New to me Gx470, some questions (1 Viewer)

[Sixto Lezcano]

2008 GX470, just bought it, did a bunch of reading here but still have a few rookie questions. Majority of use will not be off-road but I spend plenty of time in Vermont. I’m a mediocre, at best, mechanic. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Is it recommended to convert suspension as preventative maintenance (~130k miles)?

I’m going to change fluids but was reading up on the transmission change and it might be beyond my ability. Will a Lexus dealership do this at a reasonable price? Or should I just use an independent shop? I used to own Land Rovers and the dealership was to be avoided at all costs.

My wheels are UGLY, stock but they are beat. Would 4Runner 17” wheels work fine? There are so many wheel and tire threads and I think I’m more confused than when I started searching. Found some for sale locally:

 

[HomersCanyonero]

I would not change the rear air bags as preventive maintenance especially for daily driving. Drive it as is and when the air bags start leaking, then either replace them with aftermarket air bags or do the coil conversion.

i Still have oem rear air bags but they were put in new in 2013 by PO. I am considering coil conversion in the near future after 3 years of riding on the air bags.

Ask around for prices on the transmission fluid service. Two years ago I paid $265 at Indy shop to do it.

On the wheels, pay attention to the offset and width of wheel. Go with something like a 17x8 with zero offset and this wheel will allow you to go to a taller and slightly wider tire if needed.

 

[billmc]

I am in New England as well, and my wheels are completely beat as well. Most of the surface coating is gone because to the road salt. Are you planning to go off-road in VT? Plenty of great places, but plenty of opportunities for trail rash which'll get expensive fast in a GX (if you care about how yours look). But if you're staying on logging roads and prepared trails, and not trail-blazing, should have no problems even with the stock suspension, which also works great out in the dunes on the cape and islands.

 

[Sixto Lezcano]

Not going to do any real off-roading but snow, dirt roads, etc. Hopefully can get to Vineyard next summer, have been too busy this year.

Couple more questions after reading manual and looking at work done by seller.

What’s the deal with nitrogen in the tires? Never heard of that and if I get new rims and tires should I get nitrogen put in again?

Is there a simple set of steps to test all suspension settings? I read manual quickly but, coming from land rovers, I’m nervous to test any of the features. If it ain’t broke...

Lastly, truck has dvd screens in headrests but no remote. I won’t use it much but is remote required to play movies? Or can I get a cheap universal gadget?
Thanks

 

[Sixto Lezcano]

One more question, sorry.
Anyone in Boston area know of a good independent shop? I use a guy in town who is fine but if there is a great shop I’d love to know.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Costco uses nitrogen to fill up the tires, but it’s not required. Nitrogen leaks slower, has a little less weight, and less variation on tire pressure.

Just play with the suspension settings with no fear!

 

[midwestgxer]

The transmission fluid exchange is really not that difficult. I pulled the transmission oil cooler return line under the radiator and started the truck to pump fluid into a 5 gallon bucket. Then used a ~$10 pump from Amazon that you power with your cordless drill to pump fluid into the transmission fill hole. Just do a couple of quarts at a time (remove first, then fill). I marked 2 5-gal buckets with graduated lines to measure 13 quarts. Pump 13 out, put 13 back in. Took me less than an hour. The only slightly complicated part of the job is getting the truck into temp check mode but that's easily done following instructions available on here and elsewhere.

 

[CarolinaGX]

Leave the air bags alone unless it is sagging, leaking (pump runs often), or leaning. Otherwise, wait for them to fail and then replace them. if they fail, the truck is still drivable but not comfortable.

4Runner wheels fit just fine but are 0.5" narrower but if you stick with the stock size tire, they are fine. I got a set for my highway tires from CL for $125 with extra lug nuts

ATF: there is a recent thread on this that i started. a few people shared what the Toyota dealers charge in various areas. Don't forget, Lexus is a Toyota so you don't have to go to Lexus for services. edit:ATF thread

 

[lgrt]

you got good answer already so I'll just say Welcome to mud

 

[Sixto Lezcano]

Thanks everyone, very helpful and I appreciate the advice. Wheels are cosmetic so I’ll focus on the preventative maintenance first.

I did buy from a Toyota dealership so maybe they’ll give me a good deal on the work I can’t do. Probably not but worth a shot

 

[Sixto Lezcano]

I got some estimates for getting my timing belt, water pump job done.

Lexus dealer: $2448.00
Toyota dealer: $1281.00
Local Japanese Specialist shop: will let me use Aisin kit, just charge me for labor

I’m seriously leaning towards local shop, he’s been around for years, has a good reputation and I love mechanics who let me source parts. Am I being foolish?

Going to do diffs and t case myself this weekend, looking forward to it.

 

[James C]

I'd go with the local shop if the labor price is right. 2400 for timing belt is ridiculous and 1200 is high, but it is a dealership. I brought an Aisin kit to a local mechanic and they popped it in for 500 (with pump).

Also if you have a good local shop to support, go for it. The dealerships are doing fine.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

In 2017, I sourced all my parts like denso radiator, Toyota upper/lower radiator hoses, thermostat, cap, Bando drive belt, Aisin kit, etc for $500 total and then paid a local mechanic $500 labor. Running great for two years including several offroad trios

 

[Tanaman]

I say go with the local guy if you know that you can trust him. I was also quoted a pretty high price ($1150) by my local dealer and my trusted local shop is booked out for a couple weeks, so I’m going to be tackling this my self this weekend. Ill let you know how it goes but I’m gonna guess that $500 for labor isn’t too bad for this job

 

[GonzoShinyPants]

Recently did the TB/WP job at my local shop. They say that Aisin is the OEM supplier for the TB anyway, so that kit is OEM parts. $900 or so for my cost all in.

 

[Sixto Lezcano]

I’ve been slowly doing some preventative maintenance and I might have screwed myself. About a week ago I put on a new Toyota gas cap because cap that came on truck was not original. Today I get the check engine light. Took truck to autozone, it’s a p0456 code. They tell me I need a new gas cap!
Questions:
After you hear gas cap click how much more do you turn it?
Can I clear the code by detaching negative battery terminal?

Thanks

 

[D21FJ60]

Can't answer the turn question, but yes disconnecting battery for about 30 min should reset codes.

 

[DRANGED]

gas cap 2 clicks.

could be other stuff related to evap and charcoal canister (I'm in this boat too, different codes though I started addressing via gas cap) and have gone NAPA then toya (per amazon) gas cap.

RE: suspension settings, just play with them. The airbags can be raised or lowerd but will return to N(ormal) at about 15-20 mph when driving. they lower 2" and rais 2.6"

AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension) will adjust shock valving from soft (comfort) to stiff) (sport). Some say they can't tell any difference others can (I can tell). I prefer one click left of sport.

Timing: I had my yota dealership do timing belt and water pump with new idlers, and a trans drain and refill (just the quick service that only refreshes ATF). that was all about $1200ish

Don't swap airbags until they fail - that's not a preventative maintenance thing and then there are good aftermarket options (I think @Bluetribal posted this swap).

Welcome!!

 

[Sixto Lezcano]

Thanks. Already had timing belt, water pump, radiator etc replaced. Then needed a new muffler. Now this...I used to drive a Land Rover and sadly this is starting to seem similar!

 

[DRANGED]

Thanks. Already had timing belt, water pump, radiator etc replaced. Then needed a new muffler. Now this...I used to drive a Land Rover and sadly this is starting to seem similar!

All that stuff is regular for anything, and at >130k not surprising. The build
Quality of these rigs is amazing!!!

Geography sux though