My new fall collection - 2010 GX 460 Premium (1 Viewer)

[Arch Stanton]

@vandir, $1050 or $910 or whatever you paid isn't horrible for a fuel pump replacement on a fuel injected car.

Fuel injected fuel pumps are typically located in the fuel tank, which makes replacement a matter of dropping the fuel tank.

Driving while you're low on fuel won't burn out your fuel pump. The fuel pump uses the fuel it pumps as a lubricant. As long as there is enough fuel to provide a constant supply of fuel to the fuel pump, it will be lubricated. But when you drive on empty and your fuel pressure struggles to suck up enough fuel to lubricate & keep fuel pressure (i.e.: "running on fumes"), you'll quickly burn out the pump.

When I was in high school, I had a Ford F-150. Being a high school student and getting 15mpg, I was too irresponsible to fill it up with gas enough & I was running out of gas all the time. Within 20,000 miles, I had burnt out the fuel pump & it cost $850 to get it fixed. This is almost 20 years ago, so yeah, $910-$1050 isn't bad.

Also: Mechanics always mark up their parts. They pay wholesale and sell to you at retail (or higher). They don't only make money off their hourly rate-- (and the number of hours they bill you for is usually inflated, based on the "book time", not the time it actually took them to do)-- they make money on parts too. If you bring in your parts, they might agree to install it, but they will tell you they can't warranty the work. That's standard business practice, and if you don't like it, I suggest you start wrenching on your own car.

 

[vandir]

@vandir, $1050 or $910 or whatever you paid isn't horrible for a fuel pump replacement on a fuel injected car.

Fuel injected fuel pumps are typically located in the fuel tank, which makes replacement a matter of dropping the fuel tank.

Driving while you're low on fuel won't burn out your fuel pump. The fuel pump uses the fuel it pumps as a lubricant. As long as there is enough fuel to provide a constant supply of fuel to the fuel pump, it will be lubricated. But when you drive on empty and your fuel pressure struggles to suck up enough fuel to lubricate & keep fuel pressure (i.e.: "running on fumes"), you'll quickly burn out the pump.

When I was in high school, I had a Ford F-150. Being a high school student and getting 15mpg, I was too irresponsible to fill it up with gas enough & I was running out of gas all the time. Within 20,000 miles, I had burnt out the fuel pump & it cost $850 to get it fixed. This is almost 20 years ago, so yeah, $910-$1050 isn't bad.

Also: Mechanics always mark up their parts. They pay wholesale and sell to you at retail (or higher). They don't only make money off their hourly rate-- (and the number of hours they bill you for is usually inflated, based on the "book time", not the time it actually took them to do)-- they make money on parts too. If you bring in your parts, they might agree to install it, but they will tell you they can't warranty the work. That's standard business practice, and if you don't like it, I suggest you start wrenching on your own car.

@Arch Stanton : Thank you for enlightening me. I have had zero experience with fuel pumps and how it could go wrong. My GX is 10 yrs old, maybe it needed a replacement. Initially i thought of changing it myself. Went thru some DIY videos. But the thought of dropping the fuel tank, and fixing it right scared me. I didnt have the right equipment either. But a good lesson, hopefully i start learning the nuances.

You drove a Ford 150 in High school!! you must be one lucky guy : )

 

[vandir]

Folks: My Catalytic converter conked off. Need to replace it ASAP. Any aftermarket reccos? The OEM part is super expensive cost around ~$1500. Hence looking for California compliant aftermarket CAT. Any recommendations pls

 

[MrTorgue]

Folks: My Catalytic converter conked off. Need to replace it ASAP. Any aftermarket reccos? The OEM part is super expensive cost around ~$1500. Hence looking for California compliant aftermarket CAT. Any recommendations pls

Ouch bro. That’s gotta suck. I know Walker makes some CARB Cali compliant cats.

 

[vandir]

Ouch bro. That’s gotta suck. I know Walker makes some CARB Cali compliant cats.

@MrTorgue - Such a pain! gonna damage my wallet. I tried walker, unfortunately they dont make one for GX460.

 

[MrTorgue]

@MrTorgue - Such a pain! gonna damage my wallet. I tried walker, unfortunately they dont make one for GX460.

I tried!

 

[vandir]

I tried!

Looks like OEM is the only option. I asked one of the mechanics to weld a new one for me. He read some code on my hood and said its illegal for him to work this vehicle, and that it has to be taken only to an authorized dealer.

 

[MrTorgue]

Looks like OEM is the only option. I asked one of the mechanics to weld a new one for me. He read some code on my hood and said its illegal for him to work this vehicle, and that it has to be taken only to an authorized dealer.

I dunno about that illegal part... But at least with OEM it’s a quality part.

 

[jmanscotch]

I do think you have to be an authorized shop to do cat replacements in several states, try finding another shop as you should be able to get a cheaper replacement than OE at the dealer. Plenty of quality name brand aftermarket cats (Magnaflow makes one for ~$300).

Sorry for the luck! I’ve gotta spend all weekend doing a valley pan coolant leak repair and replacing a WP and radiator while in there....if shared misery helps.

 

[vandir]

I do think you have to be an authorized shop to do cat replacements in several states, try finding another shop as you should be able to get a cheaper replacement than OE at the dealer. Plenty of quality name brand aftermarket cats (Magnaflow makes one for ~$300).

Sorry for the luck! I’ve gotta spend all weekend doing a valley pan coolant leak repair and replacing a WP and radiator while in there....if shared misery helps.

@jmanscotch : thats sad bro. something going wrong during the trip is painful

There are plently of aftermarket cats...but finding a California compliant is so painful. Havent come across any so far including Magnaflow

 

[r2m]

@jmanscotch : thats sad bro. something going wrong during the trip is painful

There are plently of aftermarket cats...but finding a California compliant is so painful. Havent come across any so far including Magnaflow

I feel your (our) California pain!
Living here is SUCH a love/HATE relationship...
Love the surf, ski/snow, and diverse wilderness for wheeling, hiking, camping and so on.
HATE the politics.

 

[vandir]

I feel your (our) California pain!
Living here is SUCH a love/HATE relationship...
Love the surf, ski/snow, and diverse wilderness for wheeling, hiking, camping and so on.
HATE the politics.

@r2m : I finally managed to replace the passenger side catalytic converter. Now the engine lights are off and doing fine. Just did the Rohwer Flats OHV last weekend. It was fun. Certain sections were too steep, but luckily a fellow offroader helped me navigate. He was god-sent, else wouldnt had the courage to cover the track. He goes by the handle 'madpews' on Instagram. Thank you buddy!
On the catalytic converter, i ordered online from Longo Lexus. Got it at a good price. Now all set to go back to the woods!

 

[K Dub]

Now that your courage is up, you'll find the limits on these trucks may be a lot higher than the limits to your nerves. I went to Rowher a week after I bought my truck, crawled the steep sections in 4Low with a spotter and used DAC in spots going down to Bouquet. I went back about a month ago and drove the same route in 1-2nd gear (4HI) without skipping a beat.

 

[r2m]

Yep, it's amazing when you get used to the capabilities of these GX's.
These vehicles can go a lot further than most peoples pucker factor can handle. My only concern with all the weight I have on top is my CG and not getting too off camber and tipping. Have to admit, that makes me nervous and I don't really want to see where that limit line is for tipping..

 

[vandir]

Now that your courage is up, you'll find the limits on these trucks may be a lot higher than the limits to your nerves. I went to Rowher a week after I bought my truck, crawled the steep sections in 4Low with a spotter and used DAC in spots going down to Bouquet. I went back about a month ago and drove the same route in 1-2nd gear (4HI) without skipping a beat.

@K Dub : Since this was my first time in Rohwer Flats(Rush Canyon off sierra entrance to the descent down the Bouquet Canyon, though i skipped the last treacherous part), I was in 4L all the time, DAC at few places. But while returning i switched to 4H -1st/2nd gear as advised by another offroader. It was good. I'm gonna do one more trip but with 4H thru out.

 

[vandir]

Yep, it's amazing when you get used to the capabilities of these GX's.
These vehicles can go a lot further than most peoples pucker factor can handle. My only concern with all the weight I have on top is my CG and not getting too off camber and tipping. Have to admit, that makes me nervous and I don't really want to see where that limit line is for tipping..

@r2m @K Dub : I wasnt very nervous until I saw a tipped GX470 this weekend in Rohwer Flats towards the Bouquet Reservoir exit, the steepest section. Hopefully the driver/passenger had a safe exit. Maybe the driver took a very dangerous line or didnt have none to spot. But that scared me to hell.

 

[MrTorgue]

@r2m @K Dub : I wasnt very nervous until I saw a tipped GX470 this weekend in Rohwer Flats towards the Bouquet Reservoir exit, the steepest section. Hopefully the driver/passenger had a safe exit. Maybe the driver took a very dangerous line or didnt have none to spot. But that scared me to hell.

View attachment 2636709

That poor GX...

 

[r2m]

I agree, seeing a tipped or rolled vehicle on a difficult trail makes one step back a moment and think things over.
Although I've seen videos of vehicles on very do-able trails and go over, especially when they give a little to much throttle and wind up bouncing up and back instead of rolling over an obstacle, or as was mentioned, a wrong line with no help or an idiot spotter.
Look at some of the videos of Hell's Gate in Moab and you'll see people roll on that with nice trail rigs AND you'll see COMPLETELY stock vehicles (read: Ford F150 and others) do just fine.

 

[vandir]

I agree, seeing a tipped or rolled vehicle on a difficult trail makes one step back a moment and think things over.
Although I've seen videos of vehicles on very do-able trails and go over, especially when they give a little to much throttle and wind up bouncing up and back instead of rolling over an obstacle, or as was mentioned, a wrong line with no help or an idiot spotter.
Look at some of the videos of Hell's Gate in Moab and you'll see people roll on that with nice trail rigs AND you'll see COMPLETELY stock vehicles (read: Ford F150 and others) do just fine.

@r2m : I did look up a few Moab videos. Maybe patience and a good spotter is the key. I will venture out again this weekend. Deciding between Angeles & Bernandino forests...
btw, I'm planning to add Sliders, Skid Plates, Panhard bar correction kit. Looked up your build, pretty impressive. I'm looking for a flat sliders - Ruled out Victory4x4 since it exposes the KDSS. Confused between SLEE, WK, RCI and RSG

 

[r2m]

@r2m : I did look up a few Moab videos. Maybe patience and a good spotter is the key. I will venture out again this weekend. Deciding between Angeles & Bernandino forests...
btw, I'm planning to add Sliders, Skid Plates, Panhard bar correction kit. Looked up your build, pretty impressive. I'm looking for a flat sliders - Ruled out Victory4x4 since it exposes the KDSS. Confused between SLEE, WK, RCI and RSG

A lot of good trails in our local mountains. If you go, either get a good trail book or go with someone else with a 4x4.
This may be me being in the Army and having drilled in me about "battle buddies", if you plan on doing some trail exploring, bring a friend along in another rig. Your buddy can even have a stock 4x4. The idea is if you should get into a difficult spot, there is always someone to pull out, get help, whatever. Also sometimes it's helpful to have another person look at a (maybe) difficult trail and bounce if around between you both if it's a good idea to do it. This is all assuming you or your friend are not full throttle adrenaline junkies making poor choices. If you want to try something difficult, tackle some really short (maybe a few yards) of something rocky, a step (short drop off) or off camber. Just enough to get the blood circulating but not break anything.

Most of all, just enjoy yourself and your family if they're along for the ride!