jeremyp

Does anyone make an auxiliary input adapter for the RX300 Pioneer systems? I found this from PIE, http://www.pie.net/aux_appl_toyota.htm but it's for Toyota. Does anyone know if it will it work for the Lexus as well? I'm trying to find a way to hook up a Sirius Satellite Radio system directly without having to use FM modulation. JP

Try turning the box to face the rear seats. This will stop the rear hatch door from rattling so much and give you a tad bit less bass, but not that noticable. I also strongly recommend dynamat extreme in the rear hatch door and anywhere else you may get some rattling. I plan on doing the entire doors instead of the just the speaker areas as shown in the pic. What a difference. Do what BBSAL said above. Also, How is the input of the amp wired? Did they take the existing sub speaker wires and run them directly to the amp's high level inputs or did they use a Line Output convertor and then RCAs into the amp? If they did use a LOC, then what brand/model did they use? It is very important to use a high quality, adjustable LOC in this application to keep noise to a minimum. I recommend AudioLink PL2 from crutchfield. If you don't know any of the answers, then call your installer to get the details of how your stuff was installed. DO NOT take his answer as acceptable! My system ROCKS now and no distortion at all and I have a crappy Sony XPlod amp running my speakers. Although I have an Eclipse PA5422 coming in this week to replace it. JP

CDT Audio mid mounted in a custome speaker bracket I had to make out of 3/4 MDF

CDT Audio Tweeter mounted in door

Here is the door prepared with Dynamat Extreme and new speaker wire

Close up of the Lexus logo

another pic of the sub/enclosure

This is phase 2 of my system upgrade. Phase 1 included the installation of a JL Audio 10W0 sub powered by a Kicker 150.2 2ch amp, MTX Thunder 8000 5.25" components up front and Infinity Reference 652i coaxials in rear powered by a Sony XPlod 1505SX (had it laying around). Now for the fun part! For phase 2 I replaced the 10W0 with a 10W3 in a custom enclosure made by a local shop (check out the pics) and replaced the MTX components with a set of CDT Audio CL-61a's. Man, it sounds killer now! Even with a Sony amp! Whatcha think? Here's the custom enclosure

You car is only 3k past the 4/50,000 warranty! I'd be ripping the Service Manager a new A**hole if they don't cover that under warranty. If he doesn't help you then keep going up the ladder until you get someone who does. Call corporate if you have to. My mother had a 1992 Toyota Corolla and in 1995 the exhaust manifold cracked and the car had like 78k on it. She complained about it and Toyota fixed it under warranty for her. Lexus should do the same for a measily stereo problem. Don't give up until they fix it for you. JP

They also make a matte black pen for just that purpose. They call them the door pillar pens and come in gloss and matte finishes. I just saw this earlier today while trying to find a pen for my paint code, but no such luck for me. They don't carry a pen for my paint code, 057. I'm SOL. JP

The antenna on my '00 RX300 squeaks and so does my friends '00. Both of us tried the WD40, but it works for like a day or two then it squeaked again. Now I'll have to try the lithium grease. I think I have some in the garage. JP

The small pop pins on the outer edge just need to be pushed in and then lightly pryed out. The handle bezel has a cover over a screw, just pry the cover open with a small screwdriver and take out the screw. and then use a small flat head screwdriver to pry it off the handle (see photo attached). The window/lock switch panel is a tough one. You need to pry on the top edge carefully with a large flat screwdriver or preferably a door panel tool (you can get 'em at auto parts stores). Once you get that off, then take out the screw on the inside of the hole left by removing the panel. Now take out the screw below the armrest and then pry the panel from the door from the bottom and don't forget to disconnect the wire to the light on the bottom of the door once you get it open. Hope this helps ya. Just be careful your first time. The second time is very easy. JP

Here are the screw/fastener locations (got this pic from another site)

I am going to be replacing the stock speakers in my 2000 RX300 with MTX 5.25 components in the front and Infinity 6.5 coaxials in the rear and I will be adding a 4ch amp to power them. I have already added a Kicker amp and JL Audio 10" sub and box (hooked up using the speaker inputs from the stock sub into the speaker level inputs of the Kicker amp). My questions is this: What is the best way to hook up a new amp? I have a Sony Xplod 5ch amp and would like to use this amp as it is 4x40w which is fine for these speakers, but it does not have speaker level inputs so I would have to use Line Output Converters. If I go this direction, where is the best place to tap into the system? Should I take the signal before it goes into the stock amp or should I take the signal after the amp? I have the wiring schematic from Alldata. Any help would be greatly appreciated. JP

Here is the other half of the wiring diagram.

I am going to be replacing the stock speakers in my 2000 RX300 with MTX 5.25 components in the front and Infinity 6.5 coaxials in the rear and I will be adding a 4ch amp to replace the stock amp. I have already added a Kicker amp and JL Audio 10" sub and box (hooked up using the speaker inputs from the stock sub into the speaker level inputs of the Kicker amp). My questions is this: What is the best way to hook up a new amp? I have a Sony Xplod 5ch amp and would like to use this amp as it is 4x40w which is fine for these speakers, but it does not have speaker level inputs so I would have to use Line Output Converters. If I go this direction, where is the best place to tap into the system? Should I take the signal before it goes into the stock amp or should I take the signal after the amp? I already have the wiring schematic from Alldata so I have the info to do either setup. OR should I just not use the Sony amp I have and get a 4ch amp that has speaker level inputs? Any help would be greatly appreciated. JP

The product to use is LLumar window film. Platinum Plus PP35-4960-2631474 (roll#). Tell your shop to get this stuff. This stuff matches perfectly. Good luck. JP

Those wires are actually the antenna for the remote. Now you know why the damn thing can be unlocked from across town, huh! lol JP

I was deciding on a RX330 (new) or go used with a RX300 or BMW X5. You have no idea how hard it was to go against the X5, me being a BMW guy and all. But in the end, the RX300 won out. I drive too many miles to go with a new RX330 and just liked the ride and looks of the X5 better. :P There I said it! I chose the Lexus over the BMW! I am now converted! LMFAO Enjoy the RX3 dude. JP

As the way I understand it, the dealer will fix an issue that has a TSB IF the customer complains about the issue AND the vehicle is still covered under the original factory warranty. Good luck with the 2001 AWD. I just bought my Certified Pre-Owned 2000 AWD and so far I love it. Best car I've owned so far and I've had 3 BMWs as my last 3 vehicles. I still consider myself a BMW guy who now drives a Lexus, but I'm slowly converting. :P JP

A lot of good points mentioned here. I just want to make one more. The ONLY car washes I use are the self serve types which I bring my own bucket, soap, wash mit and chamois to. I like the high pressure water and shade. I can go in on a slow day (weekdays usually, don't try this on a Saturday or you might get some people a little *BLEEP*ed off!, lol) and take my time washing it and waxing different sections of the car each time I go (2 or 3 panels). My $.02 JP

This is exactly what Novus is good for. Your headlights will get scratches from road debris while driving and will haze over time. Use Novus to remove the scratches, polish the plastic and give it a near new look. You won't be dissappointed. I used it on my 94 Mustang GT I had a while back and couldn't even believe the difference once I did one light and compared it to the other. Good luck JP

I looked into both a new RX330 and used RX300's before getting my 2000 RX300. I bought the hitch for my RX300 from etrailer.com. They also have one for the RX330. Here is the info. Hidden Hitch Class III Trailer Hitch Receiver Quantity in Basket: none Code: 87778 Price: $126.95 Shipping Weight: 55.00 pounds Quantity: Hidden Hitch Class III Round Tube Trailer Hitch Trailer hitch is dipped in a black rust resistant coating Custom designed for each vehicle type and model year for simple installation and better fit Low profile design to compliment the rear contours and aerodynamic styling of today's vehicles Trailer Hitch includes mounting hardware and easy to read installation instructions (see Typical Installation Instructions in the "detailed info" link) Simple bolt-on installation, no welding required 2" square receiver opening Removable drawbars and ballmounts (sold separately) eliminate banged or bruised shins and enhance the appearance when not in use All Hidden Hitch trailer hitches meet and exceed V5, VS, CSA, and SAE J684-98 standards are inspected for quality workmanship All Hidden Hitch trailer hitches have a limited lifetime warranty

Has anyone installed a Lexus navigation into a 2000 RX300? If not, does anyone know if it can even be done? If so, what's involved? Thanks, JP

If you don't have a pre wired vehicle, then you are going to have to buy the Lexus/Toyota wiring harness. It's fairly expensive, about $170 and it takes about an hour to install. I just helped a friend do his RX300 and it's mostly tedious stuff like removing a lot of the stuff in the hatch to get to the wiring connections that need to be made. The wiring harness fits perfectly and has a brain that needs to be mounted near the spare tire. The instructions that come with the harness are very detailed so you won't have any problems at all. Also, for $25/year you can sign up for alldata and get all of the information you need on your vehicle. Good luck. JP