*Rickashay's 97' LX450* - "Tom Cruiser"

[rickashay]

Would you post the procedure, process or challenges you encounter as you work through those windows and vents? I'm not sure how hard it's going to be to replace the full seal but I'd appreciate any advice.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

Yah I can do a write-up once I get around to doing it. Shouldnt be a problem!

Wow... makes me wish I lived there.
Scratch that I do live there- Makes me wish I actually left Lethbridge with my truck!
(wish I worked on my truck more...)

Great pictures!

Haha Yah you'll need to meet up with us Lethbridge guys sometime. So much gorgeous country to explore in the Crowsnest!

UPDATES

Spent the last couple days working on the Cruiser instead of going out to the mountains. I guess I just decided that I need to start putting in more time on the LX to have it ready for Moab in May. Sacrifices.

IS300 Steering Wheel Installed:

20130116-IMG_2133.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Spline count is the same and the wheel is currently installed. Still need to figure out the wiring for the cruise control module and also get the airbag working. I found an OEM Toyota airbag adaptor that I ordered so, fingers crossed, that will make the bag work. Cruiser control shouldn't be too bad as the connector on the IS300 wheel and the body-side of the steering wheel harness on the LX, are identical. They are however pinned in a different order but once I get some time I think the wheel will be 100% functional!

My work over the last couple of days:
- Oil change on the LX. My first one since owning it, and I did it early! I've only put ~3000 kms on the truck since buying it in May. Sad.
- Installed TJM Stealth 12k winch
- did a Solenoid Box relocation under the hood and away from the elements
- put on my Amsteel Blue 7/16" Synthetic line and found out my Factor 55 thimble is now too small. It will be for sale soon if anyone is interested!
- Installed my Factor 55 1.5" fairlead, this thing is beefy.
- Painted my Toyota grille black around the edges, leaving the center gunmetal
- Also painted all the headlight trim black to match
- Broke the spring on my fuel door. lol
- And took some poser shots with my new lens....


20130116-IMG_2136.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20130116-IMG_2142.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20130116-IMG_2123.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Factor 55 lookin' purdy:

20130116-IMG_2130.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

 

[jfz80]

She's a beaut Clark.

Looking forward to hearing about your success with the steering wheel. I like that one.

 

[rickashay]

She's a beaut Clark.

Looking forward to hearing about your success with the steering wheel. I like that one.

Thanks! I've now got the airbag adaptor in hand and just need to try swapping the cruiser control stalk. Too bad it's -35 Degrees Celcius outside today... not happening.

Just got this photo sent to me by Josh at Whitson Metalworks. He has finished up my roof rack and it's ready to ship. This guys does awesome work. I drew the rack on some graph paper and pretty much told him to build it. He built the rack on my 3rd Gen 4Runner and I could not of been happier, so I approached him with this project for my 80. It's dimensionally very similar in size to the Baja Rack. I am going to be trimming my rain gutter mounts so that the rack sits 1/2" off the top of the roof, as the goal is to keep it as low as possible.


LX450 Rack - Whitson Metal Works by RickaShay24, on Flickr

 

[native1]

Any pics with your new rack installed yet?

 

[Infidel]

I'm curious, what are the advantages if the is300 steering wheel? Is it just for looks? And what are the buttons on the side of it?

That roof rack looks sweet!

 

[rickashay]

Any pics with your new rack installed yet?

Sorry don't have it up in Canada yet. The guy who built it is in Florida and he's currently building a roof rack for a 3rd gen 4Runner that is semi-close to me. So I'm waiting so both racks can be shipped up at once to split the freight costs. I'll get some photos when it lands and I build a plexi wind fairing for the front.

I'm curious, what are the advantages if the is300 steering wheel? Is it just for looks? And what are the buttons on the side of it?

That roof rack looks sweet!

My LX450 wheel was in really rough shape. I was originally going to get a re-finished one from Shane but for the price I just thought I would try something else. I also hate the LX450 seats and my original plan before I thought of the steering wheel, was to swap to IS300 seats. I found a good IS300 donor car and ended up buying the seats and steering wheel. I like the IS wheel though because A) it's in much better shape than my old wheel B) the overall diameter is a tiny bit smaller and gives me more leg room under the wheel C) it's a thick wheel and has a great overall feel D) It's still a Lexus/Toyota product and not aftermarket E) Im going to wire the old "shift" buttons for winch controls and a switch for my LED ligth bar.

 

[thatcabledude]

E) Im going to wire the old "shift" buttons for winch controls and a switch for my LED ligth bar.

That is a pretty cool idea.

 

[scottryana]

Are those LC headlights installed with an LX grill?

 

[rickashay]

Are those LC headlights installed with an LX grill?

LX headlights with a LC grille!

 

[scottryana]

Hmm Ok Damn I need to go the other way lol

...via IH8MUD app

 

[rickashay]

Sneak peak at my custom roof rack built by Josh @ Whitson Metalworks.



I've got a lot of updates coming as Im heading to Moab in 4 weeks. Stay tuned for the goods!

 

[HDJDub]

That roof rack looks great! I'm looking forward to seeing what you do for your retrofit on the depo lights. I really like the orange glow from the shroud on that 4th gen 4runner you did, that could look really good on the 80?

Random question, did you toss all your cladding/flares? I'm looking for the metal bracket off the right rear flare where it has the rivet/screw that holds it to the body.

 

[Tapage]

awesome build .. can tell your IS steering wheel looks super nice .. sadly it will look odd on a Cruiser ( not Lexus )

 

[rickashay]

That roof rack looks great! I'm looking forward to seeing what you do for your retrofit on the depo lights. I really like the orange glow from the shroud on that 4th gen 4runner you did, that could look really good on the 80?

Random question, did you toss all your cladding/flares? I'm looking for the metal bracket off the right rear flare where it has the rivet/screw that holds it to the body.

Thanks! Yah I've thought about doing some amber halos or something but Im still undecided. Probably going to cram some LS460 projectors in those DEPO's to keep the Lexus theme going.

Cladding is still in my garage but I will be selling it in it's entirety. I've already had a few PMs about it, just need to get some photos of the stuff and box it up to ship!

awesome build .. can tell your IS steering wheel looks super nice .. sadly it will look odd on a Cruiser ( not Lexus )

Thanks! Hey the Celica and Matrix wheels are identical and have the Toyota "T" in the center!


Well as I prepare for Moab next month, things are slowly turning from a pile of parts in my garage to something more substantial. I am picking away at the "to-do" list hour by hour as I find time. This weekend was allocated to getting my sleeping platform sorted and onto the right track. Not doing drawers at this point in time, although I suspect I will be adding an upper layer in the future. Right now I've got sleeping for 1 (and maybe the dog?) covered as well as some dedicated storage for pieces that will follow me even after I make basecamp and head to the trails.

I used 3/4" plywood with an Okoume veneer. The finish is very nice and I liked the color. The 2x4 is cedar for some contrast and grain factor.

20130412-IMG_2290.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

As you can see, I countersunk some D-Rings in the sleeping area to allow for storage when Im not catching Z's. Not pictured, is the Hi-Lift which sits perfectly behind the front seats and is captured in place by the platform. You can access the Hi-Lift from either side and yet the weight is being kept low and the mass is contained so in case of a rollover, it won't eject and remove one of my limbs.

Once I reach the point of final assembly (after staining the wood) I will also be installing my ARB dual compressor in the passenger rear area. If you look close enough you can actually see the harness peaking out of those rear vent louvers. This should provide me fairly quick access to my air source via opening the hatch. I'll grab more photos of this once I get it assembled.

Super super excited for this mod - The ARB Fridge/Freezer. I've been dreaming of having this essential piece of camping gear ever since I got into wheeling, finally it's about to come to fruition.

20130412-IMG_2292.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

While I was at it, I FINALLY installed my Slee belly skid/transmission crossmember. This thing is super beefy and provides some needed coverage under there.

A few poser shots from the drive to my house (just moved but my garage is a short 2 hour commute... lol):

20130410-IMG_2274.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

20130410-IMG_2278.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

20130410-IMG_2287.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

 

[Tapage]

like this one .?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-2005-T...Parts_Accessories&hash=item19e9279425&vxp=mtr

only missing center cap ..

 

[scrowley]

Nice build thread. Your going to love the ARB. #2 best mod I did with #1 being rear cargo storage that the arb mounts too. Great having nice cold beer and BBQ meat without the hassle of daily ice. Almost feels a bit wierd having that ammenity out in the woods.

 

[BlacknBlue2002]

Really love those wheels - checked the website but it doesn't look like they currently have the 3.5" B.S. version...which I think adds to the look of the wheel/stance setup you have - overall very nice build

 

[rickashay]

like this one .?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-2005-T...Parts_Accessories&hash=item19e9279425&vxp=mtr

only missing center cap ..

Yah that's the one! Again, super nice wheel. Do it!

Nice build thread. Your going to love the ARB. #2 best mod I did with #1 being rear cargo storage that the arb mounts too. Great having nice cold beer and BBQ meat without the hassle of daily ice. Almost feels a bit wierd having that ammenity out in the woods.

Yah it's going to be quite the novelty. I'm sure Im going to enjoy it. Still wanting a drawer setup but that will come next year when time permits.

Really love those wheels - checked the website but it doesn't look like they currently have the 3.5" B.S. version...which I think adds to the look of the wheel/stance setup you have - overall very nice build

Thanks! I agree, the 3.5" BS works great on the Cruiser. The only way I'll go back to 4.5" BS is if my next set of tires is super wide and requires the backspacing to be lower. I'll be doing 36x15.5x16 or some 37x12.50x17 next time around.

The countdown to MOAB has begun - leaving Canada May 5th. Stoked.

 

[rickashay]

Got back into Canada last night from my epic 2 week long US Adventure. It's interesting how no matter how much you plan and prepare for adversity, you still never know where you will end up. More words and photos to come, but a few teasers for now:

Thanks @Cruiserdrew for supplying me with a spare Master Cylinder at a random coffee shop in Moab. It would have killed half my trip if fate did not provide me with an immediate master cylinder. Hope your trip went well Andrew!

 

[leucadiacruiser]

Great photos of a great looking rig. Today's inspiration.