BUILD: 1997 Lexus LX420 (Operation Debacle) (3 Viewers)

[lelandEOD]

Looks like it's time for me to start documenting the debacle.

I purchased this '97 LX450 a year ago from the original owner. A perfect example of a west-coast commuter 'cruiser - bone stock, never off road, and serviced by the Lexus dealership in Pleasanton, CA since new. While the dark green was pretty much my least favorite color, I feel pretty lucky to count myself as an 80-Series owner after so many damn years of wanting one.

My kids call it, rather unimaginatively, Greenie.

Bringing it home over Donner summit last year was not the smartest thing I've ever done. Multiple crashes that night meant I spent a couple hours sitting on the road waiting for the wreckage to be cleared and be escorted down by the plows.

 

[lelandEOD]

I spent a couple weeks performing some baselining tasks and thinking over what I wanted to do with the truck. Before purchasing it, I thought I wanted a hard-core wheeling wagon... but this thing was just ...so nice, it was hard to convince myself to thrash it on the rocks. ...I mean, look at this thing:

 

[lelandEOD]

Most of the first month was spent on really unexciting stuff: Front and rear axle rebuilds, brake job, etc.

The knuckles were in need of attention:

The steering wheel was haggard as well so I ordered up one of those cheapie leather kits off Amazon:

Not perfect, but a big improvement.

 

[lelandEOD]

At this point, I was still not sure if I wanted to dive in and really commit to a build-build or just keep it fairly pedestrian. ....then along came 4x4Labs with a 'Mud group-buy last spring...

...there goes the neighborhood.

 

[lelandEOD]

So, the swingout is actually still a bit of a work in progress (more on that in a minute). The basic bumper went together without issue:

 

[lelandEOD]

The tire carrier side went together without issue but I changed the jerry can holder side a couple times in an attempt to fit everything but the kitchen sink.

....I mean, what else am I going to do with an ammo can holder from an MRAP?

 

[lelandEOD]

...somewhere around here, Greenie got a 3" Icon el-cheapo lift and a set of 35" MTs.



...and ... a ... ....a friggin' snorkel.... because I'm a weak weak man.

I laboriously cerakoted all 5 wheels in Sig Sauer gray... which came out looking just like charcoal grill spray paint.

 

[NLXTACY]

What happened to the oil pan drain plug? Looks like there was a repair on the pan.

 

[lelandEOD]

What happened to the oil pan drain plug? Looks like there was a repair on the pan.

No idea. I didn't even notice it until you said something.

After a couple redneck re-designs, I settled on a home-brewed dual jerry can/ammo can holder with folding table.

I still have to fit a backup camera and a recessed 7-pin trailer receptacle before I commit to disassembly for powder coat so it is currently sitting in rusty glory.

 

[lelandEOD]

After the lift, my caster was all sorts of off so I ordered a set of Delta VS radius arms and happened to notice they were offering a pretty cool roof rack.

...so, I did a thing.

 

[lelandEOD]

Anyway, I recently picked up a roached K294 optioned '96 FZJ and harvested its vital organs:

Swapping my unlocked thirds for the e-lockers necessarily means I am in for another another axle teardown, so I had to commit to re-gearing at the same time. I've seen both 80s on 35s and 37s on the Rubicon and I figured if I was going to go full-retard... just commit to 5.29s and step up to 37s and be done with it.

So, today I ordered up a set of these badboys and now am on the hunt for a set of tires to go with them (only time will tell if I learn to regret the decision to buy wheels with 64 extra points for potential air leaks).

I’m sending the locked thirds out for re-gearing just as soon as I can figure out what final drive ratio will be most appropriate for Greenie once I get the 37’s mounted up. Conventional wisdom says 5.29s for 37’s with the FZJ petrol engine but then, I did another thing…









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[lelandEOD]

And this is pretty much where things stand.

 

[manofthewoods]

I spent a couple weeks performing some baselining tasks and thinking over what I wanted to do with the truck. Before purchasing it, I thought I wanted a hard-core wheeling wagon... but this thing is so nice, it's hard to convince myself to thrash it on the rocks. ...I mean, look at this thing:

View attachment 2883429View attachment 2883430View attachment 2883431View attachment 2883432

That looks like the one I picked up last April. Not a speck of rust, anywhere.
Welcome to the insanity

 

[doc_random]

.303 British, 30-06, AK with a Krink - many others? Dillon brass tumbler - dusty!!
LX450 and 35", I went SC.
Are these diseases or hobbies that we share?

 

[jfz80]

And once it was stock and beautiful....

Nice score and interesting path for sure. Looking forward to following along.

 

[80ways]

I believe you have taken the insanity a few steps beyond the norm... congratulations!

Diseases... hobbies. Potatoe... potato.

 

[burnttoastburgos]

MAN....that got rusted up pretty quick !!....question, out of pure curiosity, why weld up the spare tire mount so close to center of bumper. I keep seeing this, and wonder why leave that space (which looks like 5-6" closer to the left directional light). Is there a conflict with the quarter panel when opening the left swing all the way? just curious.

p.s., ive been here for 15 years and thats the cleanest undercarriage I've ever seen, congrats.

 

[Outsane]

What a start to a build! Mam they grow up fast

 

[Spdstr280Z]

Well, that escalated quickly ! Looking good...

Jason

 

[lelandEOD]

MAN....that got rusted up pretty quick !!....question, out of pure curiosity, why weld up the spare tire mount so close to center of bumper. I keep seeing this, and wonder why leave that space (which looks like 5-6" closer to the left directional light). Is there a conflict with the quarter panel when opening the left swing all the way? just curious.

p.s., ive been here for 15 years and thats the cleanest undercarriage I've ever seen, congrats.

[shrugs] ...that's where 4x4Labs places the tire carrier on the arm. I was just the dork who welded it together.

My seats are down at the upholstery shop now too for new dark brown leather from Mosley. Here’s a teaser:

Since the seats are coming out anyway, I figure now’s the time to put fresh carpet in it. …aaaaaaand since the carpet’s getting yanked, I may as well put down some sound deadening too. …aaaaaand pre-run all the witing for the circuits I plan to add to the rear of the truck - fridge power, 30A trailer service, ARB compressor, inverter, charge DC/DC controller, weboost, lights, etc.

The carpet kit won't be here until Friday so I’ve got some time to plan out the extra circuits.

Speaking of extra circuits… … if I’m having the seats recovered it only makes sense to throw in some butt heaters. My 10 year old indignantly demanded second row seat heaters after learning she and her baby sister were expected to do without.

Soooo…

…first and second row seat heaters it is!