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Just beginning to post here recently even though I got the car and joined last year. Used the search function and found all the info and ideas I was looking for because you all have done an outstanding job with these cars. A ton of thanks to all those that "went first" and did things to these cars that no one had done before. I know how it goes because I was one of those "pioneers" that was one of the first to customize a specific model motorcycle as much as I did back in 2000-2001.
Last edited by lwphat66; 06-21-20 at 01:21 PM.
Reason: mics concerns
The first thing I did was get new wheels and tires because the ISS wheels were now 13 years old and showing quite a bit of wear and tear. Although I really dig the look of 20s and 22s, I decided to stay with 19x8.5s. The engine seems to be running fine but was much too quiet for my liking, so I purchased the single exhaust vents from Oliver Enterprises. Props to him for giving me some nice sound that I was looking for.
Last edited by lwphat66; 06-21-20 at 01:24 PM.
Reason: misc concerns
As you can see, there's a lot of oxidation on the hood, and the roof and trunk as well. Black paint is beautiful, but it especially takes a beating in the S FL weather/sun. Would like to someday have the entire car stripped and repainted but that will have to wait. In the meantime, I was able to polish it back to a shine and better assess the condition of the paint. Clear coat has some heavy etching in places, and there are numerous chips toward the front of the hood. Thinking about getting all of the top surfaces wrapped.
I've polished old headlights before, but this is the first time I used Meguiar's Two Step Headlight Restore (G2970). Turned out pretty nice, will have to see how long it lasts. Passenger side unit is in fairly good condition, however, the driver side is not so good, and the headlight bezel is very discolored. Will start to look for a used one and explore other options. Experimented with Plasti Dip on the grill just to see how it would look all blacked out.
As you can see, there's a lot of oxidation on the hood, and the roof and trunk as well. Black paint is beautiful, but it especially takes a beating in the S FL weather/sun. Would like to someday have the entire car stripped and repainted but that will have to wait. In the meantime, I was able to polish it back to a shine and better assess the condition of the paint. Clear coat has some heavy etching in places, and there are numerous chips toward the front of the hood. Thinking about getting all of the top surfaces wrapped.
I've polished old headlights before, but this is the first time I used Meguiar's Two Step Headlight Restore (G2970). Turned out pretty nice, will have to see how long it lasts. Passenger side unit is in fairly good condition, however, the driver side is not so good, and the headlight bezel is very discolored. Will start to look for a used one and explore other options. Experimented with Plasti Dip on the grill just to see how it would look all blacked out.
Looks good! The polishing made a huge difference on the hood. My headlights are similarly clouded up. Where did you buy your headlight restoration kit?
Installed grill and inserts that I found on ebay ($195). Definitely not show quality, but they fit my budget and work with the look I'm going for. Installation was pretty simple, but I spent a good amount of time cleaning and polishing them first.
But getting back to the 2007 L that was given to me by my Dad a few months before his passing last year. I was supposed to fix it up and repair some issues so that we could sell it, but now I've decided to keep it because he really loved that car and worked really hard to buy it back in 2009. He was an avid Lexus fan, having purchased his first LS back in 1990, pretty much right after they hit the showroom floors. He was an automobile enthusiast with subscriptions to Car & Driver, Road & Track, and Autoweek that I can remember when I was growing up. I also remember going with him to Dolphins games in the early 70s in his 1970 Chevelle when I was just a little kid.
The first thing I did was get new wheels and tires because the ISS wheels he bought were now 13 years old and showing quite a bit of wear and tear. Although I really dig the look of 20s and 22s, I decided to stay with 19x8.5s. The engine seems to be running fine but was much to quiet for my liking, so I purchased the single exhaust vents from Oliver Enterprises. Props to him for giving me some nice sound that I was looking for.
Since I've had one on my RAM Hemi for a while now, I installed one in the LS last month. If you have one of these, you know how much of a difference they make! Couple of weeks ago at a stop light (3 lanes wide), I was first up on the line in the left lane and glanced to my right and saw a guy in a 5.0 Mustang. I didn't nod or gesture to him but had a feeling he'd get on it when the light turned green. So right when it turned green, I mashed the accelerator and took off, and sure enough, he was standing on it too. The LS kept pulling away from him and by the time I let off, I was almost at 100 and a good 3-4 lengths in front of him. Good times! LOL
Installed the Data System air suspension controller this weekend. In process of stripping 11 year old tint and then will re-tint.
Wheels are 19x8.5 and tires are 245/45ZR 98W
Last edited by lwphat66; 05-26-20 at 04:55 PM.
Reason: add'l info
Was looking in to changing the front grill emblem to one from a radar cruise control model, but after seeing the prices (and not knowing for sure how much modding would be needed), I decided to keep the original. Took some real carbon fiber from another project (non-Lexus), cut the appropriate shapes, then had my friend's shop laminate them. Stuck them on with 3m double-sided tape so if I decided I didn't like it, removal would be simple. Turned out very subtle and can really only be seen when light hits it.
Waiting on some parts to continue and still trying to remove the tint from the rear window. Not fun!
Used the above for the first time on 02 APR. Turned out pretty nice and took some pics of it yesterday, about 77 days later.
02 APR before and after applying:
19 JUN update:
04 APR, no before pic but you can see the difference in the untreated section:
04-17-20, 09:35 AM
2007 Lwb Renew & Refresh
