Builds My 1997 LX450 progress thread

[NLXTACY]

In the tradition of barely doing anything major here are a few more additions.

Purchased a couple Wits End items.

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If you are daring enough I could send you some of my roll of felt liner that you can use for the insides of the console as well. It takes time to shape but it turns out pretty good.

 

[92LXAZ]

If you are daring enough I could send you some of my roll of felt liner that you can use for the insides of the console as well. It takes time to shape but it turns out pretty good.

Thanks. No not too daring. Do you have pics of what it looks like posted anywhere?

 

[NLXTACY]

Thanks. No not too daring. Do you have pics of what it looks like posted anywhere?

Let me look

 

[NLXTACY]

 

[92LXAZ]

Super slow going with any cool stuff. Only small items that budget allows for.

Fumoto valve, great for teaching my son the dark side way of oil changes. New StrongArm hood supports, luckily hood slammed when I was away from underneath so I didn't find out originals were bad the hard way.

 

[92LXAZ]

Follow up hood struts with lift gate struts. Same Strong Arm brand from Lift Support Depot on eBay, part no. PM1047. Opens even and slows down at the top gently. Closes on it's own once it reaches low enough position.

 

[92LXAZ]

First real add worth posting in a while. Had the driver side front Fox 2.0 shock go bad, at about 24k miles. Didn't blow but starting slowly leaking. Didn't want to rebuild it as it's my DD so decided to change it up and go with Dobinsons as an affordable option, and partly to prepare for their 3" springs down the road and on to 37's eventually. I like the fact they are good for 1-3" lift whereas the Fox I think up to 2". I only had time to get the fronts installed today. Will get the rears done tomorrow or Monday.

@David Otero was very helpful in getting my order placed and answer my questions.

These guys are beefy.

 

[92LXAZ]

Replaced front sway bar end link bushings (acquired direct from Cruiser Outfitters in Sandy when we were there). Of course nothing goes perfect. One of the bushings sleeve was missing so improvised. Had pieces of the shaft of our old dining room table light laying around so drilled it out to fit the bolt and cut to length. All in all not a horrible job. Old busing weren't in terrible shape but on their way.

 

[92LXAZ]

Hit this on Thursday , it isn't actual mileage but still recording it. May be more like 175k. I rolled on the 35s without correction for a bit. I have the exact number written down somewhere.

 

[92LXAZ]

Busy last weekend for me. Took a bit but finally got the Dobinsons 3" Flexi coils, variable rate version to pair with their standard gas shocks.
Nothing revolutionary with the install, rented springs compressors which helped. Much later on will want to try their resi shocks but I'm satisfied for now. @David Otero helped me out again, top notch service.

Measurements (center hub to bottom of fender flare):

TJM first installed 10/2012 replacing original very saggy stock springs.

Before
DF: 19.25"
PF: 19.5"
DR: 19"
PR: 19"

After
DF: 22.25"
PF: 22.375"
DR: 22.5"
PR: 22.5"

Dobinsons immediately after install, eyeballing center of the hub:

DF: 23 7/8"
PF: 24"
DR: 23 1/2"
PR: 23 5/8"

 

[92LXAZ]

Pic with drop brackets gone...

 

[92LXAZ]

And just today took it to CBT to have the drop brackets removed and the caster plates (made by local CSC crew years ago) installed. Caster at 2.9

Helped the squireliness, definitely noticed after driving a bit with the brackets versus now with the plates.

Update 12/12: still more squirrelly than I'd like. Wonder if caster needs to be closer to the max 3.5-4 or if there is something else going on. Most of the front end has been gone through.

Thanks of course to @murf for getting me in this weekend!

 

[92LXAZ]

Just some little update items from weeks past...

Rear bump stops (fronts to come), oil cap gasket, Tattons drive shaft, xfer case shifter extension.

 

[92LXAZ]

Extended front and rear diff breathers. Used plain fuel filters. Painted the engine bay one so as to not stand out so much and ran the rear up to the gas fill area.

 

[92LXAZ]

Much done the last few weeks. Radiator had a seam leak by upper hose, power steering pump leak, camshaft seal leak. All fixed by CBT along with a couple other little bits like air intake hose. Changed front/rear diff fluid, new plugs. Will get to the xfer case soon.

Highlight is finally getting my BIOR tube bumper. Loved working with Mike. First contacted him about it 4 years ago, life gets in the way sometimes but worth the journey and wait.

Seam leak here. Should have known with the color of the radiator.

Nice and new, good for another 150k hopefuly.

 

[92LXAZ]

Crankshaft seal leak and old and new power steering pump

Old one was nice and brittle.

 

[92LXAZ]

 

[92LXAZ]

Lucky enough to get in on one of these! THE lock box to have from @NLXTACY My CZ-P75 Duty is too big so I'll have to get a smaller carry pistol...oh bummer!

Easy enough install. Loosen the console lid a little and also with the @bhicks rear cupholder had to trim that a bit.

 

[92LXAZ]

Not a heck of a lot going on with the 80, big budget restrictions, just an update of the minor things.

Common floppy mirror fix...sorry for gigantor pic.

Removed faux trim from vents only for now. Easy when it's 120 in the garage.

 

[bcart1991]

Looking good. I feel you on the time/budget restraints. Kids and life all getting in the way...