BEHOLD, SNOWBALL!!! 99 LX Build Thread...

[Yavo]

I posted over in the pricing and trends thread about my recent purchase, but I figured I would start an official build thread so that, if anything, I can document my own progress. That, and encouragement from the peanut gallery will help keep me motivated

A little over three weeks ago, I picked up "Vera." My kids did not get the "Serenity" reference, and of course have since named my uber-man-truck "Snowball." Such are the minds of little people...

Anyway, here she is... Three owner vehicle. She started life in Texas as a lease which was turned in at about 20K miles. Second life was as a fleet vehicle (think company car) until about 45K miles. Third owner (old lady) had it until she traded it in about a month ago at her Lexus dealer. I picked her up with 197K.

Full service records

Paid $8,800

99 LX470 L Side

• Yavo
• Nov 3, 2016

99 LX470 R Side

• Yavo
• Nov 3, 2016

99 LX470 L Side Rear

• Yavo
• Nov 3, 2016

99 LX470 Recovered Seats

• Yavo
• Nov 3, 2016

99 LX470 Front Seats

• Yavo
• Nov 3, 2016

99 LX470 Gauge Cluster

• Yavo
• Nov 3, 2016

99 LX470 Underbody - NO RUST!!! 1

• Yavo
• Nov 3, 2016

99 LX470 Underbody - NO RUST!!! 2

• Yavo
• Nov 3, 2016

99 LX470 Underbody - NO RUST!!! 3

• Yavo
• Nov 3, 2016

99 LX470 Underbody - NO RUST!!! 4

• Yavo
• Nov 3, 2016

99 LX470 Underbody - NO RUST!!! 5

• Yavo
• Nov 3, 2016

99 LX470 Underbody - NO RUST!!! 6

• Yavo
• Nov 3, 2016

99 LX470 Underbody - NO RUST!!! 7

• Yavo
• Nov 3, 2016

 

[camino70]

Looks great! I'm jealous of the recovered seats, they look fantastic.

 

[Yavo]

About two weeks ago I had her in for a full inspection at my local Lexus dealer and the only thing i need to do are repack the front wheel bearings and replace the SLOWLY weeping CV boots. Other than that, the service writer was amazed!!! Actually had the mechanic come on out and comment on how well taken care of the truck is

Over the last two weeks (on principle), I changed the oil, diffs and transfer case fluids, and replaced the spark plugs

Next up are a service for the bearings and CV joints. I am just planning on doing a reboot and repack at this point... One thing I did notice during the diff fluid change is that my upper ball joint boots were torn. I have a used set of UCA's on order from a member here and will essentially rebuild them from scratch so I can swap them out with minimal down time. While I have them out, I will be doing the CV reboot and bearing repack. Then again, I might end up doing more depending on what I find in the hubs. Additionally, I will be doing an AHC fluch and re-calibration within the next few days once I get my Techstream install figured out. And... I also have her scheduled for a KROWN treatment next week since I imported a nice southern belle into the rustbelt.

Now, since I got a bit ahead of myself with my scatter-gun maintenance schedule, let me backtrack a bit and inform the hive of my agenda: My main plans for "Snowball" (I can't believe the munchkins did not like "Vera"...) are to set her up as a "Mall Cruiser." That being said, I am somewhat into hunting (falconry) and will be taking her off road every now and then. I am not talking rock crawling or anything, but rather, the once a week farm field excursion. My main plans are to refresh the suspension and drive train within reason, upgrade the tires to something like ST MAXX's (285/75-16), keep the stock ride height and AHC fully functional, and eventually add a rear bumper, yank the running boards and put on sliders, add some real "under-armor" (Slee), and add some expedition type stuff that will support my first love (the hawks and falcons). For the bumpers and sliders, I am strongly leaning toward the Dissent Offroad product line. I am also planning on a full stereo upgrade to a Pioneer AVIC-8200NEX since I REALLY like my modern tech stuff.

Regardless, MUCH more is to follow, and don't expect this to be a thread that will have frequent progress updates. I am doing OK, but four kids puts a dent in the play money. That, and "wife unit sticker shock" is kept to a minimum if I can spread it out over a few months. I will, however, do my best to document everything from here on out in as much detail as I can for forum posterity and my own records. Maybe some here can learn what NOT to do from my antics

 

[Yavo]

Looks great! I'm jealous of the recovered seats, they look fantastic.

Yep. Came that way. They used some REALLY nice quality leather too...

However, the steering wheel needs a recover, and the armrests could probably use some work soon as well... My experience in falconry has developed in me a "small" interest in leather working. I am planning on doing a recover in the near future that is more akin to "Saddleback" than "Wheel-Skins." I will make sure to document my additions as they come and make/retain some good patterns for here.

You never know, I might develop a good side business

EDIT: You noticed the seats, but not the NO RUST!!!

 

[benc]

Congrats!
Looks like a clean rig!

 

[SmoothLC]

Score! Way to go.

 

[Yavo]

Well, the local auto car wash exposed/caused some paint damage. You know those little pin head sized rust spots on the surface of the paint? Typically caused by waxing over brake dust? It looks kind of like this...

Pin head sized rust spots

• Yavo
• Nov 30, 2016

The perils of not cleaning off embedded brake dust...

Well, I ran my 100 through the carwash a few times and started to notice this developing. With winter coming up, I was like "hell naw!!!" I tried claybar, but that did not get it, so I spent about a week researching and found the best detail shop in Cincinnati. Ordinarily, I would just do it myself, but lack of time, most of my stuff is in storage due to transitioning between houses, etc... I decided to bite the bullet and have it done for me by a pro. I just picked Snowball up a few hours ago after two days with the guy, and holy hell, this guy did a FANTASTIC job. Did a full compound, neutralizer, sealant and two coats of wax. Nice and sealed up for the winter

I'll get pics of the results when the sun comes up in the morning. Sorry for the tease...

 

[Yavo]

Here are the after pics:

After detail 2

• Yavo
• Dec 1, 2016

After detailing 3

• Yavo
• Dec 1, 2016

 

[yotasavg]

Wow that looks great! Can you give a ballpark figure of what that would cost? My paint is hurting, but definitely within solid repair by a pro.

 

[Yavo]

Cost me a little under $300. But when you figure in the supplies and amount of time I KNOW he spent on it, I think I got one hell of a deal...

 

[yotasavg]

Cost me a little under $300. But when you figure in the supplies and amount of time I KNOW he spent on it, I think I got one hell of a deal...

I completely agree. Would gladly pay that for someone else's time and effort.