The Whiskey Works 2003 LX470 Expo Build

[TheWhiskeyWorks]

I’m sure many of you can relate to my story. I drove and loved Toyota Trucks for years, but as I got married and my wife got pregnant it was time to start looking for something with a little more space. After looking around at the market, I decided I could probably pick up a 100 series and throw a little money into it for about the same price as I was planning on selling the Tacoma for.

I spent about 3 months looking around, and about 1 month really looking hard for the perfect truck. I was hoping to find something cherry and dealer maintained for a decent deal, but nothing was really coming up. I eventually came across a for sale thread on MUD from a guy looking to sell his 2003 LX470 with 130k miles.

The pictures weren’t very good, there wasn’t much in terms of maintenance history, and overall the truck was far from perfect condition, but it just had the timing belt done, it was mostly rust free, and the price was too good to pass up. I decided to roll the dice, knowing the truck would need a lot more work than I was originally planning, but that I would have the extra funds to do it up right.

I did the deal and flew from Southern California to Denver, picked up the truck, made a pit stop at slee, and then headed on home.

Here are a few photos of the truck when it was for sale:

Photos of it at Slee

That's a rear bumper, jerry can basket, slider steps, 3 nato jerry cans and some other small misc. items. Could have easily squeezed a Blueberry in there too, but they were OOS.

 

[Mike6158]

Pics are red X's

 

[TheWhiskeyWorks]

Once I got home I immediately started the work. The tires were bald and I wasn’t a big fan of the Tundra alloys, so I ordered up a set of 5 275/70R18 Duratracs and found some much nicer Tundra alloys used through craigslist.

Here is the truck with the new wheels on, but before the tires came in.

I would still need to bore out the front center caps and find a matching 5th wheel for the spare.

Next on the list was getting the Slee Slider Steps installed. I managed to do it solo by taking my time and dealing with some minor discomfort. It is a bit of a bitch to get them on there as there is not much room to work. The AHC lines only add to the puzzle, but alas, they finally went into position.

 

[TheWhiskeyWorks]

I forgot to mention that the truck had wheel locks on it with no key, naturally. I pounded a sacrificial socket onto the wheel locks and managed to break them all free. Getting the spare tire with wheel lock off was also a bitch. Ended up using a long flex head ratcheting wrench to remove the 4 bolts that hold the tire carrier to the truck. Down came the tire carrier with tire attached and I was able to move forward with the Slee rear bumper install.

 

[TheWhiskeyWorks]

Next was installing the Slee bumper. It was pretty straight forward, although you definitely need a second set of hands to get the bumper onto the truck.

Looks funny with a spare wheel/no tire on the back.


This is the chaos of the backyard while all of this is going on.

 

[bug616]

No pictures are showing.......

 

[NicaNorth]

Nice!

 

[hidesertwheelin]

Nice!

 

[TheWhiskeyWorks]

Tires finally came, went and got them mounted/balanced.

 

[TheWhiskeyWorks]

Next big thing on the list was to get a detail. The truck was in (what I would consider) somewhat rough shape when I bought it. Paint was okay, but a ton of nicks and little dents and the interior was really dirty. I dropped it off at the local high end detailer and had 14 dents pulled, had it polished and waxed, and had the headlamps polished. Spent a lot of money on it, but it really was a night and day difference.

Here is a shot of the bumper with the fuel carrier.

 

[Stuckinthemud]

Looks very sharp post build and detail. Curious to know what you are thinking re front bumper? Is your heart set on a Blueberry or would you consider going with another bumper like a Sahara etc?

 

[Mike6158]

Needs dirt

 

[TheWhiskeyWorks]

Looks very sharp post build and detail. Curious to know what you are thinking re front bumper? Is your heart set on a Blueberry or would you consider going with another bumper like a Sahara etc?

I was originally going with Blueberry, but I have since started to rethink it. My funds for the project have slowed down a bit, so it will be a little while until the front bumper is ordered, but I'm thinking of maybe going with a Dissent front bumper now. I like the customization and the fact that I can save a bit of money by ordering a DIY kit.

I'm also honestly torn between a bumper/winch, Gamiviti roof rack, or a drawer system as the next big purchase. Decisions decisions...

 

[TheWhiskeyWorks]

Needs dirt

Yes, it really does. Been trying to plan a desert trip here now that I've got the maintenance where I want it, but it hasn't come together yet. I've got a 2 month old at home so opportunities for adventure aren't as abundant as they used to be. Soon though.

 

[mcgaskins]

Nice - I remember that LX from the local Rising Club!

 

[Stuckinthemud]

I was originally going with Blueberry, but I have since started to rethink it. My funds for the project have slowed down a bit, so it will be a little while until the front bumper is ordered, but I'm thinking of maybe going with a Dissent front bumper now. I like the customization and the fact that I can save a bit of money by ordering a DIY kit.

I'm also honestly torn between a bumper/winch, Gamiviti roof rack, or a drawer system as the next big purchase. Decisions decisions...

Have fun. In the hierarchy of life's challenges those are great problems to have!

 

[TheWhiskeyWorks]

One of the previous owners (I think the original) had installed a VCR (yes, VCR!) in the truck with an aftermarket screen in place of the stock rear passenger flip down dvd player. By the time I bought the truck, there was nothing but a hole with lots of wires hanging out of it. Instead of trying to source an OEM dvd player, which was going to be dated by over a decade, I decided to go a more practical approach and install an OEM dome lamp in it's place.

You can still see the outlines from the old screen, but it's really not toooo bad.

 

[bozncsurf]

That side shot after the detail - man really looks clean.

What are your plans to compensate for the weight of the rear bumper and the ahc ? You didn't happen to grab a set of slee rear spring spacers while you were there ?

Love the immediate progress.

Favorite line in your opening thread was that you bought this as a family vehicle for the new baby (congrats!) - no you didn't ! That's just what you told your wife so you could get an awesome lx.

Great job - thanks for sharing.

 

[benc]

Congrats! The rigs looking great and I think your on the right track with your bumper decision[emoji6]


Sent from my iPhone

 

[trizzo]

awesome project, thanks for posting the pics!