My new LX450 (1 Viewer)

[90RunnerRed]

I've been a 4Runner fanatic for the past 10 years and have owned every generation except the 5th. I've gone through many phases of wanting a 40, 60, and 80 but things just never quite worked out for any of them. We just had our first child about 2 months ago so I figured it was time to find something with 4 doors, not to mention I guess I'm getting old or something because bouncing around in my 1st gen 4Runner was getting old. Enough talking, here is my new baby, a 97 LX450. 173K miles young, well maintained. The car is spotless with the exception of the drivers side A-Pilar where the paint is beginning to bubble from a crack that comes straight out from the drip rail, is this common? It looks like a section will have to be cut out and replaced:

I'm working to baseline all of the fluids and make sure all of the PM has been done. The FAQ on this site is one of the most extensive ones I've seen and has been a huge help, thanks to everyone who contributed. Already have some parts on order so looking forward to starting the build.


Here's a couple pictures of the '87 I just sold, pretty much took the whole truck apart and rebuilt it. It was a great rig and very dependable. However even with 4.88's, a rebuilt engine, and an RV cam it was still a pain to drive around town and on the highway.

 

[Pin_Head]

I think you will like it and find it familiar. People will still come up to you and say: "nice 4runner".

 

[90RunnerRed]

I think you will like it and find it familiar. People will still come up to you and say: "nice 4runner".

I've only put about 250 miles on it but I already feel like I've been driving it for a year. The 4Runner comment doesn't surprise me.

 

[arndog123]

Congrats and welcome.

 

[western flyer]

Welcome to the addiction. Easier with the family in the 80...I am in the same boat with my 21 month old. Safer too. I expect your 80 will not be "low" with running boards on it for long. I have done 5X the mods (and hands-on PM) to my 80 in the 3 months I have had it than I did to my Tundra in 11 years. Cheers.

 

[90RunnerRed]

Congrats and welcome.

Thanks!

Welcome to the addiction. Easier with the family in the 80...I am in the same boat with my 21 month old. Safer too. I expect your 80 will not be "low" with running boards on it for long. I have done 5X the mods (and hands-on PM) to my 80 in the 3 months I have had it than I did to my Tundra in 11 years. Cheers.

The 80 will definitely be getting a bump up, 33's are ordered and should be here tomorrow. Running boards will be coming off, just need to figure out what to do with front mud flaps. OME 2.5" may be in the future, will see how I like it stock on 33's for a while and then go from there.

What year Tundra? I bought mine new in '02, great truck but mine sits most of the time now.

 

[gtfour43]

That thing looks brand new! BTW welcome

I guess the drip rail thing is common because a body shop owner here recommended I bedlline in the rails so they dont start rusting like his did.

How bout some interior pics for us to drool over? Must be as clean as the exterior.

 

[90RunnerRed]

I'll work on getting the interior pics. Carpet is immaculate, it looks brand new, the two front seats show the normal wear, no tears but definitely used. They will need to be replaced at some point but it's more fun to spend money on other things right now.

 

[wyodude]

Look very nice. Cograts. I myself am new to the Toyotas but know where you coming from about getting older and tired to be trashed around in older 4x4.

 

[PoorHouse]

just need to figure out what to do with front mud flaps.

OEM front mudflaps are available from Toyota/Lexus.

 

[2 E L O]

Great looking truck!!! I really wish they offered the white LX's with the charcoal two-tone, rather than the beige. I've contemplated repainting my cladding a charcoal color but I think I might just go the grey bedliner route eventually....

The color matched Lexus front mudflaps are spendy. I think they're about $85 each. When I took my running boards off I just trimmed the black molding that goes over the front of the running board. It isn't as good as the color matched mud flap, but it looks a lot better than leaving the bottom of the flare uncovered. I also trimmed the overly long rear mud flap to make it look less "Grandpa-ish"....

You can kinda see them in this crappy pic:

Is your bumper beat up? I can kinda see in the pic that it's turned up. If you need a new bumper shell, don't buy one from Lexus. You can get one for about half the price from Toyota and paint it to match. I had to do that...I also repainted all the bumper corners while I was at it... A PO had tried spray painting them but of course he used the wrong color....

After prep and primer, ready for paint:

My first photo at the top shows the "after" product...

Anyway, looks like you got a great truck. Keep us update on your progress!

 

[rolliges]

What paint did you use on the bumper?

Brand and color please. And how is it holding up?

 

[2 E L O]

What paint did you use on the bumper?

Brand and color please. And how is it holding up?

I went to the local Napa paint supply store. They were a bit lazy in looking up the paint codes because they weren't on their computer, but I was persistent and made them look it up in their catalogs. I already had the paint code, but they didn't trust me. Anyway, they mixed it up for me and put it in aerosol cans. It was about $60-65 for three 12oz spray cans and a small bottle of touch up paint.

I got it in Martin Senour single stage enamel. I didn't want base/clear because it's more difficult to touch up. The aerosol can nozzles on the Napa cans suck pretty bad, but if you're careful you can make it look pretty decent. Just put down multiple coats and make sure you have enough built up for a good buff afterwards and it'll look fantastic.

I used Touch Up Paint from PaintScratch.com to find the paint code. The cladding color is UA46 or UCA46 "Light Grayish Beige Metallic"....

It's been holding up great for the few months it's been done...but it's all in the prep work!

 

[890man]

I think you will like it and find it familiar. People will still come up to you and say: "nice 4runner".

I have had a few people ask me about the solid axle swap in my 4runner. They are a bit confused when I tell them its an 80. Oh well. You have a very nice truck there, they are great family haulers.

 

[rolliges]

Thanks 2ELO!

 

[90RunnerRed]

2ELO,

Beautiful LX. I know what you mean about the white with charcoal. Thanks for the tips on the mudflaps, still deciding which route to take but your pictures helped. Does just having the step end prevent rocks from getting thrown up into your rockers/washboards?

Good eye on the bumper, the previous owner hit something towards the center so it tweaked it a little and that bumper end dropping is the result. No damage behind so I just need to get a new center section. Thanks for the tip on Lexus vs. Toyota.

 

[western flyer]

Thanks!



The 80 will definitely be getting a bump up, 33's are ordered and should be here tomorrow. Running boards will be coming off, just need to figure out what to do with front mud flaps. OME 2.5" may be in the future, will see how I like it stock on 33's for a while and then go from there.

What year Tundra? I bought mine new in '02, great truck but mine sits most of the time now.

The Tundra was a 2000 I bought new. It was in great shape and I sold it a few weeks after I bought my 80. The interior room in the 80 for the daughter and dog is pretty nice. I do miss the V8 a little bit.

I pulled my running boards a couple weeks ago. Slee sliders going on soon. I bought the non-USA F. mudflaps from Beno to finish off the F. flares. OME 2.5 went on a few days ago. I think you will have a fun with the 80.

 

[flashT]

Looks Great!

Welcome to the addiction!

 

[crowdaddy911]

Looks outstanding. Very nice rig to start thr build that never ends just the money does.....

 

[90RunnerRed]

Made a few changes today:

Installed some 285/75/16 Treadwright Guard Dog's (MTR knockoff retreads). Never used these before but read a bunch of reviews on different forums and no one seemed to have any problems. It's amazing how small this truck can make 33's look. The road noise isn't bad for an M/T. Definitely noticed a little bit of power loss but that was to be expected. Still pulled 80 going up Monument Pass with no problems. The only playing I got to do with it was busting through a couple 2' snow banks, better than nothing I guess.

Before:

After: