Francis K

I know the softer shocks, charcoal rocker panels, various emblems, Lexus "premium" sound , wheels and centercaps and correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the rear bumper and step bars 2 different colors?

Just curious, thinking about taking off charcoal rocker panels off of the LX....I kinda like the way LC's look better all black....sleeker....

Anyone have any input?

Francis K

Anyone?

pbm317

I think this is kind of tough. Because the panel on the rear door is also connected to the Fender flare.... And I hope you're not planning to take those off. Maybe if you had black fender flares and black bumpers, then I'd do it. So it'd be a pretty big project to make it look sleek with a monotone color scheme. Need Land Cruiser Fender Flares (if the paint matches), I don't know if there's any sort of clips/holes under the rocker panels, then the bumper painting thing.

Francis K

I know of a place that sells the black rocker panels. So we'll see about that...

But does anyone have anymor einfo as to what differentiates a LX from a LX, anyone driven both, impressions?

pbm317

Black Rocker panels would look nice. Only left is the bumpers now.
Had a '94 Land Cruiser, which was traded for the 97 LX, essentially same Generation minus Airbags. LX has softer leather... slightly different seat design (stitch wise) They drive in much the same manner. I think I remember reading that the LX transmission was calibrated for smoother shifts, but the differences seem minimal , as the Land Cruiser transmission was fairly smooth for a truck as it was. Suspension, as you know, is somewhat smoother, but still rubbery in feeling, especially when loaded. It is quieter inside than the Land Cruiser due to better sound insulation. Also had the 6 CD changer available in the rear of the center console, I don't think the Land Cruiser had this. Grille was also different. And I felt the headlight itself was a little different. The Lexus had a more clear look to the glass than the Land Cruiser did. Clear front corner lights for the LX versus the orange colored light on the Land Cruiser.
As you probably already know, Lexus was quite hasty to bring this car to the market, and didn't really have a chance to make it a "true" Lexus. So it is really just rebadging, in the true sense of the word. Much like the original Cadillac Escalade was a simple rebadging of the first Yukon Denali. With the LX470, Lexus was able to have more say into what differentiated the LX from the Land Cruiser.

Francis K

all great useful info...appreciate it, it still hurts when I think about Lexus techs just brining in a LC and putting on different badges......

AKoch

It does. I said it many times before - 'Lexus' is a rebudged for the North American market Toyota. And we are just stupid enough to believe in this 'luxury' marketing game. LX470 is rebudged TLC Cygnus, stripped out of some options and gadgets to make it cheaper I guess. And I'm personally mad about it, I'd much rather drive TLC Cygnus, than 'Lexus'.