Hey guys, I have found that I enjoy having a 3rd winter/airport/beater car (especially when my wife needs the 200 and I can't or won't drive the V) so over the past few weeks I began looking at various different vehicles. At first I was thinking a 1st gen 4runner, but their complete lack of power and the money people want for nice examples turned me off.
So I started thinking about older LCs, and after looking at a few, I ended up bringing this beast home:
Truck when I got it:
Truck as of 11/14/16:
(a work in progress)
It's a 1997 LX450 with factory lockers. I tested them before I bought it and got both to lock up. It has 276k miles and just had the head gasket done. It's not beautiful - it has some minor accident damage front and rear (tough to tell from the pic) and someone smoked in it at one point, but for $2300, this seemed like even a wife-acceptable alternative to buying snow tires for the V.
What's nice about it: everything electrical works - all the windows, the retractable antenna, the sunroof, the radio, the diffs, etc. It still needs some work though -
Things I did to it today:
So some small but decent progress, but it also has a number of issues I need to deal with. I may update this post periodically to track what I've done and what it needs:
Stuff to do, updated 11/14:
Looking forward to getting to know folks in the 80 community - we currently have our '13 200 and I had an '01 100, but this is my first 80. Thanks guys!
So I started thinking about older LCs, and after looking at a few, I ended up bringing this beast home:
Truck when I got it:
Truck as of 11/14/16:
(a work in progress)
It's a 1997 LX450 with factory lockers. I tested them before I bought it and got both to lock up. It has 276k miles and just had the head gasket done. It's not beautiful - it has some minor accident damage front and rear (tough to tell from the pic) and someone smoked in it at one point, but for $2300, this seemed like even a wife-acceptable alternative to buying snow tires for the V.
What's nice about it: everything electrical works - all the windows, the retractable antenna, the sunroof, the radio, the diffs, etc. It still needs some work though -
Things I did to it today:
- Oil change of Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic 5w30 + Fram high mileage filter
- Vacuumed everything, cleaned all glass inside and out
- Pulled codes
- Ordered hood lift support struts and an oil level sensor (more on that in a minute)
- Added some DOT4 brake fluid to the reservoir to get the intermittent BRAKE dashlight to go off - success!
- Degreased the engine bay with Purple Power with moderate success but no effect on the car (or the CELs etc)
So some small but decent progress, but it also has a number of issues I need to deal with. I may update this post periodically to track what I've done and what it needs:
- 10/28: New exhaust installed!
PO sold it with a terrible leaking patched pipe in the exhaust where the catalytic converter was.- Solution: Ordered the y-pipe downpipe + cat from RockAuto, should be here at the end of this week.
- Question: I was tempted to look at ordering the rest of the exhaust, which apparently splits into 4 parts - Front cat, rear cat, muffler, and tail pipe - but that gets considerably more expensive. I looked at the stock system and it's definitely rusty at least on the surface; should I also consider replacing the rest of it? The headers also don't look pretty. Thoughts appreciated here, thanks.
- 11/6: CEL is off! Resolution: Replaced rear knock sensor and harness connector and P0330 code is gone, CEL is staying off for now.
CEL is on:Update 10/28: P0130 and P0133 are gone after install of new exhaust (and +1 O2 sensor - upstream O2 was reused as Denso I ordered from Amazon had wrong plug.multiple codes (P0130, P0133) related to O2 sensors (assuming this is the missing cat)P0330 - Knock sensor 2 Circuit (Bank 2) -I cleared the codes to see what would come back and the knock/misfire code came back very quickly.
- 10/24: Fixed! Resolution: Reconnect plug to harness.
Oil level light comes on 30 seconds after starting the car:- Looks as though this may be related to a bad sensor or bad wiring again - ordered the sensor from the parts store for $28 -
- ABS light is on:
- Question: After some searching I'm really at a loss as to where to begin here. Where should I begin?
- 10/29: Fixed! Resolution: Plug was broken off harness but on sender, resoldered.
Oil pressure gauge doesn't work- Also did some searching on this, also seems to be not-uncommon. Would you guys address this, or not?
- 10/30: Fixed!: Resolution: PAs many suspected the Heater Control Valve (HCV) was bad and the heat worked immediately after replacing it.
10/17: No heat:When the temp switch is moved all the way to the right I hear blend doors changing, the auto system directs air to different places - but the air is ambient temperature at best. Going to investigate the various potential issues.
- 10/23: driver's side headlight installed
- 10/23: passenger side tail light installed
- 10/30: Front speakers replaced
- 10/30: Windshield wipers
- 11/3: New windshield
- 11/5: Tires - 315/70/17 Goodyear Duratracs - no rub even at stock height
- 11/5: Wheels - American Racing Outlaw II 6x139.7/6x5.5 17x8, 4.5" Backspacing
- 11/6: Rear knock sensor replaced, harness repaired
- 11/6: Replace rear door speakers
- 11/6: LED turn signals & relay
- 11/12: Passed emissions
- 11/14: Got plates
Stuff to do, updated 11/14:
- Identify whether it has a knock or not at 2000-3000 rpm
- Decide whether to install 180f thermostat or leave it running at 73-74c
- Powerwash underside and find and then fix oil leaks
- Diagnose and fix ABS
- Identify steering column squeak when cold
- Identify clicking noise when turning (likely birfs)
- Front bumper - want a Slee Shortbus, 4x4 Labs, or Bump It Offroad tube bumper, but will likely build front bumper with neighbor
- Find right-rear fender flare and quarter panel LX450 trim
- Head unit - Double DIN, probably a new Android 2GB model
- Seat covers - looking at LSeat.com replacements (perforated? Hell yes!)
- Replacement carpet or powerwash existing carpet
- Powerwash headliner
- Lift - TJM progressive/adjustable 2.5" is the frontrunner
- Rear bumper - swing-out would be pretty sweet!
Looking forward to getting to know folks in the 80 community - we currently have our '13 200 and I had an '01 100, but this is my first 80. Thanks guys!
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