Been on the fence for a lot of years thinking about getting another project vehicle ... And then COVID-19 happened. Since I have all of this time on my hands now, I figured why not? Wife is also 100% on board with the idea. Obviously I had to strike while that iron was hot.
A friend had a '97 LX450 w/ 266k miles sitting in front of her house for about a year and a half. She was the second owner of the vehicle based in WA state for the last 12 years - SoCal previously. Thankfully that meant almost no rust and the vehicle has been a mall crawler - bone stock. Unfortunately it hasn't been looked after - mechanically or cosmetically. Three boys and three dogs with a single Mom had taken their toll on the interior, as had sitting outside in WA state for 18 months growing science projects in the carpet, seats, seat belts ... Well, everywhere. Normally this would have turned me off, but the chassis looked sound and she parted with the truck for scrap value.
Aside from what sounds like a rod knock, the rig drove the few miles home OK. Planning to work with @torfab for a conversion once his calendar opens up, so the engine challenges aren't a huge concern.
Going to execute a solid Overlanding build - Grew up in Australia touring in Cruisers with the family when I was young and hoping to recapture some of the fun and adventure. Gone down the highly modified/ big power route before, broken every part known to man and dealt with all of the associated pain, both emotional and financial to keep a vehicle like that running. Overarching goal for this build - No matter what I do or modify the truck has to stay reliable and comfortable to drive extended distances.
Upgrades Completed:
A friend had a '97 LX450 w/ 266k miles sitting in front of her house for about a year and a half. She was the second owner of the vehicle based in WA state for the last 12 years - SoCal previously. Thankfully that meant almost no rust and the vehicle has been a mall crawler - bone stock. Unfortunately it hasn't been looked after - mechanically or cosmetically. Three boys and three dogs with a single Mom had taken their toll on the interior, as had sitting outside in WA state for 18 months growing science projects in the carpet, seats, seat belts ... Well, everywhere. Normally this would have turned me off, but the chassis looked sound and she parted with the truck for scrap value.
Aside from what sounds like a rod knock, the rig drove the few miles home OK. Planning to work with @torfab for a conversion once his calendar opens up, so the engine challenges aren't a huge concern.
Going to execute a solid Overlanding build - Grew up in Australia touring in Cruisers with the family when I was young and hoping to recapture some of the fun and adventure. Gone down the highly modified/ big power route before, broken every part known to man and dealt with all of the associated pain, both emotional and financial to keep a vehicle like that running. Overarching goal for this build - No matter what I do or modify the truck has to stay reliable and comfortable to drive extended distances.
Upgrades Completed:
- Gamiviti seat gears and caps (which are a little redundant after buying new seats)
- New plugs, wires and distributor - Stopped here with the engine after determining the racket was indeed a rod knock and not some other, less terminal source.
- RCV CrMo 30 spline front axles
- Regear to 4.56s w/ ARB air lockers
- OEM panhard bushings front and rear
- Refinished front and rear diffs
- Knuckle rebuild w/ new spindles and Koyo bearings
- Rear hub rebuild w/ Koyo bearings
- DBA rotors and pads, new OEM calipers and Slee brake lines front and rear
- DVS 4" radius arms and front sway drops
- DVS & Icon 4" Stage 4 package w/ adjustable dampers and front air bumps
- Dobinson's steering damper and new rod ends
- Damplifier sound insulation
- DVS center console and shifter console
- Upgraded all interior lights to LED
- New brake lights with upgraded reverse lights (LED)
- DVS front bumper with ComeUp Seal Gen2 12.5k winch and Factor 55 fairlead and flat link
- DVS rear bumper with 2x swing outs
- Scheel-Mann seats with OEM heat switches on Planted brackets
- OEM LSPV and lever rebuild
- Metal Tech trailing arms (upper and lower)
- Autometer auxiliary gauges
- Northstar group 27 AGM battery & OEM fusible link
- OEM headlights
- OEM parking brake cable, backing plates and parking brake internals
- 5x 37" Goodyear MT/Rs on Icon Rebound rims (titanium finish)
- Rebuilt and balanced rear drive shaft
- Roof rack delete
- Spidertrax 1 1/2"spacers, front and rear
- WKOR sliders
- Slee DC front drive shaft
- Surface mount pintle hitch
- DVS spare tire holder, tension loc (high lift mount) and spare tire carrier
- DVS NATO gas can holders (2) and stash pockets (2)
- OEM manual antenna mast
- Whiteline HD rear sway bar
- OEM master cylinder
- Icon springs changed out to Dobinsons VT series. Icon's too light.
- CDL switch and pin-7 mod
- Wit's End Quarter panel mount w/ ARB twin compressor and manifold, Blue Sea fuse block and busses, SwitchPro 9100, Stinger 200A solenoid.
- OEM side mirrors
- GM 6.2L LT1 crate motor w/ 8l90e transmission. (Installed by Torfab with Torfab custom adapter and motor mounts)
- Mandrel bent SS exhaust
- Custom air box and ECM/ TCU mounts
- Rebuilt steering box. Tapped for future ram assist.
- OEM radiator and 2x VFD fans
- Derale power steering cooler
- OEM lights for all dash components (man they're expensive for what they are!)
- OEM hood liner and clips
- Witt's End useless cup holder insert w/ ram balls and X-grips
- Witt's End ashtray insert w/ Blue Sea USB charger, 12V outlet and voltmeter
- Slee headlight and aux light harness
- Mictuning rock lights and hood lights w/ blue sea switching
- ARB adjustable front panhard
- OEM wiper arms and components, front and rear
- Witt's end washer spray upgrade
- OEM door seals - Front doors
- DVS +1" bump holders changed for bump holders with no spacer. Rear 1" spacer removed.
- GM rocker insulators and rail covers
- Vanity license plate ... because I'm vain
- Moved license plate mount to allow spare to be centered and clear tail light.
- OEM washer pump and diverter valve
- Lokar transmission dipstick
- Lloyd matts cargo liner
- Stock Interiors carpet kit
- Second Skin Heat Wave Pro carpet underlayment
- Alpine iLX-W650 double DIN head unit w/ Alpine KTA-450 amp
- Polk DB652 speakers front and rear
- Alpine HCE-C1100 back up camera
- Uniden Bearcat CMX760 CB w/ quick disconnect Firestick antenna
- Reinstalled 1' rear spacer to level truck when loaded
- Replaced Icon 0-3" adjustable RR shocks with 4-6" versions
- Changed rear DVS panhard correction bracket from a 3" unit to a 5" unit
- Timbren rear bump stops
- 1" spacer added to front air bumps (spaces bump down only, not spring)
- Slee belly pan and new OEM crossmember mount
- Ceramic coated exhaust from headers to muffler and added heat insulation to driver's side pipe
- GM remote oil cooler
- Louver cut hood
- Dual ARB drawer set
- DVS 4" radius arms swapped out to DVS 5L arms.
- Derale Atomic fuel cooler w/ custom frame-mounted bracket
- Updated fuel filter regulator bracket with pressure gauge, temp sender, AN- fittings and PTFE lined fuel lines
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