🛠️ Member Build Upgrade Recomendations

[Muddygriff]

Hello all. Advice needed for some starting items and upgrades. I am duplicating this thread from the one I made on the Off Road section as I got no replies for that one. I have my new LC and am excited to start making it a bit more capable for off road. I need some experienced advice in this because I’m new to off roading. First, I don’t intend to do hard core rock climbing or deep mudding, but I do intend to take it onto some low to medium difficulty trails. I also intend to do some overland excursions.

I currently have a vanilla LC trim (had to go far and wide for 18” wheels), and purposely got it with as few add ons as possible so I could fine tune the rig. What would be your top 5 purchases? I’m looking for everything from big ticket bolt on items down to recovery gear and organization of where to put the gear.

 

[LcAz]

Better tires: there are many good threads on that tires to pick. I am running Nitto Terra Grapplers G3 275/70/R18. It is a great all around tire for on and offroad.

A system to air down and air back up. Even though you won’t be rock crawling and doing heavy off-roading. Airing down the tire pressure will give you a smoother ride on bumpy roads.

Even though your off-roading isn’t extreme I would upgrade from the dust guard to the full skid plate. It will protect the sensitive bits from the unseen tree stump or rock you will certainly hit from time to time.

Really that is about it unless you are going full overland mode and then that rabbit hole is very very deep, and very very wide.

 

[PACruiser]

As you have probably seen by the volume of posts in this forum, tires and suspension upgrades seeking to improve traction and ground clearance are often top priorities. Although, they usually come with trade-offs against gas mileage and on-road ride quality.

It is also very humbling to see how easily even the most capable vehicles can still get stuck in sand, mud and snow. So also consider tools for vehicle recovery like wenches, tow straps, traction pads, and shovels as well as good communication gear if you are going off the grid.

Ultimately, your best accessories might be skill, wisdom, and experience for route selection and obstacle navigation. The LC is amazingly capable off the lot. Thus, there is a good argument to spend the money early on for gas and trips to get out there and practice the craft.

 

[Muddygriff]

Better tires: there are many good threads on that tires to pick. I am running Nitto Terra Grapplers G3 275/70/R18. It is a great all around tire for on and offroad.

A system to air down and air back up. Even though you won’t be rock crawling and doing heavy off-roading. Airing down the tire pressure will give you a smoother ride on bumpy roads.

Even though your off-roading isn’t extreme I would upgrade from the dust guard to the full skid plate. It will protect the sensitive bits from the unseen tree stump or rock you will certainly hit from time to time.

Really that is about it unless you are going full overland mode and then that rabbit hole is very very deep, and very very wide.

Thanks for the guidance. I will put tires and suspension on the A-list. Do you think I could get appropriate tires with the stock 18 wheels? I’ll look at the other threads for this, as well.

Are there good options for air systems not attached to the engine? Not sure I’m savvy enough to bolt anything on and mess too much with the electrical system.

I’m definitely getting rock rails and the extra skid plates. Those will probably be at the tip top of my list before I hit a trail.

 

[Muddygriff]

As you have probably seen by the volume of posts in this forum, tires and suspension upgrades seeking to improve traction and ground clearance are often top priorities. Although, they usually come with trade-offs against gas mileage and on-road ride quality.

It is also very humbling to see how easily even the most capable vehicles can still get stuck in sand, mud and snow. So also consider tools for vehicle recovery like wenches, tow straps, traction pads, and shovels as well as good communication gear if you are going off the grid.

Ultimately, your best accessories might be skill, wisdom, and experience for route selection and obstacle navigation. The LC is amazingly capable off the lot. Thus, there is a good argument to spend the money early on for gas and trips to get out there and practice the craft.

Thanks for the input. Tires and suspension are on the list. I will be collecting recovery gear for sure. I am hoping I can find some kind of off road school or club that can teach me the skills in the Chicago/S. Wisconsin area. If anyone knows of any, I’m all ears!

 

[LcAz]

Any small air compressor will work. Higher end=convenience in time. Lower end =takes more time. Both accomplish the same thing. I have never really offloaded enough to consider an engine mounted air compressor, and I off-road more often than many of the engine compartment mount guys. It is cool and convenient, but IMO exposes the compressor more to the elements. For mild to moderate off-roading no suspension work is needed. The stock suspension is very capable, and most suspension mods don’t really make a rig better off-road unless you are investing big big money for added down travel etc etc. most people interested in that just end up building a dedicated offroad vehicle they only drive offroad. A daily driver is a pig with nearly any aftermarket long travel components.
Simple lifts are fine for asphalt and looks, but nearly always make a rig less comfortable to drive, and less capable offroad.

 

[EOD Guy]

My advice .......... don't do anything for a month or so. Figure out how you are going to use your LC. Now if you just want bling that's a different story.

If you plan on doing moderate off-roading where rocks, ditches and stumps might be involved ..... add real skid plates (FE or after market) the OEM covers are just that covers, not a skid plate by any stretch of the imagination.

Sandy areas where you might air down, beach trips, overlanding where you might need to blow up tubes/air mattresses or dusty areas where you might need to blow the crap out of the interior........ buy a portable 12V air compressor. When selecting a compressor CFM (cubic Feet per Minute) and duty cycle are important. No-name brands don't last for years if they are being used so as a rule of thumb....... ya get what you pay for. I use ViAir and they seem to be bulletproof.

Tires, other than looks........ are you really going anywhere they will be actually needed. Most larger tires will add weight and reduce your MPG. Don't get me wrong my Taco has KO2's, 3"-3.5" lift and gets used as it were intended. The LC will retain stock tires until it needs new ones, then I'll probably go with a stock size KO2.

Overlanding where you are going to sleep inside, IMO the after market kits are costly, if you can drill a hole and use a skill saw a DIY platform is much easier to swallow.

If you are interested in the mods I have completed, search for "EOD Guy's Ride"

 

[Muddygriff]

Any small air compressor will work. Higher end=convenience in time. Lower end =takes more time. Both accomplish the same thing. I have never really offloaded enough to consider an engine mounted air compressor, and I off-road more often than many of the engine compartment mount guys. It is cool and convenient, but IMO exposes the compressor more to the elements. For mild to moderate off-roading no suspension work is needed. The stock suspension is very capable, and most suspension mods don’t really make a rig better off-road unless you are investing big big money for added down travel etc etc. most people interested in that just end up building a dedicated offroad vehicle they only drive offroad. A daily driver is a pig with nearly any aftermarket long travel components.
Simple lifts are fine for asphalt and looks, but nearly always make a rig less comfortable to drive, and less capable offroad.

That all sounds good. I think I’ll lean portable air for now. I’ll upgrade the tires for sure, but based on what I’m seeing on the threads and here I intend to get some use on the stock tires until at least Spring. This is my primary daily driver so I don’t want to overdo it.

 

[Muddygriff]

My advice .......... don't do anything for a month or so. Figure out how you are going to use your LC. Now if you just want bling that's a different story.

If you plan on doing moderate off-roading where rocks, ditches and stumps might be involved ..... add real skid plates (FE or after market) the OEM covers are just that covers, not a skid plate by any stretch of the imagination.

Sandy areas where you might air down, beach trips, overlanding where you might need to blow up tubes/air mattresses or dusty areas where you might need to blow the crap out of the interior........ buy a portable 12V air compressor. When selecting a compressor CFM (cubic Feet per Minute) and duty cycle are important. No-name brands don't last for years if they are being used so as a rule of thumb....... ya get what you pay for. I use ViAir and they seem to be bulletproof.

Tires, other than looks........ are you really going anywhere they will be actually needed. Most larger tires will add weight and reduce your MPG. Don't get me wrong my Taco has KO2's, 3"-3.5" lift and gets used as it were intended. The LC will retain stock tires until it needs new ones, then I'll probably go with a stock size KO2.

Overlanding where you are going to sleep inside, IMO the after market kits are costly, if you can drill a hole and use a skill saw a DIY platform is much easier to swallow.

If you are interested in the mods I have completed, search for "EOD Guy's Ride"

Thank you for this advice, especially the tires and air. I do want to put a build in the back for overland fun. You folks advising a slow and steady approach I will bear in mind…especially since I pretty much shot my bolt just getting the LC

 

[Muddygriff]

My advice .......... don't do anything for a month or so. Figure out how you are going to use your LC. Now if you just want bling that's a different story.

If you plan on doing moderate off-roading where rocks, ditches and stumps might be involved ..... add real skid plates (FE or after market) the OEM covers are just that covers, not a skid plate by any stretch of the imagination.

Sandy areas where you might air down, beach trips, overlanding where you might need to blow up tubes/air mattresses or dusty areas where you might need to blow the crap out of the interior........ buy a portable 12V air compressor. When selecting a compressor CFM (cubic Feet per Minute) and duty cycle are important. No-name brands don't last for years if they are being used so as a rule of thumb....... ya get what you pay for. I use ViAir and they seem to be bulletproof.

Tires, other than looks........ are you really going anywhere they will be actually needed. Most larger tires will add weight and reduce your MPG. Don't get me wrong my Taco has KO2's, 3"-3.5" lift and gets used as it were intended. The LC will retain stock tires until it needs new ones, then I'll probably go with a stock size KO2.

Overlanding where you are going to sleep inside, IMO the after market kits are costly, if you can drill a hole and use a skill saw a DIY platform is much easier to swallow.

If you are interested in the mods I have completed, search for "EOD Guy's Ride"

One question about the skid plates. I had read the stock plates were actually pretty good, but maybe I am thinking of a different thing. You are talking about the front skid plate it comes with and the add-on skid plate for mid and exhaust, yes? You recommend replacing those?

 

[EOD Guy]

The First Edition Skid plates are actual Skid plates. The front one on the FE, I think, replaces the front two shields on the lesser trims and it has an additional section that continues further back.

 

[Muddygriff]

OK thanks again. I will make sure that is squared away before taking it off pavement!