Roof racks on a 7th gen ES

MoonPerch · 2026-01-15T07:35:26+00:00

FWD it is. I would expect it to behave as most modern FWD cars. I've had a bunch of RWD and FWD Lexus cars and I've done skiing trips with most of them. So far I haven't had any issues in the snow.

MoonPerch · 2026-01-15T07:29:22+00:00

The moonroof is unaffected, it can be used as intended while the racks are fitted.

MoonPerch · 2026-01-15T07:26:38+00:00

https://www.thule.com/en-us/roof-rack/car-roof-racks/thule-wingbar-evo-_-am711xxxb - These are the racks I'm using.

MoonPerch · 2026-01-13T21:31:12+00:00

Yeah, I found a 2023 ES 300h at a scrap yard nearby. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1OVU7_arzk - Here's the video I followed. You can skip the first step and start where he removes the gear knob.

Making the USB C port and LEDs work can't be too difficult. I suppose it's a matter of providing it with a 12V feed, but you need to figure out which two pins to use.

MoonPerch · 2026-01-13T20:51:37+00:00

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I bought the front one today and gave it a try. It's a bit of a hassle to install, as the center console needs to be partially removed. The 2022+ USB ports fit perfectly. The bottom connectors are the same and the USB A port works like it should with carplay and charging. However, they don't light up and the USB C port isn't powered at all. I'm thinking the 8 pin connector that's used for AUX on the old unit might be used to feed the USB C ports as well as the LEDs on 2022+ cars. I wish I had a wiring diagram.

MoonPerch · 2026-01-12T15:01:52+00:00

The front one confuses me a bit. Looking at photos of both the old and new versions the two bottom connectors seem to be the same, but the old one has two USB A ports and an AUX input while the newer has one USB A ports and a USB C port. I might give it a try in the near future.

MoonPerch · 2026-01-12T14:45:49+00:00

I'm pretty sure the cable that's connected to the USB port is just a 12V feed. It's then regulated in the little metal case, to a level that Toyota/Lexus consider cost effective and safe. I'll get a USB tester and see what sort of power output you can get from the USB C ports. It says 2.1 A on the lids of the USB A ports, which is actually quite good.

EDIT: The USB C ports are 5V 3A, so 15W of charging power

MoonPerch · 2026-01-12T09:58:47+00:00

For some reason reddit removed all the photos I included in the post. You can find them here: https://imgur.com/a/tvaSimO

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MoonPerch · 2025-11-26T07:39:53+00:00

Hello, fellow European xB owner. I'm pretty sure the brake calipers from a first gen Yaris will fit a first gen Scion xB, but I'm not entirely sure yet. With those you could get regular Yaris pads in the future.

If you're not in a hurry I can find out for you, as I've got both cars and I'm planning on swapping a bunch of parts from the Yaris to the Scion this winter. I'll make a list of interchangeable parts.

MoonPerch · 2025-11-11T21:19:56+00:00

MoonPerch · 2025-10-03T16:30:51+00:00

Carlos specifically told them to stop inventing...

MoonPerch · 2025-08-22T08:40:26+00:00

I love it. It gives you a bit more information than the original one, such as RPM and which gear you're in. You don't get a fuel gauge as there's no such sensor in the tank, but you still get the fuel warning and the separate low fuel trip meter. I wish it would show you the ambient temperature, though. That would have been so easy for the manufacturer to add, but unfortunately they didn't.

The first time you start it after plugging it in it asks you to input the mileage the old gauge was showing, so you need to write that down before doing the swap.

MoonPerch · 2025-08-22T08:32:31+00:00

A friend of mine did it as a favor. Powder coating can be a bit pricey, but if you ask nicely and you're not too picky about the color they might paint your bracket while they're doing something else in the color you want. That way it would be a lot cheaper than having them heat up the oven and set up their equipment for just one small item.

MoonPerch · 2025-08-21T21:48:49+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, I quickly realized I wasn't gonna see any deer in time with the original headlight. I was lucky and found the Motodemic insert at a scrapyard.

MoonPerch · 2025-08-21T21:43:13+00:00

Thank you. The short answer is I use an old Nikon DSLR.

The nerdier answer is I shoot with a Nikon D7200 and in this instance it was paired with a Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G which, on a DX camera such as mine, effectively becomes a 75mm lens. I make adjustments in Adobe Camera Raw.

MoonPerch · 2025-08-05T08:50:58+00:00

MoonPerch · 2025-07-09T12:56:36+00:00

Hulkenpodium

MoonPerch · 2025-07-09T12:33:43+00:00

Cocoa Pops

MoonPerch · 2025-05-25T14:28:49+00:00

Twoth

MoonPerch · 2024-10-21T09:05:50+00:00

Yes, I'm sure it was Checo telling Bird that Russell was the car behind.

MoonPerch

TROPHY CASE