My LX450 has finally left Jay's 4WD following the unplanned engine rebuild, and is now at my secret lair of a bodyshop to fix the rust in the rockers and mount a heavy-duty rear bumper.
The LX really has been a bigger project than expected. I knew it had rust in the rockers; I didn't know the rear cross member was held together via an aftermarket tow hitch. The engine rebuild, as previously discussed, was a complete surprise, so I'm nearing the end of my rope with delays and added expenses, but at least we're on the downward slope.
The bodywork will consist of repairing both right and left side rockers, and patching together the rear cross member so the bumper can be mounted. The cross member isn't all that essential to the structural integrity, so we're not going to spend a ton of money and time fixing it.
Final stop will be my trusted stereo shop in RI to update the headunit and then - after last driving it in February of this year - it will hopefully make its way down to Maryland.