Build BUILD: 1997 Lexus LX420 (Operation Debacle)

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The PDI was ok to install but I have a couple minor gripes. The included instructions only covered the 1HDT and did not show photos of the FTE routing. Also PDI included an extra hard pipe with no explanation. I think the extra pipe is in case I delete the soft shut down/crossover pipe so they were doing me a solid... but it would have been nice if I didn't have to scratch my head for 15 minutes trying to figure out which pipe went where.
 
The PDI was ok to install but I have a couple minor gripes. The included instructions only covered the 1HDT and did not show photos of the FTE routing. Also PDI included an extra hard pipe with no explanation. I think the extra pipe is in case I delete the soft shut down/crossover pipe so they were doing me a solid... but it would have been nice if I didn't have to scratch my head for 15 minutes trying to figure out which pipe went where.
Same. Had to do some guesswork to get everything where it should go.
You have any plans for your EGR?
 
Important Public Service Announcement

If you put a MAF in the intake backwards the ECU throws a code saying the Suction Control Valve has stuck. The Suction Control Valve is a component that not only requires removal of the injection pump but also calibration of the SCV by a qualified injection service facility. I believe Toyota did this on purpose to scare the living s*** out of any dumb ass who dares install their MAF upside down.
 
Time for a catch up. I built a spare transfer case up with 3:1 low range gears. If I had to do it all over again, I'd stick with stock gearing with this diesel. low range is almost too low for the majority of wheeling I do. Although it's great in the rocks!

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I ended up having to add a 1" body lift to get better clearance with the 37's under full articulation. It was pretty easy to install but I did have to partially drop the rear bumper to access the rearmost body mounts.

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The redhead steering box died after about 5,000 miles. I picked up a second used box and built it myself with the help of @reklund5. We had loads of fun getting every single recirculating ball back in the thing.
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I added a Switchpro and Delta VS console because, F saving for your kid's college...
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A good cruiser buddy literally gave me a set of NOS Sahara-spec quad headlight assemblies. I stripped the chrome from the bezels and cerakoted them to match the LCG grille. I went with a set of heated JW Speaker 8800 lights because we get a lot of snow in the Sierras and because ...F saving for the kids' college.
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G-Code holster and RTO mount added to center console because I live in Nevada and you never know when a rolling street battle will go down.
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Wolfbox rear mirror actually turned out to be a good buy. My only complaint is in low light; it gets pretty grainy and I usually just turn it off.
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The intercooler pipe was an issue because it blocked the oil fill cap. Luckily I was able to find another mandrel bend that worked better.
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Mood lighting is a must!
Credit goes to Lee at Solve Function for making these bad ass LED interior lights. I added the door courtesy lights to match.

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"...get in f*ckers; we're doin' 'Merica sh!t.

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I have a respectable pile of used springs laying beside the house now. I've gone through multiple sets trying to find a combination that works with the weight of this thing. Ultimately, a set of 6" Slee Heavies got it done.

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I just realized I haven't posted any photos of the exhaust. It's sick.


It took 40 hours fabing up a new stainless 3" exhaust system and another 10 fixing a crack discovered in the DS frame at the panhard junction.
Unlike pretty much everything else, I happily paid a friend for the work as I could never have ended up with this kind of result.

Flawless.

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One of the challenges with the exhaust routing was that I wanted it to stay inside the frame rails which was not the easy route. We had to use an oval section to clear the transfer case and the whole system required transitions and lots of complex bends to clear the rear axle, frame crossmember, and the fuel tank. I also wanted it to clear a hand made sub tank we made out of 12 gauge stainless. It was definitely a challenge.

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Wow dude. You are rockin it!
 
Found some photos of the panhard mount that had cracked. THIS was the source of the super-annoying death wobble I experienced for months.

I had my buddy weld up one of Dave's kick ass weld-on reinforcement plates.


Note: you can see in the first photo where the crack propagated in the valley of the formed part. We ground it out and put down a root weld. After letting it cool, we were surprised to see another previously unseen crack open up as the material cooled (second photo). Wild.

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