Which Slee lift?

[SR.GRINGO]

I keep going back and forth on a FJ-62 vs. a FZJ80. The main difference is an 80 with every thing I want is about $10,000 and a loaded 62 is about $6,000. I like the quote....."driving a 80 is cheating"

Which Slee lift for the 80 is most popular--the 2.5 inch? Do the 285 tires seem big enough? Also what is the favorite tire here--I have 285 revos now and like them but I think I would get mud terrains next time.....

 

[NorCalDoug]

Which Slee lift is most popular? You'd have to ask Christo to be sure... There are several versions of the "2.5 inch" depending on what you do (or will) have on your rig -- heavy duty, medium duty, "J", etc. I have the 2.5 inch heavies on mine (OME). I like them. Aside from having to live with some scraping on extreme trails, I'm very satisfied.

I currently have 285/75 R16 MTRs. These will handle pretty much anything thrown at it -- unless you live in Junk's neck of the woods

I've never run the Revos, so I can't speak to how they handle stuff -- so I cna't give a comparison. I like the MTRs better than the Michelin LTXs I had and better than the BFG ATs I had.

A 60 vs 80 would be a tougher decision for me than a 62 vs 80. Me? I'd go 80 series over 62. When you say "everything you want" and "loaded", does this include all aftermarket parts -- i.e. bumper, sliders, lift, etc?

 

[cruiserdan]

How is "Driving an 80 cheating"? Is it because they are just so damn good at what they do that everybody else calls foul?

It reminds me of NASCAR in the early 70's. They outlawed the 426 HEMI because nobody could beat them....

 

[Riley]

I've owned both a 60 and a 80. The 80 wins hands down. Much easier to mod and much nicer to drive. The lockers alone make it a no brainer.

If you don't like cheating, don't buy a Cruiser. Get a Ford Exploder.

 

[SR.GRINGO]

Which Slee lift is most popular? You'd have to ask Christo to be sure... There are several versions of the "2.5 inch" depending on what you do (or will) have on your rig -- heavy duty, medium duty, "J", etc. I have the 2.5 inch heavies on mine (OME). I like them. Aside from having to live with some scraping on extreme trails, I'm very satisfied.

I currently have 285/75 R16 MTRs. These will handle pretty much anything thrown at it -- unless you live in Junk's neck of the woods

I've never run the Revos, so I can't speak to how they handle stuff -- so I cna't give a comparison. I like the MTRs better than the Michelin LTXs I had and better than the BFG ATs I had.

A 60 vs 80 would be a tougher decision for me than a 62 vs 80. Me? I'd go 80 series over 62. When you say "everything you want" and "loaded", does this include all aftermarket parts -- i.e. bumper, sliders, lift, etc?

Some trails here in the jungle are pretty extreme--they get washed out. I don't think the higher suspension will be very good--I want to stay as low as possible--I'm glad you like the 2.5 inch heavy(I have a OME set up like this on my current 00 4Runner with saws in front) I like the 80 becuase of the reliability and that it is big and heavy.

I assume you like the 60 becuase of the manual?--my 4runner right now is a manual and I love it. Some of the 60/62's I have been finding are loaded as far as OME lift, Winch, bumper, I would just need to add lockers and some Light Force 240's and stainless brake lines, sliders, snorkel. I am leaning towards an 80 w/ lockers--it looks to be a buyers market right now. But it would be easier to beat the hell out of the 60 without cringing--

For those of you who own both the 60 and 80--which one is going to be more reliable--it takes me about 2 weeks to get parts down here. I also have a decent mechanic(they are cheap here) I wheel with a few heep rubicons. I realize I will have to get things like new belts, rebuild the birfields, lots of brake pads, hoses, etc.

If I do get an 80 I was thinking of adding the following--winch bar(maybe TJM--weld on the sides) or maybe the arb, Warn 8k or 12k winch, synthetic line, 4 lightforce 240's, 2.5 heavy OME lift, switch for center diff lock, SS brake lines, sliders, snorkel(i watched a jeep we where wheeling with drive under water sometimes the river bed looks fine--but the river is flowing under the mud.......huskey mats. Where do you think I could get the best package price.

60, 62 or 80?
Thanks for helping me with all my questions.

 

[mabrodis]

I would say get the 80 if you can, they are great vehicles. However I don't live in Mexico, has been awhile since I've driven in a jungle. If remote work-ability is an important issue then that should be brought onto the table. The 60/62 are more simple than the 80, however, on an 80 once you do a few things they are very tough good reliable vehicles. Ofcourse the 60/62's are good also, no doubt. If you are really worried about to much lift, then go with wheel spacers and space the tires out to make it more stable. In my opinion having a descent lift (~3") is necessary to give the wheels somewhere to travel, you need more suspension travel to get a softer ride, less tires hanging, etc. Yes you are up in the air a bit but are you really on trails that are 30 degree side-slope, so rolling is a real concern?

I've had my Cruiser on only one spot where I know it would have rolled, if I wasn't moving, a quick turn up a highly banked hill, probably 45 degrees, since I was going fast it couldn't roll but was very steep!

 

[NorCalDoug]

I assume you like the 60 becuase of the manual?

Actually, I was thinking the 60 would be easier to work on, get parts for, etc in the event that you have problems (out in the middle of nowhere). Fewer electronics, computers, etc. I didn't really consider the auto vs. manual argument -- personally, I could go either way with that.

That said, the 80 is very reliable and suspension parts are less expensive as compared those for the 60/62.

Cheers.

 

[SR.GRINGO]

Sounds like the 80 is the ticket. Just to throw it out there a 98 lx470 with the skyhook suspension with around 90k and the rear diff lock--has the xenon headlights--would be sweet with just a safari snorkel and ARB bumper/winch combo.


If I went with a taller suspension then 2.5" on the 80 is there a way to do it safely with out spending $2500. You guys are right clearing 35's would be good.....

I would guess with my current suspension I gained 3" and can clear 33's--my ground clearence is 14.5--I guess at 4 inches lift with 33's the Cruiser sits around 13.5 inches of clearence?

 

[mabrodis]

I think you can go with 35's without worrying about alot as far as suspension. I ran 315x75 tires on mine with the OME light lift (851/860 springs). The tires would rub in the back under full tweak but nothing bad at all, no sharp edges to cut tires or anything, so rubbing is really what it is, not ripping the tires, which is what some people call rubbing.

Having 35" tires is a huge advantage though, here and I'm sure where you are, it's a nice wide stable tire. Just fyi, here is my LX with the OME light suspension, and Goodyear 315x75 MTR tires (when they actually had tread )

 

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

mabrodis,

Nice pix! I saw that you have the manual locking hub in the front diff. What is the advantage of having a manual locking hub in there? Is your LX a part time four wheeler?

 

[cruiserdan]

That looks just like Slickrock campground.....

 

[mabrodis]

Yep, good 'ol Slick Rock Campground. Yes those are manual hubs, no I do not have a part-time system, it's full-time but if I want I can lock the center diff and disconnect the hubs so power only goes to the rear wheels, useful for doing donuts in snow, etc.. Some believe you can get better gas mileage by unlocking the hubs and pulling the front driveshaft, very possible, but I've never pulled my driveshaft just to save gas. I put them on a few days before that pic was taken, I thought it would be good because I could isolate any broken parts. In reality it did nothing useful but I think they look cool and are a good conversation starter..

 

[SR.GRINGO]

Your LX450 looks like a beast The 35's look great on there. Did you find it with the factory diff locks?

 

[ginericLC]

How is "Driving an 80 cheating"? Is it because they are just so damn good at what they do that everybody else calls foul?

It reminds me of NASCAR in the early 70's. They outlawed the 426 HEMI because nobody could beat them....

I said it! And I believe it! And the quote was in comparison to driving a 60 series. It really is like cheating. Because as a driver my skills didn't magically improve by switching rigs but all of a sudden I was able to do tougher trails that I never would have tried in my 60. As much as some of us would like to think we are great drivers, a lot of it has to do with having a well equipped vehicle. I've also seen the flip side too, a totally modifiied rig in the hands of an idiot. That is a bad situtation because the rig can outperform the driver. My 80 makes me look pretty good on the trail and I don't care if it is cheating

 

[bjowett]

The 80 is a no brainer - the advantage of the lockers, 1fz engine and inexpensive/easy lift seal the deal. A simple 2" drop of the bump stops will allow some 36" tires to be run.