ArmyofOne

Yeah, my fault on the new member thing. i saw your post cont and asumed...my mistake. LOL. I withdrew the comment publicly as well as deleted it from my post. I was very proud of my lexus too. I do agree one pic would have sufficed, but then, who am I to dictate these things? I am sorry if i offended you. Not my intent. And i do respect your opinion. :)

Guy, Your toooooo much Anyway, How old are the belts? Maybe they need replacing, You could try some belt dressing but they probably need replacing. And by the way, DROP THE CAPS in this realm it is taken as yelling. <_< IALMAO ← BELT DRESSING=BAD IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! dont do it! it will gum up and get inside the bearninsg on the pulleys, and you could end up with a bad pulley somewhere. Simply replace the belt. and Guy, that was pretty darned funny

You are correct sir/madam, My apologies, I missed that. Even so, all of my other statements stand. :)

Heh, I only have 2 doors bud. :) Really though? I honestly wasnt aware it was that easy....can you point me to a link? I can definately run a power wire. I wonder if i could get one of these kits at autozone. 1.5 hours max is probably right, because its a ford...Even as good of quality (by ford standards, its some of the best, i actually have a LEATHER Dash!) its still snap-together. LOL. one of the reasons i like it so much...Skill Level 1...Just like a mongram LOL. Oh and If it helps, the systems they will be installing are: Viper Security System (not sure if keyless entry is added withthis system or separate) AstroFlex (or AStroStart, cant remember the name off hand) Remote Starter System w/ Manual Transmission Clutch Override.

It doesnt matter if its a lexus or not. I drive a ford, but I stay here, because I am accepted here, because there is little/no BS on this board, and because I'm well respected here. However, he could have put it in General Discussion, but I can see why he posted it here, as he is a former LS owner, and it is a car that is comparable to the LS. My point is, lexus or not, He is a valued member of this site, until he proves otherwise. And we are happy to have him irregardless of what car he has. One of the reasons I stick around is because I know more about the ES250 than almost anyone else on this site with the exception of JP Imports. And we have more than a few ES250 owners that reside here. I used to have one myself. I just cannot currently afford, nor do I want to afford my dream LS400 because of my location (LOTS OF SALT!!!!) So I drive a car I love, that has less than half the yearly costs of an LS400. I also got a killer deal. The bottom line is this: Members are welcome here, no matter what kind of car they drive, until such time as the management deems they are breaking the rules. There is no rule here that says you have to have a lexus to be a member. I registered and had posted and learned alot before I ever even drove my lexus. This site is dedicated to the brand and the members both. Because whether we are current owners or not, We are all potential Lexus Customers, and something drew us here, be it curiousity about the brand or a problem with a car, or just looking for a good place to meet good friends. I have accomplished all three at one time or another on this board, and I have met friends for life here, friends that I would do anything for. (Blake918, RFeldes, and SW03ES, Matthew McNally to name a few). Im doing my very best to be polite as possible in pointing this out to you, as you are a valued member here as well and deserve respect as well. If i were a mod I would move this thread (*hint Hint* ;) ) Places like this forum are exactly why I fight for my country. To protect things like this.

Im mechanically inclined yes...but as far as electronics go, i dont like messing with it if i can pay someone...plus time is short, my sched is packed between school and work. Money is not an object, i dont mind spending some. :) I do know that ford pre-wires all their cars, so even though my car is not equipped for PW/PL, it has the wires, just no motors.

try alpine type s's. great for the money.

There is a shop here in town specializing in Car Audio and Remote Starters. They said, for $50 a door, they can give my car keyless entry and for $269 (+$100 for Manual Trans clutch override/Neutral Saftey Starter Switch) they can put a remote starter in my MANUAL transmission car. i was not aware that Remote Starters could be fitted to Manual trans, i was also not aware that without a significant amount fo custom work, you could put autmatic locks in a car that has none to begin with. The sales guy said they would not be adding switches to the inside for the locks, but rather i would unlock/lock it with the remote, much like a car with shaved door handles would open. Is this one of those too good to be true deals? they are a very reputable shop, but i find it hard to believe this can be done for under $500. Also, i have heard remote starters screw up the wiring in cars. This sounds like Pish posh to me, especially if done correctly. Also, my car has a Passive Anti Theft System (PATS) with the computer chip in the key, will this make a difference? Someone please enlighten me, and thanks for the help. FWIW, my ZX-2 has a very weird option package... -Manual Windows and locks, but a Power Sunroof and power mirrors. -a 5 speed manual, with cruise control (this is a first for me, i have never seen this before...maybe its common and i overlook it though) -(had) premuim sound system, with a cassette deck...no CD. -Ford P.A.T.S System, with no keyless entry.

Dude, if your that concerned that it is the rack...go here: www.discounttoyotaparts.com The R&P for my old ES250 retailed for $1200...I paid $375 through these guys...SUBSTANTIAL difference.

$10 says you blow your tranny before you manage to blow another headgasket...

← I would check, in the following order: Tranny mount Diff Mounts Carrier Bushings (since your under there, they arent likely to be the complete problem, but they will magnify it if they are bad). as has been said, the lurch is normal. I wasnt aware about the idle speed, but at that RPM, ANY car would jump significantly when shifted from park to any gear. Does this lurch feel at all like a the lurch you get when you put a manual trans in 1st and let off the clutch without giving it gas, it jumps forward, right? EDIT: i missed the part where you said you replaced the carriers a couple of months ago, so disregard that last part. Im going out on a limb here, but could the ckank you get when shifting be a loose heatshield somewhere? I have seen this a few times on the humvees, whic idle abnomrally high (1200 RPM is HIGH for a diesel to idle) loose heatcheld is just loose enough to clank when it shifts from N to D. Doesnt do it any other time. the only reason i mention this is because you mentioned it was more of a "clank" than a clunk.

JMO, I dont like traction control, especially if i have a manual trans, there is no need. all it does is hinder things. If you know how to drive fast (are trained in it) and you knwo your vehicle, its not thta hard to realize when you are at your cars limit. I do agree that it savs lives, becuase the vast majority fo america isnt trained in high speed handling of vehicles like me and few speedfreak friends who had money to burn one week. LOL. But if it were up to me, i wouldnt have it on any vehcile i own. and i dont. :)

I feel you pain brother...i really do.

you are welcome LOL.

Good to hear, even though i wasnt spot on (i was hoping i was B) ) I am glad you have it sorted out. Now drive up here and see me, im bored. and i havent driven a nice smooth LS in awhile. and you have to see the escort too... :)

B) In & around the city of Toronto? lol Not a chance bud. Most of the time I could probably get away with a P speed rating (93 MP/H) around here ;) H speed is good for 130 MP/H. :) ← LOL. This weekend guys, i put the falkens to the ultimate test. 26 inches of THICK HEAVY WET snow, the kind that fills in your tread and is soft but frzen at the same time. makes it really hard to go anywhere. well, on my way down to Wellsville this weekend, I was driving south on I-81. and right about 20 miles out of Watertown, BOOM...Lake effect. Lots of it. I couldnt see 4 feet in front of me, I was reduced to 25 MPH in a few spots. Cars around me were sliding everywhere. I would watch the taillighs in front of me and on several occasions, I saw tailights become headlights and headlights become tailights veering off to the left or right and stopping. All the way up to ~40 MPH in 3 inches of slush and about 20 inches of snow on top of that, the falkens were pinned to the pavement. Not once did i slip. Im VERY impressed. i was worried that having a thin tread would cause them to be more prone to slipping, but these tires are like glue. I only slowed down because i couldnt see maybe a carlength ahead (in broad daylight i might add). But at ~40, everytime i cut the wheel left or right, she cut right through, stayed on track. the roads were slick, no doubt about it, but the falkens were only sliding if i made them do it on purpose. When i came back to base sunday night, I played around in some parking lots, the roads were freshly plowed witha few 3 foot snow berms piled up. Plowed right through em. no problem. I love my tires :) I have been through snow so deep i was pushing it up over the hood (my car sits low, like a civic) and was still maintianing traction. good stuff. On a side note, I think my escort gets around better in this stuff than my friends Grand Cherokee. That thing struggles ALOT in the snow. Ask anyone who has driven on ice, Lightweight+ Ice = BAD! More weight is actually better. takes a little longer to stop but you have better grip.

And rest assured if you have to use the falkens in heavy snow, they will get the job done, read my Snow review, im about to add to it.

Nope, my 01 ES is recommended for a V speed rating, but should you only be able to get an H speed you will be more than fine. B) ← unless you plan on doing over 110 regularly. :whistles:

I think a Ford Model T's tires would be light years ahead of the Potenza's! lol ← amen. i hate potenzas with a passion. If you have purchased the falkens, you made an great choice. $88 a tire isnt that bad, if you look at other tires the same size going for $150 or more. i just put a set of falkens on my GF's car yesterday, in 205-55-R16, the cheapest tire i could find was $115. then i found a place local who sold falkens, and they were $76 a piece. thats a good bit of difference when multiplied by 4. And i would stay LIGHT YEARS away from the kuhmo's. personal reasons.

SOrry lexusfreak, that we couldnt get together this thanksgiving. Im assigned to the Quick Reaction Force for 4-31 inf reg. so i have to be within 4 hours of the base or inside the state of NY, whichever is closer. in other words, im on call. :( maybe another weekend.

1. A good mechanic will never EVER substitute anything for anything, except as a last resort. however there are bad ones out there. 2. NOT ALL american mechains will do this, if you have been to any kind of automotive school at all, you know that a system designed for DOT3 will corrode or not work at all with DOT4 or DOT5. DOT 5 is soo much more acidic. we use it in humvees, but if you put it in a civilian hummer, you would eat the master cylinder alive. YOU CANNOT switch brake fluids. if your system says DOT3, and your mechanic out in DOT4, you need to raise hell. the properties are alot different between DOT 3 and DOT 5. not sure about the differences between DOT3 and DOT4, but there is a difference. whats to say they arent doing ti to american cars too? you have already heard my stance on american vs. asian cars, i dont believe that if properly cared for, any ne vehcile is any more freliable than another, except for a few cases. THAT is a definate reason, why i am back in a higher mileage (65k on a 2002 is pretty high) DOMESTIC car. i cant (nor do i want) at this point inmy life to have a toyota or lexus nickel and diming me to death with maintenance costs. I had the dealer look up the service history on my ZX2. its never been in for a repair until i bougth it, it needed brake rotors and pads. its running fine. im now doing the second repair, a right front wheel bearing. it goes in tomorrow. its all under warranty too, even at 65K. so you know my thoughts on domestics vs foreign.

Thats not so much a function of the tires as it is the fact that ABS is at its least effective in the snow. Glad they're workin out! ← Army mentioned he does not have ABS sw. ← no, i dont, but the blazer does. i HATE ABS systems, i can pump my own brakes just as fast, i dont want a computer to do it for me.

LOL Completely disassemble your interior, and tell me the insides of a LS400 aren't chock full of insulation. The glove box has a big piece of insulation on the back of it just as an example in addition to just about all trim pieces, under the top and bottom portions of the back seats, thick carpets with tons of insulation, insulation in the trunk and hood areas, etc., etc...I don't think you'll find something like that on your typical GM or Dodge product. While I can't agree that the 4.0 is a true gas guzzler, I do think the hwy mileage could be way better than what it is since (80mph is good for over 2,500 rpms, that seems a little agressive.). It just kills me to ride in any American car that is going 80 on the hwy, and it spins close to 1,000 less rpms than the Lexus does at the same speed. ← I have to take you for a ride in the escort...85 MPH, brings 3200 RPM

#2, is likely to be U-joints. Lube them witha grease gun and you should be fine.

DO NOT run that pump when its low on fluid, it will burn up. sounds like it may be gone anyways. if the fuid is not the culprit, check the belt. I dont believe its a serpentine belt on a 93, it should be separate.