Shotts' 1997 Lexus "Rock Crawler" buildup:

[ShottsCruisers]

Yes sir!

Drove it with the CV front driveshaft in. 90% of the vibration is gone. Phew! The remaining should be eliminated by re-adjusting the panhards and either re-adjusting the rear uper arms and/or with a rear CV shaft. It's amazing what has to be done to add acouple extra inches. (I'll spare no expense for smoooothness. :victory: )

GOAL: Leave the 100 home :hehe:

 

[kevin]

Have you considered cutting and rotating the axle? This gives you stock steering geometry, and a nearly perfect driveline angle.

 

[blupaddler]

John, So it sounds like you had some vibration problems? Was this after the cast plates? Have you corrected it with just the front shaft? Will you have to do the panhard rods too? Thanks...I want to move up to the 4" one of these days, just trying to see what it will take. Even though you have the 5" and it is probably nowhere similar.


ALSO...That bumper is really nice!!! You should have your friend start selling his bumper.

Regarding the rear...I thought you cut off part of the frame on the 1993 80. Are you going with the same plan for this one or not?

Thanks again.


:sunny:

 

[Desertdude]

I see you are blending a few technologies in your suspension lift - in the interest in clarity- if you get 2.5 with OME 850J/863J springs - how are you getting the other 2.5" ? The trim packs + less added weight ?

 

[clarkrw3]

The J's give about 3.5-4 not 2.5. Actually measured at the last meet Tools R Us 's truck unloaded in the rear and my 6" loaded in the rear are the same hight. His even with spacers is lower in front.

Actually Shotts, I think the 6" spring rates are perfect. I wouldn't want to be 6" in the air and have springs as soft as the J's. My springs flex really well, I am running the med in the rear. Also the truck sits totally level without having to shim the truck back to level. Also even with slee's front arms I only have 2 deg of caster so I would think the arms would work pretty well on your setup.

great build though!!! :clapsmile

 

[ShottsCruisers]

The J's give about 3.5-4 not 2.5. Actually measured at the last meet Tools R Us 's truck unloaded in the rear and my 6" loaded in the rear are the same hight. His even with spacers is lower in front.

Actually Shotts, I think the 6" spring rates are perfect. I wouldn't want to be 6" in the air and have springs as soft as the J's. My springs flex really well, I am running the med in the rear. Also the truck sits totally level without having to shim the truck back to level. Also even with slee's front arms I only have 2 deg of caster so I would think the arms would work pretty well on your setup.

great build though!!! :clapsmile

So far on mine....mine will not be loaded down....the lift is 4.5" front and 4" rear with the J's. The bumpers and sliders will drop a tad. I'll then trim pack it to 5".
Adding 25% more spring rate (slee) to my unloaded truck would make it unlivable for me. That defeats the purpose of its buy. I want a truck that can run and run nicely so I leave the 100 much more. The 6" would not garage. 5" will just make it.

 

[Desertdude]

clarkrw3 Thanks for the real world measurements and info!


John, does your new front bumper have any bracing in the rear of the channels?

 

[ShottsCruisers]

clarkrw3 Thanks for the real world measurements and info!


John, does your new front bumper have any bracing in the rear of the channels?

It's C-shaped 3/8 steel. Same as the 80. Pretty much indestructable. Makes for extreme strength and is easy to build.
The 80 bumpers (same) have taken a beating. I think I've repainted them 5 or 6 times.

The result of this build.....the 80 and this Lexus can take lines the "normal" 80 cannot (ARB, Slee, Hanna, etc) due to lesser app and dep. You can't do this in a decked out 80. Pic:

I have the decked out 100. I want a unique and more capable rig for FUN!

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Another view....you'll see why a loaded 80 can't make it. They have to move way to the right. I WANNA DO THIS STUFF!

 

[clarkrw3]

That's understandable. Mine however, does fit in a 7' garage. I was very suprised how similar the 6' was to the J's with packers when I was parked next to tools. It's funny because Phil seems to wiggle the 80 with J's when he parks so that it is level...because the springs are soft enough that it sometimes doesn't stay level.

Are you putting a winch in that bumper or do you not need Jeep rescue equipment?

I wounder if a 4x4 labs bumper that chops the rear from would make that line doable in a "loaded" 80? I am trying to make mine very rounded and don't have the wife that is understanding enough to allow 3 cruisers. I keep lobbying for a 40/45 but so far it has fallen on deaf ears.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

That's understandable. Mine however, does fit in a 7' garage. I was very suprised how similar the 6' was to the J's with packers when I was parked next to tools. It's funny because Phil seems to wiggle the 80 with J's when he parks so that it is level...because the springs are soft enough that it sometimes doesn't stay level.

Are you putting a winch in that bumper or do you not need Jeep rescue equipment?

You took your roof rack off though, huh? I didn't want to do that.

LOL on the WINCH! :hehe:

 

[clarkrw3]

yep..got rid of the thing....

 

[Desertdude]

Still waiting for parts, or did you weld something up?

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Still waiting for parts, or did you weld something up?

I'll wait for the upper rear cont arm adjusts. If I lengthen the lower arms rubbing will occur.

After a trail ride with Scott Brady yesterday I've also decided to NOT lift/trim the vehicle any higher than it is. Reasons:

1. GROUND CLEARANCE: The current height allows for fitting of a 35-inch tire. Since the tire size addresses the main issue of added ground clearance, adding more height without adding a larger tire doesn't accomplish that much...other than raising the level of gravity.

2. APPROACH AND DEPARTURE ANGLES/BODY GROUND CLEARANCE: IF I had aftermarket front and rear bumpers then additional lift to 5 or 6 inches would help when running difficult trails. I've addressed this issue in another way on the Lexus (and my 80) by shortening the truck (frame cutting) and adding custom bumpers. Basically, at the current 4.5" front and 4" rear, my Lexus has better app and dep angles than a 6" lifted "typical" 80-series.

3. Since #1 and #2 address the main issues on the trail....adding more height would simply make the truck more tippy. I believe Scott is right-on about this. Thanks buddy! :clapsmile

 

[ShottsCruisers]

yep..got rid of the thing....

Hey Clarkrw3: Do you have a side/profile picture of your truck? You know, from the side while just parked?