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Here's a new project I've recently started. As some of you may know, back in Summer 2013 I did a complete wrap project on my IS250. This included upgrading to 2012 facelifted F-Sport bumper, LED headlights, and LED side mirror turn signals. Here is a link to that project: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/83871-project-car-wrap-2012-f-sport-bumper-led-headlamps-and-turn-signal-mirrors/ I recently parked my car in a car park only to come back and find someone had hit the front corner of the bumper. Damage was only to the bumper corner and the headlight washer jet. The wrap survived it quite well but unfortunately the bumper had cracked in a few spots so it tore through the wrap. I've repaired the headlight washer jet and was considering just repairing and re-wrapping the bumper to keep costs down. But then I shopped around and realised that I could do this mod for under £500 and I could sell off most of the parts from the other bumper (FSport spoilers, grilles, emblems, fog lamps etc.) and recover a fair amount of money towards this project. So hence, couldn't resist this project. The plan is to convert a 2014/15 3rd Generation IS F-Sport bumper to fit my 2nd Generation IS 250. The 3rd Gen IS has two different bumper variants, the F-Sport and regular. I was after the F-Sport because of the grille and the air scoops on the front bumper. I've got all the parts minus the rubber weather strip that sits between the bonnet and the grille. I've been quoted £35 for this. So far my spend has been just over £400. Once i get the weather strip, the build cost should be around the £450 mark. Usually I post all the photos once a project is complete, but for this project i'll update the thread with progress when available. Stay tuned for updates. :) and below are pics and details of progress so far. The new bumper has the rear mounted flush type parking sensors. I like the style of these parking sensors compared to the ones I currently have. So I decided to test a theory with a spare sensor that I have. I cut-out the outer section to see if it fits into the PDC hole and if it still works. It works and fits perfectly. Below is a pic of the modified spare sensor. For the final install, I wont be using this stone chipped sensor, I'll use the actual ones from my car. Below, I built a custom mount for the PDC sensor using existing parts. And here is a pic of the sensor sitting perfectly in the hole (I'm looking for a white gasket to fit around it to seal it nicely too) Here's the bumper to be converted: Here's the new grille Bumper bonded and stapled Test fitting the complete grille: Test fitting on the car: Headlight washer jet installed, and custom parking sensor mount: That's all for now, stay tuned for updates :) ** UPDATE - Completed Photos ***

My IS200SE is year 2000 model. Recently, it take me long time to find where the battery negative-post to chassis connection. I want to find it out to check connection good or bad. First: I can’t find it. I only saw one heavy lead is connected between battery negative-post and engine block. Later: I found the connection until I took the battery and the battery tray out. It is a L shape metal clamped to the heavy lead to engine block on one side , bolt to the chassis on other side. The connection is bad after 15 years. Copper wires show corrosion at clamp side and bolt rusting the other side. I don’t like this kind of connection sharing. It maybe for cost cutting. Fix the connection problem: I isolated the L shape metal clamp by electric tape. Then I replace it by a new lead “25mm2 (#4 AWG) AUTOMOTIVE CABLE” connected between battery negative-post and chassis. After the fix, engine run better. Also, electric window/seat etc... move faster and better. Very happy after this :)

It's common courtesy, even if something doesn't appeal to you there is no need to be unpleasant about it. I haven't read this thread in its entirety but there's too much negativity coming from some of you. Yes it is an open forum and you all are entitled to your own opinions but be nice people. Be nice. It's not what you say. It's the way you say it. It's all about euphemism. Anyhow, lets try and get back on topic. I am keen to see the finished product.

I'd suggest the keys will operate the locks, however you need to use a lot of force because you have no leverage with such a small handle on the key. The same thing happened with my Father's Prius, he didn't have the strength needed to pull the mechanical locks. Once you get into the vehicle I'd recommend the battery terminals are checked to make sure they are tight. There have been a couple of members who have experienced this and extra resistance from a loose terminal would make the standby battery life worse. There is the possibility that completely draining the battery the first time has damaged it and so it's capacity is reduced. I'd investigate getting a new battery under warranty if you cannot leave your vehicle for only 2 weeks.

That's excellent, less than your new gear knob!!

Thanks mate. here are some more test fitting pics, it's just test fitting so the upper grille area hasn't been bolted to line it up.

:) Thanks Buddy. Stay tuned for updates. I'm hoping to have it complete within the next 2 weeks. ***Update*** The 3rd Generation F-Sport IS has LED fog lamps as an optional extra. These fogs lamps are damn expensive and practically impossibly to source second-hand at the moment. So i decided to buy the blank covers instead. This would mean no front fog lights. But seeing as I barely use the fogs, I dont really mind. However, seeing as the light control stalk has the front fog control, it would be silly that it doesnt operate anything. So i've come up with a solution. Here it is: The new IS F Sport has 4 front PDC sensors, 2 on the bumper corners and 2 on the lower grille. The old IS only has only 2 PDC sensors. The holes for the PDC on the lower grille are rather large, approximately 30mm in diameter. So what i've decided to do is use the fog circuit to power custom built high power LED fog lights with a 30mm optical LED projector lens. I got this inspiration from the new lexus RC fog idea pictured below: Here's a pic of the optical lens. I've tested it with the high power LED behind it, it magnifies the light output and looks good. Here's a pic where i just temporarily placed two 3W LED's in place to see how it might look. This pic is without the optical projector lens. I've ordered an aluminium casing to house the LED and provide heat dissipation. Once that arrives, I will attach the lens to the casing and seal it up. Stay tuned for more updates :)

here you go a walk through i done when i gave my car the full works(all oils) sump plug 14mm remember drain in to a bucket not a drain big trouble now for the oil filter best way is through the n/s wheel arch i'm a cheat here i have the propper filter tool heehee. wee stubby ratchit ideal for the job the filter is removed through the space you just had your arm up re-fit in the reverse order oh remember the new sump washer their you go hope that helps.

But don't you find that they obscure your rearward vision a tad ? lol don't be silly they are special Lexus one way mats that allow you to see out but prevent people looking in!

But don't you find that they obscure your rearward vision a tad ?