advice wanted: 2004 LX-470 vs 2005-2007 LX-470 (1 Viewer)

[John Young]

I'm about to ship off my 1993 and 2008 LC's to the US leaving me with nothing to drive in Dubai, so I've gone shopping. I thought this time I might try a lexus, just for a change. I've been reading here about the adjustable ride height and nobody seems to say much bad about it, so I'm willing to give that a try.

The truck I'm looking at is a 2004 with 180K miles on it, but seems well cared-for.

My real question are around (1) VVT, which wikipedia says came in the 2005 model year and (2) whether the 3rd party add-ons to get modern bluetooth capability work well enough, and (3) what other significant changes came after 2004.

The other threads here have given me lots to think about on the bluetooth end, but I'd really appreciate input on my 1st and 3rd questions.

Thanks in advance for your kind advice, and here's a photo:

 

[Akhn]

U bought this Lx?

 

[John Young]

U bought this Lx?

Actually I bought the other one, a 2001 from Japan with 38K miles--which is accurate as near as I can tell. I like the shifter in the earlier 100's and this one was really clean. Paid 40K AED (11k USD). Tiny spot of rust by the tailgate latch and weeping T's on the heater circuit. It has horrible 22 inch rims on it with 4 inch tires which are uncomfortable even over speed bumps in the city, let alone a washboard road. I need to change those. A scrap yard will trade me for stock 17" rims and I likely will do that in a few weeks.

The other thing I'm thinking about is changing the timing belt which obviously has not been done. What do you think?

Here's a photo.

 

[vman07]

It's almost as if someone anticipated this very question and came up with a year by year breakdown of what changes happened to the 100 series:

Slee Off-Road 100 Series Newbie Guide

 

[hoser]

Be advised, many markets outside of the US didn't get the VVTI motor in 06-07. Look for the black, plastic intake manifold.

 

[Akhn]

Actually I bought the other one, a 2001 from Japan with 38K miles--which is accurate as near as I can tell. I like the shifter in the earlier 100's and this one was really clean. Paid 40K AED (11k USD). Tiny spot of rust by the tailgate latch and weeping T's on the heater circuit. It has horrible 22 inch rims on it with 4 inch tires which are uncomfortable even over speed bumps in the city, let alone a washboard road. I need to change those. A scrap yard will trade me for stock 17" rims and I likely will do that in a few weeks.

The other thing I'm thinking about is changing the timing belt which obviously has not been done. What do you think?

Here's a photo.

Nice and clean saw this when it was imported from japan with very low mileage. I remember ther is little rust on trunk door and rear left door is changed. Rest its very clean and original leather seats without cracks.

 

[John Young]

Hi Akhn,
Yes, there is a spot of surface rust on the top half of the tailgate which I will have taken care of. I had not noticed the left rear door being replaced, but now I will look. You mean the passenger side? The rear passenger speaker is dead on the truck and some other speakers are blown, but I knew that coming into it.

 

[tacoduck]

I thought there were no LEXUS branded trucking japan...

 

[Akhn]

Hi Akhn,
Yes, there is a spot of surface rust on the top half of the tailgate which I will have taken care of. I had not noticed the left rear door being replaced, but now I will look. You mean the passenger side? The rear passenger speaker is dead on the truck and some other speakers are blown, but I knew that coming into it.

Left rear passenger door

 

[Akhn]

I thought there were no LEXUS branded trucking japan...

Its US spec Lexus was used in japan then imported to UAE dubai

 

[John Young]

The truck was purchased through the Jan Japan website here in the UAE. Several Lexi (?) Lexuses (?) I understand that in Japan people are allowed to buy left-hand drive cars which are viewed as 'higher-end' which explains the left hand drive.

 

[tacoduck]

So it’s a non JDM Lexus that was used in Japan. That explains the left hand drive.

 

[Akhn]

So it’s a non JDM Lexus that was used in Japan. That explains the left hand drive.

Thats USDM - speedo cluster in mileage, No cooler box , no gas dual tank, No fender side indicators.
JDM comes with that all options.

 

[hoser]

I thought there were no LEXUS branded trucking japan...

They made the LX570 available in Japan.