MattLS400

I sure did! Don't go back in time people, probably not good for you.

Hello All, Just wondering who is going to be attending Japfest 2023? If so what are you bringing? I will be attending with me 98 LS400 on the JDMNorth stand.

I did have a look for this and I couldn't see anything of the sort in mine. It might not be a think on a Mk4?

Well the LS tried to test me.... It lost, cant alarm without an alarm! I am not fussed in the slightest about not having an alarm, the car locks and no one is going to try and steal a 25 year old Lexus. I can also confirm the speaker is in the offside wheel arch behind the indicator. Glad the car is back to its quiet self again.

Another ls400 curveball... I have a, what looks like a aftermarket key fob which has a lock unlock and boot open features. The lock has never worked until today, randomly. The lock worked but the unlock did not so I unlocked it manually and the alarm went off....... and will not stop. When I manually lock the car the alarm will turn off after a couple of seconds. New battery, new key battery, car turns over and runs, everything works but the alarm goes off. I do have another key without buttons on it, I don't know what good that will do. Does anyone have any ideas or tips and tricks?

How exactly did you fix this? You has described me exact situation and everytime I unlock the car manually the alarm goes off. Yes, I know this is a 2019 post. Got to try my luck though.

After what felt like a battle I have solved my leaking boot. I gave the seal a bath. Yes, a bath. Once it was dry and cosy warm, I pinched the seal back into its OEM shape as it was a loose fit on the boot landings. Fitted it back to the car and shut the boot lid, poured as much water on it as I could and not a single drop got into the boot. I will let the rain do its worse now and see if we still have success. Cheers, Matt

Hi All, I was wondering if the 1998 LS400 came from the factory with front and rear parking sensors? My cars has them but I don't know if they are stock or aftermarket and the front ones don't work, if anyone has any ideas? Many thanks Matt

You are very lucky, I am nearly there with solving it. Just a drop of silicon and it will be sorted. I haven't had chance to do it as I have been away with work. Looking forward to getting it down so I can give the car a good detail. Matt

New indicator lenses on both sides today, not perfect but the old ones had seen better days. Before: After: A quick polish of the headlights to bring them back to life and they should look a bit more even.

I am going to try a bit of silicone along the bottom of the boot seal, as this is where the water is getting in. Once all these boring maintenance things are done I can get stuck into the fun bits.

Rust repair now complete, it is a lot less leaky but the bottom of the seal is still letting in water (This is not a repaired section) even with a newish seal on. Pics: much better than the rust.

A few bits ordered today: Service: Oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs, fuel filter and cabin filter. Chassis: Full suspension arm polyurethane Bush kit from psbushings. Lights: Drivers and passenger indicator lenses. Next things on the to buy list are: Rear subframe bushes and diff bushes Next things on the to do list: Full service and a thorough underside / wheel arch clean and underseal (I will do behind the subframe when I drop it to do the bushes) The idea with the car is to be a bit of a sleeper. I am going to dial in the chassis and brakes before I start looking and the power train. In my opinion you need to handle and stop properly before adding power. Cheers Matt

I will ask them to get some content of the repair.

The LS has now been booked into a body expert so by the end of the week it should be rust free.

It is a UK spec but it has had the front bumper smoothed to look like an import. Cheers for the link, £400 is cheap but that was 11 years ago like you said. Everything japanese has shot up in value in recent years. Cheers Matt

Yeah to be honest I don't have much free time so my plan is to send it into a body shop to get sorted. Cut out whatever needs cutting. As long as no external metal is cut the painting shouldn't be much of a problem as once the boot is shut no one will be able to see it. There is an issue with the boot seals not being available to have I 3 options. 1) clean up the one I have properly. 2) buy a replacement on ebay. 3) find an equivalent. I don't really use the boot so I have stripped it and kept on top of any water getting in so it's not the end of the world, I just don't want to rust to get any worse. The car cost me nothing and j have always wanted a 400 so I am determined to get it back to normal. Cheers for the reply Matt

I have had my LS for a few weeks now and I really like the wheels on it but I am curious to know if they are worth anything. GS300 grandstand Borbets 8.5J front and 10J rears (i have heard the 10J are pretty rare), original diamond cut and original center caps. Pilot super sports on the 10J and continentals on the 8.5J I also have a spare 8.5J in the boot. All wheels are in very good condition. Cheers Matt

I haven't shopped around yet but I assume any decent body shop will be able to get some new landings welded in.

Yeah I dont think it is too bad but it is in a complex area so I am hoping someone will take the job on. I am getting tired of drying to boot out haha.

It's been a while. Here are the pics of that rust. Who's is the best in the UK who could sort this out ? Cheers

Thank you all for the replies. Rust on a 98 LS...... I know, but there is and i will get some pictures for you all to laugh at. I have only had the car a few weeks and after investigating said rust it seems like the cause was a botched repair (Lots of silicon) to stop water ingress. This has allowed water to pool under the seal and caused the landings to rot. Nothing that cant be fixed other than that the car is solid.

The LS with its driveway friend

Hello All, I am creating this thread to document the build on my UK 1998 LS400. So far the car is stock apart from GS300 sport wheels and BC Racing coilovers. I am unsure of the plan with this car just yet buf I have a few ideas. The first issue is rust...... under the boot/trunk seal. Its gonna need some welding (pics to follow) Cheers Matt