bigegg

It IS a genuine towbar. No pictures - I had to pay someone to fit it, as I've damaged my shoulder. The instructions (direct from Lexus) on how it fits, with pictures, are below Towing hitch PZ408-C2550-00.pdf

Got it from someone on the sx Facebook group: 400+ mile round trip to collect it, though.

I only know because I have spare time to invest in watching youtoob videos. 🤣

I bought a double din kit + a loom adaptor from the bay and installed a more modern head unit. (It means bypassing the amp, which is a PITA to get to). No cassette player now, so had to burn my 1980s Australian pub rock onto an MP3 thumbnail drive. (I also installed a raspberry PI in the satnav pod whilst I was at it - it runs "crankshaft OS" and just mirrors android maps, but also reads info directly from a Bluetooth OBD2 adaptor)

There's a separate, unloomed, ground wire which attaches to the back of the flip-up satnav "pod" - could be that?

Teaser pic...

Firs/easiest check: remove the satnav pod and check the cables are firmly seated in the sockets, and that the cables aren't tangled in the mechanism. Its an easy job: (if it's the same as a 300SX) - pop the panel in front of the screen, and undo the two bolt/screws. It then just slides forwards and out. if there's something disconnected/tangled, it'll be obvious

ABS sensors?

I'm thinking of adding a small microcontroller (maybe an esp32) as the timing controller, I can also make the wing mirrors auto-retract with it. There'll be a write-up eventually...

I have a 2002 is300 sportcross. I want to install a raspberry Pi head unit, but need to give it a way to safely shutdown on power off. Ideally, this means I need to tap into a power circuit which stays on for a few minutes after the ignition is switched off. Is there such a circuit on my car? Its not a big deal if not, as I can add a l delay circuit in other ways.

Found one!!! 😁

I've recently bought a 2002 is300 sportcross, and (as with every car I ever bought), I want a towbar for it... Am I wasting my time even trying to find one?

Not mentioned in handbook (didn't even know I had a copy! Hidden in spare wheel well for some reason). Guessing that means it can't be done?

I've just bought myself a UK spec IS300 Sportcross - previously owned a MK2 GS300, but swapped because I needed the bootspace. The electric windows don't open/close with the keyfob. 😟 Is it possible to do this on the IS? (Without aftermarket mods). Dealer reprogram? Or some combination of key presses/ignition key/buttons/??? to activate? Thanks.

It took me all day, but it's done! Ran the 7 strand into the boot through the drain grommets in the wheel well, then under the hard plastic trim around the lock to the passenger side wing. Found the correct wires using a multimeter, then spliced in with wago connectors - now I know it works, I'll splice them properly with solder+heat shrink. Ran a fused 15a supply from the battery (under the bonnet) under the car and into the boot through the same grommet - had to use 2.5mm green+yellow mains earth cable because I couldn't find my reel of red 😞 ill update this thread with the cable colours later.

Black box is a "ring" smart logic relay 12n single rct485 Small(ish) trailer - sub 1.5T, maybe a bike rack. Occasionally a small touring caravan (just a 12n single socket needed). It does need a larger power supply - fused at 15A

As I posted earlier, I've just got hold (finally!) of a towbar for my '99 gs300. I need to connect up my electrics. I bought a "black box" relay thing and a generic 12N (7 pin) socket. Does anyone have any advice on where to route the cable into boot, where to mount the relay box, and where to splice into the wiring harness? or just a wiring diagram/ cable colours for the lights would do. thanks

Oh. No worries then. 👍

Don't I need a visible type approval label for the MOT?

I recently (finally!) sourced a 2nd hand tow bar to fit my '99 gs300. - after looking for 4! Years. Unfortunately, it has had the type approval sticker removed. I can print a new one, but need the details. Would anyone be willing to photo the label on theirs for me, or point me towards a source for a replacement? Lexus dealers, and brink UK can't help, and Brinkley's.eu don't deliver to UK. 😞 thanks

Update to this topic. Towbars are NLS at Lexus. Not available ANYWHERE in country - I had them send an email request to all the dealers. However... I managed to pick up a second hand one on the bay for £65, delivered :) Now... Anyone have any idea of whats needed for the electrickery part? I know I need a buzzer and there'll be some some sort of black box to bypass the faulty bulb detector?

I phoned *everywhere* - westfalua p f Jones. Bosal. All the installers I could find on Google within 100miles. There is no type-approved after market towbar for a 99 gs300. I'd love to be proved wrong!

Phoned a different Lexus dealer in the area where I will be working next week: Turns out I can get a towbar only (no oil cooler or electrics), self fit, for 459 quid. As I only tow a small trailer (<750kgs) a short distance (20 miles or so maximum), an oil cooler won't be necessary, and an aftermarket electrics kit is only about 12 quid, so jobs a good'un.

I've reached the point where I don't have the space for both my shogun and the lexus... I need to get rid of one of them, and obviously I'd prefer to keep the lexus. But... I need to tow a trailer quite regularly so I need a towbar. Does anyone have one for sale? or can point me towards one that isn't going to cost me 1200+ from the dealer? Or one that could be adapted? I can weld, but can't afford the £££££ to have a self-built one tested. It has to be euro CE plated, so no US imports, unfortunately. It's a 99 plate, MK2 gs300 UK spec Thanks

Does anyone have a source for a UK spec towbar for a '99 GS300 ? I don't want to pay the new dealer price, and can't seem to get one from the bay, or online scrappers. Alternative is to have one shipped from the US, but they seem to be only rated for a one tonne trailer - seems silly when the GS300 will tow 2T. (Also, they're technically not legal, since not type approved for the EU) Thanks