Hey guys, thanks for taking a look at this thread. I have been lurking for quite some time and have been searching locally for an 80 series/LX450. I found a '97 LX450 for sale locally, and was hoping I could get some opinions from you guys as to anything that you notice in these pictures that I should be aware of, as I am no mechanic. Here is a list of specs on the vehicle:
$11,500
1997 LX450
115,000 mi
3rd owner who does most of his own maintenance and builds buggies on the side, first was an easy driver but was involved in a collision that required repair of the passenger side frame horn (pictured), second was the owner of a 4x4 cruiser shop in Tennessee who added most of the mods
Interior condition is fair, leather needs some TLC as does the carpet but other than that everything works, no factory lockers
Paint needs work, is peeling on the hood but nothing too bad, no rust on the exterior
ARB winch bullbar, no winch
ARB side steps (welded on, are they usually? I cannot find much info on these) with side rails along fenders, heard they are rather useless?
ARB Safari Snorkel
Custom JKcustoms.com rear bumper w/tire and gas can carriers
Custom one-off skyjacker lift, I don't know too much about this but the current owner told me that the 2nd owner (a friend of his) had the lift made by skyjacker, custom including 4-5" of lift, springs, and track bars among all the other necessities I assume, it also has OME shocks
35" Toyo MT's, basically new on black steelies
K&N filter and new exhaust, tucked up out of the way
Now for what concerns me, in one picture it looks like there is rust on the frame, but I spose it could be mud as I was blindly taking pictures in the dark. Also, the front passenger frame horn has been welded from the accident it was in with the first owner, and is the only damage on the car. The car ran fine, has had some type of fan clutch replacement (I think) and other minor maintenance, but no head gasket or axle rebuilds yet. I will have to take that into consideration.
Please give me your honest opinion about the truck, and anything that sticks out to you that would need to be fixed immediately or given attention in the next year or so. It will be my DD and I will have to figure repairs in the price of the vehicle.
I will have the truck sent to JKcustoms to have a full inspection before purchase.
Pictures: http://webspace.utexas.edu/ack59/lexus.html
Thanks for any help that you guys can offer.
$11,500
1997 LX450
115,000 mi
3rd owner who does most of his own maintenance and builds buggies on the side, first was an easy driver but was involved in a collision that required repair of the passenger side frame horn (pictured), second was the owner of a 4x4 cruiser shop in Tennessee who added most of the mods
Interior condition is fair, leather needs some TLC as does the carpet but other than that everything works, no factory lockers
Paint needs work, is peeling on the hood but nothing too bad, no rust on the exterior
ARB winch bullbar, no winch
ARB side steps (welded on, are they usually? I cannot find much info on these) with side rails along fenders, heard they are rather useless?
ARB Safari Snorkel
Custom JKcustoms.com rear bumper w/tire and gas can carriers
Custom one-off skyjacker lift, I don't know too much about this but the current owner told me that the 2nd owner (a friend of his) had the lift made by skyjacker, custom including 4-5" of lift, springs, and track bars among all the other necessities I assume, it also has OME shocks
35" Toyo MT's, basically new on black steelies
K&N filter and new exhaust, tucked up out of the way
Now for what concerns me, in one picture it looks like there is rust on the frame, but I spose it could be mud as I was blindly taking pictures in the dark. Also, the front passenger frame horn has been welded from the accident it was in with the first owner, and is the only damage on the car. The car ran fine, has had some type of fan clutch replacement (I think) and other minor maintenance, but no head gasket or axle rebuilds yet. I will have to take that into consideration.
Please give me your honest opinion about the truck, and anything that sticks out to you that would need to be fixed immediately or given attention in the next year or so. It will be my DD and I will have to figure repairs in the price of the vehicle.
I will have the truck sent to JKcustoms to have a full inspection before purchase.
Pictures: http://webspace.utexas.edu/ack59/lexus.html
Thanks for any help that you guys can offer.