Builds My LX470 Build Thread (2 Viewers)

[Ironsides]

2002 LX470 with 173k miles

OE Exhaust 1740350151
Original was rusted through. The wires from the AHC were resting on it and caused the issue!

Seat cushions Purchased from a Lexus dealer.

Ridies Interior replacement.
Nappa Black interior

Method Wheels.

Climate control swap
Manual controls since my rig came with broken stereo. Not looking forward to this installation!

Witts End diff plugs

Hood struts Amazon.
Not the best. We will see how long they last.

Clutch fan Amazon

Amazon Cabin filter.

Walmart Kendra Klever RT 35’s.
35x10.5x17
SLEE Bump stops and diff drop.

DOBINSONS IMS, 3" with 167 rear springs

Trail tailor Will review my expirence with him later.

Rock Auto, ignition coils and plugs

Nitro UCA

Carpet set
I will post pics once I complete the timing belt change.

Huge thanks to everyone that contributes to Mud. Without it I would have had much greater difficulty getting to where I am now.

 

[Ironsides]

Forgot to mention,I purchased this after the sale of my 5th gen. I wanted an older rig that had more comfortable seats than the 4runner so my search began. Ive always liked the LC and almost bought one before the 5th gen but wanted something "brand new". Id been eyeing my neighbors LX for a couple years and went over after I sold the 4runner. We came to an agreement on a price and I gave him the cash the next day.

These rigs are going for a lot of money now and believe the value will continue to rise. To me, this is an investment and a car my kids may drive someday or just be the off road camping car we use for the next 30 years or more.

Bought the car and immediately removed the side steps. They were starting to rust out anyways.
These were all taken right when I got the car and I parked it almost immediately after purchasing. The ordering began.

All fluids were changed and I was originally only going to replace the serpentine belt and alternator but that changed when I saw the valve covers and the overall condition of the vehicle.

Purchased a brand new OE exhaust and painted most of it with high temp black paint.

 

[Ironsides]

I started to remove the AHC while waiting for parts and had half of it out by the time I started on the engine.

Everything was replaced just short of the ac pump.

Valve covers came off and cleaned them with gas and tooth brush, as with most of the parts that came off.

New coils packs were ordered because the old ones were cracked. New plugs as well. Everything was from the dealer minus these items because they’re identical to OE parts.

New ps pump was ordered since this one only received new fluid occasionally.

 

[Ironsides]

I’m a noob and pulled the harmonic balancer incorrectly so I ordered a new one.

 

[Ironsides]

Tires came in. Kenda Klever 35x10.5x17. Suspension parts also came in, no pics since I am going to finish the engine first. Still waiting on some small engine hoses to complete the engine.

Pic of me in the engine bay. I stayed in that position 2 different days for 2-3 hours each time…not the best time haha

Easy access to everything was a bonus and having my 8 year old was awesome the second day I was in there.

While I was in there: fuel filter, heater core hoses and plastic T’s, misc worn out hard to get hoses. Plugs, coil packs, cleaned hoses with gas and tooth brush.

Broke the tb sensor so I ordered a new one.

 

[dtlx]

Looks good! I have a similar setup and and shopping for a lot of the parts you added, would like to hear/see the results!

 

[Ironsides]

Looks good! I have a similar setup and and shopping for a lot of the parts you added, would like to hear/see the results!

Thanks! If you have any questions let me know.

 

[thedentonmare]

Nice restoration.. I'm going through the same with a 2001 LX, but has 247k miles. They seem well built.

 

[Ironsides]

Nice restoration.. I'm going through the same with a 2001 LX, but has 247k miles. They seem well built.

Thanks.
Post is updated now.

Ordered Method 705’s since the 305 wasn’t in stock with a 35mm offset.

New water pump and timing belt installed. I’ll get better pictures later.

 

[Ironsides]

Purchased a right angle die grinder kit off a kid for $140 and it’s been awesome. Had some rust where the rear vapor barrier goes so I prepped and painted the area with it and used Eastwood paint on it.

Prepped the seat anchors and pulley as well since they were all needing paint.

Detailed the floor with my steam cleaner as well as the entire rig.

 

[calixto]

Any updated pictures with those wheels?

 

[Ironsides]

Too busy lately to update the thread.

Here’s a pic of the methods on 35’s.

The rig is held up on jack stands minus the corner I took the pic on. I’d guess the rig will settle an inch or two once under load.

 

[tip]

Looking good

 

[YMC]

Have you replaced the leather with the Napa Black Ridies yet? Curious what that'll look like!

 

[Ironsides]

Have you replaced the leather with the Napa Black Ridies yet? Curious what that'll look like!

Not yet but I will post pics when I get them installed. I ran into another road block when my new OE CV axles arrive damaged -_-

 

[Ironsides]

Rear is complete.

Used rust converter and painted a lot of the undercarriage.

New IMS shocks, 167 dobinsons springs, new OE sway bar bushings installed.

All new OE brake lines x6 lines.
New calipers from Napa, great buy especially for $260 with tax for all four.

Mounted the 35’s on the methods.

Removed the rest of the AHC. 99% removed.

Installed M8 x 1.25 x 25mm stainless steel bolts in the roof with 3m automotive 08302 sealant.

Front suspension has been a pain. Bolts so tight that I am using my legs with a 30” pry bar to break them loose, it’s crazy.

Upper and lower control arms installed. Partial tie rods with dust covers installed. Steering knuckles installed and regressed.

Bearing races have been pressed out and will push new ones in on the 26th.

New bearing packed with Mobil 1 wheel bearing grease.

Painted the stock skid plate with Eastwood black chassis paint.

Bump stop mount on the drivers side was rusted beyond rusted. I spent 15 minutes grinding it down with my die angle grinder and smoothed it out to look like stock. Used rust converter just to be safe and painted with a few coats of eastwoods black chassis paint.

Awaiting new CV’s and will complete the install. OME torsion bars still need to go in as well.

 

[Luke111]

What was your experience with Trail Tailor?

 

[Ironsides]

What was your experience with Trail Tailor?

Could have better communication and the end links seem to be of good build quality.

 

[bozncsurf]

Great build - fun read.

Not sure what the offset is on those methods but I’ll bet that center cap lip is going to be pretty close to contacting and / or preventing the wheels from seating up front. 0 offset will likely clear - anything more positive will be close.

Btw I run these tires. Don’t let the price fool you - they’re awesome.

Can’t wait to see the progress.

 

[Ironsides]

Great build - fun read.

Not sure what the offset is on those methods but I’ll bet that center cap lip is going to be pretty close to contacting and / or preventing the wheels from seating up front. 0 offset will likely clear - anything more positive will be close.

Btw I run these tires. Don’t let the price fool you - they’re awesome.

Can’t wait to see the progress.

Thats really good to hear! Ive read nothing but good things about them and I wanted to get as skinny as I could.

The Methods are 35mm offset. I painted the axle dust covers so it'll look fine without the covers on the front.


for tomorrow, 12/27, I plan to do some interior cleaning, mount my rear seat brackets, remove the front seats and the remainder of the carpet and remove the amp under the seat. These last two are possibilities depending on how much time it could waste since I plan on getting the seats recovered. I might install the races for the wheel bearings and will be ready to install once the new Cv's come in.

I forgot to mention I installed an Odyssey battery a couple days ago since my battery died. (34r-PC1500T)
It fits ok with 1/2" think plywood underneath. I painted the plywood black and will keep it till I get the slee tray.