Here is a pic of what mine looked like with medium OME after I put on the front bumper, winch, and dual battery install. It was about like stock on the front. The back settled down after i put the swing arms on and spare back there. I changed to heavies after only a couple days of this. This was the Iron Pigs rear that I changed out for a 4x4 labs rear.
"Piglet" My new 80 (LX 450)
- Thread starter redthies
- Start date
Wheelingnoob
Adventurer
Its funny I think all of us in this thread with LX450's have the same color.
If I end up going 315's I think I will do heavy rears with L shocks, J front spring with L shocks and drop the rear bump stop 2". That way I will not have any rubbing issues in the rear and still have lots of travel (this is still tentative till I get the body work done).
I plan on running a ARB front, Cruisen off road sliders 4x4lab rear and dual battery's. There will also be the rear drawers and fridge with the possibility of a RTT at some later time. So I think heavy's will be a good match and the J front will sit level.....ish...I think.
If I end up going 315's I think I will do heavy rears with L shocks, J front spring with L shocks and drop the rear bump stop 2". That way I will not have any rubbing issues in the rear and still have lots of travel (this is still tentative till I get the body work done).
I plan on running a ARB front, Cruisen off road sliders 4x4lab rear and dual battery's. There will also be the rear drawers and fridge with the possibility of a RTT at some later time. So I think heavy's will be a good match and the J front will sit level.....ish...I think.
Not sure on the springs. I just went with OME Heavies. Don't buy the ARB prior to looking at the Short Bus in person. It's pretty slick and saves some pounds. The 4x4 labs also saves weight over others. When it's that far out the pounds matter in my opinion.
Also by going with the Labs/Slee combo you gain a lot of approach clearance. It's amazing what you can drive up with only a 2" lift and those bumpers.
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
Yeah, there is a whole bunch of "grandpa gold" 450s here! I am really happy with the ride with the heavies. I think, based on what I am hearing, I will trim pack the drivers front to level sideways, and then leave it for now as far as suspension. I hope to get a better look underneath this weekend if the rain stops, to check for cc bushings.
My bumpers are both custom and the rear is super beefy. The front is very high clearance, but needs a bit of boxing in to be stiffer. I'll get to that this summer. 315s will go on as soon as the 285s are worn out. I will regear and do an ARB in the rear then as well.
I have an offroad pop-up trailer so I won't worry about drawers and rtt at this point. The trailer will be towed and used as a base for exploring.
It is nice to see the pics of the other 450s!
My bumpers are both custom and the rear is super beefy. The front is very high clearance, but needs a bit of boxing in to be stiffer. I'll get to that this summer. 315s will go on as soon as the 285s are worn out. I will regear and do an ARB in the rear then as well.
I have an offroad pop-up trailer so I won't worry about drawers and rtt at this point. The trailer will be towed and used as a base for exploring.
It is nice to see the pics of the other 450s!
Those are nice bumpers you have there and saved a huge expense. Are you sure you need the 315s? I have 285 or 295 Geolanders and it really works out pretty nice. Also be sure to air down when you get off pavement as the ride is so much better and it just goes up about anything. I run at about 35psi on the highway then air down to 26 psi for gravel/rock roads. Makes a big improvement.
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
I have owned six cruisers before this one, including two BJ60s with diesel 5spd so I have a good idea where I am headed. I don't know if I "need" 315s. It is something I will look at when the time comes to re-tire. The 285s I have will get to november just fine. I have a blue top optima that will go in this weekend, as well as the wheel bearing lock washer, and maybe my cb if the rain is mellow. I bought this rig as it was the best one in my budget, and the sum of the "extra" parts was greater than the total purchase price. I appreciate all the input from 80/450 vets!
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
Two weekends have passed since the Piglet came home. Last weekend I mounted the CB, did the bearing lock washer and put in the Optima. This weekend I did the front brakes and finished wiring the CB. Fog lights went on in the first week of ownership as my drive to and from work is about 20 minutes of potentially VERY dark deer infested farm roads along the west coast.
Some pics of the front and rear bumpers, and CB mount. Soon to come is the trailer brake controller and a center diff lock switch.
Some pics of the front and rear bumpers, and CB mount. Soon to come is the trailer brake controller and a center diff lock switch.
Attachments
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
Today I did the $.00009 cat delete with no CEL mod. Meaning, I pulled the dash apart and put a piece of electrical tape over the CEL icon between the gauge panels. I had the code read the day I bought it... "cats not operating at optimum levels", and then cleared. CEL was back the next day. $800 for the parts up here. I think I can do without!:elkgrin: I have found that 99% of CELs are emission control related, so I will monitor my engine the old fashioned way. With gauges and p.m.
Wheelingnoob
Adventurer
How is the truck coming? I ended up getting a stock y pipe and cats from a guy parting out a lx450 in Montana $150 I could not go wrong. One problem with the CEL trick is if you live in an AirCare area it will fail. I do not have a CEL on but the aftermarket cat it came with was rattling and it failed AirCare last time round.
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
I have never lived full-time in air-care country, so not too worried about the cats. I will get an ultragauge when $$ are better, which will let me take the tape off the dash at least, with the ability to clear codes. Although the codes will reoccur maybe a bit too often. I guess I will at least know if a different code comes up...
I shopped around for a CDL switch for a while, but all I found were hazard switches. Then someone put me onto a japanese auto wrecker here on the rock, who has a ton of Toyotas. A '96 RAV4 CDL switch now sits in my dash and makes things work as they should have in the first place. Only $10 for the switch too!:sombrero: I also did the pin7 mod of course. Got to try the hi-range lock yesterday in the foot of fresh snow we got. Worked like a charm! the only rigs that made it into the mountain-top parking lot at work were me and a humungous Dodge. I probably didn't even need to lock it up, but had to try it out.
I am still shopping around for some 315s but cash is at an all-time low for me right now. We are making about $2500 per month less than we did at this time two years ago. That and a six month 25,000 km road trip last year have mods on the sloooow track. I think a home-brew paint job will be the next thing I tackle. My clear coat is peeling pretty bad.
Update on yours Ryan? Paint done? I would love to see that head gasket tester you got. I think mine is still good, and all is running well so I will leave it alone. I read your thread on Overland Canada and Mud. (I am Joseywales on Mud [it's a dog thing]).
I shopped around for a CDL switch for a while, but all I found were hazard switches. Then someone put me onto a japanese auto wrecker here on the rock, who has a ton of Toyotas. A '96 RAV4 CDL switch now sits in my dash and makes things work as they should have in the first place. Only $10 for the switch too!:sombrero: I also did the pin7 mod of course. Got to try the hi-range lock yesterday in the foot of fresh snow we got. Worked like a charm! the only rigs that made it into the mountain-top parking lot at work were me and a humungous Dodge. I probably didn't even need to lock it up, but had to try it out.
I am still shopping around for some 315s but cash is at an all-time low for me right now. We are making about $2500 per month less than we did at this time two years ago. That and a six month 25,000 km road trip last year have mods on the sloooow track. I think a home-brew paint job will be the next thing I tackle. My clear coat is peeling pretty bad.
Update on yours Ryan? Paint done? I would love to see that head gasket tester you got. I think mine is still good, and all is running well so I will leave it alone. I read your thread on Overland Canada and Mud. (I am Joseywales on Mud [it's a dog thing]).
Wheelingnoob
Adventurer
Its Jeremy, yeah Paint is done should start getting it back together when I have the HG done. The HG tester is good for a cylinder to cooling jacket leak but not for the BHG I have mine was leaking external at the back of the head. I have the head off now and should have it going bake together later this week. The injectors are also getting sent out for cleaning and balancing. Might as well I have it apart anyways.
I ended up getting a CDL switch from Slee along with my other things I ordered. Just saved me having to run around looking for one that would work. The hazard switched worked well for testing but I wanted the real thing. Glad you found a Rav4 one that works, I think the one slee sells is the same.
My budget now is shot after finding out the head gasket is done and the stuff that "should" be changed at the same time. So the 315's and other mods are going to have to wait a few months.
I did score a used set of OME heavy front med rear with shocks so that saved me a few hundred. I also got the Slee black caster busing and battery relocation bracket.
Looking forward to getting this HG done so I can get the last of the body work nailed out and start on the fun mods.
Wheelingnoob
Adventurer
No problem. the budget is getting sacrificed with the benefit of reliability so its all good. I know now after the HG job that the motor is solid and reliable. Check compression and it was solid across the board at 160-170, and there appears to be none to very little wear on any wear items (cylinder walls and cams).
This HG has not really costing much, the gasket kit was $200 and the head job is costing me $200 and injector cleaning is $150 so all in all its not to bad.
I have a OME suspension set lined up from a friend and got the missing bits from Slee this week (CDL switch, OME sterring damper, Caster bushings and battery relocation kit). Next month I plan on getting tires so I am really only a month or two behind schedule.
Looking forward to driving this thing as I only have about 30kms total on it since I got the truck.
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
I totally love driving mine! I wish I could put some money into it and get it baselined, but unfortunately the guy I work for is only going to clear $2.1 mil this month
so he can't afford to pay me my regular wage. And yes, that is $2,100,000 AFTER taxes THIS month. Sucks to be him! I can't even afford to fill the tank in my 450. I am $1600 per month down in wages over last year. Oh well. At least I drive a Lexus! He drives a Ford!
I am starting to look for work back in the Whistler area again. Maybe I can afford to fix a few things if that works out.
I look forward to seeing yours when it is done(r).
so he can't afford to pay me my regular wage. And yes, that is $2,100,000 AFTER taxes THIS month. Sucks to be him! I can't even afford to fill the tank in my 450. I am $1600 per month down in wages over last year. Oh well. At least I drive a Lexus! He drives a Ford!I am starting to look for work back in the Whistler area again. Maybe I can afford to fix a few things if that works out.
I look forward to seeing yours when it is done(r).