"All_Terrain_Turtle" LX Build Thread (1 Viewer)

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Merry Christmas everyone!

Gingerbread Land Cruiser splashing through the mud.
 
As the fable says..."Slow & steady wins the race."

I've always thought of Land Cruisers & LX's like a turtle.
  • Built rock solid
  • Lives forever
  • Not the fastest of the bunch, but you know it'll get there
While I was targeting a 2013-2015 LX570, I saw a 2008 LX570 pop-up on Facebook literally 3 miles from my house. One-owner, zero rust, Lexus service every 5k miles, w/ 157k miles. Messaged him 45 mins after listing, test drove it 30 mins later, met at bank the next day.

And so begins "The Turtle" build thread.

1. Facebook Marketplace Listing Pics (Previous owner dropped $3,500 on 22" Black Rhino Wheels & Michelin Defenders)

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2. Radiator was already actively seeping (Radiator, water pump, etc... immediately ordered that night)

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3. Fired up a new Google Sheet to track maintenance/upgrades/cost. Started baselining the following:
  • New Fuel Tank Cap (Prevent against future dash warning lights)
  • LED Interior Light & Backup Lights upgrade
  • Wix Cabin Air Filter
  • Rear Differential Fluid Change
  • Exercised the credit card & my local FedEx guy with tons of packages on their way
4. Swapped the 22" Black Rhino Wheels for 18" TRD Pro BBS Wheels w/ 275/65/18 Michelin LTX AT2 Tires (Facebook Marketplace find)
  • Added an identical 5th spare so I can do 5-tire rotations
  • 5 x New Denso 550-0103 TPM sensors
  • Discount Tire mount & balance

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Nice find, where did you pick up the spare wheel looking to get a 5th one as well.
 
Power steering flush using 1.5 qts of Valvoline Synthentic ATF. Probably the easiest fluid change you can possibly do. This is what you'll need:

1. Floor jack & stands
2. 1-2 qts of Dexron II or Dexron III ATF fluid (Most choose Valvoline Synthetic ATF or Mobile One Synthetic ATF)
3. Funnel w/ thin tip
4. Something to suck out old fluid (I used this giant syringe)

Followed the guide here: Power steering flush, any tricks or tips? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/power-steering-flush-any-tricks-or-tips.1007054/post-13658736

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Check out the car care nut on YouTube shows you how to do the fluid change on a sealed transmission. Performed it myself every change.
 
Got an amazing deal on a new Sherpa Blanca roof rack shipped for under $700. I really wanted the Dissent Roof Rack, but I couldn't stomach paying over 2x the cost. Still need to do the fine adjustments, but took my time installing this evening.
Was it on sale on their website (Black Friday) or did you find it somewhere else?
 
Three of these things is not like the other one…

Replaced all 5 wheel studs on the Front Right wheel. I do all my own 5 tire rotations since I bought the rig, but apparently this wheel had a history of air guns over tightening before I bought it.

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That’s not scary at all, guess I’m adding studs to my planned spring work.
 
That’s not scary at all, guess I’m adding studs to my planned spring work.

It's really not a difficult job. Part numbers below if helpful. The OEM black lugnuts are super cheap compared to chrome. Might as well replace those too.

Part NumberPart NamePriceQuantityTotal
90942-02083Wheel Lug Stud (Left, Right, Front, Rear)$5.865$29.30
PT076-0C200-02PT076-0C200-02 Toyota Black PVD Wheel Lug Nuts Set of 5 - OEM$12.091$12.09

Tip when installing. Use a cheap 17mm wrench (or a big nut) as a 1/2" spacer. You want a big enough inner circle for the cone shape of an old lug nut to “seat” into, while the flat back of the wrench or big nut presses against the hub. Then use an old lugnut to "pull" the splines of the new stud into the week.

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Yeah I’ve got a couple spare lugs and a lug installer/bearing in the tool bag. But proactively replacing is a new novel idea.
 
alright, so what are your thoughts after swapping to 5w-30? I have a 17 tundra and just picked up a 14 LX570, so same engine. Tundra has always been a little loud, the LX seems quieter? I have been tempted to swap to a different oil in the tundra, maybe i go all in now that both my vehicles have the same engine?
 
alright, so what are your thoughts after swapping to 5w-30? I have a 17 tundra and just picked up a 14 LX570, so same engine. Tundra has always been a little loud, the LX seems quieter? I have been tempted to swap to a different oil in the tundra, maybe i go all in now that both my vehicles have the same engine?
Happy to help! I'm a data guy, so I geek out a bit on it.

  • I didn't notice any difference in MPG
  • I do notice a quieter drivetrain, especially right after start-up. Definitely not a placebo effect
  • I bought my one-owner 2008 LX with 157k miles on it, with a spotless service history at the same Lexus dealer the entire time. My use of Marvel Mystery Oil was purely out of curiosity and seeing some positive reports from various forums. I don't plan to make a habit out of running it, but used is as a "clean out the system" opportunity between switching from 0w-20 to 5w-30.
  • From here on, I plan to run Kirkland 5w-30 (Costco) since my truck and another family SUV take 5w-30. It makes stocking up super easy and I've been pleased with the quality.
Here is the full thread on the topic if you want to hear others opinions, though I will be sticking with 5w-30: Update: 5W-30 & Heavier Recommended RoTW - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/update-5w-30-heavier-recommended-rotw.1215433/
 
Running Kirkland 5w30 in my LX. Switching to 5w30 in my Tundra next oil change.

Nice thread, @mceagle555! I’ll be referencing it when I get around to replacing my globes.
 
New tire day.

After Hurricane Helene came through, I saw just how bad the BFG KO2 rain performance was. Saw a deal and went with Cooper AT3 XLT in LT275/70/18 (33.2”).

Note: A lot of confusion on the Cooper AT3 XLT snow rating. Widths 275 and less have 3-peak winter rating.

4 lbs lighter than KO2, much better on-road manners, quieter on highway, and actual rain channels.

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Followed the AHC guide early on in the thread to level the front. (Did not adjust rear.) Super easy with a 10mm box wrench and 10mm socket/ratchet.

Measurements below are on level ground from floor to top of wheel well with 275/70/18 (33.2”) tires and 1/2 tank of gas.

Getting an alignment in the morning. I know 1/2" in neutral sounds small, but you can tell a difference both parked visually and driving.

Neutral before-after

Front Driver: 35 1/4” >> 35 1/2” (Gain 1/4”)
Front Passenger: 35 1/2” >> 36” (Gain 1/2”)
Rear Passenger: 36 5/8” >> 36 5/8”
Rear Driver: 36 3/8” >> 36 3/8”

High after

Front Driver: 38 1/8”
Front Passenger: 38 1/2”
Rear Passenger: 39 1/4”
Rear Driver: 38 7/8”
 
Forgot to update the build thread with my TKO fabrication slider install. I went with black powder coating + kickoff + dimple down.

A few scuffs as a result of UPS shipping, but they are built stout and I was able to install in the following timeframe:

- Removing LX570 steps: 45 mins
- Cutting the LX570 trim pieces: 30 mins (Actually takes 5 mins, but this is the step you want to measure 5x, cut 1x)
- Install TKO sliders using floor jack for extra set of hands: 90 mins

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Forgot to update the build thread with my TKO fabrication slider install. I went with black powder coating + kickoff + dimple down.

A few scuffs as a result of UPS shipping, but they are built stout and I was able to install in the following timeframe:

- Removing LX570 steps: 45 mins
- Cutting the LX570 trim pieces: 30 mins (Actually takes 5 mins, but this is the step you want to measure 5x, cut 1x)
- Install TKO sliders using floor jack for extra set of hands: 90 mins

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Ready to party!
 

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