'96 LX450, what to do next?

[bruja blanca]

A couple of weeks ago we bought a very clean LX450 with 149,xxx miles on the clock, affectionately dubbed La Bruja Negra (black witch). Since purchase, we have installed an Old Man Emu lift, 5 new Firestone Destination A/Ts, an Odyssey battery and a LPG sequential injection system.

She is now at the body shop having an air scoop installed on the hood, the OE rack removed/holes plugged, and a paint buffing.

When the body shop wraps up their work next week, I'd like to get her to the mechanic to bring her up to date (we are not sure what maintenance work has been done).

What should we have the shop check/replace/rebuild given her mileage and overall great shape?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64138091@N03/9445261203/" title="BN engine room by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2874/9445261203_aa392d856a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="BN engine room"></a>​

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64138091@N03/9445258431/" title="BN starboard by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5448/9445258431_49c4521dc8_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="BN starboard"></a>​

 

[bruja blanca]

Let me try the photo thingy again;

 

[Social Casualty]

Welcome to Mud,

When using Flickr use the 'BBcobe' option and NOT the HTML for you photos then you should be good. Cheers

 

[npg170]

Let me try the photo thingy again;

Nice looking LX. You need the urls ending in ".jpg" when posting photos using BBcode

 

[bruja blanca]

Thanks for the help, let me give this another try (I should have used preview 1st);

Gasing up by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr


Odyssey Batteries by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr


OME suspension by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr​

 

[084runnerltd]

Check the FAQ. There is a whole list of items to replace check and what PM to perform.

Swap all fluids
Axle service
Plugs/wires
....

 

[bruja blanca]

A slightly unexpected next step is repairing the damage to the roof caused by the OE roof rack

Excess ventilation by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr​

 

[Duiser Offroad]

Looks good, you are just jumping right in! Yes, the stock roof racks can rust the roof, its a good thing you caught the problem.

Check the FAQ section for all preventive maintenance (PM).

 

[bruja blanca]

Reading [IH8MUD] is fundamental

While the body shop is going to town on the roof, we are doing some fun stuff below. Yesterday we installed a Blue Seas 6 circuit panel, a Xantrex Prowatt 1K inverter and a dedicated line for our Engel 45MT. Pictures later today.

 

[chappysfj40]

wow thats a big freaking hole, did it leak?

 

[bruja blanca]

There where no indications of leaks anywhere in the cabin during the pre-purchase inspections. The previous owner maintained it under cover, I'm sure that helped prevent roof liner damage.

 

[western flyer]

Details regarding the repair of that roof hole would be interesting.

 

[bigfj62]

Holy Cow! That makes me want to pull my rack to check for rust.

 

[jfz80]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=1012356&postcount=6
Chapter 4 FAQ is a good place to start. Details the above recomendations and more including PHH (pesky heater hose) that I would add to the list. Also if you have records might check when the radiator was changed and if possible, why. It doesnt appear to be OEM. If nothing else drain and inspect condition of coolant and look for sludge in overflow or under cap.

What battery plate and tie down is that? looks great
also; what is the gold thing behind air filter and in front of wiper motor, to right of Cruise module? LPG?

enjoy the build, looks like your not wasting any time.

 

[bruja blanca]

Details regarding the repair of that roof hole would be interesting.

Unfortunately I don't have a lot of detail there. What I did see during that part of the process when I stopped in at the shop was the 4 corners cut out and new metal being prepped for welding.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=1012356&postcount=6
Chapter 4 FAQ is a good place to start. Details the above recomendations and more including PHH (pesky heater hose) that I would add to the list. Also if you have records might check when the radiator was changed and if possible, why. It doesnt appear to be OEM. If nothing else drain and inspect condition of coolant and look for sludge in overflow or under cap.

Thanks for the maintenance direction. I have 10' of greenstripe hose and constant torque clamps incoming, as well as HPS silicone radiator hoses. Not sure if the radiator is OE. If I had to guess, it may be and the upper tank was replaced.

What battery plate and tie down is that? looks great
also; what is the gold thing behind air filter and in front of wiper motor, to right of Cruise module? LPG?

Both the battery (PC1500) and the hold down kit are from Odyssey Batteries. I have a 2nd battery (PC2150) ready to install awaiting the hold down kit for that one. The gold thing is the regulator/vaporizer of the Tartarini LPG sequential injection system.

enjoy the build, looks like your not wasting any time.

Thanks, although I'm enjoying the modifications/repairs, I'd like to take her out for a spin one of these days to see what she feels like

Patched roof by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr


Inverter by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr


115VAC/12VDC outlets by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr


Engine bay by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr


Electrical by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr​

 

[bruja blanca]

Well, I picked her up from the body shop yesterday and was getting ready for a shake down cruise and it went south from there.

Went to fill the tank of the new LPG system and it would not receive any propane, so I had to run her on gasoline for awhile. On gasoline, she started to stutter so I called it a night and postponed the cruise until the LPG system issue was resolved.

This morning I started her up and took off for the shop that installed the LPG system for repairs. At some point, the engine started starving for gasoline and by the time I arrived at the shop, was limping in on idle. Anymore acceleration than idle and the engine would bog down.

The previous owner had run it on propane 100% of the time with an older venturi type system and had let the gasoline tank run dry. I suspect that when I added gasoline, it kicked up a lot of debris and possibly clogged the sock and/or fuel filter.

Well, she is at the LPG shop getting that remedied and when that's done, to the mechanic to drop the gasoline tank and R/R that system. What luck, a bi-fuel vehicle losing both systems at once?!

 

[2fpower]

LPG on an 80? Hmmmm.. Where is the tank located? any idea of what system is on it?

 

[bruja blanca]

There are a lot of vehicles running LPG/gasoline bi-fuel systems either venturi or injection. In Europe and Asian countries they come as an OE option and some I've seen with LPG only (a Kia today).

The tank is mounted where the spare tire used to be (need to take pics). My FJ is also running LPG.

http://www.tartariniauto.it/index.p...&id=57&pagina=prodotti.swf&lang=en&Itemid=179



https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.357946764322313.1073741838.303361656447491&type=3

 

[bruja blanca]

Well, the mechanic confirmed that the tank was left dry for an extended period of time except for condensation that helped rot it away What are the options for replacement tanks? Plastic? Fiberglass? This project is reminiscent of an old Sea Ray we once had, rest her hull :rimshot

Rusty bucket by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr​

 

[bruja blanca]

New old diesel tank by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr


Innards by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr


Fuel tank guts by 08TTbrujablanca, on Flickr​