Lexus custom ordering in the 1990's and very early 00's
#16
The SC400 just had a couple more features (such as factory leather) as standard equipment for the USA and Canada.
Of course Lexus could have offered much more differentiation if they had gave us some of the more interesting features that the Soarers had on their option lists
#17
@KahnBB6 What was it about the conversion that made it too hard to do? I actually have a 1999 and have sourced most/all of the parts to convert to a manual column (I believe). So, I'd be curious to know what stopped you.
What I meant in my post that you quoted is that the needed *parts themselves* are not easy to come by and acquiring them all these days is the hardest part.
The factory ignition tumbler security bolts need to be tapped out on both columns and new security bolts are needed to swap your ignition tumbler over. The SC300/400 TSRM explains the removal and reinstallation procedure. I tried to think about how to do any short cuts but after discussing it with Gerrb since he's done it a few times with the auto steering columns you just have to follow the manual procedure exactly.
It looks to be easier with the engine out of the car but on SC300's it looks to me as if draining the engine oil and removing the oil filter may provide sufficient clearance for accessing the steering shaft joining clamp.
I documented my column swap project so far in my build thread and will document the rest when I can get back to it. Feel free to check out those sections if they may help!
Currently the next step in my column swap progress is finding the signal and wiper stalk wiring pinouts in the wiring TSRM and building a wire-by-wire breakdown so that I know where to add a couple of wires to convert my 1993 SC to be able to use a 1995-2000 SC USDM lighting stalk which has the factory fog light switch built in. I have had 1997+ SC factory fog lights installed in my car with my own aftermarket switch but I want to eliminate that finally and tackle the 95-00 factory fog switch stalk installation at the same time as the manual adjust column installation.
But I need to get the car running again first with yet another re-capped ECU which will be followed with a Haltech ECU. I've just had a lot on my plate lately that has taken all my focus.
Last edited by KahnBB6; 01-31-24 at 11:01 PM.
The following users liked this post:
Kira X (02-24-24)
#18
This is a very interesting topic. I always wondered how ordering a custom Lexus went back in the day. Over the past few years I’ve come across a few SC’s, LS400’s, and ES300’s with cloth interiors. I knew they existed but had never seen a 1995+ car with them until seeing a 97 ES300 recently.
Is it possible to get the leather seats redone in cloth while keeping the OEM SC/Soarer look? I have some black front seats that need new leather but would love to go cloth if possible.
Is it possible to get the leather seats redone in cloth while keeping the OEM SC/Soarer look? I have some black front seats that need new leather but would love to go cloth if possible.
To get genuine OEM SC cloth you'd probably do a next best by purchasing Z30 Soarer cloth rear seats and matching front cloth seats. Then you'd need to take apart the front seats and reverse the skins onto SC factory driver and passenger seat frames and possibly mix some parts and wires.
#19
Oh, nothing about the steering column conversion seems very hard to do in my opinion and I still want to do it to my SC. I just haven't done it to my car yet despite having collected all the necessary parts since I've been tremendously busy for months for a number of reasons helping family and haven't been able to dig into any major car projects for a while.
What I meant in my post that you quoted is that the needed *parts themselves* are not easy to come by and acquiring them all these days is the hardest part.
The factory ignition tumbler security bolts need to be tapped out on both columns and new security bolts are needed to swap your ignition tumbler over. The SC300/400 TSRM explains the removal and reinstallation procedure. I tried to think about how to do any short cuts but after discussing it with Gerrb since he's done it a few times with the auto steering columns you just have to follow the manual procedure exactly.
It looks to be easier with the engine out of the car but on SC300's it looks to me as if draining the engine oil and removing the oil filter may provide sufficient clearance for accessing the steering shaft joining clamp.
I documented my column swap project so far in my build thread and will document the rest when I can get back to it. Feel free to check out those sections if they may help!
Currently the next step in my column swap progress is finding the signal and wiper stalk wiring pinouts in the wiring TSRM and building a wire-by-wire breakdown so that I know where to add a couple of wires to convert my 1993 SC to be able to use a 1995-2000 SC USDM lighting stalk which has the factory fog light switch built in. I have had 1997+ SC factory fog lights installed in my car with my own aftermarket switch but I want to eliminate that finally and tackle the 95-00 factory fog switch stalk installation at the same time as the manual adjust column installation.
But I need to get the car running again first with yet another re-capped ECU which will be followed with a Haltech ECU. I've just had a lot on my plate lately that has taken all my focus.
What I meant in my post that you quoted is that the needed *parts themselves* are not easy to come by and acquiring them all these days is the hardest part.
The factory ignition tumbler security bolts need to be tapped out on both columns and new security bolts are needed to swap your ignition tumbler over. The SC300/400 TSRM explains the removal and reinstallation procedure. I tried to think about how to do any short cuts but after discussing it with Gerrb since he's done it a few times with the auto steering columns you just have to follow the manual procedure exactly.
It looks to be easier with the engine out of the car but on SC300's it looks to me as if draining the engine oil and removing the oil filter may provide sufficient clearance for accessing the steering shaft joining clamp.
I documented my column swap project so far in my build thread and will document the rest when I can get back to it. Feel free to check out those sections if they may help!
Currently the next step in my column swap progress is finding the signal and wiper stalk wiring pinouts in the wiring TSRM and building a wire-by-wire breakdown so that I know where to add a couple of wires to convert my 1993 SC to be able to use a 1995-2000 SC USDM lighting stalk which has the factory fog light switch built in. I have had 1997+ SC factory fog lights installed in my car with my own aftermarket switch but I want to eliminate that finally and tackle the 95-00 factory fog switch stalk installation at the same time as the manual adjust column installation.
But I need to get the car running again first with yet another re-capped ECU which will be followed with a Haltech ECU. I've just had a lot on my plate lately that has taken all my focus.
Yeah, I think I got my hands on the last black manual steering column trim (45286-24906-C0) in the world. I've tried to buy another one and have been denied in both the U.S. and Japan (Amayama/Megazip). I think the only option for those now is used.
The steering columns seem to be pretty prevalent (used), but generally have to be imported. I got two pretty good ones from Australia, off of cars they imported and parted out, but I see them for sale in Japan pretty regularly.
The column switch was a little bit of work but for me really just involved buying a used Soarer switch and just swapping over one of the plastic brackets from that (around the lighting stalk) and removing the powered column controls. It seems like Japan had a lot of manual column cars. Your situation is definitely trickier, though.
Thanks for the pointer on the security bolts. I definitely need to look at the service manual for that. I'll be doing a full GTE/T-56 build on the car and will tackle the column while I'm disassembling the dash for transmission tunnel work. So, I haven't gotten to that yet. I'll definitely check out your posts. The ignition tumbler/steering lock was the part I figured would be the worst.
I'm ditching the stock seats and losing the seat memory controls anyway, so I figured it'd be better to remove the added weight and complexity of the powered column while I'm at it.
#20
Ok, I gotcha.
Yeah, I think I got my hands on the last black manual steering column trim (45286-24906-C0) in the world. I've tried to buy another one and have been denied in both the U.S. and Japan (Amayama/Megazip). I think the only option for those now is used.
The steering columns seem to be pretty prevalent (used), but generally have to be imported. I got two pretty good ones from Australia, off of cars they imported and parted out, but I see them for sale in Japan pretty regularly.
Yeah, I think I got my hands on the last black manual steering column trim (45286-24906-C0) in the world. I've tried to buy another one and have been denied in both the U.S. and Japan (Amayama/Megazip). I think the only option for those now is used.
The steering columns seem to be pretty prevalent (used), but generally have to be imported. I got two pretty good ones from Australia, off of cars they imported and parted out, but I see them for sale in Japan pretty regularly.
I managed to find a good used one in the super dark and deep bluish black hue. I think this might have been from one of the off-blue color interior Soarers but I am not sure.
I reasoned that it might be good idea for someone with one of these manual column covers to get the upper and lower sections 3D scanned for potential aftermarket reproduction with 3D printing in ABS plastic.
AutoExtrude has now begun to reproduce the factory Supra MKIII steering column covers via 3D printing so I know this is possible.
Interesting that the manual adjust steering columns themselves are becoming more available from wrecking yards...
The column switch was a little bit of work but for me really just involved buying a used Soarer switch and just swapping over one of the plastic brackets from that (around the lighting stalk) and removing the powered column controls. It seems like Japan had a lot of manual column cars. Your situation is definitely trickier, though.
You already solved the little plastic bracket issue as well. Good! Aside, that little plastic sub-bezel is also a part that I feel should be 3D scanned so that it can be reproduced on the aftermarket.
Thanks for the pointer on the security bolts. I definitely need to look at the service manual for that. I'll be doing a full GTE/T-56 build on the car and will tackle the column while I'm disassembling the dash for transmission tunnel work. So, I haven't gotten to that yet. I'll definitely check out your posts. The ignition tumbler/steering lock was the part I figured would be the worst.
Here's my relevant post in the build thread for those security bolts. I got tot he point of removal. You can see how the rest of the process will go from there. You'll have one good shot at extracting the security bolts (since the heads are snapped off by design) so use the right tools, center punch and make each extraction count. And try to keep the shavings out of the rest of the column and wiring if you can.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/bui...l#post11139713
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/bui...l#post11128093
The bolt part numbers are: P/N 45897-12020.
They are specified for Toyotas and Lexus vehicles up to at least model year 2006... so they should remain in stock. I believe they may have been used less and less by Toyota and Lexus as more of their models moved to a keyless ignition remote transponder type of ignition fob.
I don't know how much weight you'll save by switching to the manual adjust steering column but you certainly will eliminate any future issues with the tilt and telescope motors failing. Although they are long lasting in the SC's and I do believe that they are possible to rebuild if someone knows what they are doing with the motors.
The tilt and telescope motors found in later design Lexus models such as the late 90's LS400's on the other hand don't have tilt and telescope motors that are rebuildable as far as I am aware.
Anyway... you and I seem to want the manual tilt and telescope steering columns for the same reasons.
And yes, 1991-2000 Soarers were ordered tremendously more with the manual adjust columns unless a specific trim level had the auto/motorized column as standard equipment. Same with the sunroof-- it's very common to find Z30 Soarers that came in slicktop form. In the U.S. and Canada it's the inverse.
#21
美少女戦士セーラームーン
iTrader: (24)
You can get an upholstery shop to do anything you want if they are willing to do custom work with cloth, alcantara, wool... whatever alternatives besides leather. But Katzkin and Leatherseats seem to make their templates for each car primarily in leather. But I think these days they have options to mix that with alcantara also. Using those same seat templates with a high quality cloth is possible but I couldn't say if anyone has had that done.
To get genuine OEM SC cloth you'd probably do a next best by purchasing Z30 Soarer cloth rear seats and matching front cloth seats. Then you'd need to take apart the front seats and reverse the skins onto SC factory driver and passenger seat frames and possibly mix some parts and wires.
To get genuine OEM SC cloth you'd probably do a next best by purchasing Z30 Soarer cloth rear seats and matching front cloth seats. Then you'd need to take apart the front seats and reverse the skins onto SC factory driver and passenger seat frames and possibly mix some parts and wires.
It’s funny you mentioned buying cloth Soarer seats as I was thinking about that after I originally saw this thread. It could get expensive fast, but that’s another option too. Sometimes I feel like buying a 1JZ Soarer and moving my current SC wheels and parts over might be easier than continuing my current path with my SC300.
#22
I always forget about Leatherseats as they’re actually located in my city. A leather mix with alcantara would look nice. I’ll see if I can get a set mad. If not, I’d be okay with leather.
It’s funny you mentioned buying cloth Soarer seats as I was thinking about that after I originally saw this thread. It could get expensive fast, but that’s another option too. Sometimes I feel like buying a 1JZ Soarer and moving my current SC wheels and parts over might be easier than continuing my current path with my SC300.
It’s funny you mentioned buying cloth Soarer seats as I was thinking about that after I originally saw this thread. It could get expensive fast, but that’s another option too. Sometimes I feel like buying a 1JZ Soarer and moving my current SC wheels and parts over might be easier than continuing my current path with my SC300.
I think everything gets expensive fast with these cars!
You've said many times that you've wanted to buy a 1JZ Soarer, Kira. I think you should consider it! : )
#23
Mortgage Slave
The following users liked this post:
ThomasGS4 (02-22-24)
#24
美少女戦士セーラームーン
iTrader: (24)
My local upholstery shop can order anything that Leatherseats sells with any custom material or pattern I might want. Most upholstery shops should be able to. Do you mean that the actual company Leatherseats has an office in your city? If so, that's awesome!
I think everything gets expensive fast with these cars!
You've said many times that you've wanted to buy a 1JZ Soarer, Kira. I think you should consider it! : )
I think everything gets expensive fast with these cars!
You've said many times that you've wanted to buy a 1JZ Soarer, Kira. I think you should consider it! : )
I’ve been looking at a few Soarers and even those are getting pricey or the current owner threw a bunch of goofy looking mods on it after importing it. I’ve even considered getting a Z20 Soarer but getting parts would be a nightmare. These old cars get a little frustrating sometimes and I think I should save up for a nice, used RC-F or LC500 instead.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post