90-94 European LS400 front LIP???
03-09-07, 08:32 PM
#18
Lead Lap
As I have previously posted, I looked into converting the front lights on my first LS400 to the German LS400 specification shortly after I bought it in early 1990.
Back in 1990 the conversion would have cost thousands of dollars. Trying to do it today on an early LS would likely cost far more than the car's value.
The parts you would need are endless. You would need the dashboard mounted switch for the headlight beam adjusters but, unfortuately, the wiring for it is integrated into the European spec car's wire harness - it is not a separate wiring harness that you can buy. Same for the headlight washer switch and wiring. And you would need the extra relays.
The lighting systems, both front and rear, were very different on the European models and there were even differences depending on which European country an LS400 was made for.
I have the English language owners manual for the U.K. / Europe gen 1 LS400 and it describes some of these differences. Mainly, the German market requirements were stricter than for other European countries.
The conversion is a nice dream but not realistic.
Back in 1990 the conversion would have cost thousands of dollars. Trying to do it today on an early LS would likely cost far more than the car's value.
The parts you would need are endless. You would need the dashboard mounted switch for the headlight beam adjusters but, unfortuately, the wiring for it is integrated into the European spec car's wire harness - it is not a separate wiring harness that you can buy. Same for the headlight washer switch and wiring. And you would need the extra relays.
The lighting systems, both front and rear, were very different on the European models and there were even differences depending on which European country an LS400 was made for.
I have the English language owners manual for the U.K. / Europe gen 1 LS400 and it describes some of these differences. Mainly, the German market requirements were stricter than for other European countries.
The conversion is a nice dream but not realistic.
03-10-07, 02:15 PM
#20
Lead Lap
I'm just trying to give readers the benefit of my experiences.
I coworker friend of mine in the U.K. and I gave up pretty quickly trying to buy parts and accessories for each other's LS400s in the early 1990s. We kept finding out that parts were not interchangeable between U.K., Euro, and U.S. market cars. It was really an eye opener since the cars looked so similar.
Yes, some parts are Lexus cars are the same in all countries but it is a crap shoot. I've wasted good money buying LS400 parts in the U.K. and finding that they didn't work on the 1990 U.S. spec LS400 I had for 14 years.
I had a lot easier time buying European spec Mercedes parts that would fit U.S. spec Mercedes -- even bought them on-site at the warehouse near Sindlefingen where they were a lot more helpful than any U.K. or European Lexus agent I ever visited.
I coworker friend of mine in the U.K. and I gave up pretty quickly trying to buy parts and accessories for each other's LS400s in the early 1990s. We kept finding out that parts were not interchangeable between U.K., Euro, and U.S. market cars. It was really an eye opener since the cars looked so similar.
Yes, some parts are Lexus cars are the same in all countries but it is a crap shoot. I've wasted good money buying LS400 parts in the U.K. and finding that they didn't work on the 1990 U.S. spec LS400 I had for 14 years.
I had a lot easier time buying European spec Mercedes parts that would fit U.S. spec Mercedes -- even bought them on-site at the warehouse near Sindlefingen where they were a lot more helpful than any U.K. or European Lexus agent I ever visited.
03-17-07, 05:15 PM
#21
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The lip piece on the ROW LS400 is a sacrificial item...it gets scraped and dinged by every standard height curb and parking lot stopper. I just bought a replacement for my car, and the dealer told me that there are now only two left in the country, with no more coming. The price was $180 u.s.
The Australian bumper might be unique, as there is no fog light recess, but it does have that lip, which I am going to go install right now.
The Australian bumper might be unique, as there is no fog light recess, but it does have that lip, which I am going to go install right now.
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