Builds LX450 "Rex" Build (1 Viewer)

[wiynwiyn]

You must be super ecstatic. Congratulations. Long way coming. This is my reaction to you on passing the inspections.
Would love to see some overall pictures of Rex especially the delta bumpers.
I like to get it in the future. How you like it so far?

 

[NeverFinis]

Thanks! I doubt I will ever be for sale, except as part of my estate.

The truck has been fun to drive. People notice it!

The RPM seems low for each gear. I thought 4.10s would be perfect for low RPM highway driving with 35" tires. I haven't done highway speeds yet, so I don't know what cruising RPMs are.

If highway cruising RPM is too low, I might try HF2A underdrive gears and get 3.10 low range. Low rpm is great for MPG, but not great for performance.

It drives a bit loose though....It has progressive rate coils, maybe stiffer sway bars are needed. It has new OEM sway bars. I might need to lower tire pressure more. Now at 30psi. OEM is 32psi.

The steering is very light, which could mean that the GM PS Pump is pumping at a higher PSI than the stock Toyota Pump. It does need an alignment.

I will try to get full body pictures of it out in public.

I parked it in public once, just once, and someone already left me a note...lol

 

[wiynwiyn]

I was reading something on the flow fitting (youtube)for the high pressure gm pump. Gm pumps at a higher rate that the LC. Wonder if this will resolve your problem with light steering feel. You are an engineer, I'm pretty sure you can resolve the issues. When my LC was on the road there was this young driver staring at my LC with a smile of amusement, or maybe he was like that is an ugly old car. haha

 

[NeverFinis]

I was reading something on the flow fitting (youtube)for the high pressure gm pump. Gm pumps at a higher rate that the LC. Wonder if this will resolve your problem with light steering feel. You are an engineer, I'm pretty sure you can resolve the issues. When my LC was on the road there was this young driver staring at my LC with a smile of amusement, or maybe he was like that is an ugly old car. haha

Thanks for that. I mean, 80 series are getting kind of rare. Everytime I see one, I snap my neck looking at it.

That was a very useful rabbit hole to go down... Looks like I will need to install a pressure reducer to keep the seals in the power steering box alive, which will help with steering feel.

 

[NeverFinis]

The steering pump I used, 6175AL-1, is rated for 1200 PSI, which is well below the spec for the Toyota steering box. The latter expects a min 1451 PSI. Tuff Stuff does offer a version of that pump with a much lower PSI (850), but it is meant for a Mustang Type II steering rack. Way too low. Note: The FSM warns not to go full lock for more than 10 seconds.

I don't think I should lower the PSI of the pump.

 

[NeverFinis]

Copied from a Google Spreadsheet I created. PM if you want a copy.

TLDR: 2000 RPM @ 75 MPH in 6th gear. 35" Tires and 4.10 Gears. I think that is a good RPM to be at.

6L90e Gears	6	5	4	3	2	1
Trans Final	0.67	0.85	1.15	1.53	2.36	4.02
Tire Diameter	34.8	34.8	34.8	34.8	34.8	34.8
Diff Ratio	4.10	4.10	4.10	4.10	4.10	4.10
Engine RPM	MPH	MPH	MPH	MPH	MPH	MPH
1000	37.70	29.72	21.97	16.51	10.70	6.28
1100	41.47	32.69	24.16	18.16	11.77	6.91
1200	45.24	35.66	26.36	19.81	12.84	7.54
1300	49.01	38.63	28.56	21.46	13.92	8.17
1400	52.78	41.61	30.75	23.11	14.99	8.80
1500	56.56	44.58	32.95	24.77	16.06	9.43
1600	60.33	47.55	35.15	26.42	17.13	10.05
1700	64.10	50.52	37.34	28.07	18.20	10.68
1800	67.87	53.49	39.54	29.72	19.27	11.31
1900	71.64	56.47	41.74	31.37	20.34	11.94
2000	75.41	59.44	43.93	33.02	21.41	12.57
2100	79.18	62.41	46.13	34.67	22.48	13.20
2200	82.95	65.38	48.33	36.32	23.55	13.82
2300	86.72	68.35	50.52	37.97	24.62	14.45
2400	90.49	71.33	52.72	39.63	25.69	15.08
2500	94.26	74.30	54.92	41.28	26.76	15.71
2600	98.03	77.27	57.11	42.93	27.83	16.34
2700	101.80	80.24	59.31	44.58	28.90	16.97
2800	105.57	83.21	61.51	46.23	29.97	17.59
2900	109.34	86.19	63.70	47.88	31.04	18.22
3000	113.11	89.16	65.90	49.53	32.11	18.85

 

[wiynwiyn]

How are your stock brakes performing from the dramatic horsepower increased Ls motor and added accessories?
Wish the powerbrake below are less expensive for the LC. Master power brakes a little cheaper. youtube

 

[NeverFinis]

How are your stock brakes performing from the dramatic horsepower increased Ls motor and added accessories?
Wish the powerbrake below are less expensive for the LC. Master power brakes a little cheaper. youtube
View attachment 3822134

The brakes are ok. It really is about stopping 35" tires and the weight of the truck, rather than engine power. BTW, I saw 15.2 mpg.

I still think I have some air in the abs. I just watched an ABS bleeding video today which might help next time I work on the brakes.

The Power Brakes kit are very nice brakes, but very expensive. The Master Power Brake kit is interesting. Brakes will have to wait a bit...

My next big thing, besides the GPS alarm system which I now have but not installed, is the rearview LCD mirror with camera. Acumen Legend 2 Channel, plus 8 channel control box.

I just ordered and received a Kenwood radio to replace the factory radio. I need my bluetooth for music! I am keeping it simple for the radio as it is a bad spot to put a screen.

 

[McDowra]

The brakes are ok. It really is about stopping 35" tires and the weight of the truck, rather than engine power. BTW, I saw 15.2 mpg.

I still think I have some air in the abs. I just watched an ABS bleeding video today which might help next time I work on the brakes.

The Power Brakes kit are very nice brakes, but very expensive. The Master Power Brake kit is interesting. Brakes will have to wait a bit...

My next big thing, besides the GPS alarm system which I now have but not installed, is the rearview LCD mirror with camera. Acumen Legend 2 Channel, plus 8 channel control box.

I just ordered and received a Kenwood radio to replace the factory radio. I need my bluetooth for music! I am keeping it simple for the radio as it is a bad spot to put a screen.

Nice! I have 33's and the best I have gotten so far is 14.8 mpg. But it cruises so effortlessly at 80 it is unreal

 

[NeverFinis]

Installed Guard Dawg GPS Tracker with starter cut out. Simple hookup. Battery, ACC, and GND. It can disable the starter if the vehicle is outside its GPS fence. Expensive upfront cost, but the annual subscription cost is low and you get the first two years free. $26.95/year if you pay for 5 years. I have several BT trackers also hidden.

Installed Kenwood DPX395MBT. I need Bluetooth for music streaming. It was a really simple install using the Metra 70-8112 Receiver Wiring Harness. Still using the stock amplifier. Not a great photo, I just a quick snap.

I still have to set the colors to match the aesthetics of 1990s Toyota.. 3 different zones with each having their own custom color.

Remounted my rear license plate to the driver's side of the bumper, below and to the left of the 35" spare tire. The tire was blocking too much of it in its stock location,

Next: Digital Guard Dawg iKey alarm with remote start.

 

[NeverFinis]

I am still going through the instructions with the Digital Guard Dawg IKey... Having Lutz's RS3000 adapter helps immensely.

I ordered and received a manual antenna from PartSouq. I removed my electric one since I thought it would no longer fit with the 4" snorkel, plus it needed a new mast.

I think the electric antenna would still fit, despite the 4" snorkel. I know there is an issue with Safari snorkels, but I think it is because they sit higher on the fender. The electric antenna is NLA, otherwise I would pick one up. I have radio again, which I rarely listen to...

 

[NeverFinis]

Brought the truck in for alignment. I had used TMR alignment plates to get close.

Before

After

My takeaway? I think I just spent $ to confirm that the TMR alignment tool works...

The steering wheel is now more off center though. I will fix this, but they were supposed to center it.

 

[NeverFinis]

Picked up a cheap low profile android auto display.

It has front and rear cameras.

It doesn't block anything on the dash, or the view through the window. It is also at a good angle for viewing from the driver's seat.

 

[Nad Aitch]

Installed Guard Dawg GPS Tracker with starter cut out. Simple hookup. Battery, ACC, and GND. It can disable the starter if the vehicle is outside its GPS fence. Expensive upfront cost, but the annual subscription cost is low and you get the first two years free. $26.95/year if you pay for 5 years. I have several BT trackers also hidden.

View attachment 3823755

Installed Kenwood DPX395MBT. I need Bluetooth for music streaming. It was a really simple install using the Metra 70-8112 Receiver Wiring Harness. Still using the stock amplifier. Not a great photo, I just a quick snap.
View attachment 3823756
I still have to set the colors to match the aesthetics of 1990s Toyota.. 3 different zones with each having their own custom color.

Remounted my rear license plate to the driver's side of the bumper, below and to the left of the 35" spare tire. The tire was blocking too much of it in its stock location,

Next: Digital Guard Dawg iKey alarm with remote start.

I've been looking for a non-screened head unit with a big ol knob. Digging that one at $130.

I'm not really hip to all the audio stuff so easy wiring sounds good too

Did you work out the dimmer wire?
Edit- looks like maybe this harness is better- Factory amp bypass necessary? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/factory-amp-bypass-necessary.196079/page-2#post-14968259

 

[NeverFinis]

I've been looking for a non-screened head unit with a big ol knob. Digging that one at $130.

I'm not really hip to all the audio stuff so easy wiring sounds good too

Did you work out the dimmer wire?
Edit- looks like maybe this harness is better- Factory amp bypass necessary? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/factory-amp-bypass-necessary.196079/page-2#post-14968259

I like it. All it needs to do is play music reasonably well, and be able to take calls.

The cheap android display works great with it. My phone connects to the Kenwood for audio, and sends Android Auto to the display.

I initially had an issue with noise with the Kenwood, but I traced it back to the connection at the amplifier. I had the wiring harness apart, and I may have not connected it fully.

That other radio harness is used if you are bypassing the stock amplifier. I decided not to at this time because the stock amplifier is much more powerful than what is built into the Kenwood. You could wire up another amplifier though, but now you need to locate a spot for it, and then wire it up.

As far as I know, there is no dimmer wire on the Kenwood. You can either manually dim the display. or set the Night vs Day brightness levels at different levels. It is mostly out of eyeview, so its brightness is fine to me.

 

[NeverFinis]

Picked up a DeltaVS QPM.

The blue tape was for locating where I wanted to locate items relative to the trim cubby.

My rivnut vs DeltaVS. Theirs is stamped into the steel, with a hex cut out to prevent rotation.

Coming together. DC to DC convertor on the left. Fuse panel center top. Fused distribution block bottom right.

Test fitting the trim over the QPM. The fuse panel, as well as the buttons on the DC to DC converter are accessible.

Close up of the 120A Fuse on the 12V 100Ah Lithium battery. The battery BMS should limit output to 100 amps, but I added a fuse at the battery just in case.

I ran a 6 AWG wire from the back to the front. Toyota provided a nice grommet at the firewall.

The DC to DC converter will be able to charge the lithium battery while the truck is running. It will also take solar as input as well charge the starting battery if needed.

Top is for the LS ECM and harness, and bottom is for the Lithium battery in the back.

60 Amp fuse on both sides of the 6 AWG cable run since power can be sent both ways.

I made a copper bus bar to tie the two fuse holders together, which means I only needed to run one power cable from the starting battery.

Those are two different types of fuse holders. The top one, which I bought early on, can use high amperage fuses (MEGA/AMI), but I like the bottom one because the fuses (AMI/MIDI) are smaller, and the case can hold a spare. I don't think I need a fuse higher than 125 Amps anyway, which the smaller fuse type can easily do.

Redid some wiring in the engine bay. Here it is without the air box installed. Not too much space to spare..

 

[NeverFinis]

More work on the electrics..

Built a stand off rail to support the battery, otherwise it was just the L brackets from the drawer system.

Not shown but trim does fit and looks stock.

Power/switch panel for the rear. It sits right in front of the hole left by the seat belt mechanism for the 3rd row.

 

[NeverFinis]

Built a custom, triple layer, heat shield for the driver's catalytic converter, which is extremely close to brake and fuel lines.
.

Installed

Extended, and by extended, I mean hacked, a longer heat shield. Radius changes and multiple angles = hacked shield.

I didn't want to use exhaust wrap because I prefer that heat escape, I just want it to escape away from the fuel and brake lines and the transmission cable.

Added a DEI heat shield to the brake lines.

 

[NeverFinis]

After years of having a @DeltaVS from bumper, I finally bought and installed Baja Design Squadron Lights. The plates that Delta VS designed to mount them is ingenious because it lets you align the lights (up/down, side to side), independent of the bumper.

Picked up a cheap AliExpress harness to control them, which included all the wiring, loom, switch, and relay.

I had to wiring the AliExpress relay differently from how it came because Toyota uses a negative grounded switch to turn on the high beams, but the body of the Baja Design lights were grounded to the chassis. I only wanted the Baja Design lights to come on when the high beams were on.

To do this, I cut off two of the grounds to the AliExpress relay, and grounded them directly to the body. The ground still connected to the relay was connected to high beam ground. The AliExpress relay will now only activate if the high beams are on. Power for the relay was also provide by light harness. This makes the switch light up when the lights are on at night.

I use Slee's light harness, which makes the stock high beam light harness available for use on the driver's side because I installed the Slee relays on the passenger side. I replaced the high beam connector with a deutsch connector.

 

[NeverFinis]

More goodies installed.

Delta VS table with stove extension

Delta VS Stash Pocket.