I've been appreciating VIP (Vippu/Bippu) style since around '00 but it seemed it was never the right time or place to begin a project of my own. I signed up on this forum in '02 so I could do searches to research info, but I've never really posted here because I didn't have a project of my own. I'm happy to say, after 7 years of waiting, my Project has finally begun. Yesterday I picked up a 1990 Lexus LS400 for a very good price. These cars rock!! This is actually my first "Import" project. I've been building Domestic cars (Camaros) for about 8 years, and I've been drifting (or attempting to drift) Camaros for the past 4 years. I have to admit, even in stock form, this LS400 is the best Cruiser type car I've ever owned. Even at 17 years age and over 100K miles the car rides great, everything works flawlessly. I'm really looking forward to building this car. With the build I have planned this is only going to get better. It'll start off slow with tint, interior, and sounds. But before the end of the year I plan to sell two of my other projects and the mods will get better and better. Eventually I plan to have air suspension, some deep dish wheels with high offset, nice kit, and some custom paint. Well anyway, just wanted to introduce myself, and I guess I'll see you guys around...

 

I think you meant to say "deep dish wheels with low offset"....not high, because that would contradict VIP style.

Congrats on your LS purchase and good luck on your project.

 

yeah, as Brian said, you'l be wanting a set of wide, low-offset wheels for maximum lip.

 

what the lowest offset you can get away with without fender pulling or rolling?

+35mm clear on a 10" wheel?

 

hey man good luck with your project, its gonna be a long start but will be worth it in the end.

 

Welcome to the club, and keep us posted on your plans/progress!

 

Sorry for taking so long to post the pics, here they are:





And here are some wheels I picked up about 4 hours ago, found a good deal and jumped on it:

Work Euroline S2H

18x9 front +40
18x10 rear +38





Here's a mockup next to the car just to see what it'll look like



I have not decided on tire sizes yet but right now I'm thinking 215/40/18 front and 235/40/18 rears, will have to look into that more before buying. I'm the kind of guy that dosn't like to run mods until I got everything setup right so these wheels probably won't go on the car for another few months (when I get the airstruts/airbags for proper stance). Also considering running some 10-20mm spacers to make it even more flush.

Tomorrow I'm gonna be picking up a set of JDM headlights, hopefully should have the HID's for those enclosures (H4) by next weekend.

Total price so far on this project so far (the car and the wheels) $4000

 

Oh yea man. Those wheels will look good on that 1st gen. I cant wait to see them on it.

 

Hmm, those rims look very familiar. I think I know who you bought them from. Good choice.

 

Right on, thanks guys. I got them from the fastest Egg on the island (Yoshi). I think he got them from Mr.Kenji on vipstylecars forums. I wanted to do 19's with a little more dish than this but the price was right and I'm a cheap bastard. It shouldn't be too hard to clean up (some issues with clearcoat where the spoke meets the dish).

 

I know Yoshi well. I like he used to be PimpLux and X/K members. I go by ChrisK on most all forums but this one since that user name was already taken. Good luck with your project. I myself might get a 98+ LS400, or maybe a GS400/430 whichever I find first.

 

I like the deep dish on those rims. pRaHjeC I believe has the same set if you want to see what they'll look like on a Lex.

Congrats!

 

Prahjec's rims are similar, but not the same.

hehas Euroline S2's compared to Hawaiian's S2H. basically prahjec's are flat faced.

 

Oh... I knew something looked a little different. Thanks PD!

 

Picked up the 1 piece headlights today, they are pretty sweet. I'll install them later when I get the HID kit. Still deciding if I should go cheap HID or name brand OEM suppliers.

One of the things wrong with the car is the tint on two windows is starting to peel. I'm gonna make an appointment to have the car tinted tomorrow. Recently the local tint laws have doubled or trippled the fines (like $280 per window now) so I'm going all legal tint, 35% all around.