Newbie questions.... Let the bashing begin!

[HOJU]

I currently have a 1996 4runner S/C’ed, geared, with armor etc…

Over the last year I’ve been thinking that I want to move on to another vehicle. I’ve always wanted a Land Cruiser so I started to look around and decided that A LC 100/LX 470 would be the way to go for me. I’ve read through the FAQ’s thread, and have checked out Slee’s website and have as many new questions as answers I found. Now understand that I’m coming from the world of 4runners, and obviously there are differences. For example: I know that 3” is a high as you can go with a suspension lift (even with a diff drop) and when I wanted to go up to 35’s I needed to go with a body lift and do slight trimming at the pinchweld. But, It seems that to fit 35’s on a cruiser I only need 3” of lift? Is the S/C for the V8 a dead issue or are they still available? Are they even recommended? For the 4runner It’s recommended to make fuel mods, etc… Is it the same with the V8 charger?

Now I’ve searched, but can’t seem to find clear answers for several other things-

Is regearing necessary to maintain power, especially going up canyons and mountain passes or does the V8's power and torque make up for this? Are wheel spacers required to run 35’s on stock wheels? Are body lifts available? Does anybody make coil spacers or is the only option trimpackers from OME? I’ve got OME HD shocks and coils on my runner now, but I’m a little confused about the lift options for the front, there ARE OME coils? Or is all lift from the torsion bars? On slee’s site it mentions that all info is for the LC only but not for the LX, is this only because of the AHC on the Lexus? What is the best way to lift an LX, Bypass the AHC, or is modifying it the only real way? Would the 1998-99 models with the E-locker be more desirable than a 2000 model? Or does the A-TRAC hold it’s own against a locker? Do all years have the center locking diff?

I know I’ve got many more questions, but can’t think of them all. Thanks for any help and advise you can give me.


Allen-

 

[spressomon]

I currently have a 1996 4runner S/C’ed, geared, with armor etc…

Over the last year I’ve been thinking that I want to move on to another vehicle. I’ve always wanted a Land Cruiser so I started to look around and decided that A LC 100/LX 470 would be the way to go for me. I’ve read through the FAQ’s thread, and have checked out Slee’s website and have as many new questions as answers I found. Now understand that I’m coming from the world of 4runners, and obviously there are differences. For example: I know that 3” is a high as you can go with a suspension lift (even with a diff drop) and when I wanted to go up to 35’s I needed to go with a body lift and do slight trimming at the pinchweld. But, It seems that to fit 35’s on a cruiser I only need 3” of lift? Is the S/C for the V8 a dead issue or are they still available? Are they even recommended? For the 4runner It’s recommended to make fuel mods, etc… Is it the same with the V8 charger?

Now I’ve searched, but can’t seem to find clear answers for several other things-

Is regearing necessary to maintain power, especially going up canyons and mountain passes? Are wheel spacers required to run 35’s on stock wheels? Are body lifts available? Does anybody make coil spacers or is the only option trimpackers from OME? I’ve got OME HD shocks and coils on my runner now, but I’m a little confused about the lift options for the front, there ARE OME coils? Or is all lift from the torsion bars? On slee’s site it mentions that all info is for the LC only but not for the LX, is this only because of the AHC on the Lexus? What is the best way to lift an LX, Bypass the AHC, or is modifying it the only real way? Would the 1998-99 models with the E-locker be more desirable than a 2000 model? Or does the A-TRAC hold it’s own against a locker? Do all years have the center locking diff?

I know I’ve got many more questions, but can’t think of them all. Thanks for any help and advise you can give me.


Allen-

Can't answer the SC question. 35" and 4.88's return the motor/tranny/drivetrain to near stock gear ratio. IMO the 35"/4.88 go hand in hand and are worth every penny and the overall hassle. You will have to put up with some rubbing with 35" and you will have to limit the uptravel in front or trim fenders to suit.

T-bars are your only choice right now and maybe forever (assuming you have a budget in mind).

All years have CDL. I am partial to my triple locked '99: Fewer electronic gismos to fail; simpler overall; less $$$ to purchase (although harder maybe to find a lower mileage rig now). IF (key word IF) I were going to go to '00 or newer I would seriously be tempted to get an '03 purely for the 5-speed tranny. My rig is set up for mostly on-trail/exploring/hunting/fishing/camping use with the resultant off-trail sacrifices factored and realized. I have never driven TRAC so I can not honestly comment on this technology...plenty others here that can chime in on TRAC though. I think TRAC has a definite control and safety advantage along with VSC on icy/snow/rain covered roads. It seems there are more issues (just a casual comment...purely subjective on my part) with '00 and up...

 

[Jim_Chow]

You can't get 4.88's for the 100 w/o doing the 80 series carrier transplant thing. Otherwise, if you had a '03+ w/ 5spd, the diffs are 3.9 while the diffs for the '98-02 are 4.1 since 1st gear on the 5spd is much lower than on the 4spd. You can also get gears in Japan to gear the t-case high down 10% and low down 5%. So combined, you can get about 15% lower gearing in high, which is like going from 31's to 35's.

 

[spressomon]

You can't get 4.88's for the 100 w/o doing the 80 series carrier transplant thing. Otherwise, if you had a '03+ w/ 5spd, the diffs are 3.9 while the diffs for the '98-02 are 4.1 since 1st gear on the 5spd is much lower than on the 4spd. You can also get gears in Japan to gear the t-case high down 10% and low down 5%. So combined, you can get about 15% lower gearing in high, which is like going from 31's to 35's.

Jim, '98-'02 have 4.30 R&P; '03 and up have 4.10 R&P.

 

[Jim_Chow]

Jim, '98-'02 have 4.30 R&P; '03 and up have 4.10 R&P.

Yeah, I just logged back on to correct the error! The 5spd auto turbo diesel is 3.9, 5spd auto/5spd manual/4spd diesel are 4.1, 4spd auto is 4.3 (typing this straight out of LC mag). The 4spd auto's gearing is 2.95, 1.53, 1.00, 0.675 (OD) w/ 2.678 reverse. The 5spd auto is 3.52, 2.042, 1.40, 1.00, 0.716 w/ 3.224 reverse. Looks all all t-cases are 1.00/2.488.

If you want low gears, the 5spd manual '98-02 LC is 4.081, 2.294,1.49, 1.00, 0.881. So it seems there's a significant jump between 3rd and 4th on the 4speed auto, and a big jump between 1st and 2nd on the 5spd manual (I think it's the H-series tranny?). Also note that 1st gear on the 5spd manual is roughly 30% lower than 1st on the 4spd auto! BTW, I bought an 03 since it was the last year the trannies had the ATF dipstick and the first year with the 5spd auto (also, they were Araco-made, if that matters to you).

 

[hoser]

As for wheel spacers on 35's, they are not necessary on many 315's but anything wider will rub the upper control arm. Yes, they do make rear coil spacers other than trim packers. They are the same as used on the 80 series.

The LX is easy to lift, just push a button, get a black box or adjust the AHC sensors. The AHC with stock coils has limited load capacity though, if you want more, you'll have to change out the springs and T-bars or use airbags. The AHC suspension can also be completely removed and standard suspension substituted.

I'm thinking 1.5-2" lift, diff drop bracket, 1" body lift, 35's and 4.88's would make a great set-up. Good suspension down travel, good caster and CV longevity. The only problem is getting the bumpers to line up.

 

[hoser]

Yeah, I just logged back on to correct the error! The 5spd auto turbo diesel is 3.9, 5spd auto/5spd manual/4spd diesel are 4.1, 4spd auto is 4.3 (typing this straight out of LC mag). The 4spd auto's gearing is 2.95, 1.53, 1.00, 0.675 (OD) w/ 2.678 reverse. The 5spd auto is 3.52, 2.042, 1.40, 1.00, 0.716 w/ 3.224 reverse.

Jim, are you sure about those 4-sp (A343F) ratios? I posted different ratios in this thread but couldn't confirm the numbers.

Using either numbers, the 5sp tranny with 4.1 gears will still have a slightly lower 1st gear than the 4sp with 4.88's. You may not even feel the need to regear with the 5-sp.

 

[Jim_Chow]

Jim, are you sure about those 4-sp (A343F) ratios? I posted different ratios in this thread but couldn't confirm the numbers.

Using either numbers, the 5sp tranny with 4.1 gears will still have a slightly lower 1st gear than the 4sp with 4.88's. You may not even feel the need to regear with the 5-sp.

I typed them straight out of the Oct 06 issue of LC mag (there's an article on 100 series LC variations and their differences). The 5spd results are correct for sure, as they are identical to those at http://toyota.jp/landcruiser100/spec/spec/

Hoser, as a followup, I checked toyota's site for the hilux-surf, which is offered with both 5spd and 4spd ECT. The 4spd has ratios of 2.804, 1.531, 1.00, 0.753, so the 4spd A343F ratios I posted sound about right. And yes, you did your math right! For the 4spd, the stock 1st gear is 2.95*4.3=12.685. Regearing the diffs to 4.88 gives 2.95*4.88=14.396. The 5spd stock gives 3.52*4.1=14.432, so the 5speed in stock configuration is slightly lower than the 4speed w/ 4.88 diffs, since the 5speed's 1st gear is 19.3% lower than the 4 speed's 1st gear. The 5spd manual's 1st gear is 38.3% lower than the 4spd 1st gear!! Also, if you had a 5spd manual w/ diesel (stock 3.9 diffs), the gear ratio is 15.9159, which is still lower than the 4speed regearing to 5.29 diffs!! (15.6055)

 

[HOJU]

Hoser- They do make body lifts? who makes them?

T-bars are the only option for a lift in the front? What about the OME303001 that Slee sells? Would those and OME t-bars together give 3" of lift? or greater?

thanks-

 

[hoser]

There are lots of body lift kits made in Japan but they are expensive. Locally, you can get the parts from Roger Brown. He does not have a "kit" yet but will build the parts to spec. You just need to do some measuring.

As for the front suspension, have a look at the IFS travel thread.