TDP

Does anyone need a full set of standard suspension struts and two anti roll bars? PM me if you are interested.

I have finally completed the suspension upgrade after the rear ARB arrived from Japan yesterday (£103 delivered compared to £228 from Lexus UK). Installing it was probably the easiest part of the conversion. The two chassis bars that bolt to the centre of the chassis behind the diff need to be unbolted and the bar will then pull out easily. I bought some universal poly bushes but found they did not fit so for now have reused the old ones which work fine. When installing the new ARB the best order is to bolt the new drop links to the bar then position the bar but don't clamp it to the chassis. Encourage (carefully with a hammer) the drop links to sit inside the lower arm and bolt them up. Then bolt the ARB to the chassis. It now handles soooo much better and really transforms the car. This must be the best and most cost effective upgrade for an SC.

An update after a couple of days hard work. The Meister R suspension is now on as is the uprated front roll bar with poly bushes. Lost an upper front arm ball joint nut in the process (garage gremlins) so need to find a replacement before I can drive it. I fitted 20MM wheel spacers at the front. Might need some more ride height adjustment but its looking good so far. The rear roll bar is hopefully on the way from Japan which will complete the suspension mods. I have also been told that the GS strut brace will not fit so when I get time I'll design one and have it made up locally. Wheels need balancing and tracking etc. Tested blacking out the orange side reflectors (with plasticote) and prefer it that way so I'll do it properly sometime. Once its mechanically as I want it I'll start on the cosmetics/paint/sound and so on.

Rear wheels are 19 9.5 ET40.

So for anyone considering upgrading their SC430 (mine is a 2006) suspension here is what I have found. Its correct to the best of my knowledge but do your own research, hopefully this might provide some guidance to shorten the process. I am using Meister R coil-overs and am planning on dropping the ride height by about 3-5 cm. I have 19" wheels with 245/30 and 285/30 tyres. Front: Best ARB is the 28.6mm diameter solid version (part no: 48811-30560) this is found on the GS300 amongst others and it's possible to find used examples in the UK (£30-60). New from Lexus UK: £254 You can use the standard bushes (I'm upgrading to poly bushes £20) and the standard links as long as you are not radically dropping the ride height. I will also replace the steering rack bushes with poly versions (£25) as the consensus is that this is a worthwhile improvement. 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 at an approximate cost of about half that. The bushes need to be the ISF ones to fit the 17mm diameter bar (48818-30180). 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). It seems that most agree that this is the best set up for road use - there are other aftermarket bars available (mostly from the US and Japan) but they are even more costly and apparently more suitable for track use than road (would anyone really track day an SC430?). I have had no luck finding a front strut brace in the UK and importing one from Japan is about £300. I am exploring whether a brace from a GS (S190) GS300/350 might fit but not sure yet. Apparently it's a worthwhile modification but, for me at least, not for £300. This is a useful site as it gives you OE part numbers: https://www.toyodiy.com

Thanks - useful contact.

Ah... just found this so perhaps the above is wrong, it's as clear as mud! Sorry but actually this information is incorrect. The sc430 body features have not changed since it was introduced in 2002. This is a hardtop system not a convertable system, the windows do NOT roll down at all when opening/closing the doors. The only time that the windows will move on this car (other then when commanded by you using the switch) is when the top is put down....as you know all the windows roll themselves down at this time. I hope this clarifies, let me know if you have any questions. I have extensive knowledge in this car and have literally torn these completely apart and reassembled during factory training.

Drivers side: Temporarily install the window regulator master switch. (this seems to require removing the door card and manually winding down the window using a screwdriver/allen key in the motor spindle) Turn the ignition switch ON. Fully close the door glass by manual operation. Using a Dia. 2 mm (0.079 in.) round bar, keep the reset switch pressed. Fully open the door glass by manual operation with the reset switch pressed. Remove the round bar from the reset switch and then fully close the door glass by manual operation. Check if AUTO UP -> AUTO DOWN operates. CAUTION: Be careful as the jam protection function does not operate just after the initialization is performed. After closing the window fully by AUTO UP operation, initialize the regulator again when performing the reverse operation. Check that the power window functions. Mine has the same issue. This might help although I don't think some of it is very clear and I haven't tried it yet.

I was quoted 345 USD (delivery was 115 USD of that and doesn't include import tax} for a carbing strut brace so looking for another option.

Hi Neil, I can get the stock parts (bushes and the link) but poly bushes or adjustable links (which I may not/probably don't need) are harder to find at a sensible price.

Hi Neil, Thanks for the info here and the extensive detail on your build thread(s). I have ordered a set of Meister r's today and found that my local lexus dealer can supply the ARB's so that will be the next step. Looking forward to enjoying better handling and lowering it about 4-5cm. If anyone else is interested the part numbers for the ARB's are as follows: Rear: 48812-30400 Front: 48811-30560 Although I haven't fitted them yet I am fairly sure they are the right ones from the GS and ISF.

Hi all, I've seen reference to strut braces (available in the UK) for the SC430 but despite looking everywhere cannot find any except in the US. If anyone knows where I can get one in the UK please can you PM me the details. It's part of a full suspension upgrade, Meister coilovers, uprated anti roll bars and so on. Thanks to everyone who has posted their experiences doing this, it's all very useful.

Hi I've just bought an sc430 with a magnaflow system which has a great noise but not too loud and it seems well made. It deletes the third cat. It should cost about £750 plus fitting.

Hi Does anyone know where I can get a set of window door rubber in the UK for a 2006 SC. The rubber window seals along the top of the doors which I think are part numbers: 7567124010 7571224071 7571124071 7567224010 Thanks