New Snottsdale Offroader

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A

AZLX450

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Threads
3
Messages
16
Hey guys, I'm new to the offroading game and thought I'd start off by doing things the right way and buy a 97 LX450. I got one out of Kalifornia with about 106k miles and in perfect shape, no rust, no real offroad use and all the maintenance records. It also has factory lockers. So far I've done some work in getting this thing set up but I'm nowhere near where it needs to be.

So far I've installed an ARB front bumper, Warn XD 9000 winch, a really big custom roof rack built by a guy who goes by Blackout up in Flagstaff, 2 lights in the ARB and 4 lights on the roof rack. I've ordered a set of sliders from 4X Innovations and they should arrive any day. I'll get them painted and installed asap.

The only thing I'm waiting on now is the 3" kit from Frankies OffRoad. He says he'll have them in stock by the middle of October, but he might have one for me as soon as next week. I'll also put a set of 315 BFG ATs on it. I'm still debating on the tires, but I've always had pretty good luck with the BFG products.

What I'm looking for now is a good mechanic to help me install the lift kit when it finally comes in. Do you guys have any recommendations? Maybe a couple of you that know what you're doing and are willing to earn some cash on a weekend? Any thoughts and comments are definitely welcome.

I'll post up some pictures as soon as I have some that are worth while. As it sits right now its just a semi factory looking rig with a roof rack, lights and ARB that I'm sure you've all seen a hundred times before.

Thanks for all your input in advance.:beer:
Cheers,
J.P.H.
 
Welcome! Sounds like you've already contracted an acute case of modifitis. Unfortunately it's incurable, and the symptoms just become more expensive over time. The prognosis isn't good...

Oh, btw - I don't think the picture excuse is gonna be good enough for these guys. They don't seem to be able to function without visual stimulation, deprive them of pretty cruiser pictures for long enough and they'll just get restless and unintelligible. Best to just appease them with a few teaser pics. To be safe.
 
Just make sure to at least take the 'before' pics, and post 'em up later. :D

Welcome.

-Spike
 
You should consider ditching the BFGs for Nitto Terra Grapplers.:hhmm: Several of use have had great luck with them. IMO its a better tire and its cheaper. I beat the snot out of my first set for 50k and they are still round and holding air.
 
The good thing about BFG's if you buy them from Discount Tire is you will never have to buy another set. Just keep getting them changed out under warranty because it seems like they always blow/rip/etc before they ware out.

I don't run BFG's!!!
Ask Pasquel what he thinks of BFGs, I use to run them too but got tired of changing tires.
 
Some before pics

At the suggestions of those who are far wiser than I am, here is a picture to remind you guys what one of these things looks like before nuts like us get their hands on them. It is so pretty and nice that one can hardly believe that we abuse them like red headed step children. A grocery getter with locking diffs. Who'd have thunk.

I'll post some "after" pictures sometime soon. Heck, I'll take some pictures and post them up as the progress crawls along.

Great news, FedEx showed up today with my sliders. Now I just have to get them prepped and painted and installed.

Next up will be the lift from Frankies. Hopefully it arrives sooner rather than later because the factory suspension is really sagging with the extra weight. I'll soon have the world's first off road low rider.

JPH
DSC_0007 smaller.webp
 
Chrome rims? That thing will never wheel. :D

-Spike
 
Update

Ok guys, here is an update on my project. Everything so far has worked out well (meaning I haven't screwed anything up, yet). The lights all work and turn night into day, the roof rack installed perfectly, the arb went on like a charm, the winch fits just right and the sliders are perfect. I had 4X Innovations make the sliders for me and I asked that they be made flat, rather than at an angle. I also asked them to put expanded steel on them so they'd be easier to stand on. They look like a glorified running board, but they do a great job and I'd highly recommend them.

The only thing I'm waiting on now is the 3" kit from Frankies Off Road. I've talked with Frankie a couple of times and he's a first class dude who really knows his stuff. His Generation 2 springs are a true progressive rate spring that are supposed to be unbelievable. From someone else that has actually run the Gen II springs, I've been told that it should ride as nice (or pretty close) on road as my 2006 LX470 and will flex as well or better off road than any other spring out there. Sounds like the perfect spring to me. I'm just waiting for these things to come in and then I'll be able to give a full write up. I've also taken to heart the advice of some of the guys on this forum and I'll go with the Nitto Terra Grapplers rather than the BFG. They will be in the 315/75/R16 variety. I'm sure I'll then be regearing the beast.

Here are a couple of pictures of the LX450 as she currently sits. I'll put up some more as I get the lift and tires on.

Cheers,
JPH
LX 450 10-27-08 002.webp
LX 450 10-27-08 003.webp
LX 450 10-27-08 005.webp
 
Slee makes some end caps for the front flares that while overpriced do a great job of finishing off the front fender flares when taking the running boards off.


BTW looks great!!
 
I'd love to go on that run but unfortunately I'll be in the Superstition Mountains on an annual horseback ride. I'm definitely in for future runs. As soon as I get the lift kit installed I'll be even more anxious to ride. I'm a little worried with my rig off road right now. The suspension is still factory and I've added a bunch of weight. It is more like a low rider than the off road beast it will soon be.
 
Free stuff

Guys, I have the factory front bumper and running boards that I'd like to offer to anyone who would like them. Free to anyone who is willing to pick them up. I live in north Scottsdale. Send me a PM and we can make the arrangements if you are interested.
 
ShottsUZJ100 said:
And BFG AT KO and MT KM2 are worth their premium price in gold. There is a reason they dominate the marketplace, sales-wise.
Click to expand...

Only if you want to pay a bunch of money for junk:bang::bang:

Out of all my wheeling experience the only side walls I have ever blown are BFG's and I know a lot of people that would back me up on that one.....ask Pasquel for one (desertdude)

:deadhorse::popcorn::doh:
 
clarkrw3 said:
Only if you want to pay a bunch of money for junk:bang::bang:

Out of all my wheeling experience the only side walls I have ever blown are BFG's and I know a lot of people that would back me up on that one.....ask Pasquel for one (desertdude)

:deadhorse::popcorn::doh:
Click to expand...

Noted, however different folks have varied experiences and overall there is a reason why BFG AT and MT are the choice for the vast percent of the marketplace. If the AT AND MT were "junk" they not "own" the market.

Many factors can play a part in sidewall damage. Most of the flats I've seen were due to driver error (not careful, too fast, not paying attention). Note that I said "most" and not "all".
 
The vast majority of the market doesn't wheel there junk! The "vast majority" drive heeps so I better get one of those too.

Not that MTR's are the end all but I have wheeled my sets of MTR's harder than any other off road tires I have ever had (WAY HARDER) and I have had no where near the trouble I have had with BFG's in the past. And BFG was all I used from high school until the past 4 years.

Maybe it's because I have become such an excellent wheeler now...you know NEVER have driver error etc. :flipoff2:
 
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