Intro to GX & IH8MUD

[ret42]

Tidings everyone, I wanted to go ahead and introduce myself. I went a little overboard with my Black Friday shopping this year and got myself an 07 GX470. That little red car up front is partially responsible for this purchase - took a 1400 mile road trip in October and after about 200 miles I was complaining about back pain from the stiff suspension. Queue the search for a more comfortable and more spacious ride. I started looking at GXs and LXs pretty much immediately and came across the one pictured below that checks nearly all the boxes for me.

It's right at 160k miles, just had the timing belt and water pump replaced with OEM parts, and the fluid was changed in the rear diff, transmission, and transfer case. It is on Bilstein 5100s so no AVS, but the airbags still function. The interior is gray and very clean - some hairline cracks on the dash around trim pieces, and the driver's seat cushion has been replaced.

This is my new DD and road trip vehicle. I'd like to keep it relatively stock, but try to get out to enjoy some of the trails on the nearby George Washington National Forest. It'll be our road trip vehicle as well so keeping it comfortable on the highway is the priority. If I get bit by the overlanding bug, there's always that little red truck in the picture.

Some questions I do have for the community:
1. I'm tire shopping as it currently has Blackhawks. Sam's club has Falken Wildpeaks in 265/70R17 for $205 a tire, vs. $225 a tire for 265/65s. I wouldn't imagine an extra inch diameter will pose any issues but wanted to double check before pulling the trigger.
2. As I mentioned there are some hairline cracks which are pretty isolated right now. I know Lexus offered a recall but I'm guessing that's no longer being serviced now that the truck is nearly 20 years old. Can anything be done to at least prevent the cracks from spreading?
3. The ride height adjustment works when the car is stopped - either in park or even in gear with a foot on the brake - but as soon as I start moving, it returns to the normal ride height. Is this expected behavior?
4. The skid plate is missing. It looks like this is plastic anyways - do 4th gen 4R plates bolt on directly? Or is there a relatively affordable aluminum option that's recommended?
5. One of my priorities is replacing the head unit with something with carplay (it is non-nav). I love the idea of replacing it with a 10" floating display. Anyone have any pictures or recommendations in this area?
6. Do you have any recommendations for me?

 

[OG Zuninja]

Tidings everyone, I wanted to go ahead and introduce myself. I went a little overboard with my Black Friday shopping this year and got myself an 07 GX470. That little red car up front is partially responsible for this purchase - took a 1400 mile road trip in October and after about 200 miles I was complaining about back pain from the stiff suspension. Queue the search for a more comfortable and more spacious ride. I started looking at GXs and LXs pretty much immediately and came across the one pictured below that checks nearly all the boxes for me.

It's right at 160k miles, just had the timing belt and water pump replaced with OEM parts, and the fluid was changed in the rear diff, transmission, and transfer case. It is on Bilstein 5100s so no AVS, but the airbags still function. The interior is gray and very clean - some hairline cracks on the dash around trim pieces, and the driver's seat cushion has been replaced.

This is my new DD and road trip vehicle. I'd like to keep it relatively stock, but try to get out to enjoy some of the trails on the nearby George Washington National Forest. It'll be our road trip vehicle as well so keeping it comfortable on the highway is the priority. If I get bit by the overlanding bug, there's always that little red truck in the picture.

Some questions I do have for the community:
1. I'm tire shopping as it currently has Blackhawks. Sam's club has Falken Wildpeaks in 265/70R17 for $205 a tire, vs. $225 a tire for 265/65s. I wouldn't imagine an extra inch diameter will pose any issues but wanted to double check before pulling the trigger.
2. As I mentioned there are some hairline cracks which are pretty isolated right now. I know Lexus offered a recall but I'm guessing that's no longer being serviced now that the truck is nearly 20 years old. Can anything be done to at least prevent the cracks from spreading?
3. The ride height adjustment works when the car is stopped - either in park or even in gear with a foot on the brake - but as soon as I start moving, it returns to the normal ride height. Is this expected behavior?
4. The skid plate is missing. It looks like this is plastic anyways - do 4th gen 4R plates bolt on directly? Or is there a relatively affordable aluminum option that's recommended?
5. One of my priorities is replacing the head unit with something with carplay (it is non-nav). I love the idea of replacing it with a 10" floating display. Anyone have any pictures or recommendations in this area?
6. Do you have any recommendations for me?

View attachment 4044419

Welcome! What part of the Commiewealth are you in? If you're on the Fakebook, there's a GXOR group there as well as a GXOR-Virginia group if you're interested.
1. I run Firestone Destination X/T in 265/70/17 without issue. This diameter seems to make the speedo a bit more accurate according to GPS.
2. That recall is long since over so you're only recourse is purchasing a replacement. They can still be sourced new from the dealer.
3. I believe that's normal but I'm not sure as my rig was already converted to springs when I bought it.
4. Which skid plate? The one from the bumper cover to the rad support? If so, you can source a replacement (if you want that plastic bit) from Amazon for cheap. If its the two under the engine and trans, there are quite a few manufacturers out there that can get you sorted.
5. Check my thread linked in my signature. I opted for a more OEM look and installed a standard sized double din Kenwood.
6. The sky and your wallet is the limit.

 

[ret42]

I’m in the Lynchburg area. I’m not very active on Facebook, usually just a means to see what’s on marketplace and lusting after all the cars I want, but I may check out the groups.

So re: 2. Short of replacing, nothing I can do to stop it from spreading or slowing it down? It’s very minimal right now, I can definitely live with it, but if it starts to spread (as I know it tends to), it may become an irritation.
4. It currently has no underbody protection. Don’t know how much I really have to be concerned about since I don’t plan on actually sliding over obstacles with them, but would like to keep anything from poking holes in the oil pan.

 

[OG Zuninja]

Nice! My oldest is in Blacksburg for school so I pop over to that area from VB every now and again.

You can condition it and use sun shades to try and mitigate. If you can live with it as it is, you should be fine not screwing with it aside from the conditioning and shade. I got lucky when I bought my rig as the dash is in great shape. I've been using a sun shade since I bought it to keep the sun off it.

I don't know if stock 4Runner rock guards (they're not true skid plates) will bolt on but I do know you can get the ARB skid set for non KDSS. They're pretty inexpensive compared to the beefier offerings out there.

 

[Rednexus]

If you shop around, you can get a new OEM dash from Lexus for around $600 plus tax. They are appear daunting to install but are actually doable in a day as a DIY project. Lexus isn't going to produce dashes for the GX forever, so I'd suggest grabbing one if you intend to keep the rig for a long time. Even if you don't install it now you can keep it and install it later. The dash will get worse and eventually turn into a total mess (mine really degraded over the first 3 years I owned the rig, until I replaced it).

ARB skid plates for the GX470 are a good low-cost option for a rig that does not see heavy wheeling. However, mine are pretty mangled after some heavy wheeling. But, they still work and are much better than the OEM skidplates would be.

 

[ret42]

Nice! My oldest is in Blacksburg for school so I pop over to that area from VB every now and again.

Nice! What are they studying if you don’t mind me asking?

ARB was one of the first things that came up on eBay, I just figured it would be overkill (and unnecessary extra weight) for what I’m planning on, at least anytime soon. A decent rock guard is probably sufficient.

I’ll add a sunshade to the short list and consider picking up a spare dash. What Rednexus described is pretty much what happened to my ‘03 4R, and I’m trying to feel out if I’m able to prevent further degradation or if any attempts would just slow the inevitable.

 

[Rednexus]

The ARBs are probably the lightest/least expensive skid plates available, outside of the OEM skid plate. If your rig is missing the OEM skid plate, you can probably find a used one easily in a salvage yard. They are, however, quite weak and easy to dent.

 

[stupidchicken03]

My dash has cracks and it does and doesnt bother me at times. Im 2 years into owning my GX this month. In March of this year, I bought this dash cover off Aliexpress. It's cheap and has done pretty well IMO.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804264937499.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.5bd81802H9Arrm&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

 

[OG Zuninja]

Nice! What are they studying if you don’t mind me asking?

He's out there for Computer Science. His brother is planning on heading out there as well. I couldn't tell you for what exactly because he's changed his mind so many damn times.