1999 LS400: Can someone please tell me what the best option is for a timing belt replacement kit for me? I'm open to suggestions. Here are the two i am looking at:

or

Thanks for your time!

 

The Aisin kit has become the go to TB kit on this forum. It's priced lower than the Dayco and with Aisin you are guaranteed to get KOYO (Japanese made) bearings.
Aisin is the OE water pump manufacturer for Toyota but many ppl here will argue the pump included in this kit is not the same pump you get from Lexus or Toyota.......
I've installed 2 of these kits on previous LS400's over the years and never had an issue.

 

I second bradland on the Aisin kit. Did mine in January this year. Everything went flawless put a bit over 3k on since with some road trips.
I looked that pump over close, seemed to be the same.

 

Thanks you two!

I think I'll probably service the serpentine belt too.

 

Depending on the mileage situation I usually throw in a new radiator when doing a TB service. You have to remove it anyway during the job and they are relatively inexpensive.
You can use a towing pkg rad from Denso to increase your cooling capacity a little-

 

Lexus was unable to obtain an answer from Toyota parts distribution regarding differences between towing package radiator and standard radiator.for 1995- 2000 LS400

What information do you have?

 

There are two radiators listed

16400-50130 MARK = 5013 $410.30
16400-50150 MARK = 5015 $471.84

Even though it doesn't state tow package the more expensive one is for said package.

 

Many here have installed the Denso 221-4101 and commented it is considerably thicker than the stock rad. Sorry I don't have an exact measurement. Enough thicker that most were concerned about potential mounting issues but later reported back that the Denso product mounts fine without any fitment concerns. I don't think we need Lexus or Toyota to tell us a certain part is thicker than another...

 

The objective of making dealer request was to obtain images depicting the towing package radiator profile (thickness) to allow an informed decision.

Anyone with such an image?

Please post.

Thanks.

 

Here's my 2 cents on this topic since I just went through this in March.

My 2000 LS had the original TB, WP etc. so I say go with OE all the way. I spent about $500 on parts but I replaced dang near everything (not the radiator).

While it cost me about $200+ to go that route, amortized over 8-10 years, it is nothing.

On a related note, my local Lexus dealer, when asked, was very competitive with online prices.

Good luck,


Eddie