Lexuswiz's RX330
#1
Lexuswiz's RX330
Hello Club Lexus!
New member and recent owner of a 2005 RX330 AWD.
Finally got my chance at luxury and traded in my old 2001 Highlander for this baby. I have always been a Toyota fanatic and recently jumped over from the ToyotaNation forums. I'll have to say, leather seats are very nice! But in reality, I have always been scared of luxury and my Toyota's have proven affordable, reliable, and wrench-able. Time to step foot into uncharted territory. Unlike my bone stock Highlander, I've decided to put some tasteful mods to it.
Hope to absorb and give a wealth of information as TN has treated me. I hate the dealer and refuse to go there for any reason.
Specs:
~74K miles
White Crystal Pearl
Beige Interior
Navigation w/backup camera
AFS HID lights
18" wheels
Exterior:
Weathertech Dark Tint Rain Guards
Matte Black Nerf Bars
LED plate & reverse lights
Interior:
LED conversion
Viper 2-way Remote Start
Weathertech Floor Liners
Lexus Cargo Mat
More to come!
Thanks for the stopping in, feel free to drop suggestions or feedback. I got a spark plug job and timing belt up soon.
New member and recent owner of a 2005 RX330 AWD.
Finally got my chance at luxury and traded in my old 2001 Highlander for this baby. I have always been a Toyota fanatic and recently jumped over from the ToyotaNation forums. I'll have to say, leather seats are very nice! But in reality, I have always been scared of luxury and my Toyota's have proven affordable, reliable, and wrench-able. Time to step foot into uncharted territory. Unlike my bone stock Highlander, I've decided to put some tasteful mods to it.
Hope to absorb and give a wealth of information as TN has treated me. I hate the dealer and refuse to go there for any reason.
Specs:
~74K miles
White Crystal Pearl
Beige Interior
Navigation w/backup camera
AFS HID lights
18" wheels
Exterior:
Weathertech Dark Tint Rain Guards
Matte Black Nerf Bars
LED plate & reverse lights
Interior:
LED conversion
Viper 2-way Remote Start
Weathertech Floor Liners
Lexus Cargo Mat
More to come!
Thanks for the stopping in, feel free to drop suggestions or feedback. I got a spark plug job and timing belt up soon.
Last edited by Lexuswiz; 01-14-17 at 03:57 PM.
The following users liked this post:
Lexuswiz (01-02-17)
#3
I actually just followed your spark plug guide. MUCH THANKS. Very tedious job but nothing crazy, easier then when my cats failed on my highlander. I also agree but my highlander was a 2.4L 2AZ-FE not the 3.3L 3MZ-FE. But going from timing chain to belt is very different, much quieter and smoother ride.
#8
Extremely nice find, similar to my newly acquired 05, same color & factory options, fortunately mine lived in California for some time, no rust whatsoever on the undercarriage. Now the SUV lives in the Great White North (Canada), undercoating is a must.
I wanted to post photos but the SUV is way too dirty with sand & salt after a massive snowfall followed by the snow melting. Now at 7 Degrees F too cold to wash the SUV. I may have to wait to March to post photos.
Although I have 137 K miles with no record if the Timing Belt/ Water Pump was done, therefore will have that done this Friday, Spark Plugs were done at 127 K.
Amazing that you have about half the millage at one year older, barely broken in. Congrats & enjoy the ride.
I wanted to post photos but the SUV is way too dirty with sand & salt after a massive snowfall followed by the snow melting. Now at 7 Degrees F too cold to wash the SUV. I may have to wait to March to post photos.
Although I have 137 K miles with no record if the Timing Belt/ Water Pump was done, therefore will have that done this Friday, Spark Plugs were done at 127 K.
Amazing that you have about half the millage at one year older, barely broken in. Congrats & enjoy the ride.
The following users liked this post:
Lexuswiz (01-14-17)
#9
Extremely nice find, similar to my newly acquired 05, same color & factory options, fortunately mine lived in California for some time, no rust whatsoever on the undercarriage. Now the SUV lives in the Great White North (Canada), undercoating is a must.
I wanted to post photos but the SUV is way too dirty with sand & salt after a massive snowfall followed by the snow melting. Now at 7 Degrees F too cold to wash the SUV. I may have to wait to March to post photos.
Although I have 137 K miles with no record if the Timing Belt/ Water Pump was done, therefore will have that done this Friday, Spark Plugs were done at 127 K.
Amazing that you have about half the millage at one year older, barely broken in. Congrats & enjoy the ride.
I wanted to post photos but the SUV is way too dirty with sand & salt after a massive snowfall followed by the snow melting. Now at 7 Degrees F too cold to wash the SUV. I may have to wait to March to post photos.
Although I have 137 K miles with no record if the Timing Belt/ Water Pump was done, therefore will have that done this Friday, Spark Plugs were done at 127 K.
Amazing that you have about half the millage at one year older, barely broken in. Congrats & enjoy the ride.
I agree, undercoat is a must but I'll have to wait until the spring. I've only blasted the bolts for the nerf bars I installed to make it last.
But, it's actually an '05, I need to change the post. I was under the impression the car was an '04 but the title came in recently and kept forgetting. So we have the same car
#10
Quite a coincidence, same timing for the purchase, same year, colors & options for the RX330.
I purchased the Gates TCKWP257A Timing Belt Kit with Water Pump which seems to have positive reviews, the kit will be installed next Friday. Hopefully I made the right choice to not have any worries for another 90 K, only time will tell.
That's about the only urgent major issue for now, also need to repair the auto Tailgate (functions fine manually), Rear Wiper & Backup Camera Lens appears to be out of focus, perhaps some moisture trapped on the coating of the lens, on the inside.
I will wait for Spring to tackle those minor issues unless a blast of warm temperatures appears before then.
I purchased the Gates TCKWP257A Timing Belt Kit with Water Pump which seems to have positive reviews, the kit will be installed next Friday. Hopefully I made the right choice to not have any worries for another 90 K, only time will tell.
That's about the only urgent major issue for now, also need to repair the auto Tailgate (functions fine manually), Rear Wiper & Backup Camera Lens appears to be out of focus, perhaps some moisture trapped on the coating of the lens, on the inside.
I will wait for Spring to tackle those minor issues unless a blast of warm temperatures appears before then.
#11
Quite a coincidence, same timing for the purchase, same year, colors & options for the RX330.
I purchased the Gates TCKWP257A Timing Belt Kit with Water Pump which seems to have positive reviews, the kit will be installed next Friday. Hopefully I made the right choice to not have any worries for another 90 K, only time will tell.
That's about the only urgent major issue for now, also need to repair the auto Tailgate (functions fine manually), Rear Wiper & Backup Camera Lens appears to be out of focus, perhaps some moisture trapped on the coating of the lens, on the inside.
I will wait for Spring to tackle those minor issues unless a blast of warm temperatures appears before then.
I purchased the Gates TCKWP257A Timing Belt Kit with Water Pump which seems to have positive reviews, the kit will be installed next Friday. Hopefully I made the right choice to not have any worries for another 90 K, only time will tell.
That's about the only urgent major issue for now, also need to repair the auto Tailgate (functions fine manually), Rear Wiper & Backup Camera Lens appears to be out of focus, perhaps some moisture trapped on the coating of the lens, on the inside.
I will wait for Spring to tackle those minor issues unless a blast of warm temperatures appears before then.
#12
Between belts/kits used for the Honda 3.5 and Subaru 2.5, I haven't heard of any issues. Water pumps seemed universally mixed, with many saying to go OEM or at least find an Aisin. Again, mixed results. The rest of the Gates kits seem to be very good.
#13
Will do, although I probably drive less than 200 miles a month, nothing is far on this tiny Island.
The millage only changes drastically in summer for long road trips when I photograph professionally in Panoramic Format in other Provinces.
I am actually more concerned about the quality of the Water Pump with kits, the Timing Belt, Gaskets & Tensioner shouldn't really be an issue for quality.
Pleased to hear you personally have nothing against Gates products.
The millage only changes drastically in summer for long road trips when I photograph professionally in Panoramic Format in other Provinces.
I am actually more concerned about the quality of the Water Pump with kits, the Timing Belt, Gaskets & Tensioner shouldn't really be an issue for quality.
Pleased to hear you personally have nothing against Gates products.
#14
Will do, although I probably drive less than 200 miles a month, nothing is far on this tiny Island.
The millage only changes drastically in summer for long road trips when I photograph professionally in Panoramic Format in other Provinces.
I am actually more concerned about the quality of the Water Pump with kits, the Timing Belt, Gaskets & Tensioner shouldn't really be an issue for quality.
Pleased to hear you personally have nothing against Gates products.
The millage only changes drastically in summer for long road trips when I photograph professionally in Panoramic Format in other Provinces.
I am actually more concerned about the quality of the Water Pump with kits, the Timing Belt, Gaskets & Tensioner shouldn't really be an issue for quality.
Pleased to hear you personally have nothing against Gates products.
#15
I will be receiving the kit tomorrow, I'll post some photos of the Gates kit with hopefully some brand identification for each individual part.
Most likely it is better to purchase the parts as " the best of " individually, but my wallet says no.
Most likely it is better to purchase the parts as " the best of " individually, but my wallet says no.