christodav

Hey mate . Are you still around these parts? Have you seen me post elsewhere? Chris

I have ordered stuff from them b4. They were okay, but don't hold your breath in getting the goods in a hurry. It took almost 4 weeks! The prices are very good though and based on that I would probably use them again. Chris

Bugger! OK. First get in touch with Castle Hill Toyota and find out what the genuine Toyota one costs. To do this, go to their website and you be able to sent them a message with your details etc. I have bought all my Genuine parts from them so far via email. Then call The Toy Shop (www.japimports.com.au), speak to Troy an see if he has one and how much. Aaron at Rampant (www.rampant.net.au) is another bloke to try. He has an Aristo himself as well, so he knows what he is talking about! To give you an idea, I had to replace one on my EF Falcon Ind I bought a non Ford one brand new and it still cost $120-. From memory, Ford wanted triple that! Lastly, check the unit out first if possible as you never know, it may be fixable? If it doed not work at all it could be the switch. Chris

Nick, Hehehe! I really did think about it as my new company car, a Mitsubishi 380 Platinum has a blue dash. It does really look really cool, but as you say, every other light in the car is blue as well. I kinda went for the white to be safe. It just depends on if you were game enought blow $20- or so if it didn't look good. I think it would look good in the Aristo if the heater controls were blue as well, or at least an aftermarket stereo with blue lights. Now there's a thought. Chris

Scott, This is a tricky one as the US spec model came out with the Nak' or Pioneer unit and I believe all of our one use are the Fujitsu Ten. (Mine is anyway.) I have not touched my radio except I have pulled it out and apart cos I thought I could fix the faulty CD, but it has died. :D You also have an option of sourcing a set-up from here. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=e...2Bkit%26hl%3Den I don't think its cheap, I have read somewhere over $300- and I have no idea where I can get one in Australia. If anyone finds out let me know. I guess it would make it an easy job. Beware of other surround though as you may find that they are US companies that make them and my not fit in our RHD cars. Check out UK stes instead. As far as the engine goes, I hae used www.MKIV.com for my reference as just about everthing is the same. They have some great articles and some extracts from the Toyota workshop manual. Even if you got your hands on the US GS300 workshop manuals, there would be quite a few differences, for a start LHD, NA engine and I know the stereo etc. Have you got a modulator for the radio? I have and it is not the best really. I get confused with what station is what. Chris

LOL! I hope you learnt your leason! "Use the Force......" but don't over do it! Chris

Greetings, I am the first to admit that I am in love with my Aristo. However, when it comes time to look for a new one I must say that I will be a little more wiser. I have only had it for about 2 months and already I have spent a small fortune since. Obviously there are a few ways of ways to buy a grey import like the Aristo. Privately, through a dealer who has imported and complied it and doing all of that stuff yourself. This was my first import so I took the dealer path. I guess not a bad option but there were of course pluses and minuses. Try to have a couple of grand set aside in addition to your landed and complied costs and registration etc. The complience place, whoever they may be, are really only willing to get the car OK'ed for roadworthy. Just like any 2nd hand car dealer really. If they can avoid spending extra money I believe most of them will. You may be almost due for new plugs for example, or a new timing belt. Sure they put oil in it and do a basic service, but are you prepared to trust what oil went in it etc? Maybe you are, but be prepared for dealing with shortcuts performed along the way. Brake pads may be another example as they may be roadworthy but due to be replaced in 5,000km. Don't forget also that this is car is a 'special car' that needs special attention, so you may choose those 'special brake pads and not just the OEM ones. There you go, you have just doubled the price of your pads! On the Aristo, make sure you get your suspension and steering checked out. These are common to be worn and cost thousands depending on how far you wish to go. Most people have gone for the HSD coilovers as they are about $1350- plus fitting and I have heard that the Toyota genuine strut replacement cost is astronomical. One of the reasons th strut are so expensive is that the Aristo uses an electronic setup in which when the power button is pressed the suspension stiffens up to a degree. (Obviously, This would not be utilized if you got coilovers). Steering rack ends, wheel bearings etc. Watch for oil leaks, my main seal is leaking slightly, the only way to fix it is to pull out the gearbox. If you get the opportunity to have the vehicle before complience, try to get it checked out by a qualified mechanic first and then give the complience blokes the list of things that need to be done. At least give it a go. All this even before getting that shiny new boost guage or turbo timer. While I think of it, make sure you get an alarm or immobilizer that is compatible with turbo timers if that is what you want to do later. (Turbo timers are not exactly legal). I had an immobilizer fitted at the time of purchase and now have to upgrade it to use a timer! Overall the car is great, but it is still an 11 year old car regardless of it having low milage, so expect to pay a few dollars to get it up to scratch after your initial purchase. Something I did not fully discover until now. I think the low milage thing and the shiny well looked after paintwork blinded me and I failed to look at it as a secondhand vehicle to some degree. Happy Aristo'ing! Chris

Greennick, I got these ones as each of these globes, (all 9 of them actually),cover a wide range of the dash. For example, one globe lights up 1, 2 and 3 of the tacho and the x1000 sign on the bottom. If you use a standard LED, most of them a re prpbably too directional and don't have the same coverage as a conventional light globe. I did not mention that I have changed my mind a bit on some of the other LED's that I replaced such as the "D" green light. I may even swap that back as I am finding it too bright at night. I would recommend, especially in your case going for the dash ones as mentioned for the time being and then stuffing around from then on in once you have sorted out the car etc. Make sure you replace all of these ones as it looks pretty stupid with half your dash white and the other half a yellowy colour. Good Luck. Apart from that, everything else I am pleased about. I especially love the LED's in the doors. Chris

Hey guys, As the title suggests, I ended up with an arm full of V Power Racing today. I sourced a Genuine Toyota fuel filter that came with shiny black paint and the bracket attached. This made it a fairly easy job to complete. In case you didn't know, the filter is located under the rear passenger side door just forward of the back wheel. I was able to lie on my garage floor and see underneath fairly comfortably, however, if your car has been lowered, this may make the task almost impossable without a hoist or jack. You need to undo the cover plate/heatshield using a spanner or ratchet. The bolts are 10mm from memory. I disconneted the Plug connected to the tank from the fuel pump and turned over the engine a couple of times until it would not turn over. I don't know that this helped that much cos I still ended up losing probably half a litre of fuel into a container I placed under the car. You will need to use a flat tray container so that you can still work on the filter. I loosened both end of the filter and then tightened them just enough to stop the flow. I then removed the 2 bolts holding the bracket. Then you have to work really quickly to remove the filter. I loosened the again and then turned them both by hand as swiftly as I could and repeated the same in reverse on the new filter. After tightening the filter and replacing the bracket bolts, I made sure I wiped off any excess fuel from the filter and started the car after re-plugging the fuel pump in. A quick look to check there were no leaks and job done. Chris

Tones, I have been looking around too and I am convinced that the HSD coilovers are the best value for money. Chris

1996 JZS147 Toyota Aristo 3.0V (GS300) GENERAL Body type Sedan Drive FR Transmission Electronic control type 4 speed automatic (intelligent) ECT-i Displacement, cc 2997 Frame E-JZS147-BEPVZ Price of new car, thousands yen (Tokyo area) 4790 (~$39900) SPECIFICATION (SPECS) EXTERIOR Exterior dimensions (LxWxH), mm 4920 x 1795 x 1420 Interior dimensions (LxWxH), mm 2005 x 1535 x 1150 Wheel base, mm 2780 Treads (F/R), mm 1535 / 1510 Ground clearance, mm 150 Curb vehicle weight, kg 1690 Gross vehicle weight, kg Seating capacity, persons 5 Doors number 4 Min.turning radius, m 5.5 Fuel tank capacity, l 80 Displacement, cc 2997 Engine model 2JZ-GTE Max.power (Net), kw(PS)/rpm 280 ps (205.94 kw) / 5600 rpm Max.torque(Net), N*m(kg*m)/rpm 44.0 kg*m (431.49 N*m) / 3600 rpm Power density 6.04 Engine type Water cooling serial 6 cylinder DOHC24 valve twin turbo Engine information 2 way twin turbo Fuel system EFI (electronic fuel injection) Turbocharger Twin Turbo Fuel type Unleaded premium gasoline LEV system (Low emission vehicle) No Compression ratio 8.5 Bore, mm 86 Stroke, mm 86 Final gear ratio Fuel consumption at 10-15 modes, l/100km 12.9 Fuel consumption at 60 km/h, l/100km CHASSIS / TRANSMISSION Power steering Yes Tires size, front 225/55r16 94v Tires size rear 225/55r16 94v Braking system, front Ventilated disk Braking system, rear Ventilated disk Suspension system, front Double wishbone type coil spring Suspension system, rear Double wishbone type coil spring EQUIPMENT EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT Sunroof / Moonroof Front fog lamp Rear fog lamp Xenon headlight (Discharge lamp) Projector headlight Rear wiper Front spoiler Rear or roof spoiler ABS (Antilock brake system) TCS (Traction control system) LSD (Limited slip differential) Privacy glass UV cutting glass Aluminium wheel 16inch standard INTERIOR EQUIPMENT Air conditioner Full automatic Wood panel Cruise control Centralized door lock Power window Steering wheel telescopic Steering wheel tilt Leather steering wheel Power front seat Power rear seat Leather seat Falling down type rear seat Child seat fixed with seat belt Rear ELR3 point seat belt Front seat pretensioner seat belt Fourth limited front seat belt Side impact bar Airbag (Driver) Airbag (Passenger) Airbag (Side) Audio deck AM/FM radio equipped cassette player CD-player Single equipment Car navigation system - present - not present - option Colors Color spectrum Color Black Dark blue mica Grayish green mica metallic Silver metallic Option Dark green mica P.I.O.Toning G White pearl mica toning G

Given that I am reasonably good with a spanner and my old man is my mentor, I think I could install the coilovers myself as well. The olny issue I fear is the fact that I don't have a hoist so it would be one corner at a time. Am I correct in saying that this would also be a pain in the butt in terms of adjustment? How long did it take you the first time? I am just considering taking it somewhere and getting them to do it. Chris

Tones, With all due respect. VVTI? The JZS147 2JZ-GTE engine does not have vvti. Not untill the 2nd Gen Aristo which we can't import under SEVS. You are getting mixed p with something else. Chris

There are easier and cheaper ways of checking! However, maybe just not as fun! Chris

Great looking ride man! I am considering those HSD coilovers. What is your opinion of them? Did you experience the standard struts before they were installed? Difference? Chris