Pig-Rig LX 470 "Build/Restore" thread

[CloudCity]

I figured I'd go ahead and start my own revitalization thread here for my 2004 LX 470 known as The Pig-Rig. The name is derived from my dog, Piggy (AKA Wiggle the Pit, Notorious P.I.G., Chief Piggums, etc.) and serves daily duty as her personal staff car. That's her being sultry below.

I'll put each individual service item as its own post so folks can reply to a specific topic if they have comments or questions. I'll try and go back and add pics over time.

First up, I bought my 2004 LX 470 on June 30th, 2018 after spending about 4-months searching all over the Pacific Northwest. It had 247,000 miles when I got her and come with a stack of receipts and dealer invoices from the previous owner who performed virtually every service the dealer recommended and penny of work himself. He even provided me with the schedule of expected upcoming services to get her to 300,000 miles.

Additionally, here are some of my threads located around the 100-series forum:
Subwoofer video, what's going on here?
Did brake flush cause new Master Cylinder problems?
Pollution Sensor Adjustment
Fixed My Sticky Gas Pedal

 

[CloudCity]

In June I purchased several items such as Weathertech Floor and Cargo Liners all around.
$207.90 Floor Mats (2-front, one wide rear)
$129.95 Cargo Liner

I cut the cargo liner where the seat mount are so it can be used with the seats fitted.

 

[CloudCity]

In July 2018 I purchased a large cement mixing tub from Home Depot to use for draining fluids, cost $12.

Spare gallon of coolant from auto parts store: $14.99

Purchased a cargo net from the Toyota Dealer for $35

I also bought Heater T's from the dealer and all associated hoses and clamps. Total cost was $163 from Toyota

Also purchased a spare Thermostat and gasket from Toyota dealer for $28 & $6

 

[CloudCity]

Went to the local fabric store (Portland's infamous Fabric Depot) and bought some grey headliner material to make a soft touch interior for my center console and glove box. Too difficult to fit to glove box and lower console so only installed in top shallow console area. Cost was $8

 

[CloudCity]

More stuff for July 2018

Rebuilt the foam on all my speakers including doors and subwoofer. $87.80

Purchased and installed Grom brand Aux-in and used the cigarette lighter port for its placement. $84.22 (self installed)

Purchased a Covercraft sunshade in blue to match my paint color, very happy with this item! $49.50

New set of carpeted floor mats from Lexus dealer online (Bell Lexus of Scottsdale eBay store): $100.97

 

[CloudCity]

July 17, 2018, Some dealer service items here...

Brake fluid flush, coolant flush, 4-wheel alignment, replace missing (!!!) front lower strut bolts, fuel induction/throttle body & injector flush: $659.70 (I was given a $100 credit towards my next service as they forgot to apply my 15% "High Mileage Club" discount.)

 

[CloudCity]

July 18, 2018
I purchased a new Accelerator Pedal Assembly (with sensor) from a local Toyota dealer after noticing my pedal was "notchy" and was sticking slightly. $518.22

 

[MongooseGA]

Interested in the idea you had to cover the console. Were you just going to upholster the hard plastic?

Also curious about the carpet mats you bought. That's only $100 for all 4 (front 2, one middle, one rear)? I think even if it didn't include the rear mat that's way less than I'd have expected from a dealer. New mats really bring up an interior.

Good lord... missing a shock bolt? I bet you had a little sigh when you found that out!

 

[CloudCity]

7-18-2018
Toyota dealer who did the brake flush re-checked because brakes were making squealing sound they didn't make prior to the flush, confirmed air in system, re-bled and sent home with me. Also corrected steering wheel angle ($79)

 

[CloudCity]

8-3-2018
Brake system was still squealing and all typical lights came on again on dash so it went to Lexus dealer this time. New brake assembly was in order due to air being in system and damaging it. $2,894 which includes a courtesy discount from Lexus Corporate.

 

[CloudCity]

8-7-2018
Purchased and replaced the little side mounted seatbelt hangar for second row $20.59

8-9-2018
Purchased factory original grille from Lexus dealer (Ira Lexus of Bedford NH): $345.56

 

[CloudCity]

New hood cowl clips to retain rubber seal at bottom of windshield. $26.98 for 10 clips

 

[CloudCity]

10-3-2018
New heater blower fan: $143.86
New evaporator box cooler packing (foam strip): $11.13

 

[CloudCity]

New radiator cap (no signs it was needed, just pre-emptive maintenance): $12.25

HVAC Evaporator refreshing kit to clean AC and heater vents, odor eliminator: $27.49

 

[CloudCity]

Interested in the idea you had to cover the console. Were you just going to upholster the hard plastic?

Yes, I tried a 3M adhesive spray first but it didn't stick, probably because I didn't rough the surface up, but I wasn't quite willing to do that until I knew this was my path forward. The headliner material is thick enough that I was able to cut it out and fold it, I'll grab a pic next time I'm in the car. I am also considering a paper type adhesive thats flocked on one side, but not sure it will hold up to summer heat, and also have been looking at flocking kits tho they seems a bit messy if I want to do the big console box with it in place.

Also curious about the carpet mats you bought. That's only $100 for all 4 (front 2, one middle, one rear)? I think even if it didn't include the rear mat that's way less than I'd have expected from a dealer. New mats really bring up an interior.

I will edit to clarify that I only got the two front and one wide rear carpet, no cargo mat. Yes it was a great price! Bell Lexus of Scottsdale, AZ. You can't get that price by ordering direct fyi so you have to find them on eBay and buy from the selection there. I did call the parts dept to verify my color code for mats and they were more than happy to help even tho they were aware I was buying the discounted eBay item from them. I've since ordered other smaller items from them, they're great!

Good lord... missing a shock bolt? I bet you had a little sigh when you found that out!

Both sides were missing the lower bolts! PO had front end work done months before I got the rig so they may have been missing that whole time. Yes, a huge sigh of relief on that one, could have been bad.

 

[nissanh]

If you like to buy online, try camelbacktoyota parts division. They got good prices and free shipping over 150 for most light weight items. You can also buy parts from Amayama.com and they have excellent prices and comes from Japan. Got my first order from them and no regrets. Both takes paypal.

 

[bentonrover]

Good for you. With those miles how the diffs, transfer box, and tranny look?

 

[CloudCity]

Good for you. With those miles how the diffs, transfer box, and tranny look?

The PO treated this rig like he gave birth to it personally and all the fluids were fresh or recently done and inspection of most backed that up. The oil was honey colored, everything shifts as it should, no slop or issues, CV boots intact and no leaks, it really was the perfect rig for me so I jumped on it. He even put a new set of Dueler ATs on it shortly before listing it for sale. He said none of these services were done with the intention of prepping it for sale but just his normal maintenance routine and he was selling it only because he decided to pick up an LX 570 to replace this one because it served him so well.
I've said it before but I love asking people to guess the mileage on my rig and they usually look it over inside and out and say somewhere between 30,000 to 60,000 miles.

 

[CloudCity]

Earlier in the week I also purchased a "cavity wax extension wand" from a local automotive paint supply store to inject Fluid Film up into the upper rear hatch area as I am showing minor corrosion signs and want to nip it in the bud. It fits perfectly into the small drain holes and allow you to mist the interior with rust preventative fluid derived from lamb's wool (lanolin).

I also removed and replaced my third light blanking plate that was allowing water in to the upper hatch area due to the foam seal having failed. I am working on a DIY article and will post a link when its done.

 

[saucebox]

I also removed and replaced my third light blanking plate that was allowing water in to the upper hatch area due to the foam seal having failed. I am working on a DIY article and will post a link when its done.

I'll follow this. Doesn't rain often here, but it's rained quite a bit this past week and I'm noticing wet spots in the back.