Who needs a Subaru to do some serious overlanding out in the wilds of Eastern Oregon? Not when you can offroad in the luxury and comfort of a splendid Lexus LS400.
It’s got the ride height and big tires to take on the roughest thread of an abandoned forest road or desert trail.
And plenty of power, from its superb big V8, now burbling through a pair of shorty pipes.
The interior is a bit worse for wear, but those big thrones are still supremely comfortable over the washboards and rocky back roads.
Four wheel drive? That’s for sissies. Real cars don’t need that. Just throw some traction mats and a shovel in the big trunk, and you’re golden.
Here’s a couple of CC’s on the less gnarly versions:
CC 1992 Lexus LS400: The Greatest Hit of the Last 50 Years? B.Saur
I know they made like a billion of these over their 16? year run but it kinda breaks my heart to see these cars end up like this. Time marches on I guess…
That’s so wrong…..it’s right. I wonder if there’s a kit (donk?) or if he machined the spacers. I’d love to see it in action. Betcha it’s dang competent and got many years of life left. It would be even better in mudless deserts with the frigid A/C blasting. Say Big Bend or Death Valley Nat. Park backroads. And you’d arrive in style lol.
Replacements are cheap and abundant.Just transfer the spacers, and wheels/tires. These must have the highest percentage still on the road rate. Snow bird neighbors have a gen 2 for sale, would be fun for exploring the extensive Florida Forestry roads (wheels turning…:)
That might come in handy around here today. Snow forecast until midnight… It’s a good thing the kid’s on spring break, I’m going to borrow the Jeep.
Here’s a 6 PM update from Arvada (Denver area).
Humans are amazing creatures at times. We are constantly tinkering with things and sometimes come up with something to advance mankind. Not so much this one as it looks like a dead end.
Considering that Toyota sells boatloads of raised Tacoma’s with big tires, in 2WD form badged as PreRunners, this seems quite relevant. Unlike a Tacoma, it’s got a V8 and probably rides great on washboard.
I’d like to know the train of thought that went from LS400 to bargain basement Land Cruiser.
This was a step above “hold my beer I got an idea!”
I guess I’m the outlier here. I really like it. It’s not like this car is rare or collectible. I say ‘let ‘er rip and have fun!
I can have that ride height in about 5 seconds in my C5 but the ride comfort would be terrible and I have road tyres so no.