My first LS400 build 1991
05-06-12, 12:14 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Overhauling 'Rusty' my LS400 ( lot's of picas)
Hi there fellow LS 400 gliders,
Pardon my typing i am a foreigner from overseas, we share one passion the LS400.
I bought mine second hand for about 2000 $ dollar us or 1500 euro because i am poor, i love to fix things although i am a true amateur.
My LS is 21 years old and lived his live in humid cold and warm weather, rain, snow, and lot's salt but mainly good roads. Off road is rear here ...
The LS400 is truely the best car ever build to help it survive the rust attacks and heavy abuse by myself i ordered the manuals withit.
So i have faced some common problems like we all did and i am fighting the Lexus parts prices. Remember i am from Amsterdam Europe, we have enough weed but heavy a serious shortness of donor cars LS400. Nevertheless i love my LS400 more then my ex-wife that is why i live alone now. And that is good because i also have a bike and camper.
Got hit by a Spanish cop ....
u can see the new RX450 rims on the LS400.
I know the rims are shabby but give it some time then i let them be poadercoated and they will perform.
Pardon my typing i am a foreigner from overseas, we share one passion the LS400.
I bought mine second hand for about 2000 $ dollar us or 1500 euro because i am poor, i love to fix things although i am a true amateur.
My LS is 21 years old and lived his live in humid cold and warm weather, rain, snow, and lot's salt but mainly good roads. Off road is rear here ...
The LS400 is truely the best car ever build to help it survive the rust attacks and heavy abuse by myself i ordered the manuals withit.
So i have faced some common problems like we all did and i am fighting the Lexus parts prices. Remember i am from Amsterdam Europe, we have enough weed but heavy a serious shortness of donor cars LS400. Nevertheless i love my LS400 more then my ex-wife that is why i live alone now. And that is good because i also have a bike and camper.
Got hit by a Spanish cop ....
u can see the new RX450 rims on the LS400.
I know the rims are shabby but give it some time then i let them be poadercoated and they will perform.
Last edited by LexterLS40; 09-12-12 at 09:10 AM.
05-06-12, 12:20 PM
#2
Driver
Thread Starter
What did i do to show my love to the LS400 ? 
Airco was not cold so an aircoman fixed it !!
Remote Controle Door Un/Lock and keyless entry didn't work, replaced that with an aftermarket kit for 50$.
Brakes rear and front are renewed with disques and pads, kits are installed meaning new o rings new rubber, pistons al polished up.
New iddle pulley
New crankshaftpulley
New belt
New waterpump
New fan bracket
New tune up kit distribitur rotor caps sparkplugs and tensions
New timingbelt kit ( puleys belt tensioner waterpump)
New inner and outer tie rod kit
New generator
New battery
New tyres
Bigger rims 17"
New radiator aftermarket
New filters aftermarket
New fluids aftermarket
Took out 3 little dents
my god the previous owners already spent 16.000 euros on this vehicle.
Airco was not cold so an aircoman fixed it !!
Remote Controle Door Un/Lock and keyless entry didn't work, replaced that with an aftermarket kit for 50$.
Brakes rear and front are renewed with disques and pads, kits are installed meaning new o rings new rubber, pistons al polished up.
New iddle pulley
New crankshaftpulley
New belt
New waterpump
New fan bracket
New tune up kit distribitur rotor caps sparkplugs and tensions
New timingbelt kit ( puleys belt tensioner waterpump)
New inner and outer tie rod kit
New generator
New battery
New tyres
Bigger rims 17"
New radiator aftermarket
New filters aftermarket
New fluids aftermarket
Took out 3 little dents
my god the previous owners already spent 16.000 euros on this vehicle.
Last edited by LexterLS40; 05-06-12 at 03:48 PM. Reason: i just keep forgetting how much i spent
05-06-12, 12:26 PM
#3
Driver
Thread Starter
Rust is the main problem everything i touch breaks off. The black shiny part is some sealant to close the rust cap.
Remember this sensor is valuable.
of course the airsuspension is a big problem because it is complicated and the sensors are attacked by rust also the airbags and strut himself are attacked by rust and grid.
the second hand rearstrut with air no little damages almost new.
but like in the Sahara ... we fix things with rubbish old parts mix them togehter and get going.
So i checked left front and the airbag is like new no little scratches nothing ... next time i check the right site and then i can start leveling him correctly.
greetzzzz from LexterLS400
Remember this sensor is valuable.
of course the airsuspension is a big problem because it is complicated and the sensors are attacked by rust also the airbags and strut himself are attacked by rust and grid.
the second hand rearstrut with air no little damages almost new.
but like in the Sahara ... we fix things with rubbish old parts mix them togehter and get going.
So i checked left front and the airbag is like new no little scratches nothing ... next time i check the right site and then i can start leveling him correctly.
greetzzzz from LexterLS400
Last edited by LexterLS40; 05-06-12 at 03:52 PM. Reason: air strut inspection update
05-06-12, 12:32 PM
#5
Driver
Thread Starter
ff course i did not do this in one day like the crankshaftpulley : it took me 5 days to get it of withoud SST tools.
am i overloading you guys with picas ?
Tell me then ....
greetzzzz from LexterLS400
am i overloading you guys with picas ?
Tell me then ....
greetzzzz from LexterLS400
Last edited by LexterLS40; 05-06-12 at 03:52 PM. Reason: greetzzzz from LexterLS400
05-06-12, 12:36 PM
#6
Driver
Thread Starter
audio sector
Of course the speakers are detariated and they do not produce what they should because of their age. I am still doubting what to do i would prefer to keep it like it is but it is to expensive to replace every speaker with oem parts. I would love to use the wireharnness and upgrade the amplifier to 4 ohm. Some pics of the isolation.
greetzzzz from LexterLS400
greetzzzz from LexterLS400
Last edited by LexterLS40; 05-06-12 at 03:53 PM.
05-06-12, 12:40 PM
#7
Driver
Thread Starter
thanks
Thanks to this forum i was able to do all these things ... i even made an line out on the original system for my MP3 player.
greetzzzz from LexterLS400
greetzzzz from LexterLS400
Last edited by LexterLS40; 05-06-12 at 03:53 PM. Reason: i am crazy thats why
Trending Topics
05-06-12, 12:43 PM
#8
Driver
Thread Starter
never done
a good thing is that youre never done work keeps piling up the stack.
the seats are worn out the leather is done.
So i am still working on the rear air strut because i can't get a good left sider i am going to attack the body and take some of the steel plate away that is blocking the airinlet for the spring. This is the way the transform a rightstrut and make it universal for both sides, it is a smal adjustment that won't hurt the strenght of the body at all.
Then i have to do the valves the last part of the engine, i do have to check the lambda sondes for the 02 bank.
Because i do not have a garage and no lift or bridge i work on the street and jack the LS up and put blocks of wood under neith it. It rains a lot in this ****ty land of wind, water and wooden shoes. The rainwater flushes into the motorcompartment i hate it. Doing valves like that is impossible.
greetzzzz from LexterLS400
the seats are worn out the leather is done.
So i am still working on the rear air strut because i can't get a good left sider i am going to attack the body and take some of the steel plate away that is blocking the airinlet for the spring. This is the way the transform a rightstrut and make it universal for both sides, it is a smal adjustment that won't hurt the strenght of the body at all.
Then i have to do the valves the last part of the engine, i do have to check the lambda sondes for the 02 bank.
Because i do not have a garage and no lift or bridge i work on the street and jack the LS up and put blocks of wood under neith it. It rains a lot in this ****ty land of wind, water and wooden shoes. The rainwater flushes into the motorcompartment i hate it. Doing valves like that is impossible.
greetzzzz from LexterLS400
Last edited by LexterLS40; 05-06-12 at 03:53 PM. Reason: ADHD
05-06-12, 12:58 PM
#9
Driver
Thread Starter
05-06-12, 10:57 PM
#12
Driver
Thread Starter
Our premium forum member from lexusforum.nl ..... goddamn forumjunkie he is overloading us witjh the goodies we want PICAS !!!
The man who takes apart a LS400 in one day !! ( well he told me yesterday that it took him some days ...)
He is still gliding but does not work on the car because it is not in need of maintainance.
He owns a newer LS430 now found a good one for 9000 $
Greetzzz from Lexter
Last edited by LexterLS40; 05-08-12 at 10:56 PM.
05-06-12, 10:59 PM
#13
Driver
Thread Starter
well it had 390.000 km on the clock ...
yours probably 50.000 km ?
16.000 $ for an 21 year ol d car is a lot !!
O yeah !!1
De doorbell rang and UPS deliverd my inner and outer rod kit.
The kit is very neat, everything is new and they thought about everything.
They even added 2 pieces of bleu plastic tape, locktide tape wauh !! didn't even know this existed.
Now i need the universal jointball puller from Stahlwilly so i am off to the tool peurno shop.
yours probably 50.000 km ?
16.000 $ for an 21 year ol d car is a lot !!
O yeah !!1
De doorbell rang and UPS deliverd my inner and outer rod kit.
The kit is very neat, everything is new and they thought about everything.
They even added 2 pieces of bleu plastic tape, locktide tape wauh !! didn't even know this existed.
Now i need the universal jointball puller from Stahlwilly so i am off to the tool peurno shop.
Last edited by LexterLS40; 05-07-12 at 01:18 AM.
05-09-12, 02:40 AM
#15
Driver
Thread Starter
Kits
Ok i got the engine kit in da house.
1 brandnew none OEM waterpump from Japan compleet with gasket and O - rings.
1 Oem timebelt tensioner
2 pulleys
1 timimgbelt
Found a place that takes care of my hoodssprings, my arm is wasted due to holding up the hood and placing a stick to hold up the hood. 50 v$ the fix them both the dealer will rip my ***** off for 2 of those.
things to do:
1 window is going very slow
1 door has to be overhauled dent removed and new paint
1 fender idem dito
4 rims need to poadercoated
wishlist:
LPG installation ( Liquid Propane Gas ) due to the fuel price 1,75 eu per liter it would be the best to get rid of the petrol tank and lay in a big gas tank from about 100 liter.
This build in can be done for 1500 eu but due to the burningtemperture of LPG all the valve seatings need to be replaced with harderned ones that can endure the higher temperture.
New seatings is a very expensive action but if not the car will not perform, misfires will follow with all the damage to the airflow en airfilter.
And here in Holland each car owner has to pay roadtaxe, this one is calaculated on weight and fuel choise.
for example a lexus ls 400 on petrol costs 180 euros per 3 monthe for tax
if the lexus would be a diesel it would cost problably 250 eu per 3 months it will weight more and the polution is higher on diesel liter price is 1, 40 eu
and a Lexus on LPG will the most, because the liter price is only 80 euro cent. Funny thing is that the polution is allmost none on LPG but you get punished for the liter price.
A full tank of petrol euro 95 is costing me at this moment 130 eu that is about 73 liter x 1,75 euro= 127,95 euros
The only way to avoid this problem is buying a van put is on gas and registrate it on your buisnes. So it is a company van not suitable for passenger traveling just 2 or 3 in front, then you pay almost notihing on roadtax.
1 brandnew none OEM waterpump from Japan compleet with gasket and O - rings.
1 Oem timebelt tensioner
2 pulleys
1 timimgbelt
Found a place that takes care of my hoodssprings, my arm is wasted due to holding up the hood and placing a stick to hold up the hood. 50 v$ the fix them both the dealer will rip my ***** off for 2 of those.
things to do:
1 window is going very slow
1 door has to be overhauled dent removed and new paint
1 fender idem dito
4 rims need to poadercoated
wishlist:
LPG installation ( Liquid Propane Gas ) due to the fuel price 1,75 eu per liter it would be the best to get rid of the petrol tank and lay in a big gas tank from about 100 liter.
This build in can be done for 1500 eu but due to the burningtemperture of LPG all the valve seatings need to be replaced with harderned ones that can endure the higher temperture.
New seatings is a very expensive action but if not the car will not perform, misfires will follow with all the damage to the airflow en airfilter.
And here in Holland each car owner has to pay roadtaxe, this one is calaculated on weight and fuel choise.
for example a lexus ls 400 on petrol costs 180 euros per 3 monthe for tax
if the lexus would be a diesel it would cost problably 250 eu per 3 months it will weight more and the polution is higher on diesel liter price is 1, 40 eu
and a Lexus on LPG will the most, because the liter price is only 80 euro cent. Funny thing is that the polution is allmost none on LPG but you get punished for the liter price.
A full tank of petrol euro 95 is costing me at this moment 130 eu that is about 73 liter x 1,75 euro= 127,95 euros
The only way to avoid this problem is buying a van put is on gas and registrate it on your buisnes. So it is a company van not suitable for passenger traveling just 2 or 3 in front, then you pay almost notihing on roadtax.