FiatLex

During the early 1990's the local Lexus dealer had a display in its showroom for K40 radar detectors. From what I remember, K40 detectors were a very expensive dealer-installed option - I think the system was over $1,000. The neatest aspect of the K40 detector was that its warning lights were fully integrated into the instrument cluster so that it looked like it was factory installed. From what I remember, K40 detectors were only available at new car dealers and specialty installers and could not be purchased by individuals.

K40 is still in business today: http://www.k40.com/home_main.html

I put my Escort Solo (cordless, battery powered) detector in a drawer over ten years ago and never used a radar detector again. Driving has been far more pleasant since I went "legit" and slowed down.

A K40 in a 1993 LS400 would likely be useless since it would not sense the newer radar / laser technologies used by law enforcement agencies. You might as well trace where it is connected to your car's electrical system and disconnect it.

Thank you very much for this extremely helpful post. I have a LS with a built-in radar detector and knew absolutely nothing about it. I followed your K40 suggestion, and that's exactly what's installed. You're correct about the full integration of the dash lights. That's quite nice. It might not be the latest and greatest system, but it's better than nothing.

Thank you very much for these very helpful pieces. We're nine years removed from your post, and it's still providing timely and useful help.

This is free: hold the switch in the direction you want to go and count to 60. Try it both at the door and at the driver's door.

Great work, Eatingup. I'm replacing door speakers, and you got me through it.

I emphatically disagree with a step. Do not remove the child safety switch cover. It can be a nightmare to replace. Leave it on, and fit it around the switch when you replace the panel.

In removing the center console tray / armrest, I find two connectors from the phone system not connected to anything. Is this correct? Should these connectors be bridged?

Thanks.

"Bridged"? No. Why? Is something not working?

I assume you have already removed the phone ECU in the trunk.

If the coax cable is still attached to the inside element of the antenna on the rear window, it can be detached and slipped above the headliner. It's been a LOT of years but I think I remember a small metal tab that holds the coax cable in place above the headliner.

As you have previously instructed, the trunk connectors at

the phone ECU are bridged when the black box is removed. Following the

circuit through, is all.

The black box is gone from the trunk. Thanks for the tip on the coax.

In removing the center console tray / armrest, I find two connectors from the phone system not connected to anything. Is this correct? Should these connectors be bridged?

Thanks.

Thanks, Sha and Landar.

Now for the disputatious matter: Liking to toss my car into corners with some speed is about 70% important, and having a plush ride is about 30% important.

What shock do I choose?

If your strut rods haven't been replaced since you bought the car, I'd start there. My mechanic buys new strut rods with the bushings already pressed in -- they don't cost all that much more and buying the complete assemblies ensures that the bushings fit properly. Also, his labor to remove/press in new bushings in the old strut rods is more expensive than buying the entire new assemblies.

1990LS400,

You are a deep well of information, and I see you regularly admonish people to search the forum so as not to waste your time. This reply to a long dormant thread is the product of significant searching.

I just bought a LS400, and I'm thinking about tightening up the ride. In reviewing the forum, I need to clarify some terms.

Strut rod bushings are what some here call "cushions?" This is the part that has to be pressed in and out of a long tube with a large circle on the end? These pieces are somewhat difficult to find.

Strut mount bushings are a different part containing a flange with three studs and a long rubber piece? These pieces get sold on Ebay.

Strut mounts are yet again a different part, also containing three studs and are commonly available on sites such as RockAuto?

Struts are obviously struts.

If I want to change the struts, what parts do I really need to change?

Thanks.