Hi Everyone, finally getting around to making a proper introduction post.


The day I brought it home

A couple of weeks ago I picked up this minty lookin' 2004 LS430 and finally get to start my journey in to the big body boi club. First I wanna give a shoutout to @YannG for meeting up with me to talk shop and show me around his fantastic build, it really gave me the confidence and determination to know that I was heading in the right direction for my next car.

• 2004 Base
• Mercury Silver on Black interior
• Factory navigation with Mark Levinson audio.
• Excellent condition
  • there's a few blemishes in the paint on the back-end that I'm going try to buff out but otherwise amazing shape.
  • Leather all around is supple and no rips
  • Black dashboard has no bubbles or warps
  • Came with all 4 original keys - 3 standard AND the credit card emergency key!
• Went to the dealer at least once a year since new.

Minty


There are, of course, a couple of things that need to be addressed that I could use y'alls help on. I think I've seen them around the forums and I was aware that they are common issues that I should be able to easily fix.

• Front-passenger door lock actuator not working
• Power mirror controls - they worked the for the test drive but stopped after. Clean the control module contacts?
• ML subwoofer is blown.
• o2 sensor (bank 1, sensor 1) needs to be replaced. I grabbed all three to replace them as a group.

I've been spending the last couple of weeks getting my garage shop in order before I really dig in to anything. I am gutting the stereo out of my old car to transplant in to this one. I've also had to order all new floor jacks and jack stands! This thicc boi is too heavy for the simple Craftsman trolley jack and stands I first got years ago. Here's a little bit of what's to come:

• JVC KD-X470BHS stealth-DIN install
• Alpine S-A55V 5-channel amp
• Infinity Kappa 60.9cs on all 4 corners
• Rockford Fosgate P3 Shallow Mount 10" subwoofer

Service Parts and Audio Goodies

Lots of other things in store, but these are the immediate things that'll be happening over the coming weeks. Thanks for looking!

-Stylo

 

Nice find, Stylo. Car looks outstanding. (Read JVC KD-X470BHS fits nicely in non nav LS430s. But, not so much for models with nav.)

 

Thanks! I'm using this thread as guidance to replace the CD changer with the aftermarket head unit and bypass the Mark Levinson system to go aftermarket. I'll be attempting to mount my 10" subwoofer in the stock location with as little modification as possible.

 

I'd reconsider ditching the ML system, the speakers do sound really good. Instead I would add a subwoofer and a aux in or blutetooth interface.

If you do want to proceed with changing the speakers and head unit how will you wire the speakers? Don't forget about the dash mounted tweeters they're in an excellent location, relocating them will degrade performance. If you ditch the ML system pull the amp and sell it, they're worth a good bit of money in working condition.

Oh yeah this isn't a base model car, base model wouldn't have navigation.

 

Oh yeah, I've heard what the ML system can offer and while it's great, it's just not quite what I need. This comes from years and years of designing and installing audio systems and while I'm not talking in the leagues of Focal PS 165s or anything, I much prefer the sound of my trusty Infinity kappas.

You can utilize the existing wire coming out of the ML amp to carry the signal from the Alpine amplifier to the speakers; just t-tap the wires securely and jump them. I figure once I'm in in there and looking for paths for the tweeters up front, I'll decide how I go. Going in to this, I think I'm just going to mount the tweeters to the little triangles that cover the side mirror bolts and us directional mounts to better angle their sound pattern; but I'm holding out that I'll find a clever way to put them in the factory spot without having to open up the whole dash. And yeah, I will definitely be selling all functioning ML gear that's in good condition. Amp and speakers.

Lastly, thanks for the clarity. I see people reference the CL, ML, and UL trims when talking about their cars and I don't think I have any of that. I think the navigation is the only option that this car has. It doesn't really matter to me, I'm still in love with it.

 

With https://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/ and your VIN # you can know, for free, what trim level and options (the color, how it's equipped, all the technical specifications) as well as the service history of the vehicle. (You may likely have the ML or Modern Luxury package, based on the information you provided, btw....)

 

Where do I find it in there? I made a profile when I started searching and was a tool that helped me get this car (b/c I got to see that sweet, sweet Lexus service history) but I haven't been able to find any extra details about my car

 

At https://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/resources go to FIND SPECIFICATIONS https://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrive.../vehicle-specs for VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS Log in or enter a VIN to look up information about a vehicle's model year, standard and optional equipment, safety features and technical specifications.
You can DOWNLOAD FULL SPECS, see ADDITIONAL VEHICLE DETAILS like the order date and etc. see PORT- OR FACTORY-INSTALLED EQUIPMENT, and see STANDARD INSTALLED EQUIPMENT and etc.

 

Thanks dude! I learned two things today: 1.) Google Chrome tells the Lexus website to **** off and won't even prompt to download the pdf of full specs. 2.) I have the Modern Luxury trim, factory installed Smart Access, and the still-original Preferred Accessory Package.

 

How to Stop Chrome from Blocking Downloads: https://www.guidingtech.com/unblock-downloads-chrome/

 

"A couple of weeks ago I picked up this minty lookin' 2004 LS430 and finally get to start my journey in to the big body boi club. First I wanna give a shoutout to @YannG for meeting up with me to talk shop and show me around his fantastic build, it really gave me the confidence and determination to know that I was heading in the right direction for my next car."

You are most welcome! You got a great deal and I'm glad you decided to get an LS ! I look forward to seeing your build thread.

Yann.