wanted a lc ended up with lx.. mistake????

[LCHardriver_02]

^^ You have no faith in Christo...

I know that 2-3" is normal, but we are talking about SLEE! You should go back and review the 100 series with the solid axle thread! WHAT A BUILD! That is kinda what "I" am expecting from Christo!

 

[Markuson]

^^ You have no faith in Christo...

I know that 2-3" is normal, but we are talking about SLEE! You should go back and review the 100 series with the solid axle thread! WHAT A BUILD! That is kinda what "I" am expecting from Christo!

Haha! Well sure... I think you're referring to the Blueberry, where they built in a standard axle into the front of a 100 series and it was a total monster?

I'm referring to customer lifts though. For those, I actually appreciate the fact that Slee doesn't push people to do more than they actually can use & service.

My impression with their LX purchase was more related to having a shop vehicle they could base regular mods on...such as the new 2nd battery tray I just ordered from them. They had installed one on the LX, and I assume the upcoming type 31 battery tray used the LX as a model.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

More to the point... Looking at the graphic that I posted, you can see that the AHC uses most, if not all, of the frame's outside surface for mounting of the AHC components, plus the hydraulic lines. I was very surprised to find it done this way. I was expecting them to be mounted on the interior surface, which would have allowed weld-on sliders.

 

[Markuson]

More to the point... Looking at the graphic that I posted, you can see that the AHC uses most, if not all, of the frame's outside surface for mounting of the AHC components, plus the hydraulic lines. I was very surprised to find it done this way. I was expecting them to be mounted on the interior surface, which would have allowed weld-on sliders.

Ya. What a pain. I suspect they figured most who wanted to mod the thing would buy the LC anyway...

I don't have an LX, but I'm curious how tough it would be to remove the AHC system and just install a regular lift...

 

[mtnracer]

Ya. What a pain. I suspect they figured most who wanted to mod the thing would buy the LC anyway...

I don't have an LX, but I'm curious how tough it would be to remove the AHC system and just install a regular lift...

If you really want to add sliders to an LX, wouldn't it be cool to find a way to re-route the hydraulic lines and retain AHC? Seems like a better solution for LX owners than tearing it out.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

Well, you would never get back some of what you have by just removing the AHC. The KDSS would never mount up, electronically anyways. But you could remove it all and go with a standard OME type lift suspension, but again... if I were to do this, do it to an LC and keep your KDSS.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

Sorry... you posted before I had a chance to respond earlier.

Yeah, I have thought of parts relocation too, originally thinking of just having to relocate a few items, but once I saw this, I was like "Oh, this will be a huge pain!", so I never gave it another thought. Plus, I have off roaded with the AHC and it was quite nice even without the sliders.

I have since made the decision to keep my 100 series for harder stuff.

 

[Markuson]

Sorry... you posted before I had a chance to respond earlier.

Yeah, I have thought of parts relocation too, originally thinking of just having to relocate a few items, but once I saw this, I was like "Oh, this will be a huge pain!", so I never gave it another thought. Plus, I have off roaded with the AHC and it was quite nice even without the sliders.

I have since made the decision to keep my 100 series for harder stuff.

With your AHC present, can you still install new suspension as you would without it? Such as BP-51, etc.? I mean... is the ride height adjusted via the mounting points? ...or within shocks themselves? Or could you change the coilovers, etc. within the system? Just curious, as I will never own an LX... just find it interesting.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

It uses hydraulic actuators for the shock absorbers, allowing the suspension to sit at multiple heights. Because of this, I would expect that the BP-51, or similar options would have to replace the full AHC system and not work together. I'm not an expert, but it does make sense that the remote reservoir shocks on the BP-51 system would basically eliminate the use of the AHC.

 

[rhllc]

For camping and her daily driving, particularly if she likes it, you didn't make a mistake. When driving difficult trails is more important than camping, there are much easier and cheaper approaches to make a serious offload vehicle than hacking on an LX.

I left my LX alone and never regretted it. The LX is pretty impressive offload stock. The AHC really does work. It gives you a lift when you need it and a great ride on the highway. Great truck for camping out of. I got a LC the 2nd time around and do miss the AHC at times. The LX with AHC is a better ride on the highway and probably is more capable off road (stock).

The molded stock side sills are a problem if you want sliders. No idea how hard it is to put on the LCs side sills in place of the stock LXs, but that would be the way to go if you have to have sliders on a LX. Personally I wouldn't do a big winch bumper without some sort of lift. It just makes the approach angles a problem and adds weight. A LC/LX is pretty big off road as it is. Adding a few inches in bumpers would only hurt on any trail you could drive with a stock suspension, unless you really like to drive by brail. But I think sliders are the most important addition one can make to a truck and might be worth some effort.

I scratched every rim, from 15"-17", I've ever run off road except for the 20's on my old LX. I'm sure driver attitude is more important than size. And I remember the exact same discussion 10 years or so ago about running 17's vs 15's or smaller. That said, the stock tires are pretty lame even on fire roads. Replacing them with a decent AT isn't a bad idea. I managed to take out a stock sidewall on a well maintained fire road after hitting a small rock at speed. I don't think a decent AT or MT would have noticed.

The third row seats eat space camping, you probably want to pull them, (beware the holes that are left), but other than that, get out there and enjoy. When stuff breaks, gouges or dents, well then you know it is time to upgrade.

 

[Desert Nomad]

I'm not sure if this would work but just curious to know.

Most sliders look like they either bolt/weld to the outer side of the frame rails or are L shaped and mount from the side and bottom. Can the bracket be re-done to bolt from the underside and inner side of the frame? I'm sure it'll be more difficult to install especially by the fuel tank but would that be possible

 

[closin1]

For camping and her daily driving, particularly if she likes it, you didn't make a mistake. When driving difficult trails is more important than camping, there are much easier and cheaper approaches to make a serious offload vehicle than hacking on an LX.

I left my LX alone and never regretted it. The LX is pretty impressive offload stock. The AHC really does work. It gives you a lift when you need it and a great ride on the highway. Great truck for camping out of. I got a LC the 2nd time around and do miss the AHC at times. The LX with AHC is a better ride on the highway and probably is more capable off road (stock).

The molded stock side sills are a problem if you want sliders. No idea how hard it is to put on the LCs side sills in place of the stock LXs, but that would be the way to go if you have to have sliders on a LX. Personally I wouldn't do a big winch bumper without some sort of lift. It just makes the approach angles a problem and adds weight. A LC/LX is pretty big off road as it is. Adding a few inches in bumpers would only hurt on any trail you could drive with a stock suspension, unless you really like to drive by brail. But I think sliders are the most important addition one can make to a truck and might be worth some effort.

I scratched every rim, from 15"-17", I've ever run off road except for the 20's on my old LX. I'm sure driver attitude is more important than size. And I remember the exact same discussion 10 years or so ago about running 17's vs 15's or smaller. That said, the stock tires are pretty lame even on fire roads. Replacing them with a decent AT isn't a bad idea. I managed to take out a stock sidewall on a well maintained fire road after hitting a small rock at speed. I don't think a decent AT or MT would have noticed.

The third row seats eat space camping, you probably want to pull them, (beware the holes that are left), but other than that, get out there and enjoy. When stuff breaks, gouges or dents, well then you know it is time to upgrade.

I really don't want to get crazy with hacking the lx up that's for sure . i really don't like the side steps on the lx so Ill probably try to put a lc rocker cover in place of the steps . I just need to find a good all terrain tire to run now. Removing the third row will be next.

 

[bjowett]

I have designed body mounted sliders to replace the rocker panel covers. We are fortunate with the design of the rocker on the 200 platform, it's perfect for a body mount type of slider. Once I complete the front winch mount project, I plan to jump into the rock sliders.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

^^ This has me scratching my head... may be worth a separate thread to get into the details, once you have a design.

 

[TonyP]

I'd like to hear what Slee has planned. I'm in the market for an LC200/LX570 when I return from Afghanistan this spring. I'd probably prefer an LX570 if the aftermarket was there.

 

[FinallyGotOne!]

Great discussion - great comments. I'm on my second "Freaking Lexus" (See other thread!) and the only body pieces I ever damaged off road on my 470 were the running boards. Talked to Slee about adding bumpers and sliders but declined due to the impact on the cargo capacity/tongue weight...I pull a boat and the AHC would not have done well with all of the extra weight when towing, so keep that in mind when considering the bumpers and winch.

Given all of that, and having found myself now with an '11 570, I was initially thinking that I would just add sliders for additional protection and upgrade wheels and tires when the stock tires needed replacing. I was under the truck yesterday for the first time and was amazed at how much better protected it was as compared to my 470. There are probably three times the number of shields/skid plates and I think components are located better.

I was especially impressed that the AHC system is shielded. True, it is mounted lower on the frame than on the 470, but there are steel bars that run laterally between the frame rails and the body that should protect the system from sizeable threats.

I also think there is plenty of room to get to the frame and mount something like a slider...maybe not strong enough for the weight of the truck to actually be supported and sliding, but certainly strong enough to provide some body protection and replace the 'boards.