New Cruiser owner, and new member!

[HiFiGuy]

I am a recovering sports car addict. I now have a black 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser, known in these parts as a UZJ-100. It has the optional factory locking rear differential. This is my first truck of any kind, so I'll probably ask lots of newbie questions, but bear with me. I am a performance enthusiast, and am interested in ways to make my LC more unstoppable offroad while being streetable as a daily driver.

When I first got rid of my sports car, I was really bummed, because I really enjoy high-performance driving. However, I soon came to realize that the Cruiser could be fun, just in different ways. I already have two rescues to notch on my mudflaps, or wherever we notch those! I got a guy in a Ford F-350 SuperCrew with 4WD towing a 35' travel trailer who was stuck almost to the axles out of the sand on the beach near my office. Had to borrow his tow strap. So I bought my own tow strap, and then promptly rescued a guy in a Jeep Cherokee out of a swampy area in a state park on the way home. That one wasn't really hard, as I was able to stay on the pavement, but I still bailed him out. It is funny, but I felt a strange sense of euphoria helping these people out. Anybody else get that thrill? I had to call my wife after my first rescue and tell her. I was so excited I could barely talk!

Also, I have two Labs, and I can put them both in crates in the back with the middle row of seats still in place, and still have room for my retriever training and hunting gear. Actually, that is why I ended up with a Land Cruiser. I had my eye on a Volkswagen Touareg with the V-10 diesel, but couldn't even fit one dog in the back of that, so it was out. Also, I looked at the Sequoia, which is actually more spacious in back, but was drawn to the legendary offroad prowess of the Land Cruiser. So here I am!

 

[HiFiGuy]

And besides, I can get a speed fix driving my wife's BMW 330i Performance on the weekends. When she lets me.

 

[e9999]

Welcome!
you will have fun with it.

 

[1loudLX]

i get a nice feeling in the winter time when i bale people out of a snow bank or something. Enjoy.

Do you have any modifications thought out or you staying "stock + tow strap"?

 

[spressomon]

HiFiGuy,
Congrats and welcome to the board We have a '99 LC in common.
















Now get busy with all those mods

 

[HiFiGuy]

What do you guys think of the benefits of an OME suspension for a daily driver? Does it handle better on the pavement?

I have been eyeing the ARB front bumper/winch combo. And even though I have never been offroading before, I am strangely attracted to the ARB airlocker for the front differential. What about wheels and tires? I enjoy the relative serenity of the cabin now, so I don't really want any TSL Mudders or anything, but is there a good compromise (more aggressive, yet quiet enough) tire that is better in the soft stuff than my Michelins?

 

[1loudLX]

I dont know how a lifted truck could "handle" better on pavement...considering it has a higher center of gravity. But the OME would definately give you an atvantage off the beaten path.

 

[HiFiGuy]

I warned you about my being a newbie! I thought OME suspensions could be had without lifting the truck. I was curious if the quality of the suspension damping was better. If all OME suspension systems are lifted, then you would be correct about the higher center of gravity causing worse cornering performance. I probably don't want to go that route, if that is the case.

 

[1loudLX]

Either lifted or at least heavy duty. I never looked into them as i have Auto Height Control...but im almost positive either, they are either a lift kit or some setups might just make your current ride hight more heavy duty.

 

[spressomon]

I warned you about my being a newbie! I thought OME suspensions could be had without lifting the truck. I was curious if the quality of the suspension damping was better. If all OME suspension systems are lifted, then you would be correct about the higher center of gravity causing worse cornering performance. I probably don't want to go that route, if that is the case.

If on-road performance is the main goal I would just install Bilstein shocks at each corner. Then if that doesn't tighten the suspension to your desire the next step would be to go to 18" wheels with a lower profile tire/wheel combo. Then if still more anti-roll is desired go to HD sway bars. JMO.

 

[HiFiGuy]

spressomon,
No, I am pretty happy with the handling as it is now, I really meant that if the OME could improve off-road capability AND improve pavement handling at the same time, I would have to consider them. I drive my LC every day to work, which is 55 miles each way on back roads, some of them curvy. I don't want to raise the ride height any more, really, as it would probably destabilize the truck too much. I drive pretty quickly even in a Land Cruiser. But I also don't want a pavement posermobile that can't really go off-road. I dig the off-road prowess of the vehicle as it is and don't want to minimize it in any way. So I probably don't want larger diameter wheels with low-profile tires, either. From a motorcycle perspective, I am looking for a dual-purpose machine, something like a Husky 400 or Honda XR600R, that can handle itself fine on pavement, but can get down in the dirt, too. I have a lot to learn about these things, I know. I have already noticed some names on the site for gear like Slee and ARB and OME, and others. I will be checking them all out.

Ultimately, I want more off-road capability, not less. However, I don't want to make the truck one-sided and less livable on a daily basis. If possible, I would like to amp-up the on AND off-road capabilities, and have a great all-rounder. I am not opposed to cosmetic improvements, but my modifications will almost solely be functional. If I changed the wheels, it would only be for something that was lighter and stronger than stock and held a great all-around tire. If it looks good, great, but it better work first. Although, I must say I really like Schott's black wheels.

 

[HiFiGuy]

My mistake. The wheels I liked are the ones on UltraFJ and SinCity100. They may be the same wheels, I can't see UltraFJs very well in the "sticky" picture thread. They would look nice on my black Cruiser. Schott seems to have silver wheels. Apologies.

 

[1loudLX]

sincity and macneill all have sexy black wheels...grr!

Do you plan on doing and water fording? Ok so maybe not but a Safari Snorkel could help bring cleaner, cooler air into your airbox. You could go the route of the ARB front bumper and install some nice offroad/rallye lights which would help you driving on those curvy roads to an from work...especially if you leave work at night. Hella makes some dynaview lights that come on as you turn. If you fully armor your LC with sliders and front and rear bumpers, you will be looking at a significant increase in your curb weight, which might dampen your "spirited" driving style....however might help protect your truck from a dumb deer around one of those bends.

 

[hoser]

I dont know how a lifted truck could "handle" better on pavement...considering it has a higher center of gravity. But the OME would definately give you an atvantage off the beaten path.

It is possible a lifted truck could handle better. The reason I say this is because the difference between OEM and OME is not just in height (center of gravity) but the spring/shock rates are higher. By the same token, lowering the vehicle doesn't always make a vehicle handle better. What often happens is the suspension and steering geometry get screwed up worsening the handling.

In the 80 series, the stock suspension is very "wallowy" and I'd take an OME 2" lift anyday for both off/on road performance. I haven't driven an non-AHC LC100 enough to say but I hear the on-road difference between OEM and OME is not as drastic.

HiFiGuy, if you want to carry extra weight you are going to want higher rate T-bars/springs (with complimenting shocks). The front end is easy as you can get OME T-bars and set the ride height to anything you want (within reason). For the rear, I would try the 80 series OME no-lift springs or have some custom wound.

 

[HiFiGuy]

That is very helpful specific information. Thank you. I don't foresee carrying any significant extra weight (except me unless I lay off the Halloween candy) but I did consider that the firmer damping might offset the increased CG. If I could install OME shocks in the rear with no-lift springs, that would probably give me the control I am looking for on-road and the compliance I want off-road. Are there any remote cabin-adjustable shocks for these vehicles? Something with presets, firm for pavement, softer for off-road, maybe.

Would the complementary shocks in front be OME or Bilstein, or does it matter? I understand the OME torsion bars are adjustable, correct?

Again, thank you for the specific knowledge.

 

[HiFiGuy]

sincity and macneill all have sexy black wheels...grr!

Do you plan on doing and water fording? Ok so maybe not but a Safari Snorkel could help bring cleaner, cooler air into your airbox. You could go the route of the ARB front bumper and install some nice offroad/rallye lights which would help you driving on those curvy roads to an from work...especially if you leave work at night. Hella makes some dynaview lights that come on as you turn. If you fully armor your LC with sliders and front and rear bumpers, you will be looking at a significant increase in your curb weight, which might dampen your "spirited" driving style....however might help protect your truck from a dumb deer around one of those bends.

I don't plan on doing any water fording, but I do live in hurricane central. I have considered an air intake for more power, though I think the snorkel is a bit much. I wondered about the weight of the ARB bumpers. Shame about that, as I was considering them so I could add a winch and some driving lights. May still do it. I have seen some posts about HID retrofits on an LX. I wonder if it also applies to a Cruiser. I am not interested in ricing out my truck, but the comments in that thread lead me to believe that significant gains in lighting performance can be had with the swap. As far as leaving work at night, hell, it is dark at my office right now at 4:45 PM. Just wait until December!

 

[hoser]

I don't foresee carrying any significant extra weight (except me unless I lay off the Halloween candy) but I did consider that the firmer damping might offset the increased CG.

The ARB bumper/winch you desire is significant weight for the IFS. AFAIK, nobody on here has installed the 862 springs, low lift 80 series springs in their 100. It may or may not give you the results you desire, so it is a bit of a risk (cost of springs). I would ask Christo (Slee Off-Road) as I'm sure one of his customers has asked for the same thing you want.

The OME shocks would definitely compliment the OME T-bars though that is not to say there isn't a better shock/T-bar combo out there. I love the Bilsteins on my sportscar but don't know enough about the LC Bilsteins to say. LX's have great in-cabin adjustable shocks w/ selectable height but you don't want to hear that.

The OME T-bars as well as all T-bars are adjustable in terms of height.

 

[1loudLX]

yeah, we're spoiled with AHC...i keep it on sport almost all the time but if i find a nice grassy field to rip up ill switch it to comfort.

As far as HID Kit goes for a LC, not happening. Not unless you totally modify the light housing with a projector lens instead (called "HID Retrofiting"). I mean, sure you COULD get bulbs that fit in your stock headlights, but it would create SO much glare for oncoming traffic it would be hazzardous....kind of what the ricers do with their civics. i wouldnt recommend doing a plug and play kit, however you could probably find someone willing to fab up a Bi-Xenon projector seup for you.

If you could find a LX470 front clip...why not swap it out, then you have a Toyota Landcruiser Cygnus! lol...off topic, but i just had a moment of deja vu...cop car just drove by...then 20 seconds later i looked out again and a cop car drove by...weird.



Anyways,

Back to the topic of the front bumper/winch setup. Since you dont have Auto Height Control...does anyone know if it would be possible for him to get a "balanced" setup if he were to say, buy the bar/bumper/offroad lights...without rattling all his teeth out because teh suspension is so beefed up?

 

[HiFiGuy]

I wish I had the chance to drive a Cruiser with the ARB front bumper to see if I still like the dynamics or not. I haven't seen one in person, but I can't imagine how much difference it could make on a 5000+ pound vehicle.