My first LX470 (2 Viewers)

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I was debating whether or not to start a thread on my latest Cruiser. But, mud is such a valuable resource it’s time to post up. This purchase has a history of things that occurred to lead up to it. But first, here’s a picture last summer of the Lexus on a club run earning its keep.
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This all came about partly due to selling my Trooper I had built and to have something to enjoy with the family while I build an 80. I needed a family hauler that would also handle interstate travel well.

I had purchased an 03 LC several years back that I enjoyed while building the Trooper. It eventually went to a fellow club member that has thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve been wanting to pick up another ever since. There’s something about the 03’s I think hold a special place as the last year of the Araco plant build, 5 speed, and last year of the tranny dipstick. Some even had 17s.

Haven’t done much to it as the 80 has been taking up time, but I’ve done general maintenance, oil changes, air/cabin filter changes, power steering and AHC fluid changes. Recently replaced burned out dash bulbs and trying to get a second key to work. I have a Simply Speakers kit ready to install with some new speaker fabric. Not sure yet where we’ll head with this but for now just enjoying it.
 
Congrats - love galactic gray mica. What year is it and how many miles? Looks like you could use some KO2's - beautiful country.
 
Got to know where that pic was taken :)
 
Congrats - love galactic gray mica. What year is it and how many miles? Looks like you could use some KO2's - beautiful country.
It’s an 03 I purchased with 167k. Timing belt, water pump, plugs, coolant, and best I can tell trans service done right before purchase. Trail done on stock 18 Bridgestones.
Got to know where that pic was taken :)
Club run up to Goose Lake, Montana.
 
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Trail done on stock 18 Bridgestones.

Club run up to Goose Lake, Montana.

That makes me feel better about the 18" Michelins I just can't get myself to get rid of.
I'm assuming no heavy mud?
 
There’s so much rock in the mountains here that the mud wasn’t an issue. The A-trac was the real winner here. For whatever reason the rig came with 4 Bridgestones, one mismatched and a Michelin. I was sure I was going to rip a tire but never did. The running boards on the other hand...

It’s really funny being in a Lexus on a trail run passing others, seeing the look on their face, and what they say like, “you got a Lexus up here?” They are just dumbfounded. This was my first experience with this.
 
There’s so much rock in the mountains here that the mud wasn’t an issue. The A-trac was the real winner here. For whatever reason the rig came with 4 Bridgestones, one mismatched and a Michelin. I was sure I was going to rip a tire but never did. The running boards on the other hand...

It’s really funny being in a Lexus on a trail run passing others, seeing the look on their face, and what they say like, “you got a Lexus up here?” They are just dumbfounded. This was my first experience with this.
You have me so pumped to try my hand down in Ark this spring. Last time we we're out there, we passed a Wrangler and he about flipped over the fact we were in two stock 4Runners. Now, with a Lexus, might get some more odd looks.
 
These trucks are pretty amazing in stock form.
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These trucks are pretty amazing in stock form.View attachment 1872642
I guess my concern comes rooted in the fact Arkansas is mud city. If it was just rocks, I'd be fine. Much Michelin highway tires do not get good purchase on mud. I guess I should move to Montana :rofl:.
 
It’s time for a second set of 16’s.! These should take care of you:
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To catch this thread up to speed, I started with an oil change using a Toyota filter, Denso air and Cabin filters.
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Then bought some AHC fluid and followed the thread:AHC Fluid Change How To -- Need Input
On the to do list is to check and adjust TBs for pressure.31C00FB3-E1E2-4148-B175-2909E9025639.jpeg The power steering fluid needed changing and in the process I discovered the reservoir tank screen was varnished over. So, I tried different solvents to clean and in the end it was hot Simple Green that worked. However, in the process the screen started coming apart so I added an inline filter. Refilled with Mobil DTE 24 and added AT-205.
Steering Flush & Cleaning
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The filter was a MasterPro:
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The radiator cap was not working so replaced:
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Purchased a cheap Nav disc off of eBay to have the latest map. I’ve been surprised about how many of the forest service roads way up in the mountains show up.
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At one of our local meetings, we had Darren McRae from @AutoCraft Aus give us an overview of what they do down under on builds and what the weak links are on the suspension. Thanks to Overland Cruisers @bagochips76 for hosting!
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Of course in the meantime we have to get out on the trails.
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I discovered a torn rack boot after a trail ride and thanks to @REZARF who donated to the cause I was back in business replacing both sides.
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Did a little headlight polish with some cleaner I had in the garage:
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Then as it happens with kids the passenger seat back was inadvertently ripped off. So, I ordered some new clips and my daughter sewed the elastic tighter to where it would have been new.
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Future wrencher!
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Always fun to be on a trail ride and see this in the rear view mirror.
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This is what it’s all about. Right? Getting out with family and friends on the trail and taking it all in overnight.
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It’s good to get out in the summer and wrench in the winter.
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Hitch for a trailer.
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Local Christmas tree run!
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Had some left over bags of wheat bulbs from the Trooper with which I replaced some dash bulbs. They have worked great!
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Unfortunately the hazard, antenna, and CDL switch are on one circuit board that snapped when I removed the cover. Not sure how I could have avoided that. Fortunately, I have a friend that works in electronics that did a professional repair. But, if anyone has an extra sitting around let me know.
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Checking out different threads I ran across this scan gauge mount by @Ayune.
@Ayunes Overhead mount for ScanGauge. Excellent.
Pretty cool!

In the process I remembered that I have a bend just above the drivers visor in the headliner. I’m guessing this may have been pulled down with the overhead DVD player install that is aftermarket and doesn’t work. Any tips on how to correct? I hate to mess with a headliner without knowing exactly what I’m dealing with.
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More to do on the last post but this weekend I had my tires rotated and a slow leak fixed, came home and did an oil change, chassis lube, brake fluid bleed, power steering fluid change, oil pressure switch change, and speedometer gear change to 31 tooth to match my 32s. Fun was having kids helping me.
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There are some gears available but limited. Best I can tell from my research there is a set for the US 4.30 ratio and a set for the 4.10s. These are not interchangeable. All other gears are for overseas models. The gears are located in the transfer case. The one I am using matched the 4.10/5speed auto setup I have. There appears to be 3 options that fit the stock steel 12 tooth gear in my transfer case. Options are 31-33. Stock is 32 teeth. So, not a lot of wiggle room but will work with one size up or down. I may swap in some 4.30s I have at some point so my 32 inch snows I’m running right now would work with the 33 tooth at that point. I have to have my odometer spot on for work purposes so this works well for me.
 
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Ordered some parts. Saw these 555 ball joints for sale under the Ultra-Power brand and I needed an Air Filter so I decided to order both. Very impressed with the quality.
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New air filter on left. Denso on the right.
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