Ratman2356

iTrader: (1)

I bought my 93 SC400 in Oct for my wife to drive. Not enough room for her job as traveling nurse so we got her an 01 RX300 and I got the SC. So happy she needed more room as I love this car more and more. I felt like it needed a little updating to make it mine tho so here is what my 2k budget got me. This was to be a small customizition moreso than a full on build like I did a couple years ago on Banshee http://bansheehq.com/forums/index.ph...teelerbob&st=0

First off is maintenance. I wanted it run as good as I hoped it would look if not better. After reviewing the service history, I saw that serp belt and pulleys, AC compressor and battery were replaced 18k miles ago. I had the car inspected through a dealer and all suspension components in good shape. Water pump started leaking so took care of that and timing belt etc. A few other items and I am in good shape mechanically. Here is what I did and spent to do it.

Wheels and tires 18's 235/40/18 front 245/40/18 Rear, Red out tail lights, cleaned and painted calipers with decals, added lexus door sill trim, partial wood trim kit, GS430 wood steering wheel with RX air bag, 6k HID headlights, clear side markers with amber bulbs, touch up paint for scratches, full maintenance on all needed items.

Sunroof Control Module 25.00
Front Brake Pads 36.99
Trunk Struts 28.45
Water pump/Timing Belt Etc 783.48
(pulleys, tensioner, cam and crank seals replaced)
Touch Up paint 7.65
Air Filter 20.35
Wipers 15.42
Oil Change 19.85
HID's Headlights 50.99
Total Maintenance Cost $988.18

Now I could start on the fun stuff. Here is my list for customizing:

Wood Dash Kit 80.00
G35 7 spoke 18" Wheels 250.00
Wood steering wheel 275.00
Clear side markers 27.85
Tail Light Redout paint 6.22
Tires Michelin Pilots XGT Z4 210.00
Lexus Aluminum Door sill inserts 35.00
Lexus Stickers Calipers 16.00
Caliper Paint 8.76
Lug nuts 12.94
Hub Centric Rings 8.95
Total 930.72

Grand Total $1918.90

Couple things left to do still, Front lip needs repaired. Thinking about color matching it to the body paint color. $25 bucks if I don't, $50 bucks if I do.

Need to replace a few bulbs in the cluster, $20 bucks, will do them all.

Also found a way to make my own decals to go over the wood trim on the switches so they will still say Window, Door Lock etc. Gonna do that tomorrow or this weekend.

Also need to buy a can of touch up paint for my wheels, $6 bucks which uses up my last 80 dollars. I think it came pretty good for the money. Only other thing I want to do is make my own clear side markers from the originals. Don't like the look of the ebay ones but they will serve while I work on fabbing up my own.

Much thanks to those who shared their ideas here on CL. Much of what I did came from you. What do you all think of my budget mini build?

Rob

Ratman2356

iTrader: (1)

Before Exterior Shots






And Completed Below. Will do a proper photo shoot this weekend if weather permits.

Ratman2356

iTrader: (1)

Ratman2356

iTrader: (1)

Sorry the photos are so large. Just the way they came out. I am no good with picture manipulations.

turbodremz

iTrader: (18)

tinypic.com, makes life great, and its free and easy to use.

account2x

iTrader: (5)

I don't like the Nissan rims on a Toyota.
I don't like the painted brake calipers because the LS400 calipers are so inexpensive.
I don't like the wood grain kit.
I don't like the painted tails.

I do like the steering wheel.

CTB727

Remove the center caps from the wheels and you're set. Otherwise, it looks pretty cool!

BenStoked

iTrader: (3)

<3 G35 wheels. been looking for a set, for a while.
+1 on getting the infiniti emblem off of there. got my center caps off ebay.

and seriously, where are all these okies coming from? we've had a massive influx into the sc/supra communities (not complainin', just sayin'...)

Ratman2356

iTrader: (1)

Forgot to add that to list, i am watching for a set of blank center caps. Lexus ones don't fit the wheels and while I think the wheels look good on it, seems wrong somehow to totally sell out by putting Lexus center caps on the Infiniti wheels anyway.

Also, some may notice the tires in pics are Kumho Ecsta Supra 712's, they had a bad high speed vibration that could not be fixed so they are gone now and have the Pilots on there. They don't look as good but ride a heck of a lot better.

I am happy with everything except the wood trim kit. The door switch pieces are not cut well and the color is off a bit. I was wishy washy on this mod but went ahead anyway. I don't hate it, but do not like it near as well as I thought I would either. Very glad I didn't put the HVAC and stereo pieces on.

MidloSC

iTrader: (1)

Not a fan of the wheels, but then it's not my car. What did that steering wheel come off of, and is the airbag functional?

BenStoked

iTrader: (3)

sending you a pm for the ones I got, should fit fine. I have 'em on my wheels.

1JZPWRD

iTrader: (59)

I like the build when you are on a budget. Its your car and you can paint and add whatever you want. Nice find. Keep up the good work.

R3Y

i like what you did to the interior! it looks really nice! lovely steeringwheel

MDSC

iTrader: (3)

you paid 275 for bag and wheel? wow thats cheap

Ratman2356

iTrader: (1)

Bought the bag and wheel from a CL member for 275 shipped. He said the wheel was from an 01 GS430 and bag from 01 RX300. And yes the bag is functional. At least it's wired up to be and no Air Bag warning light, don't really want to test it Haha