Matt's 1998 LS400 Build

[Malc1]

This boot lip water ingress ……. in my 25 years owning and now on X  4. Ls400s and probably driving 250k miles in them AND always being parked outdoors ……. I’ve never ( yet touch wood ) had this problem 🤔

Malc 

[MattLS400]

New indicator lenses on both sides today, not perfect but the old ones had seen better days.

Before:

After:

A quick polish of the headlights to bring them back to life and they should look a bit more even.

[MattLS400]

On 11/4/2023 at 12:23 PM, Malc1 said:

This boot lip water ingress ……. in my 25 years owning and now on X  4. Ls400s and probably driving 250k miles in them AND always being parked outdoors ……. I’ve never ( yet touch wood ) had this problem 🤔

Malc 

You are very lucky, I am nearly there with solving it. Just a drop of silicon and it will be sorted. I haven't had chance to do it as I have been away with work.

Looking forward to getting it down so I can give the car a good detail.

Matt

[MattLS400]

After what felt like a battle I have solved my leaking boot.

I gave the seal a bath. Yes, a bath.

Once it was dry and cosy warm, I pinched the seal back into its OEM shape as it was a loose fit on the boot landings.

Fitted it back to the car and shut the boot lid, poured as much water on it as I could and not a single drop got into the boot.

I will let the rain do its worse now and see if we still have success.

Cheers, Matt 

[MattLS400]

Another ls400 curveball...

I have a, what looks like a aftermarket key fob which has a lock unlock and boot open features.

The lock has never worked until today, randomly. The lock worked but the unlock did not so I unlocked it manually and the alarm went off....... and will not stop.

When I manually lock the car the alarm will turn off after a couple of seconds.

New Battery, new key Battery, car turns over and runs, everything works but the alarm goes off.

I do have another key without buttons on it, I don't know what good that will do.

Does anyone have any ideas or tips and tricks? 

[Malc1]

Don’t know if this might help as you have the Mk4

Alarm on the Mk3 turns right down to zero ……. the fixing is under the front centre console , just in front of that centre arm rest ….. where the gear shift is ….. be very careful not to damage the area 

Otherwise I’m clueless, sorry 

Malc 

[Stanwithaplan]

I've not got the answer either, sorry. About 3 years ago, only one of the doors locked on one of my 400s, I got 3 lock motors replaced and a new Battery for the key and they've worked ever since. The lock button for my other 400 doesn't work, but if I press the unlock button when I get out, it waits a minute and if no doors are opened it locks them all for me:o) I've attached some advice on reprogramming LS400 keys that I found previously, but I'd not even think about that until you've tried everything else.

1999 Lexus LS400 Remote Programming.docx

[Stanwithaplan]

found this on another forum Matt, hope it helps https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-1st-and-2nd-gen-1990-2000/954110-car-alarm-goes-off-randomly.html

[MattLS400]

Well the LS tried to test me.... It lost, cant alarm without an alarm!

I am not fussed in the slightest about not having an alarm, the car locks and no one is going to try and steal a 25 year old Lexus.

I can also confirm the speaker is in the offside wheel arch behind the indicator.

Glad the car is back to its quiet self again.

[MattLS400]

17 hours ago, Malc1 said:

Don’t know if this might help as you have the Mk4

Alarm on the Mk3 turns right down to zero ……. the fixing is under the front centre console , just in front of that centre arm rest ….. where the gear shift is ….. be very careful not to damage the area 

Otherwise I’m clueless, sorry 

Malc 

I did have a look for this and I couldn't see anything of the sort in mine. It might not be a think on a Mk4?

[BigBoomer]

I've always hated car alarms. I used to live in a terraced house in Chelmsford and behind us was a 100 space car park. Getting a decent nights sleep was damned near impossible due to the plethora of car alarms going off whenever there was a bit of wind. I actually threatened one guy after he reset his ****ing alarm for the 3rd time at 3am. I told him if he didn't disable his car alarm, I would disable it, and the car, permanently. They are mostly a waste of space anyway as nobody reacts to them any more. You are far better off to get a system that notifies you that your car is being stolen, but does so silently.

[J4AVX]

Hi Matt - Lovely looking LS400! I had one a few years back, sold it but I really regret it. I should have kept it 😞 

Love the wheels too! 

[MattLS400]

Its been a while since I have updated this build thread but here goes...

 

Due to the lovely British weather I haven't really done much to the old bus, except a service and more excitingly a new exhaust systems as the old one was not up to par. 

The previous owner had put in a "true dual" stainless centre section with original Toyota back boxes, which had shot baffles so it sounded awful.   

So in total it has had a brand new stainless cat back with X-pipe, centre boxes on each bank and 2 "sport" rear boxes with turn down tips for that "OEM look". All O2 sensors have been replaced too. 

It gives a nice V8 rumble as you drive down the road without being too loud and annoying, Classy as all things Lexus are.

It is worth mentioning how smooth the car runs now, probably a combination of new O2s and the X-pipe aiding exhaust flow. 

X-Pipe:

Centre boxes: (Yes, I will give the rear sub-frame some attention soon)

Rear boxes:

Both turn down tips:

Sound clip:

[MattLS400]

Mini update:

Front upper control arms replaced.

Inner and outter tie rods & front lower control arms awaiting fitting. Once fitted it will be tracked.

Coilovers adjusted, preload and height (It can now go over a speed bump and isn't turning my spine to dust on long drives) 

AC checked for leaks and it passed so it's been regassed and the AC is now icey cold. I thought for sure it would leak, a testament to the Lexus engineers. 

One the search for tires:

Front - 245/45/18 (currant 225/45/18)

Rear - 275/45/18 (currant 245/45/18)

I hate stretched tires so this will solve that problem. 

Next big job is a bit of welding required on the nearside rear wheel arch, corrosion caused by the leaking boot mentioned earlier in the thread.

MOT due end of August, first one in my care so fingers crossed. 

[Malc1]

I’m sure she’ll be fine Matt ……. enjoy your wonderful amazing limo that you’re so giving much tlc  👍

these are “ wonderful limitless machines “  giving pleasure every day 

Malc 

[MattLS400]

Mini Update:

The LS passed it MOT without an issue, I wasn't worried promise...

While it was in it has had all new front arms, inner and out tie rods just to be safe.

 

I don't think I will be doing anything else to is before Christmas now, just enjoying the ride.  

Next years jobs:

AC refresh (New o-rings, condenser and pump)

A full refresh of the rear suspension and poly bushing the diff + gearbox. 

A few other bits but I will decide at the time.