Just wanted to introduce myself and say thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and experience on here.
I purchased a 99 lx back in late April with 284k on the clock. In really good shape with the same owner for the last 20 years. Ran fine but knew it needed a few things to get it back up to snuff for daily driving and of course quite the clunk. Also has a nice little rust stop right at the bottom of the liftgate from a leaky third brake light. After spending a few weeks assessing it I struck out on my restoration journey.
Started with ordering some globes of impeccable since the AHC system still raised and lowered just fine, just did not pass the grad test. Waiting on those gave me time to do the radiator and Ts, which were so brittle they crumbled once I tried to pull from the hose. Globes went in just fine and the ride improved a fair amount. Still ended up adding King springs for the rear to get pressures in spec.
Next up was trying to get the clunk sorted. Had already greased everything in the drivetrain which was longggg overdue, saw a little improvement, but she clunked hard still. Next up was the front differential supports, thankfully I knew exactly how to get the front bushing off easy courtesy of the info here. Again, slight improvement, but I knew there was likely more going with the CVs and drive flanges than I hoped.
Over the last couple weeks I decided to redo most of the front end, to include the flanges and CVs. While I was in there, I figured 284k was well beyond life expectancy for the ball joints up front. Also had some power stop front rotors from the PO that needed to go on while it was all off. After removing the flanges I knew the bearings would be toast as well. Driver side had FIPG as a seal and the passenger dust cap was, in fact, full of dust. The driver side locking nut was not even hand tight, with some nice chisel marks. Had new bearings and races ready to go so in they went. After getting all back together all I can say is WOW. Clunk is gone! The front end just feels better now. Smooth over bumps, steering is more responsive and I actually feel the cloud ride of AHC now.
Done a few other little things here and there, new radio, D indicator light (really made me wish I had an LC HA).
Up next is probably the windshield trim as my drivers side is starting release off the roof. No leaks but only a matter of time. After that I’ll have to stop dragging my feet and paint and put on the liftgate I have riding in the back seat. I did order a new steering rack from Toyota of Decatur so I’ll wait for cooler weather to start thinking about that bear.
Anyway, thanks everyone, I’ve really enjoyed learning a bunch throughout the process. Here’s the rig. Needs bigger tires I know.
Chuck
I purchased a 99 lx back in late April with 284k on the clock. In really good shape with the same owner for the last 20 years. Ran fine but knew it needed a few things to get it back up to snuff for daily driving and of course quite the clunk. Also has a nice little rust stop right at the bottom of the liftgate from a leaky third brake light. After spending a few weeks assessing it I struck out on my restoration journey.
Started with ordering some globes of impeccable since the AHC system still raised and lowered just fine, just did not pass the grad test. Waiting on those gave me time to do the radiator and Ts, which were so brittle they crumbled once I tried to pull from the hose. Globes went in just fine and the ride improved a fair amount. Still ended up adding King springs for the rear to get pressures in spec.
Next up was trying to get the clunk sorted. Had already greased everything in the drivetrain which was longggg overdue, saw a little improvement, but she clunked hard still. Next up was the front differential supports, thankfully I knew exactly how to get the front bushing off easy courtesy of the info here. Again, slight improvement, but I knew there was likely more going with the CVs and drive flanges than I hoped.
Over the last couple weeks I decided to redo most of the front end, to include the flanges and CVs. While I was in there, I figured 284k was well beyond life expectancy for the ball joints up front. Also had some power stop front rotors from the PO that needed to go on while it was all off. After removing the flanges I knew the bearings would be toast as well. Driver side had FIPG as a seal and the passenger dust cap was, in fact, full of dust. The driver side locking nut was not even hand tight, with some nice chisel marks. Had new bearings and races ready to go so in they went. After getting all back together all I can say is WOW. Clunk is gone! The front end just feels better now. Smooth over bumps, steering is more responsive and I actually feel the cloud ride of AHC now.
Done a few other little things here and there, new radio, D indicator light (really made me wish I had an LC HA).
Up next is probably the windshield trim as my drivers side is starting release off the roof. No leaks but only a matter of time. After that I’ll have to stop dragging my feet and paint and put on the liftgate I have riding in the back seat. I did order a new steering rack from Toyota of Decatur so I’ll wait for cooler weather to start thinking about that bear.
Anyway, thanks everyone, I’ve really enjoyed learning a bunch throughout the process. Here’s the rig. Needs bigger tires I know.
Chuck
