- Thread starter
- #221
Tapage was right on the money. Don't try to save yourself time by doing it wrong, it just takes twice as long when you have to do it over again right. Haha
Builds LX450 where to start! (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter scottryana
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #222
Thanks Tym4fun,
It is always fun to have a project to build! You will get some amazing ideas from this site, a lot of smart talented people here.
It is always fun to have a project to build! You will get some amazing ideas from this site, a lot of smart talented people here.
TYM4FUN said:Very nice truck! I am looking for an lx450 but have to sell a couple cars I have first. This forum is a great motivator to get started...I cant wait!!!
- Thread starter
- #224
Haha, I don't know Delancy. My life is always in flux, everything is always for sale. Haha. My job will sometimes say "oh by the way in 2 weeks you are moving to Europe. Oh wait nevermind"
So it was up for sale, no serious takers so I just keep working away, the way I would want it, if I was going to keep it a long time. That way if work does get serious and does something crazy it will be ready for the next person that gets it. lol.
So it was up for sale, no serious takers so I just keep working away, the way I would want it, if I was going to keep it a long time. That way if work does get serious and does something crazy it will be ready for the next person that gets it. lol.
- Thread starter
- #226
Yes I do, I struggled with what I was going to do with it.
These are the weights for me, just because of how I will use my truck, would be different for everyone.
Minuses
- Tire on the bumper in the Texas sun
- Lose overhang clearance
- Add a bunch of weight on a long moment arm behind the rear axle
- Theft
- Maintenance on the swing out? maybe
- Cost
- Have to open the swing out every time I want to get in the hatch
Pluses
- more cargo room
- looks badass lol
So I am going to leave it inside, still need to find someone to make the tire carrier I want. Then I will build a drawer system with a tire cutout and still be able to carry a fridge/cooler sideways between the tire and the 4x4Labs Jerry can holder. But I don't carry a fridge or cooler often so it won't be a big deal.
These are the weights for me, just because of how I will use my truck, would be different for everyone.
Minuses
- Tire on the bumper in the Texas sun
- Lose overhang clearance
- Add a bunch of weight on a long moment arm behind the rear axle
- Theft
- Maintenance on the swing out? maybe
- Cost
- Have to open the swing out every time I want to get in the hatch
Pluses
- more cargo room
- looks badass lol
So I am going to leave it inside, still need to find someone to make the tire carrier I want. Then I will build a drawer system with a tire cutout and still be able to carry a fridge/cooler sideways between the tire and the 4x4Labs Jerry can holder. But I don't carry a fridge or cooler often so it won't be a big deal.
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- Thread starter
- #227
Well I went and had my before dyno done. I think my truck is a pretty good representative of a well maintained 96-97, 80 series it has recently had all the "tune up" items replaced, new O2 sensors, etc.
It wasn't pretty but on 35's and without regearing, in 97 degrees, A/C on high and with a moderately tuned clutch fan and stock MAF housing it made.....
133hp and 186ft/lbs of torque! Haha
video
http://youtu.be/aG3BkpQeWOM
We tried to run the dyno pulls in 3rd gear I should have an electronic copy emailed to me some time tonight. We weren't able to pull all the way to red line, even with OD off, the truck would shift into 4th around 4750 I think.
It looks like I am not going to be able to get started on this as soon as I wanted because I am leaving Texas for about 3 months, but I look forward to coming back and picking up with the guys at EMS Powered and JMS Racing.
It wasn't pretty but on 35's and without regearing, in 97 degrees, A/C on high and with a moderately tuned clutch fan and stock MAF housing it made.....
133hp and 186ft/lbs of torque! Haha
video
http://youtu.be/aG3BkpQeWOM
We tried to run the dyno pulls in 3rd gear I should have an electronic copy emailed to me some time tonight. We weren't able to pull all the way to red line, even with OD off, the truck would shift into 4th around 4750 I think.
It looks like I am not going to be able to get started on this as soon as I wanted because I am leaving Texas for about 3 months, but I look forward to coming back and picking up with the guys at EMS Powered and JMS Racing.
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Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
that looks like fun .. !
Did you think AC on would make any difference .?
Did you think AC on would make any difference .?
- Thread starter
- #229
Yeah I think the AC on high probably cost me a few hp and ft/lbs, but it was almost 100 degrees so no reason to run with it off. I wanted a pretty realistic view of how I normally drive around. Here in Texas the A/C is pretty much on 10 months out of the year. lol
Us boys in the south need our AC!
- Thread starter
- #231
Beach
Took a quick spur of the moment trip to the beach with the dog. Want to enjoy it while I can!
Took a quick spur of the moment trip to the beach with the dog. Want to enjoy it while I can!
- Thread starter
- #233
So I am out of town and I have a friend of mine watching my truck since she is taking care of the dog. She texts me and was really sorry. I was like what happened? She said that she has been driving my truck around since she likes how it sits higher and all the attention she gets. lol. Well evidently she took it to the mall today. And it got hit in the parking lot. She said the lady that hit it waited 2 hours to give her, her insurance information..... So I was like s***, how bad is it? She was like well you are going to need a new bumper thingy?! I was like Holy s***, seriously!!! I have a Slee on the front and a 4x4 Labs on the rear, how hard can you hit someone in the mall parking lot?
So she finally texts me the photo and I think it surprised her that I was laughing my ass off! I told her not to worry about it, no need to even pursue it with the insurance company it is fine. 4x4 Labs doing some serious work in the mall parking lot. Haha.
So she finally texts me the photo and I think it surprised her that I was laughing my ass off! I told her not to worry about it, no need to even pursue it with the insurance company it is fine. 4x4 Labs doing some serious work in the mall parking lot. Haha.
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Restoring a 96LC and watching your post
I am tearing down a 96LC that was headed for parting out. Got it wholesale. 120k miles. Watching your post. I spent 4 weeks on mechanical. Engine and trans were excellent but seals and gaskets were all gone and brakes were paper thin. These are tough vehicles and worth restoring. My interior is a mess and yes, I pulled everything out. Hmmm....sound deadening. The Dynamat Extreme liner is a great idea. Thanks.
I am tearing down a 96LC that was headed for parting out. Got it wholesale. 120k miles. Watching your post. I spent 4 weeks on mechanical. Engine and trans were excellent but seals and gaskets were all gone and brakes were paper thin. These are tough vehicles and worth restoring. My interior is a mess and yes, I pulled everything out. Hmmm....sound deadening. The Dynamat Extreme liner is a great idea. Thanks.
- Thread starter
- #235
Jim looks great! Yeah I think since these trucks are so reliable a lot of previous owners neglect them. But yeah if you are doing a once over, make sure that you check the rubber air intake tube, and the hoses, I am sure you have also heard about the "pesky heater hose" Another thing I really like is swapping the axle, and transfer case thin head hex plugs with the allen key plugs. The coolant system usually needs some attention too. Keep us updated on your progress!
Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
you make my day dude ..
- Thread starter
- #237
Traction
Well I found today that I need a little more traction. I had been trying to fool myself that the Lex was only going to get used for some unkept dirt roads, but today I really wanted to take it out and see how it did so I jumped in the truck this morning and went to:
http://hiddenfallsadventurepark.com/
Had great weather this morning about 73 and sunny a few clouds. Since I had never been I decided I would just start on the easy stuff and work my way up through the trails as the day went on. Well this was good and bad because about the time I was hitting the 3's it started to pour rain and the steep 20" ledges now became slick and damn near impossible in a truck open front and rear. The last trail I hit was Greenhorn, which I thought by the name of it would be a beginner trail but turned out to be a level 4.
"LEVEL 4
Trails are for highly modified 4x4 vehicles. Steep climbs & descents up to 50%, off camber. Must have at least 35” tires, front and rear lockers, upgraded suspension and winch. High risk of body, suspension and drive train damage. High Risk of Roll Over."
I hated hanging my head and having to back pedal and drive the one way trail backwards. The park was empty and there was no traffic so it wasn't really an issue, but this was a mistake on my part reading the trail name and not knowing its rating....
Anyways what does this mean? It means that within 15 min of getting home I was ordering my Spartan locker.
Only photos I have are the first trail I started of the day and then one on top, of course I didn't stop and take any pics of the good stuff.
This park is highly recommended!
Here is a video I found of a truck doing Greenhorn **Not me**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5j5BohUejI
.
Well I found today that I need a little more traction. I had been trying to fool myself that the Lex was only going to get used for some unkept dirt roads, but today I really wanted to take it out and see how it did so I jumped in the truck this morning and went to:
http://hiddenfallsadventurepark.com/
Had great weather this morning about 73 and sunny a few clouds. Since I had never been I decided I would just start on the easy stuff and work my way up through the trails as the day went on. Well this was good and bad because about the time I was hitting the 3's it started to pour rain and the steep 20" ledges now became slick and damn near impossible in a truck open front and rear. The last trail I hit was Greenhorn, which I thought by the name of it would be a beginner trail but turned out to be a level 4.
"LEVEL 4
Trails are for highly modified 4x4 vehicles. Steep climbs & descents up to 50%, off camber. Must have at least 35” tires, front and rear lockers, upgraded suspension and winch. High risk of body, suspension and drive train damage. High Risk of Roll Over."
I hated hanging my head and having to back pedal and drive the one way trail backwards. The park was empty and there was no traffic so it wasn't really an issue, but this was a mistake on my part reading the trail name and not knowing its rating....
Anyways what does this mean? It means that within 15 min of getting home I was ordering my Spartan locker.
Only photos I have are the first trail I started of the day and then one on top, of course I didn't stop and take any pics of the good stuff.
This park is highly recommended!
Here is a video I found of a truck doing Greenhorn **Not me**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5j5BohUejI
.
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Ran Green Horn back in the summer. Wet, AT tires and open axles wont cut it on that one. I struggled a little in the dry with lockers and 35 inch MTs.
Big group of Toyotas will be up there next weekend if you wanna go back. Weather looks to be dry.
Big group of Toyotas will be up there next weekend if you wanna go back. Weather looks to be dry.
- Thread starter
- #239
Yeah the guy at the office was telling me all about the toyota get together there next weekend.
Yeah I was a little out of sorts, things that I would just have given a little bump and been over in my FJ55, with 80 running gear, there was no way it was happening in my 80. Big difference between 37-39 krawlers e-locked front and rear and 35 duratracs and open diffs, but the ride home in the 80 was a lot more comfortable, so everything is a trade off.
I am going to try the spartan locker and try to keep the truck on easy trails.
Yeah I was a little out of sorts, things that I would just have given a little bump and been over in my FJ55, with 80 running gear, there was no way it was happening in my 80. Big difference between 37-39 krawlers e-locked front and rear and 35 duratracs and open diffs, but the ride home in the 80 was a lot more comfortable, so everything is a trade off.
I am going to try the spartan locker and try to keep the truck on easy trails.
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Spartan locker on that trail and youll be fine. Last trip up there I followed a non-Rubicon JK on 33s and he did fine.
Killer this time was the wet. Wet at Hidden Falls ups a rating by at least 1 and usually more like 2 or 3.
