Now that I am lined up with Slee to have sliders installed, the next thing I'm looking at is a suspension upgrade. After talking with Amory at Slee I have decided to go with the ARB NitroCharger Sport. The BP-51s are simply more than I need and of course cost more. And, no, I most certainly don't need the Icons! Unlike some, I need to be cost-conscious. 
That said, I will still need to make choices on which setup to get and when to do this. Here is some background. Our 2016 LC was new and purchased August 1. I just crossed over 10K miles. We'll be doing a road trip to Sedona via Moab and other points in Utah and another road trip to the PNW some time over the next 3 or so months. In both cases there may be some mild "off pavement". After those road trips I expect to have about 20K on the stock shocks.
Then later in the Spring we will start doing some trailer towing. Hitch weight runs between 700 and 750 before applying of weight distribution via the hitch.
In terms of weight, no aftermarket bumpers. Passengers when traveling is just myself and my wife. Rear seats removed though I have a couple of DIY drawers in the back so with them loaded they probably offset the weight loss due to the removal of the seats. (I may add the seats back in for the trip to the PNW.)
I probably carry around 100# of recovery and other gear just behind the 2nd row.
So the questions if any of you have experience with this setup.
That said, I will still need to make choices on which setup to get and when to do this. Here is some background. Our 2016 LC was new and purchased August 1. I just crossed over 10K miles. We'll be doing a road trip to Sedona via Moab and other points in Utah and another road trip to the PNW some time over the next 3 or so months. In both cases there may be some mild "off pavement". After those road trips I expect to have about 20K on the stock shocks.
Then later in the Spring we will start doing some trailer towing. Hitch weight runs between 700 and 750 before applying of weight distribution via the hitch.
In terms of weight, no aftermarket bumpers. Passengers when traveling is just myself and my wife. Rear seats removed though I have a couple of DIY drawers in the back so with them loaded they probably offset the weight loss due to the removal of the seats. (I may add the seats back in for the trip to the PNW.)
I probably carry around 100# of recovery and other gear just behind the 2nd row.
So the questions if any of you have experience with this setup.
- "Medium" kit (recommended by Slee for "stock" vehicles) or "heavy" kit due to the need to do towing? (If the Medium is adequate and also an improvement over the stock/original shocks/springs then there is probably not a need for the Heavy kit, right?)
- Do people ever mix the Medium kit in front and the Heavy in back due to the occasional need to support the trailer weight?
- Should I wait until the Spring to change or make the move before our long, mostly-freeway road trips? Would we notice a significant difference on the freeway? Would it be worse on the freeway in terms of comfort for long driving days?
- How long can I go on the "stock"/original shocks? Should I simply wait until after Breckenridge when I can possibly ride in someone else's rig with this system to see how it feels?
Since I had the OME on my 80 and 100, I knew I would get a lift that had a great ride on and off road
I believe the 200 is an immensely capable vehicle but it is initially configured and put on dealership lots with a suspension and wheel/tire package that helps them sell to guys who in many cases also have to get a little buy-in from their wives. This is perfectly fine and understandable but in trying to "thread the needle" between providing a true offroad vehicle that fits with Land Cruiser history AND making sure that the wife is still comfy climbing in and out, toting kids to soccer practice, etc. I feel (personal opinion) that the LC has been a little bit neutered. Let's remember, things like locking differentials, Crawl control, etc. can be turned on and off with a button. But you can't press a button to change the wheels/tires/suspension so the vehicles are delivered with a bit of a mass market appeal (yes, the LC "mass market" is much smaller than others). Long story, short - I wish I would have done this suspension modification sooner but at the same time I feel like I thoroughly understand and appreciate, after 94K miles, what this upgrade does. Waiting for a little while (be it 10K, 40K miles, etc.) lets you get to know your vehicle and understand it which I think will aid you in making the right modification decisions. I considered the BP-51 as well but couldn't justify the price difference. I also like the benefit of having seen others try things first....and the setup I have now is quite common around here and I think it's really been dialed in over the years for the 200 series. You're not experimenting with something that few people have tried before. This setup works!
