LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

UCF20/21 name designation

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Old 02-06-07, 09:37 PM
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PureDrifter
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Default UCF20/21 name designation

Many years ago this is what we thought the 2nd gen LS400 Chassis Codes meant.
Ucf20= 1995-1997 Ls400
Ucf21= 1998-2000 Ls400

THIS WAS WRONG!

After this thread, we discovered that instead, it meant the following:
UCF20= '95-00 LS400 without Air Suspension (standard)
UCF21= '95-00 LS400 WITH Air Suspension (and/or Rear seat massage package in japan/Europe only)

So it is very easily possible to have a '99 UCF20, and in North America, the bulk of '98-00 LS400s are UCF20 chassis codes as Air suspension was a very rare option by that point. You are slightly more likely to find a '95-97 UCF21 in the USA than a '98-00 as people were less wary of the A/S reliability.

Last edited by PureDrifter; 01-22-12 at 03:57 PM. Reason: Made post relevant since nobody reads the whole thread...
Old 02-18-07, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by PureDrifter
through this FAQ the following terms will be used:

UCF20= 1995-1997 LS400
UCF21= 1998-2000 LS400
A/S= Air Suspension (factory-oem)
Rear Section= "axle back" ie. using OEM midpipe
Cat-Back= no OEM piping after the Catalytic Converters



Tutorials

Note:
best place for general information will be www.Lexls.com, most of his tutorials for the 1LS will transfer over with only minor (if any) changes.
i said it once, and i'll say it again
UCF20 = 95-98
UCF21 = 95-98 (TYPICALLY DENOTES A/S OPTION)
Old 02-18-07, 12:26 PM
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TJW98LS
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Originally Posted by chubby
i said it once, and i'll say it again
UCF20 = 95-98
UCF21 = 95-98 (TYPICALLY DENOTES A/S OPTION)
No, the UCF21 is 98-00, and is the only years of the 400 which had air suspension option.
Old 02-18-07, 01:46 PM
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chubby
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Originally Posted by TJW98LS
No, the UCF21 is 98-00, and is the only years of the 400 which had air suspension option.
how ironing, your av is from g-answer. look at their website and tell me what it says.
http://www.g-answer.com/aero/aero.html

the chassis code layout i mentioned is universal. in fact all "UCF" to date have the same chassis code layout. in fact i quoted the lexls link so u can even see for yourself.

and to further correct your response, other years have had an air suspension option may it be from the US market or elsewhere
Old 02-18-07, 05:15 PM
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Originally Posted by TJW98LS
No, the UCF21 is 98-00, and is the only years of the 400 which had air suspension option.
Where did you find this information?

Originally Posted by chubby
i said it once, and i'll say it again
UCF20 = 95-98
UCF21 = 95-98 (TYPICALLY DENOTES A/S OPTION)
typically denotes a/s option??



Where did you guys come up with this stuff from?
Old 02-18-07, 05:52 PM
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every lexus tech/dealer/corp/etc. has told me that the /1 is a >mc designation.

Last edited by GRAND_LS 4; 03-07-07 at 12:23 AM.
Old 02-18-07, 07:45 PM
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chubby
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you said it yourself
Note:
best place for general information will be www.Lexls.com, most of his tutorials for the 1LS will transfer over with only minor (if any) changes.


and according to www.lexls.com ( http://www.lexls.com/info/lsgenerations.html ),
There are four model codes for the three LS generations - the UCF10, UCF20, UCF30, and UCF40. You will also here about the UCF11, UCF21, UCF31, and UCF31 model codes. These are LS model codes for markets other than the USA and Canadian markets (and possibly a few others I don't know about). Below I have listed the model codes next to the LS generation and series so you can understand what I'm talking about.
this information is partially true, partially false because JP and EU markets use the "1" to specify a/s option, but then the US also have a/s. the reality here is that the chassis code designation is universal. we just dont see it that way because it "doesn't look the same." when you hear people speak of the highest option available in the limited coach, platinum, ultra limited, etc. editions, they are inferring about the "1". if you don't believe me, ask the ls430 guys. they use this method all the time.

another example are 240sx vehicles. 95-98 are designated as s14, yet they look different.

i just dont want anyone to get screwed over on parts that they are buying from overseas. it's happened so many times because of this misinformation.
Old 02-19-07, 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by chubby
you said it yourself




and according to www.lexls.com ( http://www.lexls.com/info/lsgenerations.html ),


this information is partially true, partially false because JP and EU markets use the "1" to specify a/s option, but then the US also have a/s. the reality here is that the chassis code designation is universal. we just dont see it that way because it "doesn't look the same." when you hear people speak of the highest option available in the limited coach, platinum, ultra limited, etc. editions, they are inferring about the "1". if you don't believe me, ask the ls430 guys. they use this method all the time.

another example are 240sx vehicles. 95-98 are designated as s14, yet they look different.

i just dont want anyone to get screwed over on parts that they are buying from overseas. it's happened so many times because of this misinformation.
Wait hold on...if the "1" specifies a/s option...then what's that say about the UCF10 and UCF11...or the UCF30 or UCF31. The "1" represents that it is a different model than the UCF20. That "1" does not justify that those models have a particular option, it means that they are just simply a make-over of the previous model...

UCF10 89-92
UCF11 93-94
UCF20 95-97
UCF21 98-00
UCF30 01-03
UCF31 04-06
Old 02-23-07, 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by TJW98LS
Wait hold on...if the "1" specifies a/s option...then what's that say about the UCF10 and UCF11...or the UCF30 or UCF31. The "1" represents that it is a different model than the UCF20. That "1" does not justify that those models have a particular option, it means that they are just simply a make-over of the previous model...

UCF10 89-92
UCF11 93-94
UCF20 95-97
UCF21 98-00
UCF30 01-03
UCF31 04-06
aha, i found some more troof. i hope a member on here doesnt mine me using this pic. "ucf2021" and on the top it reads 98/99 bumper replacement
Old 02-23-07, 11:28 AM
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I'm sure the bumper fits a UCF20. The only way to order a bodykit from Japan is to justify wither or not your Celsior is a UCF20 or UCF21. If I ordered a UCF20 bodykit for my 99 LS400, it would not fit the front because the whole front end is different than a UCF20. I think it's time I talked to one of the representatives at the Toyota plant down the road. They used to make Camry's but it's said that they make the LS and ES now.
Old 02-23-07, 04:24 PM
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as i said before, show me official proof and il change it. LSportline wasnt in any way associated with Lexus/Toyota.


il make some calls next week and see what i can dig up.

Last edited by GRAND_LS 4; 03-07-07 at 12:24 AM.
Old 02-23-07, 09:05 PM
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Ucf20 represents all years from 95-2000 research some japanese websites or ask {-_-} on this forum he will clarify. The 21 indicates the "premium" model meaning in most cases air sus. It's everywhere and not so hard to prove. If you need proof i can provide it, both door stickers on my 95 and friends 99 say "ucf20". I know a guy that has a 96 with air sus and it is indicated as "ucf21" on the same sticker. Remember when you order parts and such esp suspension from japan you specify ucf20 if yours does not have air suspension either that or be stuck with parts you cant use. Here is partial proof http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/00...index2007.html scroll to the bottom and it says 20 celsior for both before and minor change cars.
Old 03-06-07, 08:04 PM
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I've been reading this thread for a while and I can offer some info from personal observation.

I have a 1996 LS and my friend at work has a 1995. His '95 has air suspension (little toggle switch right next to the transmission toggle switch) and my '96 does not.

Today we looked at both stickers on both drivers' side door jams and they BOTH read "UCF20L".

There was no "21" designation on his a/s equiped car.

We've been over both cars and cannot find any other differences.

Don't know if this helps any.....
Old 03-06-07, 08:25 PM
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chubby
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^^ the US market does not use "21" as a chassis specification. other markets do i.e. the JDM parts that you buy assumes your knowledge.
i'd say over 90% all of our aftermarket lexus products are from japan. better safe than sorry, right?
this forum is an interest forum, correct?
my opinion for a forum like this to be reputable, concrete facts should be stated. this is a ls400 faq afterall
Old 03-06-07, 09:44 PM
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How do you know for a fact that Japan uses a different set of numbers for their Celsiors? I mean, wouldn't that just be completely confusing?

I DO, however, remember seeing a 1996 Celsior for sale on a Japanese website that had the front end of the 98. That may just be because in Japan, they do crazy stuff with their cars?

Lexus is sold mainly here in the United States, and the Toyota versions are sold over in Japan. They don't make many large cars there, because I mean look at the place. It's about as big as my street and has a population of so many. Why would Toyota not distinguish a Celsior, the same way as an LS400? My car - 99 LS says a UCF21 on the panel and it's not the ULTRA. It's rare if you find an Ultra lurking in the U.S. The ultra has rear climate and rear heated seats + everything on my car...navi/hids yaddda yaddda. But even my 98 Base model I had a year ago said UCF21, so I mean, the "1" cannot mean PREMIUM model. I'm telling you man, the "1" means that the cars went through minor changes! I just want proof of a 95-97 with an embedded UCF21, and I'll rest my case.


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