sleeoffroad]

I will say this, the rev limiter works great!

Hey, if you can not bounce off it, why is it there

 

[cruiser99]

Hi every body
I had a question for christo.

You mentioned earlier that you ran your LX with 1” wheel spacers. As I was considering the same thing, what is the reason you are running them. Could it contribute to the F axle failure?

While I am at it, since re-gearing the diffs is not an option for now, what do you think about re-gearing the T case? Dare I say a-la- Land rover T case…?

Thanks Doron.
77 FJ40, 99 UZJ100

 

[sleeoffroad]

Hi every body
I had a question for christo.

You mentioned earlier that you ran your LX with 1” wheel spacers. As I was considering the same thing, what is the reason you are running them. Could it contribute to the F axle failure?

While I am at it, since re-gearing the diffs is not an option for now, what do you think about re-gearing the T case? Dare I say a-la- Land rover T case…?

Thanks Doron.
77 FJ40, 99 UZJ100

Hi Doron,

I don't see how the wheel spacers would have made a difference. I think it was just the place, the driver and the oversize tires that caused it

we ran the spacers since the front wheels were tucked in when lifted and we wanted them to stick out a little.

As for re-gearing the tx-case, again no-one does it for the 80 series, so I don't see it happening on the 100. You can install a crawler box, but that is not cheap.

 

[cruiser99]

Christo,
I couldn't figure out how it would make a difference my self, but I thought I'll ask. I can see how it would affect the wheels bearings and the T bars, though.
What's the source of these spacers? I have seen quite a few vendors that would make to order (never talked to any) but I haven't seen of the shelf ones.

Doron.

 

[sleeoffroad]

We have them locally made. Not many people are doing that bolt pattern.

 

[Augie]

Christo,

Are the lugs replaced or the spacer have their own sets of lugs?
Any noticeable increase in bumpsteer?

I am thinking to redrill steel wheels from 5X5.5 to 5x150 and enlarge the center hole but the biggest offset available are +12 which are 48mm less than stock.

 

[sleeoffroad]

Spacers have new lugs. Might have a tad more bumpsteer, but then we changed so many things at the same time that it is difficult to contribute handling to any one item.

 

[dclee]

Christo -

Going back to something earlier in the discussion, did you use `91-92 rear coils in the LX, or `93+? Just asking because the `93+ years have shorter coils than earlier.

Thanks,