Mike NXP's GX470

[Mike NXP]

Back for more help from the MUD world.....Im able to go as far as figuring out where this noise is coming from and what affects it but now I don't know what to do.

>> Hear noises in dash, went underneath and I see this little doo-dad trying to move...I noticed if I adjust the temp this little lever moves . So I assume this is my temperature control...Further validated when I burned the s*** out of my hand on that pipe right near the heater core I think


Anyone else experience this? Any ideas for a fix?

 

[Rednexus]

That's a HVAC servo, and they are known to go out on these. I have read reports of some people fixing them, but most replace. There are 4 of them in total. I replaced all of them when I replaced the dashboard in my rig. Some can be accessed without moving the dash, but a couple would be very hard to access with eh dash on (if not impossible). Even with the dash off, one was still pretty hard to get - I used a mini 90 degree ratcheting screwdriver due to the lack or room. I think they are around $200/ea new from Lexus.

 

[Mike NXP]

That's a HVAC servo, and they are known to go out on these. I have read reports of some people fixing them, but most replace. There are 4 of them in total. I replaced all of them when I replaced the dashboard in my rig. Some can be accessed without moving the dash, but a couple would be very hard to access with eh dash on (if not impossible). Even with the dash off, one was still pretty hard to get - I used a mini 90 degree ratcheting screwdriver due to the lack or room. I think they are around $200/ea new from Lexus.

Well thanks for the information , now im sad lol...def dont want to dive into taking dash apart... Going to ignore this for now and hope it goes away..

 

[Mike NXP]

Reporting back on my transfer case weep / slow leak.... Adding AT-205, driving a hundred miles or so, and working the center diff a dozen or two times has stopped the leak for now. I'm always a bit skeptical of additives but I've used AT-205 on a few small engine repairs along with my Kei car and its worked everytime and doesn't seem to have any negative affects ...


I should probably drain and refill the gear oil now that its been dosed with at 205 but I might just leave it....

My highlander has a leak from the rear main seal.....its not worth fixing properly as the rig is getting old and rusty but I'm going to give the at205 a shot there too and see how it does...It may not work but I really cant see how it would hurt.

 

[Mike NXP]

Would it be crazy to consider trying to sell / trade the GX and switch over to a Tundra?

The GX is like the smoothest nicest truck I've ever had BUT I really want to be able to tow my camper a bit further without guzzling so much fuel and working the engine. I cruiser around 60-65mph and it barely kicks into overdrive and often runs at 2600+rpms unless I drop down to below 60mph.

Of course the Tundra still has same motor but is it geared better to handle towing? Would I really expect to get any better mpg compared to the 12-13mpgs the GX is getting while towing ?

 

[stupidchicken03]

Would it be crazy to consider trying to sell / trade the GX and switch over to a Tundra?

The GX is like the smoothest nicest truck I've ever had BUT I really want to be able to tow my camper a bit further without guzzling so much fuel and working the engine. I cruiser around 60-65mph and it barely kicks into overdrive and often runs at 2600+rpms unless I drop down to below 60mph.

Of course the Tundra still has same motor but is it geared better to handle towing? Would I really expect to get any better mpg compared to the 12-13mpgs the GX is getting while towing ?

What size and weight is your trailer?
Id love to get that MPG while towing lol. Here in CA, ANYTHING/ONE towing has a top speed limit to 55 MPG (to stay legal) and I still average 8-9 MPG while towing.

Our trailer is 21ft bumper to tongue and 3,100 lbs dry.
Ive been thinking about adding a Helivue aux 18 gallon tank where the OEM spare tire goes. But that leads to a rabbit hole of a tire carrier and/or rear bumper.

 

[aztoytec]

I would consider a regear.

 

[Mike NXP]

What size and weight is your trailer?
Id love to get that MPG while towing lol. Here in CA, ANYTHING/ONE towing has a top speed limit to 55 MPG (to stay legal) and I still average 8-9 MPG while towing.

Our trailer is 21ft bumper to tongue and 3,100 lbs dry.
Ive been thinking about adding a Helivue aux 18 gallon tank where the OEM spare tire goes. But that leads to a rabbit hole of a tire carrier and/or rear bumper.

Really? no s***....Yeah good point on adding extra fuel. In my case , Im never too far from a fuel station since I'm mostly paved road cruising with the camper but it just sucks watching the fuel drop and engine work harder than I'm used to.


My camper is only 16' long and 2500lbs empty so maybe pushing 3k loaded. Its sort of tall and probably has a bunch of aero drag.

But maybe slowing down and realizing that mileage is normal would be best. I didn't know if she was struggling based on slugging down fuel but maybe that's normal. Unloaded, bone stock 470, I get a cool 18mpg when daily driving it.

I would consider a regear.

Good point. I think rednexus suggested this earlier too. Probably best plan if I wanted to keep 470 + get the best out of it for towing. I don't have the $$ or any mechanics in the area I would trust with the task either so it may be out of the question.


Alright so keep the 470 and stop thinking about tundras .......for now ( I sort of want another 100 series too )

 

[stupidchicken03]

Yea ours is a huge wind dam too. Not towing, Im usually more like 14-15 MPG. I use Fuelly to track the usage since I bought it and the overall average for the GX in my ownership is 12.9 MPG, but that is also including at least 6 towing trips.

 

[Mike NXP]

Yea ours is a huge wind dam too. Not towing, Im usually more like 14-15 MPG. I use Fuelly to track the usage since I bought it and the overall average for the GX in my ownership is 12.9 MPG, but that is also including at least 6 towing trips.

Interesting...Yeah I suppose as long as engine and transmission temps are staying in check then shes good to go. It's really hilly with a lot of elevaiton changes in my area, just to get out of the NW corner of the state takes me a few hours or slow going. I don't tow often, so far not a huge fan of it but starting to come around the more I do it and learn, just gotta take it slow and steady

For me Id rather just sleep in the back of the 100 series and poop in the woods
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Damn lately I've been getting really hooked on the 460, check out this beauty. I've never bought a vehicle for more than 10k but if I stumbled upon a bag of cash I would go for a 460 next.. Talked myself out of the tundra, for now... I've never had a need for pickup truck will stick with SUV

 

[Rednexus]

Good point. I think rednexus suggested this earlier too. Probably best plan if I wanted to keep 470 + get the best out of it for towing. I don't have the $$ or any mechanics in the area I would trust with the task either so it may be out of the question.


Alright so keep the 470 and stop thinking about tundras .......for now ( I sort of want another 100 series too )

I used pre-built 3rd members from ECGS when I did my regear. They are an easy bolt-in and have a 5-year warranty. With a re-gear only and no lockers it's would be around $2K total. I went with 4.56 with is awesome for towing and 33s but is a bit too steep when unloaded. With stock-sized tires, 4.10 or 4.30 would be the sweet spot.