What a mess, hope you get it sorted out soon.
Bought a 2000 LX. I think it's a money pit. I could use some encouragement.
- Thread starter Texas Sun Power
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What a mess, hope you get it sorted out soon.
OP, When you get your head around everything thats been thrown out and decide what you would like to do I'm willing and able to help you assess your AHC and, collectively, we can determine if it's likely salvageable and at what probable cost. You wouldn't be the first guy who has purchased a truck with a dodgy system (last guy I worked with was told the AHC had been removed completely) when it subsequently died and is now back up and running for a couple hundred dollars. You've got options and could be surprised at what can be achieved for not much outlay.
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Thanks so much. I have a different Toyota mechanic that's got a good reputation looking at it Thursday. I'll see what they say. I like the idea of the AHC back in operation, but a swap for a LC setup would be fine with me.
The good news is that your rig is fully depreciated. At least your not suffering that, which is the usually the biggest expense of owning a vehicle.
I bought a 2001 LX470 with 158k miles a year ago from a dealer in Dallas. $11,000. Very nice looking. In the past 12 months and 13,000 miles, I've needed/chosen to do the following:
1. Serpentine belt - failed on the freeway
2. Ignition Coil - failed in traffic
3. Starter - was failing from Day 1
4. New OEM floor mats (a must for any new-to-me car)
5. Three oil changes so far (the first on Day 1, two since)
6. Transmission service
7. Differential service
8. ACH fluid replace
9. Coolant re-lace
10. Spark plugs replace
11. Lube propeller shaft
I think I'm caught up with everything. The timing belt was done at 116k miles according to the sticker on the engine cover. I don't know the total cost, but it wasn't insignificant.
Of course, now I think one or more of height sensors needs replacing. I'm sure the radio would sound better if I replaced the speakers. I'm sure more repairs will crop up.
I love it though. It's a great ride. I plan to drive it for a long, long time; then maybe replace it with a newer 100-Series.
bpe3
I bought a 2001 LX470 with 158k miles a year ago from a dealer in Dallas. $11,000. Very nice looking. In the past 12 months and 13,000 miles, I've needed/chosen to do the following:
1. Serpentine belt - failed on the freeway
2. Ignition Coil - failed in traffic
3. Starter - was failing from Day 1
4. New OEM floor mats (a must for any new-to-me car)
5. Three oil changes so far (the first on Day 1, two since)
6. Transmission service
7. Differential service
8. ACH fluid replace
9. Coolant re-lace
10. Spark plugs replace
11. Lube propeller shaft
I think I'm caught up with everything. The timing belt was done at 116k miles according to the sticker on the engine cover. I don't know the total cost, but it wasn't insignificant.
Of course, now I think one or more of height sensors needs replacing. I'm sure the radio would sound better if I replaced the speakers. I'm sure more repairs will crop up.
I love it though. It's a great ride. I plan to drive it for a long, long time; then maybe replace it with a newer 100-Series.
bpe3
I almost forgot....
12. Replaced O2 sensor last week.
bpe3
12. Replaced O2 sensor last week.
bpe3
Sounds like a plan, if your guy's experienced with AHC I'm sure he will be able to give you a pragmatic assessment - if you choose to restore the system don't buy new parts as there are tons of serviceable bits and pieces floating around that can be had for not much.
One good thing you learned today, TSP, is that the Land Cruiser community is unlike any other automotive community you're likely to find! They're almost always considerate (again, I said almost always), happy to give advice (some of it is even good!
), and will go the extra mile to help.
Truly, the amount of knowledge contained in these threads is absolutely mind-boggling!
), and will go the extra mile to help.Truly, the amount of knowledge contained in these threads is absolutely mind-boggling!
Well, sorry you were lied to, but I also did not like the threat of using a lawyer's letterhead to scare someone unless totally justified. So, glad to hear it was out of character.
The problems you have are to be expected for the price and miles you paid. The realization is you are paying for someone else's deferred maintenance, and with 225K probably paying for multiple PO's deferred maintenance. I believe you'll have to put a few K back in, and assuming the interior is in good shape you'll have a truck you'll enjoy for several years to come.
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Money pit? What?? Nooo it couldn't be...
re_guderian
SILVER Star
What's wrong with the spark plugs?
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Nothing, except that they had not been replaced for a while and I was doing baseline maintenance and found that some were over torqued and wouldn't come out.
Not trying to be insensitive, but I'd say it is par for the course when paying a rock bottom price of $6300 for a 16 year old luxury vehicle, that had a MSRP of $60,000+ when new. If it were in better condition, and had been maintained a little better, the price would have been higher. All in all, it really doesn't sound too bad for what you paid. Did you get a steal? No, probably not. Did you get cheated? No, probably not.
As to the 1.5" vs 2-2.5" lift, at least for OME, the only real difference between the two is the rear springs @$178 per pair (plus the labor to swap them out)
As to the 1.5" vs 2-2.5" lift, at least for OME, the only real difference between the two is the rear springs @$178 per pair (plus the labor to swap them out)
If it's not rusty chances are you will be ok... why I always use anti seize on steel plugs going in an alum head... But I bet they will come out with the engine HOT as alum expands more than steel...
sounds like the guy you got it from was just make'n a buck off the deal... but you got it cheap and cheap ain't always a deal...
what is a huge issue to some is minor to others just depends on what you are use to dealing with... Kinda like a guy I know lets his wife date... it's a non issue to him... yet I might just have a problem with it at my house...
sounds like the guy you got it from was just make'n a buck off the deal... but you got it cheap and cheap ain't always a deal...
what is a huge issue to some is minor to others just depends on what you are use to dealing with... Kinda like a guy I know lets his wife date... it's a non issue to him... yet I might just have a problem with it at my house...
I think you're probably overreacting a bit. The suspension is a non issue if you were going to lift it. If not, you would have had some expense with the AHC eventually anyway. At least now whichever way you go, youll know where you stand. The plugs are the bigger issue, but I still wouldn't worry about it too much. Like was mentioned earlier, I would spray kroil or PB Blaster in the tube and let it soak during a time when you don't have to drive the car. Are all the plugs stuck? I would take the ones out that you can and see what kind of condition they are in. I have seen the factory plugs last 250k in these motors and still be good. Maybe something you can just deal with later. Coolant flush, heater tees, TB/WP etc is all stuff you need to do for baseline. Really nothing I would panic about. Deep breaths and one thing at a time. If you don't have the mechanical skills, now is a good time to learn. If you do, its not a big deal. Or you can panic and sell it to me for a song and I will do all the things you mentioned.....Unless it has rust and then I'm not interested! 
Those aren't big issues considering your rock bottom purchase price.
As others have said, dig deeper, re-asses and move along if you need a cleaner slate.
IMO, buying one of these rigs means you need to have some aptitude to do your own work or you need to be ok paying a lot for repairs. They are awesome machines, but they are not young anymore. Your current issues will not be your last, even if you start with a pristine example.
As others have said, dig deeper, re-asses and move along if you need a cleaner slate.
IMO, buying one of these rigs means you need to have some aptitude to do your own work or you need to be ok paying a lot for repairs. They are awesome machines, but they are not young anymore. Your current issues will not be your last, even if you start with a pristine example.
Just be glad you bought a used Lexus and not a used Range Rover...........the Lexus can be rehabilitated.
Ach aye. Nothing could be more true. Was just saying this to my wife. We bought a 90 Range Rover in 96. OMG, five months of hell repairing previous owner's neglected maintenance. I literally spent between $500 and $2000 per month for 5 months on a truck that had passed the dealership's "inspection". And it was all nickel and dimey electronics. Lucas, prince of darkness at work on overtime. The RR was a JOY to drive. It has all that cloud-like feeling and will go over or through anything. The LX470 has ALL of that, but so far it's been a joy in the maintenance and repair department. I used to hold my breath when driving the RR but have a lot of confidence in the LX.
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So I bought LC torsion bars and stock shocks to replace these. I replaced the steering rack assembly. Changed out the coolant. Forget about the spark plugs until gas mileage is a problem (bigger problem . Any idea if my ABS can be salvaged since my AHC is dismantled? Or at the very least, make the OFF light from blinking constantly?
. Any idea if my ABS can be salvaged since my AHC is dismantled? Or at the very least, make the OFF light from blinking constantly?
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