Yeah, that’s our problem. There’s is this giant kdss sway bar in the way that seems impossible to get off. Makes it impossible to go from the bottom.
How do alternators on the GX470 fail? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter HomersCanyonero
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- Thread starter
- #42
@Aloha Jen so what did you end up doing?
Well, this 2-4 hour project (according to the inter webs) has completely spiraled out of control. The gigantic KDSS sway bar has no logical way of swinging down to get out of the way to remove the alternator from the bottom. So the conclusion was that the alternator needed to come out the top. Which is a much bigger job and requires removing the 3 engine bay plastic covers, coolant overflow bottle removal, air intake tube pushed back out of the way, fan clutch off, and fan shroud off just to wiggle it up through all the piping to get out. Unfortunately, we got stuck attempting to get the fan clutch bolts off. Couldn’t find a piece of metal the right size to wedge into the clutch get the bolts off. And to top it all off, discovered why the coolant overflow bottle appeared to be unusually low on coolant!
While taking the fan shroud bolts off, we noticed that the PO had bolted it way to tight. Not only cracking and smashing completely the fan shroud tab, but that he had successfully screwed the bolt in so far that it had actually punctured the cheap plastic of the “new” aftermarket radiator the PO installed (I think csf is the brand). So when the fan shroud bolt was unscrewed, a stream of radiator fluid trickled down the side of the radiator! It must have had a tiny weep for the past year slowly emptying the coolant reservoir, but when the fan shroud bolt was removed it opened it up and now needs to be replaced with a new radiator!! We, but mostly Mr AlohaJen, are really frustrated at this point. The job has most likely quadrupled in cost of new parts needed, weeks waiting for all the parts to fly or boat in, and probably ridiculous amounts of hours trying to figure out and complete the intsallation! We figure we are so deep at this point, might as well do the timing belt and water pump since we are creeping up on 90k miles.
Ok, rant over....but it has been a frustrating day of working on it for 5 hours with nothing to show other then a still broken alternator stuck in there, a laundry list of new oem parts to get, and the next few weekends kissed goodbye! I’m gonna go be sad now.
D@mn, that sucks. I am tempted to "like" that one just so I can "unlike" it. The radiator isn't too bad, and I can feel that pain. I had to do ours right after we had the TB done too. Silver lining, with the rad out, getting the alternator swapped will be cake.
- Thread starter
- #45
Yikes. At least you have the 80 as a backup for now, but what an ordeal.
It really sucks that you are discovering all these issues this early in terms of mileage. I wouldn’t expect these many issues before 90k.
You guys do such a good job maintaining and restoring your rigs that you will fine, but unexpected extra costs and delays in getting new parts really stinks.
On the bright side, you gonna end up with a new cooling system and new alternator. This is going to last you a while in sunny Hawaii.
It really sucks that you are discovering all these issues this early in terms of mileage. I wouldn’t expect these many issues before 90k.
You guys do such a good job maintaining and restoring your rigs that you will fine, but unexpected extra costs and delays in getting new parts really stinks.
On the bright side, you gonna end up with a new cooling system and new alternator. This is going to last you a while in sunny Hawaii.
Same thing happened to me today. I had a small jump box and would charge for a couple of minutes and then get a little further down the road. Just made it to where I didn't need the tow. Ordered the Sequoia 150A one for my 2008.
The Sequoia part looks exactly like the GX alternator, does it bolt up perfectly? Fyi I have a 2006 but they all pretty much look the same I think?
It went in with no difficulty. Ran with the group to Ouray and no issues.
do you have your engine compartment rubbers in place to keep water out? That is usually the first cause.
- Thread starter
- #51
Aka engine splash guards…
GXESG - Rad Rubber Design Engine Splash Guards - GX470/GX460
GXESG - Rad Rubber Design Engine Splash Guards - GX470/GX460 GX-SPLASH - Rad Rubber Design Engine Splash Guards Heavy Duty replacement set (4 pieces) for both driver and passenger side wheel wells. 1/8" Nitrile rubber resistant to gas and oil.
www.toyteclifts.com
The alternator on a 2UZ is low enough on the engine that it stands a very good chance of getting wet or even submerged during a creek crossing or deep mudhole. The splash guards may help it stay dry when driving in the rain, but there is probably no real way to keep it dry during a creek crossing. I'm not sure there is a true fix, unless someone makes an aftermarket sealed alternator that can be submerged without damage. This probably isn't a huge deal for folks wheeling in the desert, but is a big deal for midwest/eastern wheeling and some mountain wheeling as well.
Toyota should have just mounted the alternator higher on the engine. It's one of the few flaws of this otherwise fantastic engine (the others being starter placement and exhaust manifold cracks).
Toyota should have just mounted the alternator higher on the engine. It's one of the few flaws of this otherwise fantastic engine (the others being starter placement and exhaust manifold cracks).
Coming from GMs, their alternator mounting location (on LS based trucks/SUVs) is ideal. Takes all of 10 minutes to swap too lol.
Years ago my grandmas alternator was going out on her 08 Xterra and a shop wanted over 600 to swap it. I told her go home, I’ll handle it.
Think it took me like 6 hours but I got it. Definitely taught me there’s a few things GM does right.
Agreed....alternators on GM truck engines are almost always mounted higher than anything else on the accessory drive. The starters are also external and easy to get to, and the exhaust manifolds really crack
. Too bad the rest of the GM truck will eventually rust out and be full of electrical gremlins If only GM could design and manufacture a whole vehicle as well as they do engines....
Bro right? LmaoAgreed....alternators on GM truck engines are almost always mounted higher than anything else on the accessory drive. The starters are also external and easy to get to, and the exhaust manifolds really crack
If only GM could design and manufacture a whole vehicle as well as they do engines....
I actually ended up with my first FJ cruiser because I wanted something capable but reliable and GM didn’t have something to fit the bill.
I was a GM die-hard for a long time. In reality, the only decent GM car I ever really owned was my '97 Saturn college car. Then I got a Subaru and dove into the land of rice (Subies are actually just as easy to work on as a LS-powered GM vehicle!). Then we got the GX and now we are on our way to a 100% Yota family. It's amazing when you compare the 2022 condition of an '07 GX to a '07 Tahoe! One drives great, one is a rust bucket with peeling clearcoat and a trashed interior
lol I think my GX is my 27th vehicle (@32) Primarily owned GMs, 4 yotas and 3 Subarus (with some cords and others peppered in)I was a GM die-hard for a long time. In reality, the only decent GM car I ever really owned was my '97 Saturn college car. Then I got a Subaru and dove into the land of rice (Subies are actually just as easy to work on as a LS-powered GM vehicle!). Then we got the GX and now we are on our way to a 100% Yota family. It's amazing when you compare the 2022 condition of an '07 GX to a '07 Tahoe! One drives great, one is a rust bucket with peeling clearcoat and a trashed interior
Current other vehicle is a ‘20 Outback premium for my wife. It’s a super comfortable ride but I don’t wanna work on it after replacing two short blocks (well rebuilt one then threw in a short block) on my ‘11 WRX lol
Don’t know if I’ll be buying another GM anytime soon. Heck the GX may be my long term ride, time will tell lol.
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I had 2 AWD Safaris that I loved aside from the driving position and the clapped out everything about both vans (but they were cheap and intended to be mountain beaters). The last one I had my kids were heading to Target, got a call from my son saying when he tried to start it made weird sounds. Had him call AAA and while I was walking out to my wife's car I noticed a sheared starter bolt in our driveway. Was easy enough to fix once the broken part was extracted, but my wife decided it was time to get something more reliable and I got to go shopping and ended up w/ my 2002 T4R.
The T4R ate 4 alternators in a year, stranding me on Mt Hood a couple of times. Finally figured out the battery I'd replaced before the first alternator went out had a bad cell and was chewing them up. Fortunately I'd had my buddy do it at his shop so the last 3 were all warranty claims. Not after I'd replaced all the grounds & battery cables with better wire.
Anyway, when I bought my GX it came with a water pump TB assembly from the PO that needs to be installed in 30-40k. I'll do the alternator then.
The T4R ate 4 alternators in a year, stranding me on Mt Hood a couple of times. Finally figured out the battery I'd replaced before the first alternator went out had a bad cell and was chewing them up. Fortunately I'd had my buddy do it at his shop so the last 3 were all warranty claims. Not after I'd replaced all the grounds & battery cables with better wire.
Anyway, when I bought my GX it came with a water pump TB assembly from the PO that needs to be installed in 30-40k. I'll do the alternator then.
Lol - the GX is the first vehicle I've bought myself @45yo first combustion engine was a '78 Honda hawk bike -> '91 Civic from parents so I wouldn't ride motorcycle -> hand me down '00 CRV from wife -> hand me down '05 Pilot from Wife now handed down to the kids ->'03 GX470 purchased in '21 Hopefully it'll be the only car i ever buy lol
