Turnkey buying option for used LC + Mods

[Maxwell]

I want to pick up a 2013 or newer LC and have some basic mods done, such as suspension, rims, tires and sliders. My challenge is a combination of lack of time, knowledge and mechanical ability and, especially, lack of LC inventory in my area. I know there are a few dealerships around that will do these modes to new LCs. Does anyone have any suggestions for a shop that would be able to locate a low milage LC, make these modes and then ship it to me?

Reading through these the threads on this site, I can see that most people enjoy the process of building up an LC and even doing the work themselves, so don't judge ...that's just not where I am right now. Any help is appreciated.

 

[afgman786]

Have you looked in the classifieds? Theres a 13 there now modded with what you're asking for.

VDJ200 | LX570

Classifieds : Toyota VDJ200 Land Cruiser / Lexus LX-570

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[mcgaskins]

My absolute favorite part is buying them and then building, so if I can find another stock one for a decent price, you can buy this silver one I just finished about 7 days ago
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[bloc]

My buddy was looking at 100s and there was somewhere in houston listing a handful of modified ones. It seemed they bought them, installed the suspension/armor/etc, then sold on the used market. Not sure if this was Duggy's that radman mentioned, but should be easy enough to find and see if they'd do similar for a 200.

 

[radman]

My buddy was looking at 100s and there was somewhere in houston listing a handful of modified ones. It seemed they bought them, installed the suspension/armor/etc, then sold on the used market. Not sure if this was Duggy's that radman mentioned, but should be easy enough to find and see if they'd do similar for a 200.

could have been this place as well. I know they have a lot of older stuff, but haven't seen them show off any 200s.

Javier's Gulf Coast Crawl Shop

 

[Mogwai]

I'll do it for half the cost of what a professional would charge, and you'll still probably get 75% the quality

 

[bloc]

Used Cars Houston TX | Used Cars & Trucks TX | Roadsters Auto is the place in Houston listing built 100s. I have no affiliation and have ZERO idea how good their work is, but they appear to sell turn-key built 100s so a 200 seems plausible..

 

[RET2]

Probably not want you want to hear but buy the best stock 13 you can find with service records, drive the dickens out of it for 6 months then you will know what you need/want. Two individuals could off road in the same general location but need/want vastly differently modded vehicles.

 

[bloc]

Probably not want you want to hear but buy the best stock 13 you can find with service records, drive the dickens out of it for 6 months then you will know what you need/want. Two individuals could off road in the same general location but need/want vastly differently modded vehicles.

This guy is right.

 

[hickuptruck]

No mechanical ability and not having put the mods on yourself could get you in a pickle when you have a failure of something somewhere. Yeah, wouldn't recommend this route like other posters have said.

 

[pcut]

I found a 100 series in Victoria, TX, had it shipped to Slee in CO who did the whole thing ( bumpers, winch, suspension etc). Easy peasy.

 

[nor_cal_cyclist]

Avoid any Toyota Dealerships offering the menu of build options. The Dealership that I (and several others on the forum) purchased from ended up sending the truck to DSI (ie the wholesale/dealer side of the nationwide Jeep shop: 4WheelParts), instead of doing the work in house using Toyota Tech's/Mechanics. The end result is better for some, but my rear diff was leaking and upon inspection/repair found pinion seal improperly installed and leaking, axle seals improperly installed, and backlash incorrect. Also had the wrong snorkel installed resulting in a replacement fender and MASSIVE grief over additional holes in my a-pillar. Another MUD member had the frame rails tweaked due to over torquing the bolts for the slider install, crushed evap canister during LRA install, and poor quality wiring of accessories.

Best bet is to purchase the truck and personally work with a Toyota Specialty shop (@sleeoffroad in CO, @TRAIL TAILOR in Redding CA, Cruiser Brothers/Valley Hybrids in Stockton CA, @Dissent in Grass Valley CA, Mudrak Custom Cruisers in Sonoma CA, or similar). The specialty shops know our Land Cruisers and will do a good job for you - and stand behind the work they provide. Also nice to get a relationship built with a quality shop that will be needed for trail damage repairs and future mods. Last benefit - you'll probably get to see other Cruisers being worked on and will get ideas for other mods...or even fall in love with another model you "have to have."

Good Luck!!!!

 

[mcgaskins]

Avoid any Toyota Dealerships offering the menu of build options. The Dealership that I (and several others on the forum) purchased from ended up sending the truck to DSI (ie the wholesale/dealer side of the nationwide Jeep shop: 4WheelParts), instead of doing the work in house using Toyota Tech's/Mechanics. The end result is better for some, but my rear diff was leaking and upon inspection/repair found pinion seal improperly installed and leaking, axle seals improperly installed, and backlash incorrect. Also had the wrong snorkel installed resulting in a replacement fender and MASSIVE grief over additional holes in my a-pillar. Another MUD member had the frame rails tweaked due to over torquing the bolts for the slider install, crushed evap canister during LRA install, and poor quality wiring of accessories.

Wow that sounds like a nightmare! I'm sorry to hear that! Did the original dealer and/or shop try to do anything to make right? I know I'm spoiled living about 10 minutes away from Slee, but I can't imagine trusting anyone besides them or someone they recommend turning on wrenches on my Cruiser. The 200 is uncommon enough that even most Toyota dealerships don't have techs who know them, but I wouldn't trust 4wp or their affiliates to do anything on the 200. I'm surprised they'd even accept the work considering they don't really know what they're doing on the platform. A few years back when I had a JKUR, I was at a Jeep specific shop (IMO the best in CO), and they had a new 200 on the rack. I asked how the work was going, and they said it was a nightmare and they were constantly googling and Youtubing stuff because they had no idea how things worked. They do killer work on Jeeps, but I would never bring a Land Cruiser to them.

 

[nor_cal_cyclist]

Wow that sounds like a nightmare! I'm sorry to hear that! Did the original dealer and/or shop try to do anything to make right? I know I'm spoiled living about 10 minutes away from Slee, but I can't imagine trusting anyone besides them or someone they recommend turning on wrenches on my Cruiser. The 200 is uncommon enough that even most Toyota dealerships don't have techs who know them, but I wouldn't trust 4wp or their affiliates to do anything on the 200. I'm surprised they'd even accept the work considering they don't really know what they're doing on the platform. A few years back when I had a JKUR, I was at a Jeep specific shop (IMO the best in CO), and they had a new 200 on the rack. I asked how the work was going, and they said it was a nightmare and they were constantly googling and Youtubing stuff because they had no idea how things worked. They do killer work on Jeeps, but I would never bring a Land Cruiser to them.

@TRAIL TAILOR is currently working on/repairing my 200 (lucky for me - I live 10 mins away from his shop). He spoke to the original dealership, and is forwarding invoices to them. DSI originally rejected the claim, stating the fine print on the half sheet of notebook paper outlining the "LiftShield" warranty and it's requirements were not followed (they wanted to inspect the vehicle before 1000 miles, and I thought they had when the dealership said they went back thru it to recheck the lift/gears/locker after the 500 mile gear break-in). At this point, I do not think this will be coming out of my pocket, as it shouldn't with only 3000 miles on it since I took possession.

I was told (as was other purchasers) that the work would be done at the dealership. I even commented the install price quotes were high, but I'd pay a little more for "Toyota Factory Quality Installs." Having had a FJ40 and FJ80 in the past, I'd never let 4wheelparts do anything beyond installing tires/wheels - and that's only if I specified the wheel, as they messed up my first set on the FJ40 due to improper backspacing. TRE was stronger than the aluminum wheels they installed and shaved off the lip of the wheel when I turned.

Live and learn...

 

[pcut]

Avoid any Toyota Dealerships offering the menu of build options. The Dealership that I (and several others on the forum) purchased from ended up sending the truck to DSI (ie the wholesale/dealer side of the nationwide Jeep shop: 4WheelParts), instead of doing the work in house using Toyota Tech's/Mechanics. The end result is better for some, but my rear diff was leaking and upon inspection/repair found pinion seal improperly installed and leaking, axle seals improperly installed, and backlash incorrect. Also had the wrong snorkel installed resulting in a replacement fender and MASSIVE grief over additional holes in my a-pillar. Another MUD member had the frame rails tweaked due to over torquing the bolts for the slider install, crushed evap canister during LRA install, and poor quality wiring of accessories.

Best bet is to purchase the truck and personally work with a Toyota Specialty shop (@sleeoffroad in CO, @TRAIL TAILOR in Redding CA, Cruiser Brothers/Valley Hybrids in Stockton CA, @Dissent in Grass Valley CA, Mudrak Custom Cruisers in Sonoma CA, or similar). The specialty shops know our Land Cruisers and will do a good job for you - and stand behind the work they provide. Also nice to get a relationship built with a quality shop that will be needed for trail damage repairs and future mods. Last benefit - you'll probably get to see other Cruisers being worked on and will get ideas for other mods...or even fall in love with another model you "have to have."

Good Luck!!!!

Don't forget Cruiser Outfitters in Salt Lake!!

 

[RET2]

A lot of great suggestions put forth here. Unless the race is on for the Mall Cruiser just drive the damn thing and enjoy the journey.