Buying a 1997 LX450 - Need advice most humbly

[clx16]

Use a chisel or screwdriver to put a small puncture in the oil filter while draining the oil to reduce the amount that pours out when you remove the filter.

^^no idea why I never thought about that^^

 

[Funner]

Pretty detailed read on the coolant/heater hoses in link below.

ExpeditionLCMajorcoolingoverhaul

 

[PDoyle]

I just breezed through that write up and the guy uses silicone hose for the PHH,thought that was no bueno.

 

[fz1boxer]

i poke a hole in the bottom of my bronco oil filter also,worst filter ever to change s*** goes everywhere

 

[ROCKFOX]

@Funner - Thank you

 

[thekitchensink]

Nice find! The FAQ's are going to be your best friend.

As for the oil change, it's stupidly simple. A quick search on YouTube turned up several videos. I run 10w30 synthetic "high miledge" Valvoline, and change every 4-5k miles (or whenever my oil warning light comes on ).

I'll chime in on the PHH as well.. take a look at several of the threads here and you'll see lots of people do the PHH "bypass" .. which essentially makes the re-installation easier. You can check out Wits-End (@NLXTACY on MUD).. he has PHH kits available. Either way, it's really not a hard job at all, just takes some time and patience.

I'm just north of Atlanta if you ever need anything. Welcome aboard!

 

[ROCKFOX]

@thekitchensink - Will do. I will try to knock out an oil change this coming weekend as a baseline. Excited to get started. I appreciate all the insights. Plus the truck sitting so high, very easy to access underneath etc.

Should be fun

 

[shaggy_mutt]

If you're missing the 6-disc changer (back of centre console) and want one, let me know... I have it and won't be keeping it. Any of it.

Not to thread-hijack, but if Rockfox doesn't want it and it's reasonably close to working order, I'll take it. Mine is starting to ERR 21 about 90 percent of the time that I try it.

 

[pawnthatdude]

Still wondering why it needed the tap. I will probably take a closer look when I get around to it and just make sure the bulb is seated properly or just put a new one in. Thanks for the tip. Always good to learn something new about these trucks.

Mine is like that too. If I notice it's out, I knock on the plastic at the base of the shifter like knocking on a door. The light always comes back on. It's almost endearing how it responds to a knock.

 

[gummycarbs]

Mine is like that too. If I notice it's out, I knock on the plastic at the base of the shifter like knocking on a door. The light always comes back on. It's almost endearing how it responds to a knock.

 

[Red Merle]

Well, I do live in Wisconsin...

 

[ROCKFOX]

Hey Everyone!
Just completed Week 1 with the 80 . Here are a few things I did -
1. Paid the GA taxes and ordered a R0CKF0X tag ... if you see me on the road, you will know who I am .
2. Replaced the chattery windshield wipers with 18A Bosch Icons... clears away the rain beads with vengeance!
3. Ordered an OEM Toyota Shift knob to replace the warn out handle. Pictures below . Excited.
4. Will have the PS Pump rebuilt later this month / Early March .

A shot at night with the city of Buckhead in the background......

Oh I haven't been able to drive my other two cars since I got this rig. Nothing else compares !

 

[asutherland]

Not to thread-hijack, but if Rockfox doesn't want it and it's reasonably close to working order, I'll take it. Mine is starting to ERR 21 about 90 percent of the time that I try it.

Send me a PM! (assuming Rockfox doesn't need it)

To @ROCKFOX ... looking good! Do you have a pt# on that shifter? Was it easy to replace? Mine is worn too.

 

[ROCKFOX]

@asutherland - Not a problem. I am fine on the CD changer. I found mine !

For the part No. - here you go -

• MPN
  33542

That should be it.

 

[ROCKFOX]

Not to thread-hijack, but if Rockfox doesn't want it and it's reasonably close to working order, I'll take it. Mine is starting to ERR 21 about 90 percent of the time that I try it.

All yours !

 

[ExpoGeorgia]

Nice LX! Stationed overseas atm but welcome from a Fayette County citizen

 

[shaggy_mutt]

All yours !

Oh, awesome! Thanks!

BTW I love Atlanta. Amazing city.

 

[Red Merle]

@ROCKFOX Everyone has their own opinion on oil, some are based more on science others on tradition and some just on experience. Personally the only one I avoid is Pennzoil. I like Full Synthetic but some people recommend against it as some gaskets/seals were not designed with it in mind. There are a lot of threads on it, and you will read some pretty crazy stuff but there are good recommendations. DO NOT expect to get 10k out of any oil in these rigs, they weren't designed to go that long and well you will run out of oil if you have the Toyota rustproofing that most of us enjoy. About the Drip molding,, most people remove it and just clean that area up as there is paint under it and it looks better generally without the molding.

This sounds like your hobby vehicle so you aren't going to break something and miss work etc, so don't worry about breaking things, you have time to fix them and this forum will show you how to fix anything with just a few searches.

Download a PDF of the factory service manual...lexus version and toyota version are not that hard to find. In short loosen the oil cap, put a oil drain pan under the drain plug. remove the plug... (practice will make this part cleaner with time), let it drain out. Then on the drivers side of the engine get two hands on the oil filter and twist it counter clockwise (might need to wiggle your ears and grit your teeth to get it loose) YOu can also use oil filter wrench. I cut the bottom off of a 1 gallon water jug and made a notch to slid under the filter so it catches the oil that comes out of the filter (others may have better suggestions). I unscrew the filter and make the gasket from the old filter touch the new gasket on the new filter. (This applies oil to the new filter gasket which is required). Screw on the new filter (i do mine two hand tight, some people do them tighter, but don't over do it or it will be hard to get off and someone will have to show you the screw driver method).

Put the drain plug back in (recommended you use a new drain plug crush washer that is very cheap) and torque down to factory recommendations (if you are in to that sort of thing). put in about 7.8 quarts of your selected oil (just gauge using the dipstick). I keep a quart or two in the battery box for backup later. Put the oil cap back on and tighten by hand. double check the oil level later to make sure it all settled well after driving <--this will make you feel better until you've done it a few times. Take the old oil and put it in containers for recycling at autoparts stores(Free) or a recycling center (free) you might even be able to take oil filters someone else can chime in there.

Just want to say that I picture you as a man smoking a pipe while sitting in a rocking chair while you regaled us with your witty anecdotes and yarns. I like the cut of your jib.
You're like old man internet coming in to tell us how it really is.

 

[clx16]

You're like old man internet coming in to tell us how it really is.

Making the internet Classic!

 

[ROCKFOX]

Hey Everyone! Week 2 with my 80 . Did a few things. Learned a few things .
1. The Oil Light came on, and I used the age old prophecy of turning the wheel sharp right, and it turned off. Then I read up and realized it was low one quart of oil, so oiled this bad boy up with a quart of Mobil 1 5w30. She drives like a dream now, and the light is off.
2. Power steering feels like I am driving an old Chevy. So will need to get it addressed as soon as I can, so I can enjoy the miracles of modern day power steering.
3. Seat belt tensioner on the driver's side is shot. Any ideas on an easy fix or if it is just not necessary. It just hangs limp and sad when I exit the car and sometimes gets stuck between the door and the door jam .
4. I ordered the new gear shift knob, waiting to see how hard it will be to install. It will use the OEM Shift, and O/D buttons and screws, and should be plug and play. Will make shifting feel nicer .
5. Ordered a 2 inch Lexus Rubber Trailer Hitch Cover. Will look a little more neat on the rear-end. On a side note, does anyone know what Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. is ? It was a sticker on the trailer hitch. Does that mean it was a genuine accessory at the time? That would be cool. (As you all can tell, I am trying to get this truck closer and closer to being an OEM gem).
6. Took apart my Key Fobs so that I could degrease them and power them up with some fresh batteries. Here are some shots below.
7. Negotiating with someone on eBay on a replacement OEM Casette Deck, as the buttons apart from Power and the Screen are out, so this should help. Link below - let me know if you think it is worth it, or if I can offer a little less than $99 .
1996 - 1997 OEM LEXUS LX450 Radio Cassette CD controller. Pioneer KEX-P9066-ZT | eBay
8. My E-Brake has to be yanked up quite a bit and even then the car rolls a little. Something off with the tensioner. Time for adjustment? Pics below -
9. Last and final Q - on the really clean Greenville, SC White LX450 that was on sale a few years ago for $10K. Comes up on most Google Image searches, and I myself wanted to buy it back then, but did not have the means. I love the tires, and wanted to know if they were the original 275/70/R16 fitment that the truck uses or a size up? I want to go BF Goodrich with raised white lettering on the new rubber, but loved the size he had. In fact, here is a pic below for ref to make it easier. I think he deleted the running board. For all I know, someone on Mud might actually be the current owner? If so, congrats. Such a nice rig.

That is all for now guys !

#LoveMyLC