Toyota Stalking, er...um, SPOTTING with Charlie™ (Land Cruiser and Lexus LX/GX Edition)!

Crutchfield sells a dash bezel for installing an aftermarket HU in a GX without navigation, but not for ones with navigation; However, like I said above, Navigation-equipped models come with a backup camera, Bluetooth, and great speakers so I wouldn't see much point in replacing the radio in one.

Crutchfield still does not offer a dash bezel kit for the 1999-2003 RX300 and says "We don't recommend replacing the radio in your vehicle"; However, this is bullshit because I found out just three months ago that there is a dash bezel kit for the RX300. One of the big downsides to the RX300's stereo system is that while the radio itself is one unit, the digital display that tells you what radio station you're listening to (and whether or not you're listening to a tape or a CD, or which of the 6 CDs you're listening too) is the same display that shows you the HVAC settings. The HVAC controls are also integrated with the radio; Late 1990s Ford vehicles (specifically the Taurus/Sable and Escort/Tracer) have the radio integrated with the HVAC controls, but it's just a panel and it was easy for an identical bezel with a cutout for a single-DIN radio in place of the factory radio to be made (these are very cheap). With the RX300, there is a slew of electronic guts attached to the factory bezel; As such, a complete bezel with relocated/redesigned HVAC controls had to be made, and this costs $600. By comparison, a complete stereo in my Tacoma with subwoofer, external amp, component speakers, and a backup camera costs about $700-$800. I am a big enough audiophile that if I had a Lexus RX300 I would spend the $600 to bring the stereo system out of the 1990s and into the 21st century, but most people including my dad's friend who bought my grandma's Lexus, do not; He wanted to put a backup camera and Bluetooth stereo in both the 2001 he bought used almost 20 years ago and the 2002 Coach Edition, but when I told him about $600 kit he said he didn't think it was worth it. I still see a good number of RX300s on the road today, most of which are in excellent condition despite the newest ones being 18 years old at the time of this post; However, I have taken a passing glance through the window of the ones I see in parking lots, and every single one of them has that overly complex factory tape deck. I may have seen one with an aftermarket backup camera mounted above the license plate, but I don't remember...

 

My verdict? If you are seeking out a used older model Lexus GX and plan on replacing the stereo system, look for one that does not have the optional navigation system...

 

July 17th, 2021:

Mohnton, Pennsylvania

 

Better pics of the same rig...


July 25th, 2021:

Warminster, Pennsylvania

 

1983 Land Cruiser


August 6th, 2021:

Carlisle, Pennsylvania

 

You see these a lot in Costa Rica.

 

Saw this same rig at another show and was able to confirm that it is not triple-locked...


August 14th, 2021:

New Hope, Pennsylvania

 

You finally found the right thread!

 

I know eh? Thanks for the link Charlie, or I'd still be searching for the right thread

 

Seen in Dryden, New York this May. '89 model. Seller was asking 27,000. I think it had the 2LT.

 

There’s one of those in here; Originally sold new in Spain and currently residing in New Jersey. Before COVID, I saw it being shown at Raceway Park almost every year!

 

Didn't the European models come with a 2.5l turbodiesel, and LHD? If I was Daddy Warbucks I'd definitely import one of those.

 

The one from Jersey had a non-Toyota 4-cylinder Diesel engine, but I don’t know what brand; Would like to say VM Motori…?

 

Mercedes Diesels arent uncommon too on south and central American LCs

 

Found it and quoted; The 1988 model I saw in New Jersey does in fact have a VM Motori engine!

 

Charlie, I guess I never posted this one. This was at the Mecum auction and I wanted it pretty bad. Didn't bid though haha. Its a Toyota 40 series Bandeirante with a factory Mercedes Diesel.

 

Also, I have a US brochure for the 1997 Land Cruiser; I do believe it says that 4-wheel disc brakes are standard across the board regardless of whether or not the triple locking diff is chosen. So, any model can have 4-wheel disc, but only examples without the triple locking diffs and can have rear drum brakes? I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen a 1993-1997 Cruiser without rear disc brakes…

 

They're out there, sometimes you see the non floating rear. That version also has a bolt on diff cover unlike most yotas

 

How hard is it to convert to rear disc? I have a feeling a lot less people would get scammed by the “dummy button” if they knew that only non-locker models had rear drum brakes!