HEYSEEOH

So I bought this truck on New Years. Upgraded from a 2006 IS250. Kids were getting bigger so I needed something with more of a backseat. Found this and couldn't be happier. 2,278 out of 3,700 made according to the plaque on the arm rest.

This build, probably doesn't even count as a build, will be pretty mild. I'm not looking to build up the motor or anything. Just some nice touches here and there.

I'm not looking to change the appearance much from what it is now. I've toyed around with the idea of putting a Raptor grille on the front but I don't like how the grille extends above the headlight line on this body style. I saw the Boost Bars Raptor grille which remedies this problem but the stock grille on this truck really grew on me.


The only upgrades to the engine so far is a Cold Air Intake as well as a Flowmaster muffler


Installed this today to give it more of a luxury feel. That stupid nutsert that they come with is about useless. Pulled the plastic panel off of the tailgate and just put a washer/nut on the inside to hold it together.


I'm also going to order the little Cubby Switch plate and a few switches from KustomFX from this forum (link to thread) to activate some LED light bars in the grille and also some LEDs in the bed of the truck. Not sure what else I'm going to use the remaining switch spot for. I'm going to try and modify the LEDs that come in the switches to this color LED which more closely matches the stock blue LEDs instead of that navy blue color that come in the switches. The LED pictured here is a 3mm which I believe is too small for those switches. I think it's a 5mm LED. Just threw it up here to show the comparison with the colors of the stock gauges to the ones I'm going to try to put in the switches.


I've already upgraded my reverse lights to the brightest LED replacements I could find. JDM ASTAR GX-3020 LEDs. 1000 lumens, this picture is stock compared to the new LEDs


This is behind the truck with the reverse lights on...


Also, I'm less than thrilled with the performance of the stock headlights so I was searching for replacements. I've been trying to find out how these perform but haven't been able to find any pictures. The worst complaints I've seen from them were that they aren't sealed well from the factory but that's nothing a bead of clear silicon can't fix.
Here's a link to them instead of giant pictures

I was also looking in to get these Anzo tail lights to match the Spyder head lights. Anyone have any opinions or pictures of them actually installed? I would like to see how bright they actually are.
Anzo Tail Lights

Looking in to getting a set of the smoked turn signals for the side mirrors from Anzo as well as a smoked third brake light...
Smoked Turn Signals
Smoked Third Brake Light

And to top it off, my drivers side blend door actuator is clicking like a madman. Got stuck on heat today while the passenger side was on A/C. So I reset the actuators. Started by reading about it on Google and pulled the #15 fuse in the passenger side kick panel. Didn't do anything. So I tried it again..nothing. Whipped out the ol' owners manual and apparently on the Limited that fuse is for the left side tail lights/turn signals. It's fuse #46, 10 amp fuse. Pulled that and voila, actuators recalibrated themselves and I got my A/C back on the drivers side. Clicking is still there so I will eventually fix the problem. Evidently, if I diagnosed it correctly, with the drivers side being the side that gets stuck, I have to pull the entire dash out to access the blend door actuator on top of the floor ducts just above the transmission tunnel. I watched the video on how to do it without pulling the dash but I don't like the idea of cutting a flange off. I'm not sure how much torque these actuators put out for the blend doors but one bolt holding it in place doesn't sound like a good recipe for a fix especially if the bolt loosens over time and will rotate the actuator housing a few degrees each time it engages.

So if I have to pull the dash out I'll just hold off and keep recalibrating them until I buy a few more things like the Lock Pick kit for the navigation unit so I can do everything while I'm already in there.

smcox1

Everything you're doing should look good but I would recommend changing the grille to a raptor grille or boost bars grille. I'm not a fan of changing parts on a limited but since the 22's are already gone the looks went with those as well so might as well go all in.

andrewdod

Meh, seems like everyone is doing the raptor style grill. Keep the limited grill, It's a rare truck keep the good looks!

dixie_boysles

Love the truck, but it is screaming for meatier tires on those raptor wheels (or some aftermarket wheels)

HEYSEEOH

Well, I wish it still had the 22's to be entirely honest. I bought it with the Raptor wheels and wanted to change them initially but those too grew on me. However, I do agree with dixie that it needs some beefier tires.

andrewdod, everyone does seem to do the raptor grille which kind of lends to the turn off of it. I got it washed yesterday and the guy at the wash asked why I didn't just buy a Raptor. While I love the looks of the Raptor, the rest of the truck is just about useless to me. I probably won't ever go mudding or Baja or any of that. I get to enjoy the Raptor motor while enjoying a luxury interior and ride. Can't beat it. It's the most comfortable vehicle I've ever had. Not saying much though as I haven't really had a chance to buy nice cars until a few years ago.

smcox1

I haven't seen that many people do the raptor grille especially the real raptor grille or boost bar grille and you probably won't run into another person that has one where you live. I think it would look pretty slick.

tareed94

I'd try to find a set of limited 22's. They're out there, and they're awesome. After that I'd level, with 33x12.5 toyo MT's. It'll give it a beefy look, fill the wheel well a bit, and shouldn't cause rubbing issues.

As far as the headlights, I'd personally look into color matching your current headlights and doing a retrofit to add a projector and HIDs. Halogens suck. A lot of people equally complain about the output from the aftermarket headlights, then the tails (personal opinion) would look odd on a luxury truck. I personally like the stock tails. I like to modify and make it different, while keeping it look somewhat stock though. The picture below shows what I did with my headlights on my '07. This was the day I sold it.

smcox1

Here's a couple of limiteds that have been lightly and tastefully modified that I've had saved in my photobucket for some time now.

tareed94

I may have to retract my statement about the aftermarket headlights looking out of place...

Those PTM KMC Slides though...

smcox1

Those are the only other wheels that I've seen on a limited that look amazing. IMO a limited looks the best setup as a street looking truck but if done right it doesn't look horrible with some meaty tires on a smaller wheel.