Here is the skinny...
I went and looked at this LC today for you Rob.
The Interior-
It is clean all around, The passenger seat was redone. The radio buttons and the AC controls all had normal wear and tear from use but in good condition.
I played with everything and all worked fine, I didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
Test Drive-
The test drive was good. It was solid and felt smooth. I actually liked it allot. Very different than my 4Runner. They sit much higher. Breaking was good, had plenty of zip with no lag to it at all. Trans kicked down correctly also. Needs shocks bad. I felt every reflector on the street. Made a point to run them over in it to feel it out.
Inspection-
This is where I found things I was not liking about this truck.
Body, This truck has been repainted. I caught the over spray pretty quick. There are parts of it that were not color sanded smooth. When I looked at the body panels under the hood the Vin numbers were painted over so I count not get a good match on the parts. The left side fender matched the Vin to the frame. The right I could not tell. When I ran my hand down the back of the quarter panels I could feel the difference in paint also.
I asked him strait up "You buys this at a wholesale Auction"?
Robert "Yes, how did you know"?
Me, "I can just tell by the work done to the truck" He had that oh F he knows his stuff look and I can't BS this guy.
Me- "Where are the Maintenance Records for the truck"?
Robert- "Well I do not have any but the truck has lower miles on it"
Me- "Well that is nice, but the head gaskets go out on them pretty quick so that will need fixed ASAP with the milage after the sale if it has not been done, also what about the timing belt, was that done"?
Robert- "I'm not sure"
At this point I stop right there because I knew the rest of the answers I would get if I kept asking. I crawled under the truck next. The back half of the truck is clean. No leaking seals, no drips and I found hardly no rust at all really from a quick glance.
This truck had not been off roading at all. There is not one mark on it.
Now this is the bad! This truck is leaking oil and trans fluid! The oil pan has built up oil caked on it from leaking that was not cleaned off(not sure if it oil plug gasket or what). The truck has a bad rear main seal or something bigger because it is leaking trans fluid from the block and transmission. Not horrible, but I know it has been leaking for some time because there was a stain on the pavement where it has been parked.
Also, the Left front Bilstein is either blown/needs to be replaced. It was leaking. The hubs looked ok no build up there.
The truck went into all the 4x4 modes fine. Well everything light up anyhow and felt like it. I had no place to really test that out.
The tires need to be replaced also. Have about 25% at best left.
The winch- I have no idea. At this point with everything else I looked at I was not getting a warm and fuzzy and was not super worried about the winch. That is an easy fix.
This truck is nice. It is strait and has a clean car fax on it. Im not sure if it has had a hit or not. I drove very nice and no pull at all.
It needs work. I'm guessing about 3,500 right off the bat to be safe maybe more, between a timing belt, fixing the leaks, pulling the trans to see if the rear main is out or not (my just to torque the bolts down) and also a head gasket job just to get it before it goes out on you, and tires. I would guess it to be around 3,500 at least or more. If your buddy wants something to build and doesn't care than this is a great truck. It looks really good sitting there, but when you really look at it. It needs work. I would not pay more than 7k for it. ARB bumper and winch or not. He can't bull shit me.
Also, at the same time I was there a guy had just flew from Utah to look at it. I'm guessing he was going to buy either that truck or the white one he has. Keep that in mind also. It might not be there long.
Hope this gives you a good idea of the truck.
In the end, I would like to have it but I would not pay what he wants for it, simple as that! Do not pay more than 7K for the truck and that is pushing it.
Blue
PS- I asked if he had a mechanic look at this truck as I was leaving and he said no real need to because of the mileage. It's a clean truck.
1997 LEXUS LX450 LX 450 DIFF LOCKS BLACK CLEAN***********************
