Loving the vibe here as compared to other cesspools of the internet. I am a going to offer a perspective to many of you that you need to hear....buckle up.
Me? I am an experienced off-road driving instructor with a few decades of experience in everything from type III fire rigs to open wheel buggies and endless "overland" driving before that was a word that we used.
Here is a short list of things for you to consider:
1. You can ruin a 4wd faster by bolting things to it than taking things away. HP per ton is important. A 4cy 4wd is great, until you make it live its life as a V8 4wd. Repeat after me; mechanical sympathy.
2. Here is a tale as old as time: I need more storage. I need a roof rack for storage. I buy a roof rack for more storage. I need a secure way to store things on this roof rack. I need a non-aerodynamic roam case or pelican box to mount to my roof rack. Spend, Spend, Spend. Goals accomplished...ish.
Alternative history; I need more storage. Get crossbars and a very aero Yakima box. Done.
The second option is cheaper, easier, less annoying and weighs less. If you want a roof rack for the looks? Go nuts. But, there is a better way, young padiwan.
I am not just talking about roof racks here. I have had the same 12v air compressor for 3 decades. It is fantastic. I have moved it around and lent it out. You can't do that if you are gonna hide it under the hood. If hiding air compressors in your truck blows wind up your skirt, fine. Go nuts. But, it is not better in any way. It's just more money.
3. EVERY OUNCE MATTERS. Every skid plate, light bar, seat cover and tool you carry matters. Weight matters. It adds up...fast.
4. I had a 1988 FJ62 for years. It was fantastic off-road...and terrifying everywhere else. The 250 is great on road. The road is how you get to where you are off-road. Its performance there is important, like really important. Statistically more important than the off-road performance. You are not Indiana Jones...I dig your spirit though...and hat. Is that an Akubra?
5. I have had stock 4wds clear obstacles with 3 min of rock stacking and a good spotter. It's your money, but, will you really be off-road enough to offset the loss of MPG, cost of suspension upgrades, tires and the like? Also, if you lift, swap tires, bolt things to...the LC 250 is gonna really lose some tow capacity and payload. How much? Well, we don't know...nor do you.
6. The cyclist Eddy Merckx used to say, "Don't upgrade rides, ride up grades." It applies here too. Get some training, get some practice and learn. Quiet confidence is better than a SEMA rig any day.
7. Good scotch is expensive. Good Bourbon is not. It isn't really important to this discussion, but true as hell. Johnny Drum is my go to.
Me? I am an experienced off-road driving instructor with a few decades of experience in everything from type III fire rigs to open wheel buggies and endless "overland" driving before that was a word that we used.
Here is a short list of things for you to consider:
1. You can ruin a 4wd faster by bolting things to it than taking things away. HP per ton is important. A 4cy 4wd is great, until you make it live its life as a V8 4wd. Repeat after me; mechanical sympathy.
2. Here is a tale as old as time: I need more storage. I need a roof rack for storage. I buy a roof rack for more storage. I need a secure way to store things on this roof rack. I need a non-aerodynamic roam case or pelican box to mount to my roof rack. Spend, Spend, Spend. Goals accomplished...ish.
Alternative history; I need more storage. Get crossbars and a very aero Yakima box. Done.
The second option is cheaper, easier, less annoying and weighs less. If you want a roof rack for the looks? Go nuts. But, there is a better way, young padiwan.
I am not just talking about roof racks here. I have had the same 12v air compressor for 3 decades. It is fantastic. I have moved it around and lent it out. You can't do that if you are gonna hide it under the hood. If hiding air compressors in your truck blows wind up your skirt, fine. Go nuts. But, it is not better in any way. It's just more money.
3. EVERY OUNCE MATTERS. Every skid plate, light bar, seat cover and tool you carry matters. Weight matters. It adds up...fast.
4. I had a 1988 FJ62 for years. It was fantastic off-road...and terrifying everywhere else. The 250 is great on road. The road is how you get to where you are off-road. Its performance there is important, like really important. Statistically more important than the off-road performance. You are not Indiana Jones...I dig your spirit though...and hat. Is that an Akubra?
5. I have had stock 4wds clear obstacles with 3 min of rock stacking and a good spotter. It's your money, but, will you really be off-road enough to offset the loss of MPG, cost of suspension upgrades, tires and the like? Also, if you lift, swap tires, bolt things to...the LC 250 is gonna really lose some tow capacity and payload. How much? Well, we don't know...nor do you.
6. The cyclist Eddy Merckx used to say, "Don't upgrade rides, ride up grades." It applies here too. Get some training, get some practice and learn. Quiet confidence is better than a SEMA rig any day.
7. Good scotch is expensive. Good Bourbon is not. It isn't really important to this discussion, but true as hell. Johnny Drum is my go to.
