Thinking of lifting the LC, need assurances for the spouse

[Adam R]

O.K. heres the deal. I took the wifes LC out last night in the snow and ice to find out the tires she's running rank right up there with racing slicks.

Thinking the time is ripe to spring for better and bigger tires, I mention that I'm thinking of putting a lift on at the same time.

Now keep in mind, we had a child 10 days ago so the current state of emotions are all over the map. Anyway, I get a teary eyed request to leave her car alone and to go work on my jeep instead.

My plan is run 295 75R 16's with about 2 inches of lift and to re-gear to 4.88's sometime thereafter since we live at 7000 feet.

Reassure me one more time that I won't get teary eyed complaints that I ruined her nice car by lifting it and putting larger tires on it.

We do explore the moderate back country of Colorado with it from time to time, but we use the jeep for the more extreme off-roading.

Thanks,

Adam

 

[e9999]

no, no, no, you are just putting better snow tires on to protect the family...!

It's only later that you realize you need the lift to protect the fenders from the bad mean tires...!


sheesh.....









real tech content: you can start with the tires, no lift, I think 295s should be OK, will be easier on her and the small baby. Remember lift and big tires = hard to get in. Be nice, she did all the work!

 

[Jim_Chow]

I'd get an extra set of wheels and good snow tires like Blizzaks. A lift = higher center of mass = more unstable. I went through the entire lift/regear thing on my 4runner 5 yrs ago...ended up spending more $$$ than originally anticipated. Rig drives better OFFROAD and visibility is better (higher), but on the road, the springs are too stiff, had to redo the brakes due to the bigger tires, rig is much more difficult to get into w/ the sliders so high, etc. I think your wife will be unhappy if she's accustomed to the plush OEM ride ONROAD. Your LC will easily handle anything less than the most hardcore roads in CO. I found my limitation was more the size of the vehicle rather than suspension/ground clearance issues (some of those trails get narrow, and roadside vegetation can scrape your paint up). Still, doing stuff like Schoffield pass near Crested Butte was no sweat for the stock LX, and that's w/ 18" stock wheels not aired down and no center diff lock on, 9 month old in the child seat. For gnarly stuff like that road coming out of Telluride, I think you need a short wheelbase vehicle like a LC70, toyota 4wd mini (they're narrow). Even a FJ Cruiser is pretty wide.

 

[calamaridog]

You can mount some 285 75 r16's without a lift. I'd get some all terrains like the Bridgestone REVO AT or the Nitto Terra Grapplers. The other option mentioned was a second set of wheels and some snow tires. Both options sound good.

2" of suspension will not make your wife happy when she's trying to get your baby in the carseat.

 

[redandtootall]

Last Monday night my wife and I rescued a 90 year old woman named Ethel during a snow storm here in Issaquah, Wa. Ethel wrecked her car; she was fine from the accident but was standing out in the storm when we found her. She bitched, as we drove her to her home, about the 3inch lift I have on my FJ60; it was too hard for her to get in. I mention this because your probably going to get more complaints that outweigh the benifit from those extra couple of inches. Do yourself a favor and get some snowchains.

 

[jditom]

Forget the lift and get some snow tires. (Nokian, Blizzaks) This is the best and safest option for your family. Higher center of gravity will not help in the snow or geting your baby in and out of the rig.

Sell your jeep and get an 80 series that you can do the fun stuff to

Well you asked

 

[Greg B]

Not only will your wife probably not like climbing in and out with a 2" lift, she will hate it even more trying to get a baby in and out of a carseat all the time. Ask me how I know...

Skip the lift and put on 285's; the peanut gallery has spoken.

 

[bull]

Last Monday night my wife and I rescued a 90 year old woman named Ethel during a snow storm here in Issaquah, Wa. Ethel wrecked her car; she was fine from the accident but was standing out in the storm when we found her. She bitched, as we drove her to her home, about the 3inch lift I have on my FJ60; it was too hard for her to get in. I mention this because your probably going to get more complaints that outweigh the benifit from those extra couple of inches. Do yourself a favor and get some snowchains.

Lol, I was pulling people up the hill in my 100 after the Seahawks game..

98% of the people who ride in our 100 do not have a problem getting in. I have a lift with 315's

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

<snip>
We do explore the moderate back country of Colorado with it from time to time, but we use the jeep for the more extreme off-roading.

Thanks,

Adam

You dont "need" anything but a stock 100 to do the moderate back country of Colorado. We have used my wife's stock 100 and done Black Bear, Imogene, and several other passes/trails in Colorado with no problems.

Now if you want to just mod it thats a different story.

 

[jditom]

Lol, I was pulling people up the hill in my 100 after the Seahawks game..

98% of the people who ride in our 100 do not have a problem getting in. I have a lift with 315's

True fact but what is the point if it's the wife's DD. 315 and a lift will not make it better in the snow. It will only make it worse. If you want max snow traction and safety then narrower tire with low center of gravity will handle the best.
But of course it won't look as good

 

[bull]

True fact but what is the point if it's the wife's DD. 315 and a lift will not make it better in the snow. It will only make it worse. If you want max snow traction and safety then narrower tire with low center of gravity will handle the best.
But of course it won't look as good

It handles no different than my 80 with 315s and my 40 with 33x9.50sx15s in 4high. I disagree with the center of gravity, physically makes 0 difference with a 2.5 lift. The weight and all wheel drive help the most lift or looks regardless. The old lady and I were taking out different rigs and seeing which one worked the best. It was a tie between the 80 and 100.

So back on topic. If you want to lift your rig go for it. Is their anyone nearby that can take you and the old lady for a spin that would be the best. That or I can measure how high the floor board is to see if it is going to be the issue.

The biggest thing that will help with snow and ice traction in order. Chains, Studs, Siping, air pressure


Warning it is a slippery slope once you get started

 

[Adam R]

I think some good points are possibly being missed. The CG will go up with a lift, but with the mushy stock suspension, this thing corners like a bread truck. I think lifted it would handle better than stock. Would you agree, or is the ride going to be too harsh?

I think the LC is too low as it is. Wife is about 5'8" and I'm 6'4" on a good day. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if was 3.5 inches taller, but unfortunately, my feelings are not at stake here.

Snow chains are not practical for daily driver. The tires it is running are some older Dunlops and my 35 inch MTR's are superior to the Dunlops at this time on snow and ice and they shouldn't be. I'm going to run BFG AT's as the tire of choice for the LC.

The long range plan was to mod the LC as we outgrow the jeep (which is happening quickly). I just want to accelerate things a little.

Also, without the lift, I can't add custom bumpers and airbags to the rear to make the vehicle a little more versatile as a towing vehicle.

In the end, unless the ride is going to be adverse, (feel free to comment) I think I'll move ahead with the lift and 295's.

Adam

 

[bull]

Adam where are you located when you are back in the states?

 

[uzj100]

How tall is your wife? My wife can tell the difference between our stock 00 with stock michelins and our stock 99 with 285s. If you go higher, she will not like it at all. Wait a few year until the child can climb in and out on their own. Ask me how I know? I have to small children.

It is the extra effot needed to reach in and over to secure the child in the car seat, not really the getting in and out.

ujz100

 

[Adam R]

I'm back in Colorado for the duration. I need to update my profile.

Adam

 

[jditom]

I think some good points are possibly being missed. The CG will go up with a lift, but with the mushy stock suspension, this thing corners like a bread truck. I think lifted it would handle better than stock. Would you agree, or is the ride going to be too harsh?

I think the LC is too low as it is. Wife is about 5'8" and I'm 6'4" on a good day. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if was 3.5 inches taller, but unfortunately, my feelings are not at stake here.

Snow chains are not practical for daily driver. The tires it is running are some older Dunlops and my 35 inch MTR's are superior to the Dunlops at this time on snow and ice and they shouldn't be. I'm going to run BFG AT's as the tire of choice for the LC.

The long range plan was to mod the LC as we outgrow the jeep (which is happening quickly). I just want to accelerate things a little.

Also, without the lift, I can't add custom bumpers and airbags to the rear to make the vehicle a little more versatile as a towing vehicle.

In the end, unless the ride is going to be adverse, (feel free to comment) I think I'll move ahead with the lift and 295's.

Adam

Well thats a different story! Wait 6 month until post partum hormones normalize. Then proceed with lift and tires. Make sure you keep those POS running boards or get some slider that your wife can step on without slipping off. Sell the heep and get a set of snow tires for winter. All reviews of A/T tire are just not as good as snows. And you are living in snow country

 

[Josh9180]

I say lift it. the stock suspension is too soft. with the ome 1.5 springs in the rear and torque the torsion bars up in the front the ride of the vehicle improves drastically and it is the easiest lift i have ever installed. the one i lifted i took the factory running boards off and it looked amazing, but i wouldnt reccomend that for you.

 

[alaskacruiser]

Unless you plan to do some hardcore trails with it, sounds like a good set of new tires (285s) and no lift would be best since it sounds like a soccer-mom rig. You will get complaints about the lift and it sounds like there is no need for it anyway. If you think the ride is too mushy, just get stock-height OME springs and shocks. And the 285s will at least give you a little of the lift you wanted without making it impractical for the wife and kid.

 

[Jim_Chow]

Or you could get snow tires and Bilstein shocks. The Bilsteins are supposed to firm up the ride.

 

[spressomon]

Or you could get snow tires and Bilstein shocks. The Bilsteins are supposed to firm up the ride.

I 2nd this.