New guy from Pennsylvania with a 2003 LX470 (1 Viewer)

[LX470Airstreamer]

Hello! I am happy to be part of the 100 series community. I bought a gorgeous 2003 LX470 which had spent its first 19 years being serviced by Lexus of Sacramento. It is totally rust free and solid as a rock and it came with an 18-page service history.

We bought it as a family cruiser, and specifically to tow our vintage Airstreams. It did so admirably on a three week trip to Florida from PA back in June. We enjoyed a luxurious but solid ride, towing our vintage 1961 24' Airstream trailer on its maiden voyage post renovation. As a matter of fact, when we finally hit the freeway after leaving the driveway destined for Florida, it was also the first time I had hit highway speeds with the trailer behind us.

I am dealing with a wet right rear cargo area, and trying to chase the leak. The third brake light had been broken and repaired, so I plan to replace that and start there.

Thanks in advance for all I am sure to learn from all of you. I am excited for the journey.

 

[Trapper50cal]

Welcome! Sweet set-up. Maximum family fun levels.

 

[xeuxaz]

That’s a really clean LX. Welcome!

 

[Land Shark]

That Airstream is hot!

 

[Mike NXP]

Very cool, sounds like you found a winner.... Nothing like a test ride for both a new truck and old trailer, full send to Florida ! lol looks awesome.

Yeah, rear brake light is most likely your culprit for the leak, I've seen a handful of forums mentioning this and since you said it was replaced......

Do you mind sharing mileage + price paid? Good to better understand the current market for these trucks.

 

[MongooseGA]

Congrats! It's a beaut!

Now send it to the south before your weather ruins it.

 

[jaewastooshort]

I'm curious about your fuel economy unloaded vs towing the airstream on the highway. I've been averaging about 12.5 mpg (calculated, odometer is a bit off from the tires) during normal commute, but peaked at a calculated 17.5 mpg on mountain highways in colorado in July

 

[excessive]

welcome! the leak is from your 3rd brake light, i'll put money on it.

 

[Mike NXP]

welcome! the leak is from your 3rd brake light, i'll put money on it.

This brings me to my latest concept , we all start placing bets on what new post issues might be..... Winner splits the pot with Mud 50/50 lol jk

 

[LX470Airstreamer]

That Airstream is hot!

It just came out of a 4-year renovation. We got it done just in time for the Florida trip. We plan to take our other (smaller) vintage Airstream on our trip next year. We are headed from PA to Oregon and back. The trip is slated to be just a bit over a month in duration.

 

[LX470Airstreamer]

Very cool, sounds like you found a winner.... Nothing like a test ride for both a new truck and old trailer, full send to Florida ! lol looks awesome.

Yeah, rear brake light is most likely your culprit for the leak, I've seen a handful of forums mentioning this and since you said it was replaced......

Do you mind sharing mileage + price paid? Good to better understand the current market for these trucks.

Here are some pics of the third brake light. It has an obvious and very straight break on the left side where the reflector ends and the light bar begins. It has been repaired and "sealed," and I missed all of this when I went to look at and buy the truck in April. This rear cargo area leak is not a new thing. It has been wet before...and from what I can tell, it is about the only thing to complain about with this particular truck. I will get a new one and get it replaced. Unfortunately, here in PA, we are going to get the remnants of Hurricane Debby and several inches of rain tomorrow.

We paid $15,500 and it had, at that time, 203K.

 

[LX470Airstreamer]

Congrats! It's a beaut!

Now send it to the south before your weather ruins it.

I have had it Krown (under)coated and plan to every year. I will also spray it off regularly over the winter...and drive it as little as possible. We don't get as much snow here as we used to, but the road departments still spray. It is almost too nice for PA's weather, but it is what I needed and the right truck that came to me at the right time. I plan to enjoy it and take care of it to the very best of my ability and resources.

 

[LX470Airstreamer]

I'm curious about your fuel economy unloaded vs towing the airstream on the highway. I've been averaging about 12.5 mpg (calculated, odometer is a bit off from the tires) during normal commute, but peaked at a calculated 17.5 mpg on mountain highways in colorado in July

We averaged about 10.5 MPG towing to Florida. This with a 4480 lb., fully-loaded trailer and four grown humans. Around town/regular driving, I average 15-16 MPG. I think.

 

[Zuberg]

Here are some pics of the third brake light. It has an obvious and very straight break on the left side where the reflector ends and the light bar begins. It has been repaired and "sealed," and I missed all of this when I went to look at and buy the truck in April. This rear cargo area leak is not a new thing. It has been wet before...and from what I can tell, it is about the only thing to complain about with this particular truck. I will get a new one and get it replaced. Unfortunately, here in PA, we are going to get the remnants of Hurricane Debby and several inches of rain tomorrow.

We paid $15,500 and it had, at that time, 203K.

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Love the new truck AND the airstream. Congratulations!

I'm starting to shop airstreams and looking at similar sized trailers. How did your lx handle the 24 footer?

 

[LX470Airstreamer]

Love the new truck AND the airstream. Congratulations!

I'm starting to shop airstreams and looking at similar sized trailers. How did your lx handle the 24 footer?

It handled fabulously. We learned, on the second to last driving day, that it handled MUCH better when the adjustable shocks were set on 3 or 4 (Sport Mode). On 2 (Comfort Mode), we had some wishy-washy rear truck sway and the trailer pulled us even when a full-sized pickup truck or van passed us...this is only "supposed" to happen when a semi passes. Putting the selector on 3 took care of it all, and solved the handling problems immediately. I never felt unsafe.

When looking into Airstreams, you can't compare apples to apples when it comes to lengths. Airstream trailers made up until 1968 are much lighter, foot for foot, than newer ones. A new 24' Airstream weighs considerably more than my 1961 24 footer.

 

[MongooseGA]

We averaged about 10.5 MPG towing to Florida. This with a 4480 lb., fully-loaded trailer and four grown humans. Around town/regular driving, I average 15-16 MPG. I think.

That's pretty healthy for a 100.

 

[Zuberg]

It handled fabulously. We learned, on the second to last driving day, that it handled MUCH better when the adjustable shocks were set on 3 or 4 (Sport Mode). On 2 (Comfort Mode), we had some wishy-washy rear truck sway and the trailer pulled us even when a full-sized pickup truck or van passed us...this is only "supposed" to happen when a semi passes. Putting the selector on 3 took care of it all, and solved the handling problems immediately. I never felt unsafe.

When looking into Airstreams, you can't compare apples to apples when it comes to lengths. Airstream trailers made up until 1968 are much lighter, foot for foot, than newer ones. A new 24' Airstream weighs considerably more than my 1961 24 footer.

Great information. Thank you! Did not know that about 1968 and earlier airstreams.

 

[nissanh]

The price you pay reflects the condition it is in. I got my 2000 for less than 5K and did a trip to FL right after, at cruise the best it did was 12.5 MPG and most of the time 10.5 MPG WITHOUT towing. After a good TLC, I am getting 12.5 in town and 16-17.5 on highway at 80+ MPH. Yes I did put about 15K to get to the current condition of my 2000. Oh.. you can get OEM parts from Dubai UAE partsouq.com. Enter the VIN and search parts catalog. Pay via paypal, ship via fedex and I get it to my door in 4 days! and very reliable.

For the crack on the 3rd brake light, appliy some clear silicone (sorry, I watch a lot of deadliest journeys documtaries in Africa, on youtube and see how they fix their toyota's)

Make sure you do the heater T's if it hasen't been done recently.

 

[LX470Airstreamer]

For the crack on the 3rd brake light, appliy some clear silicone (sorry, I watch a lot of deadliest journeys documtaries in Africa, on youtube and see how they fix their toyota's)

Make sure you do the heater T's if it hasen't been done recently.

A previous owner has some kind of sealant in the crack on the brake light. I plan to replace it wit ha good part.

Heater T's are on my list. Hoping to go with stainless and do a full flush at the same time.

 

[Carpati]

Congrats. As an original owner of a 2003 LandCruiser in the TriState area, I would also recommend periodic cleaning of the sunroof drains. Also operate and lube the sunroof tracks regularly. I love the proportions of the 100 series - big, but not too wide for city driving.