IanB2

Picked up a new ride for the wife a few weeks back, thought I'd introduce myself and the truck. It had some ugly aftermarket wheels w/ stock tires on it, so 1st order of business was some 265/70/17 Duratracs on FJ Criser 6-spokes. 1st pic is just after I got them mounted up.

Went out to a buddy's cabin for the long weekend, the plowed ice road from New Years was still passable so we were able to park at the end of the dock on the ice rather than hike in (no road to the cabin, boat in during the summer time). Got a big storm over the weekend, and the road blew in badly, got a chance to put the new truck and the Duratracs to work!

ahnjae

iTrader: (2)

Nice truck and welcome! I just purchased an 04 as well. The wheels actually flow pretty well!

As you probably already know, i believe the 04 doesn't come with the bluetooth and back up camera so I solved the issue by installing a GROM unit for the bluetooth and iPod and the NavTool for the back up camera.

IanB2

My '04 does have the navi/backup camera, just not the bluetooth, or the iphone input. I was also looking at the GROM unit to solve this, but I've read I'll loose the functionality of the glovebox CD changer, which I guess I could live with.

ahnjae

iTrader: (2)

Yes you will lose the CD changer......well worth it tho for me since I never CDs anymore

ahnjae

iTrader: (2)

Yes you will lose the CD changer......well worth it tho for me since I never buy CDs anymore

IanB2

Picked up some Weathertech digital floor liners and cargo liner this week, really nicely designed pieces! I also got the GROM iphone/USB/bluetooth aux input device, but I'm waiting on some warmer weather to get that installed.

mann777

Welcome Ian to CL, Good looking truck

cubbychubb

Great looking truck, looks brand new!

IanB2

Snapped a few pics this weekend after putting some serious elbow grease into the Lexus. Vacuumed, steam cleaned, magic eraser on any scuffs in the plastic, scrubbed out any stains in the carpet, armor-all'd, cleaned the headliner, leather protectant, a real good exterior cleaning and some time spent with the paint touch up pen, and it's finally feeling like mine (well, the wife's technically).

Matsui

I like how those tires look. How are they in terms of noise and comfort?

IanB2

Thanks, they are barely audible with the windows down around town, and same with the windows up on the highway, wind noise is much louder, and even that's not bad on these trucks. They are very comfortable, and they really shine in the snow and ice that we have 1/2 the year around here. I've had them on my last 3 trucks, and I'm always very impressed.

IanB2

Finally got a pic of the plastidipped grille that I did a few months ago and the truck clean.

JAH29

Awesome! I have same wheels. I like them more than the stock as they look meatier (IMHO). Have same dog too except mine is also meatier (115 pound Shepard, but she's on a diet).

Tipler

love the grill

IanB2

Well yesterday was a sad day for me, I finally handed the keys to the Lexus back to the wife. When we originally purchased this vehicle it was with her in mind, and then I stole it away and have been driving it for the last year and a bit while I waited for my Land Cruiser to arrive, lol.

In the time we've had it, I've done the following work:
-timing belt, water pump, new radiator
-new front calipers/rotors/Hawk LTS pads, new rear rotors and Hawk LTS pads, flushed the brake fluid
-2x drain & fills of tranny fluid with WS-ATF
-new spark plugs, PCV, air filter, cabin air filter
-2x drain & fills of PS fluid
-painted grille and badges with plastidip
-flushed F & R diffs and TC with synthetic gear oil

I've also added:
-FJC wheels and 265/70/17C GY Duratrac tires
-GROM USB2 w/ Bluetooth
-XenonDepot HID on low beams
-Weathertech digital liners (1st and 2nd row) and cargo liner
-high powered reverse bulbs

I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff too.

It's been a very good vehicle thus far, the fuel economy sucks but I knew that going in. If I had to do it over again I'd stay with stock size tires, as the larger rubber really seemed to suck the acceleration out of it, I'm sure it's negatively impacted fuel economy, and I feel it struggles to tow my double snowmobile trailer above 105km/h due to the taller gearing as well. Honestly, this isn't a truck that will see offroad use, so the bigger tires were for looks alone, and the penalty isn't worth it to me.

At first I thought the vehicle lacked "character" coming from a RHD turbo diesel Land Cruiser that oozed "character", but now that I'm handing it over, I definitely missed it as I will be driving an '05 Acura MDX until the end of the month and it is very vanilla in comparison. The body on frame ride and handling are great, the features like auto up/down on all windows was great, and the truck was generally very comfy and just a really nice place to spend time in.

Thanks to the forum for all the assistance, I'll still be around from time to time checking in on people's projects, and trying to lend a hand where I can.