BUILD: Third time's a charm - LX450

[Cruiserhead05]

Clean up my questionable jigsaw work with a router, several coats of Rustoleum textured multicolor paint and we're in business. I've used this paint many times before and have been very happy with it. The texture is like 80 grit sandpaper and it's available in several colors.

I didn't paint the section where the drawer sits because it just wasn't needed and this stuff doesn't go very far. I probably used 4 cans just doing the plate.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Finally getting some stuff mounted and organized. Still need to fine tune several things but it's a good, functional setup now and can accommodate the dog if needed.

 

[aviator31]

Just for posterity’s sake, here’s Brandon’s previous LX. I’m a bit biased obviously, but a turbo is tough to beat. That being said, an LS1 450 must be amazing!

View attachment 2519368

 

[matzell]

Enough of this mobo jumbo stuff. Let see some smokey 4 wheel burn outs and some 4 wheel drifting with that 6.2 ls singing!



How is it running? I am still waiting on tags from DMV till I can drive mine, BUT I am doing a lot of research on the LS swaps!

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Enough of this mobo jumbo stuff. Let see some smokey 4 wheel burn outs and some 4 wheel drifting with that 6.2 ls singing!



How is it running? I am still waiting on tags from DMV till I can drive mine, BUT I am doing a lot of research on the LS swaps!

Haha. Most might be disappointed at how easy I am on the motor. It's amazing how little effort is needed to push an 80 on 37's to 80mph. I rarely see anything north of 3500 rpm's and it moves effortlessly. The 1FZ is great, but i do not think about it and the power curve of the 6.2L is very different than the turbo.

All in all, it's running great. I've clocked 3500 miles and drive it 3x a week. I had to do a crank relearn procedure one-time due to a check engine light but that's it. Only big question mark at this point will be to see how it does in summer heat with AC cranking. That's the final test for me.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Sometimes the important stuff isn't super sexy, but just got the truck back from @OTRAMM with the rear Delta bracket installed, along with Front and Rear 300M RCV axle shafts. Last weekend was also woolwax day at my house, as you can see.

 

[OGBeno]

Been wheeling with @Cruiserhead05 all weekend. This swap is super clean. The LX is **really** nice... and Brandon is a very good driver...

 

[aviator31]

Sometimes the important stuff isn't super sexy, but just got the truck back from @OTRAMM with the rear Delta bracket installed, along with Front and Rear 300M RCV axle shafts. Last weekend was also woolwax day at my house, as you can see.

View attachment 2520173

View attachment 2520174

Impressions of the Delta bracket, noticeable and recommended?

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Impressions of the Delta bracket, noticeable and recommended?

Yes; do recommend. I had(still do) an adjustable rear already but the Delta bracket does improve stability at higher speeds when hitting potholes and other imperfections in the road.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Messing around with a GoPro. These are while pulling a 1500lb utility trailer and about 3/4 throttle.

50-80mph pull

 

[Cruiserhead05]

From a roll

 

[Bludozer]

Messing around with a GoPro. These are while pulling a 1500lb utility trailer and about 3/4 throttle.

50-80mph pull

Looks super smooth. Really nice

 

[Cruiserhead05]

With some help from @OTRAMM , the redhead steering box is in. Got the full 105 treatment, rebuild kit and upper and lower needle bearings. The steering is the tightest I’ve ever felt in any 80 I’ve owned or driven.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Clear coat on the hood was starting to show its age. As many things do, this resulted in a slippery slope.

Pulled the winch and ARB (more to come on that) in prep for hood repaint.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Wanted to make the most of things so decided to swap in new OEM hood insulation, windshield washer nozzles and washer pump.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

The painter twisted my arm and convinced me to let him "do it right", so this resulted in a bit more than the hood alone. He tore down the front end to do both fenders, cowl, lower valiance/bezel and help fix a few prior dings in the passenger fender.

Tear down:

 

[Cruiserhead05]

This level of disassembly required replacement of the front fender flare gaskets. Color matched ones are no longer available so we could have painted the black OEM ones I got but opted to source 4runner ones courtesy of the research @mtkreitz did. Here is the part number and close of up of installed gasket. Great match

 

[Cruiserhead05]

More tear down and fenders getting cleaned up.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Since getting rid of heat is always a plus and I'd love to see my OEM radiator be successful this coming summer, it made sense (kinda) to steal an idea from @goranvolvo and @Box Rocket to incorporate an early 2000's mustang hood scoop, in reverse orientation of course. Finished product from the underneath to show new hood insulation and holes cut around bracing.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Blacked out the grill, reassembled and that's a wrap. Now to address the front bumper.

Final product was way better than imagined, and the first round of pinstripes will certainly make me cringe.