"Had to" upgrade to a LX570 (1 Viewer)

[Climbermac]

Greetings LX/200 crew. I've been a MUD surfer for more years than I can count and a Cruiserhead since well before that! I've owned, built and wheeled 40's, 60's, 80's, a very brief stint with a 55, a 1st Gen Tundra and most recently an '05 GX470. I love my GX and really feel it's as dialed as I'd like BUT I'm now moving out of the country and from all sources I can find the headaches export/import will bring it's just not worth trying....so it's for sale . All that leads me here: I "had to" buy a new, unmolested truck to take north (moving to Edmonton, Alberta) and last week I pulled the trigger on a '13 LX570. She's pretty solid, 140k on the clock but in stellar shape, luxury package goodies and seemed like the best blend of the 200/LX varieties for my use and budget.

Immediate plans are pretty basic: the truck is at a trusted Lexus mechanic here in Houston for a full rundown/refresh of all systems to establish a good baseline: all fluids, drive belt, check/chase any weepage or signs of leaks. I'm also swapping in new AHC shocks at all 4 corners as the new units are weeping a bit more than I'd like, so I'll be on fresh suspension. I'll add a few simple creature comforts right away when I get it back: trekboxx rear screen delete's, RedArch Tow Pro Elite trailer brake controller, WT mats/rain deflectors (personal preference) and a BH3D cupholder insert. My only other thought is I may want to drop a platform rack on it soon as it will help with the move...

It's an exciting rig, it feels HUGE coming from my GX but not compared to the Sequoia I wheeled with a friend a few weeks back! Any new owner advice for an old LC dog like myself? I can't see keeping 20" wheels for long, there is just SO little sidewall there! I'll post up a few proper pics once I get it back tomorrow but I did snap one when I first got it home! I'm not sure if the salute lives on in the 200 forum but . Glad to be here with you knuckleheads!

 

[turbo8]

Make sure the lexus dealer doesn't use bad AHC fluid when replacing the shocks. A bunch of members here have had there pumps clogged with bad fluid.

 

[AnyMal]

Congrats! Nice to see so many Texans here.

If I may, Clear Choice Independent Lexus Specialists in Houston are great, fair and honest. Good location for most inner city.
The owner I believe has 2 470s and a 570 himself and they are very familiar with AHC.
Im not sure if thats who you were referring to but id love to know who it is if not them. Im always looking for competent work.

 

[PDoyle]

Welcome. Good choice of rides. Spray the undercarriage down and pay attention to the AHC lines above the muffler. I would see if your guy can cut the insulation off that AHC line and paint it up. IMO.

 

[Climbermac]

Thanks for the input. The wrench doing the work is a Lexus/Toyota Master service tech who's slowly getting out on his own, soon to be full time independent shop, TEQ Auto Solutions & Offroad. He's pretty solid, knows the rigs, knows how we use them. He does a lot of 4Runners, GX470/GX460, 570/200's and such so I trust him. I need to pry him away from the FB/GX world a bit and introduce him to MUD!!

I'll have him take a look at the ACH above the exhaust though. All the ACH lines I could see looked perfect but I didn't know there was a run up there...

Has anyone sorted out the electrical bypass to allow anytime fog lights? I remember it was a bit of a puzzle on the GX and the Tundra.

 

[stonepa]

Greetings LX/200 crew. I've been a MUD surfer for more years than I can count and a Cruiserhead since well before that! I've owned, built and wheeled 40's, 60's, 80's, a very brief stint with a 55, a 1st Gen Tundra and most recently an '05 GX470. I love my GX and really feel it's as dialed as I'd like BUT I'm now moving out of the country and from all sources I can find the headaches export/import will bring it's just not worth trying....so it's for sale . All that leads me here: I "had to" buy a new, unmolested truck to take north (moving to Edmonton, Alberta) and last week I pulled the trigger on a '13 LX570. She's pretty solid, 140k on the clock but in stellar shape, luxury package goodies and seemed like the best blend of the 200/LX varieties for my use and budget.

Immediate plans are pretty basic: the truck is at a trusted Lexus mechanic here in Houston for a full rundown/refresh of all systems to establish a good baseline: all fluids, drive belt, check/chase any weepage or signs of leaks. I'm also swapping in new AHC shocks at all 4 corners as the new units are weeping a bit more than I'd like, so I'll be on fresh suspension. I'll add a few simple creature comforts right away when I get it back: trekboxx rear screen delete's, RedArch Tow Pro Elite trailer brake controller, WT mats/rain deflectors (personal preference) and a BH3D cupholder insert. My only other thought is I may want to drop a platform rack on it soon as it will help with the move...

It's an exciting rig, it feels HUGE coming from my GX but not compared to the Sequoia I wheeled with a friend a few weeks back! Any new owner advice for an old LC dog like myself? I can't see keeping 20" wheels for long, there is just SO little sidewall there! I'll post up a few proper pics once I get it back tomorrow but I did snap one when I first got it home! I'm not sure if the salute lives on in the 200 forum but . Glad to be here with you knuckleheads!View attachment 2784313

Im confused on your import statement. I have 2 employees who i have transferred from Seattle to both Vancouver and Calgary. Although there is a paperwork process, neither had an issue importing their cars. I do remember one of them saying he had to pay off the vehicle before it was legal for Canada because financing doesn’t work cross border. One had a built Tacoma and the other a LC100.

 

[Climbermac]

@stonepa I've heard similar stories as well. Bottom line is when I spoke with CBSA and RIC regarding the specifics of the vehicle and my process I was advised that it was extremely unlikely that I would be allowed to import the GX. It is running non-toyota/lexus: UCA's, LCA's, coilovers, brakes (lines, calipers and rotors), steering rack, wheels, rear upper and lower arms, panhard bar, coils, shocks, axle, tans-valve body THEN add bumpers, skids, winch, snorkel, rack, lights and a mess of other parts...

It could potentially be brought for temp use but not to import. In the end, the LX will be a lot of fun to build up and the GX will make who ever buys it, VERY happy.

 

[radman]

What part of town are you in? I might want to check out your trrailer!

 

[Climbermac]

@radman I'm over on the west side of town, not far from the town and country center at I-10 and the Sam H.

Basic rundown on the trailer:
2019 Boreas XT: newer style tongue box, dual AGM's with Victron Blue Solar and Smart Shunt, 100w installed with a ZAMP port for a second panel. 2m antenna, ARC dual wheel jockey, propex heater, ported for AC (zero-breeze unit included for the right price). MaxxAir fan, instant hot shower with Quickpitch en suite enclosure on a custom swingarm, ROAM Standard Vagabond with Annex, 45L Dometic fridge, dual burner stove, sink with filter, 20gal water tank, x2 11gal propane tanks, ROAM 8' awning with enclosed room, plenty of other goodies here and there. It's been a killer rig for the wife and I with a 5 and7 year old plus a 50# pooch. 20" of clearance (Axle-less) on 33" tires.

Hit me up, I'd love to take a look at your 570!

 

[TomEf]

Find a Tundra owner who is dumping their stock wheels for some Broto Metals or whatever's trendy these days - I picked up a set of Tundra 18's in good shape for $40. The 20's just aren't worth it.

 

[boringdriver]

This Houston meet needs to happen.

 

[Supra Turbo]

This Houston meet needs to happen.

Yes it does...

 

[doublehundy]

Yes it does...

What he said

 

[tacoduck]

First mod after wheels and tires should be a long range tank, then armor.