On Road Comfort in the LC200

[Madtiger]

Did it make a big difference in the on road comfort?

Buy a minivan?

 

[Noodleman]

Buy a minivan?

I probably should have, but once I drove the LC, I had to have it.

 

[bloc]

TPMS is a non-issue. As long as your existing transmitters bolt in to the new wheels, no programming is needed and the pressure alarm threshold reset is one button already under the dash.

Even if you need to reprogram the vehicle for new transmitters all you need is a Bluetooth OBD adapter ($20 or less) and a free smartphone app.

 

[Sandroad]

In terms of ride, my '17 really likes weight. When I'm running loaded the ride greatly smooths out. There's also been more than a few times I ran 20 psi in the tires for a few miles to an air station when coming off sand. Now that was smooth! (But not safe). That said, I think the unloaded ride is pretty nice too. My LC is shod with Michelin Defender LTX in P-metric stock size, which is a smooth, compliant tire with excellent all season grip.. I put the Defenders on immediately after purchasing the truck, so I can't compare them to the stock Dunlops. Bottom line, toss a few bags of concrete in the back and enjoy.

 

[asr1]

I find the isolation and ride on my 18-inch equipped, non-AHC KDSS suspension to be super smooth. If anything, a bit more firmness/ feedback would be great

 

[Reckless]

Regarding improved suspension I disagree with everybody, upgraded rear shocks make HUGE difference. Biggest thing is NOT to change rear spring. Custom valved kings are the way to go albeit ridiculously expensive. I love my icons how they eat bumps at high speeds- was joy riding tonight and had cops tail me for miles as I was eating pot holes/bumps at 80mph like they werent even there. They are rough under 30mph as they are valved that way.

Regarding Rock warriors: I strongly recommend them and I'm not selling my spare set of 5. They are superlight and make the vehicle feel super light on its feet. The only wheel that suits the LC imho.

Regarding tires: I strongly recommend michelin highway m+s tire (not sure what they call them nowadays) for comfort. I have a set on my LX470 and smooth like butter all the way to 120mph. I love KO2s for their ruggedness but not as awesome as michelins for highway cruising.

 

[Angelo1]

Two option:

1. ICON 3.0 stage 6 suspension or King custom valved for you. My ICONS ride so much better then stock. OEM cannot take corners with confidence as my ICONs inspire. Also, they are super comfortable on the road and over bumps....at higher speeds. At slow speed, the OEM wins in softness. Tires make a Yuuuge difference. You definitely want a P-metric Highway tire. What are your plans for an LC?

2. Get a Platinum Cadillac. If you’re looking for thee most comfortable ride with decent clearance and pretty reliable to 125k miles, this is it. When I’m in Scottsdale, this is what I drive and I love it for road use and taking friends out in it. I can still take it on gravel/dirt “ranch”roads but just not anything where I need real traction where the LC is much better at. Granted, I could throw on 20” wheels with an A/T and I’d be better off.

 

[Rando Kuruza]

Did it make a big difference in the on road comfort?

Well I added 60lb 10 ply E-rated all terrain BFG Ko2’s with tire inflation of 42psi.. so the ride became worse but that was the tires that I added and I wanted those tires for trails and snow so I knew I was going to get that. If you want a smoother ride a highway tire will give you a smoother ride and more sidewall always gives you a smoother ride. Get a comfortable highway tire and your ride will improve

 

[JohnPW]

A couple of clarifications here: there are no P metric Michelin tires in 275/70r18. There is only one P metric tire in that size, the General APT all terrain tire, and I seriously doubt it would ride softer than an OEM size highway tire. What tires do you have now?

I’ve owned a bunch of body-on-frame SUV’s (4runner, Tahoe, old frame based Explorers etc) and my stock 2016 LC is the best riding of any of them by far. If you are on stock suspension and P metric highway tires like the stock Dunlops (at correct pressure), your on-road ride will not be radically improved by changing wheels tires or suspension. Minor improvements may be possible at big expense, but the ride character of the vehicle will remain.

What did you drive previously? These are trucks, the ride will be different and more “bouncy” than a luxury sedan. You may have picked the wrong vehicle.

 

[Whiskerz]

Michelin Defender LTX tires would make a bigger difference than a suspension change

 

[Madtiger]

Michelin Defender LTX tires would make a bigger difference than a suspension change

If he has STOCK tires, Defender adds nothing to the ride. Defender will last a lot longer and likely be better in bad weather. But in terms of quietness and comfort, Defender will likely be same or slightly worst than stock tires. The stock tires are tuned for LC for its load rating and fuel efficiency.

(Note: i am a BIG fanboy of Defender...but for THIS member‘s question, buying Defender will be a waste of money.)

 

[Milaad]

Those suspension systems are done for a purpose, usually for lift or off-roading. But for city slickers, those suspension systems come with compromises in ride, handling, and safety for that matter. OEM suspension will likely be more comfortable.

I would also add that getting King, Fox or something more complex will require maintenance. First thing I would do is make sure you have the right springs for the weight of your car (something I learned after going down a rabbit hole), then get a good basic shock. I think OME would be great or if Bilstein has something id do that. In keeping up with the ethos of the car if you aren't doing any dune bashing id stay away from anything with a reservoir in order to keep it simple. I bough brand new King 2.5 and they started to leak. This truck is basic for a reason, keeping the suspension that way would ensure long term reliability.

 

[Milaad]

"tarded up" as you put it eh? I'll still toss you a bone.

Are you on stock LC suspension?

It would be rather hard to get a better riding setup short of AHC suspension on the tarded up LX, even with it on 20s. Most every aftermarket suspension utilizes firmer springs. Yes, they use different dampers, but springs are the primary dictator of compliance and ride quality. I don't think one will find a better riding setup than stock.

Airbags are generally fitted to augment the suspension system. That is they can be used to increase spring rate for load handling, but not decrease spring rate. There are some interesting developments out there though and here's one previewed by @Eric Sarjeant

Airbags on a lifted LC

forum.ih8mud.com

That said, you can play with tires for additional compliance. If on AT tires, time to go back to highway tread P-metric tires.

I'm assuming again you're on stock tires? You could go down a wheel size, e.g. 17s Rock Warriors to gain more sidewall. Or go up an aspect ratio from the stock tires, again for more sidewall and compliance. From stock 285/60r18 to a 285/65r18.

And do play with tire pressure as @Madtiger mentioned earlier.

This guy knows whats up! Nice!

 

[Whiskerz]

This thread reminds me of the Land Cruiser and a lot of FJ Cruiser discussions about gas mileage. If you care about mileage Toyota has better options than a big 4 wheel drive. If you care about ride a Avalon or an LX570 might have been a better choice,.

 

[SWUtah]

these 285/55/20’s at 43 psi, on my LX 570 ride super smooth and quiet on comfort mode. BFGATKO2’sshould’ve got an LX 570

 

[Noodleman]

Guys, many thanks to all for the advice, looks like a slightly bigger highway tire on the lower end of the pressure range will be my ticket when it's time to replace the Dunlops. In retrospect, I would still buy the LC over the Lexus. All the extra Lexus fluff is just not for me, especially the electric hatch, I bought a 2017 LC just so I could get the satisfaction of slamming that hatch shut. I can't even do that in my Subaru! Although I do regret not having the softer suspension, but ease of mind is worth a lot too, I just don't get bent out of shape when my kids spill apple sauce in the LC. It's a Toyota and I have no qualms about treating it like one.

 

[mep1811]

Buy a Cadillac for a smooth ride.

 

[SWUtah]

Guys, many thanks to all for the advice, looks like a slightly bigger highway tire on the lower end of the pressure range will be my ticket when it's time to replace the Dunlops. In retrospect, I would still buy the LC over the Lexus. All the extra Lexus fluff is just not for me, especially the electric hatch, I bought a 2017 LC just so I could get the satisfaction of slamming that hatch shut. I can't even do that in my Subaru! Although I do regret not having the softer suspension, but ease of mind is worth a lot too, I just don't get bent out of shape when my kids spill apple sauce in the LC. It's a Toyota and I have no qualms about treating it like one.

I don’t think you did your homework before you bought but you can’t go wrong with the Land Cruiser by the way I’ve never used the electric close option on my LX I just slam the rear hatch I can put heavy truck tires on mine and with a hydraulic suspension it’s still can ride like a Cadillac and no I wouldn’t let a bunch of kids eat and spill crap in my vehicle even a Toyota. enjoy

 

[tbisaacs]

I'm not sure why folks get hung up on power hatch. You can open and close it manually just like a Cruiser.

 

[LBridges]

This thread reminds me of the Land Cruiser and a lot of FJ Cruiser discussions about gas mileage. If you care about mileage Toyota has better options than a big 4 wheel drive. If you care about ride a Avalon or an LX570 might have been a better choice,.

Bought my wife an Avalon Limited Hybrid. Compared to the LC, the Avalon rides smoother at any speed, is quieter at any speed, and gets three times as far on a gallon of gas.

Wife still prefers I drive her around in the LC.