High Mileage 470s and problems...

[Bizzaror]

Hey all,
I'm going to be getting a 470 as my next daily driver/overlander. What are the main problems I should look for on high mileage ones, and what should I have done once I buy one? Any and all information on the 470 is appreciated. TYIA.

 

[gxbroncotaco302]

My '04 had 188k on it when I bought it 2 years ago. Service wise I did the TB/WP, Transfer case actuator seals, valve cover gaskets, o2 sensors, 265/70-17 Wildpeak AT's and have 216k on it now. Made the drive from Los Angeles to San Antonio and back with no problems. I would check that the actuator is not seeping gear oil and the transfer case shifts. Love my GX.

 

[CarolinaGX]

I'm sorry, but you will have to define "High Mileage". On this forum, what is "high mileage" to most is just "broken in" to us

In all honesty, I think 200k-250k is the half-life of these trucks.

 

[Bizzaror]

I'm sorry, but you will have to define "High Mileage". On this forum, what is "high mileage" to most is just "broken in" to us

In all honesty, I think 200k-250k is the half-life of these trucks.

Lol that's what I thought with the UZs , guess I mean broken in

 

[James C]

Just like buying any old(er) car, a good maintenance history is key. 250k miles from a Mud owner who does their own fluids and scheduled work religiously is better than 60k from some idiot who ignores their car.

However, with a high mileage GX expect to need new suspension and bushings at a minimum

 

[corkybuchek]

From everything I've read here and my personal experience with the 4.7L based toyota's, maintenance is the biggest cost/concern. I haven't heard of any big issues across the board like you might hear with other car manufacturer's (GM transmission issues, etc.). Buy the seller and you'll end up in a good truck for the most part.

 

[little_joe]

Along with what @gxbroncotaco302 mentioned, I'd add: brakes (calipers, fluid, possibly actuator), alternator, cv's, plugs and coil packs, transmission fluid, exhaust manifolds, alignment cam tabs.

Unlike seemingly everyone else, my GX has been a very atypical Toyota experience. I maintained my '94 Xcab and '95 Cruiser; my GX has consistently required repairs. And this is a 2-owner SUV, with all services done at Lexus on time until 78k when I bought it (and I follow the maint schedule religiously, now at 142k).

 

[Bikedoctor]

Just bought a 166k 2008 and found camshaft seals leaking. I was already doing timing belt sooo pulled the cams and dove in. I expect to drive this into the sunset.

 

[vwynn]

Just bought a 166k 2008 and found camshaft seals leaking. I was already doing timing belt sooo pulled the cams and dove in. I expect to drive this into the sunset.

did you do the cam shaft leak repair yourself? The vvti cam makes it a bit challenging to replace the seal

 

[Bikedoctor]

did you do the cam shaft leak repair yourself? The vvti cam makes it a bit challenging to replace the seal

I know my limits. Dealer replaced them.

 

[TahoeLX450]

I've mentioned this before on MUDD yet I think it's worth noting on this post: I have a buddy here in Tahoe with an all Lexus serviced '05, GX 470 with 388,000 miles on it. The engine has only had the front end torn down to replace several timing belts and water pumps and has the original starter. Ball joints, wheel bearings, the radiator, and typical wear items have been replaced. Any leaks were corrected quickly.

My friend is the second owner and knows the original owner well and tells me "it has never been towed" or left either of them stranded. So it would seem staying on top of regular service is important to getting high mileage from these trucks. I hope this helps.

 

[wrmathis]

only issues i have had is brake related. calipers, rotors, and Master cylinder problems.

also, interior pieces being brittle for being 16 years old

 

[se7enine]

I've mentioned this before on MUDD yet I think it's worth noting on this post: I have a buddy here in Tahoe with an all Lexus serviced '05, GX 470 with 388,000 miles on it. The engine has only had the front end torn down to replace several timing belts and water pumps and has the original starter. Ball joints, wheel bearings, the radiator, and typical wear items have been replaced. Any leaks were corrected quickly.

My friend is the second owner and knows the original owner well and tells me "it has never been towed" or left either of them stranded. So it would seem staying on top of regular service is important to getting high mileage from these trucks. I hope this helps.

Where would you recommend TB and WP service be done? Anywhere you know that does good work in or near Reno?

 

[TahoeLX450]

Where would you recommend TB and WP service be done? Anywhere you know that does good work in or near Reno?

Honestly, I used to use a private shop up here in South Lake Tahoe and avoided the higher dealer cost. I was always sitting around for hours in a dirty shop or needed to taxi home or to work. I'm now converted to using the Dolan Lexus dealer in Reno. The cost is more, of course, yet the quality of service AND free new Lexus loaner makes up the difference to me.

If you take in ANY Lexus product--whether you bought from them or not-- and if the service will take more than a couple hours they offer you a loaner "courtesy vehicle". Since this is my only vehicle, in the past, I ended up using a taxi or Uber to get around or even to rent a car for longer repairs. At Dolan, I ve tried various Lexus products while repairs were being done. Last time, I had my loaner, a 2019 GX460 for 4 days waiting on air bag recall parts. I really got a great test drive of the GX460 and they don't care about how far you drive it "as long as you don't take it out of the country" and they don't even want you to fill the tank back up.

ALL the staff there are really great and really treat you like you bought their new flagship vehicle. You get your truck back fully washed and with a full tank of gas. For me this is a plus and equals out the extra dealer charge. For some, it may not be worth the extra cost for repairs but for me I thought it worked out and I have mostly continued the history of dealer service that made me confident to but the truck with 100K on the clock in the first place.

I'd encourage you to check the prices of independents and at Dolan Lexus in Reno for the TB and WP and compare.

 

[Augustiron]

Nothing to add of value to OP, just saying hi to my reno/SLT neighbors from Truckee.
And getting ready to do my own TB/WP @ 112k on the gx470 I just got.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Honestly, I used to use a private shop up here in South Lake Tahoe and avoided the higher dealer cost. I was always sitting around for hours in a dirty shop or needed to taxi home or to work. I'm now converted to using the Dolan Lexus dealer in Reno. The cost is more, of course, yet the quality of service AND free new Lexus loaner makes up the difference to me.

If you take in ANY Lexus product--whether you bought from them or not-- and if the service will take more than a couple hours they offer you a loaner "courtesy vehicle". Since this is my only vehicle, in the past, I ended up using a taxi or Uber to get around or even to rent a car for longer repairs. At Dolan, I ve tried various Lexus products while repairs were being done. Last time, I had my loaner, a 2019 GX460 for 4 days waiting on air bag recall parts. I really got a great test drive of the GX460 and they don't care about how far you drive it "as long as you don't take it out of the country" and they don't even want you to fill the tank back up.

ALL the staff there are really great and really treat you like you bought their new flagship vehicle. You get your truck back fully washed and with a full tank of gas. For me this is a plus and equals out the extra dealer charge. For some, it may not be worth the extra cost for repairs but for me I thought it worked out and I have mostly continued the history of dealer service that made me confident to but the truck with 100K on the clock in the first place.

I'd encourage you to check the prices of independents and at Dolan Lexus in Reno for the TB and WP and compare.

I've had the same excellent service from Dolan Lexus and while it's been more expensive than a private shop, it's not been all that much more in my experience.

 

[TahoeLX450]

Nothing to add of value to OP, just saying hi to my reno/SLT neighbors from Truckee.
And getting ready to do my own TB/WP @ 112k on the gx470 I just got.

Thanks and hi from SLT. Congrats on the score of a low mileage GX!

 

[jordan04gx]

I just took my chances on a 218k mile 470. Because of the mileage the price was right, and the PO had already done the few things I wanted to do (2nd TB/WP, Rock Sliders, airbag delete, skid plates, and 460 front brake conversion). It runs well, and has very little rust. I'll run it as long as I can. I do my own work, so I'm in the process of collecting resources for it now (paper repair manuals, appropriate scan tools, any special tools, etc).

I'm replacing a 96 Jeep XJ that I loved like a child. I knew every aspect of that vehicle (every system). But it was SO simple compared to the GX. I'll have a lot to learn. Bought it 4 years ago with 49k on the clock. Put about 90k on it (daily driver, and adventure vehicle). Cost me about $400 in "necessary" repairs in that 4 years. I know I'm in a different league now.

 

[bodengroden]

Hello All, I've been lurking on this forum for a while as I've convinced myself to get a 470. I'm looking at one now, an 08 with ~150K miles. Looking at the service record it started leaking oil from the camshaft at 100K and wasn't fixed with the timing belt. Eventually 35k miles later the oil must have finally cooked the alternator and it and the battery was replaced but the owner just traded it in without fixing the original oil leak. I'm pretty sure it still hasn't been replaced. I was planning on going to see the car tomorrow. My question is this: Should I run away now and find something else? or use the info to lower the price further and cover the repair. I do worry that the engine could have been damaged....Thoughts? Thanks for all you'll are doing on the site. I can't wait to get my own rig....