new owner - 1996 LX 450 with questions and a pic (1 Viewer)

[lx450noob]

I just bought a 1996 LX 450 with 135k miles. Had good maintenance records, drove nicely, and the body/paint is in pretty good condition. I have a couple questions and was wondering if some of you could chime in.
1) On the way home from making the purchase (~150 mile trip) the check engine light came on. I took the car to an auto parts store and they ran the code for me and it came up as a p0401. I read about that here on the forums and it doesn't seem to be a huge deal... probably EGR or vsv. Anyone know where I can buy the vsv thing? Would it be a big deal if I just ignored the light and didn't fix the issue?
2) When I was test driving the vehicle, I wanted to test out the 4 wheel low. I popped it into 4 low and drove around the parking lot a couple times. Seemed to work fine. The ABS and Diff lock lights came on immediately on the dash. Is that normal? I would rather just drive it in 4 high all the time and not mess with 4 low if its not necessary. The only off roading I am planning on doing is taking this bad boy onto the beach. Does 4 high mode have sufficient beach driving capabilities? My lx450 does have the diff lock switch on the dash by the way.
3) The steering wheel is off centered. Like when I am driving straight, the wheel is cocked a little to the left. Is this a big deal?
4) I paid $6500. Fair price?
Thanks for listening! Excited to be diriving this beast!

 

[jeph]

Congrats on the new rig! Sounds like a good truck, the EGR code not a big deal i know a few guys driving with the light on, it's not perfect but it shouldn't cause any other damage. It's something you can address later. The ABS and Diff light coming on when your in 4 low is normal, the vehicle disables ABS, and the Center Diff is locked when in low. The steering wheel should be straight unless you have a lift and improper angles, get the alignment checked. Welcome!!

 

[chroad]

Welcome!

The steering wheel could also be off, even with proper alignment and steering geometry, due to alignment techs not centering the track rod properly with the tie rods... i.e., if you measure the threads showing on the DS tie rod you will find it more/less than the threads showing on the PS. All three of my vehicles now feature this ****-eyed steering wheel despite all being in alignment; I just haven't done anything about it. I fixed that on a 3rd gen truck and a Camry I used to own. CAREFUL!--you must be careful if you try to fix it yourself because you can throw your rig out of alignment quickly by doing it yourself.

I drive with the 0401 code... haven't successfully tracked down my issue and don't have time to pursue it regularly. I will probably do the resistor mod soon and delete EGR system for the sake of time and cash.

$6500 for 135k and locking diffs? Or did you mean that you already have the CDL switch added? Either way, $6500 for 135k miles on a clean rig would be fantastic in my area. Sounds like a solid purchase!

 

[chroad]

Is that the black or green color? And where did you purchase the vehicle, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Delancy]

Sounds like a killer deal, regardless of front and rear diff locks.

Say goodbye to expendable cash.

 

[lx450noob]

Welcome!

$6500 for 135k and locking diffs? Or did you mean that you already have the CDL switch added? Either way, $6500 for 135k miles on a clean rig would be fantastic in my area. Sounds like a solid purchase!

$6500 including the locking diffs. I just bought this 2 days ago so I haven't done any mods, and I don't think I will do too many mods. It also came with the brush guard and Hella lights on the front with matching tail light protectors. Not sure the correct names for that stuff.

To answer the other questions... the color is black. I found it on ebay and purchased it in Philadelphia.

 

[lx450noob]

Sounds like a killer deal, regardless of front and rear diff locks.

Say goodbye to expendable cash.

I bought this vehicle because I thought it was so reliable that I wouldn't have to spend my expendable cash on repairs. Are you referring to potential mods that I would be spending money on?

 

[CJF]

1) Pull off the brush guards. They become "damage multipliers" in a fender-bender.

2) No reason *not* to use low range/locked center on soft sand. Much easier on the tranny.

3) Welcome.

Curtis

 

[Delancy]

I bought this vehicle because I thought it was so reliable that I wouldn't have to spend my expendable cash on repairs. Are you referring to potential mods that I would be spending money on?

Hope that proves true for you.

I purchased under the same presumption. Less miles, more money, and I've yet to stop on PM, some of which may or may not be necessitated.

One that is. PHH and cooling system components. Will extend the life of the head gasket.

But, yes. I'm taking about mods.

 

[Blueegg]

Looks like a good deal to me.

4-low is your friend.

 

[napstermike]

nice purchase. are you in the tri-state area? looking to get some folks together for a run somewhere/sometime.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Regarding the p0401 code. It's only a big deal if you live somewhere that requires a smog check. Sure, there's something wrong with the the vsv, egr, vacuum hoses, etc. but nothing that would keep your rig from running.

 

[lx450noob]

nice purchase. are you in the tri-state area? looking to get some folks together for a run somewhere/sometime.

Not from the tri-state area.

------

Thank you for all of your responses guys!

 

[DBWood]

"I just bought this 2 days ago so I haven't done any mods, and I don't think I will do too many mods"

LOL! Famous last words! You will get the bug...

Looks like a good buy. Especially if it is as clean as it looks.
You could pull all the damage multipliers off and sell them. You will hate them later.

These are very reliable rigs, they just need maintenance, which is sometimes not cheap. The good thing is, even if you are not a mechanic they are easy to learn on.

Cheers and

 

[jlg32281]

my 401 was fixed by replacing the vsv. i would only replace it if you have the intake off for other reasons since the only difference since i fixed it is a dash without the light on. i would get a scan guage/ultraguage and clear it every time comes on until you're digging into the engine for something else.

seems like a good deal, enjoy.

 

[lxfourandahalf]

My 401 was also the egr vsv. I didn't take the intake off to do it though

 

[NorCalDoug]

my 401 was fixed by replacing the vsv. i would only replace it if you have the intake off for other reasons since the only difference since i fixed it is a dash without the light on. i would get a scan guage/ultraguage and clear it every time comes on until you're digging into the engine for something else.

seems like a good deal, enjoy.

If for whatever reason you remove the intake off, do yourself a huge favor and replace all the vacuum lines/tubes under there. They're a major PITA to get to otherwise.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[Silver surf]

The fact that you found this website is bad news. I picked my 96 up 2 weeks ago and the wishlist/ mod list has grown daily.

 

[arndog123]

The fact that you found this website is bad news. I picked my 96 up 2 weeks ago and the wishlist/ mod list has grown daily.

So true and it never ends.

 

[lt403]

congrats and welcome aboard. best vehicle you will ever own