Build Meet Obsidian: My 2021 LX570

[tbisaacs]

You're past the 7-year itch. That's lifer territory with the 200-series now.

Well, almost. I'm excited to show you my 2021, 34k mile LX570 that I've dubbed Obsidian:

About a month ago, I started thinking about moving on from the 2008 LX that I basically made my whole personality for the last 10 years in favor of something cleaner, newer, and more stock. Then about three weeks ago, I started looking seriously. Because I've done this once already, I knew exactly what I was looking for:

• Despite basically no mechanical differences, I wanted a final year 2021
• Southern truck, I looked in SoCal, Arizona, and Texas
• Black exterior, any interior other than parchment
• 3-row

I originally found a great example at Sewell in Dallas, L-certified with 50k miles and almost signed on the dotted line when I realized it was a two row so I doomed scrolled for a few days. Then I found this, a super low mile, 1 owner trade in Conroe Texas. This truck was bought in Oklahoma City, then moved to Houston and was serviced at Northside Lexas.

I dispatched my homie @radman and he went out of his way to look at it the next day, gave it a colonoscopy and then a thumb's up. The truck is extremely clean other than some automatic carwash swirl marks and it had original Dunlops that were at 4/32" of tread. I put in a cash offer, hopped on a plane to IAH, had BBQ with Amir, and then started the 30+ hour drive northwest.

Houston to Seattle is a helluva drive but this was the ultimate way to do it.

Coming from a non-luxury package, early 2008, I cannot understate how big of an upgrade the 2016+ trucks are. Everything is nicer, quieter, and more refined. And stock, I averaged 18-19 mpg the whole way back.

 

[tbisaacs]

To my credit, the stock 21s lasted 6 whole days before jumping to a tried and true, big tire, small fuss recipe: 295/70/18 KO3s, 25mm spacers, and Tundra wheels I paid $80/each on facebook marketplace for. Fitment was drama-free and I have zero rubbing, even in low.

Future plans?
I'm going to keep it pretty tame and daily driver friendly. Aside from the tires, I will move the Slee sliders, E&E Skids, and ARB compressor over from my 2008 and that's about it for a while. I am not going down the expedition / rock crawler build this round. I will return some parts of my 2008 back to stock-ish, and plan to sell in the next few months to a loving new owner.

Watch this space!

 

[tbisaacs]

@Romer when you can, please flip this to a build thread. Thank you!

 

[Boston Mangler]

I'm going to keep it pretty tame and daily driver friendly.

 

[TeCKis300]

Congrats!!!

I've often thought of doing this. Get into a late model 200-series just as you have. Bask in the glory of the finest 200-series ever produced with all the details and gremlins iterated to perfection.

Beautiful truck!! Subscribed to the (re)build.

 

[tbisaacs]

Congrats!!!

I've often thought of doing this. Get into a late model 200-series just as you have. Bask in the glory of the finest 200-series ever produced with all the details and gremlins iterated to perfection.

Beautiful truck!! Subscribed to the (re)build.

Appreciate it. I think you perfected OEM+ template Im looking for.

Also was joking with @MTKID and “body lift before bumpers” is the new “lockers before light bars”

 

[sdnative]

Wow, amazing. Congrats.

 

[2021 LC200]

Excellent choice. Love my 2021 LC200 however the 16+ LX570 with some mods (Hamilton CarPlay, CBI bumper or equivalent to cut down the grill) is an excellent looking and great alternative as well. Enjoy

Like this

 

[tbisaacs]

Excellent choice. Love my 2021 LC200 however the 16+ LX570 with some mods (Hamilton CarPlay, CBI bumper or equivalent to cut down the grill) is an excellent looking and great alternative as well. Enjoy

If I do a bumper it would be a no-hoop Sahara bar:

 

[dudemancool1904]

Smart dude. I fully approve of buying a late production 200 if you can swing it.

 

[TeCKis300]

Appreciate it. I think you perfected OEM+ template Im looking for.

Also was joking with @MTKID and “body lift before bumpers” is the new “lockers before light bars”

I approve of this message.

 

[nimitz]

Man, you’re making me regret passing on the red leather.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Bro says “it’s gonna be a mild daily”

Few lines later Bro Says “hey, change this to a build thread”

This is why I love Mud!

 

[Killacaviar]

Congrats my man! We are about to do the same thing, i have been passively looking for a clean local 21. i'll keep our 2010 to beat on though.

That thin looks clean and proper. Love those wheels on a black 2016+

 

[tbisaacs]

Bro says “it’s gonna be a mild daily”

Few lines later Bro Says “hey, change this to a build thread”

This is why I love Mud!

Builds are subjective

Thread '"What should I mod first?" — let's discuss'

Jul 14, 2020

With 200-series (particularly LX570) prices coming down, there have been a huge influx of new owners here ( WELCOME!) trying to figure out where to start.

While I love a beastly build just as much as much as the rest of you - I also admire some of the more restrained, carefully built rigs that focus maximizing capability against weight, cost, and utilization.

I've had this doodle in my head for while (updated 15-Jul):

I'll caveat this with:

• There is no wrong answer
• It's an oversimplification obviously
• Some sequences are subjective—you could argue...

• tbisaacs
• Replies: 84
• Forum: 200-Series Cruisers

• 
• 

 

[Knowbuddy]

Congrats! Sad to see the old go but excited to see what you do this go around.

 

[grinchy]

congrats! You’re driving next beer run.

 

[Zill]

Congratulations! I very much so look forward to the build.

Funny you traveled all the way down to Texas to pickup your rig. That must have been one fun road trip back. I just found a white 2019 LX in Bellevue with 38k miles and drove across the State for it a couple weeks ago. It was white and not a 2021 so didn’t fit your bill, but surprising how rust free the Seattle area rigs are. Day by day, it’s getting harder to find these low mileage examples.

Coming from a 2016 LC, I understand the appeal of the LX after driving in it for 5 hours. The double pane windows, extra plush seats to sink into, extendable seat base, comfort suspension mode to soak up the bumps. make it a better road trip rig than the LC. Never thought I would like the LX so much.

The 2016+ interior with the real wood screams classic Lexus as well. The build quality is ridiculously over the top with these rigs.

 

[TimCFJ40]

Congrats! We did the mileage/age trade down last year after a lot of debate (From 08 with 296k to 16 with 93k). It took a lot of convincing to pay out big bucks (to us) for what is essentially the same thing in a lot of ways. We're loving our newer 200, hope you do as well!

 

[Heckraiser]

Looks great, subscribed.