Toughen up?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: MN
Toughen up?
Hello, I just picked up a 2005 RX330 with 24k miles on it. I really do like the look of these vehicels a lot, but what would you recommend to toughen it up a little bit? Around my area, it is 95% women drivers and I want to do something to seperate myself a little bit from the crowd.
I was looking for black but as luck would have it, the deal of a lifetime came on Flint Mica. Gray was my 2nd choice so I am happy with it. Any pictures and/or recommendations are appreciated.
Thanks,
I was looking for black but as luck would have it, the deal of a lifetime came on Flint Mica. Gray was my 2nd choice so I am happy with it. Any pictures and/or recommendations are appreciated.
Thanks,
I wanted to do the same thing, so I added the color matched running boards. I choose this over a body kit side skirt because at the time, the body kit skirts were mild and didn't hang low enough. Now there are a lot more choices though. I also lowered it a bit using Eibach Springs. I wanted coil overs to lower it more, but at the time none were available and Air Suspensions other than stock were not available. I went with 20" rims with oversize tires, 255/50/20. I color matched the hatch spoiler and lower body trim. Inside I added an A/V system , but that is optional.
Out of Warranty
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,925
Likes: 13
From: Houston, Republic of Texas
Toughen it up? You might want to review the movie "Slap Shot". A fire axe, a sledgehammer, and a little assorted graffiti worked for the team bus! 
Given the lines of the RX, maybe a switch to slightly larger tires would help - the Bridgestone Alenzas in the stock size are a bit larger, but maybe a small increase in size might be helpful. Forget bull bars and steps - for me, when combined with the soft feminine lines - like putting a classy lady in a biker outfit, it really doesn't work.
For a slightly different look you might try removing the roof rack and rails to give a bit more sleek profile. A drop may stiffen the ride by limiting wheel travel and will cost you valuable ground clearance, not a good idea in the snow belt.
Given the lines of the RX, maybe a switch to slightly larger tires would help - the Bridgestone Alenzas in the stock size are a bit larger, but maybe a small increase in size might be helpful. Forget bull bars and steps - for me, when combined with the soft feminine lines - like putting a classy lady in a biker outfit, it really doesn't work.
For a slightly different look you might try removing the roof rack and rails to give a bit more sleek profile. A drop may stiffen the ride by limiting wheel travel and will cost you valuable ground clearance, not a good idea in the snow belt.
I'm in the same boat. I've decided to use CK6speed's setup as a model, as those are the only mods that I can find for my 06 RXh. Eibach springs, Apexi exhaust, and looking at a Wald or INGS+1 kit. Replaced my ML stereo with an Alpine ISA W505 deck, Blackbird Navi/Bluetooth, 3500k HID fogs, and replaced all lights to LED.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,790
Likes: 124
From: MA
Hello, I just picked up a 2005 RX330 with 24k miles on it. I really do like the look of these vehicels a lot, but what would you recommend to toughen it up a little bit? Around my area, it is 95% women drivers and I want to do something to seperate myself a little bit from the crowd.
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CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,533
Likes: 1,379
From: Austin, TX
So I got JAOS chrome skid plate and bull bars. [I would never add their mud flaps]. They look great with the pearl midnight (white but not the appliance white). I did go overboard with the off road lights and have been planning for ages to take them off. So I totally agree that the add ons must be done tastefully.
But at the end it is your vehicle, so do what pleases you.
Salim
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: MN
LOL, you know what I mean... It's my wifes vehicle, so it isn't that big of a deal, but I do want to make a few changes. Transitioning from an X5 to this is just a little harder than I thought. Looking for a little more reliability, I hope we found it.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,321
Likes: 204
From: Miami, Florida
There's probably a whole ton of photos we have on this site. I know I have seen some very fine examples of 2nd gen RXs in my HyperRev magazines and also on the net from Japan and other parts of Asia.
This might give you a start and it lists parts for the 2nd gen RX from one of our CL sponsors, http://www.l-tunedparts.com/index.php?id=33
An aftermarket air intake and a direct exhaust/muffler would give it a tougher sound, too.
Let us know and we'll try to give more ideas and point in you in the right direction.
This might give you a start and it lists parts for the 2nd gen RX from one of our CL sponsors, http://www.l-tunedparts.com/index.php?id=33
An aftermarket air intake and a direct exhaust/muffler would give it a tougher sound, too.
Let us know and we'll try to give more ideas and point in you in the right direction.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: CA
This thread cracks me up.
I didn't do it to necessarily "toughen up," but I tinted the front windows to match the rear, removed the roof racks, and slightly smoked the rear tail lights. I'll probably be replacing the tires with bigger ones when the stock ones are worn out soon.
I didn't do it to necessarily "toughen up," but I tinted the front windows to match the rear, removed the roof racks, and slightly smoked the rear tail lights. I'll probably be replacing the tires with bigger ones when the stock ones are worn out soon.
