🛠️ Member Build GlibGlob’s Wind Chill Pearl LC

[glibglob]

Coming from a Tacoma. Preciously had an FJ and have always loved them. Never found a deal on an 80 series at the right time. Was very excited to hear about this new LC250.

Couple things I’ve ticked off the list so far:

• Dark tint (need it in places like FL and CO)
• Tacoma 18”/45mm wheels wrapped in 275 KO3s (took tons of work and replacements to get balanced well)
• Dash cam relocate
• Polymer + ceramic sealant… goodness that’s always a lot of work
• Removed air dams and side steps

Soon:

• CENTER CAPS!! geez been waiting for 6 weeks!
• skid plate upgrade
• maybe PPF on front area, unsure. my taco took a beating but never rusted so
• maybe sliders

Eventually:

• tire hitch swing out with full spare
• rack swap

Working on planning a trip to blue ridge this fall to get some wheeling in. Spent a few years out west so it’s been a while since I’ve explored the east coast. Excited for it!

 

[glibglob]

Swapped out rear silver valences. This took more patience than anything.

I used trim tools to pop up the top bumper cover.

Maybe not needed but I like wiggle room so I dropped 6 bolts from the bumper trim.

The I used my hands to depress and unclip the bottom 6 clips.

Then I used flat heads to depress and pop out the top clips. My pliers were not skinny or long enough to retrieve or place clips back in so I used some tape to guide them on the screwdriver.

Getting the top clips back in on passenger side was rough. I started the the inner one and just crammed my hands up there with the clip ready and used the other hand to seat the cover so I could thread the clip through. Once that was on I used my hands to place the clip just in front of the outer top clip, seated the cover gently as to not knock the clip down, then used a flat head through the tiny slot on top to seat it.

Clipping the bottoms was easy.

Phew glad thats over lol. Be careful with all of this it’s plastic!

 

[TexasLC24]

Swapped out rear silver valences. This took more patience than anything.

I used trim tools to pop up the top bumper cover.

Maybe not needed but I like wiggle room so I dropped 6 bolts from the bumper trim.

The I used my hands to depress and unclip the bottom 6 clips.

Then I used flat heads to depress and pop out the top clips. My pliers were not skinny or long enough to retrieve or place clips back in so I used some tape to guide them on the screwdriver.

Getting the top clips back in on passenger side was rough. I started the the inner one and just crammed my hands up there with the clip ready and used the other hand to seat the cover so I could thread the clip through. Once that was on I used my hands to place the clip just in front of the outer top clip, seated the cover gently as to not knock the clip down, then used a flat head through the tiny slot on top to seat it.

Clipping the bottoms was easy.

Phew glad thats over lol. Be careful with all of this it’s plastic!

I have a black LC and the silver is really starting to bother me. Could you let me know how/where you got the darker valences? I would love to do this to mine. I also wish the plastics were a little darker or at least a bit glossier to match the paint a bit more. For anyone that has seen the new Raptors I like that plastic finish better than the dull finish on the LC. Wish I was more of a car guy to do some of these mods.

 

[glibglob]

Posted the part numbers in that other thread as well but will post here in case others look here.

If it were up to me it would have 50% less plastic on the exterior overall haha.

 

[glibglob]

Center caps finally came after 4 weeks. Next is matte black lugs.

Attached part in case anyone needs it.
PT998-35221-3S

 

[kskramer]

Can you tell me more about your KO3s? I had them installed yesterday and felt like my ride quality immediately tanked. I feel like everything is wobbly and I notice every bump in the road. The mount and balance was done at Toyota but I think I’m going to take it someplace that has a road force balancer (that’s what I’ve read I should do).

Also, they were installed dirty as heck with mold release and whatever the bead grease is. Any advice on getting them clean like yours?

Lastly, I feel like my steering wheel is much stiffer now - harder to turn - did you experience the same change?

 

[kskramer]

Piling onto my last comment - what tire size did you go with? I’m jealous that I didn’t choose those rims. I’d really like to have a Toyota center cap but I can’t find anything that fits these method rims. You did it correctly.

 

[glibglob]

I had my KO3s balanced 4 times. All of them sounded like they were over 30 on road force and one was mid 40s. They eventually swapped that one for a new one it the ride quality got way better. However, after a week I said no thanks. They rode like hot garbage compared to the KO2s on my Taco and FJ. The KO3 were 275/70/18.

I swapped to a Toyo AT3 265/70/18 and it’s much better on SL.

All this said I think it’s possible there is a wonky component in the front end of some of our LCs. I say that because I still have a bit more than I would expect. When I take it in to Toyota at 5k I’m going to mention that I want the front end looked at. Some people on this forum says it’s hella buttery and I just don’t see that past 55mph and I’m coming from a Taco on 33” E rated tires not a Mercedes…

Once these wear out if they wear well I will probably continue to opt for SL unless we move back west and a higher percentage of my driving becomes wheeling.

Good luck with the wobbles I know how annoying it can be!

 

[glibglob]

Piling onto my last comment - what tire size did you go with? I’m jealous that I didn’t choose those rims. I’d really like to have a Toyota center cap but I can’t find anything that fits these method rims. You did it correctly.

Oops forgot to reply to you. Check above.

 

[LcAz]

I had my KO3s balanced 4 times. All of them sounded like they were over 30 on road force and one was mid 40s. They eventually swapped that one for a new one it the ride quality got way better. However, after a week I said no thanks. They rode like hot garbage compared to the KO2s on my Taco and FJ. The KO3 were 275/70/18.

I swapped to a Toyo AT3 265/70/18 and it’s much better on SL.

All this said I think it’s possible there is a wonky component in the front end of some of our LCs. I say that because I still have a bit more than I would expect. When I take it in to Toyota at 5k I’m going to mention that I want the front end looked at. Some people on this forum says it’s hella buttery and I just don’t see that past 55mph and I’m coming from a Taco on 33” E rated tires not a Mercedes…

Once these wear out if they wear well I will probably continue to opt for SL unless we move back west and a higher percentage of my driving becomes wheeling.

Good luck with the wobbles I know how annoying it can be!

The guys at westcott wont touch KO’s for this reason. They balance and ride very very poorly. Especially in the E rated version. I’ve run KO2’s on all my last 3 pickups and they were hardly manageable in the C rated version I was running. Any shop will tell you what a beast they are to balance. No idea why. It just is.