Newbie alert (Longtime stalker) (1 Viewer)

[FerzLC]

So here it goes.....

Grew up around LC's friends had them (in Sonoma, hungout at Mudraks shop a few times in my teens early 20's) and I could never afford one.. Fast Forward to my late 20's (2006) married with two kids needed a new a new car, traded in my 2001 Tacoma for a new FJ. Had it about a year, then got divorced.Neither us could afford the payments, so away the FJ went. .
Fast forward even further to the present. Married to wife #2 two more kids. Had a car on lease to trade back in and need a big vehicle, ended up with a 2013 YukonXL. Was in the market to buy a new house and decided against it due to the inflated market. So then I had a wonderful idea, get the vehicle I always wanted (and had for a brief moment), an LC. So the sure began, looked for a few months and finally found one in AZ. One owner, bought and babied at the local stealership, and never been off-road(wife LC). Flew down and drove it home. 2013 with 82,000miles. looked brand new underneath.

So now had it for a few months and need new tires. Going with KO2's 285/65 on stocks. Will be 80% road with lots of Tahoe trips (family loves the snow) and 2-3 off road trips a year. Would like to keep it as stock as possible.

So....

1. Tires. Painting the stocks satin blk.
2. Sliders. WK or Slee.
3. Shocks. lift?. Not sure.
4. Roof rack.

Questions.

1. Painting the stock rims. Is powder coating really worth it? or can I just can them with auto paint?
What about the center caps? Any ideas?

2. I know what sliders I want so lets move to 3. My LC seems a little rough. is it the shocks? If so any suggestions on a new set(upgrading), while keeping it stock height.

4. WOW theres a lot of choices. My criteria is: being able to put a big Ol box up there. Have six of us sometimes on road trip.


Well ya all, I think that is it. Thanks for all the help so far with all the great posting, I look almost daily. Have had to us a few post already.
Al just glad to finally have my dream car. Picture to follow, with new shoes

 

[Tim Foil]

Welcome. Embrace the LC addiction. These are great vehicles for reliability, family comfort and exploring off road.

 

[Sandroad]

Cool, another one out of the shadows and into the light! I can only help with question 4: you can put a HUGE box on the factory roof rack if you want to! No need for a new rack for that, unless you have other reasons.

 

[TonyP]

Why are you limiting yourself only to Slee or WK sliders?

 

[FerzLC]

Cool, another one out of the shadows and into the light! I can only help with question 4: you can put a HUGE box on the factory roof rack if you want to! No need for a new rack for that, unless you have other reasons.

Thanks. Will keep the stock roof rack. I'm was thinking that I could hold more weight with a different rack. Any one have any suggestions or otherwise?

 

[FerzLC]

Why are you limiting yourself only to Slee or WK sliders?

Not limited to either one of those. Would be open to others. Liked the WF because of the kick out for the kids getting in the back and the fact shipping would be cheap. Somewhat close if I wanted to pick them up as well. Slee because I like the profile and seems like the favorite. Like I said open to others. Feel green to convince me

 

[Citius]

Check out Budbuilt sliders as well. They also come with the kickout and optioned as you want.

You can powder coat your wheels or you can look for a set of Rock Warriors on Craigslist or ebay.

Look at a roof top cargo box for covered storage. I have a Yakima Spacecase and a Thule hitch cargo carrier for those overloaded family trips and I couldn't be happier. A roof rack is on my hit list, but I'll get sliders before a rack.

If you're towing a beefed up rear end might help with airbags.

Read as many of these old posts as possible. There is so much information and tips out there. I'm new here too so I know how you feel.

Prioritize your list based on your lifestyle and needs. You'll figure it out quick.

 

[TeCKis300]

Thanks. Will keep the stock roof rack. I'm was thinking that I could hold more weight with a different rack. Any one have any suggestions or otherwise?

The stock rack is quite beefy. I say most people upgrade for the style. But I have an LX so I don't care for a safari looking rack. I added another OEM cross rail for a total of 3, to have more flexibility in carrying stuff. Had cross rails left over from my 100-series. Cut ~15mm off it width wise and it fits like a charm.

 

[TonyP]

Not limited to either one of those. Would be open to others. Liked the WF because of the kick out for the kids getting in the back and the fact shipping would be cheap. Somewhat close if I wanted to pick them up as well. Slee because I like the profile and seems like the favorite. Like I said open to others. Feel green to convince me

I'm not a salesman so convincing isn't my thing. I know my Trail Tailor sliders have taken a beating and have held up and are less expensive than some others. I personally would go with these again or Bud Built. Just my opinion though.

Note my post here.

200 series picture thread

 

[FerzLC]

Check out Budbuilt sliders as well. They also come with the kickout and optioned as you want.

You can powder coat your wheels or you can look for a set of Rock Warriors on Craigslist or ebay.

Look at a roof top cargo box for covered storage. I have a Yakima Spacecase and a Thule hitch cargo carrier for those overloaded family trips and I couldn't be happier. A roof rack is on my hit list, but I'll get sliders before a rack.

If you're towing a beefed up rear end might help with airbags.

Read as many of these old posts as possible. There is so much information and tips out there. I'm new here too so I know how you feel.

Prioritize your list based on your lifestyle and needs. You'll figure it out quick.

Thanks Cutius. BudBuilds are BEEFY. I like that. Might get the plates as well.

Will keep the rack on your advice. Need to upgrade my rearend. I will be towing 26' Airstream on the regular. Weights somewhere around 4000lbs.

Thanks again. I'm an addicted to the site already some much to read and think about alll the money I can spend

 

[FerzLC]

The stock rack is quite beefy. I say most people upgrade for the style. But I have an LX so I don't care for a safari looking rack. I added another OEM cross rail for a total of 3, to have more flexibility in carrying stuff. Had cross rails left over from my 100-series. Cut ~15mm off it width wise and it fits like a charm.

Thank you. I will be doing upgrades for function first. The style in a few years after I break it in a bit.

 

[FerzLC]

I'm not a salesman so convincing isn't my thing. I know my Trail Tailor sliders have taken a beating and have held up and are less expensive than some others. I personally would go with these again or Bud Built. Just my opinion though.

Note my post here.

200 series picture thread

Great. Now I'm
Really torn lots of options, opinions, and salesmen. I will add TT to the list.

 

[FALKOR8]

Welcome! As a fellow lurker, i can tell you that I've been noodling the same thing as you! Specifically #4. I have a little bit of experience here as I own a relatively large THULE box (Ascent 1500 Roof Box, 15CU feet) which only takes up about 3/4 the length of the roof. Because of my growing family and our outdoor activities, I've recently started looking at the THULE Motion XT XL, which has an 18 CU capacity and is the largest one that would fit our 200 according to THULE.com (I'm not by any means associated with THULE, its just what i'm familiar with).

For off-road use (Jerry cans/rotopax, Jack, ax, recovery trax, awning and maybe RTT) I'm currently working with Front Runner Outfitters down here in SoCal on getting a strap-on Slimline II System that wont cover my sunroof. Why Strap-on Slimline II? Cause the current options are permanently mounted whole roof or half roof (i'm not ready to commit), and because the box is just too damn useful!

 

[Citius]

Towing 4k is light duty and maneuvering a 24' boat trailer is easy for the LC.

You'll need some stabilizer for your rig though. Just make sure your trailer brakes are in good shape. I ended up with all new rotors and pads on all 4 corners and it feels so much better than stock.

Wait until the summer is over and you'll see a bunch of boxes come up for sale on Craigslist. Packasport also makes some really nice boxes that you can get for cheap off season. searchtempest.com

 

[FerzLC]

Welcome! As a fellow lurker, i can tell you that I've been noodling the same thing as you! Specifically #4. I have a little bit of experience here as I own a relatively large THULE box (Ascent 1500 Roof Box, 15CU feet) which only takes up about 3/4 the length of the roof. Because of my growing family and our outdoor activities, I've recently started looking at the THULE Motion XT XL, which has an 18 CU capacity and is the largest one that would fit our 200 according to THULE.com (I'm not by any means associated with THULE, its just what i'm familiar with).

For off-road use (Jerry cans/rotopax, Jack, ax, recovery trax, awning and maybe RTT) I'm currently working with Front Runner Outfitters down here in SoCal on getting a strap-on Slimline II System that wont cover my sunroof. Why Strap-on Slimline II? Cause the current options are whole roof or half roof, and because the box is just too damn useful!

View attachment 1498906

Thank you. Been lurking for a while. I have never been so excited to spend money.
I'm going with Yakima. Hear their CS is the best. Hopefully I can get their biggest box on top.
I like the fact of having the sunroof exposed, but not a deal breaker. Just need to get all our stuff on board. Usually end up renting a Uhaul box trailer to fit all the family stuff on camping trips.

Thanks again for the welcome. I'll look into Slimline

 

[FerzLC]

Towing 4k is light duty and maneuvering a 24' boat trailer is easy for the LC.

You'll need some stabilizer for your rig though. Just make sure your trailer brakes are in good shape. I ended up with all new rotors and pads on all 4 corners and it feels so much better than stock.

Wait until the summer is over and you'll see a bunch of boxes come up for sale on Craigslist. Packasport also makes some really nice boxes that you can get for cheap off season. searchtempest.com

Towing the Airstream felt fine. Going up inclines and down was fine. It does have stablizers and I'm sure made a difference going 70mph. Oops.

Have a discount for Yakima boxes. So just waiting till I save some more money after buying shoes. $1700 for 285/65 was a hard hit.

Thanks for the info