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Does air suspension not always mean UL plackage?

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Old Dec 1, 2013 | 04:57 PM
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Default Does air suspension not always mean UL plackage?

I am looking at a 2001 and from the pix I saw it had the air suspension so I assumed UL package but when I checked out the back seat it did not have the seat massager, radio, etc; just the upholder and rear shade switch.
'
Build date is 04/01. Had everything else though: suede headliner, 'leather?' dash, radar CC, parking sensors, headlight washers. Almost seemed like a CL with the air suspension.

Anyway, just curious. TIA!
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Old Dec 1, 2013 | 05:31 PM
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For US models, Air Suspension was (only) part of the UL package, at least for the 04-06 years.
I don't recall for certain if this is also true for the 01-03s, but I believe so.

DRCC (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control) was part of the PCS (Pre-Collision System) which was an option on CL and UL cars. If it was not installed, the car had DLCC (Dynamic Laser Cruise Control).
You can determine for certain if you have a picture of the front. DRCC had a plastic "shield" surrounding the Lexus "L" in a circle logo in the middle of the grille, while DLCC had a "glass eye" in the lower passenger-side bumper.
DRCC was first available around 04/01 - the 04 models built previous to that had no PCS option, so yours would be one of the very first manufactured.

Your description of "CL with Air Suspension" is a good one. If you post the text in the next to bottom line of the VIN placard (on the driver's door frame), we should be able to check the market country.
It should look something like "Blah, blah, blah UCF30L - AETGKA". That example if for a US car.
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Old Dec 1, 2013 | 05:55 PM
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DRCC/PCS didn't exist on 01-03 model years. They only used Laser.
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Old Dec 1, 2013 | 06:01 PM
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aypues - Good to know. Thanks!

I think that Lexus caused a lot of confusion by using the term "radar" in the Cruise Control display on the dash - even for Laser CC.
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Old Dec 1, 2013 | 06:32 PM
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Great info! Any LS with radar cruise control always sets off the laser warning on my V1 and I didn't even think to realize the system was laser based. D'oh.

Oh and the code on this one is UCF30L-AEAGKA
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Old Dec 1, 2013 | 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Eds98LS
I am looking at a 2001 and from the pix I saw it had the air suspension so I assumed UL package but when I checked out the back seat it did not have the seat massager, radio, etc; just the upholder and rear shade switch.
'
Build date is 04/01. Had everything else though: suede headliner, 'leather?' dash, radar CC, parking sensors, headlight washers. Almost seemed like a CL with the air suspension.

Anyway, just curious. TIA!
Maybe the rear seat was replaced with a standard one due to component failure or damage. It is after all a 13 model year old, fairly low value car that many would not spend much to fix or restore to original condition.
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Old Dec 2, 2013 | 04:07 AM
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There's no button on the console that manipulates the rear power seats as well as there is no cool box so I highly doubt that was all removed.
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Old Dec 2, 2013 | 06:58 AM
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Check out the link to the sales brochures in the FAQ thread. IIRC, air suspension was offered as a stand-alone-option in 01-03 on certain trim levels. It was only available as part of the UL package in 04-06.
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Old Dec 2, 2013 | 10:09 AM
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A = LS430
E = 4-door Sedan
A = Automatic Transmission (5-speed)
G = grade
K = DOHC & SFI
A = USA (Canada would be K)
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Old Dec 2, 2013 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by caddyowner
Check out the link to the sales brochures in the FAQ thread. IIRC, air suspension was offered as a stand-alone-option in 01-03 on certain trim levels. It was only available as part of the UL package in 04-06.
Air suspension was never offered separately on the LS430 in the U.S. -- only in the ultra luxury package -- of that I am certain.

Air suspension was listed as a separate option for all years of the LS400 -- except that it really wasn't a separate option.. Air suspension was available only on LS400's that had a number of other options.

There could be a number of reasons for the confusion. Maybe the seller mixed photos from several vehicles including one with the UL package. Or maybe a previous owner added features. For example, if I can add OEM headlight washers to a car then anyone with basic automotive skills can.

Give us some photos and a link to the listing and we will figure this out quickly.
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Old Dec 2, 2013 | 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Kansas
Air suspension was never offered separately on the LS430 in the U.S. -- only in the ultra luxury package -- of that I am certain.

Air suspension was listed as a separate option for all years of the LS400 -- except that it really wasn't a separate option.. Air suspension was available only on LS400's that had a number of other options.

There could be a number of reasons for the confusion. Maybe the seller mixed photos from several vehicles including one with the UL package. Or maybe a previous owner added features. For example, if I can add OEM headlight washers to a car then anyone with basic automotive skills can.

Give us some photos and a link to the listing and we will figure this out quickly.
Check out the 02-03 sales brochures where (at least it says) active suspension is an available option. I remember this topic coming up a few years ago when someone else had an 01-03 LS430 with air suspension but no UL trim level.

http://www.toyotareference.com/lexusls/2001-2006
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Old Dec 2, 2013 | 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by caddyowner
Check out the 02-03 sales brochures where (at least it says) active suspension is an available option. I remember this topic coming up a few years ago when someone else had an 01-03 LS430 with air suspension but no UL trim level.

http://www.toyotareference.com/lexusls/2001-2006
There are quite a number of inaccuracies in Lexus brochures. You got to love those marketing guys.

Here are what appears to be accurate specifications and option list/pricing for the U.S. market 2003 LS430 from the Lexus corporate website: http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/2003/2003LSspecs.pdf

Edit: Modify the year in the URL I provided to view similar information for the 2001 through 2005 LS430.

Last edited by Kansas; Dec 2, 2013 at 06:32 PM.
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Old Dec 2, 2013 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Kansas
There are quite a number of inaccuracies in Lexus brochures. You got to love those marketing guys.

Here are what appears to be accurate specifications and option list/pricing for the U.S. market 2003 LS430 from the Lexus corporate website: http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/2003/2003LSspecs.pdf

Edit: Modify the year in the URL I provided to view similar information for the 2001 through 2005 LS430.

Thanks for clearing that up in my mind.
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