smee

Just updating you guys! Here is the current list of things I want to do to the car (in no particular order):

Exterior:
- Replace ALL of the suspension. I'm talking, struts, sway bars, end links, bushing, everything. (looking at KWB GR-2 struts)
- New rotors
- 17" wheels (I'm not completely sure I will do this, and I'm not a big fan of huge rims either, but 15.5" or whatever these are, is kinda lame ahahaha)
- Fix gas tank cover so it closes flush with the body
- Clean up the cracks on passenger rear view mirror frame
- Body work on Trunk
- HID Low Beams? (http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W)
- Remove orange reflector headlights/taillights (also clean up foggy projectors in headlights)
- Buff/polish headlights, fogs and tails
- Fix bumper warp (or buy a new bumper and have it painted, but that is costly...)

Interior:
- Mod 6x9 speaker boxes in the rear (lots of the sound is bouncing in the trunk!)
- Lay out sound deadening insulation under carpet, in doors, under rear seats, over wheel wells and in the trunk
- Get a dedicated amp for the speakers
- Sealed Sub + Amp (Not sure if I want a 10" or 12", I also don't want it taking up huge amounts of space in my trunk)
- Wood grain vinyl covering on center console, door controls, door handles and on parts of the dash (still messing with this idea)
- Detailing on drivers seat leather
- Clean and condition the leather seating!

LOTS to be done. More PICS to be posted as I progress!

Timothyj

It's great you grandfather works at a Lexus dealer. Check on getting some Lexus floor mats. Take your time working on the car. Great price. Have fun, keep updating.

Tim

EEngineer

sounds like when i just got my car haha.
I went through every single item in your exterior list. not even joking!

good luck and start working on it!

OceanView

You've got a sweet ride and a great gandpa!

Take good care of her and she will take care of you.
300,000 miles is easily doable with proper maintenance.

Good luck!

smee

Thanks! Yea I'm thinking about new floor mats.

Lol dude yea, you're ES is my inspiration!

Thank you sir! That is my goal, maintain and run her to 300k or until I purchase a new car (5spd).

Updates to come, at some point along the way. Trying to save my money.

aznxenon

Your grandpa rocks lol. The DDM hid is pretty good for the price, I wouldn't bother with the blue bulbs though. Back when I was 16, blue bulbs was $10 and HIDs were $200+.

While it's fun and all to mod the car, keep in mind not to get too carried away with it lol. Remember, to hell with Modding, make sure it's running right first!

As for 10 vs 12, there really isn't too much of a difference. Just pick up a good brand one from Craigslist for around $40-50 and call it a day :-)

smee

Ahaha, he seriously does!! He hooks up all of us grandkids with cars. It's fantastic.
When you say blue bulbs, are you saying don't waste time on 6000k HID's??
And dannnng, $200, yea I'm not spending that much on HID's...

True true! I'm trying to prioritize the things in which I plan to do to the car. But I absolutely understand what you mean lol! Driving her down to SoCal today actually, did the checkup with Dad last night made sure everything was good under the hood and stuff.

Yea, I've searched Craigslist and there is some pretty good stuff out there.
I really want to make it simple and clean and not take up too much space.
I was actually just looking at the . Minimal trunk space, built in amp, less wiring, reviews are fantastic. Methinks that it would work wonderfully.

aznxenon

Oh, I meant the ones you installed recently. They look cool, but it decrease visibility and they're overwatted so it can melt your light housing as it runs too hot. The 6000K HID kit from DDM would work since you have projectors on the ES and it's relatively cheap.

As for the sub, that one actually looks pretty good! You'll be able to save plenty of space. Fosgate is a very good brand and they underrate their products. If you look at the crap at Best Buy, you'll see that a 300w Fosgate is way better than a "800w" Sony/Jensen/etc crap brand.

smee

Awesome!! Well I will be getting a 6k HID kit soon then.

Lol yea. I talked to some dudes at Best Buy a while back, tryin' to sell me their crap... I was skeptical, and after some research on the issue of the RMS rating vs. the retail "10000000WATTS FO SHO!" crap on the box. :P
I will definitely be getting a 12" Fosgate with the amp built in. I like my trunk space (I keep my longboard and other stuff back there 24/7).

smee

Alright. Updates!
Just got back from L.A., so don't mind those nasty bugs on the bumper/hood, 1,049 miles round trip. Odometer just hit 147,777. xD

In the last two days I've done a few things:
*Fixed the hinge for the gas cap/cover
*Removed the orange reflector in the headlights
*Cleaned projectors in the headlights

Before


After


With Reflector


Left = Cleaned, Right = Foggy, Rear = Trolling Friend


No reflector w/cleaned projectors


Both done (yes I need to clean my car ahahah... just got back from L.A., those dang bugs...)


Headlights are so much sharper and brighter on the road!


High Beams


Next step is to clear the orange in the taillights! (tomorrow)
~smee

smee

Ok so I got the itch to clear the tails tonight, although it was planned for tomorrow... :P
Did it in three hours, finished at 1am. xD

Process in summary:
-Remove taillight assemblies
-Take out bulbs, remove three small screws, remove license plate light piece, remove rubber vents
-Briefly wipe plastic with wet paper towel (mine were super dirty)
-Set oven at 350F on Bake
-Put taillight in oven on a cookie sheet (I even put a hand towel on the cookie sheet, under the taillight
-After it's in, turn off oven, set the timer for 5-7min
-Remove taillight and cookie sheet, turn the oven on again afterwards (to save time)
-Slowly pry assembly apart starting on the top, on the part furthest from the curved part of the taillight
-Once top the top part is mostly pulled apart, put it back in the oven UPSIDE DOWN (opposite of the way you put it in last) for another 5-7min, and again, turn the oven off once it is in
-Remove, pry bottom side apart slowly, pull apart gently and be careful about the curved part
-Remove screw
-Sand down the edges on the orange plastic piece and spray paint it silver
-Resemble the clear reflector + silver part onto the taillight assembly
-Gently push the two pieces of the assembly back together as much as you can
-Put entire assembly back into the oven for another 5-7min
-Remove and press it all back together, use small clamps if necessary (certain parts may need extra force)

Here are the pictures of the process:

Before (and don't let the trunk being open merp you out, when its closed it is flush ahaha)


Tails off


Stock taillight of a 1995-96 ES300


Took off everything


After two rounds in the oven


Took both of the orange things to the garage


Painted Silver (this stuff dries super fast)


Back in the oven once each and put back together


All of that just to get an orange piece of plastic out... worth it? YES.


Finished product!


Now for some sleep.
~smee

EEngineer

dude, this is very nice progress!
haha, i just might start messing with the lights again once all my other to do items are done.
great write up, nice work!

smee

Thanks man!!
The lights were fun. I love the cleaner look.

Cleaned the car last weekend too... but then it started raining, and has been stormy all week. xD
anyway, here are the clean pics:







I kinda want to do a '96 front bumper swap...

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

^ you have a 96 bumper... unless you meant older style?

I can see its sagging a bit, why not freshen it up with one from a you-pull-it junkyard - that isn't sagging?

EEngineer

man...ur car looks really good and all, but that ride height....is just......*&^*%*&$&^(*(*_)(*&^$%%^&*(!@!#@!#