Builds bcomnes's 2004 GX470 Build/Ownership thread (1 Viewer)

[DRANGED]

Went tree cutting in S. Utah last weekend. Got to exercise the center lock and low gear one some forest roads.

When the locker is on I get a 'VSC Off' light. Is that normal?

View attachment 2519546

View attachment 2519813

Yup

VSC is vehicle stability control, that's the traction control for slick and slippery surfaces, like ice snow rain etc. When you lock the center differential vehicle stability control is off but A-trac actuates for traction off-road. They're similar systems but also different. vehicle stability control actuates abs for traction, but also modulates engine throttle, AKA nanny mode. When center diff is locked (and therefore four-wheel drive), traction control (A-trac) acts as traction aid but no nanny mode, ergo ABS actuation but no throttle kill, so in four-wheel drive with center diff locked, you can left foot brake and throttle up the engine whereas in all wheel drive (torsen center diff not locked), when there's slippage of tires, engine throttle is modulated as well. AKA you can't drift in the snow in all-wheel drive, but when you lock the center diff you can

 

[sweetGX]

Ok my VL2 video is live

Found your video on YouTube and was super helpful! A few q's for you:

• How long does Vline take to boot up when you first start the car and navigate to it?
• How did you snake the microphone into the dash?
  

 

[bcomnes]

Found your video on YouTube and was super helpful! A few q's for you:

• How long does Vline take to boot up when you first start the car and navigate to it?
• How did you snake the microphone into the dash?

cool glad that was useful.

The vl2 takes less than a minute. Sometimes it’s super fast (matter of seconds), sometimes it takes 10-30 seconds. Sometimes it doesn’t boot at all, and you have to shut the key to off and the back to acc to try again. I would say it works 90% of the time. I think it’s a timing thing, not sure why it does that.

It’s not as good as a modern double din but way better than nothing, especially if all you want is car play.

I routed the cable behind the head unit when I had it pulled out, the behind the black plastic trim in front of the gauges. The manual recommends routing it up the a/b column but that would involve removing the headliner which I want prepared to do, though a ceiling location would have been better. The gage position works fine though.

 

[bcomnes]

Radiator has a leak. Drove a huge road trip with it, and it held fine, but Its one of those things I don't want to sleep on.

Looking at replacement options:

Local radiator guy quoting me $268 for a presumably aftermarket rad.

I found an OEM for a seemingly decent price: $423

\

Anyone ever tackle replacement rad before? Thinking OEM will be better long term and worth the extra ~$200.

 

[bcomnes]

Looks like a good price, but the radiator guy says he doesn't think its worth the extra money. Says the after market one he would use would be just as good.

 

[bcomnes]

One that's in there looks like an a OEM with aftermarket cap?

 

[bcomnes]

New radiator, hoses and clamps going in today:

PNs:

- 16400-50313 (radiator)
- 90466-41008 (Hose clamp) x4
- 16571-50200 (hose)
- 16572-50190 (hose)

I got the radiator from a dealer parts store called arrowhead lexus in arizona. they had a good price and offered free shipping. But they shipped it directly in the part box, no additional padding. So some of the fins got messed up in shipping and the box took a beating. A little disappointed but I guess what you pay for?

Mechanic said it looked fine, just fin damange. Fingers crossed.

 

[bcomnes]

Anyone know a part number for these clips? I can't locate it on partsouq

 

[bcomnes]

Ok found the clips:

7586760020B3 - Lexus Running Board Clip. GRAY ME | Arrowhead Lexus, Peoria AZ

Genuine Lexus Part # 7586760020B3 (75867-60020-B3) - Running Board Clip. GRAY ME. Fits GX 470. Ships from Arrowhead Lexus, Peoria AZ

parts.arrowheadlexus.com

75867-60020-B3

About $6.14 each.

 

[bcomnes]

Got some new tires at costco. 5 BFG TRIAL-TERRAIN T/A 265/65R17 112T ORWL ALL-SEASON TIRE Total $1,113.89. It's like a wife version of the KO2. I like them a lot so far. They ride quiet and feel a lot more confident on snowpack than whatever came on this thing.

 

[bcomnes]

A few updates in no particular order

- Changed the headlights and tailights to LED parking/flashers
- I changed out the flasher module to an LED compatible one.
- Timing belt change at ProAuto in St George with an Asin water pump/timing belt kit.
- I replaced the propeller shaft with the TSB. This completely fixed the 'clunk'
- Replaced the rear suspension airbags and filter. Car rides soooo much better now and the air pump only runs a little bit.
- Replaced rear bump stops and some bushings.
- Been monitoring the ABS screeching. Hasn't done it since that one time after the rain, but I do have the accumulator and motor assembly ready to go if it gets worse.

Only interesting picture I can find for now is the new flasher. I wish I got the diode dynamics smart tap, might upgrade later.

https://amzn.to/3mo8jq5