1st Gen. Lunch Table - General Discussion

Bone dry, no residue left behind anywhere in the carb?

 

Thought I’d post an update about my Lexus LS430…

For those who might not know, I bought this 2002 Lexus LS430 for $3000 in November.


I think it’s been pretty great so far. When I told people I was looking into a cheap LS430, everybody told me I was nuts. So many people said that I’d go broke because I’d never be able to work on it, and that I’d have to send it to a shop. I bought my car knowing that it needed:

- Tires
- Timing belt
- Brakes
- Wheel bearings

And I’ve done all of these things, as well as a ton of other stuff, for around $1500. I’m actually in the middle of the timing belt job right now:


It’s very similar to changing it in our trucks. Also a hell of a lot easier. You don’t have to remove the PS pump, alternator, or A/C compressor, and the fans are electric and stay attached to the radiator. I was able to complete the teardown in less than 3 hours.

One of the rear upper ball joints went out, but it was my own fault for ignoring the clunk. $150 for an OEM control arm and 3 hours fixed it.

I’d just super pumped with it right now. For around $4500 I’ve got a vehicle that gets 25+ MPG, is incredibly comfortable, smooth, quiet, and really fast. It cruises comfortably at 100+ as if it was 40. It’s got adaptive cruise control, auto everything, heated/cooled seats, you name it. It’s built like a tank, and many of the parts are (dare I say) beefier than our Tundras. I love working on it, it’s so obvious that every part was designed to last a long time.

 

That intake looks identical to our non vvti intake too

 

That's a steal. I'd like one. Are there any known weaknesses or issues to look out for when shopping for one?

 

It’s pretty much the exact same motor, just with an aluminum block and a shorter stroke. I think the bore size is the same. Same

$191 TKT-021 Engine Timing Belt Kit with Water Pump - Compatible with Select Lexus GS400, GS430, GX470, LS400, LS430, LX470, SC400, SC430 Toyota 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Tundra

TKT-021 TB kit, same valve covers, coils, you name it. It really rips.

 

Compared to the previous LS400, not really. The air suspension and soft close door actuators are known to break with age. Otherwise, they’re really f’n bulletproof. Get one without those options, and you’re golden. Most have lived their lives being serviced religiously at the Lexus dealer.

edit: just look for one that’s been loved. I’m the 7th owner of mine and it’s obvious that the last 4 haven’t given a shit about it. I’m very happy with mine but it would’ve been better to buy one for $5k that was taken care of.

 

Dang, Why the hell can’t I use my Uzi to put this furniture together?

 

I'm seeing some pretty nice ones around my area in the $6k-$9k range

 

I'm a little disappointed i couldnt find an uzi drill or drill cover. Someone with a 3d printer better get on that.

found a revolver.

 

With all this HVAC talk I'd figured I'd add some "preventative maintenance" for y'all. I can't speak if this is applicable for all markets, but you can add an endorsement to your homeowners policy for equipment breakdown. Will cover you AC unit, pool equipment, etc. Is it a claim? yes, but your premium's going up regardless so you might as well make a little money back. For the TX boys it's completely worth it. Subject to deductible or $0 deductible, but you're better claiming it than paying double for a new system.

Call your agents for "equipment breakdown" coverage.

 

Why is the premium going up regardless?

 

Pertains to more high risk markets for storm damage, but reconstruction costs have gone up and premiums have to go up to adequately insure homes. Also frequency of claims is going up as well. The carriers have to make their money. In DFW 2% deductibles are becoming standard and the rates are astronomically higher than other regions in the state. On average everything I've seen in central TX pricing is about 1/3 of what a premium would cost on a similar home in DFW.

 

That's probably because central TX doesn't have weather events, just heat haha

DFW gets a little bit of everything except hurricanes, to my understanding. Didn"t y'all get tons of hail and tornados and snow in recent years?

 

And y'all have hills haha.

Interesting enough Round Rock, Austin, and SA have had some pretty severe hailstorms last year.

 

I wish I lived in the hills... I'm on the coast, til further notice. Kinda waiting to be able to afford to move, while also waiting to see whether the hill country becomes a desert or if the water comes back.

 

Insurance is a scam. I know how to hide my stuff from hail. I know not to drive through floodwater. I shouldnt have to pay for morons.

 

To be fair you can't hide your house from hail haha.

The amount of uninsured dipshits on the road is actually frightening. Oh I 100% agree. I hold a license so I can legally speak policy on insurance claims.

 

Found these TRD Pro knock offs with fake beadlocks on DT.

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-wheels/dx4-terrain

 

Well didn't bother opening it up to see "how dry", but basically did this to get it started after cranking a bit and not wanting to overwork the starter/battery. Guy mentions this also as a good thing to have in the bag of tricks should fuel pump fail ... to get somewhere without a tow.

 

Think I found the wheels that I want. They come in black or bronze. I like both those colors.
They are 17x8.5", I'd prefer x8" but that's fine.
106mm bore, -10mm offset
But they'll cost about $455 more for a set of 5 vs the Level 8 wheels I like.
However these are 4 lbs lighter per wheel than the Level 8's, and 3lbs lighter than my current wheels. Which will be important when going up to 35x10.5 tires.
https://www.discounttire.com/buy-wheels/kansei-roku-hd

 

My niece got a new whip, so she is giving us her old 2004 Jeep liberty 4x4.

Y'all got any experience with one of them critters? Good or bad? I can Google all day till I'm blue in the face, but I'd rather hear real world reports from people I know

Has an oil leak somewhere, and the heater core needs to be flushed. Window regulator needs replacing.

 

My FIL had an 02 best I can remember the only issue he had was front wheel bearings and a rotted out exhaust.

The Chrysler 3.7 isn't going to win any drag races but it's a reliable motor.

 

Good to know! It comes with the 3.7L pentastar

 

Any body else have this issue at the gas pump where it keeps cutting off before your tank is filled? It only happens on my 03, almost every time.

 

I just realized I had one in a Grand Cherokee as well. Had to do a water pump and alternator. Each job took like 45 minutes since everything is just slapped on the front of the motor.

 

Negative.

 

Work Friday 3 to Mid, up and into work with coffee, lots of motrin and tacos in my system to clock in by 07 on Saturday morning.

How to sum it up accurately..

 

3.7 is the old iron V6 that predated the 3.6 pentastar

 

Liberty's are shit. Money pits. Generally not known for long gevitiy or quality. Also NOT "trail rated" lol

But I gave up on jeep the minute they announced the 4 0 was no longer a thing.

 

Either the airchexk in the pump is tucked or your pressure air was is clogged/ nit flowing right in the filler neck. Most likely the pump