"Champagne Dream" 1996 Lexus LX450

[nhrabak]

I have been lurking for a month or so, but thought I should introduce myself and my truck before I start asking for advice. I picked up this triple locked 1996 Lexus LX450 in August from a dealer in Florida through eBay. It will be a weekend, scouting, camping, occasional snow, and maybe Outer Banks beach trip vehicle for myself and my two kids. My fiancée isn't in love with the truck yet, but maybe she'll come around. I had it registered as historic, so definitely won't be a daily driver. It was originally a Texas vehicle, so very little rust on the underside. The interior could use some restoration and I may eventually repaint the exterior. I am getting ABS and Check Engine (EGR) lights on the dash, so I'll have to investigate those issues. I'll update this thread as my journey progresses. I welcome any advice or comments they community may have.

1996 Lexus LX450
Triple Locked
Color: Champagne Pearl
Miles: 204,594
Purchase Price: $13,500

Previous Owner Mods:
ARB Deluxe Winch Bumper
OME Lift Kit
XF Off-Road 17x9 Wheels
Mastercraft Courser 295/70/17 Tires
Pioneer AVH-X490BS Head Unit
Rear View Camera
Tow Hitch

Baseline Maintenance/Repairs:
Oil Change and Filter Change - 15W40 ✅
Transmission Fluid Flush ✅
Front/Rear Differential Flush ✅
Coolant Flush ✅
Power Steering Fluid Flush ✅
Front/Rear Wiper Blades ✅
StrongArm Hood Struts ✅
Toyota OEM Tailgate Struts ✅
New Front/Rear Bulbs ✅
K&N Air Filter ✅
New Front/Rear Brake Calipers ✅
New Rear LPV ✅
New Brake Power Booster ✅

Future Mods/Repairs:

Land Cruiser Products Battery Bracket/Anti-Stress Fusible Link ✅
Marine Battery Terminals ✅
Replace All Exterior Door Handles ✅
New SCS F5 Wheels 16x8 ✅
Michelin Defender LTX M/S 285/75/16 Tires ✅
Land Rover Discovery Cup Holder ✅
IPF Off-Road Lights for Front Bumper ✅
OEM Luggage Rack Delete ✅
Replace Front Vent Registers ✅
Replace Front/Rear Speakers ✅
Switch Console to LC 80 ✅
Interior SuperBright LEDs ✅
Replace "D" Light ✅
Redline Leather Transfer Case and E-Brake Boots
New OEM Shifter Knob
OEM Dash Cup Holder
BH3D Rear Cup Holders
OEM Center Differential Lock Button
Mosley Motors Dark Brown Seat Leather
Rust Proofing and Undercoating
OEM Drive Belts and Idler Pulleys
OEM Battery Carrier
OEM Fuel Filter
Troubleshoot RS3000 or Install Viper Keyless Entry
New Power Antenna Mast
SmittyBilt Winch for ARB Bumper
Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack
Dobinsons Rear Bumper with Swing Outs
Craft Customs Steering Wheel Restoration with +1/4" Diameter
Misc. Interior Trim Replacement
Repaint Champagne Pearl or Custom Color
Chrome Delete
LS3 Engine Swap

 

[MattyO]

Nice! I am considering the exact same vehicle except it is bone stock. It also has the same issues as yours (ABS and Check Engine). Any advice from mud on these? Are they common issues? I have an LX470 and LX570, but 80 Series are new to me. Anything to look at for in the LX specific ones?

 

[Bludozer]

New SCS F5 Wheels 16x8

I think everyone who opened this thread breathed a sigh of relief.

Personally I'd go with 17" instead, but post pics once you have them on. These are one of the few aftermarket wheels that look good on an 80 IMO but I haven't seen them on many silver LX's.

 

[nhrabak]

When I bought the truck, I had it sent directly to Land Cruiser Heaven in Hagerstown, MD to go through their inspection. Unfortunately, it had to sit for over 6 weeks before they could get to it. They completed the inspection and did some brake work so I could drive it home safely. I know there are mixed reviews about that place. It sounds like they are good for ordering parts, but not great for service and repairs. Here are the results from their inspection. I will prioritize the issues and try to find a shop closer to home to do the repairs. It seems like a lot, but they said that overall it was a good vehicle and the engine was fine.

Inspection Report:

Inspection Task	Findings
Braking - 35mph to dead stop (does it brake straight or does it pull)	Non drivable
Braking - 50mph to 30mph (any vibrations on pedal or steering wheel)	Non drivable
Alignment - Does the vehicle drive straight or does it pull?	Non drivable
Acceleration - Does the vehicle shift smoothly or hard shifts?	Non drivable
Inspect Valve Cover for leaks or damage	None provided
Inspect Distributor for leaks or damage	None provided
Inspect Oil Pump Cover for leaks	Leaking
Inspect Air Filter Condition (Original or Aftermarket)	Aftermarket and dirty
Inspect Air Intake hose for any visible cracks	Good condition, is hard
Inspect Ignition Cables Condition (Original or Aftermarket)	Oem ones, replaced in 2011
Inspect Spark Plugs Condition (Original or Aftermarket) (Maximum Electrode Gap on Used Plug (1.3mm .051 in) If greater replace)	1:0.35, 2:0.35, 3:0.035, 4:0.035, 5:0.035, 6:0.035
Inspect Fuel Filter Condition (Original or Aftermarket)	no leaks, no evidence that was been replace recently
Inspect Oil Filter Condition (Original or Aftermarket)	old, no evidence that was been replace recently
Inspect Engine Belts, Pulleys and Tensioners for Noise and Wear	Aftermarket, idler pulley missing, wear noise at the vehicule star
Inspect Power Steering hoses for leaks and hardness	not evidence of leaks, the lines are hard, suggest preform service
Inspect Power Steering Fluid Level and Condition	low level
Inspect Oil Level and Condition	low and no evidence that has been replaced
Inspect Brake Fluid Level and Condition	low, dirty, suggest brake flush
Perform Engine Compression Test (192 PSI or More ,14 PSI Difference or Less B/W Cylinders, Minimum 142PSI)	None provided
Inspect Throttle Body	Acceleration cable is ripped
Inspect Hood Struts	Not working
Battery Condition and Terminals	Aftermarket and rusty
Inspect Engine Coolant Level and Condition	None found
Inspect Radiator	None found
Inspect Radiator hoses, bypass hoses, and heater lines	None found
Check Alternator Charging Voltage	None found
Inspect Front Main Seal for Leaks	Leaks at the seal and the oil pump cover, suggest front engine tune up
Inspect Power Steering Pump	No visible leak, high pressure line is wet,
Inspect Power Steering hoses condition and leaks	No visible leak they are wet, lines are hard
Check Oil Pan for leaks	Leaking suggest reseal
Inspect PHH	No Leaks suggest replace
Check Motor Mounts	None found
Inspect rear heater lines and hoses	None found
Inspect Knuckles for leaks	Leaking
Inspect gear oil level and condition	Low
Inspect brake lines	No visible leaks, but suggest replace soft lines
Inspect Tie Rod Ends	No play, but dry
Inspect wheel bearings for play	no play
Inspect Rotors, Pads and Calipers (Pads Minumim Thickness 1.0mm) (Rotors Minimum Thickness 30.0mm)	brand new rotors and pads, but vehicule doesnt brake correctly, suggest replace caliper with the knucle service
Inspect Front control arm bushings	Aftermarket
Inspect sway bar links, bushings and panhard rod bushings	None found
Inspect shocks and springs	None found
Inspect Front drive shaft	Good condition, suggest grease universals
Inspect transfer case Oil Level and Condition	transfer case oil pan is leaking
Inspect Rear Main Seal for Leaks	Leaking
Inspect rear drive shaft	Good condition, suggest grease universals
Inspect Rear Upper and Lower Control Arms Bushings	Busted
Inspect Rear brake rotors, pads, calipers and brake shoes	new rotors, new pads vehicle doesn't brake correctly
Inspect Load Proportioning Valve	Leaking
Inspect Brake lines	no cracks, no leaks, but suggest replace
Inspect Gear Oil Level and Condition	Low
Inspect Rear Shocks and Springs	None found
Inspect Sway Bar links, bushings and Panhard Rod Bushings	None found
Inspect Exhaust System for leaks, rattles and leaks	Exhaust mounts old at the mufller, not visible leaks, but suggest replace all the mounts
Inspect frame for rust or damage	None found
Inspect malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) (Check Engine Light) (put scanner and add codes)	No check engine lights, ABS light come on/off
Inspect Air Conditioner (blowing cold)	No a/c, Ac compressor disconected
Inspect Moonroof operation	working correctly but the garnish is broke
Inspect 4WD Operation (locking Center diff lock and if equipped axle lockers) (put vehicle in N. shift transfer case to L Diff lock and ABS light should turn on) (If lockers equipped, with vehicle in L and Diff lock engaged turn locker dial to the Right)	Front Diff lock doesn't engage
Inspect Power Antenna Operation	Broke
Inspect DS and PS Power Seat Operation if equipped	Not working in both sides
Inspect hazard light operation	None found
Inspect Turn signals, headlights high and low beam, brake lights, running lamps and backup lights	None found
Inspect Dash cluster for normal operation (RPM, Speedometer, Oil Pressure, Voltage, Fuel Level, Engine Temp)	None found
Inspect Horn Operation	None found
Inspect Power Window Operation - From Main Switch and individually	None found
Inspect Power Door Locks (inspect each door locks and unlocks correctly)	None found
Inspect Radio and Speaker Operation	Radio Work, but the radio antena is not operable
Inspect HVAC system for any odors	None found
Inspect Power Mirror Operation	None found
Clock	None found
Inspect Front and Rear wiper and wiper spray operation, Inspect wiper blades	None found
Inspect Rear Hatch Operation	None found
Inspect Door Courtesy Lamps	None found
Heater Operation as well as rear heater (Blowing Hot)	None found
Condition of Seats, center console cover, and door arm rests	Front row is ripped
Inspect Exterior for any visible damage	None provided
Condition of Carpet, rips or wetness	None found
Condition of Headliner	None found
Condition of door panels	Driver door inner handle cover is broke
Condition of Steering Wheel	None found
Inspect tires - Check PSI and tire wear	Good condition

Here are the Repairs:
Replace rear LPV with new
Brake Bleeding
Remove & Replace Rear Disc Brake Caliper (Both Sides)
Remove & Replace Front Disc Brake Caliper (Both Sides)
Remove & Replace Brake Power Booster Unit

 

[Fj80oregon]

Looks like a good rig with some needed maintenance. Will You not be working on this truck yourself?

 

[nhrabak]

Looks like a good rig with some needed maintenance. Will You not be working on this truck yourself?

I will install some of the mods and interior pieces myself, but I don't plan to do much of the mechanical work.

 

[Fj80oregon]

I will install some of the mods and interior pieces myself, but I don't plan to do much of the mechanical work.

Man that’s gonna be one expensive rig to own!!