Mk4 LS400

Connor2x4 · May 4, 2018

Connor, I'm not trying to rain on your parade and I do like the car a LOT more now without those black wheels, but be careful about what you do with the headlights.
Car lights are very complex things and all those lines and grooves on the lenses aren't just there to make them look nice or interesting; it's all to do with how the beam pattern forms, the refractions and reflections, spread patterns, and the avoidance of dazzling other road users. There's lots of very complex maths and science behind how and why a headlight looks and behaves the way it does and it's the reason why it's illegal to just swap halogen headlight bulbs for LED ones (well, not strictly 'illegal' because you could use them on private roads and/or tracks, but they aren't 'road legal').

Thanks, I prefer the wheels now they are silver too, couldn't tell what design they were as it was all a bit dark.

In response to the headlight I appreciate the concern and it's not something that I've just cobbled together over the past few days. I've been working to try and get the beam pattern as close as I can to an acceptable level, I have checked the cut off line and it shouldn't be a problem so far for affecting other road users. Essentially these are being made for show use and now I have use of a company vehicle I don't drive the LS much more for personal use, so it spends less time on the roads anyhow.

If they do fail mot or are a nuisance to other road users come the end of show season when the nights start to creep in and it's darker earlier I can just revert back to the original lamps anyhow.

I appreciate the concern and warning and hopefully I've made it a bit clearer about how the lights will be used. After all, I'm sure we all see some cars about that are definitely unroadworthy yet still booting it around residentials!

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EDIT: I forgot to mention the main projector that holds the original Xenon bulb is of oem manufacturing, it's only the full beam that is an aftermarket projector, so the beam cut off pattern is precise

Connor2x4 · May 6, 2018

So today it was japfest down at the Silverstone circuit, saw a celsior mk3 but not one other ls400 or mk4. I suppose a mk3 does count as a ucf20 but it's still cool to have been the only mk4 LS400 there! ( I didn't see any mk1 or 2, but did see a couple of ls430's)

I spent around 6 hours cleaning the car yesterday including clay barring, machine polishing and waxing, which removed a load of previous swirl marks which is a nice bonus

Here's a few pics for you all

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rob_clio172 · May 6, 2018

I saw this today, looks great in the flesh. What club stand was you on? I looked for the name but it just said Lexus. What a day, weather was great, track action was great and the variety of motors was awesome, so many cool projects out there and minty fresh motors

Spacewagon52 · May 6, 2018

16 hours ago, Connor2x4 said:

So today it was japfest down at the Silverstone circuit, saw a celsior mk3 but not one other ls400 or mk4. I suppose a mk3 does count as a ucf20 but it's still cool to have been the only mk4 LS400 there! ( I didn't see any mk1 or 2, but did see a couple of ls430's)

I spent around 6 hours cleaning the car yesterday including clay barring, machine polishing and waxing, which removed a load of previous swirl marks which is a nice bonus

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Wow! You could not have picked a better day! She looks superb! I still think it a pity you took off the Lexus badge! Well done!

Bluesman · May 6, 2018

She needs her front Lexus badge.

Neil E · May 7, 2018

Looks super cool. Those wheels really work on the car and I love the way it sits low on them.

If I had known a few were attending yesterday, I would have taken the SC.

Connor2x4 · May 7, 2018

Thanks for the comments guys :) there was no club stand or group stand I was in, I was just in the individual display, which got me into the grounds.

I have still got the old grille with the badge and I've got another on it's way with the gold badge (got it for a bargain price so why not). May have a play around and see if I change my mind, but I like the fact that very few people know what car it Is, having the front badges gives them hints [emoji14]

The weather was indeed fantastic and I think next year with a bit more planning involved think it would be a lovely day out to have an LS stand for us all

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rob_clio172 · May 7, 2018

Oh i forgot to ad i love the plate too!! Where did you get this from? I notice a couple of these knocking around

Chris Skelton · May 7, 2018

You could try setting the front badge off-set, maybe in corner of grille? Or just central, but low down......

Then get a big 'sunblind' upper windscreen sticker that says 'Lexus' (not Connor.....Mrs C....!) (-:

I 'chromed' my grille using a US stick-on kit, on my Ser 3

Connor2x4 · May 7, 2018

Oh i forgot to ad i love the plate too!! Where did you get this from? I notice a couple of these knocking around

Bought it from a Facebook group, if you go on eBay you can get a set made up for around 15-20 quid

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Connor2x4 · May 7, 2018

You could try setting the front badge off-set, maybe in corner of grille? Or just central, but low down......
Then get a big 'sunblind' upper windscreen sticker that says 'Lexus' (not Connor.....Mrs C....!) (-:

I 'chromed' my grille using a US stick-on kit, on my Ser 3

Filling in the space that's left by the badge is difficult, that's why when looking closely at mine you can see it's not completely flat. Moving the badge to another part of the grill means I'd still have to fill the gap in again. I've been keeping an eye out for a properly made plain grill, but not luck. Cheapest new one comes to around £400 including post, which is something I'm definitely not willing to pay out for lol.

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Spacewagon52 · May 7, 2018

3 hours ago, Connor2x4 said:

Cheapest new one comes to around £400 including post, which is something I'm definitely not willing to pay out for lol.

I don't blame you!

Chris Skelton · May 7, 2018

A bank of twinkling LEDs? You can get them in strips......

steve2006 · May 7, 2018

5 hours ago, Connor2x4 said:

Bought it from a Facebook group, if you go on eBay you can get a set made up for around 15-20 quid

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I used this website to make mine, printed on photo paper and then laminated.

http://www.galaxygraphics.co.uk/flash/japanese_plate.php

Connor2x4 · May 7, 2018

A bank of twinkling LEDs? You can get them in strips......

In response to earlier I forgot to mention I have got a sunstrip on the way that's got Lexus in Japanese on it [emoji41]

But what do you mean about LED strips? I'm quite handy with those, did you mean put some behind the grill?

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Connor2x4 · May 7, 2018

I used this website to make mine, printed on photo paper and then laminated.
http://www.galaxygraphics.co.uk/flash/japanese_plate.php

Whilst that looks quite handy I'd prefer to keep these ones, as they're metal and can swap them with my normal plates just as easy

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Connor2x4 · May 14, 2018

So after a few days wait it seems the website is now allowing me to upload the images I previously wanted to show you.

I ordered some OEM gatling/multi lens projectors from the land of the rising sun!

These are what will be holding the main headlight bulb. As these are an OEM item from a country with RHD cars, the cut off for the lights should be fine moving forward.

One of them was missing the retaining clips and surround for the bulb, but managed to create a new one from the donor headlights.

And this was one of the first very basic temporary mock ups 🙂

Apologies for the side ways pic, but this is pretty much what the headlights will be looking like when they are complete, there is only a couple more things to add to the lights themselves, but this is how the final unit will essentially sit.

And to top it off for "show headlights"

I added demon eyes! These will be on a different switch and only for use in shows as of course its illegal to have a red light at the front of a vehicle except for the emergency services.

So thats pretty much been the side project for the '400 over the past few months and the finish line is (sort of) in sight!

Connor2x4 · May 14, 2018

Over the past few days, for those who have instagram, may have seen a couple of additions to the interior, mainly some neck pads and a wood shifter. But the weekend just gone gave an opportunity to fit my Sunstrip which had arrived, and also to take it to a local meet/show.

I was surprised to see on social media over the next few days the a few people had given it a small photoshoot 🙂 one of my friends took a few pictures of it for me anyway, but I will add the pictures I found of it also

Those two were my request from a friend. The following are from strangers, which is always flattering!

Newbie1 · May 14, 2018

Looking very VIP.

Speaking of neck pads, I recently added some interior trinkets including Celsior lace seat covers and a VIP table. Yahoo Japan can get expensive!

Connor2x4 · May 14, 2018

4 minutes ago, Newbie1 said:

Looking very VIP.

Speaking of neck pads, I recently added some interior trinkets including Celsior lace seat covers and a VIP table. Yahoo Japan can get expensive!

Thanks, thats the look I;m currently going for.

By Yahoo Japan do you mean noppin? there are a million things I'd like to buy off there but havent had the chance to do some full research on how to properly purchase off it as of yet. I asked a member of another group about getting hold of a table but they seem to be very slow at replying at the moment and its becoming quite frustrating. If you're able to send me a guide or a talk through of what you do, that would be much appreciated!!

Newbie1 · May 14, 2018

Hi. I use Zenmarket and Buyee as agents. Sterling service, beautifully packaged and they treat you with the utmost respect.

Connor2x4 · May 14, 2018

4 minutes ago, Newbie1 said:

Hi. I use Zenmarket and Buyee as agents. Sterling service, beautifully packaged and they treat you with the utmost respect.

Those lace covers look in brilliant condition! and that table is very similar to what I'm after, except I'd like the 2 drinks cup and 2 phone holder on mine.

Would you mind pm'ing me a full guide/instruction set on what to do and who I'd need to contact. Also are they able to get hold of other things from breakers yards in Japan?

That would be very helpful if you could mate

Spacewagon52 · May 15, 2018

Wow! But it still needs the Lexus badge at the front please!

Newbie1 · May 16, 2018

Connor2x4 · May 17, 2018

Have been trying to reply to this for a few days now but it seems the Tapatalk app is no longer working properly on my phone so had to wait for an opportunity to use my laptop.

In regards to the above comments, I have two grills in the shed now, one with a silver badge and one with a gold. Not sure if I'd like to put either on yet but at least I have the option 🙂

The other thing to say was that practice definitely makes perfect on a lot of things. the first set of indicators that I removed the orange part from was definitely a learning experience, and from this I have managed to do a second set with much better results, see image below.

The bottom set were the first ones, seen by the rubber seal being damaged and being able to see the cuts made. At least the top ones you wouldnt know unless you were getting too close to the car 😉