Introduction - LX 470 (2 Viewers)

[GSENN]

Hey Gang

Well I did it.. not sure I did the right thing.. but I did it! Picked up a 2001 Lexus LX470 from copart.. Probably paid too much ($4750 bid, $6100 total), but it is in real good shape! And did a carfax on it and the original owner had it for 21 years and looks like he took it to lexus for all the services.

As yall know, they will salvage these things for the simplest damage! It only had a bent up front right fender and broke the headlight and torr the bumper cover up a bit

Anyway looking forward to fixing her up for a semi-overlander.. nothing too crazy, just something me and the wife can go out tooling around in out in the boonies

PS if yall got any recommendation on good auto dismantlers that offer body parts I am all ears! Did a quick search of car-part.com and not alot to choose from

G

 

[SmoothLC]

Hey Gang

Well I did it.. not sure I did the right thing.. but I did it! Picked up a 2001 Lexus LX470 from copart.. Probably paid too much ($4750 bid, $6100 total), but it is in real good shape! And did a carfax on it and the original owner had it for 21 years and looks like he took it to lexus for all the services.

As yall know, they will salvage these things for the simplest damage! It only had a bent up front right fender and broke the headlight and torr the bumper cover up a bit

Anyway looking forward to fixing her up for a semi-overlander.. nothing too crazy, just something me and the wife can go out tooling around in out in the boonies

PS if yall got any recommendation on good auto dismantlers that offer body parts I am all ears! Did a quick search of car-part.com and not alot to choose from

G

Photos or it isn't real!

 

[GSENN]

Photos or it isn't real!

Ok

 

[GSENN]

Here is some picks of the engine bay pre and post dent pull

 

[whodoe]

Oh man , keep us posted , look forward to seeing your progress

 

[Import Driver]

Congrats! That looks like very light damage to me.
I got my 06 LX on COPART. Same color and it also had front right damage. I love a good rebuild so I'll be tuning in to this the thread.

Used parts are very hard to find. Very. My fender wasn't as bad as yours and my hood was untouched so I spent a lot of time repairing the fender so that I could blend the paint in within the one panel. Hopefully you find what you need. Enjoy!

 

[Malleus]

Fenders are much easier to come by than bumpers. I wouldn't hold out much hope for that.

 

[baltistyle]

I see lots of used parts vehicles on marketplace. Ive recently seen all the parts youve mentioned in my region (within 500 miles). I dont see parts being expensive in my experience or "budget", but the paint if you need it professionally done since matching parts will definitely be harder to find. Good luck with your project.

 

[GSENN]

Congrats! That looks like very light damage to me.
I got my 06 LX on COPART. Same color and it also had front right damage. I love a good rebuild so I'll be tuning in to this the thread.

Used parts are very hard to find. Very. My fender wasn't as bad as yours and my hood was untouched so I spent a lot of time repairing the fender so that I could blend the paint in within the one panel. Hopefully you find what you need. Enjoy!

Thanks!

Yeah it is pretty light, the fender and fo-bumper took most of the impact, the inner engine bay got push in about an inch but was pretty easy to pull out using a hydraulic ram. I wish I would have taken more before pictures of that area, because it turned out real nice.

Copart is great! The fee's are crazy, typically ends up adding a good $1,000 to your bid. My reasoning for buying used from copart instead of the general public is the cars that end up in copart (typically) are cars the owner was not planning on selling! Where as when buying from the general public, there is always a 'reason' as to why they are selling the car.. And typically because something is wrong with it. Oh, and it is cheap! Like me!

Agreed, used parts are hard to find! These LC's and LX's don't end up in pick a parts very often if at all, most of the auto dismantlers seem to be hip to the value and scarf them up quick, but even they don't have much to offer. I check www.ebay.com and www.car-parts.com pretty often and not much there, and the few that are there are far away, like 12 hour drives! And they will not ship fenders, in that they just seem to get messed up during shipping.

As for the fender.. was bored and saw a post here of a guy who found a fender on www.amazon.. So I thought hey I am a prime member with free shipping so gave it a look.. The venders all seem pretty sketchy on amazon, selling fenders and sweap pants, but I found one that seem like it has been around for awhile and the focus is on car parts and it was cheap! Like $190 free shipping.. But my gut tells me it will be some cheap china crap that will not due, but, when used fenders on ebay and car-parts are in the $200-$300 range and shipping, if offered is another $300 I figured I would give it a go and keep my fingers crossed. Ill post pics once it shows up..

As for the lights.. I really wanted to get an early 'glass' set! I think they were glass from 99 to around 2003ish.. than they switched to plastic.. But they are like $300 for each too,, and that does not include shipping.. So I may go cheap for now and just get a cheap plastic set so I can get it back on the road and keep an eye out for a glass set.

In summary, I got a 2004 Toyota Sequoia from copart a couple of years ago that was super clean with similar damage, but no innear engine bay damage, just fender, bumper and light. Since then I have fallen in love with Toyota/Lexus 4.7 V8s! I figured if your going to put money into a used car, you might as well start off with a good used car!! So when this LX 470 showed up, I figured why not!

 

[GSENN]

Fenders are much easier to come by than bumpers. I wouldn't hold out much hope for that.

Good to know!

Was planning on putting an ARB or IRONMAN bumper on it so not a issue for me! I live in the mountains and the only traffic I have is deer and elk handing out on the road! So bull bars are a must!

 

[Kabanstva]

Is there any frame damage? And what were the miles on the odometer? Sorry if it’s already been mentioned. Congrats

 

[GSENN]

I see lots of used parts vehicles on marketplace. Ive recently seen all the parts youve mentioned in my region (within 500 miles). I dont see parts being expensive in my experience or "budget", but the paint if you need it professionally done since matching parts will definitely be harder to find. Good luck with your project.

What search do you use?

I have been checking ebay and car-parts.com and there are some.. Was trying to find one with the same color code, but, now I think I would be lucky to just find the parts near me! Both are hit and miss and it is all about timing, So as noted, for now I am going to try a cheap amazon fender... On that note, if you search amazon for LX 470 not much shows up, but if you search Toyota Land Cruiser 100 a lot of fender choices show up. So I figured just to get it back on the road I would try that.. Aaaaaaaaand I think I am going to try and paint it myself! My dad was a painter, and I learned enough from him to be dangerous!

Here is a link to the paint I bought to try out

White Pearl Tri-coat - The Auto Paint Depot

Find high-quality Lexus White Pearl Tri-coat 057 touch-up paint to repair chips and scratches. Perfect for matching the original color of your Lexus. Ensure a flawless finish with the Auto Paint Depot color match paint repair solutions.

theautopaintdepot.com

 

[GSENN]

Is there any frame damage? And what were the miles on the odometer? Sorry if it’s already been mentioned. Congrats

Zero frame damage!

The only thing that might have took a small hit was the upper ball joint, the boot is torn.. and it looks fresh, so, I plan on doing the upper and lower ball joints on both side just for the hell of it. Right now it goes straight down the road, pressing the breaks hand and it does not pull left or right, so 99% sure it is G2G

188K on the gauge!

Also went to the Lexus website service history and punched in the VIN.. The original owner had the car for 21+ years and took it to Lexus for all the services, even the oil changes! So it was take good care of!

Here is the link.. It is not a direct link to where you punch in the VIN, you have to join and click on a few extra things to get to that point

Service & Parts | My Lexus

Find your Lexus maintenance schedule, schedule a service with one of our technicians, view service specials, and browse parts and accessories for your vehicle.

www.lexus.com

 

[GSENN]

Update on the Lexus service history..

I kind of forget how I got there.. I had to join.. Than had to add my vehicle via the VIN.. Than I was able to navigate around and found the service maintenance area.. and than got to the schedule-service area.. There it had the option to view the service history! Note AFAIK this is just the Lexus dealer history!

Here is a pick of the website and the button

 

[Import Driver]

Good to know!

Was planning on putting an ARB or IRONMAN bumper on it so not a issue for me! I live in the mountains and the only traffic I have is deer and elk handing out on the road! So bull bars are a must!

I did an Ironman. I'm happy with it.

Thanks!

Copart is great! The fee's are crazy, typically ends up adding a good $1,000 to your bid. My reasoning for buying used from copart instead of the general public is the cars that end up in copart (typically) are cars the owner was not planning on selling! Where as when buying from the general public, there is always a 'reason' as to why they are selling the car.. And typically because something is wrong with it. Oh, and it is cheap! Like me!

In summary, I got a 2004 Toyota Sequoia from copart a couple of years ago that was super clean with similar damage, but no innear engine bay damage, just fender, bumper and light. Since then I have fallen in love with Toyota/Lexus 4.7 V8s! I figured if your going to put money into a used car, you might as well start off with a good used car!! So when this LX 470 showed up, I figured why not!

Yeah I think I've probably bought on COPART around 15-20 times at this point. The app is a daily addiction. Watch enough auctions and you'll get some mind blowing smoking deals. Sure it's rare but every so often... You know the game.

My LX is my first 4.7. Now I want a 4.7 Tundra.

 

[GSENN]

Yeah I think I've probably bought on COPART around 15-20 times at this point. The app is a daily addiction. Watch enough auctions and you'll get some mind blowing smoking deals. Sure it's rare but every so often... You know the game.

Yup

Up to now I have bought 4 from copart

1) 2014 Buick Enclave
2) 2015 Mazda 3
3) 2004 Toyota Sequoia
4) 2001 Lexus LX 470

The only one I got a real steal on was the 2004 Sequoia! Got it for $1,200.00 it like the LX 470 only had front right damage but only to the fender and it did sheer off the alignment tabs on the lower control arm, but those were easy to re-tack weld.

The only one I regret is the Buick.. Nice car but it only lasted about 4 years before the tranny started slipping and than the engine just went wacky.. It was at that point that I decided to never buy any care newer than 2005. Modern cars are just way too complicated!! And also decided to only by cars worth fixing up, hence my new obsession of Toyota and Mazda! Everyone knows how dependable Toyotas are, but I have to admit I am really impressed with the Mazda 3! Thing gits like 41 mpg no problem and the only thing I have done to it in 4 years is oil changes, air cleaners, belts once, and tires once.

I would have got a good deal on the LX 470.. The US bidding stopped around $2,800 but some dude from Yemen overseas was bidding it up each time I bid.. He must have had a max automatic bid of $4,500 because as soon as I bid, he would out bid me. So I got it for $4,750.. Not a steal but at least it less than was 1/2 of the blue book value which is where I tend to set my limit on bids.

 

[2001LC]

Fun project.

Hoods for LX are hard to come by.

LC fender, don't have the square cut hole, for cladding clips the LX have/need. Search mud, and you'll see some that have cut square holes in LC fenders, to make LX.

Very good, that it tracks straight down the road.

But looking at damage to RH front. It's, very likely knuckle has been bent. For sure, I'd check it on the bench.
I use levels (not shown). Placed on knuckle where LWR & upper ball boots would ride. With LWR level, top should be level also. Both side to side and front to back.

A straight edge helps eyeball.
Here, upper ball joint hole should be center, with LWR and spindle. It's bent!

Here, line passes through all 3 centers. Eyeball test, looks good.

Your RH ( your RH, as your facing picture) cleaner looking knuckle, is bent

Often with front side impact. Frame does move or bend a tad. One clue I've found, is when pulling #7 coil. It gets hung up more than usual.

 

[GSENN]

Hoods for LX are hard to come by.

Agreed!
That and if you do find one, shipping would kill the deal, so would need to find one close
But.. I think I might be able to pull this and fix it.. It is a tight bend, might not pull clean

LC fender, don't have the square cut hole, for cladding clips the LX have/need. Search mud, and you'll see some that have cut square holes in LC fenders, to make LX.

Good to know!
I am pulling the running boards off.. And I think I am going to pull the cladding off and plug the holes and Rino-Line the sides

Very good, that it tracks straight down the road.

Yeah they don't let you drive them very far at Copart, just a few feet forward and back, enough to make sure the tranny engages F and R but not a great test. So I was glad to see when I got it home that it drove straight and shifted fine

But looking at damage to RH front. It's, very likely knuckle has been bent. For sure, I'd check it on the bench.
I use levels (not shown). Placed on knuckle where LWR & upper ball boots would ride. With LWR level, top should be level also. Both side to side and front to back.

Will do!
I think I am good to go! My Copart 2004 Sequoia took a much harder hit in the same spot, but there it actually pushed the tire back and flattened out the alignment tabs.. The good news is this is pretty common for the 4x4 guys and their Sequoias so replacing/repairing alignment tabs is pretty common. The control arm was fine. But yeah, Ill take a look at the knuckle on the LX, in that even though it does go and stop straight, it did mess up the alignment enough to cause the steering wheel to be off a bit.

 

[GSENN]

Here, upper ball joint hole should be center, with LWR and spindle. It's bent!
Here, line passes through all 3 centers. Eyeball test, looks good.
Your RH ( your RH, as your facing picture) cleaner looking knuckle, is bent

I 'hear' what your saying..
Just hard to 'see' from the pictures..
But I know what your saying and what to look for!
Thanks a million!!