GX 07- master key, skipping CD player, undercoating

[odessit]

Just got a new to me GX 470 - 07. Overall a nice car and it is interesting to compare it to LC 04 which we had for awhile.

Few questions:
1. What is the best way to get another master key? I have one black with remote control buttons (I assume it is a master key) and one grey one.
2. CD player was not playing CDs at all as I was checking the car out. After using Cleaner CD it seems to be working ok, but on few CDs it does not play the first son right away - I go "next track" - to #2 - it plays, then can go back to track #1. Is it a sign of trouble or is it still durty or is it my CDs not being readable?
3. I asked my mechanic to spray 3M undercoating on LC. It kind of help through the winter in Boston. GX is from Florida and is almost pristine on the bottom. Should I undercoat it as well? 3M spray? Something else? I would love to use POR-15, but he did not want to deal with it. Any suggestions?
4. How is paint quality against chips? It got pretty bad on LC100 - had to put VentureShield over hood, top of the roof, rear quarters - behind the windows. Should I do the same for GX? Or is paint better and not much chipping will happened?
5. Differential fluid - easy job without a lift? Or leave it to somebody else? Since car has no rust - it looked easy to me with car on a lift, but if it is on the ground - is it PITA? I am kind of ok mechanically, watched people work on cars a lot, but never changed oil (or any other fluid) in the car. Lawnmower is a different story and those diffs looked like "lawnmower job". What are the thoughts on this subject?
6. Is there Navigation override while in motion similar to LC?

Cheers,
Alex

 

[Corbet]

1. What is the best way to get another master key? I have one black with remote control buttons (I assume it is a master key) and one grey one.

From memory the GX keys look like the 100 series LC keys so... If the GX security system is like the 100 series LC you can not get a new master key without replacing the ECM that controls the security system. However you should be able to program up to 4 additional full feature keys if none have been done already. Did that make sense?

I have purchased key blanks on Ebay and never ad any issues. To replace a broken key I just removed the transponder part from the old keys. Can't help with a source for those other than the dealer.

 

[odessit]

Thanks, I guess - I better make a copy and keep original at home. I have LC 100 and the keys look very similar (with the exception of the logo and Lexus style key cut vs. "standard" Toyota key)

 

[JaminGX]

I was hoping someone was going to chime in with experience about changing fluids. I have an '06 GX and am thinking to do it just out of precaution. Bought mine July 2010 and it too was a FL vehicle. Quite clean underneath. Now it's been through 1 MN winter and about to see it's 2nd. We'll see how it's looking under there next spring....

 

[Corbet]

I can't speak for the front IFS diff but the rear is easy with no lift. I invested into a 5gal bucket hand pump thing and that makes it really easy. On the wife's Subaru too.

Northern Industrial 5-Gallon Oil Pump — Lever-Type | Barrel + Hand Pumps | Northern Tool + Equipment

You can also use the little cylinder deals that suck it out of the bottle and then squirt it in the diff. The squeeze bottles that the oil comes in will work but I always spilled more than I wanted until I lifted the truck and got the axle below everything else.

 

[Terrax]

Go to the Lexus dealer and ask for a master key replacement $225+tax, it's lasercut so they have to cut it and re-program it.

 

[vwluv10338]

Just got a new to me GX 470 - 07. Overall a nice car and it is interesting to compare it to LC 04 which we had for awhile.

Few questions:
1. What is the best way to get another master key? I have one black with remote control buttons (I assume it is a master key) and one grey one.
2. CD player was not playing CDs at all as I was checking the car out. After using Cleaner CD it seems to be working ok, but on few CDs it does not play the first son right away - I go "next track" - to #2 - it plays, then can go back to track #1. Is it a sign of trouble or is it still durty or is it my CDs not being readable?
3. I asked my mechanic to spray 3M undercoating on LC. It kind of help through the winter in Boston. GX is from Florida and is almost pristine on the bottom. Should I undercoat it as well? 3M spray? Something else? I would love to use POR-15, but he did not want to deal with it. Any suggestions?
4. How is paint quality against chips? It got pretty bad on LC100 - had to put VentureShield over hood, top of the roof, rear quarters - behind the windows. Should I do the same for GX? Or is paint better and not much chipping will happened?
5. Differential fluid - easy job without a lift? Or leave it to somebody else? Since car has no rust - it looked easy to me with car on a lift, but if it is on the ground - is it PITA? I am kind of ok mechanically, watched people work on cars a lot, but never changed oil (or any other fluid) in the car. Lawnmower is a different story and those diffs looked like "lawnmower job". What are the thoughts on this subject?
6. Is there Navigation override while in motion similar to LC?

Cheers,
Alex

1. Get a key cut and programed at the dealer. You need to keep a spare master key around as others have stated.

2. I have not had too many problems with CD players in GXs. Is the CD changer in the center console? If it is (Cant remember if its GX or LX) people drop coffee and pennys in there that causes problems.
3. I dont have much experience with undercoating besides the VW bug pan I have done. There is a lot of stuff under there I would worry about spraying with the rubberized undercoat. Maybe look into Fluidfilm coating.
4. Cant say much for the paint. Never had that many concerns but I have never owned one.
5. Diff and center transfer are fairly easy but can be kind of a pain in the driveway. You need a 24mm wrench for the center transfer and the rear diff. Just drain and fill till it comes out of the fill plug. I believe you have to remove a skid plate to get to the front diff. They are a pain because of the large drain plug they used. If your front diff ever had service then the drain plug will be very tight. You need I believe a 10mm allen, on a 3/8 ratchet is best. You will not be able to get them out with just an allen wrench. Hit the face of the large drain plug with a hammer around 10 times. It makes a large difference of if it will come out or not. Sometimes I have to use an air chisel and just replace the plug. Again, just fill with 75w90.
6. Not sure about the over-ride for the nav.

If you have any questions shoot me a PM. I can tell you everything that will go wrong with your car in 150K miles. They all have the same problems. After you fix them they are great trucks.

Eric
Lexus Master tech

 

[odessit]

Thanks for information, Eric!
Few comments here as others might be interested in your reply:
#2. CD Player. I pulled it out today. It is Pioneer Toyota part number 86270-60160 XDV-M8067 Serial# FIPK004095UC. It is located in glove compartment. I used CD cleaners, took the cover off, looks quite clean inside, used air bluster (typically used for computers). It got better, but still does not play all CDs. It spins, stops, spins, stops - then says "Disk Check". This is the pattern when it can not play. Other CDs are ok, and yet other pattern is - as it spins - if I press next track - it catches on track #2 and plays the CD. I called the dealer and got a quote for $2500.00 - this is kind of way too much in my book. What is a good source? I saw other web sites mention remanufactured units for about $800 installed. Is it possible to put aftermarket unit in? I do not care for DVD capability but would love to put 10-12 disk player in. I am pretty good with electrical stuff being computer engineer. I found this schema on the net: XDV-M8067 | Erta it is Russian web site but pin names are in English. Does it make sense?
#3. What are your concerns when it comes to undecoating? I will stay away from exhaust, engine and whatever might get hot. Parking brake lines and any other hydraulics, etc. What else? Or should I just stay away from undercoating altogether? It pains me to see nearly pristine underbody which will go bad after one or two winters. Should I try POR-15 instead? I used it where I could get to on Land Cruiser and it seems to be holding up.

 

[vwluv10338]

Thanks for information, Eric!
Few comments here as others might be interested in your reply:
#2. CD Player. I pulled it out today. It is Pioneer Toyota part number 86270-60160 XDV-M8067 Serial# FIPK004095UC. It is located in glove compartment. I used CD cleaners, took the cover off, looks quite clean inside, used air bluster (typically used for computers). It got better, but still does not play all CDs. It spins, stops, spins, stops - then says "Disk Check". This is the pattern when it can not play. Other CDs are ok, and yet other pattern is - as it spins - if I press next track - it catches on track #2 and plays the CD. I called the dealer and got a quote for $2500.00 - this is kind of way too much in my book. What is a good source? I saw other web sites mention remanufactured units for about $800 installed. Is it possible to put aftermarket unit in? I do not care for DVD capability but would love to put 10-12 disk player in. I am pretty good with electrical stuff being computer engineer. I found this schema on the net: XDV-M8067 | Erta it is Russian web site but pin names are in English. Does it make sense?
#3. What are your concerns when it comes to undecoating? I will stay away from exhaust, engine and whatever might get hot. Parking brake lines and any other hydraulics, etc. What else? Or should I just stay away from undercoating altogether? It pains me to see nearly pristine underbody which will go bad after one or two winters. Should I try POR-15 instead? I used it where I could get to on Land Cruiser and it seems to be holding up.

#2. Since I work for a dealer I dont have any experience eith installing an aftermarket changer. I'm sure it can be done.

#3. If you are careful and only spray the body I dont see a problem. In my head I just have this image of the whole underside sprayed over wiring, air lines of the suspension etc. I would choose a careful undercoat over using POR15. POR15 is meant to go over rust, not clean metal. If you dont have a light coat of rust already I would just go with a normal undercoat.

 

[zimcruza]

For the front diff oil change I used a length (about a metre or so) of 10mm food-grade clear tube with a funnel at the top and inserted it into the filler from above via the engine bay. Works a treat. Just remember the drip tray in case you over-fill slightly.

Remember to replace gaskets / crush washers on the fill and drain plugs - I had to replace both plugs as well as they'd been pretty hacked by some monkey ...

 

[LifeEnjoyer]

There is a navigation override that works but you would have to input it each time after your car is turned off and back on.
I can't remember the exact pattern on how to touch the screen, but if you go to the GX sub-forum of clublexus.com, you'll have no problem finding it there.

 

[odessit]

On Navigation override - the Volume-up/left corner touch - bottom/left corner touch.... sequence did not work for me. It is probably not working for the 07 version of navigation. Did anybody else succeed with manual override for 2007+?
So far it looks like lockpick 3 should work. But I am hesitant to spend $100 when Google maps will get the job done.