If You’re Planning a Build, I’m Happy to Help!

[KPHAM]

@Matthew@LC250Mods Recommendations on Skid Plates?

 

[Matthew@LC250Mods]

@Matthew@LC250Mods Recommendations on Skid Plates?

Great question! I like the C4 and the Slee designs for heavy off road use. The C4 has the edge for easy oil changes while the Slee has a nice rad protection feature.

My next choice would be the Icon Aluminum skids. They aren't quite as beefy as the C4, but I personally like aluminum skids for the fact that they're lightweight, still protect really well and there's no risk of chipping powder coating or trying to paint match when scratches inevitably happen.

TL;DR:

C4 - Easiest Oil Change and super thick steel; you do lose your OE recovery points if not paired with their bumper

Slee - Aluminum but coated, lighter weight, very complete coverage, not as sexy as the Icon or as sturdy as the C4

Icon - The best looking IMO, very light, and requires no touching up for scrapes. Better for dual duty rigs but not as good for heavy off roaders

I hope this helps!

 

[KPHAM]

Great question! I like the C4 and the Slee designs for heavy off road use. The C4 has the edge for easy oil changes while the Slee has a nice rad protection feature.

My next choice would be the Icon Aluminum skids. They aren't quite as beefy as the C4, but I personally like aluminum skids for the fact that they're lightweight, still protect really well and there's no risk of chipping powder coating or trying to paint match when scratches inevitably happen.

TL;DR:

C4 - Easiest Oil Change and super thick steel; you do lose your OE recovery points if not paired with their bumper

Slee - Aluminum but coated, lighter weight, very complete coverage, not as sexy as the Icon or as sturdy as the C4

Icon - The best looking IMO, very light, and requires no touching up for scrapes. Better for dual duty rigs but not as good for heavy off roaders

I hope this helps!

I think you lose the front factory tow hooks with C4, though, right?

 

[Matthew@LC250Mods]

Yes, unfortunately. I mentioned that in the TLDR. Unless you pair it with their bumper you do lose the factory hooks.

 

[KPHAM]

Yes, unfortunately. I mentioned that in the TLDR. Unless you pair it with their bumper you do lose the factory hooks.

Thanks Matthew! Always appreciate your willingness to help.

Ended up just ordering OEM Skid Plate, since I'm not a heavy offroader.. couldn't beat $250 sale and free shipping from toyota.

 

[Matthew@LC250Mods]

Thanks Matthew! Always appreciate your willingness to help.

Ended up just ordering OEM Skid Plate, since I'm not a heavy offroader.. couldn't beat $250 sale and free shipping from toyota.

You're very welcome! That sounds like a killer deal too, nice find!

 

[KPHAM]

@Matthew@LC250Mods thinking about replacing my OEM half rack! Any recommendations of one that will easily be able to mount a light bar?

 

[Matthew@LC250Mods]

@Matthew@LC250Mods thinking about replacing my OEM half rack! Any recommendations of one that will easily be able to mount a light bar?

Hey Kenny,

If I recall correctly, slimmer is a requirement for fitting in your garage. The best for your needs is likely the

Prinsu Pro Roof Rack
or
Front Runner Slimsport

For a light bar, I would go with any of the Diode Dynamics 40" bars. You'll need the KC HiLites Wire Hider too. I hope this helps!

 

[KPHAM]

Hey Kenny,

If I recall correctly, slimmer is a requirement for fitting in your garage. The best for your needs is likely the

Prinsu Pro Roof Rack
or
Front Runner Slimsport

For a light bar, I would go with any of the Diode Dynamics 40" bars. You'll need the KC HiLites Wire Hider too. I hope this helps!

Yes correct! My car fits in my garage with the OEM half rack ! So as long as it’s lower than that haha

 

[Matthew@LC250Mods]

Yes correct! My car fits in my garage with the OEM half rack ! So as long as it’s lower than that haha

I would lean towards the Front Runner in that case! That's very similar in height to OEM and fits any 40" light bar. It's a super underrated rack.

 

[AJW]

Matthew,

First, I really appreciate this thread and what a great community this is. I feel welcome.

Here’s what I’m thinking: I have the 2025 LC250 LC in wind chill pearl. I want to do some changes for the following reasons.

1. Improve utility for mountain and winter driving in Western Colorado on my daily driver.
2. Improve light off-road capability for accessing the San Juan mountains in my area and get to some cool places.
3. Change the aesthetic to stand out a little, but keep it clean and classic looking.

Here’s what I’ve picked out so far for wheels (I’m listing details to make sure it will work):

Black Rhino BR022 Bahari 17x8.5 6x139.7 25mm Burnt Bronze w/Matte Black Lip

Tire Size: 275/70R 17. Either the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W or the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3. Are there any glaring issues with either of these? Noise, safety, ect

Next question: Do I need a suspension kit? I don’t want to do a leveling/spacer kit. I don’t mind the rake, I figure it’s there for a reason. I know the ground clearance is not a strong point on this car but what will be the trade-offs on drive experience, comfort, safety, cornering, ect. It will be full of two adults and two kids with a dog and a few days of camping gear at times, but I don’t plan to put a bunch of heavy shit on it. Also important, will it look dumb without a lift?

Thinking of adding some ditch lights. I like the look and want them for nighttime suicidal deer watch. What mid-tier, compatible options are there that I can potentially install my self. Do I need an aux switch?

My wife says if I add some tasteful tricolor decals or pin stripes, I’ll look like an idiot. Is she right as usual?

And my last question: do I really need to freaking buy a wheel and tire set to sit under my car as a matching spare?

 

[wpage]

Hi Matthew,
Appreciate what you are offering. Very nice of you to help.
Like to buy you lunch on my next trip south from Delaware. No mods needed. Are you near I95?

 

[BlueLC250]

Hey guys,

I've had a lot of great discussion recently around suspension and setup options, so figured I’d throw this out there.

If anyone is planning a build — whether it’s just tires and a level, a full suspension setup, or going all out — I’m happy to help think through it with you.

If you want input, just drop:
• How you use the truck (daily, trails, overland, etc)
• What you’re trying to achieve (ride quality, clearance, stance, etc)
• Any plans for added weight (rack, armor, gear)

No one-size-fits-all answers with these trucks, so always happy to help dial things in.

Hey man,

I was referred over to you about help with building out my Land Cruiser. I'm in need of some help with trying to figure out what brands to go with as far as suspension and maybe wheels and tires.

"How you use the truck"
- It will be daily driven mainly on highway and city. i do intend to take it off-road on the weekend on some trails.

"What you're trying to achieve"
- My main focus is stance and clearance. I'm looking at doing at least a 3in lift kit with 35in tires. I was looking at Dobinson's IMS Lift Kit, and SCS Ray 10 -10mm offset wheels with either Nitto Ridge Grapplers or Toyo RT Trails.

"Any plans for added weight"
- In the future, i would like to add maybe a metal front bumper, and a rear full size spare mount for the back bumper

I'm looking to see if you can recommend other lift kit (same 3in lift), wheel (same offset), and tire brands (same aggressive sidewall style) that are cheaper in price, but still have the same quality and reliability.

 

[jowood]

Hi

I'm planning a suspension setup for an incoming LC250 and am strongly leaning toward the Wescott Designs 2.5" front / 0.75" rear preload collar lift kit. Before ordering, I wanted to get advice about one aspect of the stance.

I've looked at quite a few LC250s running this kit, and visually I find myself wanting a little more rear lift than the 0.75" provided by the standard kit. On some builds, the rear appears slightly lower or appears to droop more than I personally prefer. I realize this may simply be a matter of vehicle load, tire size, body lines, or personal perception rather than actual rear sag.

I had initially wondered about something approaching 1.5–2" of rear lift, but I'm not committed to that number and don't want to modify the suspension in a way thats not recommend.

Is there a recommended way to achieve somewhat more rear lift while retaining the 2.5" front preload setup as designed?

For example is there a taller rear spacer, a combination of rear components, or another solution that would provide something in the neighborhood of 1–2" rear lift? Or would you recommend leaving the rear at the designed 0.75" and installing the kit exactly as supplied?

I'm primarily interested in stance rather than additional off-road capability. The vehicle will be a daily driver with occasional light forest-road use.

For additional fitment context, I already have SCS Ray10 17x8.5 wheels with +20 mm offset, and Milestar Patagonia AT 285/75R17 tires.

Alternatively, I am looking into the Dobinsons Twin Tube 2-3" lift kit. I think a 3" front and 2" rear lift will achieve my desired stance. I know I will need UCAs and am considering KSP, Rough Country, or Freedom Off-Road as budget options. I am unsure if a diff drop, rear sway bar links, a panhard bar, or front bump stops are necessary for this setup. The total for all parts comes out to roughly $2,300–$2,500.

The local shop said labor for the Dobinsons would be "about the same" as the Westcott install, whatever that means, LOL. I dont think that price included all the extras - diff drop, etc.

I'm primarily looking for stance. I already have a Tacoma to do the offroad things. Visually, would there be a significant difference in lift heights between the Westcott, potential Westcott hybrid, and Dobinsons setups described above? If not, the Westcott lift as designed is an easy choice. If the other options give a significant visual lift appearance, I'd go one of the outer routes, and Im ok paying more.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[TimHerald]

Hi

I'm planning a suspension setup for an incoming LC250 and am strongly leaning toward the Wescott Designs 2.5" front / 0.75" rear preload collar lift kit. Before ordering, I wanted to get advice about one aspect of the stance.

I've looked at quite a few LC250s running this kit, and visually I find myself wanting a little more rear lift than the 0.75" provided by the standard kit. On some builds, the rear appears slightly lower or appears to droop more than I personally prefer. I realize this may simply be a matter of vehicle load, tire size, body lines, or personal perception rather than actual rear sag.

I had initially wondered about something approaching 1.5–2" of rear lift, but I'm not committed to that number and don't want to modify the suspension in a way thats not recommend.

Is there a recommended way to achieve somewhat more rear lift while retaining the 2.5" front preload setup as designed?

For example is there a taller rear spacer, a combination of rear components, or another solution that would provide something in the neighborhood of 1–2" rear lift? Or would you recommend leaving the rear at the designed 0.75" and installing the kit exactly as supplied?

I'm primarily interested in stance rather than additional off-road capability. The vehicle will be a daily driver with occasional light forest-road use.

For additional fitment context, I already have SCS Ray10 17x8.5 wheels with +20 mm offset, and Milestar Patagonia AT 285/75R17 tires.

Alternatively, I am looking into the Dobinsons Twin Tube 2-3" lift kit. I think a 3" front and 2" rear lift will achieve my desired stance. I know I will need UCAs and am considering KSP, Rough Country, or Freedom Off-Road as budget options. I am unsure if a diff drop, rear sway bar links, a panhard bar, or front bump stops are necessary for this setup. The total for all parts comes out to roughly $2,300–$2,500.

The local shop said labor for the Dobinsons would be "about the same" as the Westcott install, whatever that means, LOL. I dont think that price included all the extras - diff drop, etc.

I'm primarily looking for stance. I already have a Tacoma to do the offroad things. Visually, would there be a significant difference in lift heights between the Westcott, potential Westcott hybrid, and Dobinsons setups described above? If not, the Westcott lift as designed is an easy choice. If the other options give a significant visual lift appearance, I'd go one of the outer routes, and Im ok paying more.

Any advice is appreciated.

Hi

I'm planning a suspension setup for an incoming LC250 and am strongly leaning toward the Wescott Designs 2.5" front / 0.75" rear preload collar lift kit. Before ordering, I wanted to get advice about one aspect of the stance.

I've looked at quite a few LC250s running this kit, and visually I find myself wanting a little more rear lift than the 0.75" provided by the standard kit. On some builds, the rear appears slightly lower or appears to droop more than I personally prefer. I realize this may simply be a matter of vehicle load, tire size, body lines, or personal perception rather than actual rear sag.

I had initially wondered about something approaching 1.5–2" of rear lift, but I'm not committed to that number and don't want to modify the suspension in a way thats not recommend.

Is there a recommended way to achieve somewhat more rear lift while retaining the 2.5" front preload setup as designed?

For example is there a taller rear spacer, a combination of rear components, or another solution that would provide something in the neighborhood of 1–2" rear lift? Or would you recommend leaving the rear at the designed 0.75" and installing the kit exactly as supplied?

I'm primarily interested in stance rather than additional off-road capability. The vehicle will be a daily driver with occasional light forest-road use.

For additional fitment context, I already have SCS Ray10 17x8.5 wheels with +20 mm offset, and Milestar Patagonia AT 285/75R17 tires.

Alternatively, I am looking into the Dobinsons Twin Tube 2-3" lift kit. I think a 3" front and 2" rear lift will achieve my desired stance. I know I will need UCAs and am considering KSP, Rough Country, or Freedom Off-Road as budget options. I am unsure if a diff drop, rear sway bar links, a panhard bar, or front bump stops are necessary for this setup. The total for all parts comes out to roughly $2,300–$2,500.

The local shop said labor for the Dobinsons would be "about the same" as the Westcott install, whatever that means, LOL. I dont think that price included all the extras - diff drop, etc.

I'm primarily looking for stance. I already have a Tacoma to do the offroad things. Visually, would there be a significant difference in lift heights between the Westcott, potential Westcott hybrid, and Dobinsons setups described above? If not, the Westcott lift as designed is an easy choice. If the other options give a significant visual lift appearance, I'd go one of the outer routes, and Im ok paying more.

Any advice is appreciated.

I have a Wescott and with 285/75/r18 I couldn’t use 1” wheel spacers (25mm) without major rubbing and I felt it would possibly rip off the bumper corner. So I couldn’t use the spacers making mine +35. I know there is an inch difference in your tires and not sure how that all shakes out but something to consider. I would like to have a bit wider stance with more offset but it just didn’t work with my tires and Wescott. I agree with you that I like the trucks being level and not front and down.

 

[Matthew@LC250Mods]

Hi

I'm planning a suspension setup for an incoming LC250 and am strongly leaning toward the Wescott Designs 2.5" front / 0.75" rear preload collar lift kit. Before ordering, I wanted to get advice about one aspect of the stance.

I've looked at quite a few LC250s running this kit, and visually I find myself wanting a little more rear lift than the 0.75" provided by the standard kit. On some builds, the rear appears slightly lower or appears to droop more than I personally prefer. I realize this may simply be a matter of vehicle load, tire size, body lines, or personal perception rather than actual rear sag.

I had initially wondered about something approaching 1.5–2" of rear lift, but I'm not committed to that number and don't want to modify the suspension in a way thats not recommend.

Is there a recommended way to achieve somewhat more rear lift while retaining the 2.5" front preload setup as designed?

For example is there a taller rear spacer, a combination of rear components, or another solution that would provide something in the neighborhood of 1–2" rear lift? Or would you recommend leaving the rear at the designed 0.75" and installing the kit exactly as supplied?

I'm primarily interested in stance rather than additional off-road capability. The vehicle will be a daily driver with occasional light forest-road use.

For additional fitment context, I already have SCS Ray10 17x8.5 wheels with +20 mm offset, and Milestar Patagonia AT 285/75R17 tires.

Alternatively, I am looking into the Dobinsons Twin Tube 2-3" lift kit. I think a 3" front and 2" rear lift will achieve my desired stance. I know I will need UCAs and am considering KSP, Rough Country, or Freedom Off-Road as budget options. I am unsure if a diff drop, rear sway bar links, a panhard bar, or front bump stops are necessary for this setup. The total for all parts comes out to roughly $2,300–$2,500.

The local shop said labor for the Dobinsons would be "about the same" as the Westcott install, whatever that means, LOL. I dont think that price included all the extras - diff drop, etc.

I'm primarily looking for stance. I already have a Tacoma to do the offroad things. Visually, would there be a significant difference in lift heights between the Westcott, potential Westcott hybrid, and Dobinsons setups described above? If not, the Westcott lift as designed is an easy choice. If the other options give a significant visual lift appearance, I'd go one of the outer routes, and Im ok paying more.

Any advice is appreciated.

Great question.

In my opinion, the Peak kit is a better choice due to it splitting the lift between a top spacer and a small preload collar. This results in noticeably better ride quality (less jitters) and a slight increase in travel. The Peak kit also offers two options for rear lift height, at 1" or 2". The Dobinsons kit is also simply fantastic--it's a bit more pricy but it's a very complete solution that will be the last suspension you'll ever need.

I would recommend:
- Peak 2-Piece Trail Lift Kit
OR
- Peak 2-Piece Summit Lift Kit (adds UCAs)

and if you opt to go Dobinsons, shoot us a PM and we can beat the online price by a decent bit. I hope this helps!

 

[jowood]

I have a Wescott and with 285/75/r18 I couldn’t use 1” wheel spacers (25mm) without major rubbing and I felt it would possibly rip off the bumper corner. So I couldn’t use the spacers making mine +35. I know there is an inch difference in your tires and not sure how that all shakes out but something to consider. I would like to have a bit wider stance with more offset but it just didn’t work with my tires and Wescott. I agree with you that I like the trucks being level and not front and down.

Im going with the SCS wheels becasue I am obsessed with the gold Ray 10s. For the LC 17"x8.5"

I have a Wescott and with 285/75/r18 I couldn’t use 1” wheel spacers (25mm) without major rubbing and I felt it would possibly rip off the bumper corner. So I couldn’t use the spacers making mine +35. I know there is an inch difference in your tires and not sure how that all shakes out but something to consider. I would like to have a bit wider stance with more offset but it just didn’t work with my tires and Wescott. I agree with you that I like the trucks being level and not front and down.

I've seen only a couple of LC250s with the Westcott lift, 285/75/17 and the +20 SCS wheels. Those builds didnt have any major rubbing issues, but Im confident any rubbing can be addressed in my case.