Mike NXP's GX470

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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.
 
Rednexus said:
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.
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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

 
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
 
Mike NXP said:
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
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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.
 
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.
 
Mike NXP said:
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.
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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
 
Rednexus said:
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
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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
 
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

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

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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.
 
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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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
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I've got a dozen or so pieces of 8' lumber that I need to haul from Lowes to my house, about 45 minute drive

>> Would it be stupid to put them in the back of the GX ( my rear seats are removed ) with the rear door open / strapped down? Or it looks like it may even fit with the hatch closed if I run them up in between the front seats ....

My other option would be on the roof of my 100 series which has a solid rack but is more of a bitch to load up

What does the MUD world think?

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Ive run them in between the two front seats. I prefer to take the head rest off the passenger seat, bring it as far forward as possible, recline the seat forward as much as possible, and then sit the boards on top of the seat, and to the right of the seat. It made me nervous having boards near the shifter.

Granted, I only had a handful of 2x8s.
 
I also run boards between the two front seats, but wrap them in a moving blanket to avoid scratching anything. I've hauled PVC pipe sticking out the window.

A small utility trailer is a good investment. I have an old 4x8' Harbor Freight model that's been very useful over the past decade. I think they sell a 5x10' model now for $1K that is probably more versatile due to the size. I built wooden sides and a tailgate on mine, and yesterday hauled home some 12' wire shelving with it, with the shelving sections zip-tied together and then zip-tied to D-rings I installed on the trailer sides.
 
Well shoot, first real problem with the old lexus... I haven't really been driving the 470 as much, but recently i sold off my daily driver so I've been running the GX a lot more.

Today when I was at the gas station I pulled out of the pump and had the wheel full lock to the right and as I was rolling forward it sounded like something was binding or locking up, I'm pretty sure up in the front right corner.

My best guess is an axle? I've never really had a CV go bad but I always thought it was more of like a popping type noise. Which I suppose this could have been, but it sounded more like something heavy binding up.

Any thoughts from MUD world ?

I thought the previous owner mentioned these were Napa axles but I actually can't find a note on that. How can I tell if these are oem? With these symptoms most likely be due to a bad axle?
 
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Geez , i wonder if i pushed my diff lock button by accident . I dont think i saw any lights on the dash , ill have to check when im back at my truck later
 
Mike NXP said:
Geez , i wonder if i pushed my diff lock button by accident . I dont think i saw any lights on the dash , ill have to check when im back at my truck later
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Center diff lock doesn’t lock the front wheels not the rear wheels.

CDL just sends 50/50 to front and rear. Wheels spin independently even with CDL on.

Check for rubbing marks in wheel well or on inner frame. Post pictures. You on stock wheels and tires?

When I had 17x9 -12 rims in 285/70R17 tires, I would rub on the frame and front sway bar on full lock turns. Even at 3.7* of caster.

I no longer rub on front but I’ve removed front sway bar, went to 34x11 mud terrains on 17x7.5 zero offset rims
 
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