Builds 1997 Lexus LX450 - Rexus the 500 HP LS SWAPPED LX450

[sledge916]

Your Taco was set up well, sorry it burned. How would you compare the 80 to your Tacoma? What differences do you notice?
Thanks
Sethro

 

[Romer]

Nice backstory. The way you are wheeling I would get some sliders on that sucker

 

[bulhas]

they are two different trucks thats for sure......

power wise - Taco was way quicker, I was about to pull the trigger on a supercharger tooo + couple that with my crawlbox I had been waiting for for almost a year from Marlin due to design flaws.......
torque though the LX wins hands down for crawling, but that could have changed with my marlin tacobox and fj twinstick t-case

offroadabilty...... taco far outperformed in the desert and highspeed terrain but I had the taco designed and valved to my needs sooo give me time and this may change

crawling and overall 4x4 - Lexus destroyed the taco, no fear of trees taking my box side out, no fear of a CV being destroyed because I need to turn and crawl with a locker on and the low torque application of the Lexus is MUCH better

comfort - about the same, currently the taco was more comfortable for longer trips, the seat just had more bolster and leg room. But for overall room the Lexus wins, Hell I had nothing obstructing my view hahahaha

expedition wise - the taco and lexus are even



So overall I think the Taco in the current state was a better truck for me BUT it had almost 20k in investment to make it that.... Give me 3 months though and I think my op pinion will change


Current plans
front axle needs a tear down bad, this past wheeling trip the birfs were about to explode!!! So precautionary Im ordering longfields. I already have play in the wheel bearing + wouldn't mind new seals anyways
rear axle - I think im on factory wheel bearings so I might tempt fate and get that done as well
gears need to be bumped up to 4.88's
front suspension - Slee arms for proper castor so I can tuck my 37's on
- new panhard, new steering ram(maybe switch to highsteer havent really seen any info on this though)
rear - Im going to metaltech the hell out of the rear

Bumpers - going to order a relentless DIY bumper and rear I have contacted a company I'd like to see what they can do for me

exterior wise - complete revamp, factory rack needs to come off and have the holes filled, all the cladding is coming off and having the holes filled, I will probably change the exterior to a white rhino/lineX lining from top to bottom

engine wise - im still chasing a leak, so Im afraid I might have to pull the motor..... Oil pressure is better than before but still not perfect. i have a ghost knock it sounds like, Im trying to pull up video for you guys here to hear. So if I pull the engine to find this leak. I MAY just get the bottom bearins swapped, I have good compression, I just feel the low oil pressure is concerning

 

[bulhas]

Nice backstory. The way you are wheeling I would get some sliders on that sucker

I got some 4xInnovations ordered up already

 

[sledge916]

they are two different trucks thats for sure......

power wise - Taco was way quicker, I was about to pull the trigger on a supercharger tooo + couple that with my crawlbox I had been waiting for for almost a year from Marlin due to design flaws.......
torque though the LX wins hands down for crawling, but that could have changed with my marlin tacobox and fj twinstick t-case

offroadabilty...... taco far outperformed in the desert and highspeed terrain but I had the taco designed and valved to my needs sooo give me time and this may change

crawling and overall 4x4 - Lexus destroyed the taco, no fear of trees taking my box side out, no fear of a CV being destroyed because I need to turn and crawl with a locker on and the low torque application of the Lexus is MUCH better

comfort - about the same, currently the taco was more comfortable for longer trips, the seat just had more bolster and leg room. But for overall room the Lexus wins, Hell I had nothing obstructing my view hahahaha

expedition wise - the taco and lexus are even



So overall I think the Taco in the current state was a better truck for me BUT it had almost 20k in investment to make it that.... Give me 3 months though and I think my op pinion will change


Current plans
front axle needs a tear down bad, this past wheeling trip the birfs were about to explode!!! So precautionary Im ordering longfields. I already have play in the wheel bearing + wouldn't mind new seals anyways
rear axle - I think im on factory wheel bearings so I might tempt fate and get that done as well
gears need to be bumped up to 4.88's
front suspension - Slee arms for proper castor so I can tuck my 37's on
- new panhard, new steering ram(maybe switch to highsteer havent really seen any info on this though)
rear - Im going to metaltech the hell out of the rear

Bumpers - going to order a relentless DIY bumper and rear I have contacted a company I'd like to see what they can do for me

exterior wise - complete revamp, factory rack needs to come off and have the holes filled, all the cladding is coming off and having the holes filled, I will probably change the exterior to a white rhino/lineX lining from top to bottom

engine wise - im still chasing a leak, so Im afraid I might have to pull the motor..... Oil pressure is better than before but still not perfect. i have a ghost knock it sounds like, Im trying to pull up video for you guys here to hear. So if I pull the engine to find this leak. I MAY just get the bottom bearins swapped, I have good compression, I just feel the low oil pressure is concerning

thanks for the write up on the comparison between the 2 trucks, I know lots of people who love their Tacoma's and thought you would be a great person to ask since you have had both. Thank you
Enjoy your Cruzer and hope you get her all lined out
Sethro

 

[bulhas]

building trucks to me is like music, now to find the time do it......


Im not the strongest engine guy in the world though.... so I may have to contract out the bearing and leak finding to another outfit.... which sucks

My buddy Bear will be teaching me how to do gears, I need to know how to this for the race team anyways....

 

[n0rth]

Hey Joe see if you can keep from burning this one to the ground, I've always wanted an 80 series you coming to Moab again this year?

 

[bulhas]

yah me and Lurry will be headed south again for Moab..... Hope they get there god damn dates set

You planning on actually making it this year,




Also i feel so humbled, first post on Mud and its for me

 

[n0rth]

I know Bob is still working on dates, work got in the way last year I plan on making it this year. I lurk mud on a regular basis but had never posted till I saw your truck on here.

 

[bulhas]

hahahahaha its funny how our crowd does that eh!!! I was super sad, you didnt make it, but there is always next year

Im trying to convince the wife to come, but not sure shes up for pritchett

 

[chairborne]

Longfields aren't really a great choice for the 80 unless it's an off-road only rig. Because they are full time 4wd you will wear them out much faster than factory birfs. That's what I've read on here anyway.

 

[bulhas]

75% of my miles are spent for wheeling anyways

I fly to work, I drive to wheel, hell a lot of the time I drive the truck, leave at an airport, fly home, and than fly back to the truck to go wheeling.....


I did not buy this a DD but I do hope to get 20ish a set min..... if thats the case Im getting a year + out of the rig

 

[Wrench]

Longfields last 80k. And they can easily be rebuilt.

 

[bulhas]

well there!! 80k Geez that'll last me an easy 5 years!

 

[bulhas]

had some premlimenary talks with CBI offroad on making me a custom bumper!!

Here is what I put together for a bumper for your Lexus. Let me know what you think.

· Rear plate bumper

o Side protection tubing

o Includes 7 pin mount built in.

· Double swing away

o Ladder

o Swing out rotopax mount over ladder

· Powder coat bumper and swing away

 

[bulhas]

well a little more concerned about the engine.... pretty sure I have rod knock blehhhhh

going to start getting all the info I need together for cummins swap I guess..... s*** not what I was hoping to spend my money on, on this.... oh well I love this truck to pieces now

 

[86tuning]

well a little more concerned about the engine.... pretty sure I have rod knock blehhhhh

going to start getting all the info I need together for cummins swap I guess..... s*** not what I was hoping to spend my money on, on this.... oh well I love this truck to pieces now

If it is indeed rod knock I would try a set of rod bearings first. Might limp you along for a few years or more while you mull over other engine options.

 

[Pin_Head]

IFZEs have knocking problems with the PS pump and oil pump drives. Fixing these problems are considerably less expensive than new rod bearings and an engine swap.

 

[bulhas]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/g9cnkl5ycxoljsi/MVI_0504.AVI


video that has me concerned.... yes I know my birfs are clicking....




new issue.... the radio powers off randomly like the fuse dies.... I check fuse its fine, pull fuse re install, works...... If the vehicle has been off for a day or more and its cold, tends to randomly not power up until I pull the fuse, until the vehicle 100% warms up and ive drove it for about an hour, you get the pop, BUT the fuse never goes...

 

[Wrench]

"Not even to your hubs."