New addition to the fam

spencevans · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:43 am

Well it took me over a year but I finally found what I was looking for. It's a '96 Lexus LX450 with 119K miles, with every option, even front and rear lockers. I know it may not look like much but they just don't build them like this any more. I hope to add a 3" OME lift, some tires and then try it out at the 2008 Moab KJ safari. Don't worry the KJ will be there but I wanted something more capable for the serious trails that the wife could drive.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:49 am

Yep, I almost picked up a Land Cruiser...same style...people don't realize they are so good off road...but a bit heavy.

wildrussian · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 12:32 pm

Nice looking Lexus!
Never have seen Lexus offroad but sure would love to.

duckhunter71 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:36 pm

A couple years ago I think it was Four Wheeler magazine that took a brand new Lexus GX470 and modded it into an offroad rig. That sucker was a beast on the trails! Think of it as an extra fancy 4Runner.

spencevans · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:13 pm

duckhunter71 wrote:

A couple years ago I think it was Four Wheeler magazine that took a brand new Lexus GX470 and modded it into an offroad rig. That sucker was a beast on the trails! Think of it as an extra fancy 4Runner.

Yeah I remember that one. It was a very nice build up they did and they sure beat the crap out of it.

This is actually my second LX450, I rolled my first LX450 4 times off the freeway at 80mph and walked away without a scratch. Actually I got lucky because it never landed on the roof. I bought the CRD as a replacement, but you can't replace that kind of offroad capability so I bought another LX. This thing is absolutely gorgous inside and out, even the leather is in great shape.

Here are some pics of my first LX.

Ouch!

RkyMtnKJ · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:13 pm

very impressive...lookin clean. I used to work at a lexus dealership and every now and then we'd see a few lifted LX's i want one as well and then you can throw on all the landcruiser ARB armor and get the Lexus interior

keep us updated

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:32 pm

Come On!!! You can't NOT take pics of the Solid Front Axle...let us see what we all want

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:32 pm

I had an FJ80
Slee has lots of stuff - all expensive.
http://www.sleeoffroad.com/

and I H8 Mud - had great tech links
http://www.ih8mud.com/

I hope your mileage is better than mine was - 11 - 13mpg

stick · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:39 pm

Not my cup of tea, but it looks like a very well maintained vehicle for a '96. But then again, it is a Lexus, so you wouldn't expect it to get dirty :wink:

Just kidding.. it actually looks like a nice vehicle.

spencevans · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:39 pm

RkyMtnKJ wrote:

very impressive...lookin clean. I used to work at a lexus dealership and every now and then we'd see a few lifted LX's i want one as well and then you can throw on all the landcruiser ARB armor and get the Lexus interior

keep us updated

Yeah I'm thinking about going with the 2 1/2" OME medium duty lift from Slee Offroad. Anyone else have recommendations with which lift to go with?

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/products/80_suspension.htm

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:52 pm

The idea that you have off the shelf 6" lifts available........ however

I think the body looks balanced with the ~35" 315/75/16 Tires - I think the 2.5 is right at the lower end for that, might need a small spacer - but it depends on how much you want to flex it.

spencevans · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:21 pm

ATXKJ wrote:

The idea that you have off the shelf 6" lifts available........ however

I think the body looks balanced with the ~35" 315/75/16 Tires - I think the 2.5 is right at the lower end for that, might need a small spacer - but it depends on how much you want to flex it.

Yeah the 6" lift would be great but as mentioned previously, these thing don't get that good of gas milage to start with. My last one got around 13-15 mpg. The problem with the 6" lift is then you have to regear the axles, buy new tires and rims, so it gets expensive pretty quick. I am sure it will get the 6" lift some day but for now I just want to make it drivable for the wifey. I will probably end up going with the OME 2 1/2" lift and then swapping the rims and tires (33x12.50x15) from my truck over to the LX.

Landy · **Posted:** Sat Sep 15, 2007 12:15 pm

Looks good and I'll bet it rides nice and quiet too.

New addition to the fam

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