Mike NXP's GX470 (1 Viewer)

[Rednexus]

The rear bumper is actually super, super easy to remove. It has a maybe 6-8 clips and a handful of bolts. You can pull it off in <10 minutes, although a helper is suggested to avoid scratching it.

But it might be possible to install it without removing the rear bumper. The little insert above the hitch (in the Bell Lexus photo) should pop out by itself.

 

[Mike NXP]

The rear bumper is actually super, super easy to remove. It has a maybe 6-8 clips and a handful of bolts. You can pull it off in <10 minutes, although a helper is suggested to avoid scratching it.

But it might be possible to install it without removing the rear bumper. The little insert above the hitch (in the Bell Lexus photo) should pop out by itself.

Sounds good , thanks for the info.


Whats your bluetooth setup? USA spec has been out of stock for a while Crutchfield says this will work

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_936SL3BL/Vais-Technology-SL3b-L.html?carstereo=Factory

 

[Rednexus]

Sounds good , thanks for the info.


Whats your bluetooth setup? USA spec has been out of stock for a while Crutchfield says this will work

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_936SL3BL/Vais-Technology-SL3b-L.html?carstereo=Factory

I have a Phoenix PX6 in mine (came in the rig when I got it). It's certainly Chineseium and is not without it's faults, but has wireless AA/Carplay and allows me to run Android mapping and ODB2 apps.

 

[Mike NXP]

OK good to know. I ended up ordering the Vais Tech model linked above. They have a labor day sale and free shipping so it's worth a shot.

Looking forward to stretching this rigs legs a bit and getting out there....I don't want to make it a proper off roader but this truck deserves more than just pavement

 

[Rednexus]

OK good to know. I ended up ordering the Vais Tech model linked above. They have a labor day sale and free shipping so it's worth a shot.

Looking forward to stretching this rigs legs a bit and getting out there....I don't want to make it a proper off roader but this truck deserves more than just pavement

With good tires, stock wheeling ability on a GX is only limited by the crappy clearance. I wheeled mine a lot at stock height and was always impressed on where it would go.

 

[Mike NXP]

Yeah for sure, such a great rig.

I noticed that my owners manual says I shouldnt tow if I have ride adjustable suspension or something like that.

Dont all gx470s have same suspension, I wonderwhy it is telling me not to tow?

Hope I dont have to ditch this plush ride for traditional suspension setup.

 

[Rednexus]

Yeah for sure, such a great rig.

I noticed that my owners manual says I shouldnt tow if I have ride adjustable suspension or something like that.

Dont all gx470s have same suspension, I wonderwhy it is telling me not to tow?

Hope I dont have to ditch this plush ride for traditional suspension setup.

All of them are air-ride OEM and rated at 6,500# with the proper hitch (which you purchased). Air bags are IMO superior to coils for towing - I deleted my bags before getting a camper (as they were leaking), and have no added aux bags inside the coils. In hindsight I would have considered extended-length aftermarket bags meant for lifted GXs.

One thing I forgot to mention is that there should be a metal bracket on the rear cross member that connects down to the center of the OEM hitch (08925-35870). My GX had it from the factory, despite (to my knowledge) never having a OEM 6,500# hitch on it. It might just be some of the early GX models that didn't have it. Here is an old thread with some photos of how it goes together. I'd look up under your bumper and see if the bracket is there.

Trailer hitch install with photos!!! - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 1st Gen (2003-2009) - Trailer hitch install with photos!!! - Here are the parts I used for my Hitch detail (Class IV 6500lb). Take in mind that my 2004 GX did not have the tow package and needed everything from the relays to the wire harness. Oh, and I wanted this hitch as if it was from...

www.clublexus.com

 

[Mike NXP]

All of them are air-ride OEM and rated at 6,500# with the proper hitch (which you purchased). Air bags are IMO superior to coils for towing - I deleted my bags before getting a camper (as they were leaking), and have no added aux bags inside the coils. In hindsight I would have considered extended-length aftermarket bags meant for lifted GXs.

One thing I forgot to mention is that there should be a metal bracket on the rear cross member that connects down to the center of the OEM hitch (08925-35870). My GX had it from the factory, despite (to my knowledge) never having a OEM 6,500# hitch on it. It might just be some of the early GX models that didn't have it. Here is an old thread with some photos of how it goes together. I'd look up under your bumper and see if the bracket is there.

Trailer hitch install with photos!!! - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 1st Gen (2003-2009) - Trailer hitch install with photos!!! - Here are the parts I used for my Hitch detail (Class IV 6500lb). Take in mind that my 2004 GX did not have the tow package and needed everything from the relays to the wire harness. Oh, and I wanted this hitch as if it was from...

www.clublexus.com

Very helpful, thanks. Im going to check out that thread and ive finally got time today to crawl under the lexus to check for that adapter

 

[Mike NXP]

Well just as the panic set in because that part may be discontinued. I went outside popped the cover and was relieved to see I think I've got what I need and this rig should be all setup and ready to receive the OEM hitch

Next up on my to-do list

• Remove rear bumper, clean up any rusty crusty areas
• Drop spare tire , consider replacing if original
• Inspect airbags on high for any cracks
• Remove those little cross brace things that hold the 7-pin in place

Then just gotta wait for receiver and brake controller to arrive. Then the big question is if I should pull my new little 16' camp trailer to Alaska on my upcoming road trip or stick to the 100 series...hmmm

 

[Mike NXP]

Otherwise I think she's looking pretty good for a 20+ year old rig

 

[Rednexus]

That's the right bracket. Your bags look good as well, although my opinion is online-only . You could always buy a spare aftermarket bag or two and throw them in the camper, so you aren't totally screwed if one craps out on you in a remote area. Looks like aftermarket replacements are around $100 per side.

 

[Mike NXP]

Gearing up for camping / trailer / dog duty so I had to get a few interior upgrades for the GX470

• I've had great luck with CalTrend for seat covers. I go with the Beige Cordura , link here and pic below
• Rear seats removed and cheapy Amazon rubber mat laid down, actually works pretty good . Not worth spending top dollar on brand name here
• On the flip side I went with the Weather Tech door covers , overpriced but tend to work well in my experience testing others

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Ugh I hate removing plastic trim pieces. I managed to only break one clip which is a record for me

• Finally got Bluetooth installed, it was pretty easy. I went with Vais Tech. It was plug and play and after some knuckle busting you can run the cord to the glove box. Not a big fan of drilling into stuff but this was the best way to run the cord. There's not a lot of space behind the factory nav
  
  
• Redarc brake controller installed.
  *** Anyone out there running this? Where did you mount your switch / controller?
  *** For future installers, the switch will NOT fit in the square blank to the right of wheel or your TPMS switch. I tried and didn't have enough depth. I ended up removing the side airbag switch thing, and hanging it down so I can access it through fuse panel hatch if needed. Then with the proper Redarc blank I installed the knob there. For now just velcroed the controller to kick panel and stuffed all the wires back behind it. Ground wire installed to bolt that hold dash / kick panel

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Does not fit to the right of the wheel in current switch holes, had to go to the left
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Bluetooth mounted
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[stupidchicken03]

This is what I did with my Redarc controller: Builds - Chicken's GX - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/chickens-gx.1327525/page-13#post-15970508

 

[Mike NXP]

Finally got out with the new camper setup this weekend ... All and all she did pretty good but I did have one issue

• This may be a coincidence, but since I started pulling the trailer I've had like maybe 6 different rough start / stalling problems
• To be fair , I don't drive this truck too often, but I've started it in the dead of winter, hot heat of summer after sitting plenty of times , and commute with it a few times a month and its always just fired right up. Way better than the 2UZ in my 100
• In the past, it was so brief that I wasn't sure if maybe I didn't turn the key all the way and just ignored it
• But this weekend, we pulled the trailer for only like 1.5 hours... It wasn't too hot out and I was watching temps and everything stayed OK
  >> We got to the campsite and shut down to go look around a bit and then when returning to the rig it tried to start, stumbled, and stalled
• Turned the key again, same deal...rumbles briefly, and stalls right out
  >> No check engine light, and she started on my third attempt and acting like nothing ever happened

Anyone experience this before? I don't believe this is a weak fuel pump symptom but who knows. For now it'll just be a guessing game


OK otherwise, towing with the GX470

• Handling seems to be just as good with or without the trailer. Its really impressive how the ride just soaks up the bumps where otherwise I'd expect to be bouncing around
• The compressor kicks on now and then but doesn't seem to be running excessively. When I park for the night I take the weight off and disconnect the trailer. When I got to hook back up I just set it down real easy and the compressor kicks on and levels me back out
• She definitely feels the weight back there ( only 3klbs ) The reality is I'll probably be that guy who stays cruising around 60-65. Any more and I think it put a bit of strain on everything

Life with a camper VS sleeping in the back of my 100 series

• I'll admit I almost immediately regret buying this thing lol....Its definitely cool if you can find a spot but now we are subject to poking around campgrounds and more well traveled areas. We drove a ways into the woods last night and was met with dozens and dozens of people taking up all of the spots . I pushed further as I got more nervous about not being able to turn around and all the usual BS that comes along with camper life

Anyway, here she is