That final phase where everything starts coming together is the most satisfying — fresh paint gleaming, interior cleaned up or re-trimmed, and the mechanicals running smooth again. It’s also when all those little details (badges, trim clips, weather stripping, alignment, detailing) suddenly eat up time but make the biggest visual difference. It is almost 1 year – never thought it would take this long. And I still have more work planned.
- December 25 auction – Co-Part
- January delivery – with only valet key – no master
- February – get locksmith to cut trunk key – locked out
- February – contracted PDR specialist to start working the small dents on the car prior to body shop
- No Radio – replaced nav unit in right trunk area and surveyed moisture damage. Replacement Nav fixed the radio issue (no screen) New trunk baffles installed as part of overall bodywork. Existing baffles allowed easy entry of water and moisture and flaps were gone leaving only baffle frames on left and right.
- February – March – Body Shop – repaint and repair started – order parts from Lexus – Body shop is backed up and the car is sitting at bodyshop while I work on the interior
- March – car still at bodyshop waiting
- April – started body repair and additional paint and body issues
- May – interior work re-dye repair seats & fix missing bracket on navigation modual in right trunk.
- May – Still waiting on bodyshop – they are backed up – car is in primer and waiting on parts – frame spec’d on machine ok
- May- June – complete partial interior work including door panels while car is at bodyshop and additional body work with missing parts arriving at end of month
- May – go to DMV and find out how to get a rebuilt title – 2 week appointment time.
- June – more bodyshop
- July – More interior re-dye and replace front door speakers while car is at bodyshop
- July – Take delivery of car from bodyshop jail
- August – Get car inspected to change from salvage title to rebuilt title and the car passes. Drive car to inspection without Florida tag – interesting drive – I left early morning and didn’t get pulled over.
- Make appointment with Florida DMV – cant get tag for 3 to 4 weeks
- August- replace sub-woofer back window and chase misc parts at junk yard
- Get temporary tag at DMV and order personalized tag
- August – Clean transmission issue up at local transmission shop.
- August – send out ECU to SIA for transmission circuit
- September – get ECU back and test ok – send ECU to Daytona for rework of master key – Fix master key issue a failure.
- September – rework screen on radio and replace LCD and radio frame ordered from Dubai – continue to chase misc parts at junk yard
- Sepetmber – get ECU back from locksmith in Daytona. Immobilizer needs to be flashed to get master key.
- September – replace timing belt, radiator and water pump
- October – Personalized tag finally arrives – CRUSNLS
- October – replace upper control arms front end work, sway bar links and fix washer bottle sensor error plus alignment
- October – Install clear UV 89% on front windshield and install ceramic tint on rear window
- October – reset child locks after rear seat passengers are locked in car and cant get out
- November – general clean up on paint and start enjoying car.
- November – start selling left over parts online
- November – still chasing a master key and researching options.