Would you drive a 100 series across the country...

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Enjoy your new ride. You'll have a great time. Take some side trips, see the sights, and let MUD know of the adventure.
 
I thought the question would be........would you drive cross country without music(stereo, radio, etc)

And the answer is no waaaaaaay.
 
NC-Grayson said:
with an unknown timing belt history? As the title states, I'm wondering if that's a horrible idea. I'm considering a cross country 100 series purchase, here are some details.

MINT 1998 LX, 1 owner, been in the southwest it's entire life. no rust, it's immaculate. Just over 101,000 original miles. Better than aveage service records on My Lexus website.

BUT, the Timing belt history is unknown. There's no sticker. I paid a 3rd party mechanic to give the truck a once over, he said he'd buy it if I didn't....but he couldn't confirm with 100% accuracy that the t-belt has been changed ever.

I guess I've somehow made myself paranoid at how FEW miles it has.

Would you worry about an 1800 mile journey back home across the country? Or would you just get the TB changed as soon as I bought it before the journey? Let's assume i've been searching for a while and i've found my "unicorn".

Thanks for the input. I realize this is my first post.....hopefully I'll be able to contribute more substance in the future!
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When I had my major baseline service done at 130,000 (timing belt, waterpump, heater Ts, fuel filter, plugs, shocks, tranny flush, brake flush, ps flush, etc). I had the shop return the old parts so I could inspect them. The timing belt looked really good..... A slight bit of glazing, and wear but no cracking at all. I took photos to post up here at some point as part of a FAQ or whatever.

Bottom line: The belt definitely can go a LOT farther than 90K. Personally, I just love the peace-of-mind that I have now knowing that my LC is completely "baselined" with no remaining deferred maintenance. :)

I wouldn't think twice about making a long drive on the old parts, but once I had it home I would certainly want to go through everything and bring it all up to snuff.


-G
 
I just did it. Houston, Texas to Princeton, NJ. Woke up at 345AM on Saturday and landed in Houston at 10. Finished up the deal by 1130AM and drove all day until around midnight. Ended up sleeping in the back of the LX in Northern Alabama in a Marriott parking lot for 4 hours before hitting a Waffle House for the day's fuel. Again on the road all day until about 5PM where my GF and I drove through the Shenandoah National Park taking our time. Ended up in bed at 1130PM that night. What a fun trip, though I was exhausted for the next couple of days. The LX performed flawlessly, I just had all the fluids done when I got back. No worries!
 
JZelnick said:
I just did it. Houston, Texas to Princeton, NJ. Woke up at 345AM on Saturday and landed in Houston at 10. Finished up the deal by 1130AM and drove all day until around midnight. Ended up sleeping in the back of the LX in Northern Alabama in a Marriott parking lot for 4 hours before hitting a Waffle House for the day's fuel. Again on the road all day until about 5PM where my GF and I drove through the Shenandoah National Park taking our time. Ended up in bed at 1130PM that night. What a fun trip, though I was exhausted for the next couple of days. The LX performed flawlessly, I just had all the fluids done when I got back. No worries!
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sounds about like what i'm expecting my trip to be like.

I've got some time to see some sights along the way, anything MUST see between West Texas and the east coast? I've never been farther west in a vehicle than the NC/TN state line....

Zelnick, were you able to sleep comfortably in the back of the LX? I'm halfway through my storage/sleep platform in my 3rd gen 4Runner, and I've already started mentally designing my platform for the LX....but will there be enugh room for the basics just to get me home?

Who sleeps in their 100 without a platform?
 
I sleep in it all the time. No tent. Fold up the 2nd row seat and leave the tail gate down (may have to disconnect the battery if courtesy lights don't go out) or remove the few bolts that hold one of the 60 section of the 60/40 2nd row seats and remove--then you can close up the rear.
 
I put my family in one daily. It is maintained and performs flawlessly daily. Almost 300,000 MILES, decent service history previous but took some personal sweat equity and costly parts to be confident, but Land Cruiser quality and dependability. Even when Toyota's are broken they still get you there. Been touting that attitude for years with Toyota's and it's proven itself over and over. To answer the T/B question directly, why be concerned, worst case you have a tow (AAA?) to the local Toyota specialist or Dealer, Tundra's guys have gone well over 200,000 Miles on the factory belt. I changed mine when I bought it. :)
 
Manhattan is right, the thing that goes is the water pump. I bought my 100 at 134,000 miles and finally changed the timing belt at (around) 180,000 because coolant was disappearing. I've driven across country (Arizona to Mass. via North Dakota) 2 times w/no issues. Just keep an eye on the coolant. Use Toyota red only!!!
Ned
 
The 99 I acquired had 234k on the clock on it's original tb. Previous owner was told by a mechanic it had a chain that never needed changing. When I changed it the belt looked just fine, water pump had the slightest bit of leak at the bottom. Never know for sure, but I'd bet that belt had another 100k in it. Not that I would and going forward I'll change again at 330k.
 
UPDATE: So I bought it! Been the proud owner now for about 3 hours and 175 miles.

However, I stopped to get gas, pulled into a spot near the pump to calibrate my scan gauge II fill-up, and noticed it seemed like it had lost power steering, but only turning right.

And then the height control light started flashing. Looks like it's stuck in "n". Everything was fine the first 100 miles to the pump. Only changed after I pumped, pulling into a space.

I know I should search, but I'm trying to get this new toy home! I don't want to pull over and take an hour to search.

Are these related issues? Or is it the same issue, just the AHC?l that's making it feel like power steering tie in right?

Do I need to pull over? Or can I make it home and worry about it then?
 
Here is what my dealer did once it was done... Just an FYI..
But I wouldn't hesitate at all... :)
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1438815295.136373.webp
 
Sorry, forgot to mention it's a 1998 LX w/ 99,977 miles. AHC light blinking. Stuck in normal mode. Only started blinking and sticking after filling up. Also feels like Power steering doesn't work 100% turning right.

Thanks for your help
 
Ok so 3rd roadside edit: just stopped to pee, got back in and now the "off" button is still flashing, but it's now in L.

Power steering is DEFINITELY getting a workout. Is that just w height control messing with me?

What did I do it worked great for the first 100 miles I owned it :/
 
IMG_0843.webp
Your biggest concern should be the MPG ;).. All kidding aside, these trucks are tanks. My Brother and I just drove our 100's a total of 2400 miles through the worst Baja could throw at us, and they just ate it up and then some!
 
LX5708 said:
Here is what my dealer did once it was done... Just an FYI..
But I wouldn't hesitate at all... :)
View attachment 1116488
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I wouldn't necessarily trust those markings..... A well-meaning but uninformed attendant at a JiffyLube decided to use that area when he talked me into a serpentine belt replacement several years ago. :)

Serpentine belt is NOT a timing belt. LOL


-G
 
GregLCA said:
I wouldn't necessarily trust those markings..... A well-meaning but uninformed attendant at a JiffyLube decided to use that area when he talked me into a serpentine belt replacement several years ago. :)

Serpentine belt is NOT a timing belt. LOL


-G
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Got a good point there... I know for a fact mine was done right... Well I hope the Lexus dealer would for the amount I paid... :)
 
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NC-Grayson said:
Ok so 3rd roadside edit: just stopped to pee, got back in and now the "off" button is still flashing, but it's now in L.

Power steering is DEFINITELY getting a workout. Is that just w height control messing with me?

What did I do it worked great for the first 100 miles I owned it :/
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Stuck in low after filling up? I'm guessing your neutral pressures are way way high because your torsion bars need adjusting to relieve hydraulic pressure and your rear coils are likely original and can't support their share of weight at the correct height. Basically - educated speculation - your truck thinks it's overloaded so it's gone to AHC fail safe. Driving in low isn't bad as such, it's what the designers included, but your wheel alignment is changed slightly now.

I think your best chance at a roadside fix, save jettisoning superfluous weight, is to lower your front neutral pressure by putting on several, maybe 4 or 5 turns, CW on both torsion bar adjuster bolts. This will lower your front pressures and also have a positive effect on the rear. Doesn't really matter about fine tuning pressures etc at this stage, I'm just thinking your pressures are high at present and lower is better under your circumstances. If you're not carrying a 30mm socket and ratchet or breaker bar find an autozone or whatever and see if you can borrow one for 10 minutes to use in the car park. Maybe buy a decent metric socket set if you don't have one at home. Whatever suits your needs. But I reckon if you can get equal cranks on both TBs it might be enough to get you back to N and home and then we can talk about all the baselining stuff you'll want to do.
 
Good luck with the purchase! For what it's worth I bought mine with 130k on the clock and the timing belt hadn't been replaced yet.
 
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