It’s here! My “new” 468000 mile ‘06 gx470 build and troubleshooting thread (1 Viewer)

[D21FJ60]

late to the party but did you say it was free?
What is the story if you don't mind sharing? Free is best!

 

[VSPro9]

late to the party but did you say it was free?
What is the story if you don't mind sharing? Free is best!

It was free, contractor for my company owned it. I have a weekly call with a group of us to discuss work issues, and at the end we usually talk cars because were all kind of gearheads. i mentioned i was looking for a GX or T4R and he said funny thing, he just bought a new GX and i could have the old one. It suspension was shot, its got a lot of scratches and dents and some rust on the body, but the frame was solid and the engine/transmission were good so i figured id give it a shot. its been very fun.

 

[VSPro9]

Perhaps drain the transmission, then pull the pan and replace the filter and gasket, then flush the system. It's more steps but the sludge typically settles in the lowest areas.
Regarding the diffs, I would have no hesitation draining and filling them with fresh fluid. Stiring up sludge in the diff is much less of a concern.

Thank You! i have been hesitant to "disturb" anything i dont have to as it runs very well, but i also am going to be using it harder and want to make sure its ready.

 

[D21FJ60]

It was free, contractor for my company owned it. I have a weekly call with a group of us to discuss work issues, and at the end we usually talk cars because were all kind of gearheads. i mentioned i was looking for a GX or T4R and he said funny thing, he just bought a new GX and i could have the old one. It suspension was shot, its got a lot of scratches and dents and some rust on the body, but the frame was solid and the engine/transmission were good so i figured id give it a shot. its been very fun.

That's awesome. The progress so far has been great!

 

[VSPro9]

That's awesome. The progress so far has been great!

im struggling with what to do after the basic mechanicals are done. tires are on the list, but my all seasons are fine for now.
im thinking of upgrading the electrical system next, in preparation for a winch and additional lighting, but im not really sure what i should do.

 

[D21FJ60]

If the tires are fine, run them for a while unless you absolutely need an AT- although if you can afford to upgrade anyways even if you don't have to, then go for it- i personally would make sure all mechanicals and electricals are in order- for example, on my 100 i have a set of 70 series take offs waiting for new tires, but my current tires do the job and i really need my wheel bearings done and AC fixed, so priorities.

 

[Rednexus]

im struggling with what to do after the basic mechanicals are done. tires are on the list, but my all seasons are fine for now.
im thinking of upgrading the electrical system next, in preparation for a winch and additional lighting, but im not really sure what i should do.

The best mods I have done (in order of benefit):

1. Tires
2. Rock sliders
3. Skidplates
4. Long tube headers (power mod but not needed offroad)

A GX with good tires and underbody protection is very capable off road, even without a lift/lockers/winch.

 

[VSPro9]

Alright i think i have all the major mechanical issues taken care of, except for tackling some recurring CELs. gonna start diving into those this winter.

Specifically dealing with:

(code descriptions from engine-codes.com under the lexus option)
P0430 -

Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 2​

c1201 -

Engine Control System Malfunction​

c1223 -

ABS Control System Malfunction​

c1241 -

Low Battery Positive Voltage​

c1256 -

Accumulator Low Pressure​

c1290 -

Steering Angle Sensor Zero Point Malfunction​

Im not too worried about the P code, but id love yalls advice on which of these needs serious attention? Anyone want to share their experience troubleshooting any of these? My AC compressor is also going out, i wont be needing AC for the next 6 months, but i dont want my AC compressor to lock up and destroy the accessory belt. my thought was to remove the compressor, cap the lines and put one of those 30 dollar delete brackets in for the winter and then install a new one in the spring.

what ive done so far on the car:
New coil packs and plugs
new timing belt and water pump
new accessory belt and pulleys
new LCAs
new brakes and pads all around
Freedom offroad UCAs
OME 2" lift
airbag delete from yota mafia
new front axles
new front wheel bearings and hubs - shipping now
wheels off a 4runner trail edition
1.25" spacers
new adjustable caster/camber kit
new hood supports

non mechanical i picked up a ton of recovery gear, a grab handle mounted "attic" for holding fishing poles and other loose items like jackets etc, and a ton of sand from wheeling in the dunes!

including labor and parts i think i have just under 5k into my free GX.

 

[jiggletits]

Love seeing high mileage Toyotas. That thing looks great. My 2003 has 271k on it. The 4.7 is one of the best motors ever built IMO. The 4.6 and 5.7 are quite good too.

My Tundra 5.7 has 225k. My Dad's 97 4Runner has 420k. Neither have any signs of ever stopping. Oil looks is still translucent every time we change them.

 

[VSPro9]

Love seeing high mileage Toyotas. That thing looks great. My 2003 has 271k on it. The 4.7 is one of the best motors ever built IMO. The 4.6 and 5.7 are quite good too.

My Tundra 5.7 has 225k. My Dad's 97 4Runner has 420k. Neither have any signs of ever stopping. Oil looks is still translucent every time we change them.

overall im very impressed with the build quality. previous owner had neglected most detailed maintenance but had done the essentials. ive replaced the majority of the wear and tear items on the truck and it drives fantastic. the 4.7 really is a fantastic engine.

 

[VSPro9]

i constantly have p0430, not sure if its the sensor or if my cats are just shot. anyway to trick the sensor so it turns off?

since my last update ive flushed all the fluids, replaced the neutral safety switch, installed diff breathers, installed diff drop, ordered a rear swingout bumper, repacked the front wheel bearings because apparently im playing in the water too much, and compiled another list of s*** thats wrong with it:

E-brake cable is hanging down completely disconnected
air conditioner pulley seems to have a bad bearing
power steering is most likely dying. hit all the u-joints with pb blaster and that seemed to solve most of it, but i can feel a little bit of uneven pressure while turning now and then.
need splash guards, half of mine are missing
rear wiper is non functioning
fog lights are now fishtanks. high clearance front bumper at some point so im not fixing these.

shopping for skids. toyota "lost" my engine and transmission skids when i did the fluid service but i didnt notice it until i was under it a month later installing my flag mount.

Gonna need tires soon too. no clue what im gonna do here besides knowing i dont want a E load and i dont want to hammer pinch welds or body mount chop. 275/70r17 maybe

 

[sshevela]

i constantly have p0430, not sure if its the sensor or if my cats are just shot. anyway to trick the sensor so it turns off?

since my last update ive flushed all the fluids, replaced the neutral safety switch, installed diff breathers, installed diff drop, ordered a rear swingout bumper, repacked the front wheel bearings because apparently im playing in the water too much, and compiled another list of s*** thats wrong with it:

E-brake cable is hanging down completely disconnected
air conditioner pulley seems to have a bad bearing
power steering is most likely dying. hit all the u-joints with pb blaster and that seemed to solve most of it, but i can feel a little bit of uneven pressure while turning now and then.
need splash guards, half of mine are missing
rear wiper is non functioning
fog lights are now fishtanks. high clearance front bumper at some point so im not fixing these.

shopping for skids. toyota "lost" my engine and transmission skids when i did the fluid service but i didnt notice it until i was under it a month later installing my flag mount.

Gonna need tires soon too. no clue what im gonna do here besides knowing i dont want a E load and i dont want to hammer pinch welds or body mount chop. 275/70r17 maybe

Ive seen people use these with cats failing to clear the codes. Not sure of anyone successfully clearing a check engine light on a gx470 with these.. but worth the try.

 

[VSPro9]

Ive seen people use these with cats failing to clear the codes. Not sure of anyone successfully clearing a check engine light on a gx470 with these.. but worth the try.



View attachment 2893162

thanks for this. reading about them now.

 

[Rednexus]

If you can get a 90 degree defouler with a mini-cat inside they work very well. I have two of those for my de-catted long-tube headers and get no codes. The 90 degree ones used to be on Amazon but have since been pulled - you can probably find them on eBay. They are chinesium but do work well.

You could also try replacing the O2 sensor. If you do that just get a Denso universal 4-wire sensor and splice it in using some heat-shrink butt connectors. The "first time fit" sensors are way more expensive and I usually find it easier than to just splice it as opposed to messing with unhooking the connectors. The actual sensor itself is exactly the same, the only difference is one includes the Lexus plug, the other is just a pigtail.

FYI - "lost" skidplates probably means they broke off the bolts and were too lazy to drill them out and re-tap the holes.

 

[VSPro9]

If you can get a 90 degree defouler with a mini-cat inside they work very well. I have two of those for my de-catted long-tube headers and get no codes. The 90 degree ones used to be on Amazon but have since been pulled - you can probably find them on eBay. They are chinesium but do work well.

You could also try replacing the O2 sensor. If you do that just get a Denso universal 4-wire sensor and splice it in using some heat-shrink butt connectors. The "first time fit" sensors are way more expensive and I usually find it easier than to just splice it as opposed to messing with unhooking the connectors. The actual sensor itself is exactly the same, the only difference is one includes the Lexus plug, the other is just a pigtail.

FYI - "lost" skidplates probably means they broke off the bolts and were too lazy to drill them out and re-tap the holes.

my plan after talking to my mechanic is to cut the cats and sell them, then trick the downstream sensors using a defouler. ill replace all 4 sensors when i do.

im sure ill have to drill out and retap the skid holes, not too excited about it though.

 

[Rednexus]

Looks like you can get the 90 degree one with a mini cat on eBay:

FORTLUFT 4401122 O2 Sensor Defouler 90 Degree for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for FORTLUFT 4401122 O2 Sensor Defouler 90 Degree at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

FYI I got $585 for my cats at a scrapyard!

 

[jiggletits]

If your cats are failing you simply need to replace them. Using a spacer or "defouler" to trick your system back to normal operation while still running a bad catalytic converter is a great way to get major engine problems.

 

[VSPro9]

If your cats are failing you simply need to replace them. Using a spacer or "defouler" to trick your system back to normal operation while still running a bad catalytic converter is a great way to get major engine problems.

I’m not putting new cats on a truck with 475k on it. I’ll cut them instead and trick the sensors

 

[jiggletits]

Right. Removing cats and using one is fine, leaving bad cats in place and using one is a TERRIBLE idea.

I was responding to this which I guess is unclear either way;

Ive seen people use these with cats failing to clear the codes. Not sure of anyone successfully clearing a check engine light on a gx470 with these.. but worth the try.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Looks like you can get the 90 degree one with a mini cat on eBay:

FORTLUFT 4401122 O2 Sensor Defouler 90 Degree for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for FORTLUFT 4401122 O2 Sensor Defouler 90 Degree at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

FYI I got $585 for my cats at a scrapyard!

Damn! I saved my old cats when I replaced with new integrated Lexus oem cats. I need to look into trading the old ones for cash.