dave.md.nguyen

Congratulations on the new car!

I apologize to go off on a tangent but I am hitting about 95k (nothing major so far, rotors rotated, fluids replaced, alignment) and was starting to look into doing the timing belt, spark plugs, water pump, and everything that goes along with that. I found a kit on ebay. It is sold by FCP (Foreing Car Parts) and it contains 8 items.

OEM Reference #

Timing Belt - 13568-09070

Timing Belt Tensioner - 13540-50030

Timing Belt Idler Bearing - 13505-0F010 (Right)

Timig Belt Ilder Bearing - 13503-50011 (Lower Leff) (13503-0F010)

Water Pump - 16100-59275-83 (16100-59275)

Thermostat - 90916-03100

Thermostat Gasket - 16346-50010

Cam Shaft Seal - 90311-71001 x 2 Pieces!!!

Crank Shaft Seal - 90311-A0001 (Front)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-Truck-...%3A1|240%3A1318

ABOVE EBAY LINK EXPIRES 12/19/2008

Thats the link for the ebay site. This kit has all the timing belt parts (idler, tensioner, belt) and also the water pump and the crankshaft and cam shaft seals. Only $297.00 Has anyone had any experience with one of their kits? seems to be complete. I did do a comparison with irontoad.com they were quoting about 500 but that did include sparkplugs.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this and responding.

2001 Lexus Gs430

Stock Stereo system. Without navigation.

I am currently in the process of upgrading my stereo system. Its already amazing but I had opted for the non navigation version and am now adding navigation. This is turning out to be quite a project.

I am going to install the Kenwood DNX8120

When I went to the auto installer they had informed me that they might have to hardwire the unit unless a harness could be found.

Does anyone know where I could acquire such a harness? Ive read the other forum topics and have sort of realized that hardwiring might be the only way to go unless there has been some new products released.

Also with hardwiring/harness they said I would probably lose the ability of using the existing sub and amp. What recommendations would you have for replacing this sub? What sub and amp package would integrate well?

The aftermarket deck is 4 ohm. The stock speakers are 2 ohm. Other question comes into play is that if we have to hardwire i might as well replace the speakers in the car to be able to fully utilize the greater power of the new deck. So what speakers would you all recommend? and also for tweeters?

So just a quick recap, this message might be a lil loopy, Im at work on a Saturday and was out till 4 AM so I apologize if any part of this message doesnt flow well.

1. Wiring harness? or solution for it.

2. What sub and amp to use to replace the existing stock one?

3. What speakers and tweeters to use to replace the existing interior cabin speakers.

Thank for your time in reading this effort. Your advice is much appreciated. Have a great day.

its allmost time for me to do a 90k service on my car do u guys know whats included in it

and what should i pay for it at the stealership to have it done. The word is that this includes the water pump

Do you think is better 2 just go to the dealership or someone else in the ny area if you guys know any

Each dealer has a different set of included services for their 90k service. Call the local dealers to compare prices and what comes with each package. Dealer is always going to be more expensive than an local shop.

I called a couple dealers in the area and got a variety of options for what was included in a 90k service. With the multiple options came multiple prices. Ranging from 1k - 2k. The water pump I was told is a "lifetime warranty" product and doesnt ever need to be replaced. Glad they have faith but running another 100k miles on anything is quite a reach, I would think that would require the part to be replaced.

Good luck with the service.

I MEAN DNX8120. Sorry for any confusion.

I would like to ask the forums advice.

I have a 2001 Lexus GS 430.

Stock stereo. No Navigation.

I just bought a Kenwood DNX8120

I also have bought the iPod adapter to work with this unit.

I am going to have a local car stereo installation put it in (about $150-250)

I was wondering has anyone had experience with putting one of these unit into their cars?

Are there any kits out there to make the unit look flush and clean? wiring kits?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

I hope everyone is doing well.

welcome to the club! if u get 18's,19's,20's

do some sort of lowering it will look better!

brian

In regards to lowering, spring kits can be easliy bought for about 400 or so.

My mileage is about 91k and have read that it might be time to do suspension changes. would just a spring change suffice? or would you recommend buying coilovers (everyone says coilovers but thats quite expensive)? Also heard that with coilvers there needs to be adjustments made annually (fact of fiction?) or just some new shocks/struts/suspension and buying upgraded springs that would "lower" the car.

Thanks for your time.

Hi All!

I just got my 2001 GS430 about a month ago and had about 89K miles. I promptly sent it to my mechanic. I have done the following.

1. Alignment

2. Resurface front rotors.

3. Wheels/Tires Balanced (these three actions resulted in the dreaded 60-65MPH shimmy/vibration disappearing)

(these items cost me $300 at the local Firestone)

4. Major fluids replaced i.e. oil, coolant, brake, transmission, differential

5. Air and cabin filter replaced

6. Serpentine belts replaced

(this cost me $200.00, family mechanic)

Next step I believe will be to replace the following:

Spark plugs

Timing belt

I had spoken to lexus and they had said waterpump is a lifetime item and shouldnt need to be replaced. In terms of the timing belt and spark plugs those can wait, at 90K wouldnt be necessary to change. They even told me that the 90K could realistically wait till 110k depending on condition of the belts.

Im going to take it to my family mechanic. So price shouldnt be too crazy.

I hope this post added some information for ya.

Clean looking car!

When you put those 20"s on did you have to do any suspension upgrades? and whats the measurements on those rims? The rims filled the gap quite nicely.

Congrats again on a clean ride!

imho dont understand why anyone asks someone else's opinion on rims.......the MOST important thing is that YOU like them and dont give a crap about anyone else!

1. no you dont have to......but it will look lifted so i would suggest at the least you would get some aftermarket lowering springs and from what i know are factory strust dont like to be lowered so some aftermarket struts too! me personally i would go with some coilovers!

2. i would say yes but thats a personal opinion! i like 18's more than 17's!

3. i think dont quote me or anything but i think u can go up to 11" it maybe 10.5" though

4. depends on how fast you gonna go! like for some reason my stupid governor kicks on at 122 so i dont need v,w,y rated tires (i did give it a little cushion and went with h rated tires) here look at this website

http://www.dunntire.com/Learning_Center/Tire_Speed_Ratings

and theres my $0.02. hope some of that helped. oh yeah welcome to the club and congrats on the new car! if u sell old rims i might be interested in them!

brian

Thank you for your reply! Your information and feedback is much appreciated.

I posted pictures and links just to see if anyone has had experience with these specific rims.

1. So 19s would look lifted eh? SHIZA! Coilovers going to make this upgrade way more expensive. If I get 18''s and get springs would that be ok for the car? or would I still need to upgrade the struts?

2. With 18"s it does offer more of a choice. If I went to 18"s would the car still look so lifted? Or would it actually minimize the gap a little bit?

3. Width was more of a question to see if i had any options for different rims.

4. Speed rating guess more of a personal choice for the tire style and what fits the rims. Plenty of these rim/tire packages come with pretty high speed ratings anyway.

Thanks again for your response, it is much appreciated.

Neo-

Well played on the car(s)

Just became a member little over a month ago and your presence and information on the forums is much appreciated.

I had a quick question. I was thinking of upgrading my rims. Debating on 18 or 19 (see thread posted on 08-03-2008)

Seems that youve placed 18s on your car and the gap seems to be minimized. Did you do anything to the suspension? would you recommend someone to do anything to it if they are just upgrading their wheels between 18/19?

Thank you!

I just bought a 2001 Lexus GS430 and had a similar problem. First week I drove it I was nervous that I got a lemon.

I took it to Firestone. Had them do a couple things

1. Alignment ( I bought the lifetime package, $170.00 for the life of the car, worth it if you are aggressive or live in a city, pays for itself after just 2-3 uses)

2. Had them resurface rotors (just the front axels, $40.00 a rotor)

3. Rotate and balance tires (life time for as long as i own the tires, was only $50)

Total bill $300.00

SHIMMY GONE! STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION GONE!

Not bad for $260, the lexus drives like a Lexus again!

Hope this helps. Let me know how it works out for you. Good luck!

Hi All!

I am relatively new to the forum and the information provided has been amazing and much appreciated. This post might be somewhat redundant but here goes.

I have a 2001 GS 430. Silver Exterior. Black interior.

Just got it July 5th after totaling my car.

I have the Stock 17" rims currently and was debating on upgrading the rims. Before I do i just wanted to ask the forums opinon on the differences between getting 18" and 19"

I would like to put on the Petrol Vengence, Metrix or the Nixon. Thoughts?

Vengence: http://www.wheelsnext.com/wheels-tires-pac...ypersilver.html

Metrix: http://www.wheelsnext.com/wheels-tires-pac...ypersilver.html

Nixon: http://www.wheelsnext.com/wheels-tires-pac...ypersilver.html

I believe the stock rims are 17"x8"

My main questions are the following.

1. Upgrading to 19 do i have to change any suspension?

2. Upgrading to 18 is it worth it? Or just leave it at 17?

3. How wide can i go on tires? should I just leave it at 8" wide?

4. What speed rating on tires are recommended? and or tires in general.

Thank you for any respsonses. I appreciate your efforts.

Thank you for all the information posted.

I have tried the reset method and it seems to work once or twice and then the window reverts back to the same problem before (all the way up and then halfway down) Any advice? Thanks!

Year: 2001

Color (ext): silver

Color (int): black with wood trim

Mileage: 89k

All stock. Nothing modded....YET!

Bought from a dealer in Hayward. Bought it 4th of July weekend after I totaled my 1994 Lexus ES 300, poor *BLEEP*, other guys fault. Nobody hurt luckily.

Paid: $ 11,500

Have had some minor mechanical things done. Rotors resurfaced (stopped the wobbling wheel) , alignment done. Will have to do full fluid changes (F/R Differential, Transmission, Coolant, Oil etc)

Considering the following:

1. LED Tail Light conversion. Anybody had luck with that? Looked at the kit from Migicute.com for $400.

2. Navi/Head Unit. any recommendations? and how is the installation? easy? difficult? any tips/recommendations would be appreciated.

3. Tinting windows.

Just joined the forum. Lots of info. Thanks for everyones efforts.