Another GX470 Newbie

[paulyboy928]

Yet another had boarded the Toyota/Lexus train!

It's an 06 gx470 with 115k miles. Belt and water pump were changed at 90k and it literally has a glovebox full of service records. It's the ivory interior, non-kdss, non-nav which I am SUPER pumped about. It feels like I found a unicorn.

As far as plans go, nothing too crazy...

Tint
Sirius XM (commander touch)
Trailer Hitch
Weathertech liners
Bilstein 5100s
Tires


So far, the truck has driven like a dream. Smooth, quiet, easy to drive, comfy, and all of the above. Not sure why I didn't make the switch sooner! I'll be sure to post pics while I'm updating the truck.


There are a couple of things that need to be addressed, however...

1) It's got the 60-80mph pulsing vibration. I've already ordered a new dynamic diff damper to test out. I really hope I don't have to tear into the transfer case.

2) Center console won't close. Seems like the right side flap is off a couple of teeth or something.

3) Rear AC controls are loose, but still work.

4) Speedo LED light is dim around the 10, 20 mph mark.

5) There's a baby squeak/chirp coming from the drivers side of the car. It sounds like it's coming from the air vent, or the left side of the gauge cluster. I've looked around but can't find anything.



Any ideas for the above mentioned? I'll post more pics when I get the chance.


Thanks, guys!

 

[johnny4ever]

Love the color.

 

[paulyboy928]

Thanks! At first I wasn't looking for a Nautical Blue truck but it eventually started to grow on me. Now, I love it.

 

[johnny4ever]

Both my cruisers were blue. FJ62 then FZJ80. Now a Blizzard Pearl 05 GX470.

 

[runningdrew]

Welcome. I wish mine was non-nav.
I almost bought a blue one like that, but my silver one was free, so can't complain.

noise could be sunroof? have weird HVAC or radio, or something electric going on behind my dash at times. I think it is HVAC as when the recirculating air button is pushed is makes noises, but goes away if I cycle to the outside function instead??

 

[paulyboy928]

Believe I found the solution to the squeaking/chirping!

After some extensive searching on here and GXOR I found that the squeak is coming from the hood. If you back out the hood bump stops a couple of turns it'll create a tighter fit and stop the squeaking.

I was also able to diagnose the loose rear A/C controls... The left tab is broken (male end). Looks like JB weld is on it's way to the rescue.

 

[Jason S]

im interested to see if the dynamic balancer works for you since i have the same issue

 

[paulyboy928]

im interested to see if the dynamic balancer works for you since i have the same issue

I'll keep you updated.

Backing the hood bump stops is indeed the fix for the squeak. Didn't hear a noise all day.

 

[paulyboy928]

Got a couple of updates.

1) Installed the new diff damper and it did not fix the issue... I have a feeling it is the drive chain in the front diff...

2) Car goes in for tint this friday so I'll post pics once that is done.

3) Car has been getting water all in the front passenger floor board every time it rains. I removed the windshield and roof trim and cleaned everything but that didn't work. Car goes to the shop sometime next week to get looked at. Anyone have any suggestions?

4) So I got tired of getting hit in the head by the rear door so I finally installed a gas strut. 1000% better than the stock setup.

 

[runningdrew]

Got a couple of updates.

1) Installed the new diff damper and it did not fix the issue... I have a feeling it is the drive chain in the front diff...

2) Car goes in for tint this friday so I'll post pics once that is done.

3) Car has been getting water all in the front passenger floor board every time it rains. I removed the windshield and roof trim and cleaned everything but that didn't work. Car goes to the shop sometime next week to get looked at. Anyone have any suggestions?

4) So I got tired of getting hit in the head by the rear door so I finally installed a gas strut. 1000% better than the stock setup.

water inside? could be the sunroof drain tubes are clogged? there are 4, one per corner that drain out the A and B pillars. Looks like thick dense surgical tubing. there are ways to clean it from below I believe, need to find out where they exit. I've seen it discussed in the forum before.

 

[paulyboy928]

Yes, water on the inside. If you could find where they exit, that'd be great. It's been driving me nuts.

 

[GXO]

You clean the sunroof drains? Run some weed eater string through the little holes at the front of the sunroof. They get clogged and leak on the floor.

 

[paulyboy928]

Problem solved! Nice acorn down the sunroof drain...

 

[runningdrew]

Problem solved! Nice acorn down the sunroof drain...

Glad you found it. Acorn sounds easy compared to the 1.5" twig that got jammed in the back of my sunroof tray - necessitating a full headliner removal and sunroof drop and repair......

 

[quadforce4]

Problem solved! Nice acorn down the sunroof drain...

Any chance you'd be able to snap a quick pic of the drain locations? Due to some gear on my roof, I'll be shooting fairly blind but want to snake these guys, having trouble finding photos online. I'd appreciate it!

 

[paulyboy928]

For some reason my photo bucket is screwed up...

They're locate at the corners of the sunroof (towards the front of the vehicle). Just open it up and take a peek and they'll be there.

 

[quadforce4]

I did end up finding em, and I'm sure I looked like a loon doing it trying to find em with my roof top tent in the way. Drains seem clear, I poured water and saw it drain on all corners after testing the front passenger corner. Thanks for the reply!

BTW, how does your truck look after the tint? A good tint + that color must look great.

 

[runningdrew]

For some reason my photo bucket is screwed up...

They're locate at the corners of the sunroof (towards the front of the vehicle). Just open it up and take a peek and they'll be there.

Quick note about Photobucket, I started using it here to save the site storage space, then read info oage here at ih8mud, and the preferred method of photo attachment is to upload it here, so I stopped using photo bucket. Reason is, so if anything ever happened to a third party hosting site, the pics would still be available in the future here on mud, hosted here. Cheers.