TDP

I have a spare ML head unit in perfect working order. If anyone would like it make me a sensible offer and its yours. Pictures attached.

Yes superpro poly bushes on the two lower suspension arms and standard rubber on the upper "A" arms. The bushes I removed were all perfectly serviceable but I wanted a bit more precision to make the most of the other changes. I'm still experimenting with the suspension settings and ride height.

I have now rebuilt the entire front suspension with superpro bushes and figs ball joints/new steering arms etc. Had it all aligned/set up...massive improvement over stock but I will go for higher profile tyres (35) when I change them as 30,s are too harsh. 

I used a Subaru legacy 2006 paddle shift. Required cutting away all but the switches of the Subaru assembly and designing/welding new fittings to attach it to the column. I've had to relocate the steering column adjustment switch and cut out parts of the plastic lower column cover. It all fits pretty well although it is a tight fit to avoid fouling the other column controls. In theory I understand the wiring but need to splice in some additional connections and find out which wire does what. Found quite a bit online but sadly nothing as simple as a colour chart for the wiring. 

Thanks Neil, I already had the PDF manual but despite trawling the net for ages hadn't found the other link. Very useful as it shows I am on the right track. I've mounted my paddles on the column (like a proper race car!) thus avoiding having to mess with wires through the clockspring. I need to identify which of the wires from the manual shift control the up/down shift and then (I think) build in some safeguards so that the paddles work only in sport mode and cannot both be activated simultaneously as I guess the transmission might not enjoy that. Not got much else to do now in lockdown so I've got plenty of time.

Hi, I appreciate this is not something most will be able to help with however does anyone have a wiring diagram for the shifter for a 6 speed transmission? I am trying to find out what the various colour wires coming from/going to the shifter relate to. There are 7 wires: green, black, white, yellow, white with green stripe, blue, white with black stripe. Happy to share the results once/if my paddle shifter project works. Thanks.  

Fitted the Cusco strut bar as the final part of the suspension upgrade - it makes a very noticeable difference. The front end feels much more precise - well worth the cost. Bought from Nengun Performance Japan.

Hi Neil,

Does the Beat sonic plug straight in with no messing around? I notice the description says it uses the 12 , 6 and 20 pin connectors - my 06 unit has only two connectors (5 and 20 pin) on the back so presumably will not be compatible.

Hi Phil, There are others on this forum who have far greater expertise on this than me but yes it is possible however having done some research and bought a GTA carkits harness that didn't fit I will probably get it all fitted by an expert. I worked out that the components would cost about £700 and have had a quote to fit it all including a reversing camera for about £1100. Obviously you can spend a lot more if you feel the need.

For the moment I have a Bluetooth cassette that works well enough until I get round to doing the job properly. Unfortunately as the ML system does not have an aux input the option to plug in a cheap Bluetooth adapter isn't available. 

Even more posy to have the roof lower as you walk towards your luxurious car 🙂 Sadly in this weather opening it any way isn't really an option.

I suppose its not a major issue but I was used to having a remote roof on my last convertible and I miss it! Still exploring the options and looking at a Viper alarm. Good point about having the option to stop it half way. Needs more thought.

Has anyone tried converting the roof switch to a one touch using a delay timer relay in between the dash mounted switch and the roof module? In theory I think it should work exactly the same as holding the switch down. I haven't explored the wiring as yet but would guess it will require two delay timers one each for raise and lower. Any information or thoughts...it may be a mad idea but sitting holding the button is frustrating. 

Hi Steve,

Thanks. I found amayama after I posted this and I'll get round to ordering them sometime.

The problem is that the ports at the back of the radio/head unit differ between US and European units, the European ones don't have the additional CD port. I have contacted Grom, GTA and Beat Sonic and despite asking specifically for a European solution and telling them the port configuration all of them said their kits would fit and sent pictures which clearly showed they would not. GTA told me it was Lexus's fault for installing a non standard unit in my particular car!!  It's not such a problem if you are replacing the OEM ML unit but I had wanted to keep it. In their defense I guess the UK/European market is not their main focus given the relatively small number of cars sold here. 

So until I get round to replacing the entire system I'm going to put up with the standard set-up. IF everything worked first time I'd finish the car then get bored with having nothing to change so at least these problems have some upside.

Update following more late night research, it seems GTA are not correct in saying my radio is a pre 2004 but is in fact a 2006. Mabye the confusion is that the UK and European cars had a different set up to the US/Canadian SC's. Anyway for anyone thinking of buying a GTA car kit it will not fit the later head units with 6 and 20 pins connectors, if in doubt as to what yours is it only took me 15 minutes to get the unit out and look at the connections, only wish I'd done it before buying the kit which will now have to be sent back to Canada at my expense.

Yes I guess I should have said I was referring to parts like the suspension etc not to servicing items 🙂

The Sprint booster is on my list but I've spent enough in the last two months! All I need now is some sunshine and dry roads.

Does anyone have a spare ML radio/CD/tape unit from 2004 onwards? I bought a GTA car kit for my 2006 SC and have found for some reason it has a pre 2004 radio in it which is not compatible with the GTA kit.

Thanks

I bought the Meister r's from KAM racing, the rear ARB from Megazip and the bushes (front arb and steering rack) from Problem solving bushes. I've ordered a Cusco strut brace (the solid carbing strut brace is discontinued) from Nengun Performance. I found them all to be the best price/value. Any part bought from Lexus will be between double and quadruple the price elsewhere!!

Meister R's £722

Front ARB (second hand ebay) £30

Front bushes for ARB £17

Rear ARB (from Japan) £104

Rear ARB links £29

I fitted it all myself which was hard work but not technically difficult.

A strut brace from Cusco (again from Japan) is £145 + possibly import taxes.

 I have 19" wheels with 245/30 and 285/30 tyres. 

Front ARB is the 28.6mm diameter solid version (part no: 48811-30560)  (£30-60 second hand). New from Lexus UK: £254

          Standard links are ok as long as you are not radically dropping the ride height.

          I  also replaced the steering rack bushes with poly versions (£25)

Rear: ARB is the ISF version (model no: 48812-30400). Seems to be as rare as hens teeth in the UK. A Lexus dealer quoted me £228 so I ordered mine from Japan. 

          The bushes ideally need to be the ISF ones to fit the 17mm diameter bar (48818-30180). but I used the old ones. You can use the standard SC430 bracket. 

          The links need to be the ISF ones (they are slightly shorter - necessary if you are lowering the car) (48830-30090).

This is a useful site as it gives you OE part numbers:  https://www.toyodiy.com

My mechanic recommended doing it via the radiator but I don't think it matters where you top it up.

I have owned an 06 SC since January and replaced the standard suspension with meisterR and roll bar upgrades (same as Neils) and the improvement is awesome. On standard suspension it wallows around at higher speeds and rolls like a boat in corners. In comparison to an SLK 350 (also an 06) the SC is slower (but still pretty fast) and not so direct in feel but is much better built and a more comfortable and satisfying car to own. I would recommend bigger wheels and a louder exhaust to make it look and sound better. As far as more mechanical mods go I am fitting a front strut brace but that's as far as I think it's worth going. 

Yes it can, happened to my SC recently. The solution is to top it up - you will probably need to top it up several times from the radiator, running the engine in between, eventually the coolant will replace the air in the system. Remember not to take the top off when the system is hot!

Hi Marco,

I took mine in for the airbag recall a week ago and the dealer (Lexus Reading) noted the TPMS was inoperative because I have aftermarket wheels - apparently it's not an MOT issue which is supported by my car having passed the MOT as it is. Mine is a 2006 model and the light does not come on - not sure how it was disabled though. Hope that helps.

I have found a Cusco Strut Tower Brace model number 188 540 A for about £200 delivered which although not cheap at least is available and not £500 for a solid Toms version. My question is has anyone got one of these and are they worth having? If it only reduced scuttle shake with the roof down I'd consider it worthwhile. Or should I hold out for finding a solid unhinged bar?

My OEM aerial was also broken (and leaking water into the boot) so I fitted a stubby fixed aerial - £10 from Halfords. Even with a super cheap aerial it works, so a quality fixed aerial should give better reception. I did it as an experiment to see if it could be done as long term I'm going to modify/update the ML system to work with my phone. I'd like to remove the aerial completely but that involves filling the hole in the wing and respraying etc so it will have to wait a while.