Hello, I acquired this 2000 LC last weekend. Currently sits with a little more than 242,000 on the odometer. It replaces my 2013 Honda Pilot EX-L (with just 64k, oof!) that was totaled by an idiot on the interstate (she hit someone else, spun, and her rear destroyed my front left quarter panel, suspension, and the killer... the shock tower). The vehicle was our family long-distance trip car. Enough room for kids' bikes, dog in the back, etc.
In case you're wondering about my username, chalk that up to being a teenager many, many years ago and using it on Bimmerforums. My first car was a 1995 BMW 318is, and I have something like 3k posts there, so I have kept the username on automotive forums. I should probably change it, but, here we are.
Maybe it's been this crazy health crisis in the country, maybe I'm just tired of boring Hondas, but here we are. Seeking a bit more adventure. Almost bought a Land Rover Discovery 2 but thankfully ended up in the LC camp.
I purchased this as a learning project for myself and my kids as well as our secondary vehicle to take the mountains/beach/wherever. To conquer all that come before us. To have fun.
Please feel free to explain like I'm 5 and forgive my potentially basic questions. I've always wanted to work on cars, but ... haven't. So here we are.
I'm big on sharing info -- have learned a lot here thus far -- and will try to do my best to document with photos, part numbers, videos, and posts so others can search/find/learn from my experience as well.
What I know has been done and have receipts for:
I'll reserve the next few posts for photos and then help to diagnose a suspension noise I'm having as well as a leak from something right below the glovebox.
In case you're wondering about my username, chalk that up to being a teenager many, many years ago and using it on Bimmerforums. My first car was a 1995 BMW 318is, and I have something like 3k posts there, so I have kept the username on automotive forums. I should probably change it, but, here we are.
Maybe it's been this crazy health crisis in the country, maybe I'm just tired of boring Hondas, but here we are. Seeking a bit more adventure. Almost bought a Land Rover Discovery 2 but thankfully ended up in the LC camp.
I purchased this as a learning project for myself and my kids as well as our secondary vehicle to take the mountains/beach/wherever. To conquer all that come before us. To have fun.
Please feel free to explain like I'm 5 and forgive my potentially basic questions. I've always wanted to work on cars, but ... haven't. So here we are.
I'm big on sharing info -- have learned a lot here thus far -- and will try to do my best to document with photos, part numbers, videos, and posts so others can search/find/learn from my experience as well.
What I know has been done and have receipts for:
- 231,755 miles
- Front pads, rotors, calipers (the quote was $546 and noted new wheel bearings "was DRY") but I don't see a specific part listed on the invoice for bearings, just pads/rotors/calipers/etc.), brake fluid
- Rack and pinion, power steering fluid
- Outer tie rods
- Rear pads, rotors, calipers
- Drive belt
- Denso spark plugs
- Starter
- Intake gasket
- Right front CV Axle (I'm guessing boot, since it was $89.95?)
- 237,260
- Heaters Ts
- OME 2.5" lift with 865 springs
- SPC Upper Control Arms
- Timing belt, water pump, radiator (less than 10k miles ago)
- Rear locker from a 1999
- Roof rack delete
- 285/75R16 BF K02s w/full size spare with ~5,000 miles on them
- New A/C Compressor
- Snorkel, ARB Bumper, Warn VR10000 winch with steel cable
- IPF spotlights installed in front bumper
- Sony WX-900BT - my kids love how you can change the colors or it will automatically change on "rainbow" hah!
- Dome interior lights converted to LED
- Undercarriage has seen a lot of travel, a lot of red clay that wasn't washed off and has led to some surface rust
- Sunroof tilt, when closing "bounces" back up. You can help it with your hand to stay down.
- Sunroof slide works, but it looks like the tracks are quite dirty.
- Seller stated no sun roof leaks, but sitting in my driveway during an absolute multi-hour downpour there was little dampness on the passenger side. Need to check the drain lines or consider a new seal?
- Had dual-battery setup without fuses/isolator/kill switch for 2nd battery setup. I know nothing about electricity, so disconnected and zip-tied away to avoid accidentally connecting to batteries for now.
- Hood struts shot.
- The wood interior around the radio/AC controls is shot. Planning to heat gun/goo gone and remove.
- Door locks don't react to YotaMD key. Works fine in door.
- Driver, front door insert around door locks/windows is loose and wood is badly faded. Need to sort out if there is a broken plastic piece underneath, but either way would heat gun to remove the wood interior look.
- Has some dings and scrapes, rear bumper paint is faded, tow hitch is rusty. None of that bothers me, which surprises me. It's kind of freeing thinking "Huh, if one of my kids ran their bike into... doesn't matter." Not a garage queen.
- Small A/C leak somewhere -- seller said he gave it a charge last 2 summers, held charge fine
- Wheels have pitting from caked on clay/dust/etc.
- Windows are a little slow but not dreadful and work for now
- Front left turn signal has some condensation
- Code C1246 - Master Cylinder Pressure Sensor Malfunction - likely needs brake actuator soon
- Oil change (have oil and filter, just haven't done yet; oh should I mention I've never changed my own oil and need to buy like a drain/oil catcher, etc.?)
- Greased the 2 zerk fittings at front of front driveshaft, 1 at rear -- could not, for the life of me, get the grease gun to clamp on to the other 3. Would love any advice... but I tell you, getting rid of the thunk between Park and Reverse/Drive when first starting the car was a huge mental victory last weekend. Like hey, I did that!)
- Hood struts (arrived, not installed)
- Bought some white lithium grease and a brush to grease the sunroof tracks. Wondering how to clean them first...
- Bought 5 door lock motors from eBay/China to be ready whenever these actuators fail (figure $25 in insurance to buy them now and have them when I need them is well worth it)
I'll reserve the next few posts for photos and then help to diagnose a suspension noise I'm having as well as a leak from something right below the glovebox.
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