Builds LX570 - Maintain Restore and Mod (2 Viewers)

[linuxgod]

Let us know how the StopTech kit works out after you've got some miles on it. I debated between trying that and going with the Centric slotted rotors and HD fleet pads. Since I tow a lot I ultimately opted for the latter since IIRC the TRD upgrades are basically relabeled Centric parts, and while I'm very happy with the brakes (especially when towing), even after 10k miles the pads are NOISY as all hell when creeping along slowly. At <5mph they're groany, not squeeky.

 

[NKP Garage]

Let us know how the StopTech kit works out after you've got some miles on it. I debated between trying that and going with the Centric slotted rotors and HD fleet pads. Since I tow a lot I ultimately opted for the latter since IIRC the TRD upgrades are basically relabeled Centric parts, and while I'm very happy with the brakes (especially when towing), even after 10k miles the pads are NOISY as all hell when creeping along slowly. At <5mph they're groany, not squeeky.

Will do for sure. I just posted an update in the other thread about my impressions so far:

"I have put around 1000 miles on the new brakes between city driving, highway driving, and towing our boat. The Powerstop brakes grab noticeably stronger than the stock Lexus/Toyota brakes. To my surprise, much stronger. I thought it would be a little difference or no difference at all, but they truly do perform way better than the factory brakes. I especially notice it when towing our boat, it is night and day difference from the stock brakes.

Also, the coating on the PowerStop brakes has held up well so far. We have had snow, and lots of rain since I installed them and there's no visible rust on the rotors yet.

Time will tell how they do long term. I'll try to post an update in a few months again."

One other thing to add is that there is no brake fade at all that I have been able to notice yet. With the factory brakes when towing and in stop and go traffic I would definitely notice brake fade after a few runs up to 40mph and back down to a stop back to back. And it would take several minutes of normal non-braking driving to get them cool and performing correctly again without fade. With these, it almost seems like they grab even harder when they heat up. I'm sure there is a tipping point where they start to fade, but I haven't found it yet.

 

[linuxgod]

I noticed the same braking improvement when I went to the centric semi-metallic pads. Definitely more bite, especially as they warmed up a bit.

If they're quieter but still holding up well to towing loads in a few months, I might have to try a pad swap. I hate my truck sounding like a groaning basket case at stop lights

 

[Bunga]

I have around 1,000 miles on mine and the TRD spec is much better than stock. No regrets, I do light towing and love them: 0 noise for me and easy to bed.

 

[NKP Garage]

The driver side power folding mirror started to act up a few months ago. Got it all fixed up last week with the OEM Toyota/Lexus repair kit. As usual, made a video for anyone else wanting to do the same repair.

Repair kit on eBay:

TOYOTA GENUINE 87966-60C20 RETRACTOR, OUTER MIRROR, LH OEM | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for TOYOTA GENUINE 87966-60C20 RETRACTOR, OUTER MIRROR, LH OEM at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

ebay.us

Step by step video:

 

[NKP Garage]

It's been a fun week of snow and cold that Austin is not accustomed to. The LX along with the Michelin Defenders have done great. We've been out running errands and dropping supplies for friends & family everyday this week and the LX has performed flawlessly. Meanwhile a lifted Titan with BFG mud terrains was stuck and couldn't get rolling again after it stopped. A Wrangler with KO2's was stranded once it drove off the powdery snow and onto the packed snow. Keep in mind, this is Austin, TX. We don't have plows, we don't really salt or sand the roads.

After having the Michelin defenders on for a while now I can say they handle heavy trails and rocks very well (not hard core rock climbing, but more action than 99% of LX/LC owners would ever see), they tow very well for such a light tire (no marshmallow tire feel), and now I know they are pretty darn awesome on snow and ice. I love the look of a knobby offroad tire, but I will never put one on a vehicle that gets normal road usage again as long as Michelin keeps making these tires.

 

[tincan45]

It's been a fun week of snow and cold that Austin is not accustomed to. The LX along with the Michelin Defenders have done great. We've been out running errands and dropping supplies for friends & family everyday this week and the LX has performed flawlessly. Meanwhile a lifted Titan with BFG mud terrains was stuck and couldn't get rolling again after it stopped. A Wrangler with KO2's was stranded once it drove off the powdery snow and onto the packed snow. Keep in mind, this is Austin, TX. We don't have plows, we don't really salt or sand the roads.

After having the Michelin defenders on for a while now I can say they handle heavy trails and rocks very well (not hard core rock climbing, but more action than 99% of LX/LC owners would ever see), they tow very well for such a light tire (no marshmallow tire feel), and now I know they are pretty darn awesome on snow and ice. I love the look of a knobby offroad tire, but I will never put one on a vehicle that gets normal road usage again as long as Michelin keeps making these tires.

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Yep. Same experience here in Tulsa. We have defenders on the Wife's GX/100 and KO2 on the 200.

Ko2 are crap on packed snow but okay in power. Can't stop on any of it and have a tendency to slide laterally.
Defenders are a great all-around tire if you can swallow your vanity (they are ugly). Under power traction is great and stopping is "okay".

 

[NKP Garage]

Getting the car cleaned up today to get all the muck off from driving around in the snow and ice all week. Noticed that the new brakes are still nice and clean without any surface rust. The coating on these brakes is holding up well, even from all the chemicals and sand on the roads.

 

[NKP Garage]

Someone was asking me what the output for the 360 degree camera looks like. Made a quick video showing it. Apologies for the lighting, I took this in the hotel parking lot at night so the only lighting were the street lights:

 

[NKP Garage]

I've been experimenting with different coatings on the gelcoat to see what lasts longer, what goes on easier, what is more durable, what repels water better, etc.... I found one that is worth sharing.

This video shows the results of using 303 Graphene Nano Spray Coating on a boat's fiberglass gelcoat hull. These results are approximately 3 months and 8-9 trips to the lake after coating.

On Amazon here: Amazon.com : B08K3N5QP5 - https://amzn.to/2P6BhgH

On EBay here: 303 Graphene Nano Spray Coating 15.5 oz. 30236CSR | eBay - https://ebay.us/IA3UGE

Anyone try the 303 Graphene coating on a vehicle yet? I applied it to my wife's car and am going to test how it holds up in a month or so. Going to apply it to a section of the LX570 next week as well and track how it holds up.

Here's the video to show you how crazy well its doing on our boat's gelcoat:

 

[NKP Garage]

I'm at 191k miles now. The headlights were starting to get dull so I walked my 8yr old and 10yr old sons through the process. Here is the video incase you're wanting to tackle a headlight restoration on your vehicle too:

 

[pvchaitanya]

very informative.
How did you check the cylinder compression test?
Techstream or odb code reader? any pointers on this would be helpful.

Also, whats the max boat weight + trailer wt you towed? I am thinking of using my truck for travel trailer towing, which will come close to the upper limit of the trucks max tow capacity.

 

[Frosties]

Comfort access won't wear out your AHC! To replace the shocks you need to drain fluid off from accumulators, replace shocks and fluid, then re-bleed each corner and cycle from low to normal in between. The FSM doesn't call for it - but I've seen a couple of videos where the tech will put a couple of ounces of fluid in each new shock before connecting the hydraulic lines to make bleeding a little easier.

I haven't tackled the USB power ports yet. Been traveling a lot for work and I've been hiring a few more folks for my team. So time for projects has been limited. I did order one of the tesla style control units though, once that comes in and I have the center console taken apart I'll do the USB ports at the same time.


I had Techstream on a VM image on my laptop from previous cars I've had. You can download it several places on the internet. Takes some tinkering to get it all to work correctly, and you need the interface cable too.


Yup, I have the auto lower set on all the time, same with the mirrors. Works flawlessly everytime.

I’m a huge fan of the lowering when parking. I don’t worry about cycles/wearing it out. IMHO it is well within the design parameters. Do change the fluid as recommended, 60k I believe.

The camera in auto shouldn’t wear anything. That’s 100% electronic/solid-state (no moving parts). I am running mine in auto, love it.

The mirrors, IMHO, can cycle X number of times. I have chosen to not have those in AUTO. Personal preference but I don’t want to have a mirror fail at 250k or whenever. I am ok with spending money to keep things right but buying a mirror because I needed it to fold 1 in 10x it actually folded is not ok for me.

I have tech stream software on order. One of the things I will shutoff is the steering wheel moving. I love being able to adjust it and want it to work forever. I think I’m targeting 400k for my LX

Have you guys had any problems with the AHC auto lowering yet? In almost 5 years of ownership, I've never tried it because I baby my truck too much. Willing to try it after reading these.

 

[tbisaacs]

Have you guys had any problems with the AHC auto lowering yet? In almost 5 years of ownership, I've never tried it because I baby my truck too much. Willing to try it after reading these.

LOL no. Don’t sweat it. Life is short. These things are made of glass.

 

[Frosties]

LOL no. Don’t sweat it. Life is short. These things are made of glass.

Are or aren’t made of glass?

 

[NKP Garage]

Have you guys had any problems with the AHC auto lowering yet? In almost 5 years of ownership, I've never tried it because I baby my truck too much. Willing to try it after reading these.

Mine is on all the time because my wife is only 5'1" and my kids have an easier time getting in when it's lowered. No issues at all yet and I just hit 200,000 miles

 

[Frosties]

Mine is on all the time because my wife is only 5'1" and my kids have an easier time getting in when it's lowered. No issues at all yet and I just hit 200,000 miles

That’s great to hear. I’ve got potentially leaking left rear shock at 80k miles. Might have to change my rear shocks and AHC fluid again (dealer supposedly changed the fluid at 60k). So might as well use this feature if my parts prematurely wear anyway.

 

[tbisaacs]

That’s great to hear. I’ve got potentially leaking left rear shock at 80k miles. Might have to change my rear shocks and AHC fluid again (dealer supposedly changed the fluid at 60k). So might as well use this feature if my parts prematurely wear anyway.

They won't wear prematurely - not sure what gives you that impression. Your suspension cycles 1000s of times every time you drive it. AHC is constantly and actively adjusting dampening on your behalf. The pump runs all the time, every drive.

 

[Frosties]

They won't wear prematurely - not sure what gives you that impression. Your suspension cycles 1000s of times every time you drive it. AHC is constantly and actively adjusting dampening on your behalf. The pump runs all the time, every drive.

If it isn’t obvious already, I’m not very mechanically inclined. I was just assuming that having a near 3 tonne vehicle lower and raise itself every time I park would cause premature wear on the components

 

[NKP Garage]

The grill was starting to show its age. Chrome was peeling in a couple spots and the regular rock chips and such. I picked up a new knock-off grill from ebay and got it installed. Installation was pretty straight forward, and now it looks good as new again.

Step by step video here: