Leaning towards an LX470 (1 Viewer)

[MrMikeyG]

I'm on the fence people. I've enjoyed my 80 series, but realistically, I need better highway manners/comfort. I test drove a 2002 lX last weekend, and it's a whole other world compared to an 80. There's also the fact that my wife doesn't like riding in the 80 let alone driving it.

The potential vehicle turned over 210k during the test drive. It's been in one family since new, but sadly maintenance seems to have tapered off the last few years. I was trying to verify at least 2 timing belt jobs, but as yet can only confirm 1. That doesn't have me too worried as I think I can handle the task. It does give one a potential $1500 bargaining point.
The odd one is that in theory, a fully functional AHC system would be the cats' pajamas for my intended use case. Sadly, the AHC has been butchered/disabled. I was able to talk with the shop that did the suspension work, and I am still confused. The truck was brought in with a "non-functioning" AHC system. Either the shop balked at messing with it, or the owner balked at the quote to get it functioning or both. The receipt says, "air shock conversion kit." parts= $1095. Over the phone I was told that the rear shocks have been swapped out and the springs removed. Springs removed? WTF? Due to my schedule and the sellers schedule, looking at it again is 1 hour drive and weekend only.
Let's say at a minimum I need 4 new shocks(rams), 4 new globes and fluid. That's a decent chunk of change right there and may not be everything I need.

I'm having a real hard time wading through the posts and figuring out what pieces would get me a nice stock-ish ride and maybe hang out at the AHC high position. I'm ttrying to nail down what my "week-one" costs might be should I decide to buy this thing. It did "feel" fine during the test drive (pavement only).

Secondary to all of this is resale. As these things age further, is a functioning AHC system a valid selling point or is it negligible?

other than that, the truck was reasonably clean. Interior in nice shape, no mods at all anywhere, thrashed (yellowed) head lights, a couple of dings and dents.

Any thoughts, advice, are welcome.

 

[Rhetoric]

Unless they are basically giving that truck away Id pass. I love AHC, but its tough to go back from a butcher job. Plus you dont even know why it failed. You will likely need to ditch whatever garbage quickstrut parts they added and put all new parts to get that truck to ride / drive right.

Dont let your first ownership experience with these trucks be trying to fix someone elses mess.

 

[sterling]

Hard pass if you want ahc, plenty of clean stock trucks out there.
Globes are not hard to replace if needed and can be used as a bargaining point. Impex Japan usually has the best price.

As these trucks get older I think a properly working ahc system will help in resale value.
If nothing else a "novelty" that other trucks were not optioned with.
They probably put something like this on the truck, after the shop threw a large $ number at them to replace ahc components.

1998-2007 Lexus LX 470 4 Wheel Hydraulic Suspension Conversion Kit (TF

Looking for the 1998-2007 Lexus LX 470 4 Wheel Hydraulic Suspension Conversion Kit (TF14F)? Strutmasters is your source! Shop now!

www.strutmasters.com

@Rhetorics last sentence sums it up nicely

 

[excessive]

I came from an 80 series to a 100 series, no regrets. The 80 was an absolute tank, and it was very comfortable. But the 100 series in a completely different experience in the comfort and daily drivability department. and the v8 is just so nice.
Take your time and find the right one, there are so many for sale right here in the classifieds.

 

[HokieCruiser]

I've seen quite a few 100 series popping up on auction site lately, like BaT, C&B, etc. Def pass on this one you're looking at, just my $0.02.

 

[MrMikeyG]

Unfortunately, my budget places me down in the "basket case" category of listings. I did see a comparable listing on here in the Dallas area for the same asking price that seems to have less issues. Traveling to Dallas and then driving back sounds fun and all, but I don't have time for that.

The one I'm looking at has been negotiated down to 7500 so far if that changes anyone's opinion. I do hear you though. Why cheap out to then put 3-4k right back in? I need to cool my jets for a bit. If only the GX didn't have the huge rear gate.

 

[SteveH]

The one I'm looking at has been negotiated down to 7500 so far if that changes anyone's opinion. I do hear you though. Why cheap out to then put 3-4k right back in? I need to cool my jets for a bit. If only the GX didn't have the huge rear gate.

My '99 needed an $1100 brake booster immediately, followed later by a steering rack ($700) and AHC globes ($700). Fuel pump, alternator, etc. followed.

My truck was well loved but I got it with 308K miles (and knew these things could happen). While the AHC may need a bunch of work, sadly, the rest of the truck might, as well. High mileage trucks simply will eventually need a LOT of things replaced. I would never recommend a 100 series to anyone who is not a DIYer, and caution you that they can be expensive even if you do all the work.

 

[suprarx7nut]

If you want AHC, just find a car with functioning/intact AHC. coming back from a hack job might be near-impossible if they sawed off lines or messed with wiring.

I'm guessing the shop did the Strutmasters thing and replaced only the rear springs and threw in normal struts. IMO, that's a non-functional "fix", but it's the cheapest option to avoid AHC repair for most folks.

Keep searching. Find a decent LX. LX470 with AHC is a fantastic highway vehicle with occasional offroad use. Expect to pay $5k for upkeep right away. They're reliable, but parts aren't cheap.

 

[MongooseGA]

Why cheap out to then put 3-4k right back in? I need to cool my jets for a bit. If only the GX didn't have the huge rear gate.

Depends on what you expect out of the truck. I would say most of these trucks, outside of enthusiast owned, are going to need some kind of maintenance baselining even if the current owner is driving it regularly without major issue now. If you want a perfect truck, you're unlikely to find one that could use nothing at all. Maybe there's a benefit to buying cheaper now and not  needing to do anything right away. If your budget limits you to a certain price point, maybe look at ones that are mechanically sound but only need bushings or other non- imperative items.

There's the old addage, these are all (I'm making up a number) $20k trucks. You can buy one ready to go for $20k and do nothing, or buy one for $10k and put $10k in to it, if you want it perfect.

 

[MrMikeyG]

Solid wisdom from everyone. I would still be tempted if I could get the dude down to $6k. But I would still want to get it up on a lift and do a really thorough inspection first. I'd say I've done 80% of the work on my 80 series. But it boils down to time and desire to spend evenings and weekends wrenching. I still had it into a shop twice to double check my first round, and for some things I didn't have the proper setup to do.

I wish 80 series pricing (maybe all cruisers?) didn't seem so weird right now. I keep seeing rigs that I would call better than mine at first glance going for what I was thinking of asking, and rigs that I would call lesser going for twice as much asking. Then there are the odd-ball people trying to recoup every penny for mods and repairs. There's a $40k 80 that comes to mind.

 

[Rhetoric]

I wish 80 series pricing (maybe all cruisers?) didn't seem so weird right now. I keep seeing rigs that I would call better than mine at first glance going for what I was thinking of asking, and rigs that I would call lesser going for twice as much asking. Then there are the odd-ball people trying to recoup every penny for mods and repairs. There's a $40k 80 that comes to mind.

My truck is always for sale for $65k. Need to recoup what the first owner paid off the lot.

No takers, sadly.

 

[Exiled]

This might be the best (softest) market for the 100 series since before the pandemic. Lots of trucks for sale, and if you're willing to look around and be patient, great prices. I don't follow the 80 series market as closely but that one seems marginally stronger (and it's getting harder to find good 80s).

Given your stated budget, you're realistically in the project category but even then this truck sounds like it merits a lot of thought. I've seen good AHC delete jobs and some sketchy ones. It can get expensive and the ride (important for your wife) is definitely better on an LX470 with properly functioning AHC than it is on a Land Cruiser, but then again, lots of people here with well dialed-in suspensions on their 100s too.

If your search includes Central Texas (Austin and the surrounding areas), I'm happy to go check a truck for you. Lots of clean, rust-free 100s in this part of the world.

 

[rexington14]

This might be the best (softest) market for the 100 series since before the pandemic. Lots of trucks for sale, and if you're willing to look around and be patient, great prices.

200 series however seems to be holding strong especially 2016 and up

 

[MongooseGA]

200 series however seems to be holding strong especially 2016 and up

I know right?? I was just shopping them recently but I am not in a position to drop $40k on another car and refuse to finance.

 

[baltistyle]

Echoed by others, don’t let your first experience be a bad experience regardless of the price. How much rust is on the underside of the truck you are looking at? I ask because my first experience was rusty and my second experience was minty fresh. You would not want to invest any money into a rusty truck.