New used LX470, advice on how to do a mild build.

[Zer0]

Okay, so I have a shiney new used 2001 LX470. I've been lurking here for quite a while and read a bit anonymously. I'd like some advice on what I'm thinking of doing with this rig, here is what I'm thinking:

1. ARB Combo Bar for front. Either the 98-01 cruiser or 03+ cruiser one. Both I think require minor modifications.
2. ARB1038 rear bumper. People love to rear end my car, I have no idea why. (or maybe the slee one?)
3. OME 2.5" Lift, with heavy springs.
4. 33"(~) Tires.
5. Remove running boards.
?. Do I need a steering stabilizer ?


For the tires, I'd certainly like to hear some advice. I live in Florida, so there is no Snow, and few rocks. There's mud, dirt, sand, and clay. This is going to be my daily driver but I don't drive all that much (8-10k mi/year).

I'll sometimes tow a trailer that's about 3,200 lbs all said and done.

Any thoughts on the front/rear bumper combos is most welcome. It seems fitting 35" tires is more trouble than I should really go through right at the start, so I'm sticking with what seems a lot more reasonable 33" tires. The TJM T13 bumper looks nice on the web, but I've read it might be structurally weaker than the ARB?

Can I fit 33" tires without the lift temporarily if I'm not getting too crazy offroad? From what I've read it seems to suggest it wouldn't be a problem.

You guys know a lot more about this stuff than I do, so any advice or warnings are most welcome. Thanks !

 

[fireball]

Welcome aboard! Nice build you have planned there. Not sure I'd call that little though

You're on the right track. I'd suggest a BIOR or Slee rear bumper, but that's mainly because I think the ARB is ugly. I do believe the ARB is rated for towing if that is important to you. If you consider the construction and mounting of all 3 I think you'll conclude that all 3 are more than capable to tow what you're doing.

The OME lift with heavy springs is good if you're going to have a rear bumper with a tire on the back. The more weight you have in the back the better if will ride. I've got the heavy springs and they are pretty stiff!

You'll need a diff drop kit but no need for a steering stabilizer IME.

285/75/16 and 295/75/16 will both fit with and without the lift. I got good amount of rubbing wiht the 295/75s before lifting. When it comes time to buy tires again, I'll go with 285/75 or 255/85s. Given your location, I'd suggest Mud Terrains, but the tire debate is whole 'nother ball o'wax!

Post some pics of the new ride and welcome again!

 

[Zer0]

You're on the right track. I'd suggest a BIOR or Slee rear bumper, but that's mainly because I think the ARB is ugly. I do believe the ARB is rated for towing if that is important to you. If you consider the construction and mounting of all 3 I think you'll conclude that all 3 are more than capable to tow what you're doing.

Thanks for the advice! I'll check out the other rear bumpers. I guess all of them provide around the same protection?

The OME lift with heavy springs is good if you're going to have a rear bumper with a tire on the back. The more weight you have in the back the better if will ride. I've got the heavy springs and they are pretty stiff!

You'll need a diff drop kit but no need for a steering stabilizer IME.

Slee site says the OME 2.5 comes with
1 x Slee Diff Drop Kit. Should do the job right?

Thanks for the advice on steering stabilizer.

Any sort of upper control arm (aftermarket) desirable or needed?

285/75/16 and 295/75/16 will both fit with and without the lift. I got good amount of rubbing wiht the 295/75s before lifting. When it comes time to buy tires again, I'll go with 285/75 or 255/85s. Given your location, I'd suggest Mud Terrains, but the tire debate is whole 'nother ball o'wax!

What kind of lift do you have now? I'm guessing you are still getting rubbing with your 295/75/16's even post-lift ? What kind of offroading do you do?

Post some pics of the new ride and welcome again!

I'll get a pic on here when I have light tomorrow. It's bone stock at the moment, though

 

[jemsec]

I have 295 Nitto TG's with the 1.5" OME lift. Have never rubbed and the spare fits perfect.

 

[mcgaskins]

Wait to put on the rear bumper till someone rear ends you. Then use their insurance to do it.

 

[Wasatch Jay]

I have 295 Nitto TG's with the 1.5" OME lift. Have never rubbed and the spare fits perfect.

Do you have a factory receiver hitch, and if so, does your panhard rod contact the spare?

 

[jemsec]

Wait to put on the rear bumper till someone rear ends you. Then use their insurance to do it.

Been waiting on a women on a cell phone to hit me but no luck yet. Will most likely be a concrete truck going 60 mph.

 

[Zer0]

Wait to put on the rear bumper till someone rear ends you. Then use their insurance to do it.

LOL. Awesome suggestion

 

[SWUtah]

Get the Slee step rock sliders. Look great and will provide great protection.

 

[Zer0]

Get the Slee step rock sliders. Look great and will provide great protection.

Thanks for the suggestion, I was wondering if I'd need something there or if I'd be somewhat safe as Florida is pretty flat. The Slidersteps much better than the simple Tube sliders you think from Slee?

I also saw white knuckle offroad seems to have some sliders that look pretty good.

Anyone have opinions on slee v white knuckle?

 

[SWUtah]

Thanks for the suggestion, I was wondering if I'd need something there or if I'd be somewhat safe as Florida is pretty flat. The Slidersteps much better than the simple Tube sliders you think from Slee?

I also saw white knuckle offroad seems to have some sliders that look pretty good.

Anyone have opinions on slee v white knuckle?

Step sliders look better. Easier for someone to use to get in and out of the 100. Both would do the rock sliding job.

 

[Zer0]

Slee sliders it is.

Reading more about lifts I'm more confused than ever. Is it alright to run a ARB(or similar) front & rear bumper with the stock suspension and no lift? This would be with AHC.

Whenever AHC breaks I'll put an appropriate OME lift on. I've read things about bump steer on the 2.5" and rake which is what is causing me concern vs the 1.5" lift.

 

[Sverige]

ARB rear bumper if fugly. BIOR, SLEE or others would be a much better choice.

 

[super90]

Slee sliders it is.

Reading more about lifts I'm more confused than ever. Is it alright to run a ARB(or similar) front & rear bumper with the stock suspension and no lift? This would be with AHC.

Whenever AHC breaks I'll put an appropriate OME lift on. I've read things about bump steer on the 2.5" and rake which is what is causing me concern vs the 1.5" lift.

Load it down with bumpers, sliders, drawers inside, people and gear, and you'll be in the AHC limp home mode. At least that is my friend's experience. Then he made another call to Christo to permanently "fix" that !

 

[Zer0]

ARB rear bumper if fugly. BIOR, SLEE or others would be a much better choice.

BIOR is a great suggestion. I had not heard of them, but looked them up. They even mention the thickness of metal they use right on the page, which is great. Looks good, too!

Load it down with bumpers, sliders, drawers inside, people and gear, and you'll be in the AHC limp home mode. At least that is my friend's experience. Then he made another call to Christo to permanently "fix" that !

I'll try my best(famous last words?) to limit the weight I add to a F/R bumper while I figure out exactly what I want to do suspension wise. I think the thing that confused me is the OME 2.5 lift differs from the 1.5 lift only in the rear springs. So it has a rake/higher back end? That sounds a little...odd.

 

[SWUtah]

Slee sliders it is.

Reading more about lifts I'm more confused than ever. Is it alright to run a ARB(or similar) front & rear bumper with the stock suspension and no lift? This would be with AHC.

Whenever AHC breaks I'll put an appropriate OME lift on. I've read things about bump steer on the 2.5" and rake which is what is causing me concern vs the 1.5" lift.

That's what I did. My AHC started acting up so I drove to Slees shop in Golden Colorado and had him do the OME with the step sliders. I did the 1.5 lift level ride versus the 2 1/2 lift. I am never doing the rear bumper/tire carrier so I don't need the heavy springs in the rear. It's worth the ride to Colorado to have Slee off-road do the work. I'm going back when it's time for my 200k mile service

 

[codertimt]

Load it down with bumpers, sliders, drawers inside, people and gear, and you'll be in the AHC limp home mode. At least that is my friend's experience. Then he made another call to Christo to permanently "fix" that !

Yep. If you are wanting to go the route of keeping AHC you need to search out some of the AHC lift threads. Basic answer is that once you have all the extra weight stock non ahc rear springs and torsion bars end up working for folks to keep proper neutral pressures and a functional system. Or rip it out and put in a standard lift...which is what most do.

As for lifting in general...the only thing that gets replaced is the rear springs. Lift in the front is accomplished via torsion bar adjustment. Again you'll want to research it out but generally lift the front too much and you end up with poor handling characteristics and lack of down travel...so yes with 2.5" rear springs you generally end up with more rake...

 

[Zer0]

Time for some pics !

Stock
A closeup of the new tires
And then without running boards + new 33" tires.

I think it looks every bit as awesome as I'd hoped. Next stage
will be a little more time (and money) consuming.

 

[Zer0]

Ordered 2003+ ARB Bumper
BIOR Rear bumper w/Tire carrier & Ladder
BIOR Sliders

Can't wait until they arrive! Also Mike from BIOR is a real
pleasure to deal with.

Right now it's in the shop getting a oil leak(valve cover) repaired
and a torn CV boot. Both were known issues when I purchased
the vehicle.

 

[fireball]

Excellent choices and I agree that Mike is an awesome guy! You'll be very happy with that rear bumper. Your AHC on the other hand may not be so happy about it