So... I loaned my 80 series out to a buddy to pick up a table and chairs for his new apartment. An hour later his girlfriend called to tell me he had a "little bit of an accident." In a testament to the LC build quality and safety, he walked away with only a scratch on his finger after going off of a 10 ft drop, and then rolling the vehicle in a 30 feet out into a creek. Click for full res for night of iPhone shots.
So, I picked up a LX470 from another member of the board here. Pearl white, AHC, 170K, pretty much stock, with all major maintenance having been done by a Lexus dealership since the vehicle was new.
I know, I know, AHC... which actually brings me to my question.
Now, you can probably tell by my post count and the fact that the 80 was built, not bought, and not exactly stock that I like to do my research. I've searched and read as much as MUD, google, expedition portal, and even clublexus will allow me to. I know that you can effectively lift the vehicle by cranking the tbars and rocking spacers in the back.
Here's the dilemma though, I have 4 boys from ages 1-11, and most of the time in the vehicle is just me back and forth to work, or the wife and I with two of the kids. I'm also planning on a DISSENT front bumper with winch, and Luke from 4X4LABS already has my rear bumper with ladder and a tire swingout in the works.
Now, do I need to just ditch the AHC and step backwards in time to another OME setup like I had on the 80, or could I use LC tbars up front and 80 series stock rear springs with SLEE spring spacers that I have laying around to carry some of the weight and help the AHC out? I mean, I know this would "work", but would it work well, and ride reasonably plush?
The LX won't see the same type of technical tight trails that the locked 80 did, but will see some light offroad action as well as lots of overlanding. The 315s from the 80 are going on the LX, and I want to make sure that I can clear them, no matter what the terrain looks like. I also would like to keep the ride as nice as possible. While amazingly capable, the OME heavies on the 80 weren't exactly Lexus plush.
Upcoming mods in the works:
DISSENT front bumper w/ winch (XRC w/ synthetic line)
4X4LABS rear bumper w/ single swingout for tire carrier and ladder
Pro-Comp 1069 16x8 wheels
315 Duratracs
Slee AHC override (already in)
Slee 31m battery kit
DieHard 31M Marine
Have at my disposal
the 80 above (will be parting out)
stock 80 suspension
Slee rear spring spacers
Thanks for reading, and your thoughts are more than welcome.
-Chad
So, I picked up a LX470 from another member of the board here. Pearl white, AHC, 170K, pretty much stock, with all major maintenance having been done by a Lexus dealership since the vehicle was new.
I know, I know, AHC... which actually brings me to my question.
Now, you can probably tell by my post count and the fact that the 80 was built, not bought, and not exactly stock that I like to do my research. I've searched and read as much as MUD, google, expedition portal, and even clublexus will allow me to. I know that you can effectively lift the vehicle by cranking the tbars and rocking spacers in the back.
Here's the dilemma though, I have 4 boys from ages 1-11, and most of the time in the vehicle is just me back and forth to work, or the wife and I with two of the kids. I'm also planning on a DISSENT front bumper with winch, and Luke from 4X4LABS already has my rear bumper with ladder and a tire swingout in the works.
Now, do I need to just ditch the AHC and step backwards in time to another OME setup like I had on the 80, or could I use LC tbars up front and 80 series stock rear springs with SLEE spring spacers that I have laying around to carry some of the weight and help the AHC out? I mean, I know this would "work", but would it work well, and ride reasonably plush?
The LX won't see the same type of technical tight trails that the locked 80 did, but will see some light offroad action as well as lots of overlanding. The 315s from the 80 are going on the LX, and I want to make sure that I can clear them, no matter what the terrain looks like. I also would like to keep the ride as nice as possible. While amazingly capable, the OME heavies on the 80 weren't exactly Lexus plush.
Upcoming mods in the works:
DISSENT front bumper w/ winch (XRC w/ synthetic line)
4X4LABS rear bumper w/ single swingout for tire carrier and ladder
Pro-Comp 1069 16x8 wheels
315 Duratracs
Slee AHC override (already in)
Slee 31m battery kit
DieHard 31M Marine
Have at my disposal
the 80 above (will be parting out)
stock 80 suspension
Slee rear spring spacers
Thanks for reading, and your thoughts are more than welcome.
-Chad
I can probably pick up a pump for mid 200s, just weighing my options. I like the ride of the AHC a lot better than I did of my OME heavies on the 80. I'd love to see a couple pics of yours with the bumper on if you get an opportunity.
