Hi everyone. Just wanted to do a introduction post and say hello. My name's Tom from NH, picked up my first daily driven Lexus about a month ago. It's a 95 LS400 w/ 180k, picked it up for $1300. Already replaced the rear brakes, and lower EGR tube. I did the work myself, I'm a mechanic by trade. And let me say this, it's really nice how the flanges on the exhaust and cats tend to rot out... Welding was a must to get them to seal again.

Have been driving the car and finding it's quirks. Have also been lurking the forum and finding great info on fixes and pointers on the platform. Is always nice to have a wealth of stored knowledge to fall back on.

Previously I had picked up a wrecked 94 LS400 for a parts car for a project I am in the middle of. I was able to do yard drives in it and, despite the condition, I instantly feel in love with the car. Since that point I was determined to acquire one.

Anyways, on to a few photos;


Anyways, thanks for havin me guys (and gals?), look forward to chattin with everyone here and there. Perhaps even meeting a few locals if there are any.

 

Welcome
Those are some nice project cars. How's the Cressida? Pics?

 

Thanks RA40. The Cressida is mid project. Not a whole lot to look at. The engine is still on a stand, just converted a W58 to mate with the 1UZ. Have BC coils sitting in a box waiting to go on.

 

Here's a few pics of that and the engine. Other than that the rest of the car is still pretty much stock, minus the interior being pulled. Pretty much just refreshed the 1uz with all the common tune up parts; timing kit w water pump, plugs, wires, caps and rotors, pcv valve, bunch of new gaskets and some powder coating to make it look pretty lol.

The same tranny adapter kit can be used to convert the LS400 and SC400 to 5spd.

 

Welcome nice projects.

 

congrats on the pickup.

That kit looks awefully like the T56-based TV8 kit i've got laying around in my garage, did you get that from the guy in cali or quantum in florida?

 

Picked in up from a place out of Cali. ToyotaV8.com, sorry if I broke any rules by posting that.

 

no that's fine, same kit i have, though this reminds me i need to reorder my TOB adapter. T56-style throw-out? let us know how that works out for you.

 

It is T-56 style yes. Keep in mind, this is all going in my Cressida.

 

mine's for a mk3 project

 

Haven't really bumped my into since my first post, but figured I'd drop in a few updates with the car. Nothing major as of yet, I've been focusing on maintenance first. Did the trans fluid swap, 2 qts of Toyota brand fluid and oil change. Due to do the 2nd drain and fill this weekend actually. The people who owned this car before me seriously let things go. So, as of now, I've replaced the following;

Air filter
Cabin Air Filter
Fuel Filter
Plugs
Wires
Caps & Rotors
Serpentine Belt
PCV Valve & Grommet
Wiper Blades
EGR Tube
Rear Pads and Rotors
Rear E-Brake Cables
Antenna Mast - old plastic track was broken off inside the motor
Subwoofer

Then I did a few smaller mods. Swapped the shift ****, grabbed some 6000k HID's, Polished the window trims (I did have another thread for that).







A few pics as to how long this car was neglected by the previous owner...





And I grabbed some wheels! Not exactly what I was in the market for, but when craigslist strikes at a great price and the owner is willing to deliver, how can you go wrong? MRR's 20x8.5 and 20x10. Not going to be putting them on the car until A) Coils B) Spring lol.



Also, I have to say this. It was amazing as to how much better this car runs and drives now from the day I picked it up. Just goes to show that a little preventative maintenance goes a long way.

 

If you still need fenders or doors. Look around ebay theres some cheap parts over there sometimes

 

dang nice! more interested in the 1UZ swap as i saw one this past week on a cressida too! never seen that type of throwout bearing and release i assume? your vert looks great too, esp the engine!

 

Thanks^^

@ Dranom
Thanks for the tip, it's exactly what I have been doing. I've since purchased a fender and I am watching a few doors as well.

 

So it's been a bit since I have bumped this thread. I finally found a replacement door!

I've also been working on a little project as well, a local shop and I have been working on a grille for my LS. This is just a test fit before final fitment, so there is still a little bit of tweaking to do here and there. Let me know what you guys think!