My 2019 Land Cruiser

[Thai]

I bought a new Land Cruiser in Sept 2019. Over the past 9 months of ownership, i have tried to modify it with the goal of maintaining stock ride/comfort with basic capability & protection improvements. This will be both daily driver and vacation ride to scenic places with my family. I am not going to even consider rock crawling or mudding with the LC200...too damn big anyway for those activities.

If you want to know more about LC200 series and its capabilities, then see: Land Cruiser 200 Information

So, let's start with 1st day of ownership....

2019 Land Cruiser in Blizzard Pearl with Terra semi-aniline leather, made in Yoshiwara Plant, Toyota City.

 

[Thai]

Next step within first 1500 miles, i went for tire upgrade. Stock size is 285/60/18.

I did not want to change diameter of tire for two reasons: 1. performance hit on highway and 2. save $$$ by not having to upgrade the spare tire. There is some report that 285/65/18 on stock OEM rims may rub the KDSS at extreme steering/articulation.

I also want protection off-road from punctures, esp to the sidewall. So, that rules out most P-metric tires.

I went with BFG KO2 LT Load Range D in stock size...to keep performance hit as minimal as i can because this LC will do lots of highway driving. I picked KO2 because it looks damn good and provides superb protection. Again, my spare tire remains stock.


TireRack did review on LT-C BFG KO2 vs. other P-metric ATs: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=249

Surprisingly, KO2 are pretty quiet, pretty decent in rain, and NOT the worst fuel economy offender.

Test results graphs: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/chartDisplay.jsp?ttid=249

Here is another review of KO2 vs. other ATs: https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=449956&d=1497265431

 

[Thai]

With new tires, i went to Big Bend National Park and did the Black Gap trail among other activities. I was accompanied by 2018 Ford Raptor and 2019 Tacoma Off-road 4x4.

 

[Thai]

Unfortunately, due to poor driving skills on my part, i did suffer a small damage while transversing Black Gap Trail:

And due to this damage, the next major upgrade was to improve on this weakness....

 

[Thai]

BUT...before we get to that major upgrade, i made a small (prettier) upgrade to my hitch shackle receiver.

This is my over decade old WARN receiver...well used.

But with this new vehicle, i want to get something nicer...classier. I went with AGENCY 6 Shackle Block Assembly 2 INCH Double Hole Powder Coat Black. All aluminum. It is really lightweight compared to the WARN.

Here is the Amazon link: Amazon.com: AGENCY 6 Shackle Block Assembly 2 INCH Double Hole Powder Coat Black - Hitch Receiver Block - Proudly Made in The USA with US Certified Materials - Includes Hitch pin and D-Ring: Home Improvement

Direct source: Shackle Block XL 2" Assembly - Black

 

[Thai]

Now...for the biggest modification to date...and likely the last mod for a long time...rock sliders!

There are several choices. But i had my requirements:

1. NO DRILLING into frame. NO WELDING. Again, no drilling of any kind. Only use existing holes in frame. Minimal KDSS line manipulation.

2. Strong enough to slide over an obstacle...like when just breaching the breakover angle of LC. I don't plan on off-roading where there is a risk of slamming the side of LC against rock...where the slider supports the weight of LC. I will just turn around if that is a risk.

3. MUST have a step-like function...whether that be a diamond plate over slider or integrated step. Whether it be angled 20 degrees or flat is not a big deal but it must be wide enough for step (front and rear doors).

4. Kickout at the back of slider NOT important.

5. Weight is important...less the better. I do want "some" strength where the slider does not get dented easily...but at same time, i am not building a tank!

6. I do prefer a slider where there is a plate under the frame as part of the support.

Based on above, it came down to two (great) choices. SLEE Off-road has just come out with a "lightweight" sheet metal slider for Lexus LX570. Looks great, not as heavy as traditional sliders, and functional.

BUT, the price is hefty...real hefty...Slider = $1185, LC kit = $49.99, revit nut = $35, drill bit = $24, and shipping cost = $283.86. Total = $1577.85. :cry2:

The 2nd choice is from ARB. And anything from ARB is top notch in quality and properly tested (including side crash tested).

SIDE RAILS & SIDE STEPS

More info here: ARB Summit Series Side Rails and Side Steps Kit for 2016+ Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series

I found a local ARB distributor in my city.

Parts # and cost: (No shipping cost because delivered to my local retailer)

#4415100 Summit Step Section 200 = $821.99

#4415120 Summit Return 200 = $238.99

Total after tax = $1148.51.

Oh, and the weight of ARB sliders are around 85 lbs!! I don't know how ARB did it...but it is heftily constructed yet lightweight.

 

[Thai]

Enough typing...here are the pics of the ARB Summit Sliders:

 

[Thai]

Underneath

 

[rdruss]

Yes, with one of the most capable off-roaders there is no since getting carried away with mods, only those that are functional and absolutely necessary.

 

[SV_Dude]

Good to see you’re still around [MENTION=2]Thai[/MENTION]

Nice rig! I tried convincing my wife of the LC a couple years ago. We went a different route unfortunately. It’s her vehicle so her choice.

 

[speedmaster]

Great read, I enjoyed that, thx

 

[Thai]

Newest addition to my LC: catalytic converter skids.

 

[Thai]

After about 3.5 years and 46k miles, i am retiring the BFG KO2. Fuel economy was going down and low speed noise was up.

So, I went more on-road friendly yet still tough tire. I went with Michelin Defender in stock size 285/60/18 XL. XL is for extra load. So, it is a little stronger than your typical P-metric and perfect for heavy LC.

 

[Thai]

Just an update pic after getting it detailed for 1st time since it drove off dealer’s lot.

 

[ATwoZ]

Looking nice! If you're not on MUD it's a great resource for all things LC. Looking good keeping it mostly stock, but they are impressive vehicles. Very few get built to full rock crawling capability of the T4Rs, but still far more capable than many people realize.

Mine has been on most of the difficult trails in CO without much issue, just skids, sliders and 33s.

 

[Thai]

I got Ceramic Pro Gold Package (XL) (Polish+Coat) for my Land Cruiser. Lifetime warranty.

FIRST WASH STAGE
▪pH Neutral Wash + APC to Aide in Wax/Sealant removal
▪Bug/Tar/Sap Removal
▪︎Wheels & Tires Degrease and Prep

DECONTAMINATION STAGE
▪︎Iron-X: Chemical Decontamination of Paintwork ▪Clay Bar: Physical Decontamination of Paintwork ▪︎RO/Distilled/Equivalent Rinse & Dry, Water Spot Removal/Reduction

PAINT ASSESSMENT STAGE
To Determine Level of Paint Correction Needed, if any

SURFACE PREP FINAL STAGE
▪︎Solvent Bath of All Paintwork & Trim to be coated
▪︎NANO PRIMER applied with machine polisher on all paintwork

COATING INSTALL STAGE
▪︎4 Layers of "9H" on Paintwork & Trim
▪︎1 Layer of "Top Coat" on Paintwork & Trim ▪︎2 Layers of "Glass" on Exterior
Windows and Mirrors
▪︎1 Layer of "Wheel and Caliper" on Wheel Faces

Curing Process - 72 hours initial cure, with first 12- 24 hours recommended stay at coating location.

Annually, $95 for inspection, glass coating, and coating booster.

 

[TucsonAZ]

Oh man, I had tons of 40s, a couple 80s and a lone 100 series! I really miss them but seeing current prices I'm shocked at how costly they've gotten! This is pretty awesome to see, I haven't even thought about much less researched new ones!