GX470's chime in please

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

T Y L E R

T Y L E R

Joined
Mar 27, 2003
Threads
147
Messages
2,610
I didn't see a GX470'ish forum, so I thought I might place this here. I sent my fiancee the link to the Lexus site today, so she could peruse the GX470's and build herself one. She seemed pleased with them. She also seemed to love the idea of her and I picking up something each - her a GX470, myself the LX470 .. which we would promptly ship offshore for mods before we drove them upon return. She seems to fancy 35's .. I'll go for a build accomodating 38's .. Dana 50 fr axle, with ARB locker .. 4.88's etc.


What I am interested in is hearing from each of the GX470 owners here, and what you've got .. what you modified, or would have liked different. That may include short comings of the model, or even features seen in later years than you might have. Also, are there any mods that you've done like bumpers, improved tires .. suspension .. electrical .. etc etc.

I appreciate the input ..

:beer: :beer:


TY
 
T Y L E R said:
I didn't see a GX470'ish forum, so I thought I might place this here. I sent my fiancee the link to the Lexus site today, so she could peruse the GX470's and build herself one. She seemed pleased with them. She also seemed to love the idea of her and I picking up something each - her a GX470, myself the LX470 .. which we would promptly ship offshore for mods before we drove them upon return. She seems to fancy 35's .. I'll go for a build accomodating 38's .. Dana 50 fr axle, with ARB locker .. 4.88's etc.


What I am interested in is hearing from each of the GX470 owners here, and what you've got .. what you modified, or would have liked different. That may include short comings of the model, or even features seen in later years than you might have. Also, are there any mods that you've done like bumpers, improved tires .. suspension .. electrical .. etc etc.

I appreciate the input ..

:beer: :beer:


TY
Click to expand...


Isn't the GX470 a 4Runner?
 
The GX, 4Runner, Prado 120 and FJC all share the same underpinnings. The FJC is a bit shorter though. The GX only comes with the air suspension in the rear.

The GX is best served by keeping it IFS and then fitting 35s will be a very hard feat. You can get some aftermarket equipment for it, but it is limited.

What exactly will it be used for? If you plan on modifying it extensively it will not be the best vehicle to get. Rather get the 4Runner or LX470 as the aftermarket is much better developed. Or a FJC is you want to go more basic.

Pending on how she drives you migth want to look into getting the KDSS system. Improves onroad handling and offroad flex as it allows the swaybars to flex.

The best offroad fit for the GX470 would be to get coils for the front to lift it 2" or so. Adjust the rear susepsnion to ride 2" higher by default. Fit 32" AT tires and ejoy where it can go. You will also find some 4Runner sliders that can bolt on to it. FOrget about front and rear bumpers, etc. If your/her needs exceed this you will be much better served with a different evhicle. No point in messing with a $50K vehicle to remove what makes it great (sweet comfy ride and luxury with lots of passenger and cargo space).

The GX470 is a luxury SUV, which is pretty sporty, intended for mild/moderate offroading, changing that will cost you lots of time and money; and you might not like the outcome. The LX has more aftermarket goodies or the 4Runner as well. The 4Runner is more sporty with a smaller body on the same platform and is cheaper and less lux.

However if you have lots of $$$$$ go for it, it will make a great project like the Trailex. Cut that frame and custom bumpers :D
 
These will be our DD ..

Life is short .. we may as well have a lil fun. We're just bantering about ideas right now. I can always keep the 80 for crawling ;) These will functional, but a lil different I guess. I don't plan to crawl in these too much. Maybe hit the snow part of the year .. beach and street the rest. It would just be a completely different direction in terms of builds. Just curious what everyone else has done with theres, if anything.


TY
 
I may need to stick with Toyota products if I go this route, but I'm hoping after a few emails I'll determine that Lexus products can be accomodated as easily. Many here will turn away at the idea of going in this direction .. it is what it is .. an idea. When you reframe things outside of rock crawling, a few other options become apparent, regardless of the 'primary' purposes .. I won't find a glacier for these puppies any more than I'd find Fins in the 80. :flipoff2:

Her's on 35's
getfile.aspx


The LX470 on 38's Dana 50 etc
getfile.aspx



:popcorn: :popcorn:



TY
 
The arctic Prado 120's have extensive mods to fit big tires including moving the rear axle back which means all new everything, plus major work up front to drop the IFS plus something like 5" bodylift and so much more...
 
Might as well show the GX470 on 38's while I'm at it. :beer:

getfile.aspx

getfile.aspx
 
moved to 95+ forum...
 
I have a friend in AZ who bought a GX. Returned to the dealer several times to repair the A/C...wouldn't keep the car cool. After some prodding, dealer admitted that the vehicle's A/C is undersized and it's been a problem in AU, Middle East and and AZ/NM. Dealer bought the truck back at full pop and moved him into a LX470 at a healthy discount. Apparently one of Toyota's dirty little secrets.
 
mobi-arc said:
I have a friend in AZ who bought a GX. Returned to the dealer several times to repair the A/C...wouldn't keep the car cool. After some prodding, dealer admitted that the vehicle's A/C is undersized and it's been a problem in AU, Middle East and and AZ/NM. Dealer bought the truck back at full pop and moved him into a LX470 at a healthy discount. Apparently one of Toyota's dirty little secrets.
Click to expand...

This is the first I have read of this. I have yet to see anybody on the Lexus boards complain about this, or anybody in Oz, EU, etc with the Prado120.

I suspect he had a faulty unit and the dealer was too incompotent to fix it. I can't imagine a Lexus that's A/C doesn't work properly. The Lexus boards would be bleeding red with it. Like the slipjoint issue, where it is filed all over the show till the TSB was released. The slipjoint issue even got the GX a black mark in consumer reports, where the 4Runner with the same issue wasn't even noticed. You think the Lexus buying community wouldn't be up in arms about a undersized A/C??
 
I've been researching the Prado, GX470 & 4Runner since 03. Keeping up pretty regularly with this platform and never heard of any A/C issue.

The only real fault to come along has been the rear diff issue, still unclear on the how & why but that seems to be the closest thing to a "dirty little secret". Never heard of it happening on a GX470 specifically though.
 
Nice resources.

Thanx :beer: :beer:



TY
 
Googled GX470 and air conditioning problem so apparently it was enough of a problem to issue TSB's on the issue.

8/29/2006 - 2003 – 2006 model year Lexus GX470 vehicles with Dual A/C produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VIN shown below.

Some GX 470 customers may experience a low cooling effect from the A/C system
when driving in high temperature areas. This TSIB provides a procedure to improve
this condition.
 
Going off topic, since Canada doesn't get that hot anyway :grinpimp:

After some extensive searching I found 2 users where the complain was that the A/C was under powered. A few other had issues with the climate control function more than anything else.

As to the TSB, it is called Lexus service. They had a TSB out for the rear clunk in a few months. ANd kept changing it till they got it right. Toyota US still denies there is an issue, or calls it a "feature". Lexus swaps out the rear links, driveshaft, etc and it is fixed now. Nice for us as we can get lots of 2nd hand GX driveshafts for cheap now.

You were the first to mention it, and I had to go dig to find 2 folks complaining. One on Tundrasolutions and one on Club Lexus. Nada from OZ I could find. So hardly a main stream issue. The 2 largest complains on the GX are the driveline clunk (now fixed) and the "I agree" button on the GPS.
 
calamaridog said:
I confused why you don't get her a 4runner. At least there are cool upgrades available.
Click to expand...

When she wants something, she gets it .. period. :) Don't look at me...I'm just presenting ideas. I will eventually run all sorts of options by her to consider. We were just discussing SUV's the other nite, and I dredged up the idea of having a pair of Arctic Trucks built, and delivered. She smiled, and said simply "I love you .. :) ".


How farkin cool is that?! :cool: Bless her soul ..



:beer: :beer:


TY
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom