Looking at a 04 GX470

[jleeFJ62]

I'm going to go look at a 2004 GX470 this sunday. It has 81k and it looks to be in great shape. Clean carfax. They want 19.9k for it, which seems a bit high to me. What do I need to look for? What kind of MPG should i expect? Any problems with this year GX? I'm selling off my FJ62 and current DD to get this as a wheeler DD. Sorry for all the questions, this is a totally different beast than what i'm used to.

Thank you for all your help.
John

 

[peterb]

John
I've had an '04 for about a year. Great truck. Just towed my 40 to Katemcy and back without a problem. My mileage varies between 16 and 19, not sure why. The radiator was leaking and I didn't notice it until after I bought it. The extended warranty covered it, thankfully. The 90k service was about $2k including a water pump and a new battery.
Consider buying Husky Liners. They are worth the money.
I'm taking it on the Spring Tide Ride.
Peter

 

[uzj100]

Our 03 gets 14 around town and 19 on the highway. It is a great truck with a lot of get up and go. The 4.7 comes alive when it is not hauling another 800 lbs (100 series is that much heavier) and with the 5 speed transmission. The only issue we had was the paint peeling off the wheels. Took it to Lexus and they said sorry it out of warranty but then a week later, I got a call and they said my new wheels were in and that it would be $100 to move the tires. Very good move on their that we never forget and they always give you a loaner car.

No known issues on the web that I have ever seen.

 

[jjbodean1970]

get ready to deal with the driveline clunk that is typical for all years of gx470. it comes and goes and you get used to it. they try to fix it at the dealer without much luck. other than that no known issues.

2005 is really a better year, you get the backup camera, bluetooth, and more hp over the 2004 model.

 

[uzj100]

04 has the back up camera as well.

Never noticed the clunk on our 03. I will listen for it again this weekend.

 

[jjbodean1970]

Never noticed the clunk on our 03. I will listen for it again this weekend.

its not a listen for it, its a feel it. youll be sitting at a stop light and all of a sudden - "clunk" from the driveshaft. my 05 would do it at least once a day, but it varies for sure.

 

[FirstToy]

the clunk is a rear driveshaft issue. Not a problem if it doesn't bother you- it's a tight fit on the slip joint. It will eventually wear down but Toyota's tolerances are so perfectly tight, the slip joint binds

I hear the replacement shaft allows more play.