Hi everyone! My partner and I just purchased a 1996 Lexus LX450 about a week ago. It has just under 200k miles, and we're currently sorting it for some light off-roading, camping, and dog car duties. It came with an Ironman 4x4 front bumper and 2" lift... and that's about it. Cosmetically, it's pretty good for a black car. The fill panel below the grille is dented, so I suspect that the Ironman bumper replaced a damaged factory unit (on that note, we'd like to go back to factory if anyone is selling). A rear door has also been painted, and the front seats have common splitting/general disrepair, so those will be addressed with some skins from Lseat.
A couple of hours after taking delivery, it threw a CEL, code P0171. Our mechanic cleaned the MAF, and it stayed away for a day, but then returned. As a result, we suspect a bad MAF. We've already had the upper and lower pan gaskets addressed, although now we have the somewhat common intermittent low oil level light -- another fun thing to sort out/live with. While up on the lift, we realized that the 275/70/R16s fitted have a date code of 2011, so those are being promptly replaced. We have some Firestone Destination X/Ts on order and went with the popular 285/75/R16 fitment. Fingers crossed the spare still fits under the car!
Otherwise, the LX just needs small things. I replaced the useless dash cubby with a cupholder, purchased some new speakers (fingers crossed they fit as I know these trucks are challenging), and bought some replacement seat gears for the passenger seat, which is currently pushed up against the dash.
My partner writes for Motor1.com, so the LX will be part of a build series on the site. The "stage zero" article is set to go up soon, so follow along! This forum has been a great resource thus far.
A couple of hours after taking delivery, it threw a CEL, code P0171. Our mechanic cleaned the MAF, and it stayed away for a day, but then returned. As a result, we suspect a bad MAF. We've already had the upper and lower pan gaskets addressed, although now we have the somewhat common intermittent low oil level light -- another fun thing to sort out/live with. While up on the lift, we realized that the 275/70/R16s fitted have a date code of 2011, so those are being promptly replaced. We have some Firestone Destination X/Ts on order and went with the popular 285/75/R16 fitment. Fingers crossed the spare still fits under the car!
Otherwise, the LX just needs small things. I replaced the useless dash cubby with a cupholder, purchased some new speakers (fingers crossed they fit as I know these trucks are challenging), and bought some replacement seat gears for the passenger seat, which is currently pushed up against the dash.
My partner writes for Motor1.com, so the LX will be part of a build series on the site. The "stage zero" article is set to go up soon, so follow along! This forum has been a great resource thus far.
