Hey guys! First let me say that I love this forum and the wealth of information I've learned since I found it! This place is something special!
So about three months ago I joined the club by purchasing an 2001 LX470, white on tan, no navigation, 254k miles, a great maintenance history with a replaced rack and pinion, control arms, and a ton of other stuff. Vehicle looks and drives like new! Two owner southern car with both keys! $5500!
Heres it about two weeks after I bought it and threw some 20" Tundra Platinum wheels on it!
I didn't really like the way the 20s rode. I thought the tundra wheels were to heavy, the center caps would require a bunch of modification, and new 20" tires are EXPENSIVE. Found some stock 18" wheels in ATL and made a little road trip that weekend to get them. $150 for all four! About a week later I spent $800 on a set of 275-70-18 KO2's and I was set!
Next, I loved the style of the LED taillights from the 06/07 models, actually was one of the reasons I fell in love with these things. I found some on eBay that would fit the earlier years (granted - the bolt holes were a little off, had to wiggle them in there and I'm sure taking them back out won't be super easy... but they look great and function perfectly! At night they look identical to the 07's)
After that, I had to rip out the radio. I love my bluetooth audio, but I hate aftermarket radios and I think they always look gaudy. I found a Sony XAV100. Awesome double din, no flashing lights or any gaudy stuff. Has every feature I need and a knob instead of a button! Even was able to replace the sony splash screen with a lexus one. I ran the USB into the center console and took out the charging port down there. Looks super clean and OEM!
Heres what my interior looks like as well, very nice. Not crazy about the lower seat covers that have obviously been replaced before, but they're nice and look good.
I also replaced the serpentine belt and the heater T's a while back, and it's due for a timing belt water pump so I'm going to have that done as well. I actually have come around to believing these are the greatest vehicles ever and sold my 2014 BMW 535i M Sport. No car payment, more reliable, and I love it more!
So heres where things get bad. The AHC Globes need replaced. It's about $700 from palisades so not bad, but put together with $750 for the timing belt and water pump and replacing the front diff bushings to get rid of that clunk when it goes it gear, the AC Vents like to blow steam in the mornings and sometimes I smell a little freon -- well it all starts to add up. I also have a slight rear main leak. It's not bad at all but it's there. I changed the oil with Mobil 1 Synthetic and used some on that ATP205 Reseal -- honestly might of fixed it but I haven't checked yet. Sent a sample to blackstone, haven't heard back yet but I'm sure the engines healthy.
I'm also planning to do a cross country trip eventually and do a lot of camping. I'm having custom drawers built and getting a roof rack but that stuff I'm not worried about because I can move it to the next one if I go that route.
Here's what I'm thinking. Besides trips I'm daily driving this thing too. I think the 5 speed trans will probably make everything easier and maybe a little quicker. I'm worried about putting a bunch of money into this vehicle and then deciding to upgrade to an 04/05 for the trans and the nicer interior and then having to do all the same work. I don't completely despise the 03+ navigation system as long as I can install some kind of grom or usaspec unit to do the bluetooth. I wouldn't mind spending closer to 8 on a newer one (I also have a dealers license and sometimes see great deals on great trucks that got traded in at some franchise store) but I feel like I just have a gem here too. What would you guys do?
So about three months ago I joined the club by purchasing an 2001 LX470, white on tan, no navigation, 254k miles, a great maintenance history with a replaced rack and pinion, control arms, and a ton of other stuff. Vehicle looks and drives like new! Two owner southern car with both keys! $5500!
Heres it about two weeks after I bought it and threw some 20" Tundra Platinum wheels on it!
I didn't really like the way the 20s rode. I thought the tundra wheels were to heavy, the center caps would require a bunch of modification, and new 20" tires are EXPENSIVE. Found some stock 18" wheels in ATL and made a little road trip that weekend to get them. $150 for all four! About a week later I spent $800 on a set of 275-70-18 KO2's and I was set!
Next, I loved the style of the LED taillights from the 06/07 models, actually was one of the reasons I fell in love with these things. I found some on eBay that would fit the earlier years (granted - the bolt holes were a little off, had to wiggle them in there and I'm sure taking them back out won't be super easy... but they look great and function perfectly! At night they look identical to the 07's)
After that, I had to rip out the radio. I love my bluetooth audio, but I hate aftermarket radios and I think they always look gaudy. I found a Sony XAV100. Awesome double din, no flashing lights or any gaudy stuff. Has every feature I need and a knob instead of a button! Even was able to replace the sony splash screen with a lexus one. I ran the USB into the center console and took out the charging port down there. Looks super clean and OEM!
Heres what my interior looks like as well, very nice. Not crazy about the lower seat covers that have obviously been replaced before, but they're nice and look good.
I also replaced the serpentine belt and the heater T's a while back, and it's due for a timing belt water pump so I'm going to have that done as well. I actually have come around to believing these are the greatest vehicles ever and sold my 2014 BMW 535i M Sport. No car payment, more reliable, and I love it more!
So heres where things get bad. The AHC Globes need replaced. It's about $700 from palisades so not bad, but put together with $750 for the timing belt and water pump and replacing the front diff bushings to get rid of that clunk when it goes it gear, the AC Vents like to blow steam in the mornings and sometimes I smell a little freon -- well it all starts to add up. I also have a slight rear main leak. It's not bad at all but it's there. I changed the oil with Mobil 1 Synthetic and used some on that ATP205 Reseal -- honestly might of fixed it but I haven't checked yet. Sent a sample to blackstone, haven't heard back yet but I'm sure the engines healthy.
I'm also planning to do a cross country trip eventually and do a lot of camping. I'm having custom drawers built and getting a roof rack but that stuff I'm not worried about because I can move it to the next one if I go that route.
Here's what I'm thinking. Besides trips I'm daily driving this thing too. I think the 5 speed trans will probably make everything easier and maybe a little quicker. I'm worried about putting a bunch of money into this vehicle and then deciding to upgrade to an 04/05 for the trans and the nicer interior and then having to do all the same work. I don't completely despise the 03+ navigation system as long as I can install some kind of grom or usaspec unit to do the bluetooth. I wouldn't mind spending closer to 8 on a newer one (I also have a dealers license and sometimes see great deals on great trucks that got traded in at some franchise store) but I feel like I just have a gem here too. What would you guys do?
