Stock LC's Killing it

[Roonie]

My FE came with 265/70R18 and I went one small increase to 275/70R18. Aftermarket rims and AT tires only. I have been able to do 4x4 trails no problem and only scraped the bottom on some of the bigger stuff but no damage to skid plates. It does really well with stock configuration. Even the thousands of washboards I have come across on the logging roads are no issue until it starts to crab walk sideways. But shocks do really well.

 

[NoMe cruiser]

Stock also but I had to get the FE 18” rims which imho look the best on the LC… OEM or aftermarket. Put some 255/70 blizzaks on them.

 

[BMFS33]

I put KO3s in 275/70-18 on my stock 18" wheels, added RCI side rails, and called it good. It has the factory skid plates that came on it. Drove a bunch of 4X4 two-track roads with water crossings and large rocks and have had no issues. Didn't even scrape the undercarriage on any big boulders, although my wife bounced one off a side rail. In the future, if it needs better undercarriage protection, I'll do that, but so far, so good. Can't see any reason to modify it further. It's an exceptional vehicle.

Any rubbing on your tires? I am thinking about those and actually ordered that size but backed the order back down to 265s for fear of rubbing and spare fit hanging down too low.

 

[GBLC250]

Congratulations on your new LC. I took the same approach as you for now. The only mod I made was replacing the tires on my '25 1958 with BFG KO3's (275/60/18). I took delivery in January and thought I could live with the cloth seats...10 months later I have Katzkin aftermarket leather seats! I know that's not really a "mod" but I feel I have to mention that. At the time I bought it I couldn't see spending another 10 grand to upgrade to the premium because I didn't need/want anything else that came with it except for the leather upholstery. I'm very happy with the Katzkin. I chose a custom color that wasn't available from factory.

Anyway, just got back from a 2 week overlanding odyssey in Colorado in my stock LC 1958 and I couldn't be happier with the way it performed. I didn't go on any technically advanced trails but the trails I did choose were definitely not for your everyday SUV. The BFG k03's gave me supreme confidence going over the rocky terrain while avoiding punctures. The traction was outstanding as well. I also have a front factory skid plate. in the future I am considering fully "skidding" the underbody. But for the kind of off-roading I'm doing the only other mod I would consider are replacing the factory steps with real sliders.

 

[Trail250]

How many folks are running their LC's pure stock, no lift with perhaps upgraded tires in the same size and crushing it? I'm convinced that I need to go to 275/60/18's and I think there are a lot more drivers that are using the stock LC and loving its performance? Adding skids, of course, isn't something that I'm considering a mod here, as they're available factory installed (and mine are on order).

I replaced the 18" 1958 rims with some 17x8.5 +35MM offset wheels and threw on some 285/75/17's and instantly upgraded my LC without needing a lift. Tires are nice and not loud on the street, and provide a lot of sidewall for airing down and going off-road. Check out my videos, I've taken my "Stock" LC on a lot of trails so far in the AZ desert, and I only have an upgraded skid plate. Will be getting a lift someday as more competitors hit the market and waiting on Bilstein.

 

[Bighorn Tremor]

Any rubbing on your tires? I am thinking about those and actually ordered that size but backed the order back down to 265s for fear of rubbing and spare fit hanging down too low.

No rubbing. The spare does hang down some, but it's not lower than any of the metal bits on the vehicle. I wanted 33" tires minimum, and this achieves that objective.

 

[Al Hoffman]

I am quite pleased with the mostly stock LC250. It has Goodyear Wrangler Ultraterrain AT LT275/70r18's and a 1/2" tophat shim in the front, along with Slee running boards.
It has driven Engineer Pass, the Caribou Loop, and some other trails around Ouray and Crested Butte.
I have no plans to do any more modifications, this vehicle is more than capable of going anywhere I would want to go, and it hasn't lost any of it's manners.