New LC Convert

[Expat93]

My name is Kevin (Expat93) and I’m recently divorced from Land Rover. It was a bitter sweet departure, but I’m proud to say that I am a new Landcruiser Owner having just made the switch from a 2011 LR4. I’ve been lurking around here for the past few months, and while not quite as active as the Landrover site, there’s a lot more technical information. I traded in my LR4 first because I like new vehicles and second because I feel as though LR has finally sold-out and decided to focus on grocery getters and soccer Moms. On the weekends I tow a 25’ camper or an 18’ flatbed with a quad and RZR. The new LR4 with the S/C V6 just doesn’t get it. Additionally, I really like wrenching on my cars and the options to customize the LR were very limited.


With the new Landcruiser, I’m already planning the modifications. I have read the first 50 pages of threads here, so I feel as though I have done my homework.


1.) On-Board Air Compressor and Air Bags for the trailers. I purchased the airbags and decided that rather than go with the small compressor for just the lift, that I would install a fulltime onboard air system. I went with the VIAR Medium Duty system, but I’ll use a 1ga tank rather than the 2.5ga tank they supplied due to the mounting space available. This work is ongoing, and I’ll start a separate thread on the installation.

2.) Suspension: While I have read just about everything I can, I have to admit that its still not completely clear on which system is the best. “Best” can only be defined by what matters to you and quite honestly the reviews of the support and professionalism of the guys at Radflo seems pretty impressive. I’m planning to call over there and order front & rear 2.5 shocks with the 16”/700# springs for the front. I’ll also install the OME 722 springs in the rear and the SPC UCA from Metaltech/Slee.

3.) Shoes: Right Now, I’m planning the Method NV Wheels at 18x9/25mm with either 285/65/18 or 275/70/18 Toyo AT/II tires. Right now, the 285s are in the lead at 32.7” tall with a wider stance than the 33” 275s.


This is just the beginning and I have yet to decide on Sliders or a front bumper. I like the ARB Sahara winch Bar, but funding may push this off for a while. I really like the Metaltech sliders, but since they’re not playing nice and making them anymore, I’ll wait for someone else to produce something similar.


Anyway, I’m really enjoying the site and hope to be active as time and funding allow.

 

[Atwalz]

Congratulations and welcome to Land Cruiser 200 forum. Do post pics of rig.

 

[texas]

Welcome!

 

[pdxlc200]

May I suggest you look at the TJM front bumper? It requires no cutting and is actually a cleaner profile than the ARB one. If you call TJM direct they will give you some killer deals on their stuff. Also, the TJM winch is pretty impressive. Congrats on the new truck!

 

[THEROK]

You're welcome and congrats.

I'd buy the icon setup over the radflos honestly. Better finishing qualities. Rads look a bit rougher from an aesthetic standpoint. Functionally so few run lifted setups it's tough to gauge. After service wise rad may be better since they focus on the land cruiser.

The land rovers aren't even in the same league as the lc. They're mall crawlers which is great but durability and reliability are sub par.

I had two of them each with blown 510hp torque rich ford engines. The problem was the silly air suspension. Too bad as they look and drive really nice. Expensive lesson learned.

 

[defenderdat]

I have the AT II on my 100 running 285/60/18 and have had great luck over 30k miles. I just bought a '13 200 and will have a set of Toyo AT II on it shortly. They have a 60k mile warranty and are very street friendly.

 

[codyaustin5]

Welcome and congrats. Forum has been awesome place for info and advice.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[THEROK]

Make note that toyo makes three diff types of at2s. Xtreme is what I have and is the heaviest, most aggressive. LT is next. The p metrics are very tame and look more like slightly aggressive street tires and lighter.

 

[Expat93]

I ordered the 722 springs and the Radflo kit with 16"/700# springs. I also ordered the SPC Uppers. Once I get all at the house, I'll figure out how to get it installed. I've worked on vehicles and builds more difficult than this, but I might farm this work out. We'll see. Once it's up, I'll decide on the tires and wheels.

I'm also putting on air bags for when I tow my camper along with a viair medium duty inboard air system. I'll post pics once I get it figured out.


Regards,

Expat93 (Kevin)

 

[OGBeno]

Welcome sir. Enjoy your 200 series and happy you have come over from the 'dark side'

 

[Expat93]

I was asked to update this, so here it goes:

1.) On-Board Air Compressor and Air Bags for the trailers. I purchased the airbags and decided that rather than go with the small compressor for just the lift, that I would install a fulltime onboard air system. I went with the VIAR Medium Duty system, but I’ll use a 1ga tank rather than the 2.5ga tank they supplied due to the mounting space available. This work is ongoing, and I’ll start a separate thread on the installation.​

I Installed the compressor right next to the fuse box and ran the lines to the rear of the truck where I mounted the tank.. There was room on the other side of the engine bay, but I wanted to reserve that for a 2nd battery in the future. The 2.5ga tank just wouldn’t fit, so I purchased a 1ga tank and stuffed it in the space between the fender and the frame on the passenger side behind the rear wheel. I hope to install an ARB or Kaymar rear bumper in the future and relocate the spare tire to the bumper. That will allow me to mount the 2.5ga tank where the tire is now. I connected it to the airbags and have the ability to air-up and down the bags with the flip of a switch. Below are a few pictures of the install locations.

2.) Suspension: While I have read just about everything I can, I have to admit that its still not completely clear on which system is the best. “Best” can only be defined by what matters to you and quite honestly the reviews of the support and professionalism of the guys at Radflo seems pretty impressive. I’m planning to call over there and order front & rear 2.5 shocks with the 16”/700# springs for the front. I’ll also install the OME 722 springs in the rear and the SPC UCA from Metaltech/Slee.​

I installed the SPC Upper Control Arms along with the Radflo 2.5 front and rear on 16”/700# springs. As expected they were great to work with and the install went great. Here are a couple of pictures of the finished product.

3.) Shoes: Right Now, I’m planning the Method NV Wheels at 18x9/25mm with either 285/65/18 or 275/70/18 Toyo AT/II tires. Right now, the 285s are in the lead at 32.7” tall with a wider stance than the 33” 275s.​

I decided on the Fuel ANZA wheels in 18x9 with a 25mm offset. After looking around a bit I really liked these and love the way they look on the truck. For tires, I went with the Toyo AT/II in a 275/70/18. They look great and have plenty of grip where it’s needed.

Overall, I’m pretty happy with the set-up. The LC looks great. I purchased the suspension system with the plan to follow-up rather quickly with a front bumper, but it just hasn’t happened yet. The front springs are meant to carry the extra load, and without it, the truck is pretty stiff. Stiff is a subjective term, so let’s just say that it’s a lot stiffer than I would like. I think it’s a combination of the suspension and the bounce in the tires. If I run the tires at 32, the ride is much better. That’s too low for my, so I keep them just under 40. On the trail, it handles great and is most likely a lot more capable than I ask it to be, but on the road I would like for it to be a bit more calm. By January if I still can’t get the TJM on the front, I may order the lighter springs. The tires are great, but when they need to be replaced I’ll probably go down one notch in size. Between the bounce and gas mileage, I’m thinking that the something around a 32.5 would be better. I may also look into a P rated tire since I’m 90% on the road.

Since My initial build, I have added a Front-Runner ½ rack, truck vault drawers in the rear, and powerstep boards by Amp-Research. I'm still dreaming about a front and rear bumper and I'm of course constantly haunted by the idea of a supercharger.

 

[MScruiser]

Just so you know, I am running 295/65/r18s on a stick lift, with minimal rubbing at full lick on the mudflaps. With a lift, you should have no trouble with 295s. At least, I don't think so. But yeah, it would totally give you better gas mileage to not get something as wide/tall.