Build Cruiser Patch 2003 LX470 Build Thread

[cruiserpatch]

That's right we got another one.

Figured I should break into the mid-late 100 series model years to be able to develop products for them and test fitment etc.

This one will primarily serve as the wife's DD but will also be a sleeper build.

So far I've baselined it (see list) but will be upgrading things as time allows.

184,000 miles with some rust, a terrible paint job (looks good from 10 feet), horrible body work and a whole host of other problems. Perfect. Paid $5,800 for it which was too much in hindsight but how would I have known the AC compressor would fall off? What a POS...

Maintenance and repairs:

• Brass heater tees
• Condenser replaced & several AC lines
• AC compressor was not tightened to engine block. Fixed that
• Replaced leaky aftermarket exhaust parts & muffler w/ used OEM
• Replaced steering rack with 44250-60100 LC rack and Cruiser Patch claw washers
• Replaced motor mounts
• Replaced outer tie rod ends
• Replaced fuse box lid gasket
• Replaced idler pulley with NSK
• Replaced tensioner pulley bearing
• Replaced front wiper blades with OEM
• Replaced cabin air filters
• Replaced engine air filter

Mods:

• Alpine siege HVAC breakaway control board (Nav-delete)
• Prius rear wiper arm
• DVD player deleted (installed dome light over headliner hole)
• LX to LC corner lens (turn signal retrofit)
• 1" body lift (flat-out offroad) - recommend using larger diameter washers than provided
• SPC 35455 upper control arms with Cruiser Patch lockout plates
• Cruiser Patch washer fluid tank relocation kit
• Cruiser Patch alignment lockout plates (eccentric cam delete)
• Cruiser Patch bolt-on LCA reinforcement bracket
• Cruiser Patch steering rack claw washer upgrade
• Added AGM battery
• Added HKB voltage booster
• Cruiser Patch seat back net frames
• Cruiser Patch HVAC drain extension kit installed

Removed and sold wheels and tires immediately. +$650

Sold roof basket +$100

Began body repair work. What a mess....

 

[cruiserpatch]

The previous owner or whoever he hired to flip this thing did some of the worst body work I've seen- ever.
Not a good thing coming from me. I use a sledge hammer to repair my truck hahaha

Pretty sure that wire is structural

Oh look another one! Why use fasteners when you can just tac everything in place and not paint it?

wtf...and it didn't get any better

 

[cruiserpatch]

Structural zip-tie. That broken bumper would stop a direct impact. I'm sure of it

Pretty quickly I realized how bad the situation was. It would need a lot more than just a touch-up.

I could tell the frame rail was bent just by looking at it. The x-member had taken an impact crushing the condenser but somehow not the radiator? The trans cooler was bent but not leaking. I've left it alone.

The RH #1 body mount was under a lot of strain from the bend.

I used a bottle jack to push the frame rails back to factory width then cut out the bent section and welded some 3/16" square tube in place of the crossmember. Not perfect but so much better. Relieved tension on the body mount and got things back where they should be.

 

[cruiserpatch]

I've had a few parts trucks lying around which was part of my logic for buying this one. I knew I could source things to fix it up but didn't expect I would have to go this deep. No matter. Onward.

A few cans of black paint later...no one would know the valance was ever green.

See if this fits...ah! Yes perfect fit. Now to make a custom wire harness for it...and add a hole for the fluid level sensor.

And throw on a 1" body lift...

 

[cruiserpatch]

Let's see what next...

That front bumper sure looks bad.

How about a Vidal front?

Much better.

Whoops- during the body lift. Brass tees FTW.

Also added LX to LC turn signal corner lenses.

 

[MongooseGA]

Nice job saving this one. Congrats to Charissa! I hope she loves it.

Will we be seeing it in TN this month?

 

[cruiserpatch]

Nice job saving this one. Congrats to Charissa! I hope she loves it.

Will we be seeing it in TN this month?

I bought it for her and initially she didn't like.

Then I cleaned it up a bit and she's all over it. I got excited and thought I might have another wheeling rig project for a second there haha

TBD if it will make the trip to COTR or not. The front diff was seized when I bought it so it's been in RWD since. Probably won't have time to get the ARBs and 4.30s in before then...my goal was to have it ready for next event season (thinking GSMTR as the debut).

The carpet was in need of some love as they all are.

Has a little rust here and there so I've been cleaning it up as I go.

Deleted the DVD player

 

[offoradjunkie]

Nice work, Patch. I will be following along with hopes that I get a clean, stock 100 for the missus.
Love the Vidal front, nice and lightweight, with lots of hole patterns to mount a radio, lights, winch etc.
I did make a Badlands 12k winch relocation kit when I did this bumper with a 3d printed box.
I feel like our trucks are similarly built lol

 

[Wilsil]

You have been busy.