rickashay
Explorer
So here I sit. I've had several Toyota 4x4's in the last ten years: 92, 93, 94 Toyota Pickups, 2x 98' 4Runners, and now my LX450 and 04' Tundra. Some of you may have been familiar with my built 98' 4Runner on here (the Dirt Duster) and my current LX (Tom Cruiser). I REALLY liked my 98 4Runner for the awesome road manors and relative comfort as a semi daily driver. I sold it because I was looking for something a little bigger as I am 6'6" and also wanted more cargo space. My LX kind of fell in my lap around May of last year. It was built, but I didnt like it, so I tore it down and re-built it my way. I've dumped way too much money into it and I see it becoming an endless black hole of money-eating-Cruiser-goodness. It's currently quite modified but I still don't feel like it's even close to being "done" (not that they ever are...lol). I recently drove the truck to Moab, across Nevada, into Norcal, through Oregon and Washington, back into British Columbia, and finally returned home to Canada - all within a 14 day span. The LX performed exceptionally well, especially on the technical trails of Moab and Norcal. However what I came to notice was this: I hate the seats, like REALLY hate them. The suspension is quite stiff, the suspension design enables it to pull one way while braking hard (panhards), it's gutless beyond belief, and it has its fair share of small "quirks" with its old age. That being said, I really love the truck. It wreaks of character and awesomeness however subjective that may sound...
Some notes on the LX:
- I have began to acquire parts to fix nearly all of the "quirks" (bad door lock solenoids, broken heater vents, needs new belts, etc)
- I have IS300 bucket seats in my garage to swap in - they are super comfy but just need to get some mounts fabricated
- Its rust free and from Arizona. Id be willing to bet its one of the cleanest 80-Series rigs in Canada.
The LX today:
20130620-IMG_2834.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr
My Tundra:
I bought my 04' Tundra Limited Access Cab last year as a DD and work vehicle. I was working in the field for an Oil and Gas company and was required to drive all over the countryside to get to work. I was recently promoted and landed in the office and no longer need/want two 4x4's'. When I was looking for a work truck I wanted something older, reliable, but still nice and well taken care of. I stumbled upon a gem and paid too much money for it given the following:
- No accidents
- Two owners, the 2nd of which only had it for a year.
- Toyota service records in my hometown from the day it was purchased. I literally have a receipt for every oil change it has ever had.
- It is somehow immaculate underneath, no rust which is really rare for around here and the body and interior are also immaculate.
I put 50,000kms on the Tundra in just over a year. I have driven it several times for 16 hours straight and been relatively comfortable and unscathed after doing so. I love the 2UZ, the seats are comfy, the steering wheel is comfy, it has factory installed heated seats, I have a lot of leg room and don't feel cramped. It easily cruises down the highway at 75mph with the cruise control on. To say the least I have really come to enjoy driving it. I've put Bilsteins on it to level it out, SCS wheels, some 265/70/17 Cooper ST Maxx tires (which I also love) but have kept it pretty practical (unlike the LX).
The Tundra (before levelling kit):
20120718-IMG_1700.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr
My Dilema:
I'm debating selling my LX and building my Tundra. There, I said it but I can't believe it. The 80 has always been my "dream" Toyota. However I plan on doing more long distance trips to Moab, Cali, Yukon/Alaska, and the Baja in the next few years. I'm craving more drivability and comfort that can still go play on the trails. I want something to be able to do moderate-difficult trails and then drive 5000kms home. I will be running the Rubicon in the next two years. So pretty much I want to have my cake and eat it too. IF I follow through with this whim the Tundra would get the following:
- 2-3" of lift via Icon or Fox suspension aka "mid travel" with uniball uppers
- Custom f/r bumpers (probably take it down to CBI)
- Full skids
- RTT and bed cage
- Re Gear and ARB lockers
- SCS Wheels and 35" Tires
- Projector Retrofit
- Bobbed bed: remove 9-11" to increase departure angle
So I would end up with a very well built Tundra on IFS. The front diff and CV's are weak but I'm a pretty finess driver and I take my time to pick good lines. Im a little worried about the width on tighter trails, however it really isn't much wider than my LX or the new Tacomas for that matter. So, there is it, have I gone mad? Or should I tough it out with the 80 to get it where I feel like it's "done", although I still cant be sure that end point will even satisfy. I would probably re-gear it and do full Icon suspension if it stays in the stable. But its still gutless and a motor swap would happen eventually. I need to sell one of them and get a more practical car for the city so keeping both isn't really feasible.
Enough rambling... lets hear it. I have my flame suit on.
Some notes on the LX:
- I have began to acquire parts to fix nearly all of the "quirks" (bad door lock solenoids, broken heater vents, needs new belts, etc)
- I have IS300 bucket seats in my garage to swap in - they are super comfy but just need to get some mounts fabricated
- Its rust free and from Arizona. Id be willing to bet its one of the cleanest 80-Series rigs in Canada.
The LX today:
20130620-IMG_2834.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr
My Tundra:
I bought my 04' Tundra Limited Access Cab last year as a DD and work vehicle. I was working in the field for an Oil and Gas company and was required to drive all over the countryside to get to work. I was recently promoted and landed in the office and no longer need/want two 4x4's'. When I was looking for a work truck I wanted something older, reliable, but still nice and well taken care of. I stumbled upon a gem and paid too much money for it given the following:
- No accidents
- Two owners, the 2nd of which only had it for a year.
- Toyota service records in my hometown from the day it was purchased. I literally have a receipt for every oil change it has ever had.
- It is somehow immaculate underneath, no rust which is really rare for around here and the body and interior are also immaculate.
I put 50,000kms on the Tundra in just over a year. I have driven it several times for 16 hours straight and been relatively comfortable and unscathed after doing so. I love the 2UZ, the seats are comfy, the steering wheel is comfy, it has factory installed heated seats, I have a lot of leg room and don't feel cramped. It easily cruises down the highway at 75mph with the cruise control on. To say the least I have really come to enjoy driving it. I've put Bilsteins on it to level it out, SCS wheels, some 265/70/17 Cooper ST Maxx tires (which I also love) but have kept it pretty practical (unlike the LX).
The Tundra (before levelling kit):
20120718-IMG_1700.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr
My Dilema:
I'm debating selling my LX and building my Tundra. There, I said it but I can't believe it. The 80 has always been my "dream" Toyota. However I plan on doing more long distance trips to Moab, Cali, Yukon/Alaska, and the Baja in the next few years. I'm craving more drivability and comfort that can still go play on the trails. I want something to be able to do moderate-difficult trails and then drive 5000kms home. I will be running the Rubicon in the next two years. So pretty much I want to have my cake and eat it too. IF I follow through with this whim the Tundra would get the following:
- 2-3" of lift via Icon or Fox suspension aka "mid travel" with uniball uppers
- Custom f/r bumpers (probably take it down to CBI)
- Full skids
- RTT and bed cage
- Re Gear and ARB lockers
- SCS Wheels and 35" Tires
- Projector Retrofit
- Bobbed bed: remove 9-11" to increase departure angle
So I would end up with a very well built Tundra on IFS. The front diff and CV's are weak but I'm a pretty finess driver and I take my time to pick good lines. Im a little worried about the width on tighter trails, however it really isn't much wider than my LX or the new Tacomas for that matter. So, there is it, have I gone mad? Or should I tough it out with the 80 to get it where I feel like it's "done", although I still cant be sure that end point will even satisfy. I would probably re-gear it and do full Icon suspension if it stays in the stable. But its still gutless and a motor swap would happen eventually. I need to sell one of them and get a more practical car for the city so keeping both isn't really feasible.
Enough rambling... lets hear it. I have my flame suit on.
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