Brauski's LX470 Build "Linz"

[hickuptruck]

*High five! You're one of the few people that do sound deadening and insulation right. It always takes 3 stages to do it right. And great job on not covering 100% of the butyl on the surfaces since only about 35% coverage is needed before the rest goes to waste. Then the goes the decoupler, and finally the good heavy stuff on MLV. I see far too many people just slap on butyl 100% coverage and think that will block the noise. Its just a way for the material companies to make more $.

 

[CBeckFJ]

This what you're looking for?

View attachment 2333957

Yep! Thanks

 

[brauski]

Yep! Thanks

Why're you switching? Couldn't find an 05 replacement?

 

[CBeckFJ]

Why're you switching? Couldn't find an 05 replacement?

I've got a spare '99 in the backyard with the non nav center stack so I've been looking to see if a swap is possible between the two. Looks like they share a few connectors

 

[brauski]

I've got a spare '99 in the backyard with the non nav center stack so I've been looking to see if a swap is possible between the two. Looks like they share a few connectors

Gotcha, should work, it'll just be a bunch of work. Good luck with that!

 

[brauski]

Got around to changing the front diff, rear diff, and transfer case fluids today. Old fluid was disgusting, glad it's gone now. Doing water crossings without extending the breathers didn't help the situation. We'll get those extended as soon as the parts get delivered for that project. Went with AMSOIL for the easy to use bags. They're amazing - can't recommend them enough.

While I was down there, I gave my TB bolts another glance since I just bought some LC ones to throw in. Turns out I still had tons of room for adjustment, so I gave them another 4 turns each. Pressures are slightly low now, but the truck was empty and this thing should be in spec as it continues to settle, and when fully loaded out. And I'm sure it'll enjoy the break after living it's whole life over pressure. I'll keep it out of low to mitigate. I do plan to install the LC TBs later, as I want to do a ~2" AHC lift.

 

[brauski]

Changed the oil while I was at it, decided to give AMSOIL a try after watching Project Farm on Youtube. Went with a WIX XP filter. Installed a Fumoto valve that I'm super excited about. Don't know how I've been changing my cars' oil for 5 years without it... Also sent a sample to Blackstone, I'm super interested to see what they say.

Also noticed some water ingress in the drivers side footwell the other day driving barefoot in the rain and discovered this when I went looking. This thing must have gotten destroyed the day I bought it when the tire catastrophically failed at highway speed. The metal on the bottom was bent like 2 inches up, I had to massage that back to it's original home. Kinda shocked I never noticed it. After sluething around in there I don't think this was the smoking gun for the water ingress, but I'm, glad it's fixed now! (Don't worry, some Rad Rubber is in the works)

Finally took the time to update the rear wiper. Looks so much better now.

 

[brauski]

New OEM gas cap!

Hood & tailgate struts replaced. The last replacement Strongarm hood struts only lasted 2 years, hopefully these last longer, so to speak.

Next project:

 

[brauski]

Got started on the brake job today, apparently just in the nick of time. Replaced the windshield wiper jar and protective cover that got damaged and lost, respectively, when the tire blew 2 years ago.

Got as far as the front right caliper before discovering that the two inboard pistons were seized. Tried to break them loose, but they're shot. I reckon that's why stopping power has been somewhat lacking. I do find it interesting that it wasn't pulling to the left under braking though. Have a reman caliper in the mail, hopefully we can finish the job Wednesday. Seems to be a trend item, now my second non-rust belt Lexus (after my IS350) to need a caliper replaced.

 

[brauski]

New caliper is finally in, feels way better now. Didn't get pics as I'm thrashing around tryna prep for my trip to Talladega NF this weekend.

Also finally got my Blackstone lab results today! Looking good so far.

 

[saucebox]

New caliper is finally in, feels way better now. Didn't get pics as I'm thrashing around tryna prep for my trip to Talladega NF this weekend.

Also finally got my Blackstone lab results today! Looking good so far.

View attachment 2360027

TNF is beautiful, enjoy!

 

[wrigh003]

Man- you got yourself a good un. Nothing quite as much fun as dealing with previous owners' hacked-together crap. Been there, done it, fortunately not with this truck (...yet, lol).

That said- looks like you're getting it all put back together and upgrading as you go. Nice work- soon enough it'll get on an even keel and you can just enjoy it.

 

[brauski]

TNF is beautiful, enjoy!

You're right, it vastly exceeded expectations! Took my friend and his GF. It was her first night camping and we stayed 10 ft from the edge of the mountain. I think we ruined camping for her - she's got a high bar set!

Turns out I've unknowingly flown over the ridge twice doing formation low levels in the T38 - wasn't quite able to take in the beauty at 360 knots. haha Got some really cool shots of the falls on the trip though. And tons more I'll post eventually.

Man- you got yourself a good un. Nothing quite as much fun as dealing with previous owners' hacked-together crap. Been there, done it, fortunately not with this truck (...yet, lol).

That said- looks like you're getting it all put back together and upgrading as you go. Nice work- soon enough it'll get on an even keel and you can just enjoy it.

Thanks, I appreciate it!

 

[brauski]

Tried to fix my RTT's cover somewhat successfully with flex tape and glue a year ago. Stopped water ingress, but turns out it gets hotter than the melting point of the glue up there. So that was problematic.

I couldn't find a replacement from the manufacturer, but looked like my tent was a CVT design ripoff. So I ordered their 56" cover and it fit like a glove. Super cheap, and it even came with a new zipper! The old one may or may not have acculumated glue...

Looks so much better now. Plus, I now have +10 clout points for now having a "CVT" tent. haha

 

[brauski]

On quarantine for the second time now, finally made some time to extend breathers from the transmission, transfer case, and both diffs. Spent way more than I needed to, didn't use half of the stuff I bought for the project.

Pretty happy with the results though!

No picture, but in the process I discovered the source of my very slow coolant leak. Figured it was my ancient radiator about to give up on me, but turns out it was just one of my heater tee fittings. Tightened that up, so we should be good to go now!

Hoping to knock out the Dissent skids install tomorrow and throw on some Rad Rubber, so to speak.

 

[brauski]

New tail lights!

Also started bolting down the Trekboxx. Looks like I'm gonna need some longer bolts due to the sound deadening, that's a project for the future when I can leave the house to get new ones.

 

[brauski]

Rad Rubber installed. Much needed. It's a super high quality product - a prime example of "you get what your pay for" for sure.

 

[LXINMT]

How’d you adjust the chinese-ium lights? I’ve turned and turns and nothing seems to move? QUOTE="brauski, post: 12796725, member: 136237"]
Took the IS350 for the Christmas roadtrip home. Katana's 28mpg is way better on the wallet than the 14mpg I get in Linz. Of course I had to stop by the Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, and Fontana Dam on the way. Had to re-zap the container since someone removed my last one. A Cut Above!
View attachment 2171381

Christmas also brought me 2020's first projects. Stoked!
View attachment 2171382
I've gotten a taste of water crossings recently and between that, watching 4WD Action, and having to explain to people how worthless my snorkel is for the vehicle's health underwater, it's time to do it right and put some diff breathers on. Also lots on the way in the light department. When I was on Hurricane Creek a bunch of Ford bros drove by our camp at night. I had no idea how amazing lights can be - it was like daylight. And having dealt with tryna beat the sunset and get thru an obstacle once, I'm content not doing it again.
Speaking of that, I adjusted my headlights last night. PSA - if you haven't adjusted them, do it. I can finally see at night with the chinese-ium lights. No idea why I waited so long!
[/QUOTE]

 

[brauski]

How’d you adjust the chinese-ium lights? I’ve turned and turns and nothing seems to move?

I turned those little gear things a bunch, should be 2 behind each housing. Gave up with the screwdriver, so I took my drill on like the lowst torque setting and ran it direction until it went about as far as it could. I set up a foam insulation board I had chilling against my garage like 15 feet (or whatever the distance is people use to adjust height, I forget) from the headlights and used that to see if I was going the right direction. If I remember right, thre were up/down and left/right controls. Moving the left/right to the extremes enabled me to get some up/down out of them. Almost like they were on a diagonal. To exagerate, my cutoff now is similar to of stairs with 4 steps. So not ideal, but still gives me the throw I need without blinding drivers.

 

[brauski]

My HVAC control buttons that I temporarily revitalized with DeOxIt failed me again, so I decided to repalce the buttons before the NYE trip to Michigan. Figured we might get a little more use out of the defog and defrost up there than I do in Mississippi. lol

Suprisingly easy job. Solder sucker is a must, and change the tips/empty it frequently. Only switched out the broken ones on that project, but plan is to switch them all out and get new lights as well. They're so nice and tactile as opposed to the mushy stock ones.