Builds LX450 Build (2 Viewers)

[myaktine]

Figured I'd go ahead and make a build thread, in light of how many pictures I just received from my friendly neighborhood Toyota nerd/fabricator buddy...

So in the beginning, I was (still am) a BMW guy.

My dad's E36 M3, which got me into AutoX end etc when I was 15. Looking back and now having kids of my own, I realize how patient he truly was back then.. Cause I broke that car a lot being a jackass kid...
IMG_45B015EB1EB7-1 by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr

Then I bought an IS300, which I never should have sold.
IMG_2C5A7F169ADA-1 by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr

Then came a pristine 6spd manual Tacoma, which got me into "overlanding" before I even knew what that was... Drove it to Utah and back one summer. It was awesome. Also broke a lot of things on that truck.
IMG_05E3E35695B4-1 by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr


Turns out, working at a bike shop and having a $459/mo car payment was a poor choice. So I sold it (thank God for Toyota resale value) and got back into a BMW.
_LND0828 by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr
DSC_0037 by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr

Well what's one more right? Tried again for a track car. Again, forgetting that I was working at bike shop and at this point, starting my schooling to get into fire/ems.
_LND0673 by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr

Plans for it included a Ford 5.0 swap. Sold both, got into another s***ty Ford (but hey, I could afford it)

I'll spare y'all pictures of the Focus. But long story short, I have another kid on the way and the Focus lacks the room for another car seat. The plan was to sell the damn thing, but can't justify draining my savings account just to simply get the car outta my driveway. 0.9% APR and 30mpg is hard to beat. Transmission problems are just a side effect.


I drove 4hrs to Kansas to look at 100 series. Seller ended up flaking out on me, but 45min later... This 80 got posted. Low and behold, a triple locked sub 150k 80 series with a bunch of baselining and tasteful mods done already. No one cares about base-lining, (we all have 20+yr old trucks right?)

So here's the first trip out, with my 4yo Stepson in tow..
Glade Top Trail by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr
Glade Top Trail by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr
Glade Top Trail by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr
Glade Top Trail by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr


Well, the 2nd trip didn't really go as planned. Thankfully I was out with a buddy (who also happens to be an excellent mechanic)

IMG_2821 by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr

IMG_1669 by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr

Decided my fan looked better in my radiator. Replaced with a T100 fan that everyone has their feelings about, but I'd rather not replace another OEM radiator.


Right about the time I got the truck back on the road, it was due to go to my friend's shop, DGG Fabrication here in SWMO. (These are mostly just progress pictures. I'll take it out for an actual "shoot" when it's done done.)

06291808551 by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr
07061810471 by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr
0708180947a1 by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr
07071815331 by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr
07071815351 by Matthew Yaktine, on Flickr

I'll keep posting as more fab work gets done. I've done some other small things to the interior as well.


If any of y'all are near the Ozarks... We should be friends.

 

[NorCalFJ100]

Looks good! What bumper is that? I like it. I hear there is more shoreline at the Lake of the Ozarks than in California! Haha. Love that show...

 

[myaktine]

Looks good! What bumper is that? I like it. I hear there is more shoreline at the Lake of the Ozarks than in California! Haha. Love that show...

Bumpers/sliders/armor/etc is all custom by a local shop.

And yes, there's plenty of shoreline at Lake O... But you won't catch me in that water without a dry suit and a decontamination line ready to go when I get out of it. They neglected to mention that little detail in the show haha.

 

[myaktine]

Update time!

Caught this little critter on 7/13


Knocked out some preventative maintenance and installed a Koso water temp gauge yesterday.

Goodbye rear heater and phh piping!

CB and cubby mount installed

Finished look at the front end

 

[clx16]

You might find this useful for your seat switch Power Seat Tilt Switch Rebuild/Repair

@NorCalFJ100

Lake of the Ozarks

I Am pretty sure that show isn't filmed in the midwest, at least not all of it. They've been filming it at Lake Lanier just north of Atlanta GA. People here watch it to see if the recognize the locations.