I got a really nice 1999 LS400 with 100k a couple months ago, and it's been great. After some minor maintenance, no issues, and probably the smoothest ride I've ever had in any car, ever. However, the front splash shield (Part Number 51441-50070) has been needing repair, and it looks like at some point a mechanic tried to hack together a non-spec splash shield, as I can see holes had to be drilled into the underside to get it to fit

Anyway, I look that part number online, and it's totally discontinued. Tried local dealers and they say the same things, and when I place orders with the few places online that claim to have it in stock, I get an email within a few days saying that they actually don't have it, or that they can't ship it to me (USA).

I can find the rear guards no problem, and I can find the front guards for other years (95-97), but no front guards for the 99.

So all in all, any recommendations for alternatives?

I should mention - I unfortunately don't have the space/tools in my current living situation to fabricate anything of this size myself.

 

3 left but due to size the part may not ship
https://www.amayama.com/en/part/toyota/5144150070

 

Yup, that and megazip were the ones I tried, but couldn't ship due to size.

 

would the 95-97 part number fit ok on a 98-00?

and by ok i mean exactly lol

 

Exact fit is 1998-2000. Previous years don't know.

 

Yup, exactly. I've looked at a bunch of pictures of pre-98 and they certainly *look* different.

 

Maybe try a junkyard and get lucky with a good used one? Or inquire at one of the used parts auto recycle yards that specialize in Lexus parts.

 

Yea, been trying some of that with no success thus far, but will keep looking.

 

Any thoughts on black tyvek? In lieu of being able to find one or fab one myself, anyone see any major issues with cutting and drilling holes in a sheet of kevlar and fastening that to the underside? Would have to keep it tight enough that it doesn't drag on the road, but loose enough that the drilled holes don't rip through it.

 

The answer is yes. It fits ok. Not perfectly. The rear bolts line up perfectly. It's the front under the bumper where it's not perfect. Some of the screw holes line up, but a few don't. I'm using the 95-97 shield on my 98. It fastens up securely with no mods, but the edges don't bolt up and hang a little sloppily. No big deal to me, but you could probably mod it a bit if it really bothered you.

 

Thanks for the tip here. I went ahead and grabbed the 95-97 model and it actually works really well! The front doesn't line up perfect, but I was able to get all but 2 of the bolts in (I believe there are 7 or 8 total), and I don't see any overhang/lip. Most importantly, the bolts on the front corners fit fine, and they hold the shield taught against the bottom of the bumper, so there's no gap for rocks and debris to bounce up into. The holes in the back fit fine too. It looks like there a few holes in the middle of the shield that really don't line up to anything at all on the frame, and then there are screw holes in the car that I could probably drill in the shield to fasten, but didn't quite have the tools (or the patience ) to line things up and drill. But honestly, even with the screws just around the perimeter, it's pretty darn good. It sags down maybe 0.5-1" around the middle (which again, I probably could have address with some drilling), but it certainly won't scrape on anything except for maybe a really exceptional speed bump. And I was able to get the part for under $60 (even the 98-00 shields that were listed were well over $100, excluding shippings) including shipping, so even if I have to swap it out every couple years, it's still way cheaper than buying the *correct* one, or having one custom fabbed. And honestly, seeing the damage/issues with the old broken shield, it seems like the biggest enemy of the shields isn't the little bit of sag caused by poor fit, but rather, sloppy mechanics that don't properly replace the shield after maintenance, leave off bolts or U-clips, etc.

Anyway, tl;dr:
1999 LS400 are cross-compatible with 98-00 front engine splash shields, but the 95-97 models are definitely 'good enough'.
Here's the one I bought: https://www.carparts.com/Engine-Spla...25&bsft_tv=361

 

Thanks , Will take to different Shop for install knowing this!

 

Some shops don't like to alter or fabricate anything, they might see it as they will be held financially liable somehow ..but many smaller shops will, you just have to inform them you realize it's not going to fit absolutely perfect and give them permission to fit it in there. My splash guard on my 2000 got pretty roughed up a few months back from a large truck -re-tread "sidewinder" that came off the highway from a truck. It was a newer re-retread kind of coiled up some so it was not good it made quite the noise scraping under my car at around 40 mph. Luckily it didn't damage the lower "front bumper" of my car. But I did take my splash shield out because that re-tread just warped the heck out my shield and it was hanging down even with all the bolts and fasteners in place. So I still have mine but its damaged. I am in a fairly good climate here in San Diego so I am not overly concerned with it out for a while but one thing it does do besides keeping debris out is it is actually aerodynamic it allows the air to pass smoothly under the vehicle anything over like 45 mph it does increase fuel efficiency on the highway.