RK's LS400 Thread

Relatively new here, started out wanting to build a Previa for the wife, so we bought one and did the initial maintenance and addressed the problem spots. Essentially we put about $2000 into a van we bought for $2600, planned on putting in a set of used canovers from another member on this board and then she saw nizzan4u2nv's Black LS400 and quickly changed her mind. We then began our search for a Black on Black LS400, we found one that met the criteria from randyboy on this forum and made the purchase. Soon after we started searching for rims & suspension. Wald GS had a set of Carlsson 2/6's for sale on the CL board and after striking a deal we brought them home, bought a set of nankang tires from PerformancePlus and had them mounted locally. A few days later my new Megan coilovers showed up. I wanted to make sure the rims would fit correctly before tinkering with the suspension so I installed them today, I'm pretty happy with the fit & look, and its nice having something a little less common. I had to roll the rear fenders a bit (likely because I chose to run a tire I didnt have to stretch) but they are running fin now. I plan on doing the coilovers next week if we dont head out of town for the holiday weekend. Since I hate threads without pics, here are some to start off with:
 
we did some small mods like clear corners, JDM one piece headlights, 6000k HID BiXenon upgrade, new grille, and JDM RCR tails with the red sections lightly tinted from LOTC on CL[IMG]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t133/terryabaker/LS400001.jpg[/IMG]
 
After rims & tires installed on today:
[IMG]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t133/terryabaker/LS400002.jpg[/IMG]
... it settled down after backing it out, so its not as 4x4 as it looks in this pic
 
Nice & flush
[IMG]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t133/terryabaker/LS400003.jpg[/IMG]
 
Specs: Carlsson 2/6 rims:19x8.5 (+28) & 19x10 rims (+35), Nankang 235/35ZR19 front, 275/30ZR19 rear
 
Next... coilovers & tint!

car looks very clean. I would love to see a better picture of the Tails before I make up my mind on those. You may need some spacers when you get your coilovers to make those wheels fit right, but your are taking the right steps toward building a very clean EXE car.

I'm not a big fan of those tinted tails, IMO they would look better red clear red.

but its cool if you like it.


i hope its gonna be low, check it out

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/geneticdr1ft/RKLS400.jpg[/IMG]

Sorry, i used MS Paint.

its ddefinitely got lots of potential Im loving the wheels and cant wait to see it a lot lower...keep it going

When its slammed its gonna look sick. Cant wait to see it done :biggthumpup:

-Smitty

The plan is getting coilovers on now to drop it & replace the worn out struts, and add UAS air to the coilovers as soon as funds allow. I'm actually rethinking the tails altogether, might swap back to stock on those. EDIT: I just noticed you changed the tails to RCR... (thought you just dropped it in the chop), that does look better, wonder how hard the tint would be to remove? They were tinted whan I got them with film, anyone have tips on removing the tint or would it just be easier to sell them & buy RCR's?

looking good Terry!

you can peel the stuff off then remove the residue with simple green, then polish them up with light polish and a powerball.

cars lookin good. i like the wheels

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/geneticdr1ft/RKLS400.jpg[/IMG]

Ahhh :sigh. I'm jealous already. Thats nice man you have a great ride coming along. Cant wait to see it sitting like this chop!

The red, clear, red does look way better. I hate blacked out lights,.... yuck!!!

Looking at it closer in daylight they arent blacked out, just tinted darker & dont look as black in person as the pic shows. The LS just went into the shop at 8am this morning to get the coilovers installed, should have it back sometime after lunch - cant wait to see it & find out how the Megans ride.

nice choice of wheels. looks very period correct (not sure that it actually is, but it loooks like it). not a fan of the tails, or even red clears in general on ucf10/20, which is strange cause i usually like them. lookin forward to seein it slammed.

[quote=BLACKonBLACK98;171254]nice choice of wheels. looks very period correct (not sure that it actually is, but it loooks like it).  lookin forward to seein it slammed.[/quote]
 
That was actually one of my deciding factors when settling on this wheel, and I cant wait to see it slammed either, just called my mechanic & he's guessing about another hour till its finished.

pics tonight or ban!

looks good man wish i kept it.

[quote=BLACKonBLACK98;171286]pics tonight or ban![/quote]
 
I was gonna do it after dinner but since you put it that way.... :runcoold:
 
Here they are folks - no photoshop, just Megan coilovers and they ride very nice. I havent played with the 32 way adjustable valving yet but its very satisfactory, much like a sports coupe ride.
 
[IMG]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t133/terryabaker/LS400012-1.jpg[/IMG]
 
[IMG]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t133/terryabaker/LS400005.jpg[/IMG]
 
[IMG]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t133/terryabaker/LS400008.jpg[/IMG]
 
[IMG]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t133/terryabaker/LS400010.jpg[/IMG]
 
[IMG]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t133/terryabaker/LS400011.jpg[/IMG]

dern! thats a good drop from coilovers. looks almost like the ps. nice!

Looks good. Just needs a little more stretched rubber.

[quote=BLACKonBLACK98;171332]dern! thats a good drop from coilovers. looks almost like the ps. nice![/quote]
It will go lower...

It is looking great ... dont you love the chops provided ?  haha they are always great inspiration 


it is tucking pretty aggressive , great choice with the black ls on black !

[quote=RocKrawler;171360]It will go lower...[/quote]
well then...

if it was a solo ride it would be lower now, but carrying 4 I cant go lower until I can afford UAS bags over the Megans

looks real nice RocKrawler.

was wondering if you have any problems in front with hitting the top of the upper control arm?

lets hope we see some rolling shots haha

[quote=genetic;171382]looks real nice RocKrawler.
 
was wondering if you have any problems in front with hitting the top of the upper control arm?
 
lets hope we see some rolling shots haha[/quote]
None before lowering but I havent checked after the drop, I'll check today when I'm rolling the fenders.
 
Does anyone know any reason I shouldnt remove the plastic front inner fender liners? That would solve my front rubbing entirely

Ive had my fender liners off for about a year with no real problems :biggthumpup: 

looks good rk, now why dont you mosey on out to a meet every once in awhile?

yanked mine just now, front wont rub at all with just me but we'll see when the family is loaded up. When's the next meet?

I have a ton of crap under mine. Fuel filter, wiring harness,...etc,...etc. I also got denied inspections but I had it in my trunk and tossed it on and they passed me without having to return.

Also as much as I hate mine it can protect the paint even on the outer side of the body. Rocks will sling up and eventually start to crack the paint and create those funny star shape cracks. I also get snow so with mine out I couldn't go anywhere over the winter even on a nice day as long as they have some salts or cinders down. It really makes a mess up inside.

Its looking damn good man!

Thanks, I honestly dont expect to have it more than a year because we plan on downsizing the house and selling this in favor of either a UCF21 or UCF3x

[quote=Lexus Soarer;171339]Looks good. Just needs a little more stretched rubber.[/quote]


Why? The tires don't rub from the look of it, as they look too far in to be hitting the fenders. Stretch is only a necessity, not a look.

[quote=Caoboy;171485]Why? The tires don't rub from the look of it, as they look too far in to be hitting the fenders. Stretch is only a necessity, not a look.[/quote]
 
 
 
I agree Caoboy if you dont need to stretch dont worry about it but the car looks sick.

without the plastic lining youcan also expect to get nice sludge in your door jam, especially during rain. its just one of the sacrifices you have to make when you're awesome. :coolugh:

looks good