Hi, I am BRAND new to this forum, so if I am posting in the wrong thread or am infringing on proper forum etiquette please let me know.
My questions are regarding the AWD ‘97 Lexus LX450 (currently with roughly 150k miles on it) that I just purchased, and since I did not see a thread for Lexus LX and they are basically the exact same vehicle as an FZJ80, I figured this was the best place to post my questions.
Anyways, I will be using this as my DD (daily driver), as I plan on selling my Jeep soon, and I’m just wondering what upgrades and maintenance issues I should take care of either right away, or down the road? I don’t plan on doing a ton of off-roading... maybe some light to moderate stuff here and there, and it’ll mostly be used for city and highway driving. However, I was thinking about eventually possibly selling this vehicle to make some money on it since I got it for a decent price on a no reserve auction on eBay, so that I can get a proper FZJ80 that has a professionally rebuilt engine. So, my main question is if I want to add value to my LX and eventually sell it for more money (I still plan on keeping it for at least a few years before selling), should I be looking at adding lockers? If so, which lockers would you suggest and roughly how much should I be looking to spend including the cost of installation?
Also, I know these vehicles have some HG (head gasket) issues, so is this something I should look at replacing right away? Or should I simply have a mechanic look at it and tell me what condition it is currently in? If I need to replace the HG it seems silly to me to get an OEM HG since the ‘97’s are very prone to issues. Does anyone know if I should just go with an OEM HG, or are there better aftermarket options out there? If so, what other HG’s would you recommend?
I’m also interested in adding a supercharger, but I read in another thread on this forum that Toyota no longer makes these superchargers? That post I read was a few years old though, so is that still the case? If so, does anyone know where I can buy one used? Or does anyone know of any aftermarket ones that I can trust not to do any damage to my engine? Or is this simply an upgrade that I should not worry about, and just leave the engine stock without a supercharger?
I would also like to add a new set of large tires, and since my LX needs new tires anyways I figured this is the perfect time to make the switch. I was thinking maybe 33’s? Not exactly sure on what size yet, but if anyone has recommendations on wheel/tire sets that not on fit, but also look good and won’t cost me an insane amount of money? What is the largest I should go if I’m still looking for a decent highway ride since this will be my DD please let me know. I know with larger tires the highway ride will obviously suffer some, and I’m ok with that, I just don’t want it to be drastic. Or do you think it is simply foolish for me to want to get large ties and still expect a decent highway ride, especially when I will only be doing light to moderate off-roading? I’d appreciate any suggestions.
Also, does anyone know of a good Toyota/Lexus mechanic in either the greater Milwaukee area or in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that is both a great mechanic and someone I can trust?
Then lastly, the leather on just the bottom seat portion on the driver’s side is ripped, and so I would like to get it reupholstered ASAP. So, again, does anyone know of a good interior guy in either the greater Milwaukee area or the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that you would recommend?
Hopefully, that isn’t too much crap for 1 post, but I’m really excited about finally owning my first LC (well, kind of an LC lol). I’ve always been a Jeep guy, but after years of owning Jeeps I’ve finally (and thankfully) realized that was only due to my ignorance of how the reliability of Jeeps are basically s***, and just how much longer LC’s can last when well maintained. Not to mention how much better LC’s are in both quality and reliability. So, any help would be greatly appreciated in any of the questions I have, or any suggestions you can think of. Clearly, I am still quite the newbie at all of this. I don’t think I’ve ever posted on any forum... ever! lol. Also, if you guys have any other suggestions regarding what I should and/or shouldn’t do to my ‘97 LX450 please feel free to chime in.
Thanks a ton!
Joshua
My questions are regarding the AWD ‘97 Lexus LX450 (currently with roughly 150k miles on it) that I just purchased, and since I did not see a thread for Lexus LX and they are basically the exact same vehicle as an FZJ80, I figured this was the best place to post my questions.
Anyways, I will be using this as my DD (daily driver), as I plan on selling my Jeep soon, and I’m just wondering what upgrades and maintenance issues I should take care of either right away, or down the road? I don’t plan on doing a ton of off-roading... maybe some light to moderate stuff here and there, and it’ll mostly be used for city and highway driving. However, I was thinking about eventually possibly selling this vehicle to make some money on it since I got it for a decent price on a no reserve auction on eBay, so that I can get a proper FZJ80 that has a professionally rebuilt engine. So, my main question is if I want to add value to my LX and eventually sell it for more money (I still plan on keeping it for at least a few years before selling), should I be looking at adding lockers? If so, which lockers would you suggest and roughly how much should I be looking to spend including the cost of installation?
Also, I know these vehicles have some HG (head gasket) issues, so is this something I should look at replacing right away? Or should I simply have a mechanic look at it and tell me what condition it is currently in? If I need to replace the HG it seems silly to me to get an OEM HG since the ‘97’s are very prone to issues. Does anyone know if I should just go with an OEM HG, or are there better aftermarket options out there? If so, what other HG’s would you recommend?
I’m also interested in adding a supercharger, but I read in another thread on this forum that Toyota no longer makes these superchargers? That post I read was a few years old though, so is that still the case? If so, does anyone know where I can buy one used? Or does anyone know of any aftermarket ones that I can trust not to do any damage to my engine? Or is this simply an upgrade that I should not worry about, and just leave the engine stock without a supercharger?
I would also like to add a new set of large tires, and since my LX needs new tires anyways I figured this is the perfect time to make the switch. I was thinking maybe 33’s? Not exactly sure on what size yet, but if anyone has recommendations on wheel/tire sets that not on fit, but also look good and won’t cost me an insane amount of money? What is the largest I should go if I’m still looking for a decent highway ride since this will be my DD please let me know. I know with larger tires the highway ride will obviously suffer some, and I’m ok with that, I just don’t want it to be drastic. Or do you think it is simply foolish for me to want to get large ties and still expect a decent highway ride, especially when I will only be doing light to moderate off-roading? I’d appreciate any suggestions.
Also, does anyone know of a good Toyota/Lexus mechanic in either the greater Milwaukee area or in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that is both a great mechanic and someone I can trust?
Then lastly, the leather on just the bottom seat portion on the driver’s side is ripped, and so I would like to get it reupholstered ASAP. So, again, does anyone know of a good interior guy in either the greater Milwaukee area or the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that you would recommend?
Hopefully, that isn’t too much crap for 1 post, but I’m really excited about finally owning my first LC (well, kind of an LC lol). I’ve always been a Jeep guy, but after years of owning Jeeps I’ve finally (and thankfully) realized that was only due to my ignorance of how the reliability of Jeeps are basically s***, and just how much longer LC’s can last when well maintained. Not to mention how much better LC’s are in both quality and reliability. So, any help would be greatly appreciated in any of the questions I have, or any suggestions you can think of. Clearly, I am still quite the newbie at all of this. I don’t think I’ve ever posted on any forum... ever! lol. Also, if you guys have any other suggestions regarding what I should and/or shouldn’t do to my ‘97 LX450 please feel free to chime in.
Thanks a ton!
Joshua