Looking at a LX450 with high miles

[brevity_thing]

I've been feverish with a cold, and loopy on cold medicine, and went to look at a 1997 LX450 with 216k miles.

I've been a Jeep guy for a few years and have a Chevy truck, I am thinking about getting rid of the truck and getting an 80 Series or LX450.

They are asking $8500, the exhaust looks good and the body is very pretty. Dark green metallic. There is grease on the birfields so maybe it has been maintained. The dealer specializes in higher end vehicles.

It has the front and rear diff locks. It is clean underneath, just the usual corrosion from being in Ohio. I got down on my hands and knees and looked under the nose and the side. It has a Slee winch bar with a winch installed.

I told my wife about it, the miles are freaking her out. But it might be The One.

Any advice appreciated!

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=43214&endYear=2014&modelCode1=LX450&sortBy=mileageASC&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=1981&makeCode1=LEXUS&sellerTypes=b&numRecords=50&searchRadius=200&maxPrice=20000&mmt=[LEXUS[LX450[]][]]&listingId=344592177&listingIndex=2&Log=0

 

[Ramjet]

Check Slee Offroad for info on what to look for. They have tons of info.

 

[Flagster]

IMO a bit high $$$ for miles but if no rust and good interior...that is worth a lot...
I would much rather put money into the engine/drivetrain than body and interior...

And at least here in AZ most everyone who lists the 80 series for sale know that the magic dial adds 1000.00 to the price...almost every ad I see online says "diff locks"...or "no lockers"...I think everyone who calls must ask that as a first question

I would also say drive it on the highway...they ain't quick...especially if you are coming from a chevy small block...
I didn't expect my 80 series to be such a slug...but what a great truck

 

[brevity_thing]

IMO a bit high $$$ for miles but if no rust and good interior...that is worth a lot...
I would much rather put money into the engine/drivetrain than body and interior...

And at least here in AZ most everyone who lists the 80 series for sale know that the magic dial adds 1000.00 to the price...almost every ad I see online says "diff locks"...or "no lockers"...I think everyone who calls must ask that as a first question

I would also say drive it on the highway...they ain't quick...especially if you are coming from a chevy small block...
I didn't expect my 80 series to be such a slug...but what a great truck

Thanks for the link to Slee and info.

I do drive a Chevy small block, but my Jeep is a 2.5L with 33" tires. So I am used to not being real racy... If it can pull its own weight up highway grades I am happy. But I hear you, I will take that into account. See if I bond with it or not.

I have noticed that the ads I am seeing never mention the diff locks, I am getting good at finding the block off plate on the dash where the lock should be.

Like I said I did look under the vehicle, it's super clean. The ad says that it is in dupreme condition, only the hood and top of the tail hatch have been repainted according to them.

Mainly what I was seeing was third member diffs, solid front axle, 4.10 gears, lockers, winch, 4.5l motor, control arms and coils. A lot of potential.

My wife would like to see me get a newer one with low miles and pay more. But I want to play with one with a live front axle.

 

[temple]

It looks clean from the pics. Slightly high for the mileage. I would make sure they can prove that the head gasket has been done. If so, dont worry about the mileage.

 

[1morebike]

two places to check for rust would be the drivers side rocker panel in front of the rear tire and behind both of the rear tires. also look in the engine bay at the inner fender. my truck came from ohio and spent time in michigan and theses are the spots that are killing it. the rocker panel one is pretty common from what i gather.

 

[brevity_thing]

It looks clean from the pics. Slightly high for the mileage. I would make sure they can prove that the head gasket has been done. If so, dont worry about the mileage.

Good tips about the rust locations, and the head gasket. I will call the dealership today and ask about it.

Underneath the only rust I saw was just the usual oxidation where the paint on the frame, control arms, axle housings was starting to get lumpy. Honestly I think the thing just needs to get dirty on a trail That will knock that lumpy stuff off. My Jeep looked like that before I started wheeling it.

Also there was rust on the fairlead rollers and clevises, where the recovery gear might not have been used.

 

[LifeOverland]

I'm with the others about it being a little high $$ for the mileage etc. For example, I just picked up a really clean LX450 211k miles, no rust, perfect leather, perfect maintenance record back to 40k miles, lockers, great paint for $6k.
Like you said, they rarely mention the diff locks, look for pics of the magic dial. Found mine on craigslist in San Antonio. Head south!

 

[86tuning]

IMO a bit high $$$ for miles but if no rust and good interior...that is worth a lot...
I would much rather put money into the engine/drivetrain than body and interior...

^^ yep. Sellers market though. If its got lockers and they work, plus there's service records, then the price isn't a deal breaker.

Also, be patient. I wanted one for years before stumbling across what I thought was a reasonable deal

 

[brevity_thing]

^^ yep. Sellers market though. If its got lockers and they work, plus there's service records, then the price isn't a deal breaker.

Also, be patient. I wanted one for years before stumbling across what I thought was a reasonable deal

Haha well I'm normally super patient, except I kinda have a woody for a Cruiser right now... I don't really know why. I really enjoyed the Jeep Jamboree last weekend, but it is hard for me to be in a soft top Jeep in all weather for 4 or 5 days in a row. I guess I am thinking that a LC would be something that I can see the same scenery and hit some trails in, but be comfortable and not catch pneumonia if it's raining and cold in the mountains. I played a little too hard apparently, got a pretty nasty cold.

Yeah sk8r I am realizing that these were not a highly imported vehicle, I might have to extend my search to find one.

I am also starting to wonder if ATRAC is enough, and I could do a 100 series like my wife wants to. It is easy to find 100 series with no lockers that have lower miles and reasonable prices. If ATRAC is anything like the JK Wrangler electronic traction aid, then it would be hard to beat. I have ridden a lot of trails in Ohio and Tennessee with a friend who has a JK Unlimited with 33" all-terrains, and watched the traction control work. You keep thinking that when a tire breaks loose, he will lose momentum. But right before he does, the electronic aid kicks in and brakes that spinning wheel, and up he goes. Cool to watch.

If ATRAC works similarly, then I would feel better about a newer LX 470 or 100 series.

 

[Mako1114]

The following Lexus LX450 was for sale recently on ebay and although it is pricey, it appeared well sorted. Not sure if it sold or not but may want to contact seller.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-Lexus-LX450-Land-Cruiser-FZJ80-LOCKERS-BLACK-TAN-PRISTINE-/200908685248?_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&forcev4exp=true

Cheers

 

[brevity_thing]

WOW :Wow1:

I'm calling my bank.

I owe you a beer

 

[Danimal]

Be careful, I picked up a black LX that's just as clean as that one and I now own a rig that I'm afraid to scratch or let a bird poop on. Not very fun, and I just can't let it go. Miss my old 4Runner that was fun to add pinstripes to...

Dan

 

[LifeOverland]

Be careful, I picked up a black LX that's just as clean as that one and I now own a rig that I'm afraid to scratch or let a bird poop on. Not very fun, and I just can't let it go. Miss my old 4Runner that was fun to add pinstripes to...

Dan

True story! I'm a little leery of the pin striping, but just have to remember why ya bought it!

 

[brevity_thing]

Looks like that one sold a while back. I would like to do some trails with an FJ80

The hunt continues... Really want to sell my truck first.