Lets talk lack of maintenence records and buying

[Snowrydr01]

everything youve ever been taught has been to look for impeccable maintenance records. And while its a clear metric towards how likely the owner took car of it its not set in stone. Example, ive done all my work on all my cars so there are almost no maintenance records on any vehicle ive ever owned.

i am looking at an 04 non nave with 150k and the records are sporadic at best. It got me thinking, should i even care? I plan on base-lining ALL the fluids anyway, the trans is a "sealed" unit so it wouldnt have been serviced anyway and while it would be nice, diffs dont inherently fall apart if they didnt get fluid changed. Maybe they did flush brake fluid and antifreeze as much as they should (or at all) but that isnt a kiss of death. The rest of the car would be consumables (TREs, Ball Joints, brakes, wheel bearings, ect) and the price is about a grand lower then others so i have more towards the preventative maintenance budget from day one anyway.

As far as my almost year of trolling can tell these engines are pretty stout, short of gross negligence which would likely show up in other areas of a vehicle inspection, they are good right?

Plans include immediately pulling and replacing the suspension, new wheels and tires, re booting the CVs, and mild front end rebuild (TREs, maybe lower control arms and wheel bearings).

Thoughts?

 

[orion]

^^^ You're spot-on...

My vehicles are all well maintained, but the records are all my chicken-scratch in a yellow notebook (but they include date, mileage, parts used, etc...). Might be hard for a new owner to decipher!

In your case - If the rest of the truck checks out, and you can confirm that the timing belt has been done...I think you'll be good to go. These drivetrains are pretty bulletproof, even if not maintained well.

- Brian

 

[GXO]

This is subjective. You can tell if it was trashed or not in person. I would trust your gut if you are mechanically inclined

 

[D21FJ60]

Sounds like you're covering everything. If TB/H2O pump haven't been done thats an additional $700-$1200, but it doesn't sound like you're hurting for cash. I read that some of these have a TSB addressing weak a/c but other than that you should be alright.

 

[Snowrydr01]

04 was the last year before vvti so ishouldnt have to worry about it. Im also looking at an 05 non nav with great dealer records and 130k miles for a grand more and in that case the bypass module becomes mod one.

I wouldnt say im hurting for cash but id rather do stuff once and pay a little more so i can enjoy it for years to come.

 

[JLee]

04 was the last year before vvti so ishouldnt have to worry about it. Im also looking at an 05 non nav with great dealer records and 130k miles for a grand more and in that case the bypass module becomes mod one.

I wouldnt say im hurting for cash but id rather do stuff once and pay a little more so i can enjoy it for years to come.

You'll need timing belt/water pump regardless of year; I'm guessing you're talking about the air pump? I wouldn't worry about it until it fails -- all it'll do is spit out a check engine light. My truck has over 180k on it and it still works.

 

[MaxRex]

Spend the extra money for the one with maintenance documentation. My GX has been an absolute turd since i bought it. Ive had to replace both front axles($600), the transfer case ($3000) and the transmission is about to go now too ($4000+). Make sure to take it to a mechanic you trust for a pre- purchase inspection. The $100 might save you from a turd. You need to keep in mind these are still trucks that are over 10 years old.

 

[Snowrydr01]

Spend the extra money for the one with maintenance documentation. My GX has been an absolute turd since i bought it. Ive had to replace both front axles($600), the transfer case ($3000) and the transmission is about to go now too ($4000+). Make sure to take it to a mechanic you trust for a pre- purchase inspection. The $100 might save you from a turd. You need to keep in mind these are still trucks that are over 10 years old.

Maintenance records on an 04 wouldn't have saved the transmission since its a "lifetime" unit so there wouldn't have been any service. I would definitely be checking CV play when buying but pulling and rebooting immediately no matter what. Tcase failure sounds weird.

 

[TRY666R]

^^^ You're spot-on...

My vehicles are all well maintained, but the records are all my chicken-scratch in a yellow notebook (but they include date, mileage, parts used, etc...). Might be hard for a new owner to decipher!

In your case - If the rest of the truck checks out, and you can confirm that the timing belt has been done...I think you'll be good to go. These drivetrains are pretty bulletproof, even if not maintained well.

- Brian

I agree with the OP and this 100%. You'll have to change all of those things eventually. Clean title, no accidents, TB and you should be good to go from my experience, don't over think it.

 

[JLee]

I've never really worried about records for Toyota trucks. I haven't been bitten yet. Two first-gen Tacos (~170k and 268k), a 3yo Tundra (36k, obviously was fine), a '97 LX450 at 200k+, an 07 GX at 103k and an 05 GX at 180k.

I suppose it's possible to get a bad one...but they're pretty tough to kill so I haven't ever worried about it.

 

[GXO]

Maintenance records on an 04 wouldn't have saved the transmission since its a "lifetime" unit so there wouldn't have been any service. I would definitely be checking CV play when buying but pulling and rebooting immediately no matter what. Tcase failure sounds weird.

Not necessarily true. I have serviced mine twice and have documents.

 

[JLee]

Not necessarily true. I have serviced mine twice and have documents.

I bought mine from the mechanic who had serviced it for one of his customers for years and he claims that trans fluid was done as well. I'm probably going to have it done at a dealer anyway just to be sure, but figured I'd throw another vote in the "it's possible" bin.

 

[apdxyk]

Current schedule table for 04 GX470 I have just downloaded from Lexus site lists ATF for every 60k miles and quite frequent differentials service intervals. Btw, LiquiMoly 85W-90 gear oil is as close to straight SAE 90 as they get and it is on MB-Approval list on top of that.

 

[intoodeep1113]

You can also go on carfax and report DIY maintenance. Good for future buyers I would think, also good to keep records for yourself unless you have another system.