I'll have to buy a GX first. I'm just doing pre-purchase research right now! lol
A beginners guide to buying a used GX470
- Thread starter ChiTown
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I'll have to buy a GX first. I'm just doing pre-purchase research right now! lol
There is a VIN decoder that can be helpful, but I found out that it is inaccurate too. Mine was supposed to have KDSS, but does not. Only real ways to tell are the dash light, cutout on inner panel, and the boot and thick arms you'll find in pics.
I have read many on here say they searched for the perfect GX, obviously that is a personal preference or opinion but I would like to see some owners thoughts on that. Such as did you want KDS or not did you want a certain option or year?
I believe on the Wikipedia page it states that in 2005 they changed to a much stronger toe hitch and the tow rating went up so that could be useful info to those planning to tow.
I believe on the Wikipedia page it states that in 2005 they changed to a much stronger toe hitch and the tow rating went up so that could be useful info to those planning to tow.
I wanted a 2003 because they are mechanically the simplest, fewer options to break, and, they are always cheaper 
I wanted a 2007 Sport. 04+ for the 5sp trans, 05+ for the extra power, and 07+ for the revised navigation. Sport for KDSS. I'd have settled for a non-Sport optioned with KDSS but I never found one - and now that I have a Sport truck I really like the black trim. If I went pre-07 I would have waited for one without nav (I am happy with the Mark Levinson sound now, though- it's nice to own something where I don't care about upgrading the stereo).
- Thread starter
- #26
03' has the 5 speed auto
Ahh, 04 is the sealed transmission. My bad.
how they allow you to adjust the controls? as the temp settings and what not are all in the software of the nav unit, there is not external dial or adjustment switches or buttons etc...? i dont see how this is possible without some serious modding to the aftermarket HU and then that would void any warranty from the manufacture, as their software would have been tampered with...
i searched for a while. i got every option or lack there of i wanted except the color, i got my second choice in color. i wanted the Ash Blue Mica color, but ended up with Silver Pine Metalic. i didnt want the VVTi motor as it had injection pump issues and could potentially suck up water and damage the motor in water crossings, even though it had more power. i wanted the dark leather interior, and not the ivory, i wanted a non KDSS, i wanted the 3rd row seating, and no navigation. i guess the only thing that i possibly could have wanted was the smoked lights on the sport package and lower mileage vehicle but at 130k i wasnt gonna complain. as the interior is in great shape, and the major stuff was there. its what you get when you buy a used car, you have to be willing to negotiate and give up some things. thankfully for me, i only gave up things i knew wasnt a big deal and or easily changed. -the non nav stereos suck(same quality as a 4runner), but the ability to change that far outweighs the hassle of being stuck with a mediocre at best system that is next to impossible to upgrade effectively
I'll also add, since I don't think it's been brought up in this thread. The GX470 sport package can be identified by:
1) graphite color headlight bezels
2) graphite/silver roof rack mounts
3) dark leather interior with dark wood accents
4) fat sway bars with boots attaching them to the car
1) graphite color headlight bezels
2) graphite/silver roof rack mounts
3) dark leather interior with dark wood accents
4) fat sway bars with boots attaching them to the car
Maybe I'm a lot less picky than some people here, but the Mark Levinson package sounds great to me. I have absolutely no desire to upgrade it.
It's less to do with the sound quality for me, and more to do with adding Bluetooth and some form of aux input. The stock speakers are fairly cheaply made though, and the foam surrounds do deteriorate on the OEM setup.
I did not get the Nav and Mark Levinson in my GX but thought the sound was good. Seemed like most of the speakers went bad because of those deteriorated speaker surrounds. When doing research last year I found a few youtube videos that showed how to repair those along with kits to do so. Much cheaper than a new speaker. I did a similar repair to some old home speakers for my garage and it worked great.
as the model progressed through the years more features were added in... like bluetooth, and the aux port, but with those came complexities, and way more headache to retrofit than just replacing the system with a better system. yeah the GX has a ok sound system, but my friends 20 year old audi has a factory bose system that will shame even the ML system. and my 97 4runner has a better sound system that i put in it for under $300.
and the KDSS is more of a drawback off road imo. the 4runners have had numerous issues with it leaking. it offers some benefits but its use is limited and again its one more thing to go wrong. it works well with a stock rig, but not a lifted one, hence why most people who wheel their GX or 4runner remove it all together.
here is a great run down of the GX and updates it received over the years; http://www.toyota120.com/html/lexus_gx470.html
and the KDSS is more of a drawback off road imo. the 4runners have had numerous issues with it leaking. it offers some benefits but its use is limited and again its one more thing to go wrong. it works well with a stock rig, but not a lifted one, hence why most people who wheel their GX or 4runner remove it all together.
here is a great run down of the GX and updates it received over the years; http://www.toyota120.com/html/lexus_gx470.html
This thread is the first I've heard of anyone removing KDSS. If you're that worried about "one more thing to go wrong", why own a Lexus at all? Get a 40 series!
This thread is the first I've heard of anyone removing KDSS. If you're that worried about "one more thing to go wrong", why own a Lexus at all? Get a 40 series!
i got to thinking about this, and you are right, the KDSS is not an issue or prone to failures, i was thinking the xreas from the 4runners. i dont think the GX ever got that, and its a good thing. cause yeah its crap its prone to leaking and failure, and it has to come out to lift or replace shocks etc. anyhow thats what i was thinking of, and confusing with KDSS, totally different and not the same. -I have no issue with KDSS(other than i dont have it lol)
- Thread starter
- #37
The KDSS cylinders are prone to leaky seals under hard offroad use and are stupid expensive to replace ($1200 ish).
I prefer the truck without it as without the TEMS shocks and AHC. It's essentially a 4Runner with a different look.
I prefer the truck without it as without the TEMS shocks and AHC. It's essentially a 4Runner with a different look.
NMBruce
SILVER Star
how did they change the intake to give it the potential for sucking up water? from what I have read, the diesel & gas use the same snorkel, so the intakes must be the same.
It's for the air injection pump... Not the intake tube or air box
NMBruce
SILVER Star
thanks
