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.
What an amazing job! I almost can't believe that you did all that work in less than 4 months! You clearly are very thorough/meticulous and maybe even obsessive when it comes to perfection... meaning you're a perfect match for the LS430 lol.
I'd also be interested in hearing a little more about how you did the subs. I also have the ML system which I LOVE, but I wish it had just a little more kick in the bass department. I don't want anything near quite what you have with 2 12"s... a few years ago I bought a JBL microsub for another vehicle and it was the perfect amount of bass for me. It was an 8" sub that came as a single unit in a ported box also made by JBL. When I bought my first LS430, every stereo shop I talked to said there was no way to get that JBL sub and my Kenwood Excelon amp to work with the rest of the ML system. They all told me that because of the differences in impedance, the only way to have an aftermarket sub/amp setup is to replace the ML amp with something else, and subsequently all of the ML speakers so that the impedance of all components matched. The clarity and balance of the ML system is near perfect in my eyes (or ears), so there was no way that was going to happen, and I sold the JBL sub and KW amp. Especially now that my sub recently decided to stop working for a still unknown-to-me reason, I'm wondering if it would be worth my extra time and money to figure out how to - and install - an aftermarket powered subwoofer.
Thanks, and yes I do have a bit of OCD. I have to remind myself that this is a 14 yr old car I got from auction so it won't be perfect.
The problem with the LS is that trunk is completely closed off from the cabin. The open air factory sub seals it off. 10s would be fine in most cars but you can't hear or feel anything even with the factory sub removed. With the 12s you feel the bass more than how loud it is.
For the setup I just tapped into the 4 sub wires at the ml amp and used a line out converter to the sub amp. I really didn't notice a difference in the speakers, the factory sub was broken already. I wouldn't go this route to be honest, best to just fix the factory sub or go completely aftermarket,$$$.
So the car is 99% done. Got the correct power steering reservoir and plastics back on.
Congratulations, mate! Job well done. It absolutely looks better than the the Frankenstein bumber and fender job it was before you painted it. Great job.
Thanks. I'm glad its done. Finally got my plates too, 5 months later. Two more with sun out. Going to do an oil change at 75K in about 500 miles. At 80K the transmission, brake fluid and diff. Already have new ATF in the power steering and new coolant.
Thanks. I'm glad its done. Finally got my plates too, 5 months later. Two more with sun out. Going to do an oil change at 75K in about 500 miles. At 80K the transmission, brake fluid and diff. Already have new ATF in the power steering and new coolant.
What a beauty!
I assume you've already educated yourself on the ins and outs of our lovely dipstick-less transmission and specific fluid required, as well as the ridiculous procedure to do a trans service?
Changed the oil/filter, cabin air filter and topped off washer fluid. Also cleaned the seat cooling filters and perforations, definitely works better now. No other issues, just daily driving it.
06-14-18, 12:06 AM
