Good to know that after 5 or 6 new LX570 units, that I am contributing to something.

I was was driving on a dirt road last week when I came up to a large nasty mud hole.

You bet I turned around and do not regret it.

 

I would reply but I keep getting double posts.

 

thank you...instagram filters

 

Wow! The 2016 wheels look great on your 2013 LX. I love the updated look.

I would like to find 18" aftermarket wheels that look as close as possible to the factory 21's. No luck yet. If anyone knows of such a beast, please let me know.

 

In all honesty, I don't think the 21" tires will have trouble on the type of terrain pictured. Heavy deep/mud would present a big problem. While 18's and their increased sidewall would solve some problems, the LX - especially the 2016 - is limited more by approach and departure angles.

As shown in the Motor Trend Ignition LX570 video, the LX could be better, but even stock "street cruiser" style, it is much more capable in places that most owners would be unwilling to venture - which makes for a pretty good compromise.

 

Not practical in real life...

Most I'll diy is changing from winter tires and wheels to non-winter, and vice versa. That takes ~ 40 minutes, including moving tire/wheels in and out of the barn.

 

Amen

 

Yes, you are right. This spot is not a problem. The road here is quite narrow in some places, but probably still doable even for beginners (if not wet, covered with snow, ice etc.).

The problem is to get there. The beginning of this trail is quite steep and rocky. No big issue but you would probably terrible scratch 21" wheels and the risk of a tire defect is a much higher. I am not saying that it cannot be done without any damage. You would need a good spotter and it would take you much longer. I was just driving straight :-)

BTW, if you want to try it and you live somewhere in Northern California or Nevada, this trail is a very nice scenic trail; good idea for a half day trip: From Nevada Border drive to California on hwy 88. Turn left to Hope Valley about 8 miles from Alpine Village (Picketts Junction). Then there is a nice paved road for about 12 miles to Lower Blue Lake. You should continue another 3 miles to the northern end of Upper Blue Lake (the road here is not paved but still O.K. for 2wd). And this is where the fun starts. You can get to Red Lake and back on hwy 88. Note that this road is closed in winter and I would guess that this trail can be covered with some snow and closed in a next few days.

I know that Motor Trend video. Note that many damages were caused not only by low departure/approach angles but also by lack of traction. If you drive 4x4 trails in Moab, you need to deflate your tires as low as possible. With my AT tires on 18" wheels I can safely get somewhere to 18 PSI which would help a lot.

I also supposed that the biggest limitation of my LX would be its low approach angle. But after some experience you are able to find the best track and often avoid this limitation (if you do not plan to drive something like Rubicon Trail). In the worst case you can just use a few well placed stones.

 

ClaytonW, thanks for the info and location of the trail. I will definitely seek that and trails like it out. I've been looking at 18" wheels since even before I got the LX & just haven't pulled the trigger yet.