Tuner4life's 1997 UCF20 Daily Driver
10-16-15, 05:32 AM
#1
Tuner4life's 1997 UCF20 Daily Driver
I've still got the RSP SC, but with a family now it has become obvious that I needed a 4 door car with a bit more room then the 2 door options I normally drive. I was searching for a couple weeks when this Black/grey on tan 1997 LS400 popped up on a local craigslist. After a thorough looking over, I promptly brought it home.
This car only has 139k and was owned by the original owner for 110k of it. I found stacks of receipts in the glovebox for all scheduled dealer services including the 95k which is the timing belt. Multiple fluid changes, belts, etc. Even paid the Lexus dealer to steam clean the carpets at one point. At around 115k the original owner traded it in, and the records are a bit vague since, but that's only been a few miles. It has definitely been well taken care of most of it's life.
The interior is literally spotless! Not even noticeable wear on the driver's seat bolster like in most of these cars. All of the cluster and climate lights work great.
The issues that will need tended to before I start driving it all the time are:
-Lower ball joints and control arm bushings
-Alignment
-New tires
-1 Rear o2 sensor
-Basic fluid refresh
-A couple of headlight mounting tabs are broken. Probably replace with Depo Crystal lights
Once it's mechanically up to per, I'll work on the body. There are a few dings, most notably on the drivers door that can be seen in the pictures. And the right front fender will need a bit of paint work. Nothing too major though.
This is going to be a daily driver so not too many mods, but eventually I'll do the following:
-Bilstein shocks
-Lowering springs
-19" or 20" Summer wheels of some sort
-Snow tires on stock wheels
-Mild cat-back exhaust
-Stereo system
-tint
This may be the most boring "build" thread on here. More just a place to document what I'm doing.
This car only has 139k and was owned by the original owner for 110k of it. I found stacks of receipts in the glovebox for all scheduled dealer services including the 95k which is the timing belt. Multiple fluid changes, belts, etc. Even paid the Lexus dealer to steam clean the carpets at one point. At around 115k the original owner traded it in, and the records are a bit vague since, but that's only been a few miles. It has definitely been well taken care of most of it's life.
The interior is literally spotless! Not even noticeable wear on the driver's seat bolster like in most of these cars. All of the cluster and climate lights work great.
The issues that will need tended to before I start driving it all the time are:
-Lower ball joints and control arm bushings
-Alignment
-New tires
-1 Rear o2 sensor
-Basic fluid refresh
-A couple of headlight mounting tabs are broken. Probably replace with Depo Crystal lights
Once it's mechanically up to per, I'll work on the body. There are a few dings, most notably on the drivers door that can be seen in the pictures. And the right front fender will need a bit of paint work. Nothing too major though.
This is going to be a daily driver so not too many mods, but eventually I'll do the following:
-Bilstein shocks
-Lowering springs
-19" or 20" Summer wheels of some sort
-Snow tires on stock wheels
-Mild cat-back exhaust
-Stereo system
-tint
This may be the most boring "build" thread on here. More just a place to document what I'm doing.
10-16-15, 02:53 PM
#2
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10-19-15, 06:13 AM
#3
Haha, thanks.
Over the weekend I got a few things accomplished although didn't take any pictures. I replaced the hood struts so it will stay up now, I was able to remove the oem locking lug nuts without the key by hammering a 21mm socket over them and wrenching them off. They are replaced by standard matching lug nuts. I don't think anyone is going to be stealing 20 year old stock alloys in rural northern Indiana, and I don't want to hassle with the key.
I also got it on Jack stands and made a list of the things that it needs.
-Right side lower ball joint
-4x tires
-Alignment
-Right front fender liner. (Makes sense since this fender appears to have been replaced at some point)
-Maybe right front caliper? (some gouging like maybe a wheel fell off at some point, who knows...)
-Brake Pads all the way around
-1 rear o2 sensor (not sure which side yet)
-Oil change
-Coolant flush
-Coolant overflow tank (has a tab broken off, right front corner of car.. Go figure)
-Headlights and corner lights (broken tabs)
Hope to have the mechanical stuff done and be driving this by next week!
Over the weekend I got a few things accomplished although didn't take any pictures. I replaced the hood struts so it will stay up now, I was able to remove the oem locking lug nuts without the key by hammering a 21mm socket over them and wrenching them off. They are replaced by standard matching lug nuts. I don't think anyone is going to be stealing 20 year old stock alloys in rural northern Indiana, and I don't want to hassle with the key.
I also got it on Jack stands and made a list of the things that it needs.
-Right side lower ball joint
-4x tires
-Alignment
-Right front fender liner. (Makes sense since this fender appears to have been replaced at some point)
-Maybe right front caliper? (some gouging like maybe a wheel fell off at some point, who knows...)
-Brake Pads all the way around
-1 rear o2 sensor (not sure which side yet)
-Oil change
-Coolant flush
-Coolant overflow tank (has a tab broken off, right front corner of car.. Go figure)
-Headlights and corner lights (broken tabs)
Hope to have the mechanical stuff done and be driving this by next week!
10-19-15, 04:23 PM
#4
welcome to the LS side and glad you're taking care of the maintenance side first, which i personally enjoy! getting the car up to par has it's perks, so you can gain that piece of mind that stuff is done right. keep us updated, even though this part of the forum is slow.
clean SC too!
clean SC too!
10-20-15, 04:57 AM
#5
Thanks! Definitely maintenance first especially on a car that I'm going to be relying on as a daily.
I've got the new OEM lower ball joints ordered, right front caliper, brake pads all the way around, and supplies for an oil change, coolant change, etc.. Taking the wheels to have new tires installed tomorrow, and hopefully if all the parts come in this week, I'll get it aligned on Saturday. We'll see how that goes.
Here's how it sits right now:
I've got the new OEM lower ball joints ordered, right front caliper, brake pads all the way around, and supplies for an oil change, coolant change, etc.. Taking the wheels to have new tires installed tomorrow, and hopefully if all the parts come in this week, I'll get it aligned on Saturday. We'll see how that goes.
Here's how it sits right now:
10-21-15, 05:33 AM
#7
I am definitely aware, especially the transmission fluid will be Toyota only, but don't necessarily share the same opinion about the coolant. I don't want to start a war because there are many different right answers, but I don't use OEM coolant in anything. Any car (I've had a variety of brands) that I have switched to OEM coolant has developed a coolant leak shortly after. Maybe it's just dumb luck, who knows. The worst example was the fairly low mileage 1992 Celica that I had several years ago. Had off the shelf green antifreeze in it when I bought it, switched it out to Toyota red immediately and it ran fine for a year, then developed leaks everywhere, in hoses, gaskets, and even the heater core. Got the parts replaced and resealed, and exclusively used Zerex G05 in it since then and never had issues. Not saying that it was exclusively the coolant's fault, but I don't believe that there is anything overly special about it either
I'll be using Zerex G05 in this one just as I use in every other car I own. (Volvos, Saabs, Chevys, and Toyotas). I've had very good luck with it over the last several years, including in my 1uzfe swapped Cressida which is an unopened 200k engine that gets the crap run out of it, has never once has a coolant leak. I'm confident that G05 will be fine in a low mileage daily such as this. Plus I change coolant every other year in my cars anyways, so I'm definitely not expecting any issues.
Anyways, sorry for the essay. Update: All parts are here except for the ball joints. I'm hoping they show up by the end of the week so that I can get it aligned on Saturday.
I'll be using Zerex G05 in this one just as I use in every other car I own. (Volvos, Saabs, Chevys, and Toyotas). I've had very good luck with it over the last several years, including in my 1uzfe swapped Cressida which is an unopened 200k engine that gets the crap run out of it, has never once has a coolant leak. I'm confident that G05 will be fine in a low mileage daily such as this. Plus I change coolant every other year in my cars anyways, so I'm definitely not expecting any issues.
Anyways, sorry for the essay. Update: All parts are here except for the ball joints. I'm hoping they show up by the end of the week so that I can get it aligned on Saturday.
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10-30-15, 05:54 AM
#9
Last night I finally had some time to finish this thing up! I changed both ball joints, The front right caliper, all the brake pads and wear sensors, right front caliper (painted all of them black), right downstream o2 sensor, air filter, coolant flush and oil change. Now the car is basically ready for the alignment that is scheduled for Saturday, just need to keep up on the coolant level for a day or 2.. I think I got it burped, but we all know how that goes with these cars.
01-11-16, 06:46 AM
#10
Just to keep updated. I noticed that the steering pump had started to seep just a little. To be expected at 144k miles. So I replaced that and deleted the vacuum valve. Another maintenance project taken care of.
Last edited by t4l; 01-11-16 at 07:13 AM.
07-18-16, 06:34 AM
#13
Not a whole bunch to document.. I let my wife drive this car to work while I was doing some work on her Volvo V70R and she wouldn't give it back for several weeks. She loves this thing lol. Haven't done anything besides basic maintenance and a couple of o2 sensors. Just doing daily driver duties until I finish a few other projects and can take this one off the road for a bit to build how I want it.
Just hit 150k miles the other day!
Just hit 150k miles the other day!
07-18-16, 08:10 PM
#14
There aren't many 19 year old vehicles in existence that will do that to you. Lexus LS400 for the win!
10-20-16, 05:34 AM
#15
The front suspension had become a little loose and squeaky over bumps. The strut rod bushings and control arm bushings were in bad shape. Currently in the process of replacing them with polyurethane replacements and new sway bar end links and bushings. Also replaced the strut rod mounting bracket because it was slightly bent due to some previous damage from before I bought the car. I'm hoping that I can finally get all of the adjustments within spec. We'll find out soon as it's getting aligned on Saturday.
While I was waiting on the parts to come in, I also replaced all of the dome lights, reading lights, footwell lights, puddle lights, and glove box light with white LEDs. I love them so far!
While I was waiting on the parts to come in, I also replaced all of the dome lights, reading lights, footwell lights, puddle lights, and glove box light with white LEDs. I love them so far!
