Shotts' 1997 Lexus "Rock Crawler" buildup:

[ShottsCruisers]

OK. It's official. My D/C shaft was BAD! A new one is on the way to me. I think Slee sent me the bad one on purpose because I didn't buy the whole mess all at once like he told me to.

MEANWHILE...the rear shaft has new U-joints in it. Some vibes exist though today we determined which way we need to adjust...UP PINION. We slapped 200 lbs on the very rear and re-tested. Vibes down by 75%. So, we'll lengthen those upper rear arms 2 rotations at a time until it's smoooooth. We'll finalize this Friday and await the new D/C front on Monday.

I AM PRAYING FOR TUESDAY TO COME!

 

[goodtimes]

Glad to hear you are making progress John.

JeffreyScott and myself are still heading out to play tomorrow....feel free to join us (in the 100, since the lexus isn't running yet).

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Glad to hear you are making progress John.

JeffreyScott and myself are still heading out to play tomorrow....feel free to join us (in the 100, since the lexus isn't running yet).

Thanks for the invite Brian. Gotta work some (especially AM) so wheeling's out. I'll have afternoon time to finish the rear shaft.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

IT'S DONE! Vibration is gone. At 5-inches lift it needed the upper rear control arm adjusts and a front D/C (CV) drive shaft for sure. In fact, the rear arms had to be shortened over a half an inch in order for things to line up. Once complete....we trimmed the rear mud flaps so they don't get hung up in reverse and rip off a flair. New plate installed too. ROCK LX Let's go wheeling! And man....am I glad I re-geared this thing!

 

[ShottsCruisers]

OK...I lied. Eventually I will get different wheels. :beer:

 

[goodtimes]

Sorry, I just used my only day off this year to go run c-gap. It is getting easier on the front side, but the back end is starting to deteriorate, slowly restoring it to the "pre-blade" condition. The step was exceptionally easy today....barely slipped a tire on it (and I wasn't even aired down to my normal 9 psi). I *might* have the friday before AZ rocks off....not sure yet.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Did the higway test last night. NO GOOD! The ride's not tolerable. Back to the drawing board on Monday.
I'm thinking I should rip the cater plates off, snag the Slee front arms and swap for his 6" springs. Everything lines up this way.

 

[goodtimes]

What is not tolerable about the ride?

 

[ShottsCruisers]

What is not tolerable about the ride?

1. You can tell the vibration is bad for the truck.
2. Above 60MPH the sound inside the truck sounds like an earthquake.
3. You feel the vibes

Yesterday we lifted and drooped the front end while comparing the front pinion angle. We were looking for the spot where the flange and the D/C shaft were at 90*. We need more lift for sure.

I picked up my 1.25" front aluminum spacers this morning. They're going in tomorrow and we're re-ride. I'm guessing the problem will be gone or at least much reduced. I'll report.

If it's gone I'll add an 20mm to the rear, realign rear and be done.

 

[Scott Brady]

Now that you have gone through this process, would you just recommend that someone go with the full Slee 4" kit right off the bat?

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Now that you have gone through this process, would you just recommend that someone go with the full Slee 4" kit right off the bat?

For 95% of the 80-series trail population? Nope. I'd highly suggest to stick with the standard OME lift and possibly a spacer or two depending on accessories. My 3-3.5" lifted 80 goes everywhere and handily. It's smooth. It cost nothing to lift. It retains all OEM parts. There's no D/C shafts to lube every 3K miles or they fail. And a low breakover angle is almost never an issue on the trail at this lift with 35's. Looking back I should have stuck to this in the LX. Now, with all the parts bought I'm focusing on keeping it higher and HOPE I don't regret it.

If somebody had a need where more lift than 3-3.5" is essential, then yes, I'd buy a "kit" that's tested and start that way. Though even Slee says sometimes one needs a D/C rear shaft with his 4 or 6" lifts. (Mainly the 6")

The puzzling factor to me is that I have the "Slee 4" Kit" though different springs. I've had the truck at the same height with the same caster correction and it's a no go. Is it a second bad front D/C shaft? Who knows? My spacer test today though will tell us for sure. I will be at the 5.5" lift mark. This should be close enough when it comes to driveline angles. We'll see.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Took the LX out on it's first off-road test today. Some pics below.

Observations:

1. The 4.88 gear change is wonderful. I mean wonderful! Worth every penny! How did I survive in my '93 without 4.88s? :victory:

2. 5.5" lift is well controlled and doesn't feel tippy whatsoever. My fear of this possible negative is pretty-much over, though I didn't run a fun run with a lot of off-camber so we'll keep watch. The breakover angle is greatly improved over my '93. And adding in the front and rear frame cutting and special bumpers the thing can't be stopped. I'm SO GLAD I didn't bling it out with the ARB and Slee bumpers (thanks Slee for waking my up!) because I couldnt have done the below obstacle. (Well....to each their own....I'm not trying to say a decked out 80 sucks. It depends on your off-roading focus and how you want the truck to look. I want this to be an aggressive trail beast first, and a looker second. A winch isn't a priority to me, though I can take a strap if needed. After all, my 100 is decked out. Why would I want another decker. )

3. The Lexus is improved in every way and is much tighter compared to my '93. I do believe I'll be leaving the 100 home more which was the main goal of the purchase.

4. A/T Tires over MT Tires on my dedicated trail rig? They work super on my 100 and the MT's on my '93 I've always hated (except for looks). Today the AT's gripped super. I really doubt I'll regret this dicision and I get a great ride on-road all the time. Time will tell though. I did drive the below slickrock with 40PSI and zero slip.

VIBRATIONS: 2 experts checked my LX out today. Both believe everything is lined up perfect so we're puzzled about the vibes. One feels it's not too good on the trucks parts. The other feels it's not bad and I should drive it until the culprit shows itself. If not, he fears it'll be a money pit until the culprit gets replaced/fixed. ToolsRUs brought up a good question...."Your first D/C shaft was bad...they sent you a second new one...and the truck drives just the same? There should of been some improvement in having a good vs bad front driveshaft." ??? Hmmm, do we have another bad CV shaft?

We all agreed I should make no decisions on vibes until the front axle is rebuilt. It was popping on the driver's side some....though after the 1.5-hour off-road trip it's popping often. So, that's next and ASAP before any other runs.

Meanwhile, I'm really excited. This '97 LX is a big step ahead of my old '93 on the trail. I can't wait to really work it out after the axle rebuild.

 

[BajaTaco]

Wow, that thing has a wicked profile. Looks really nice John. Good luck with the poltergeists.

 

[Desertdude]

1- yes the 4:88'S really make a difference

2 - and you saved some coins

3 - it is a different LC for sure

4 - if you wheel in mud you might have to rethink the A/T's

Hmmm, do we have another bad CV shaft?

You might - my DC shaft showed up with one U-joint cup half way out and the clip off hanging in the grease - ( can you say quality control?) I put it back together but I don't fell 100% about it - I am calling to talk with Ben at Slee tomorrow if they are back from Texas.

That said IMHO - the Slee 4" kit is quite complete - the PDF install info very accurate - and all the parts stout and well thought out.

Enjoy that rig and get it dirty!

 

[Westy]

cool truck, looks great. That approach/departure is impressive to say the least.

I'm always impressed by those 80 series. Infact this past weekend I was out with a bunch of out of towners, including the new owner of Slee's old school bus. Sweet rig, it worked well, did the terminators, elvis..and some others out near FJ.

As for the AT tires, I dont think it will be an issue of whether they give enough traction, but possibly if the sidewalls can withstand a beating in the rocks.