1993 Lexus SC400: Fixing it up!
#16
MOVED TO BUILD THREADS...more of a restoration thread, but will fit right in at the build threads section.
Got a couple goodies in the mail. There was an SC at the Junk yard so I got a few items from it as well. Just like Christmas in April!
Also replaced accordion intake hose and hood struts. Good as new! It's almost time to register the vehicle, after I swap the pass side actuator.
Got a couple goodies in the mail. There was an SC at the Junk yard so I got a few items from it as well. Just like Christmas in April!
Also replaced accordion intake hose and hood struts. Good as new! It's almost time to register the vehicle, after I swap the pass side actuator.
Last edited by SC400slide; 04-11-15 at 07:54 PM.
#19
Messed with the wiring today. Aftermarket head unit won't work without the amp I sold awhile back with the subwoofer that came with this vehicle. (for $180) The stock harness is a mess and it's a really big mess behind the head unit. 2 harnesses and wires everywhere. My aftermarket unit powers on, and seems to function but there is no speaker output. I'll probably reverse it all and bring it all back to stock.
Also found out that this 93 was sold with everything including Nakamichi...the optioned out Cali SC4 would run around 45k new.
Also went all out and bought a set of 4 floor mats, better than those barf blue ahem* GREY floor mats.
IN the future...
Exhaust setup, no aftermarket mufflers or headers, just cheap and simple. Maybe remove cats and resonators leave the mufflers, or remove just the resonators, or both the resonators and mufflers...still making up my mind. So far I'm going for option 3.
New control arms are in the future, popping when turning left is never a good sound. Ball joints are original so I'll just replace the entire assy.
A repaint in Sandstone beige will be sometime next year, who knows maybe next week. That will cost me about $1200.
Gonna buy some real leather upholstery pieces that are already stitched and made to fit, all I have to do is disassemble the seat(s) and install them. You know what I'm referring to, you've seen them on eBay. This is about $600 for the 10 pieces.
Cluster/HVAC rebuild, ($115 from Tanin) ($75) among other minor things left to do, Looking forward to what it will look like by next year!
Also found out that the timing belt is fairly new...zero leaks and 200k miles. Yep, it's a Lexus.
Also found out that this 93 was sold with everything including Nakamichi...the optioned out Cali SC4 would run around 45k new.
Also went all out and bought a set of 4 floor mats, better than those barf blue ahem* GREY floor mats.
IN the future...
Exhaust setup, no aftermarket mufflers or headers, just cheap and simple. Maybe remove cats and resonators leave the mufflers, or remove just the resonators, or both the resonators and mufflers...still making up my mind. So far I'm going for option 3.
New control arms are in the future, popping when turning left is never a good sound. Ball joints are original so I'll just replace the entire assy.
A repaint in Sandstone beige will be sometime next year, who knows maybe next week. That will cost me about $1200.
Gonna buy some real leather upholstery pieces that are already stitched and made to fit, all I have to do is disassemble the seat(s) and install them. You know what I'm referring to, you've seen them on eBay. This is about $600 for the 10 pieces.
Cluster/HVAC rebuild, ($115 from Tanin) ($75) among other minor things left to do, Looking forward to what it will look like by next year!
Also found out that the timing belt is fairly new...zero leaks and 200k miles. Yep, it's a Lexus.
Last edited by SC400slide; 04-30-15 at 12:33 PM.
#21
Sent the cluster and climate HVAC unit out to Tanin to get rebuilt. Coming tomorrow, hopefully I'll get them installed then. Also purchased a Nak head unit since mine was missing. While I'm there, I'll restore all of the wiring mess from the previous owners aftermarket headunit.
#22
Installed newly rebuilt cluster and HVAC climate computer, installed the stock Nak amp and hooked up the speakers and re-wired the nap amp harness...(again), still no sound. Found that the volume control is buster so ordered one of those, and it's on the way. Got a $1500 quote to paint the exterior with same sandstone beige color. Would take 1 to 2 weeks...after a paint job, window, rear window, and sunroof visors go on, then upper and lower control arms will be replaced. Then comes the fun stuff. New wheels, coilovers, spacers and other minor things, nothing major. Also, just blew by 200k and still runs as if it was new.
#24
Have my eyes on some coilovers Not as nice as the Megan LP's on my 92 SC400, but should be fine regardless. Also will purchase some new seat skins (console/front seats/back seat/E-brake boot) here pretty soon. Over 1k for all of this but well worth the 1k.
#28
More new parts on the list:
Driveshaft coupling flex plate where the d/s connects to the trans is almost non-existent. Literally, chunks of rubber are missing, surprised the driveshaft hasn't fallen off yet. (and I drove this SC to AZ and back with it like that)
Transmission mounts are crispy, squashed, but not too bad. Still, as maintenance demands, it will be replaced.
Driveshaft center support bearing is being replaced. I have that well known "let-off-the-gas and wwhhhrrrrrhuuuumm" symptom.
Last and not least, bought a dash camera. Unfortunately, it isn't wireless but I'll modify to make it work. (hide cords, close ash tray lid whilst plugged in etc)
I also installed some window and sunroof visors. Yea, they're chunky, maybe a little ******, just getting an idea of what they will look like. (all applications done after paint will be permanent)
And just to say I did, some TRD valve caps and a TRD license plate frame.
Driveshaft coupling flex plate where the d/s connects to the trans is almost non-existent. Literally, chunks of rubber are missing, surprised the driveshaft hasn't fallen off yet. (and I drove this SC to AZ and back with it like that)
Transmission mounts are crispy, squashed, but not too bad. Still, as maintenance demands, it will be replaced.
Driveshaft center support bearing is being replaced. I have that well known "let-off-the-gas and wwhhhrrrrrhuuuumm" symptom.
Last and not least, bought a dash camera. Unfortunately, it isn't wireless but I'll modify to make it work. (hide cords, close ash tray lid whilst plugged in etc)
I also installed some window and sunroof visors. Yea, they're chunky, maybe a little ******, just getting an idea of what they will look like. (all applications done after paint will be permanent)
And just to say I did, some TRD valve caps and a TRD license plate frame.
#30
Installed the transmission mount. Much better! Vibrations are getting serious and drone is turning louder...guibo rubber I ordered wasn't the right one so I took everything apart to find out it wasn't the right part...oh well. Carrier bearing and flex plate coupler are next.
Also, I will be selling the 1992 SC400, the very first SC that got me started here on the forum and with Lexus, in general. Just too rough. SO, I'll be harvesting the coilovers, wheels, and tires and changing them out and installing them on the 93 SC. Also purchased 2 sets of 25mm spacers for front and rear to finish the setup. After that, leather skins are going in (650 bucks) and the existing seats are going into my newly acquired 96 SC400.
Yeah, I got another, so what...it was 500 bucks I couldn't pass it up lol
Also, I will be selling the 1992 SC400, the very first SC that got me started here on the forum and with Lexus, in general. Just too rough. SO, I'll be harvesting the coilovers, wheels, and tires and changing them out and installing them on the 93 SC. Also purchased 2 sets of 25mm spacers for front and rear to finish the setup. After that, leather skins are going in (650 bucks) and the existing seats are going into my newly acquired 96 SC400.
Yeah, I got another, so what...it was 500 bucks I couldn't pass it up lol