Help Me..

[Kman62]

I really hate doing this, but I learnt that if you lack knowledge, then you should acquire it or collaborate with those who have the knowledge you seek. So a little background, I have been researching (Slee FAQ, here and ExPo)site for the last two years on which vehicle I should by for my needs and it came down to really two or should I say three LC100/LX470 or a LR3. Well reliability trumped emotional desire and I chosen the 100 series vehicles. Now I'm down to selecting the vehicle and here is one that looks ok to me but I want to get other opinions, I will ultimately be the "decider", the car has always been serviced at a Lexus dealer and it appears to have had the 90K maintenance, I used a combination of the CarFax and the drivers.lexus.com site to identify the services records. As a matter of fact I was able to find 17 pages of service info on the Lexus site.

What do you guys think, 2004 LX470 155K miles 18K.

Thank you all in advance for your assistance.

Keith.

 

[kevin2i]

Sure is purdy . . .
Sounds like a good find - how many PO's? 155k is fine (maybe not for an LR3). I would check the timing belt repair and see if tensioners were replaced (probably not - For peace of mind, I would do another 90k service soon). Original starter? I'm on my second replacement (185k) and that's typical.

What are your plans? Are you modifying it, keeping the AHC? -- Have it inspected. The white is sharp - but begs for black bumpers, sliders and roof rack . . . .

 

[phippsj]

Look it over in person before deciding. There could be alot of cleaning required on the interior. Broken bits and small items that don't work will require time, money and lots of elbow grease to set right. I've found that folks who rely on the dealer to do everything, including washing and cleaning, really let the interior go. Add in small kids and you have a mess to clean up.

A good set of new tires will run $800. Add in alignment, maybe brakes.

I'd start at $15K if it drives well and there's no noticeable body damage or bad repairs.

 

[DJWUZJ]

Also, cycle the AHC to make sure it works. Where did it spend its life? Any rust? Price is in-line for this truck in decent shape, 90 done, good maintenance, no rust, etc.

 

[Kman62]

Sure is purdy . . .
Sounds like a good find - how many PO's? 155k is fine (maybe not for an LR3). I would check the timing belt repair and see if tensioners were replaced (probably not - For peace of mind, I would do another 90k service soon). Original starter? I'm on my second replacement (185k) and that's typical.

What are your plans? Are you modifying it, keeping the AHC? -- Have it inspected. The white is sharp - but begs for black bumpers, sliders and roof rack . . . .

1 PO, is there a quick way to tell if the tensioners were replace, other that look for signs of aging? I don't think the starter has been replaced. My plans are to start with tire replacement to 33's and keep the ACH until it breaks and replace with OME, I will also add sliders. Bumpers and roof rack are at least 1 to two years away,

 

[Kman62]

Look it over in person before deciding. There could be alot of cleaning required on the interior. Broken bits and small items that don't work will require time, money and lots of elbow grease to set right. I've found that folks who rely on the dealer to do everything, including washing and cleaning, really let the interior go. Add in small kids and you have a mess to clean up.

A good set of new tires will run $800. Add in alignment, maybe brakes.

I'd start at $15K if it drives well and there's no noticeable body damage or bad repairs.

thank for the advice. I only seen the dealers pictures and it looks very clean and very little wear on the drivers set. I'm planning on a trip to the dealer to see in person. I looked at LC100 last week and its in good condition too, but the price was 20K and it had 20" tires. I drove the LC100 and tested all the electric/electronics including the AC and heater. I plan on doing the same checklist with the LX later this week. Since that was the 1st time I drove a 100 series, I wasn't sure how to properly operate the 4x4 functions.

 

[Kman62]

thank for the advice. I only seen the dealers pictures and it looks very clean and very little wear on the drivers set. I'm planning on a trip to the dealer to see in person. I looked at LC100 last week and its in good condition too, but the price was 20K and it had 20" tires. I drove the LC100 and tested all the electric/electronics including the AC and heater. I plan on doing the same checklist with the LX later this week. Since that was the 1st time I drove a 100 series, I wasn't sure how to properly operate the 4x4 functions.

 

[kevin2i]

What do you guys think, 2004 LX470 155K miles 18K.
View attachment 882845

Thank you all in advance for your assistance.

Keith.

Definitely look at in person - for rust, body work, and try everything (radio, nav, a/c, heater, all gears, etc). If it doesn't drive and brake straight, $$ could add up quickly.

Also - I would budget some suspension maintenance - sway bar bushings, steering rack bushings check tie rod ends. Not much $$ if you do it yourself. And depending on how the brakes feel - rotors/calipers/hoses. Also, the "T" fittings in the heater hoses are a must (cheap).

 

[Kman62]

Also, cycle the AHC to make sure it works. Where did it spend its life? Any rust? Price is in-line for this truck in decent shape, 90 done, good maintenance, no rust, etc.

The LX has always been in CA according to the carfax. I'll inspect for rust along with the other checklist items in Slee FAQ

 

[kevin2i]

Start looking through the service records. My first timing belt replace was by the dealer, and tensioners were not replaced (not even mentioned). I just did my second TB and replaced all tensioners as well as the water pump. My tensioners lasted 180k, but my water pump was just starting to seep. The starter (both times) gave me plenty of warning - it would 'click' before starting cold on the first 1 or 2 attempts. From recent posts, it seems like tensioner problems are usually the cause for TB failure.

1 PO, is there a quick way to tell if the tensioners were replace, other that look for signs of aging? I don't think the starter has been replaced. My plans are to start with tire replacement to 33's and keep the ACH until it breaks and replace with OME, I will also add sliders. Bumpers and roof rack are at least 1 to two years away,

 

[Kman62]

Thank you. I saw that the water pump was replaced, but like you mentioned no mention of the tensioners. I sent an email to the dealer with the 90 recommended part replacements and I'm awaiting a response..

Start looking through the service records. My first timing belt replace was by the dealer, and tensioners were not replaced (not even mentioned). I just did my second TB and replaced all tensioners as well as the water pump. My tensioners lasted 180k, but my water pump was just starting to seep. The starter (both times) gave me plenty of warning - it would 'click' before starting cold on the first 1 or 2 attempts. From recent posts, it seems like tensioner problems are usually the cause for TB failure.

 

[pwcummings]

At that mileage and price point I would probably opt for a AHC-less 100, which I believe limits you to landcruiser 100, IMO. Factor in about $2k of maintenance like brakes, O2 sensors, spark plugs, ignition coils, etc. Unless they are all in very good condition. Add AHC issues and you could have some significant unforeseen maintenance costs. Also important to keep in mind that at your commuting mileage, you will be coming upon the 2nd 90k service. Just my 2 cents. And if you are mechanically inclined and have the tools and know how (which this site provides), either platform is a low risk buy. I looked for my LC/lx for 7 months. I flew to z3 different states with cashin hand. I will tell you that when you find the right one you will know it. Good luck


...via IH8MUD app

 

[pwcummings]

Oh and IIRC, wasn't there a significant rise in the failure rates of the nav/hvac unit in the 2004 LC/lx?? Might want to research that in particular. I remember some threads that were analyzing failures and correlating them with build dates. Worth a peek for piece of mind.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[aaronrules]

Just my 2 cents. Make sure the climate controls are not integrated into the touch screen. This will limit just about any audio/navigation upgrades you might plan on doing. Other than also understanding you aren't going to get anywhere near 400 miles on a full tank of gas this truck is awesome!


...via IH8MUD app

 

[CappyKD]

Test everything as posted by others. If it lived in SoCal it's whole life it should be rust free. Good luck! Looks nice.

 

[Kman62]

Thank for the great feedback. Pwcummings, at what mileage threshold would you opt for a AHC-less 100? I need to look at the maintenance schedules to see when the parts you mentioned would be replaced, e.g. O2 sensors and ignition coils. Maybe I should pass on this one. Reliability is important for me, I want to minimize my outlay for repairs (yes I realize this is a 9 year old vehicle ) and spend my money for upgrades.

At that mileage and price point I would probably opt for a AHC-less 100, which I believe limits you to landcruiser 100, IMO. Factor in about $2k of maintenance like brakes, O2 sensors, spark plugs, ignition coils, etc. Unless they are all in very good condition. Add AHC issues and you could have some significant unforeseen maintenance costs. Also important to keep in mind that at your commuting mileage, you will be coming upon the 2nd 90k service. Just my 2 cents. And if you are mechanically inclined and have the tools and know how (which this site provides), either platform is a low risk buy. I looked for my LC/lx for 7 months. I flew to z3 different states with cashin hand. I will tell you that when you find the right one you will know it. Good luck


...via IH8MUD app

 

[Kman62]

I did a quick search last night but didn't find much on 2004 Nav issues, actually I used the search term "2004 navigation issue" and variations of the search term.

Oh and IIRC, wasn't there a significant rise in the failure rates of the nav/hvac unit in the 2004 LC/lx?? Might want to research that in particular. I remember some threads that were analyzing failures and correlating them with build dates. Worth a peek for piece of mind.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[Kman62]

Yes, I will. I looked at a 2004 LC w/136K miles and I test everything except, I don't think I properly test the center diff and 4Lo. I need to read up on how to properly test 4Lo.

Test everything as posted by others. If it lived in SoCal it's whole life it should be rust free. Good luck! Looks nice.

 

[revoked]

Take the VIN to Lexus to get the service history.

For Toyota you can create an owners account to get the service history online.

My '06 has 155k with AHC, works fine. Worst case is you're out 1k for a lift kit when it goes out.

 

[phippsj]

Yes, I will. I looked at a 2004 LC w/136K miles and I test everything except, I don't think I properly test the center diff and 4Lo. I need to read up on how to properly test 4Lo.

Put it in neutral, shove the lever into low and make sure it engages and drives ok. Not much to it.