Potentially Buying a GX470 has some issues but it’s a decent price. Would appreciate some input

[rockcrawler21]

Hello,

There is a gx470 for sale near me that I can get for 6k. Just had the rear bags, timing belt, and radiator replaced. Has an extra trans cooler for towing and 265k miles.

Overall sounds really good until he told me there is some RPM fluctuations around 65-70mph. This would be my first Toyota and first 2UZ FE but is this a known issue? Would you consider it a deal breaker, or is there other things I should look at to determine what might be causing it. I’m no expert in these cars so I figured this was a good place to ask.

Thanks

 

[Rednexus]

Sounds it could be a transmission issue - torque converter lock/unlock, slippage, shift flares etc. Trans failures on GX470s are rare but do happen, especially if no one has changed the trans fluid, as they are under-cooled from the factory, especially with towing.

It would be good to drive it and confirm if it is or isn't a trans issue, then (if it is the trans), go into the deal with knowledge of what a replacement trans would cost. IMO, $6-8K isn't that great of a deal to start with for a higher-mileage Midwestern GX without trans issues, so you could probably do better on a different rig.

 

[swissarmyknife]

Absolutely, sounds like a transmission/torque converter issue. Since the guys apparently used it for towing, who knows when he installed the extra cooler and whether or not he accounted for the extra trans fluid. The transmission on the GX is a closed loop system, so there is no fill port per say. There are vids out on youtube that work you through it. So if you can test drive it, confirm it is trans related and you can get a possible donor transmission from a scrap yard this might still be a good deal.

Mine has 268k on it and I am towing a Mission Overland Summit with it (#2600 loaded) so well below the #6500 tow capacity but I am also considering a larger cooler. The cost of mine was nearly double, but that is CA for you, though there is not a spot of rust anywhere on my truck. So to Rednexus's point if you can find one with slightly more expensive but well maintained, you are essentially buy some piece of mind.