GPdenver's 1999 LX470 thread

[TXLX100]

This is another report I've read about a 4.7 surviving a timing belt failure. Probably remains a good idea to replace TB pulleys & tensioners while you are in there. Nice truck.

 

[GDenver]

This truck continues to need constant maintenance. Had the PS pump go out, so I had to fix that. Not a huge job but the vacuum assist valve nipples were old and brittle and broke during the process. Luckily the local toyota yard had one for $20, toyota wanted like 140.

Then the starter contacts went, almost leaving me stranded. Replaced the starter, people say its a bitch of a job here on the forums, but I was done start to finish in under 4 hours. If I had to do it again, I'll bet I could do it in 3. Here is a pic of the starter replacement, under the intake manifold.

Then the drivers window broke. The window popped out of its track and got stuck, so I had to pull the door panel off and fix the window. Turns out the plastic channel that holds the window had crumbled, and with the car apart at midnight I decided to just build it out of steel I had in the shop. Lined the steel channel with gasket maker and glued it with black silicone. Works like a charm.

Also installed HID's and projectors in the low beams, and now run Nitto mud terrains instead of the BFG mud terrains. The nittos are a full inch wider even though they are the same 305/55 20. Its a true 33x12.5 tire for sure.

Next up is front bumper and grill guard, Stereo and Interior. Going with a 5 channel amp for the 4 door speakers and a new sub that will be a custom stealth install. Most likely a 8". May upgrade the nav unit as well.

I also have a new steering rack and urethane bushings waiting to be put in, because the steering has far too much play. Just being lazy on this one.

 

[Traskew3]

Where did u get a wire harness for the aftermarket h/u?

 

[GDenver]

Washed the car for the first time in 2015:

Car was misfiring due to a bad coil. Bought a package of 8 chinese ebay coils for $90 including shipping. Replaced the one bad coil, now I have 7 spares. Also replaced the vacuum valve on the power steering pump. While I was in there, replaced the plugs with factory Denso plugs. Car runs much better on 8 cylinders then 7.

Also bought a bunch of stuff, and have some cosmetic plans as well. Trying to get this thing nice before I log some serious seat time this summer.

Next up winch, front bumper, snorkel, sliders, and some cosmetic, interior and stereo upgrades.

 

[yotasavg]

Man I love the look of this truck. Those are the wheels I hope to come up on someday, but in the mean time I'll keep beating my 16's. What did you do for a spare? Or do you not have a full size?

 

[GDenver]

Man I love the look of this truck. Those are the wheels I hope to come up on someday, but in the mean time I'll keep beating my 16's. What did you do for a spare? Or do you not have a full size?

I have my factory 16" wheel with a tire that has the same outside diameter. I have AAA with 100 miles of towing, so I only put the tire in the car if I'm heading off the grid. Soon enough I will have a bumper with a tire carrier.

 

[GDenver]

One step closer to getting rid of the ugly two tone on the car. Couldn't stand it, so I painted it yesterday. Waiting on my front bumper and winch which will be all black, so in anticipation I painted the lower body trim with rattle cans. Turned out well.

 

[m3roar]

Bump for updates? I've been curious about these BBS!

 

[ryanCA]

Truck is hot

 

[GDenver]

Back after awhile. Work has been incredibly busy leaving me with no time to work on the lx. This build was the summers free time project.

But I finally started the bumper kit that I had sitting in the garage for 6 months. Ran out of welding wire after an hour, but I must say this kit is killer. Everything fits like a glove! I'll finish welding it up tomorrow.

 

[PabloCruise]

It was a Pioneer Premier AVIC-F90BT I had leftover from a old car. Added the iphone interface and a rear view camera.

I was going to ask about the new head unit as well. We just got a '99 LX w/ factory unit. I know everyone is afraid of getting a 100 w/ Nav, as they are difficult to swap out. My guess is that the newer Pioneers would have bluetooth/iphone and NAV, camera built in...

 

[PabloCruise]

My Highbeams burned out, so I put a set of high quality aftermarket hid's in place of the factory lights, these have to be twice as bright!

Just ordered HID's for the low beams and fogs as well, and still need to get around to painting the bumpers and lowers. Slow progress for now as I am working 70 hours a week lately.

I thought those were the daytime running lights?

What HIDs did you opt for?

 

[PabloCruise]

One last question - is your '99 LX equipped with LSD in the rear? I did not see any label on the rear diff on mine. I thought they usually label those for service...

 

[GDenver]

I thought those were the daytime running lights?

What HIDs did you opt for?

I opted for DDM tuning hids, they have already had to replace them once under warranty. Just ordered new LED headlights, to replace the HID's. Those are the drl's and the high beams, if you switch to hids you loose the drl's, but that's what I wanted. All lx470s in 99 were equipped with the 80% lockup LSD as far as I know.

 

[2001LC]

="GDenver ****

Unfortunately the car had a timing belt failure on I-225 after only 40k, and I had to deal with that ordeal. Had the car towed to Slee in golden where they told me I should sell the car for parts ***. ***** Now the Toyota literature and the common impression is that this is an interference motor, but guess what, it's Not!!!!!!!!!!! I was lucky enough to talk to a mechanic who had fixed many of these motors both in the LC and TUNDRA, and he said out of 8 TB failures, only 1 had damage to the head. If the timing belt fails on you, or in my case a bearing, you can check the condition your motor by putting a rachet on the cams and spinning them manually. If there is damage you will feel it! After we verified that there was no head damage, we put it back**!!!****.

I'm shocked they said engine blown. Did your mechanic say if the 1 and 8 was a VVT engine?

 

[PabloCruise]

I opted for DDM tuning hids, they have already had to replace them once under warranty. Just ordered new LED headlights, to replace the HID's. Those are the drl's and the high beams, if you switch to hids you loose the drl's, but that's what I wanted. All lx470s in 99 were equipped with the 80% lockup LSD as far as I know.

Thanks man! I hope we get to meet up sometime!

 

[Ali FJ80]

Be careful ordering LED lights for the low beams. I ordered a set for the LX that are stated H1 that are needed and the base was in fact H1 but when I went to install the head of the bulb it was to fat to fit through the stock housing opening for the bulb. Probably could have pulled the lights and drilled out the holes a bit but didnt bother and returned them as the HID's (also DDM) I had in there before work just fine.

 

[PabloCruise]

Man I have a lot to learn... LEDs are preferable to HID, yes? Less power consumption, lower heat? Not sure what DDM is. Feeling lame...

 

[Ali FJ80]

DDM is just a company that sells lighting kits etc but is one of the only ones that offers LIFETIME warranties so if anything fails they replace it.

DDM Tuning: HID and LED Lighting

LED are preferable to HID due to the reasons you mentioned and they are supposed to be less failure prone than HIDs and last longer.

 

[PADDO]

Man I have a lot to learn... LEDs are preferable to HID, yes? Less power consumption, lower heat? Not sure what DDM is. Feeling lame...

Checkout hidplanet.com for all you ever wanted to know about headlights, lamps, housings and retrofitting. If you search "LX470" there's a good thread by TRSNick (mud member) that links back to mud and shows how nicely LX projectors can be HID retrofitted.