Just saw this thread. Keen to see how the VIP bits from Japan go when installed. I like that grill. Did not realise how close to home other LS430 owners are. I'm in Bunbury and I noticed your hire trailer location.

I had the the exact same car (pre-facelft in the same ivory pearl colour) which I sold around 18 months ago to a fella in Mandurah. Have since upgraded to a silver facelift model last year which I'm pimping up. My VIP rims arrived just before Xmas which took 4 months from Japan by canoe so I feel your pain.

I also noticed that ad you posted for a wrecking LS430 in Perth from a couple of years ago. I reckon that's the same car I bought that front right fender from hence why it's missing

 

Hi MacroP, how cool to find another LS430 owner in the south west! I really don't see many around but I always have a look if I come across one so would be great to check yours out especially with your upcoming mods. I bought my car from Mandurah but it was mid 2019

 

well the car has been back from the panel beaters after being straightened out, I received it back like this whilst i am still waiting for my parts to come. looking nice and straight now! the new air con condenser is in as well and all hooked up so it will need a re-gas at some point

 

Now I will do as much work as I can before parts arrive (they are actually in Australia now so not far off) last night I started with the broken relay/ecu boxes

ecu box was a straight forward swap, old vs new in the picture below

 

the triangular relay box next to it however was a different story. this one here




the relays are mounted in this cartridge which comes out from the top


then the wiring from underneath is actually pinned into the plastic casing as one big piece



So I had to de-pin the wiring harness from the casing, taking heaps of photos as I went, a small screwdriver was all that's needed to de-pin



and the wires would easily slip out



old plastic case vs new



re-pinned exactly how it was (hopefully) and all complete!



ECU and relay box now looking nice and straight

 

A few more minor jobs done

Replaced the foam between the radiator and support



Installed new horns



air intake back on



Lower air duct back on

 

Coming togethor nicely. You can't be far off now?

 

Is there a part number for the horns? Mine sound weird and drained, I wouldn’t mind replacing them

 

Lookin good .

 

yes not far off! the final piece of the puzzle is now the bonnet hinges, the guards need to come off to install these so this is stopping me from bolting anything else on

 

The horns I ordered were as follows

86520-50090
86510-50160

 

Well my package from Japan arrived today finally and I opened everything to check for any damage and had a play fitting things up

Grille




Rear spoiler

 

I am not 100% sure about the bodykit just yet... I mocked up a few parts but was struggling to see how they would fit properly, its difficult to do in my limited space so I will leave it up to the bodyshop . I understand its not genuine parts and it was not a big $$$ kit so there may be a bit of work in doing the fitting up but I will discuss with the bodyshop and get their opinion and go from there

 

Today someone came and did headlight restoration on the new headlights, I also had the fog lights done at the same time whilst they are off the bumper anyway. they also did ceramic coating so that should help the finish to last!

Before


After, they are not perfect but any imperfections are on the inside of the lens which you cant do much about




The fog lights were heavily rock chipped so you can still see some of that, but still well improved

 

The headlights came up pretty good and a clear lens make such a difference to the car's appearance. A yellowing lens looks awful.

If they go bad again - just remember you can get replacement new lenses from Aliexpress for about AUD $200 for the pair. I'm about to replace mine as my lenses won't clean up like yours. The plastic is sort of milky not yellow. I've done a full wet and dry sand back and 2K clearcoat and they still look milky. New plastic lenses for me.