LScowboyLS

this is not a problem an '00 LS400 should be having, we need to get to the bottom of it

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

I don't know if I can answer that accurately. When I purchased my 99 the struts were worn out pretty bad. It still handled OK but was rather bouncy. Then I replaced the suspension with Tanabe springs, KYB struts, and put on 18" rims 245/45 tires. This changed it a lot. Kind of drastic. Made it into more of a sports sedan and it really handled well for the size and weight. Maybe a little too firm for my everyday liking.

My 04 has the adaptive air suspension. In normal mode it is very comfortable. Fantastic for cruising and rough roads. I like how it stiffens up around corners. Sport mode is nice as well. Obviously, it stiffens everything up. I honestly find myself just driving it in normal mode majority of the time. I prefer the comfort. The only add on I am doing is putting on the Lexus sport rear sway bar. Otherwise I really like the air suspension. Eventually when it goes out I will probably just convert it to KYB springs and struts. The air suspension is great but too expensive to replace. One air strut cost the same as a whole new suspension.

door331

I'm all ears if you have a suggestion Cowboy- I can start a new thread for it later this month.

LScowboyLS

here are the first three things I would do if it were my car:

1. change transmission fluid and filter, or at least a drain & fill at the drain plug, letting it drain overnight night to get a full 4 quarts or so out. - Be very picky about the level when refilling, and remember, slightly over is better than underfilled. - Be sure to use genuine Toyota T-IV from the dealership and with no miracle additives added (i.e. Lucas etc.) - I highly recommended a new drain bolt gasket and a new drain bolt itself, if you don't want any leak, this pair is about $5 and must come from the dealership.

2. scan for OBD-II transmission codes - then post the results of the code scan in a thread - clear codes after they are recorded and posted

3. if no codes are found, pull ECU, carefully open (while barefoot and in all cotton clothing for static protection) and take high resolution photos of the inside boards, and post them in my ECU capacitors thread so that Yamae and I can evaluate your ECU capacitors - remember, all LS400 transmission control is handled by the ECU!

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

My 99 exhibited some of the same symptoms. I did the drain and refill 3 times over the course of 2 years. The fluid was pristine. The way I would describe it is low speed shifting between 2nd and 1st gear. Putting the car in snow mode did seem to help control these symptoms. Probably because it feathers the throttle body more.

It felt, to me, more of how the car was programmed to shift. In traffic is where I would notice it the most or slowing down, the car would be in 2nd gear and then slightly accelerating would cause it aggressively downshift with just a very slight press on the accelerator. For instance, you would be cruising at lets say about 10 or 15 mph in traffic and the car is in 2nd gear because you are not accelerating. Traffic would begin to speed up and with just a very slight push on the accelerator she would drop down into 1st, jumping up to 3500 rpms or so and take off whipping your head back. Not a great feeling, especially for your passengers.

LsCowboy, do you know if there was ever an update to the ECU or any kind of reprogramming of shift points? I don't know how much the 98 - 2000 models transmissions are computer controlled.

ItsMiles

iTrader: (1)

This definitely needs its own thread... Noticed this in my 99 stuck in traffic... Thought it was it me..

anarchyx

Mine does it too. I think that's just the way it was programmed. No amount of changing transmission fluid will correct this.

LScowboyLS

actually there was an update from ECU 89661-50501 to ECU 89661-50502

I may have to reprogram some of these this fall as a test

Acura2Lex

iTrader: (1)

Such in great condition. Congrats!~

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

WOW Lavrishevo, boy when you made the jump, you hit the jackpot (in my opinion)
I love that color/combination... and it looks clean as a pin... me & cowboy ARE jealous....
and I love your wheels (I have the same ones on my black LS).
and it does look European....
OH, I have been gone a couple of weeks, I've been to London, Paris, Normandy, Geneva, Montreux, Zermont, Chur, Zurich, Luzern, Bern, Neuenegg, Lausanne, (my folks are from Switzerland), dropped down to Italy, Naples, Salerno, Positano, Rome..... and back to the USA!!...

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Thank you Billy. Your trip sounds awesome. I have been to Eastern Europe but not Western yet.
I actually drove a little over 400 miles to get her... lol. She was at a Lexus dealer in Raleigh, NC waiting for me. Not easy to find them like this.

Gonads

Love the color combo.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Just wanted to post a few pics of what 35% ceramic all the way around looks like. Fantastic how much it cuts down on heat and UV. Rears look a little darker mostly because the shades are up.

Edit: ooops meant to post this in the 430 forum. Oh well. Still nice pics.

Stereorob

never been a huge fan of the Ls430 but yeah that's a fine *** car! LOVE the saddle interior, and the fact that it has the ultra luxury package, everyone else, as much as we love our Ls400s, these getting very old, the Ls430 is probably in all of our futures at some point. also since the Ls460 came out the 430s have really started to drop in price, around here you can pick up a 01-03 now for under 10 grand with a lot of miles and wear and tear on it, 12-15k you can get a low mile creampuff.