ROTW - Romer LX450

Romer · 09-27-05, 10:40 PM

Since I didn't get a chance to sign up for the ROTW and it looks like we have a hole, I'll step up and fill it until PK comes back

In July of 2004 I started looking for an 80 series Land Cruiser to go with my FJ40. I looked locally, but they wanted $16K and above for ones that were not in pristine condition. I started looking on ebay and Autotrader. I was leary of ebay even though my friend bought an Infiniti there. I set my list of requirements for 100K miles or less, Factory lockers, no rust, great condition and for less than $14K. I read in the 80’s thread that the LX450’s were the same thing and started looking at those. I found a black one I really liked in Houston and I pm’d Texican to ask for advice on having it checked out. He put me in touch with Jim Reiss (El Mariachi) and he kindly went to look at it. Jim sent me a 2 page write-up on every thing that was wrong with it and then came the clunker. The underside was rusty and the Carfax showed it spent 4 years in Jersey. I talked it over with Jim and passed. I then found another one in Dallas and Gary Coberly ( Wagonner5) looked at it for me and gave me a similarly detailed report. This was a one owner Texas vehicle with no rust and I ended up buying it. I paid $13.8K for it and flew down to Dallas Saturday morning and drove it straight back to Denver, getting home about 2AM on Sunday. It was a dream to drive and I have been real happy with it.

Thanks Again Gary and Jim!

Photos from ebay showing how it looked when I bought it.

Romer · 09-27-05, 10:41 PM

The first Mod I did was buy 285 75 R 16 BFG AT’s. I had 33” BFG AT’s on my FJ40 and was real happy with both the on and off road performance.

Romer · 09-27-05, 10:41 PM

Next up was an Old Man EMU 2.5” lift that I had Slee Off Road put on

Romer · 09-27-05, 10:43 PM

I then bought a set of Slee Step Sliders. Both the Slee and Hanna sliders were great products. I selected the Slee’s as the Step model makes it “Wife Friendly”. If you look on Slee’s site, I got to be the model vehicle for these. I also was the first one to drive on his new shop floor, woo hooo!

Romer · 09-27-05, 10:44 PM

Before Moab, I wanted an ARB Bumper and it was pretty simple to install myself. I also Installed a CB radio in the Ash tray slot

Romer · 09-27-05, 10:45 PM

I went to Moab (with daughterofromer) for the first time this year and debated long and hard between the LX450 and the Fj40. I thought a 6 hour ride in a 40 with a 2F up Eisenhower Pass, or a nice ride in an LX450. You guys know what I chose. I was so impressed by it’s capabilities. This rig is more capable than the 40 with the longer wheel base and the front and rear lockers. Moab was a blast and I can’t wait to go back next year. It was nice to meet a lot of fellow mudder’s out there

Romer · 09-27-05, 10:46 PM

This summer I also installed an M12 Winch and PIAA Lights. Notice the Mud sticker and I switched from the standard antenna to the “bend over” antenna that Nakman uses.

Romer · 09-27-05, 10:46 PM

Next up was a Slee Rear Bumper. This is a well built unit and was fairly easy to install

Romer · 09-27-05, 10:47 PM

Of course, along the way my family learned the value of armour. My wife doesn’t complain about what I have installed anymore:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/chit-chat-section/50707-daughterofromer-learned-value-armor-accident.html

I have also learned a lot about Grrr’s in the drivetrain, replaced the starter contacts, replaced the Tcase, replaced the radiator, and replaced the muffler. I added the 1" spacers to the front on my medium springs when I found out the med and heavies have the same load capacity (see FAQ write-up)

I rebuilt (with friends) the front axle and did a rear axle rebuild at the Rising Sun annual Wheel packing party last spring:

Romer · 09-27-05, 10:48 PM

My current modification is my Garmin Ique M3 GPS. I plan on writing a review after I use it a little more, but have been real happy with it. I installed a noise filter and added an aux output from Radio shack to clean the power line up. I hooked this up to the battery (with an in-line fuse) so it would not shut off when I turned the rig off. I Garmin M3 for its abilities as a GPS device and its other capabilities. Note surfing mud via wifi in a pinch

Romer · 09-27-05, 10:50 PM

As most of you also know, I bought an 4runner for my daughter (daughterofromer). She was hooked after going with me to Moab this year.

Can't resist the Stable shot

Romer · 09-27-05, 10:51 PM

My experience with my Land Cruiser has been a positive one even with the problems I have had. I have made some great friends and joined a club I really enjoy (Rising Sun). I never thought I would enjoy being part of a club and have been pleasantly surprised.

I also have greatly enjoyed my time here on Mud. It has always been there to help me when I have had a problem. I have tried to repay it by posting what I have learned as I have progressed.

I also have to again say thanks to Woody, Cruiser Dan, Junk(

) and all the others here who have helped me and given me a place to come where I can be among friends.

edit: In Nov 2005, I had the headgasket and some other work done:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/70669-who-needs-head-gasket-dvd-when-you-have-post817704.html

turbocruiser · 09-27-05, 10:54 PM

Super sweet rig romer. Great mods, great pics, great story. I hope we get to go wheelin one of these days!!!

firetruck41 · 09-27-05, 10:59 PM

I want my LX to grow up to be just like your LX

parabola · 09-27-05, 11:02 PM

very nice! when showing people what I want my LX to eventually be, I show them your pics.

LandCruiserPhil · 09-27-05, 11:03 PM

Nice LX Ken!
What was the mileage when purchased and now?
How does the GPS windshield mount act off the road?
Is the mount a Garmin product or aftermarket?

Romer · 09-27-05, 11:06 PM

Thanks Guy's.

Mileage ws 98,000 when I bought it and it now sits at 110,000.

The windshiled mount on the Garmin came with the unit and seems pretty sturdy. I have not taken it off road yet.

Biff · 09-27-05, 11:08 PM

Very nice ride, love the Slee rear bumper.

bh4rnnr · 09-27-05, 11:27 PM

Nice write up Romer, glad your enjoying the club

. Still like the snow pic(even if it was potshoped). One day I will have a 80......

nyk438 · 09-28-05, 02:33 AM

Nice rig, another pink pantied LX on the ROTW

I like your setup, how do you like the different CB antenna? Does it get the same signal as a normal one?

OZCAL · 09-28-05, 03:14 AM

Good job Ken, I really like the snow packed tires in the winter pic.

reffug · 09-28-05, 03:53 AM

To many lexies on the cover.

If this keeps up I might have to drop my subscri.........................

Oh sorry thought this was trails...................lol

Nice write up Ken, beautiful truck and nice score.

Kinda fun to see it all in one thread after following the entire build up here.

Again nicely done and thanks for stepping in on short notice.

skywalkerguy · 09-28-05, 07:27 AM

Great write-up. I want my LX to be like yours when it grows up too. BTW, I'm stealing your photo of the LX getting ready to base jump off the rock outcrap. Do have any higher res copy of it? It's my new desktop background and since my LX is the same color, no one has to know it's not me...well no one except all you guys.

Romer · 09-28-05, 07:32 AM

[QUOTE=skywalkerguy]Great write-up. I want my LX to be like yours when it grows up too. BTW, I'm stealing your photo of the LX getting ready to base jump off the rock outcrap. Do have any higher res copy of it? It's my new desktop background and since my LX is the same color, no one has to know it's not me...well no one except all you guys.[/QUOTE

Thanks for the compliments

PM Me your e-mail and I'll send it to you. I'll have to take another one next year with the Rear Bumper on it.

Another mod I have in mind is a bar for a CO2 tank and Fire Exteng. Slee is coming out with a bar that mounts to the 3rd set belt upper bracket (Ceiling) and you drill holes in the floor for the base.

beno · 09-28-05, 08:57 AM

real Nice Ken.

Seeing the buildup should be a good primer for noobs who come here and see the work you put in to making this rig really reflect who you are.

Now, where is the gun rack for tard protection!!

Best.
-onur

concretejungle · 09-28-05, 09:37 AM

Romer, did i read that correctly in that you replaced the transfer case? What was the reason for that, and if you don't mind, how much $ did it cost?

Brentbba · 09-28-05, 09:49 AM

Extremely nice rig and write up. Very well documented with pics etc. On the CB install, did you do the Slee mod for the antenna or just stick it in? Do the mounts in the ash tray slot get bent in such a manner that you can't reinstall the ash tray in the future? TIA

Romer · 09-28-05, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concretejungle

Romer, did i read that correctly in that you replaced the transfer case? What was the reason for that, and if you don't mind, how much $ did it cost?

Here is the story:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/39514-vehicle-whine.html

About $650 for the used Tcase plus the install labor.

Romer · 09-28-05, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brentbba

Extremely nice rig and write up. Very well documented with pics etc. On the CB install, did you do the Slee mod for the antenna or just stick it in? Do the mounts in the ash tray slot get bent in such a manner that you can't reinstall the ash tray in the future? TIA

Thanks,
I didn't do the antenna mod. Figured I could always do it later. I did bend the ash tray brackets, don't see any reason why they can't be bent back. I kept the parts so I could re-install it.

Romer · 09-28-05, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyk438

I like your setup, how do you like the different CB antenna? Does it get the same signal as a normal one?

I like this antenna because I don't have to remove it to get in the Garage, that way I always have the antenna and just need top flip it up.

It probably has less range, but I have not had a problem on runs. I hear getting the CB tuned (Haven't done it) will provide greater performance improvement that a longer ant.