Builds Mark's LX450 build (1 Viewer)

[MarkN]

Hello,

Not new to the forum, but new to the 80 series.. I just purchased a 97 Lexus LX 450, before you start with the pink panty jokes just know I was looking for a Landcrusier, and ended up with this. The LX450 has 165000 miles and a bad engine. I had a chance to drive the LX450 about 12 miles before I started my tear down. Very loud knocking noise in the engine, it actually sounded like it was up high on the engine, but not sure. Everything else worked perfect.

As you can see below… I am planning on installing a LS based engine… This ties into my evil plan to LS power as many vehicles as I can before I die… lol

I currently have a few other Toyota’s… 2006 4 door, 4wd Tundra, stock except for a leveling kit (Struts), I bought it new.. it has 175000 miles on it now.. my wife has a 2014 FJ Cruiser, all stock.. so far… and I have a 88 FJ62, DD, that has been modified somewhat see my build Mark's FJ62 build

.. I had at one time a 69 Chevy K10 that I completely went thru.. It was more of a restomod project.. late model 5.3 and 4L60e.. if you are ever bored you can find the build to it here
Crash's 69 K10 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network
.. lots of pictures… be warned.

Back to the Lexus, my plans for the Lexus are very similar to the FJ62.. Build a daily driver that I can go almost anywhere in… Below are my plans for the LX450
Drivetrain
Engine: 5.3 or 6.0
Motor mounts: Marks4wd
Wiring: Modified Factory Harness
Exhaust Manifolds: Block Hugger headers?
Exhaust: Custom
Fuel pump: ??
Regulator: Corvette Fuel filter
Fuel System: AN hoses and fittings
Cooling: Stock radiator with electric fans
Intake: Stock intake tied to LX450 Air Filter
Transmission: 4L60e or 4L65e
Shifter: Modified LX450 and cable shift
Transfer case: HF2A
Trans to Transfer adapter: Marks4wd
Lift
2.5" or 4" or 6"
Manufacture ?
Armor
Front Custom
Rear Custom
Sliders Custom
Wheels
Stock? Powder coated Black
Tires
295/75/16 Nitto?
Audio/Video
2DIN Nav system ?
Backup camera
Storage
Rear Custom 2 drawer..
Inverter ?
Lockers
ARB Maybe.. Someday


I will be documenting my build here, I am looking forward to hearing from other members of the forum on what I am doing right and what I am do wrong..

Here we go..

First day home..

Second Day
My son brought his trailer and we moved the Lexus to the Shop.. (on Lake Eufaula, about 140 miles from my home).

Later that evening I started on step one.. cleaning up the interior. Looked like a lot of cokes and coffee may have been dropped on the carpet..

 

[MarkN]

Day 3: After the cleaning.. There were still a few stains.. but it is now clean.. turned out very well.. I used a strong power washer to clean the carpet.. I did the same with the FJ62 and it turned out nice as well.

I decided to go ahead and pull the drivetrain as well.. Wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.. took a about 3 hours by myself.. Tip: if you are pulling the engine, transmission, and transfer case as one unit, be sure and remove the transfer case shifter from the top of the transmission before you start the pull.

I have parts ordered from Marks4wd.. I ordered the
4L60E 6 bolt to LandCruiser 4-speed auto HF2A Transfer Case MFK1195AE6
And
Engine Mount Kit - LS Series V8 to LandCruiser 80 & 105 Series MFK1765EM

It was expensive, but with the current exchange rate I got it all shipped for right at $1300..
Still working on getting the engine and transmission. I have a guy that I have purchased the last two engine swaps from, so he is looking to see what he has…

Also looking for a lift kit.. anybody have a ideas on where I should go to get a lift kit?

Have a great day
Mark

 

[MarkN]

Unbelievable.. but the parts I ordered Saturday from Marks4wd, arrived today.. from Australia... normal shipping... wild... need to find a engine and trans soon...

 

[Pacer]

I'm watching, but I don't see any pink panties, just you kicking some butt. Get after it!

 

[DOCBG]

Can't go wrong with Slee's 4" kit.

 

[Brentok]

Mark, good to see another swapper just up the road. YMMV, but I traded an email with Marks4wd about using their motor mounts in a LHD vehicle. They didn't think they would work due to the fact they shift the motor to our driver side (toward steering box) to clear AC. I hope you can make them fit because I like their design better than others. Even better would have been getting them in 6 months ago so I could copy you! Since you have them in hand, we'll at least get a definitive yay/nay..

Good luck!

 

[MarkN]

I'm watching, but I don't see any pink panties, just you kicking some butt. Get after it!

Thanks.. hopefully I can get a motor and trans soon.

 

[MarkN]

Can't go wrong with Slee's 4" kit.

I am looking at the OME 2.5" heavy.. I will check into the Slee lift..

 

[MarkN]

Mark, good to see another swapper just up the road. YMMV, but I traded an email with Marks4wd about using their motor mounts in a LHD vehicle. They didn't think they would work due to the fact they shift the motor to our driver side (toward steering box) to clear AC. I hope you can make them fit because I like their design better than others. Even better would have been getting them in 6 months ago so I could copy you! Since you have them in hand, we'll at least get a definitive yay/nay..

Good luck!

Good to know there are others close...

I emailed Mark's several times and they said it should work.. we will see.. if not I can always use the Advanced adapter mounts like I did on my FJ62... Hopefully I will know soon..

 

[cruisermatt]

Did you consider using an FJ62 transfer case for easy part-time 4x4?

 

[MarkN]

Did you consider using an FJ62 transfer case for easy part-time 4x4?

Yes, I did... but decided to go with the full time. I realize it will cost me some mileage, but I hope it will save a little up front cost.

 

[MarkN]

Update time.. It has been over a month since I worked on the LX450. I got busy with work, family, and other projects. One of those projects was building a 12x12 storage building to store some stuff I have collected over the last 4 years. I started out designing an 8x8 storage building and finally settle on a 12x12, and I still don’t think I went large enough. Below are a few pictures of the building construction.

 

[MarkN]

More

Enough of that.. I received my parts from Mark’s 4wd very quickly.

Including the motor mounts…

First thing was to test fit the new Mark’s 4wd (MFK1765EM) mounts..

Passenger side looked good.

Except for the firewall.. nothing that can’t be fixed with a few blows from a hammer.

Driver’s side mount fit ok

First issue… No clearance between the power steering pump and the steering gear box. I removed the power steering reservoir and that helped a little bit, but the pump pulley than hit. This issue was discussed by Brentok in one of the earlier post. It appears he was correct…

I really like the design of the motor mounts and that they use the factory rubber mounts, so I consider either relocating the power steering or using a remote reservoir and smaller power steering pulley. Before I went that route I decided to see if I would be able to use the stock transmission mounts and drive shafts with this setup. So I installed the transmission and transfer case adapter and discovered that this setup shifts everything back a couple of inches.. This would require new or modified drive shafts, in the end I decided that the Mark’s 4wd mounts were not worth the extra effort.

While I was thinking about what I would do about motor mounts, I decided to start on the rebuilding of the 4l60e core I have.
Teardown

 

[MarkN]

More


Power wash time for the engine bay..
Before

After

Reassembly of the 4l60e.. not sure what I was thinking, but I did not get many pictures of this process. I think I was focusing so hard on making sure that I did this right, that I forgot to get any pictures..

Once again.. I was focused.. so we are here now

 

[MarkN]

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Replaced 4l60e parts..

Wiring..
Converting the GM harness to stand alone.. This is not a difficult process.. this is the 4 one I have done… it takes a little while to do it, but it can save you lots of money…

Went with a aftermarket fuse box on this build.. I have used the factory GM fuse box before.. it saves you money and time.. but is big and would not fit where I wanted it to on this build.

Cleaned up the LX450 harness..

 

[MarkN]

More


Bolted the Transmission, adapter, and Transfer case together..

Cleaned up the engine and about ready to bolt it all together…

and started on the transfer case shifter bracket.

Welded the plates to the new motor mounts.. the plates help spread the load and reduce the vertical welds on the frame..

Installed the motor, transmission, and transfer case all together.

Mounted the electric fans..

Fuel Filter…

Transmission cooling lines

I installed the drive shafts and determined that a lift kit will be needed for the front drive shaft.. It is very close, but I think a 2” lift would give me plenty of clearance.. so I will be researching lift kits this week..

 

[aae42]

maybe if i ate your brain i would have the knowledge to be able to do this to my own LX...

 

[MarkN]

maybe if i ate your brain i would have the knowledge to be able to do this to my own LX...

LOL... It isn't that bad... you just break it down to lots of little steps... lots of planning.. and then do it...

 

[Brentok]

That's a bummer on the Mark's motor mounts, I wanted those to work. But, you're making good progress. I like that Bussman fuse box, looks like a nice set up. Did you buy it assembled with the relays and pigtails or did you put it together?

I stripped the factory harness too and it really isn't as bad I was expecting. Definitely a good, time vs money trade in my opinion-- assuming I can get it running.

 

[ryanCA]

Amazing talent at display here....

Envious!