Greenbean and his mod/wish it was a build thread...

[Greenbean]

Greetings MUD, May I introduce TIMEX... My wife isn't sure about the name but I am sticking with it.

I have been around vehicles for years, worked only on my own hence my family members who are professional mechanics nick-named me BS Goodwrench.

I have owned 8 previous Toyota vehicles. In the name of an old 82-Celica GT, 89-Turbo Supra and a few trucks.

Went to work as a Service Advisor and did that for about 18 years or so. Honda/Acura and BMW. Both at dealers and private garages. Then changed careers and a love for overlanding and getting back outdoors started to fester back up thanks to the gang at XO. I never really looked into an LC until recently. I knew they were Japanese made and bomb-proof for the most part but loved my Tacomas. Started to look into a TE T4R, but then Dave Ramsey got a hold of me and well. I really wanted to pay cash for a vehicle again and get out of payments.

So I started researching the dickens out of the ole LCs. I had been pretty set on an 80-series and then found the 100 series I have now. I was attracted to the single business owner maintenance records as a tax write-off meant nothing was ever skipped or denied thing. Didn't really care about the mileage and once I saw it and test drove it that's it. the LC bug bit good and has since been working me over. I knew I wanted a 00-02, as I didn't want the 5-spd yet and didn't need the 98-99. I knew 2000 was the first year of VSC, ATRAC, and that other stuff. Fine by me. I have a feeling I may be getting an 80 series down the road.

When I was with Honda/Acura I worked primarily for Acura which meant my service drive wasn't as busy...SO I checked in a lot of used cars. As in all of them came though the Acura drive. So I got really good at pre-inspections for certified used cars as it saved my technicians time and the dealer money if I spotted things that I knew would deny the certification. So when it came time to check out a used vehicle I was and still am confident in my skills. We had to run VIN status on them as well and I had my own corporate car-fax creds to boot.

Yes this was the Craigslist add that was out there. I texted the number and promptly called them. Set up a meeting time next day and I actually went to TN first to look at a 97 and then straight shot past Asheville and onto Greer.

So here is my new to me 2000 LC. Engine is smooth and just pulls. I was given two keys with new outer skins and a really thick folder of maintenance records. Long story short it was purchased new by the Pres and CEO of a company in Greer. 61K in the year 2000. He built the company and used it to develop business all over North and South Carolina. Only went to Michigan or Minnesota once and saw snow. Otherwise never again. It's clean as a whistle underneath. Which I knew I could work with. Zero accidents. Right front head light was impaled by a bolt on the freeway so he was forced to purchase another. I can't believe the left front is the original. That's some tough plastic they are using. (Turns out they are glass) The fogs are like flood lights, lol... more on that later. Obviously I has seen a windshield or two or 7-8 I am not sure.

So when it hit 400K he decided it was time for his son who had recently graduated college to take over the sales role and use the LC. So at around 412K it got ANOTHER timing belt, water pump, coolant, and to be safe a new radiator, alternator, and AC compressor. Lol... Like I said having a business expense was a blessing to this thing and hopefully to me and my family. They also kindly left the mount and XM unit in it. Antenna and all. SO I may see about keeping at as I have tried XM before and liked it.

So we have,
One owner,
No accidents,
Corporate vehicle,
Has had a couple windshields lol...

I am going to make this vehicle my DD as I begin the shake down. I believe the steering rack is going to be replaced soon but not sure. The tires have always been LTX M/S. I am going to go 285s in a few months and maybe a rear spacer and TB adjust with some new shocks. Not sure yet. I am in the process of cleaning the heck out of it which is going to lead to another question later on. I am not sure if I want to put an OME 2" lift on it. but hopefully in the future I can ride in one that has that.

I should have been an engineer as I research a lot before purchasing or committing. I was OCD with honors in high-school so having this used LC helps me not worry so much about what I put it through. I mean if it lasts only 9-months I have broke even. And I have a suspicion it's going to be around a while longer.

I will post up minor mods and such as I go through the shake down. I have removed all the rear seats and am trying to clean the mats and carpets. I am checking out Leatherique for tackling the leather seats. The drivers lower is shot but I like it, hahaha The rear jumps were never opened I think.

I have a used steering wheel coming, Thanks

I am going to attach some pics through the server here and in the future use my PhotoBucket if it will stop acting up!

 

[Greenbean]

Here are some undercarriage shots... The only spots of surface rust were found after I removed the spare which hasn't seen daylight since 2000. And i was looking up inside the rear cross-member for the four holes for maybe a pintle hitch mod. Again I am tickled and thankful I have such a clean platform to work with.
I am going to remove the trailer wiring as it's plugged into the factory plug. And just run the Reece hitch on it but I am wanting to remove the hitch and get a pintle receiver to bolt on but i would need to dremel out the area and find a nice way to trim around it with some door edge moulding or something. The flexible stuff.

 

[Greenbean]

I hated sunroof visors when I worked for HMC... And I still do as they leave this!

I am trying to figure out the best way to protect the metal up there. I mean with the mileage and the fact I'll hopefully be keeping this thing for a while I don't want to spend a bunch. Might even try and sand and paint a section myself. not sure... I wonder if Line-X can be shot in white?

Largest spot of rust was the highly sought after SE market flares!
Not being attached correctly and rubbing on the left rear door. I want to remove them badly but with this mileage I might not. Besides I was told in Charlotte last weekend, "hey they are rare!" Lol... I appreciate the positive attitude.

Second largest was the rear wiper bolt, lol... Joys of working for HMC the length I did I had a few new 10mm nuts in the shed.

 

[Greenbean]

First MOD, sort of...
Repair the sagging bungees on the backs of the front seats. I wanted to get fancy and remove stuff and make them look new then reality set in and I figured DUDE it has 435K on it. Who cares so I grabbed some handy Delrin B-Loks that I have used for flashlight lanyards over the years for my Surefires. Wohoo! Thanks to CPF for this mod/repair!

I have all the seats out and am thinking about removing all the rear carpet also to clean thru and thru. Then put part of it back in.

Cool pic as he never had to use the jack but left the gloves in there for me JIC.

 

[Greenbean]

These are going to help a TON!

Decided to try out Mothers lens kit... Wow I am impressed for under 28 bucks.
Headed out soon to do the drivers side.

So I am wanting to work the paint over myself, I have used an orbital many times in the past with a cleaner and then polish but I want to get one of these from HF and some of the pads and some Meguiar's products. The truck hasn't been detailed in forever but being white it hides stuff well and being well driven it's not needing to be in Concourse Condition, lol...
What product number do I need? I was thinking the 105 and 205. but could be wrong. I am trying to avoid going all over the place for stuff. I can also finish up with their Gold Class Wax on my larger orbital when finished with the DA polisher.
And lastly is P21 wheel gel as good as I think it might be?

 

[Greenbean]

Reserved

 

[Greenbean]

Reserved

 

[2001LC]

Congratulations!

IMHO 00-02 are the most bullet proof 100 series made. There were a few more changes to 01-02 from 00, you can see at Slee's web page.

So what was your PP price and mileage?

 

[Greenbean]

2700 for the rig,
After NC taxes, title, and fees came out to be a total of 2,964.
Mileage after signing the title and the gent who sold it to me sitting in it one last time and almost shedding a tear...

435,602

 

[2001LC]

WOW 435K is amassing.

Should be interesting base-line project

 

[Placemotorsports]

I can't believe at 435k your sunroof still works...some of us with less than half the miles have not been so lucky

 

[Greenbean]

I can't believe at 435k your sunroof still works...some of us with less than half the miles have not been so lucky

Thanks... I don't think it was used much at all. There was some serious mold under the visor but on the glass, lol...

Also my seat heater lower segment still works on my seat and both still work on the wifes. Hahaha

 

[D21FJ60]

$2700 for a rig with all that maintenance? Man....lucky!

 

[DirtDawg]

Congrats on the rig! It's really clean for the miles. Take care of that girl and she'll run forever!

One recommendation for the roof - popular among 80 guys - is to use a bedliner called Herculiner. You can get it in any color, including white, and is a DIY product that has great texture results simply from just rolling it on.

Herculiner Truck Bed Liner Official Site | Herculiner #1 Roll On Truck Bed Liner

 

[Greenbean]

Congratulations!

IMHO 00-02 are the most bullet proof 100 series made. There were a few more changes to 01-02 from 00, you can see at Slee's web page.

So what was your PP price and mileage?

Thanks, yeah I'm wondering down the road about maybe getting the wife into a newer 100 but she really digs the T4R stuff.

WOW 435K is amassing.

Should be interesting base-line project

Thanks, time and funds will tell. I am stoked. Lots of cleaning to do.

I can't believe at 435k your sunroof still works...some of us with less than half the miles have not been so lucky

Maybe I shouldn't use it that much, lol... But it's ginormous!
Probably installed and wired up on a Friday or something, Hahaha

$2700 for a rig with all that maintenance? Man....lucky!

Thanks, i feel truly blessed. I knew axactly what i was looking for in either an 80 or a 100. When I saw the price and explained to the wife who was not on board. I said baby thats almost 35K a year. You can't NOT take care of it and it go that long without major issues.

Congrats on the rig! It's really clean for the miles. Take care of that girl and she'll run forever!

One recommendation for the roof - popular among 80 guys - is to use a bedliner called Herculiner. You can get it in any color, including white, and is a DIY product that has great texture results simply from just rolling it on.

Herculiner Truck Bed Liner Official Site | Herculiner #1 Roll On Truck Bed Liner

Thanks, I have been thinking of that but if I do I'll remove the roof rack and coat the whole roof for posterity.

I actual saw another Craigslist 80 series at Food Lion week before I purchased mine that was done whole vehicle in tan.
Not my cup of tea but pretty slick indeed.

 

[Greenbean]

Removed my Reece hitch and wiring yesterday afternoon to inspect and such. Not bad at all. The one pic is shadowed over and makes it look like part of the frame end is rusted away. It's not.

So I'm going to be honest here...I love the clearance back there with no hitch on it, and I really want a pintle bolted up. I know I am going to have to Dremel out the bumper but as a recovery location, is it a no no? I could add another factory recovery hook to the pass side if needed but why do I have hesitations about recovery with a snatch strap from the pintle?

 

[2001LC]

Didn't see a clay bar, IronX or lacquer thinner in your picture of detailing supplies, you'll need.

Yep old hitch does reduce clearance, but is strong and give some protection. You could find a newer bumper that has the hole in it for hitch you'd like, I'll bet they'll fits. Many members have them lying around after putting on steel bumpers. But seem I've read they don't have the strength of the hitch you had on.

I've been base lining older high millage (~250K) under or minimally maintained 00 & 01 LX. These things are tanks, that really hold up. The cost will be manageable to base line. Provided you just replace parts that are no longer serviceable according to FSM (factory) spec.

You've an interesting opportunity here. In that you can speak with PO and find out what type oils, lubes & fluids he used (conventional or synthetic) and how often flushed. Then do a compression check. I'd be very interested in your findings?

If you like the Gold emblems grab them up. They and pearl black have been discontinued, so my Toyota Dealer can no longer get. I've an extra NEW OEM Gold front Sombrero, PM me if you're interested in it.

 

[Greenbean]

I have a clay bar yes, couple of them actually. It was in the shed,,, I was planning on just a Dawn bath and then clay bar with all the suds on each body panel separately. So which Meguiar's products would be a good start? I don't want to purchase more then two if I don't have to.

What is IronX and why would I need lacquer thinner?

I am actually thinking of re-installing the Reece but without the wiring stuff as I have no trailer anyways and maybe adding the pintle for the looks and utility.

I don't know why I am so drawn to it.

Yeah I have loads of records to dig through and before the year is up I want to get a compression test performed but need to get to one of my cousins and spend a day there. Great thing about family is they can be bought with cheap beer! Got one that loves and breaths for "Ninja" hahaha


Yeah I liked the idea of black badges but not for the cost. makes zero sense on a 436K mile 100 to me, hahaha

If I blacked out the badges I would want to get the wheels done in black but I am needing to remove the wheels and take them to a car wash with a pressure washer. I want to see how well they clean up first, that's why I asked if P21S was any good over my Meguiar's Hot Wheels cleaner.

 

[george.arnold]

105 and 205 will do great for what you need. Start with the clay bar and suds as you are planning, then wash again with Dawn, then have at it with the DA. I would say lacquer thinner isn't necessary, but you may need it for a few tough spots if there is a lot of residue buildup. If you take your time with the 105 and 205, and then put a nice coat of carnauba on there, you will have a great/strong finish.

 

[Greenbean]

105 and 205 will do great for what you need. Start with the clay bar and suds as you are planning, then wash again with Dawn, then have at it with the DA. I would say lacquer thinner isn't necessary, but you may need it for a few tough spots if there is a lot of residue buildup. If you take your time with the 105 and 205, and then put a nice coat of carnauba on there, you will have a great/strong finish.

So will I use one pad for each step? HF sells three types of pads but is the pad doing the work with the product? I though about just buying some if the same so the product does the work.

Also can I buff off the cleaner and cutter with the same new pad? I plan on buffing the wax part with a new pad anyways.