New Guy Intro - 2001 LX - My first

[qwopzxm]

So I've been lurking for a few months and finally jumped in and purchased my first 100 series. It's also my first off-road/expedition vehicle ever.





It's a one owner 2001 LX470 with 176k miles. I bought if from an executive I work with and ended up having to match what the local Lexus dealership was going to give him as trade-in value because he was buying his wife a new a new LX570.

It's bone stock and has spent it's entire life as a So Cal mall cruiser. It hasn't seen anything other than a Lexus dealership for all of it's scheduled maintenance and mechanically it seems pretty solid.

I've noticed some of the smaller issues common to a 100 series getting close to 200K miles. No "D" light, driveshaft clunk, etc. but I'm very impressed with it so far.

Anyways, I'm really looking forward to participating more as an owner here and getting to know all of you guys. I'll be kicking it off by starting my build thread.

Thanks to all of you for helping educate me before making this purchase.

-Matt
So Cal - South OC

 

[Duiser Offroad]

Nice, what are your build plans??

 

[qwopzxm]

Thanks Duiser.

Right now I am hitting the easy stuff. Took off the running boards and trying to decide on a new set of tires.

Any suggestions on an aggressive A/T tread tire? Most of my off-roading will be overlanding dessert in So Cal. I'd love to keep the nice on-road characteristics of the LX. Searching here gives me a ton of options so it's nice to get people's opinions.

Oh and in true new guy fashion I think it's mandatory that I ask:
What is the biggest tire I can fit without a lift?
AND
I was taking my running boards off and found some kind of weight on the frame. WTH is that?

 

[mcgaskins]

37s fit stock and that weight is C4 explosives. Good luck!

 

[ElHefe]

Do a search on the weight and you'll see that it is for vibration dampening. If you post up a thread asking, you'll get flamed as the topic has been covered a number of times. In short, don't remove it.