New LX470 Owner - seeking tire / running board advice (1 Viewer)

[Mall Cruiser]

Hello all.

I'm the new owner of a 2004 LX470 (with just under 80,000 miles on the odometer). It's a beauty!

Apologies in advance for posting yet another tire thread.

I know there are many threads on this subject. Trouble is, each thread is a rabbit hole with conflicting information, and a definitive answer eludes me. My local tire shops aren't keen to help with the project, so i turn to you all for advice.

Here are the parameters of my query:

- the vehicle is an un-modded, and i want to keep the original rims
- I don't plan lifting the vehicle, but love the look of larger KO2s.
- i'm leaning towards 285/65r18. Does anyone have experience / pics of these on a stock 100?

Bonus question:

- I find the running boards to be really ugly and bulky, but my wife and kids like having the step. Can anyone reccommend a discrete replacement? Doesn't need to have "slider" capabilities.

Thank you very much, and once again, sorry for cluttering up the forum!

 

[jLB]

As indicated in this thread, and from my personal experience, 285/65R18 BFG KO2s fit just fine, on an unmodified LX470 , with the factory 18" wheels.

What is the largest tire I can fit with no lift?​

An example picture in that thread (or try searching for "285/65R18 AHC" in this forum):

What is the largest tire I can fit with no lift?

Here you go, fresh installed 285/65/18 ko2s no lift ahc

forum.ih8mud.com

A good place to look for slider/step options:

Slider pic thread

The first modification that I plan on doing to my 06 LC is taking off the steps and purchasing sliders. I have searched through many threads, but have not found exactly what I am looking for which is a slider thread just for pics on members rigs. Anyone have a link to a thread of pictures or...

forum.ih8mud.com

Bump It Off Road or Slee have their "step sliders", others like WKOR have options of partial or full fill plates at a reduced angle.

It's just about time for another one of these "Group Buys":

Metal-Tech 2019 GROUP BUY for Bumpers and Sliders!

Just announced if you are in the market for sliders or bumpers:

forum.ih8mud.com

ARB offers some non-slider steps that look like sliders and cost as much as sliders.

Smittybilt used to have some god awful "nerf bars" (tube steps), that have been thankfully discontinued, I believe.

 

[changingground]

Yes, 283/65-18 KO2s fit. The photo below shows the tires without spacers added. I added Bora wheel spacers @ 1.25” and had to clearance the right pinch weld, but was fine prior to adding the spacers.

with an AHC LX, doing aftermarket sliders or running boards gets into having to work around the AHC components to mount the sliders. The thread referenced above will tell you whose work with AHC. I agree that the stock running boards are cheesy, and easily damaged if you go off road at all. Pick a bolt on slider option for the easiest replacement.

 

[TLC Dan]

Mall Cruiser,
Your best bang for the buck is a set of partial DIY sliders that did a few years ago.

Inexpensive partial DIY slider option

Hello Mudmates, As one of the only possessors of the rare Smittybuilt side bars i have to go another way. The smittybuilts have rusted beyond repair and have been sent to the junk pile. I have located a semi DIY side bar kit to replace the Smittybuilts. Rock Slider Kit 58 I love this option as i...

forum.ih8mud.com

This is not only cheap compared to a slider kit but is strong. It's best attribute is one that i hope i never use. These offer greatly improved side impact protection if i was ever T-boned. I have since bought another kit for my son's 4th gen T4R.....

TLC Dan

 

[johnnyG]

275/70r18 stock height

Same tires with lift, spacers, sliders. I like this size a lot. 33.2” tall vs 32.5” on the 285/65r18. Also a bit narrower, which I like.

 

[ChuckB]

I'm running 275/70/18s and Slee AHC SliderSteps. I have three children under 7 and the Step is perfect, slider is a bonus.

 

[ChuckB]

275/70r18 stock height

Same tires with lift, spacers, sliders. I like this size a lot. 33.2” tall vs 32.5” on the 285/65r18. Also a bit narrower, which I like.

@johnnyG Are you running an AHC lift?

 

[Mall Cruiser]

As indicated in this thread, and from my personal experience, 285/65R18 BFG KO2s fit just fine, on an unmodified LX470 , with the factory 18" wheels.

What is the largest tire I can fit with no lift?​

An example picture in that thread (or try searching for "285/65R18 AHC" in this forum):

What is the largest tire I can fit with no lift?

Here you go, fresh installed 285/65/18 ko2s no lift ahc

forum.ih8mud.com

A good place to look for slider/step options:

Slider pic thread

The first modification that I plan on doing to my 06 LC is taking off the steps and purchasing sliders. I have searched through many threads, but have not found exactly what I am looking for which is a slider thread just for pics on members rigs. Anyone have a link to a thread of pictures or...

forum.ih8mud.com

Bump It Off Road or Slee have their "step sliders", others like WKOR have options of partial or full fill plates at a reduced angle.

It's just about time for another one of these "Group Buys":

Metal-Tech 2019 GROUP BUY for Bumpers and Sliders!

Just announced if you are in the market for sliders or bumpers:

forum.ih8mud.com

ARB offers some non-slider steps that look like sliders and cost as much as sliders.

Smittybilt used to have some god awful "nerf bars" (tube steps), that have been thankfully discontinued, I believe.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I'm going to go with the 285/65R18 KO2s. And i'm going to spend more time thinking about the sliders. Maybe the family will have to live without the sideboards for a while. Good for them to get a little exercise leaping up into the truck!

 

[Mall Cruiser]

Mall Cruiser,
Your best bang for the buck is a set of partial DIY sliders that did a few years ago.

Inexpensive partial DIY slider option

Hello Mudmates, As one of the only possessors of the rare Smittybuilt side bars i have to go another way. The smittybuilts have rusted beyond repair and have been sent to the junk pile. I have located a semi DIY side bar kit to replace the Smittybuilts. Rock Slider Kit 58 I love this option as i...

forum.ih8mud.com

This is not only cheap compared to a slider kit but is strong. It's best attribute is one that i hope i never use. These offer greatly improved side impact protection if i was ever T-boned. I have since bought another kit for my son's 4th gen T4R.....

TLC Dan

Thanks very much for the tip. I'll look into it!

 

[Mall Cruiser]

Yes, 283/65-18 KO2s fit. The photo below shows the tires without spacers added. I added Bora wheel spacers @ 1.25” and had to clearance the right pinch weld, but was fine prior to adding the spacers.

with an AHC LX, doing aftermarket sliders or running boards gets into having to work around the AHC components to mount the sliders. The thread referenced above will tell you whose work with AHC. I agree that the stock running boards are cheesy, and easily damaged if you go off road at all. Pick a bolt on slider option for the easiest replacement.

View attachment 2282014

Looks great. Thanks very much. Will post a pic of my rig when i make the changes.. Take care.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Slee Sliders are wife approved for me. I'd recommend them very highly. Had them on my 99 and it was the first big purchase on my LX.

 

[remac226]

I agree with the Slee sliders. I tried the DIY slider route and ended up scrapping them and ordering Slee. They are pretty much perfect. You won't regret the choice.

 

[jLB]

Slee Sliders are wife approved for me. I'd recommend them very highly. Had them on my 99 and it was the first big purchase on my LX.

I agree with the Slee sliders. I tried the DIY slider route and ended up scrapping them and ordering Slee. They are pretty much perfect. You won't regret the choice.

I'm pretty sure @suprarx7nut is referring to the "Slee SliderSteps", and suspect @remac226 is as well:

SLEE - SliderStep Pair - '98-07 Land Cruiser / Lexus LX 470 with AHC removed - Slee Off Road

Recommended front mud flap removal 2"x3" (3/16" wall) rectangular main slider 1.75" Outer tube Semi gloss black powder coating Bolt on tread plate coated with slip resistant powder coating

sleeoffroad.com

as opposed to the "Slee Slider with Tube Rail":

SLEE - Slider with Tube Rail - '98-07 Land Cruiser / Lexus LX 470 with AHC Removed - Slee Off Road

Features 2"x3" (3/16" wall) rectangular main slider 1.75" Outer tube Powder coated Black Complete rocker panel protection Bolt-on Solution Installs in 1 hour 7/16" U-bolts wrap frame for secure installation

sleeoffroad.com

 

[suprarx7nut]

I'm pretty sure @suprarx7nut is referring to the "Slee SliderSteps", and suspect @remac226 is as well:

SLEE - SliderStep Pair - '98-07 Land Cruiser / Lexus LX 470 with AHC removed - Slee Off Road

Recommended front mud flap removal 2"x3" (3/16" wall) rectangular main slider 1.75" Outer tube Semi gloss black powder coating Bolt on tread plate coated with slip resistant powder coating

sleeoffroad.com

View attachment 2283327​

as opposed to the "Slee Slider with Tube Rail":

SLEE - Slider with Tube Rail - '98-07 Land Cruiser / Lexus LX 470 with AHC Removed - Slee Off Road

Features 2"x3" (3/16" wall) rectangular main slider 1.75" Outer tube Powder coated Black Complete rocker panel protection Bolt-on Solution Installs in 1 hour 7/16" U-bolts wrap frame for secure installation

sleeoffroad.com

View attachment 2283325​

Yes, thank you. Slee SliderSTEPS. I'm not a big fan of the non-step sliders for these rigs. The small bit of extra metal makes the slider WAY more useful and will only be a trail problem about .00000001% of the time. Slider STEPS all the way for me.

 

[johnnyG]

@johnnyG Are you running an AHC lift?

Negative. OME for me...I’m not mechanically inclined and wanted a simple suspension setup, as God intended.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Negative. OME for me...I’m not mechanically inclined and wanted a simple suspension setup, as God intended.

From the Book of 'Lift'icus.

 

[GTV]

Slee Sliders are wife approved for me. I'd recommend them very highly. Had them on my 99 and it was the first big purchase on my LX.

 

[jLB]

Metaltech Slider SALE

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Travis Bickle]

Metaltech Slider SALE

forum.ih8mud.com

This is what I've been waiting for... Got in on the last group buy for the raw steel set and was very happy with them, ended up selling that truck but I need a set for my LX now.

 

[stevenjj71]

Yes, thank you. Slee SliderSTEPS. I'm not a big fan of the non-step sliders for these rigs. The small bit of extra metal makes the slider WAY more useful and will only be a trail problem about .00000001% of the time. Slider STEPS all the way for me.

How do the Slee SliderSTEPS compare to the stock running boards as far as sure-footedness? I find myself wishing the running boards were just a little bit wider - I have a bad ankle and find myself being very careful climbing in and out.

I do want sliders of some sort, but I don't want an option that ends up with me rolling my ankle.