ROTW - NorCalDoug

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NorCalDoug

problems solved daily...
Joined
Oct 27, 2003
Threads
37
Messages
6,211
Location
uhhhh...duh...Northern CA
NorCalDoug – Locked 1997 Lexus LX 450 in Northern California – Sacramento Area.

Hey guys, sorry for the delay in getting my ROTW out to you all. On top of being late this week, I will be away with no ‘net access beginning Thursday night and going through Sunday – I’ll be at the 4th Annual Surf-n-Turf; I hope you understand. That said, I’ll be more than happy to answer questions about the rig any time after I return.

Here goes.
I owned a 1994 Land Cruiser, (purchased in 1996), for about 5 years and enjoyed it. It was stock the entire time I owned it (yeah, it had lockers :D). I took it on what I would now consider to be very mild trails, but at the time, they seemed pretty tough. I thoroughly enjoyed that cruiser. However, little things started to need replacing. Although I was active on the 80s_cool email lists, the community was nothing like what we have here at IH8MUD.com (many thanks to Woody for letting us hang out here and for letting the forum grow into what it is today). So, when things started to break, I did what most vehicle owners to…take it to the mechanic. Well, after spending around $3000 on various repairs and maintenance work, I decided that it might be a good time to get something newer. I started shopping around for locked 80s. It was slim pickin’s in California at that time. I searched for almost 3 months before finding a locked 1997 LX 450 at my local Lexus dealership. It had 51,000 miles on the odometer. It was being sold as a “Certified Pre-Owned Lexus.” The CPO warranty covered every item, from bumper to bumper, except for the clock and anything chromed (essentially the antenna).

Once I sold the 94 LC, I had some funds to begin adding some of the fun stuff.
I my research and came to the conclusion that there was really only one shop available, whose work I trusted, and also had everything I wanted; that shop was Slee Offroad. I knew Christo from the 80s_cool email days and remembered how he started his business out of his garage. I knew I wanted a front bumper, rear bumper, sliders and a lift. The OME 2.5 was pretty much my only choice unless I wanted to go up to th 5” kit.
I thought about getting everything shipped out to California, but given the shipping cost for all the heavy items I was getting, I thought it might be fun to just drive out to Colorado. I mentioned it to my wife…I thought she would shoot down the idea immediately, but the next day, she started talking about all the placed she’d want to visit on OUR trip to Colorado. :D The deal was done. We drove out to Golden, dropped the rig off for in the morning and when I returned later that day, it was ARB’d, Slee-slider’d, Slee-rear-bumper’d, and OME’d…it was also OEM-cupholder’d then too. What a transformation!

I see that I’m getting pretty long winded…so I’ll cut this short for now. Since then, I’ve added a few more things:
Lightforce 240 Blitzs
Safari Snorkel
Extended Diff Breathers
Drawer for rear cargo area
ARB fridge
2 12-volt outlets in the cargo area
XM Radio “Roady”
Garmin GPS V
FIAMM horns
Wheelskins (steering wheel cover)
Center diff lock switch
Husky floor liner -- front, 2nd, and cargo (cargo mat is not currently installed)
Replaced OEM Lexus Body Armor and Wheel Flares with black bedliner

I also carry:
- VIAIR compressor
- 110 v inverter
- Staun deflators
- digital tire air pressure guage
- tow strap, shackles, etc., etc., etc.

Need to install:
- Mildord Cargo Barrier that I haven’t installed yet
- Heavy duty rear control arms (I've had these guys for a couple years now)

Future plans:
- Slee 6" springs and all the bits that go with it
- Outback/Hannibal/Inti/Tradesman/etc. roof rack

Occasionally, I'll have a set of Yakima bars with a MegaWarrior rack (3 bars and rack with the extension added) on top.

She’s running on the OME Heavy springs (2.5” lift), 315/75 R16 Goodyear MT/Rs on cheap, black, steel wheels.

Stuff that I’ve had repaired since I’ve owned it (most of the work done under the CPO warranty):
- Windshield washer dirverter replaced 2 times (first replacement part
was bad).
- Rear driveshaft retubed (my fault for damaging on off-road trip)
- EGR valve (MIL came on during my test drive)
- Antenna motor/cable replaced
- Cruise control sensors replaced.
- Cruise control control stalk (on steering colum) replaced as part of
the cruise control sensor replacement.
- Turn signal stalk replaced (mistake by Lexus when diagnosing washer
diverter problem -- they thought problem was in the controls at the
stalk)
- Power steering pump -- was groaning alot -- replaced under warranty
- Starter - replaced under warranty (contacts were going bad)
- Clock spring under steering wheel -- wheel was clicking on turns.
- Rotors on all corners.

I might've left a few things out...if I did, I'll add them in later.
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Last edited:
Some random pics...
FIAMM Horns and a couple of my Aux fuse box next to the battery tray. This box also has a negative/ground bus bar. I may move it later, but for now, it's easy enough to access where it is.
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I used 2 wire trailer harness plugs as when I wired up my Lightforces. This allows me to remove my lights and not mess with the wiring at the fuse box. I like plug-n-play :D

I zip-tied the wires to the grill to keep them out of the way.
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A bottle opener from Cruiser Crap installed on the tire carrier.:D

And a couple shots of my everyday cargo area clutter...Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale anyone? ;)
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Yeah...that's nice and all...but what's it look like underneath...
;)

the rear lower control arm is bent a little...
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Sweet :princess:

Look forward to seeing you again this weekend!
 
I beat up the sliders a little too...
For all those concerned about Slee Sliders and sufficient cat protection -- my cats are not all that beat up, IMHO.
I can't say the same about the muffler :D
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Sweet rig, love those Lightforces.
 
Schweet ass rig Doug.

Knew there was a reason I was looking forward to yours. :cheers:


avo vum????? :confused:

Please elaborate :D
 
Some of the events/trails I've run...
Cruiser Moab - CM04, CM05
80s on the 'con (Rubicon Trips) #1, #2, #3
Desatoyta (Nevada Desert)
Death Valley Daze #2
Surf-n-Turf - #2, #3, and #4 in a few days

I have not yet done the Official TLCA Rubithon trip, but I did join a bunch of the guys at Rubicon Springs on the night of the big dinner/party/raffle.

I've also run a bunch of local trails in the Sierras.
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reffug said:
Schweet ass rig Doug.

Knew there was a reason I was looking forward to yours. :cheers:


avo vum????? :confused:

Please elaborate :D

Thanks!

AVO VUM

Meant to be read in the rearview mirror of the slow bastids in front of me.

You gotta read it backwards.
 
I kinda figured dat was da answer since I was pretty sure your rig was not turbo'ed.

Clever Prez very clever. :D
 
Stickers? DS and PS rear windows.
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a couple TEQs, a pig and the NorCal sticker
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Biff said:
Sweet rig, love those Lightforces.
:D

What? No comment on the snorkel?

Thanks for both Biff.
 
Lookin' good! I heard you guys used my drill for the snorkel! Glad I could contribute at least a little as you helped me put mine on!

See ya this weekend! I like exclamation marks!!!
 
NorCalDoug said:
:D

What? No comment on the snorkel?

Thanks for both Biff.


Oh ya, forgot about the snorkel looks great. Your welcome
 
You forgot to list the AVO turbo ! :D

Bet your rig gets alot of double-takes at the Lexus dealership!
 

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