Builds Keaton's '03 LX470 Thread

[128keaton]

Where did you get the AHC fluid at?

I ordered it from CruiserParts, but their price turns out to be higher than McGeorge Toyota:
Suspension Fluid - Toyota (08886-81221) | Toyota Parts

On another tangent, I hope my interior rattles quiets down a bit when I get the AHC fixed. I hoped it would have less rattles than my 4Runner considering Lexus/Toyota did their best with build quality and sound deadening. I might order some felt tape off amazon to place in a few areas.

 

[Balto1223]

I ordered it from CruiserParts, but their price turns out to be higher than McGeorge Toyota:
Suspension Fluid - Toyota (08886-81221) | Toyota Parts

On another tangent, I hope my interior rattles quiets down a bit when I get the AHC fixed. I hoped it would have less rattles than my 4Runner considering Lexus/Toyota did their best with build quality and sound deadening. I might order some felt tape off amazon to place in a few areas.

Thanks sir, I've been meaning to flush mine. I hope it works out for you, man!

 

[128keaton]

Well, I tried to fix my little night view rattle that was driving me crazy and made it worse. Turns out the plastic Lexota used was made from used, recycled condoms. Super thin, and just horribly constructed. If anyone has this part in good shape, let me know.

 

[128keaton]

Presenting the world's crappiest jigsaw puzzle:

 

[Colington]

Hang in there! Here is some encouragement. Mmmmmm cruder porn
Only takes time and money. I had neither when I started lol.

 

[128keaton]

Bit of an update, did a multi point inspection on the car finally (lol) and the underside is literally mint. The front brakes are brand new, the wheel bearings have no play, the upper and lower ball joints are fine. No excessive play from the CVs. Tie rod ends are perfectly acceptable. I just need to reboot one of the CVs just because a clip is failing, rear brakes, and new sway bar end links.

I’ve done a ton of searching looking for the
night vision cover, even going as far to try to order one from dealers over seas. I’ve got mine mostly together and plan on epoxying it up. I have a connection at LKQ and they have never seen an LX470 with night vision in their inventory. Ever. They even checked Keystone’s database. Nothing.

Oh well.

In the meantime, I guess I'll focus on lights, sound, AHC, rattles, and other cosmetic fixes. My driver's side door panel has a rattle/rub I'm gonna try to combat when I get the chance. The front fender needs to be replaced, but I'm having a hell of a time trying to find anything decently close. I also learned that the front bumper support is broken, as well as the crash bar. I'd love to just find a rear collision LX470 for the front facia (mine is cracked in ~4 places), bumper support, passenger front fender, maybe a headliner front hood latch/radiator support (mine has poor fitment..), and just a few odds and ends.

I have a ton of overspray on the passenger side that needs to be combated. The front hood needs to be pulled, and painted.

I guess that the important stuff is pretty much fine. Cosmetically, not excellent, but everything else is "creampuff"-esque.

I also should have some used AHC globes on the way that should hopefully (fingers crossed) provide some better ride. I know all the expansion joints all over town though!

 

[128keaton]

Combing thru service history again for fun. I've had a windshield wind noise right above the driver's head since purchase and it looks like it has been there since 2004. Fun. Was taken back to the dealer to be fixed around ~4 times.

Subwoofer was replaced in '05, now it sounds bad again (foam looked good though?)

The antenna assembly was replaced in '08, since it only extended a few inches (same problem again though)

Fun times looking thru the service history. Looks like the PO was as anal about service and problems as I was.

 

[128keaton]

Found one of my rattles. There was a whole taillight bulb inside the taillight assembly just floating around.

 

[95Fantasma80]

I ordered it from CruiserParts, but their price turns out to be higher than McGeorge Toyota:
Suspension Fluid - Toyota (08886-81221) | Toyota Parts

On another tangent, I hope my interior rattles quiets down a bit when I get the AHC fixed. I hoped it would have less rattles than my 4Runner considering Lexus/Toyota did their best with build quality and sound deadening. I might order some felt tape off amazon to place in a few areas.

do you have load E tires? I aired down to 30 psi as a test and man ride is so much better... should have gone D rated nitto terra grapplers in 33" (live and learn) next time will get them...

also where did you get the multi point inspection?

 

[128keaton]

do you have load E tires? I aired down to 30 psi as a test and man ride is so much better... should have gone D rated nitto terra grapplers in 33" (live and learn) next time will get them...

I do not. I have stock Michelins, as per the Lexus dealer. My AHC globes are probably bad as perported from the graduation test. I have 3 off another LX I'm waiting to swap. Hopefully I can mix and match to build a decent system! BTW love the color of your LX in your avatar. Saw a land cruiser today in that color and its just beautiful!

 

[95Fantasma80]

I do not. I have stock Michelins, as per the Lexus dealer. My AHC globes are probably bad as perported from the graduation test. I have 3 off another LX I'm waiting to swap. Hopefully I can mix and match to build a decent system! BTW love the color of your LX in your avatar. Saw a land cruiser today in that color and its just beautiful!

Thanks!!! Yeah look out for the ebay AHC globes with a 20% COUPON should be about 600-700, im waiting for the next coupong to get them.

 

[128keaton]

Thanks!!! Yeah look out for the ebay AHC globes with a 20% COUPON should be about 600-700, im waiting for the next coupong to get them.

Unfortunately, as a college student, that is pretty far out of budget If I can get these used globes to last me until I have a real good job, I'd be set.

If I had a sudden windfall, it would be AHC->Tires->New rear coils, in that order.

In any case, I just ordered two more quarts of AHC fluid to replace the flat globes with the used ones.

 

[128keaton]

Looks like its time to adjust headlights! I've been using the Sylvania Zxe bulbs (gifted to me, thankfully!) with great success. These bulbs absolutely rock. Very bright and provide excellent visibility. My adjustment screw is gone so I guess I have to figure out the best solution. I think my PS assembly needs to come in some, and my driver's side needs to come down a bit. A happy medium will be hard to find since the passenger side was slightly sideswiped at some point!

 

[128keaton]

Well, turns out that when the car was sideswiped, more was damaged than initially thought. Everything behind the passenger side headlight was damaged, tweaked, or bent in some way. It was honestly pretty poorly done and super depressing to find this out. The headlight brackets on that side were completely broken off and gone, so someone just made some out of aluminum stock and drilled holes into the frame around the headlights.

I guess I am on the hunt for a passenger side headlamp assembly. If I had the $$$, I'd just buy some beautiful glass units and be done. Why Lexota switched to plastic is beyond me.

I also learned that my night vision beams were not plugged in:

Now, I need a new bumper support, new headlight surrounds, a new fender, and the plastic piece below the grille that sits on top of the bumper. Its all broken in someway, shape, or form. Ugh. Super disheartening to have this be the reality on this LX.

 

[128keaton]

More pics of everything off the front:

Today wasn't all bad. I finally fixed my rear brakes (I can stop much better) and I was able to swap in the used/old front globes I got to see if that was the fault of my AHC. It rides noticeably better and stops a whole lot better. Finally! I can start saving for new AHC globes all around.

 

[128keaton]

Ouch!

 

[bucfl]

You’ve done a lot! Good work! I also hate finding shoddy work.

 

[128keaton]

You’ve done a lot! Good work! I also hate finding shoddy work.

Thanks! Slowly working through this truck to make it my own and make it better than when I got it!

 

[128keaton]

I've grown tired of my peeling shifter bezel and the center console rattle. Ordered the new bezel and the cushions for the shifter off TPD ($3 cheaper than LPD for the same p/ns haha)

Having a slightly refreshed AHC system makes a HUGE difference in the on-road presence of this vehicle. Much less body roll, much less nose dive when braking. It feels like it floats much better! Man! Now to actually save and spend the $800 on brand new globes all the way around!

 

[0tterPop]

@128keaton I had the same issue with my Night View. Had a non factory windshield in the LX so it didnt work very well anyway. Ended up remove the entire night view system in the dash and made a temporary cover out of thick plastic. Like you said the top of the night view was most likely made out of recycled trash bags maybe some q tips in there also.