Buying a 1997 LX450 - Need advice most humbly (1 Viewer)

[Comet]

Guys, that rig looks like a train wreck. All that black paint is hiding something. Just give me the phone number and address and I will drive down there tonight to negotiate a better deal for you, uh-err-umm, ME!

Buy it!

 

[ATXLX]

Some efforts in carpet cleaning are ahead

If that carpet needs to be cleaned, I'm screwed

 

[cbpeck]

Truck looks fantastic in the pics. 95% certain that's replacement leather. We would be interested in knowing where he sourced it. Where's the Lexus trim on the driver door? Is it lost in the shadows or have the internal door panels been swapped?

 

[ROCKFOX]

All,
I went and did my first vehicle scout on the 3rd. Here are the pictures of the LX up close. Let me know what you think, and if it is worth it, I will put in an offer, and pull the trigger.

Driving impressions:
Steering felt a little tight at low speeds and loosened up at 20+ mph, turning radius was expected . Not too many creaks on driving. Sunroof has some cracked plastic panels, but does not leak, and operates smoothly on rails. Tires look like they have 75% of life left. Paint is pretty shot. Looks like it sad outside most of its life. To say it would need brightening and a respray is an understatement. Lets just say it looks better in the pictures than in real life, but that is also something that is just fine.
I noted the ARACO sticker on the passenger door. Learned something about ARACO, which I am sure you all know . Interesting third party, which I think is now fully under Toyota Umbrella. Leather seats in the front full redone. Not cover. Amazing and lush to the touch and literally 4 months old. He recommended someone (same person who did the seats) to do the steering, as it has heat and age wear.

I got under the truck, took some shots. Please let me know what you all think. Looks pretty clean apart from the Catalytic converter and exhaust.... let me know . Wiring and engine looked CLEAAAN.

Rear seats in good shape. Folding third row in the car and in good shape. Carpets... YES, need deep cleaning, if not changing. Passenger sideview mirror shakes when driving over 40MPH.

Pickup and get go was slow.... so definitely an LC . Owner was mad nice, and said he would work with me on pricing.

A penny for your thoughts !

I can only post 5 pics in total. So will use the next post to broadcast the engine and undercarriage shots.

 

[ROCKFOX]

Undercarriage Shots -

 

[ROCKFOX]

Engine Shots -

 

[jpoole]

Pictures don't show much new info but I do notice that the engine was dirty before and has been cleaned, likely with a degreaser and then pressure washer. This isn't a bad thing, just worth noting. With the cleaning long-term oil leaks may not be as obvious (the caked up dirt is gone in most areas) but you can still find the oil leaks, and in most ways they are easier to pinpoint after a cleaning, just less obvious to spot sometimes.

Looks like didn't have a port-installed factory roof rack, or the removal was well done, this is a plus.

White often responds well to compounding/polishing/waxing if there isn't too much damage.

We are probably all curious about the price he's asking/you are considering paying. It looks like a solid 80 and if you want an 80 it's a great candidate. Lack of lockers may be a downside for some when/if you resell and the LX plastic trim is another possible downside as well. I say get it, but if you are planning to resell at a profit relatively soon it's important you not overpay since, while these are holding there value I don't think they are rapidly appreciating currently.

 

[gummycarbs]

Looks fine. Sounds like the steering pump needs to be rebuilt. It probably has the same problems all the other 20 year old Land Cruisers have: leaking power steering pumps, front main seal, axle seals and wipers, oil pump seal, distributor o-ring, etc. Plus needing new vacuum hoses, PCV valve and grommet, and heater and radiator hoses. Heat and age kill rubber, and those are all related to rubber degrading.

But there's no obvious problem with that vehicle, visually.

 

[ROCKFOX]

@jpoole - Thank you!

 

[ROCKFOX]

All,
He has it listed at $8500, I am going to go in and offer $6500 - $7000 max, and with TAVT in State of GA, it will come to an OTD of ~7300 - 7500. I will keep some funding to ensure that I can get anything immediate addressed if needed.

Thoughts ?

 

[Bella1992]

Go buy that thing. Every year that goes by these vehicles get another year older and there are so many 80s on the market that have lived a hard life. New seats, what a luxury. Clean car, no accidents, show up with hundred dollar bills and don’t be afraid to cough up eighty of ‘em.

I picked up a GX 470 recently but just can’t see myself driving, the 80 bug has bitten.

I’m on my third 80 series, the first was a 1992, and the second two have been LX450’s. Love them.

 

[ROCKFOX]

@Bella1992 - Thank you! I am so stoked! I am hoping it works out.

 

[ROCKFOX]

All the day has come. I am closing on the Cruiser today. I just wanted to let you all know. Additionally, just so I knew what I was getting into, I had the 80 inspected by Hennessy Lexus here in Atlanta. Obviously, I will not have them do the repair, but well, I figured they would give me the quickest do this and do that listing . So please see attached.

I wanted your opinion on the following:
1. Knuckles leaking
2. Rear Crank main seal
3. Power Steering Pump needs replacement - will address this first.

@jpoole - You were right about the Power Steering, without even seeing the car. Impressed.

Also - fun fact, the moment I pulled her into the Lexus bay, there was an immediate curiosity and respect. And oddly enough an elderly gentleman was dropping his son off in his 80 to pick up his Lexus '18 LC500 for it's first service.
#Heritage.

Figured you would all love this shot.

 

[jpoole]

Looks great! Hope the final steps go well and that you have time to go cruising in it after you get it.

List of issues is very normal and pretty much what you can expect with any of these.

Read up on the knuckles and keep an eye on them just in case the front-end doesn't actually need a rebuild. Some grease is supposed to be on the knuckle but if the inner axle seals go out then it's a grease/oil mixture that's a good bit different and needs to be addressed soon. If you don't know when the front-end was last serviced though, or it was a while back, a front-end service/reseal is always a good idea regardless.

Rear main oil leak may in fact be oil pan arch seal. This is very common and often misdiagnosed. You can read up on it on mud to learn more. Many just let it leak as they don't lose much oil but in any case, if you aren't losing much oil this can wait until you get caught up on everything else and have time to read up on it and understand the best way to approach it to actually address the leak.

 

[Red Merle]

Pretty sure 95% of the 80s left on the road have the rear main seal leak(or pan arch seal). Most people just don't bother with it unless it is really bad. Mine weeps a little, but never drips. I have much better things to do with my time and my truck than dink around with that project.

Knuckle job is also pretty ubiquitous, especially at this age. It's not a hard job, just messy and time consuming. I would have whomever does that job use the new Wit's End seal driver to place the inner axle seal in a new location so that you won't likely need to do the job again for 75,000 miles or more. I wish this tool would have been available when I did mine. 80 Series Inner Axle Seal Offset Driver

Looks like a very nice truck! I still can't get over how shiny the bolts still are underneath.

 

[ROCKFOX]

Pretty sure 95% of the 80s left on the road have the rear main seal leak(or pan arch seal). Most people just don't bother with it unless it is really bad. Mine weeps a little, but never drips. I have much better things to do with my time and my truck than dink around with that project.

Knuckle job is also pretty ubiquitous, especially at this age. It's not a hard job, just messy and time consuming. I would have whomever does that job use the new Wit's End seal driver to place the inner axle seal in a new location so that you won't likely need to do the job again for 75,000 miles or more. I wish this tool would have been available when I did mine. 80 Series Inner Axle Seal Offset Driver

Looks like a very nice truck! I still can't get over how shiny the bolts still are underneath.

Thank you @Red Merle ! I hope this works out. Fingers crossed. Excited to be in the Cruiser Family!

 

[gummycarbs]

Echoing everyone else, those are totally normal maintenance items. The rear leak is the Land Cruiser's way of protecting itself from rust, sort of like a Labrador Retriever's oily coat.

 

[fz1boxer]

Echoing everyone else, those are totally normal maintenance items. The rear leak is the Land Cruiser's way of protecting itself from rust, sort of like a Labrador Retriever's oily coat.

T.E.R.P
Toyota
Engineered
Rust
Preventative

 

[dogfishlake]

Sounds like a great deal. Congratulations. Don't give up on fixing that paint. The white is not base/clear, just single stage. Clay bar, polish, wax = magic.

 

[ROCKFOX]

Sounds like a great deal. Congratulations. Don't give up on fixing that paint. The white is not base/clear, just single stage. Clay bar, polish, wax = magic.

@dogfishlake - Thank you so much. I am excited on this new adventure. Being part of the LC family is awesome. I had my fears with the paint. Looks like it was kept outside for much of it's life. I will have it garaged from here on out. I will try to work some magic with a nice clay bar session, and then some cleaner wax, followed by some nice sealer wax coatings. Let's see how far I can get. Will post photos of progress.

For now, just thrilled beyond words to close this deal.