Yezz, another sweet issue. And great to see more 100/LX coverage!
In the follow-up article regarding Christo's LX, there are a couple of errors in there as to upgrades and modifications. For those looking to buy a new rig, or modify their existing 100/LX, I thought I'd point these out as they could make a difference. Please note I'm not trying to be critical. I'm relaying information from my own (and others) experience about our non-LX 100-series model:
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Adjustable Height Control (AHS): The article states a 6-inch spread...."2-inch below centerline to 4-inch above centerline. Lexus (in their specs) claims:
"When it comes time for the inevitable loading and unloading scenarios, you'll thoroughly enjoy the luxury of Adjustable Height Control (AHC), a rather hospitable amenity that permits the LX to be raised 1.6 inches or lowered 1.2 inches."
http://www.lexus.com/models/lx/performance.html
That makes for a 3.8 inch spread. Of that, only 1.6 inches of that is actual suspension lift. So as you see, the LX does not have a 4-inch on-board lift available to it. If I remember correctly, Christo's measurement between his LX and my 100 was under a 1-inch difference (the LX of course having the advantage due to the hydro suspension.). So, under an inch advantage may not be worth the added cost to aquire and modify an LX, nor does this make a big difference toward upsizing to 35-inch tires as the writer says.
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The article states "With a twist of a button, some springs and bars, and you have 35's on OEM wheels"......"Take the same T-bars and OME coils without the hydraulic suspension and you can barely sqeeze 33's on a 100-series."
1. 33-inch tires fit without issue on a STOCK 100. Tons of stock owners are running 33's and 315x75-16 (33's) tires now. One does not need to add Tbars and coils to run 33's.
2. 35-inch tires fit on a non-hydraulic suspended 100 and possibly with easier overall labor and modifications compared to an LX. There are many shops and shade tree mechanics that can do the mods to a 100 to fit 35-inch tires (T-bars, coils, diff lowering etc). To gain the "LX advantage" (of under an inch) one needs to "trick the system". Not sure how difficult that is but there is a need for unique expertise in doing that.
3. Unrelated article issues, though comments regarding the two rigs:
A. Reliability might be an issue on the LX hydro susupension?
B. Cost of the LX hydraulic shocks are extremely high.
C. Advantage of auto ride height control in the LX reardless of load is a plus.
D. A bit more down-travel gained by having the LX hydro suspension.
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The artical states "The Slee bumper is a must if you plan on running 35-inch tires and carrying a spare."
This is not so. A 35-inch spare fits within the stock location under the truck as long as you remove your trailer hitch. If you need to tow, a 35-incher will not fit though a 33" will..
In the follow-up article regarding Christo's LX, there are a couple of errors in there as to upgrades and modifications. For those looking to buy a new rig, or modify their existing 100/LX, I thought I'd point these out as they could make a difference. Please note I'm not trying to be critical. I'm relaying information from my own (and others) experience about our non-LX 100-series model:
********************************
Adjustable Height Control (AHS): The article states a 6-inch spread...."2-inch below centerline to 4-inch above centerline. Lexus (in their specs) claims:
"When it comes time for the inevitable loading and unloading scenarios, you'll thoroughly enjoy the luxury of Adjustable Height Control (AHC), a rather hospitable amenity that permits the LX to be raised 1.6 inches or lowered 1.2 inches."
http://www.lexus.com/models/lx/performance.html
That makes for a 3.8 inch spread. Of that, only 1.6 inches of that is actual suspension lift. So as you see, the LX does not have a 4-inch on-board lift available to it. If I remember correctly, Christo's measurement between his LX and my 100 was under a 1-inch difference (the LX of course having the advantage due to the hydro suspension.). So, under an inch advantage may not be worth the added cost to aquire and modify an LX, nor does this make a big difference toward upsizing to 35-inch tires as the writer says.
********************************
The article states "With a twist of a button, some springs and bars, and you have 35's on OEM wheels"......"Take the same T-bars and OME coils without the hydraulic suspension and you can barely sqeeze 33's on a 100-series."
1. 33-inch tires fit without issue on a STOCK 100. Tons of stock owners are running 33's and 315x75-16 (33's) tires now. One does not need to add Tbars and coils to run 33's.
2. 35-inch tires fit on a non-hydraulic suspended 100 and possibly with easier overall labor and modifications compared to an LX. There are many shops and shade tree mechanics that can do the mods to a 100 to fit 35-inch tires (T-bars, coils, diff lowering etc). To gain the "LX advantage" (of under an inch) one needs to "trick the system". Not sure how difficult that is but there is a need for unique expertise in doing that.
3. Unrelated article issues, though comments regarding the two rigs:
A. Reliability might be an issue on the LX hydro susupension?
B. Cost of the LX hydraulic shocks are extremely high.
C. Advantage of auto ride height control in the LX reardless of load is a plus.
D. A bit more down-travel gained by having the LX hydro suspension.
********************************
The artical states "The Slee bumper is a must if you plan on running 35-inch tires and carrying a spare."
This is not so. A 35-inch spare fits within the stock location under the truck as long as you remove your trailer hitch. If you need to tow, a 35-incher will not fit though a 33" will..
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