So I am really enjoying this new hobby. I did sell my FJ45 to a Gentleman in Ca. who I am going to visit this weekend. Hendog really got me into this Overlanding idea and it's sticking although as I go I am finding out what I like and what I want as well as what I need. Here is a nice 1996 Lexus LX450 with a Proffits 4BT conversion. Since this came into my possession I have tackled loose ends to improve the comfort of the 4BT characteristics. For starters I relocated the intercooler behind the grille as it was originally exposed in front of the axle. I also lowered the intercooler tubes and this was no easy task. The intake air heater was removed which lowered the intake side by 1.75", I had the intake tube cute and flanges were mig welded to relocate the air heater, all of this work was to keep the intake side from making contact with the hood heat shield which transmits vibration through the body. The air cleaner to turbo was also lowered .875" to give similar clearance between the air cleaner and the hood heat shield. Result:::: Wow! Huge improvement! I replaced the crank pulley and the belt tensioner to remove a squeek that was annoying. It goes without saying new fluids and filters too. The exhaust manifold was removed and resealed as I worked to lower EGT temps. I fabbed a (3) tier rack for the passenger side rear bumper that works well for what I was using this for. The rack holds 14 gallons of water, cooler for handydrinks and a trash bin and (5) gallon fuel can. The reason for trying to put all items external is so that I can preserve the 6'4" interior for sleeping (requires seats to bemoeord), a picture will show what it looks like with an empty interior. I installed an ARB front winch bumper with an 8,000# winch. I also installed a full length ARB roof rack with mesh floor. You will notice two pieces of white tubing attached to the rack front and back, these are for my self supporting awning I built, if you would like to see it installed I can assemble and snap a picture. I installed a set of (5) 37x13.50x18 TOYO MT tires on correct offset black wheels which corrected the speedometer which was off by (5) MPH. I probably should have done more research because after this was done I had to raise the intercooler again because the EGT temps were not within my comfort lever. EGT temp is around 800*-850* now at speed. I adjusted the front wheel bearings with correct preload and the vehicle tracks well. The 4BT is mated to a 4L80E and part-time transfer case which shaves a little wear and tear on the front. Warn locking hubs complete this. The required 4" lift easily clears the 37" tires. Upon installation I raised each wheel independently to verify clearance and adjusted the sliders with a 45* mod to the front inner of bot sides. I welded in like gauge plates and painted them to prevent the introduction of water. The roof was letting water in and with some knowledgeable posts I was able to clear them and all is good. I replaced the alternator cable with 2 gauge 220V double shield cable, all good. Whatelse can I say? The 2nd and 3rd row seats are like new, the front drivers seat is of course cracked but intact and foam is good. Sheepskins are installed so I haven't bothered at this point. The build has about 36K on it now and works according to plan. I'm willing to accept trades or cash. I'd like to see $30K as the Proffits build alone was $33,600. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, LeRoy.
For Sale 1996 LX450 Proffits 4BT 4L80E on 37's, sorted.
- Thread starter LeRoy Cordova
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- #2
More pictures
hamishpotter
SILVER Star
V nice truck. Any interior photos? Video of the engine running / noise?
GLWS
GLWS
Interior pics?
Thanks
Thanks
Sorry if I missed it in that giant paragraph, but does it have AC?
What MPG on the hwy? What rpm are you seeing?
What MPG on the hwy? What rpm are you seeing?
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- #6
All good questions. I will take some interior pictures today and a video of the truck running. With cruise control on at 70MPH the truck is running 1620RPM. Extremely comfortable and quiet. The only time you notice vibration is when you turn the vehicle off or waiting on a light and the truck is in gear under load, remember this truck is pushing over 400 ft lbs of torque. Anything above the 750RPM idle smooths out very quickly. I'll take a video today, the changes that I've made to an awesome Proffits build reallt brought it together. Fuel economy was 22.47 with smaller tires in a less aggressive tread design, I haven't tested since correcting EGTs but I will. My guess is that with the larger tires and the EGTs corrected I'm just under 20MPG. I can tell you this, it does better than a brand new F350 King Ranch 4x4 by a long shot. I'll get the requested pictures of the inside as well.
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- #7
Truck does have ice cold A/C as well. All gauges work according to schedule.
What a monster! That's what my lx450 wants to be when it grows up...
Lockers Front/Rear? What brand 8000lb winch is in the bumper? Looking forward to those interior and undercarriage pics.
Very nice set up, Sir!
RLTW!
Very nice set up, Sir!
RLTW!
Who made the 4" suspension lift installed? 4 speed auto tranny, still running stock 4.11 gears?
Thanks again!
RLTW!
Thanks again!
RLTW!
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- #11
The 4" lift was I installed by Proffits and I have the build sheet so I will take a look tomorrow for you. The 4l80e is a 4sp with overdrive lockup at 64MPH. I can tell the diffs were serviced but I do believe the 4:11 gears remain. The winch is a Smittybuilt and is more if a precautionary addition and the vehicle carries two snatch blocks to unwind most of the synthetic and more than double the pull rating. It rained today so I didn't take any interior pictures, tomorrow looks good so I will post them in the morning. Thanks for asking good questions, L.
Thanks.
Can you clarify if it has front and rear locking differentials (factory, ARB, etc)?
Rain....man, I wish we had some rain up here in GA. Been over 2 months since we have had rain.
Happy Thanksgiving as well!
RLTW!
Can you clarify if it has front and rear locking differentials (factory, ARB, etc)?
Rain....man, I wish we had some rain up here in GA. Been over 2 months since we have had rain.
Happy Thanksgiving as well!
RLTW!
- Thread starter
- #13
Lift kit is a Slee. There are not any lockers, for what I use this lockers were not needed and the winch was sufficient for me. The truck is an older one but I never had the desire to conquer huge rocks for the sake of conquering huge rocks, much prefer to see new places. Everything on the underside presents itself well and the truck is parked in the driveway without marking it's territory. This build currently has 39,277 miles so it is a well sorted build and road worthy. I'm waiting for the pictures to load and will post this evening I'm also having a challenge with the youtube video so I will try and sort that out as well. Happy thanksgiving everyone, L.
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- #14
Pictures
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- #15
Pictures
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- #16
Not the best video but it give a better idea of "How not that bad" a diesel is in a Lexus.
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- #17
I have taken on a new project so if anyone has any trades bring it! Would love to have an LC lover enjoy this. Thanks
ouch! $34k plus a $10k rig.
$44k buys a hell of a mog.
What did that silver 45 end up fetching???
$44k buys a hell of a mog.
What did that silver 45 end up fetching???
Hey this looks like Aponawave's rig but with more stuff. Very cool. I had the funds to buy probably a month after he sold it. Now it's way beyond my reach. GLWS
- Thread starter
- #20
Slight miss developed at speed, replaced the Bosch injector pump. $2500 part for the QSB, ouch. Good to go for a long time now.
