Yesterday the Tacoma got traded in for this 2014 LX570. It has only ~39,000km, (after the drive home), and is a single-owner car.
The drive home, over numerous high-elevation, snow-covered mountain passes was better than I could have imagined. Despite seriously worn all season tires, the LX didn't hesitate or spin wheels even once. Averaged 14.6L / 100KM, while my Tacoma got between 20-25L / 100KM over the same route and at mostly slower speeds. Amazing!
Today I detailed the exterior... after the dealer "detailed" the exterior. With only minor polishing I removed a ton of scuffs and paint-transfer marks that had been present after four years of serious mall-duty with the previous owner. A layer of wax brought out a gorgeous, deep shine.
Interior also needs a thorough detailing, and that will happen sometime during the week.
I plan to keep this build very, very mild. Weight considerations will be very seriously taken into account, and I will not add anything that is not needed. No more "wants" leading the way.
In the immediate future I need a set of proper winter tires, which will probably go on the OEM 20" wheels, unless I can find a cheap wheel+tire combo in a small wheel size (which I would prefer).
Next up I will be removing the third row seats, and almost certainly building a set of simple drawers, with a plywood dog-crate on top, tucked into the driver-side corner to make the most use of space. There is no way my German Shepherd gets to mess up the interior of this LX!
I'm also about to order some floor liners off AliExpress, and will be doing some research to see if I can get my Baja Designs Squadron Sport lights into the OEM fog light locations.
And now some photos!
The drive home, over numerous high-elevation, snow-covered mountain passes was better than I could have imagined. Despite seriously worn all season tires, the LX didn't hesitate or spin wheels even once. Averaged 14.6L / 100KM, while my Tacoma got between 20-25L / 100KM over the same route and at mostly slower speeds. Amazing!
Today I detailed the exterior... after the dealer "detailed" the exterior. With only minor polishing I removed a ton of scuffs and paint-transfer marks that had been present after four years of serious mall-duty with the previous owner. A layer of wax brought out a gorgeous, deep shine.
Interior also needs a thorough detailing, and that will happen sometime during the week.
I plan to keep this build very, very mild. Weight considerations will be very seriously taken into account, and I will not add anything that is not needed. No more "wants" leading the way.
In the immediate future I need a set of proper winter tires, which will probably go on the OEM 20" wheels, unless I can find a cheap wheel+tire combo in a small wheel size (which I would prefer).
Next up I will be removing the third row seats, and almost certainly building a set of simple drawers, with a plywood dog-crate on top, tucked into the driver-side corner to make the most use of space. There is no way my German Shepherd gets to mess up the interior of this LX!
I'm also about to order some floor liners off AliExpress, and will be doing some research to see if I can get my Baja Designs Squadron Sport lights into the OEM fog light locations.
And now some photos!





