the-hedge

There is less road feel increase than i expected. Most noticable at parking lot speeds. On the HiRoad it actually feels better, I think mainly because the Michelin Pilot HX MXV4 is abetter tire than the Toyo. I went from a 225/60/16 to a 245/45/18. I was looking at inflated circumference to fill the well. Tirerack.com is helpful. Also try http://www.dakota-truck.net/ then link to the tire and wheel calculator.

funny how a new pair of shoes can change your whole outllook. What did you ever end up with? Hedge. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/LS?page=80 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...mp;hl=new+shoes

There is less road feel increase than i expected. Most noticable at parking lot speeds. On the HiRoad it actually feels better, I think mainly because the Michelin Pilot HX MXV4 is abetter tire than the Toyo. I went from a 225/60/16 to a 245/45/18. I was looking at inflated circumference to fill the well. Tirerack.com is helpful. Also try http://www.dakota-truck.net/ then link to the tire and wheel calculator. The wheels came from eBay. The main concern there is getting bent/roadrashed wheels. Getting wheels there one must be careful. Communication and seller feedback are key.

The new ones come with the key part molded into the plastic part. This is what makes them stronger than the old ones. The transponder (the REALLLY expensive part) does just drop into the fob, but you still have to get the key cut.

OEM keys break because the stress of turning the key is focussed on the on tiny little screw that holds the two parts together. The aftermakets usually are designed to correct this. The colored ones i don't know about. They are all easy enough to find on eBay. Getting them cut, however, can prove to be expensive. If you ask around town, you can usually find someone besides the dealer. Good luck http://us.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/LS/P1010001http://us.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/LS/P1010002_001 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/LS/P1010003

My thanks to forum member Logg for showing me how good this looks! _______Wheels are OEM 18s from 04 and later LS430.______ ___I think they look better on this gen than the 430.___ ___________What do you think?_____________ http://us.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/LS/P1010001 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/LS/P1010002_001 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/gallery/LS/P1010003

My 98 has developed a creaking noise at slow speeds. Raise the hood, place your hand on top of the support and gently bounce the car. Do you hear and FEEL the noise? I do. I'll dive into that next week and return with findings. For quite a while i've noticed the bumping noise that nc211 asked about. Toyo dealer says the bump is strut rod bushings for $550.00. We shall see.

My '98 has just developed a creaking noise at 115k. I only hear it at slow speeds and only on the right side. Open the hood, place your hand on the upper support, and gently bounce the car. Do you feel and hear the noise?. I do. I'm gonna dive into it next week. I'll return with my findings. B)

Thanks again. I got right in this time. This is a great site. :D

thanks dude. Have a cool one on me! 98 LS 400

I am using my Nortons firewall. Turned it off and still goto the login screen. Oh well. Jake is a Australian sheppard. That's his first grade picture. He's a litle bigger now, and still loves his boat. He's pretty smart. He has NEVER even tried to get into the Lexus. As long as we're talking about satellite radio... How do you like my install?

yeah, I tried that. Maybe i'm not pushing my Norton buttons correctly. Any other ideas?

Consider yourself fortunate that you have the ability to connect directly. There is a company making a gizmo that connects in line with the changer. VAIS Technology has some limited applications for XM. Nothing for SIRIUS yet. I am using a tape deck thingy. The sould is better than FM modulation, but not as good as CD. I had it in my armrest, but finally found an ashtray on ebay. I held my breath and let the rotozip fly. I like this much better. Hedge

I must be a big stupie. I can't get past the log in screen. How do i set up an account?

I would like to integrate a new phone with as many Lexus controls as possible. Can anyone supply the pin outs for the 98 LS Lexus plug? I have removed the Lexus analog phone, but still have all the components. Hedge

I keep hoping that Vaistech will get their act together and make the integration unit for us. http://vaistech.com/ http://vaistech.com/aic100.html http://www.vaistech.com/vchk/vconf.php It seems that they do have a working unit for the newer stuff, e.g. Nav integration systems and even the backup camera integration. Maybe if enough of us with the older models pinged their site often enough they would see that there is a market and make the thing. (you must click the buy it button to drill down to your model) I doubt the logjam unit listed above would integrate w/ the Lexus Pioneer. even if it did, would you not lose the cd changer? If you search their site for auxiliary input converters available for the Lexus, there are none. It looks like crazyls may be on to something. Search the electronics forum, I remember someone else doing the home-made thing. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...61&hl=satellite

Drill into http://vaistech.com/ they may have something for you.

alright guys... This is your last chance before i pony up the dough and go to the dealer!!! Please help

I agree with nc211, you must be careful with the tint. Any reputable glass house should be able to take care of you. If you hold a piece of white paper and look at it through another window, you will see the tint. Your insurance agent may not be allowed to reccomend a particular shop, but might give you a list of 'first response' dealers that are on their OK list. As for the cost, my state requires a ZERO deductable for glass breakage. This means no cost to you. I am certain of this for windshield in SC, but would have to ask about side glass in WA. Again, call your agent.

I have found a tutorial for timing belt replacement for a first gen LS at http://www.lextreme.com/timing2.html Does anyone have specifics for a second gen LS?

Check this site. I have not yet installed one, but plan to. IF they check out OK. I am not finding anyone in the forums that have actually tried it. http://www.vaistech.com/aic100.html

Check this site. http://www.vaistech.com/ I have not tried it yet. I'll post when I do. Search the LS forum for SIRIUS.

Nice install. How are you feeding the signal to the head unit? I am using FM modulation and am not happy with the sound quality. There is a solution that will cost around $300 at http://www.vaistech.com/ so I'm looking for other options. Anybody out there got ideas?

I just replaced a broken key for my '98. I got the blank from e-bay - $25, and had it cut local $5. I did not have to replace the transponder, that's going to be the expnesive part. Dealer gets$45 for that. The guy that cut mine would have charged $15 to cut AND program the thing. If yours did not come with instructions, search this forum for transponder and look for posting from bluethunder. Jeff

Khalid The tape deck thingy is probably the best thing if you must stay under $60. The sound quality will suffer. If you want good audio quality AND want to keep the original radio, try this site. I Have not yet installed one, but plan to and will post my opinion when complete. Search the club site for Satellite Radio for related discussion. Jeff http://www.vaistech.com/home.html http://www.vaistech.com/aic100i.html