I just recently purchased a 04 GX470 with 176,000 on the odometer. This truck is a beast. I'm a long way off from where I want it to be but I spent 6 months lurking and researching and I am stoked to have one. My original thoughts were to go the 4runner route but after some research I stumbled upon the GX and there was no turning back. Plus here in the Cincinnati market you get a lot more bang for your buck going with a GX. Just wanted to introduce myself and I am sure I will have lots of questions once I get this build going. I've got a non nav, non kdss model and will mainly be using it for weekend camping trips with my two young sons. Super stoked!
Just purchased a GX470. Greetings from a new member.
- Thread starter jwillvin
- Start date
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Welcome!
You will not regret your purchase!
Enjoy your truck and your journey with it!
Spice it up with pics!!
How's the rust underneath? If it's a Cincinnati truck, you might want to jump on coating it with Fluid Film, axle grease, 90wt. or whatever your favorite potion is.
Welcome! Clean up any rust and baseline the service you will love these trucks!
- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks Guys! I'll post pics soon. The truck actually came from FL but I will try to post pics of the underneath so that maybe I can get some recommendations on how it looks. I've encountered my first hiccup though. Driving the truck home and the VSC off, VSC trac, and CEL light ill came on. I used my scanner and it showed two codes for 02 banks. I did some searching and based on that decided to swap out the old gas cap. I purchased a new one from the local toyota dealer and after about 40 miles and 5 or 6 ignition cycles the codes cleared. However, the truck would idle down to about 400 rpm's and took a few more times turning over to start. Also, there was a bothersome clicking noise coming from under what sounded like where the 4wd shift lever is and the shifter was vibrating alot. Not horrible but enough to get my attention. The ticking noise did not fluctuate with higher or lower RPM's nor did it change when the gearbox was in park. I did notice I small puddle of red liquid under where the trans and transfer case? meet. The truck shifts fine. A few hours later and I went back out to the truck to run to the grocery store and the CEL, VSC off, and VSC trac lights are back on but I did not here that ticking noise nor was the shifter vibrating as much. Any thoughts on what this might be?
Thanks,
Josh
Thanks,
Josh
Can you record a video of the ticking sound?
Exhaust manifold crack may produce ticking sound.
Failed secondary air injection system (SAIS) pump filter may get sucked into the components, tick when the fan runs upon first 30 seconds of startup and eventually throw the codes causing your dash to light up.
The coolant puddle is suspicious for a leaking intake manifold gasket failure. I have had and fixed that issue. Here's my experience:
Keep us posted on your progress!
- Thread starter
- #9
Thanks for that video.
Here is a video of the ticking/knocking from this morning after my 12 mile drive to work. The truck seems to drive fine and shifts well. Is vibration in the 4wd lever common? The noise seems to be coming from under that area. When the CEL, VSA trac, and VSA off lights cleared themselves, the noise was louder now that they've come back on it seems to have quieted down. I'm also getting the p0420 and p0430 fault codes with those lights so I may change out the o2 sensors. But, I'm not as concerned about those codes as I am with this noise.
Anyone experienced something similar?
Here is a video of the ticking/knocking from this morning after my 12 mile drive to work. The truck seems to drive fine and shifts well. Is vibration in the 4wd lever common? The noise seems to be coming from under that area. When the CEL, VSA trac, and VSA off lights cleared themselves, the noise was louder now that they've come back on it seems to have quieted down. I'm also getting the p0420 and p0430 fault codes with those lights so I may change out the o2 sensors. But, I'm not as concerned about those codes as I am with this noise.
Anyone experienced something similar?
- Thread starter
- #10
Ok guys so here's an update. Took the truck to the Lexus dealer for an overall inspection. Aside from a couple of CV boots needing some grease the big items that they found were, the rear main is leaking oil, the head gaskets are leaking oil, the transfer actuator is leaking and needs replaced, and both cats a bad. Of course the ticking which was what I was most curious about was unable to be replicated according to them.
Now I have a mechanic that I've been using for years (on vacation at the moment) that could do this work. Also, the mechanic described the rear main as a leak that needs to be addressed asap but when I got back home and checked the oil level it was fine and I haven't noticed "puddles" of oil under my car.
Doing some research and I haven't seen many posts on rear main leaks. Are they not that common? Also, I have seen posts and videos on just replacing the O ring and gasket on the actuator instead of paying a grand+ for a new one plus labor costs. The truck is running fine as far as I can tell. I did order new 02 sensors both up and down to replace and I will change the spark plugs and air filter this week. Thinking about cleaning the MAF and TB as well in hopes of clearing the p0420 and p0430 that have been popping up.
Now I have a mechanic that I've been using for years (on vacation at the moment) that could do this work. Also, the mechanic described the rear main as a leak that needs to be addressed asap but when I got back home and checked the oil level it was fine and I haven't noticed "puddles" of oil under my car.
Doing some research and I haven't seen many posts on rear main leaks. Are they not that common? Also, I have seen posts and videos on just replacing the O ring and gasket on the actuator instead of paying a grand+ for a new one plus labor costs. The truck is running fine as far as I can tell. I did order new 02 sensors both up and down to replace and I will change the spark plugs and air filter this week. Thinking about cleaning the MAF and TB as well in hopes of clearing the p0420 and p0430 that have been popping up.
None of those leaks are common. Never heard of the rear main or head gasket failing on these? I wonder if the engine wasn’t overheated at some point. Man so sorry to hear the news.
- Thread starter
- #12
Crap, not the head gasket but the valve covers are leaking. I just reread the report. I fudged that up.
I'm gonna get a second opinion from my mechanic. See what he thinks. All in all I'll just have to put off a few mods I had in mind until I get everything tightened up mechanically. I'll continue to research. Don't want to spend thousands when I know there are fixes out there for hundreds.
I'm gonna get a second opinion from my mechanic. See what he thinks. All in all I'll just have to put off a few mods I had in mind until I get everything tightened up mechanically. I'll continue to research. Don't want to spend thousands when I know there are fixes out there for hundreds.
Leak vs seep...dealers like to say leak even though it’s a minor seep.
Engine oil is the most common leak. ... You may notice your vehicle doesn't drip oil, but rather seeps oil slowly from various parts of the engine. Oil seepage is common in higher mileage vehicles, and you usually don't lose enough oil between changes to adversely affect the engine
Engine oil is the most common leak. ... You may notice your vehicle doesn't drip oil, but rather seeps oil slowly from various parts of the engine. Oil seepage is common in higher mileage vehicles, and you usually don't lose enough oil between changes to adversely affect the engine
Thats a pretty alarming noise. Is this while idling? Does it change with increase in RPMs?
- Thread starter
- #15
It does not increase with rpm's. It does seem to quiet down a lot after driving for awhile. By awhile I mean after about 30 miles. Today for example I didn't even notice it and I was listening for it. Truck shifts fine and there are no vibrations other than the one in the L N H 4wd lever.
The vibration on the transfer case handle is normal, some grinding gear noise in some too, but the noise/ticking isn't. It's strange they didn't notice it at Lexus. Does it shift smoothly from H to N to L and back? Have you tried to drive on L (low speed around neighborhood)? Any change in sound? I wonder if the new actuator will fix it?
- Thread starter
- #17
I will try it in L and drive around a few blocks to see what happens. Serious Noob question but can I make turns if it is in L? Should I leave the differential unlocked while making this short drive?
Thanks again for all the help.
Yes, you can make turns (think when off-roading you have to turn the wheel side to side to gain traction in a sticky situation). Just take it easy. I would leave the diff unlocked.
phishtaco
Cincinnati
In Cincy also. Who do you use as a mechanic? I’ve rarely needed one but it’s nice to know of one locally.
