GrandAlf

£620 is quite a good price for the cambelt/plugs/service, quite a lot of work involved. I think I paid 700+ at lexus leeds for my last one. Quite suprised at the price, especially for "down south"

Its a 2001. The wood panels are not Lexus parts, but are aftermarket kits that cover the grey plastic and metal fittings. I did find a place in the USA that would make them to special order, did not enquire as to the full cost, but the quoted $100 delivery charge kind of put me off. I have seen several pics from the states, they really smarten up the interior. If you want to look at any, do a search for "wood dash kits".

Any Pics?

I had a bar on an early 96 LS. Only used it to pull a trailer to the local tip, so never a problem. I think distance is an issue, even if you are towing 1000kg for some time on a warm day, then there is a good chance that the auto box will overheat to its detriment. It is a general rule that most autos should be fitted with a cooler when towing. So in summation, a few miles probably ok, any further could be bad trouble?. Dont think it is so much the weight alone, but the added drag of a bulky object can impose a fair old load.

I did mine on an LS400. Just the mast, I think it was around £22. Bit of a fiddle, but saved loads of cash.

If its less than ver 3xx, then yes, better software, otherwise maybe.

Alan, these disks are dedicated to one particular nav unit, the Lexus one is made by Denso. There are plenty other makes, but the disks are not usually compatable. As to putting a nav disk in in a cd player, this is a futile exercise, a bit like trying to play a dvd movie in an audio player, sorry ;)

Just rang that number. I was told that there has not been an update on the original LS430 DVD, very strange I seem to remember someone saying they had a more up to date vers

Wearing on the outer edges is also a classic sign of under inflation, maybe worth a check?.

You just change the cd in the nav unit in the boot. You have to remove 2 screws to enable it tilt up to access the front. There is a lock mechanism that you slide to one side to eject the existing cd. All you then do is insert the new cd and away you go. All the software updates are on the new cd and are auto loaded on insertion. I always find it useful to make a backup copy and use that, this keeps the original expensive cd safe. As to wheather it is a worthwhile exercise or not, the answer is yes, versions before 3xx where useless, anything ver3 onwards have much better software, and also include steet numbers. Dealer prices vary, may be as well to ring round, about £130 is average.

Well done Geoffers, looks a nice stable picture, better results than I got when I tried this about a year ago. Might be nice having it switched, rather than just on in reverse, make a nice ajunct to rear view mirrors. Now I know it can be done, it might give me the impetus to have another go. Maybe a good idea to find a more up to date chip, to assure contined supply. Seems to be plenty of RGB to composite, but not too many the other way round. ;)

Dont know why I want to do this anyway, only wanted to fit a reversing camera just to see if it could be done. Being a man of course, we do not need such things Would be useful for wife though heh heh. This discussion is probably getting too techy anyways, suffice to say I may play around with it again when I get a bit of free time. Cannot see me using it for anything else, got 3 kids, Three monitors in the back ;) No chance.

I seem to remember it was probably a TDA8362/TDA4465 which I understand are now obsolete parts. Not sure what a suitable replacement will be as yet, will have a trawl round when I get a bit of time. I think you are right about the sync level, would not have been as high as 1.4pp I dont think.

Geoffers, I built one of these for my last LS400, could not get the colours or sync quite right. Seem to remember I used a proprietry RGB to composite chip. I am thinking of trying again on my LS430, any idea what the wire colour codes are on the satnav unit connectors, appear to have lost my original drawings. Also wondered if a wide angle camera mounted at the top of the rear window would see the bumper?.

Other than depreciation considerations, there is not really a problem at this sort of mileage. I have had two 400s and sold them both in perfect nick when the miles got to the high seventies. I feel sure that they both would have just kept running forever (almost). I just got bored and wanted somthing newer, LS430 currently.

For what its worth, I took my 2 year old LS430 into Lexus Leeds for the same problem. No questions asked, they are ordering a replacement set.

I am sure that this will be a great car, but be aware that with high mileage on it, depreciation will be a lot steeper than a lower mileage one. Remember vehicles with 100K+ are quite difficult to sell at a reasonable price, whatever the condition. I would not be in such a rush, a bit more money and lower miles would probably be cheaper in the long run. I have made the same mistake, mileage is everything unless its a banger that you are going to throw away afterwards. If you do decide to buy, make sure the cambelt/major service has been done, 63K I think. Happy hunting :D

Thanks a lot, I will check them out :)

As I suspected, not terribly useful. Interesting though!. Thank for the trouble you took in translating it :D

Are you sure that it is a navigation system and not just an audio player. You should have a seperate dvd/cd unit in boot or somewhere, this also contains the sat RX gyroscope and electronic compass etc. You should also have a GPS patch aerial somwhere in the car (parcel shelf?). I have not heard of this make of nav system, and am not sure that it is such a thing. If you had a system installed it should have been fitted with a map disk and been supplied with a comprehensive manual.

I rather like the look of these wood dash kits. The only ones I can find for my LS430 are for US Left hand drive. Anyone know of a UK source for these

What system is it Alan

Forgot to mention, you need to be in park with parkbrake on. I have pic but do no know how to upload.

Try Frost Auto Restoration products. They are in Rochdale, but have worldwide postal service. I have tried their products, they seem pretty good. You should be able to find them on the web, I forget the URL. Dont think there will be a problem with darkening, not in my experience anyway.

This works on any LS400/430 that I have tried, maybe left hand drive is different?. Just need ign on so you can get the map display up. If you switch the sidelights on/off too fast it wont work, about 1 per second is about right.