New LX owner in MN

[Mueller]

Just wanted to introduce myself as a new member here. I just purchased a VERY clean 97 LX450 with 87k miles, no lockers, no roof rack, no rust Texas vehicle about 2 weeks ago. Here in MN this is a truly rare find with all of the rust buckets...

What a wonderful vehicle. We just took it on a 1k mile road trip over the Thanks giving weekend and it was great.

This forum is a great source of info and I have already placed my first order with Dan. I am on a slippery slope

Planing on an OME lift and 285's with ARB bumper in the future.
Not too many cruiser enthusiasts in the mid west...

 

[CELICA XX]

Very nice... looks like a deal !!!

 

[woody]

whatta ya mean, not too many?

There is a MN forum and a WI forum linked at the bottom of the main forum pages...

I was just in InverGrove and Rochester this weekend, and went out to breakfast on Sat with Poser from LCR4WD....Oscars on 52-S...tastee stuff

welcome

 

[Romer]

Welcome, I have the same color lexus. One of the davantages to the Lexus is it has the entire internal harness for factory lockers. The ECU, Rotory Switch, hraness from the locker to the panels, different short side axle and the lockers and you will have the factory locker setup.

Nice Color

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Looking good! Thats pretty low mileage, not many 80's with it that low anymore.

I lived in Minneapolis for about 8 years and spent a lot of time trying to fight the road salt. I used bundle up and then head to the car wash once a week and spray off the undercarriage and then park it in a heated garage to dry out ..... that was my 60 and it survived well. Best of luck.

....... oh and a IH8Mud salute to you

 

[pnwadventurer]

Nice find. Congratulations on the purchase.

 

[Mueller]

Thanks Woody, I will have to check those forums out.

I have relatives in Appleton and travel there a few time a year.

Where do you go wheeling around the WI area?

 

[Mueller]

Romer, your LX is what I would want mine to be eventually. Loved the ROTW write-up you did. It was great to see the truck evolve from a mall cruiser to a serious off road vehicle

 

[woody]

Thanks Woody, I will have to check those forums out.

I have relatives in Appleton and travel there a few time a year.

Where do you go wheeling around the WI area?

Off to Attica IN this weekend...not too much in WI for wheelin unfortuantely unless you like MUD McCaslin Mt has some decent stuff, Dresser, Antigo area, and a few others....

keep an eye on the WI corner as stuff comes up...and the MnToys do quite a bit as well.

 

[Mueller]

Thanks for the advice woody!

 

[Mueller]

Just ordered on of your cool stickers for the truck

 

[redcheetah]

welcome

Welcome! Good find on the low mileage!

 

[Ting]

My twins...No roof rack too! Good find!

welcome

 

[Mueller]

Low mileage, no rust, and no factory rust magnet I mean roof rack...

Couldn't pass it up.

Here is what I have done so far:

Baseline fluids (difs, transfer case, engine oil)
Fixed washer fluid diverter valve
Removed running boards and added factory mud flaps (thanks Dan)
Changed air filter with OEM

PM that needs to be done in the near future:

Change transmission, ps, brake fluids
Do a coolant flush with the PHH replacement. (not looking forward to this at all)
Tighten front DS wheel bearing (feel a very slight wobble)
Replace antenna mast (if I could just figure out how to get the dang thing out...)
Investigate the slight rattle I have in "D" when stopped (this seems pretty common)
Install CDL switch and cup holder
Front axle service when it gets warm in the spring



Questions:
Newer bilstines were installed not too long ago <20k. Does anyone know if bilstines that work with a stock vehicle would also work with OME springs yielding a 2.5" lift?

I plan to outfit this vehicle for mild wheeling and expedition style camping trips. We have a Utah trip in the works for early summer next year. Let the upgrading begin!

What have I started?

 

[Mueller]

Ting how is that supercharger working out for you? Worth the $$$ ?

What other, if any, upgrades did you have to do when installing it? Fuel or cooling systems upgrades?

 

[Ting]

Ting how is that supercharger working out for you? Worth the $$$ ?

What other, if any, upgrades did you have to do when installing it? Fuel or cooling systems upgrades?

PO did it at 58K miles! Ask Romer, and a few people who just did it.

 

[sjcruiser]

Fixed washer fluid diverter valve

How did you fix it? Others have reported replacing the part instead as it's deemed not fixable.

Newer bilstines were installed not too long ago <20k. Does anyone know if bilstines that work with a stock vehicle would also work with OME springs yielding a 2.5" lift?

This is my current setup; and it's great!!!
(Previous setup was OME low lift springs with matching N73/N74E shock absorbers)

 

[Mueller]

Good to hear that I just need to upgrade the springs and possibly do a caster correction.

It was a bad choice of words to say that I "fixed" the valve. I replaced it with a new one that came from Dan

 

[mot]

Welcome aboard!

Mot

 

[Mueller]

Welcome aboard!

Mot

Thanks! I have been lurking here for quite sometime.

It is a good feeling to finally be able to contribute