When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Sold my 400 a while back. Well, missed having a big body Lex, so I picked up this ‘04 430. Full air ride with AirLift 3P management, Central Pine one off front bumper and side skirts, Fabulous grill, Valenti LED tail lights, Celsior headlights, drilled and slotted rotors all the way around, JP neck pads and pillows, Braga trunk trim, Braga interior light lenses, Lexus logo courtesy lights, Right now I’m taking care of all the maintenance. So far I’ve replaced the radiator with an OEM Denso radiator, installing a new fuel pump and assembly (All OEM from Lexus), new coil packs and spark plugs, new OEM injectors, new Continental belt, new OEM gas cap. There will be a lot more coming, including a set of Lowenhart LD5’s. Body wise I need to get rid of a few parking lot dents and do fiberglass resoratiin on the Central Pines bumper.
Update: Installed the injectors, OEM Denso MAF sensor, coil packs, new plugs (The ones in it were burnt), completely new fuel pump/filter/strainer/lower suction cap/fuel level sensor/seals, new PCV valve and hose (The PCV valve was super grimey and caused some issues)… Next up is cleaning the throttle body and replacing the throttle body gasket, timing belt and water pump as well as new thermostat and hoses, then redoing the compressors/tank/air management for a show trunk. Also will he installing a Kicker 12” L7 Q series with Kicker CXA1200.1 amp.
Oh yeah, also redoing the front and rear seat and center console armrest. Ordered a complete front and rear LSeat kit in Black leather with white Diamond stitching and a Cobra black with white Diamond stitching dash cover. Lowenhart LD5’s are going on soon as well as I just got the one bend repaired and new tires mounted.
Update time. Got the wheels mounted. Did the timing belt and water pump as well as replaced the thermostat, upper and lower hoses, trans cooler hose, ECM cooling tube. Also picked up some new Valenti clear smoke LEF Jewel tail lights (Discontinued, but bought one of the last few sets Valenti had in stock), Garson Kaiser mesh grill, and Braga pedal covers
Photo update time. Water pump and timing belt done as well as replaced upper and lower hoses along with thermostat and gaskets. Fives a torn hose to the VCV. Next up is replace the fuel pressure dampers.
Just picked up a custom wood trunk floor to sue while I build the false floor for my hidden air ride (Redoing my setup) and custom subwoofer enclosure.
ok, you did start a build thread. Nice job. I don't approve of what you've done to the outside, but I'm 50 and an OEM junkie. I respect your hard work though. Nice job. I am very interested in that trunk project.
ok, you did start a build thread. Nice job. I don't approve of what you've done to the outside, but I'm 50 and an OEM junkie. I respect your hard work though. Nice job. I am very interested in that trunk project.
I’ve been obsessed with VIP builds since I saw one in person. This is my fourth VIP style build. First was the 95 LS400 I had when I joined the site. Now belongs to a friend. Second was a 98 BMW 740iL which was destroyed in a freak rollover accident a few years ago. Third one I still have with is a 2006 Scion xB, and now this one. I also just picked up some DS18 Pro-GM6B 6.5” 8ohm speakers for the doors. I saw someone had installed them with the stock Mark Levinson amp and said they weee a vast improvement in sound over the stock ML door speakers. Picked up the MDF boards I need to make the trunk floor and custom sub box today also.
Some updates. Replaced the broken center console cup holder… Did the valve cover gaskets and replaced the torn OEM Caster bushings with polyurethane ones. Also replaced the broken door locked on the driver side door card. Huge difference. Picked up a pair of q45 Gatling projectors to retrofit and now trying to find M45/M35 projectors for the high beams.
Also picked up a trunk lid from an ‘05 ML that will be getting painted as well as another set of OEM headlights to run while the Celsior set is getting retrofitted and custom treatments. Last but not least, installed an Injen short ram intake and picked up a new to me set of SSR Professor VF1’s with tires for an unbelievable price..
it’s been quite a while and almost lost the car.. Someone attempted to steal my wheels whine Inwas at work a few weeks ago, and they gave up after realizing g that they couldn’t get the lock lug off. But they left 4 of the lug nuts loose. Three days later I ended up losing the wheel while doing 80 on the freeway. Ended up destroying the driver side rear knuckle and rear lower lateral arm. Ended up replacing both lower lateral arms and the knuckle, replacing ball joint dust boot and regreasing the ball joint, rebuilding the parking brakes, new hub and bearing on driver side rear, and new set of wheels (Traded the SSR’s for a set of AutoCouture Velentes since the lip on the wheel that came off was bent pretty bad and I didn’t have the time nor the extra funds to fix it). Now to do some adjustments and get an alignment again…
06-07-22, 10:59 PM
Old member, new build
