Purchasing used 03 GX470

[AmericanKing]

Hey I’m looking for a lil advice. I recently came across a used 2003 GX470 with 211k miles. The dealer is asking $5,500. What i found when test driving the GX airbags no longer function. will need front suspension wheel bearings, ball joints tie rods sway bar and tires I ran a carfax report the timing belt and water pump was last done at 95k. Will need timing belt and water pump. interior in fair condition no rips in leather just worn. Exterior not bad for a 20 year old car. will need a good detail buff and polish. In todays market I can’t find anything near that price but i know i will have to put in some work to get the gx road worthy. What are you thoughts thanks.

 

[Tanaman]

I’d say it looks like a good start but you definitely will have your hands full if you’re doing the work your self. If you’re going to be paying someone to do the work, I’d say to just look for a well sorted one with the work done already because it will probably actually cost you less.

The way I see it, timing belt and water pump is roughly $1k to have it done ($400-500 if you DIY), front wheel bearing are probably about $600-800 to have it done ($300-500 if you DIY) full suspension refresh is likely $1500-3000 to have it done depending if you upgrade or just replace factory ($1k-$5k if you DIY and upgrade)

I will say I bought the cheaper GX knowing I was going to have to replace and upgrade parts along the way and that I was going to be doing the work. To me that made the most sense but to each their own. I have had to do basically all the same things you listed plus pads and rotors and am roughly $5k into it.

Either way I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck!

 

[Rednexus]

I'd jump on it. If you are able to DIY the work you could either 1) flip it or 2) have a good GX at a really good price. Parts to fix everything will be in the $2-4K range (including tires), again if you have the time/tools/experience to do it yourself. So you're looking at $7,500-9,500 all-in, plus your time. Presuming this vehicle has spent it's life in NM or the Southwest and is rust-free, that is a pretty good deal for an otherwise clean GX (assuming there isn't a good supply of nicer GX's in your area in that same all-in price range). If you don't have the ability to DIY the work, the cost could easily double as you'd be paying a lot more labor and I'd probably pass on this GX.

I can tell you that if that GX was for sale locally and there are no other red flags, it would be in my driveway already and I'd be ordering parts to fix what is wrong with it and flip it (given current GX prices right now).

 

[AmericanKing]

I’d say it looks like a good start but you definitely will have your hands full if you’re doing the work your self. If you’re going to be paying someone to do the work, I’d say to just look for a well sorted one with the work done already because it will probably actually cost you less.

The way I see it, timing belt and water pump is roughly $1k to have it done ($400-500 if you DIY), front wheel bearing are probably about $600-800 to have it done ($300-500 if you DIY) full suspension refresh is likely $1500-3000 to have it done depending if you upgrade or just replace factory ($1k-$5k if you DIY and upgrade)

I will say I bought the cheaper GX knowing I was going to have to replace and upgrade parts along the way and that I was going to be doing the work. To me that made the most sense but to each their own. I have had to do basically all the same things you listed plus pads and rotors and am roughly $5k into it.

Either way I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck!

I have the skills and tools to do most the work myself. Only thing I would consider hiring for would be the timing belt and water pump. Been looking for a GX and happen to look across the highway and seen this GX for sale. This will be my wife daily if we purchase. Thinking modest lift with factory size all terrain tires.

 

[AmericanKing]

I'd jump on it. If you are able to DIY the work you could either 1) flip it or 2) have a good GX at a really good price. Parts to fix everything will be in the $2-4K range (including tires), again if you have the time/tools/experience to do it yourself. So you're looking at $7,500-9,500 all-in, plus your time. Presuming this vehicle has spent it's life in NM or the Southwest and is rust-free, that is a pretty good deal for an otherwise clean GX (assuming there isn't a good supply of nicer GX's in your area in that same all-in price range). If you don't have the ability to DIY the work, the cost could easily double as you'd be paying a lot more labor and I'd probably pass on this GX.

I can tell you that if that GX was for sale locally and there are no other red flags, it would be in my driveway already and I'd be ordering parts to fix what is wrong with it and flip it (given current GX prices right now).

Going to be haggling with them today and see if I could get a better deal . GX been a new mexico car it’s whole life no rust underneath or surface rust. 3 owners, 1st owner own till 125k. Been looking at parts for the GX on rock auto. Full suspension refresh around 1k not including modest lift kit 2”. Where can I can find OEM parts online besides going to the dealer. I’m my area i found 04 GX with 230k lift kit, rear locker, and new suspension for 14k. I think I would be making a good choice for 1/3 the price to purchase this GX even if I have to throw 3k into it. I’ll update with the final price. Thanks

 

[Rednexus]

Going to be haggling with them today and see if I could get a better deal . GX been a new mexico car it’s whole life no rust underneath or surface rust. 3 owners, 1st owner own till 125k. Been looking at parts for the GX on rock auto. Full suspension refresh around 1k not including modest lift kit 2”. Where can I can find OEM parts online besides going to the dealer. I’m my area i found 04 GX with 230k lift kit, rear locker, and new suspension for 14k. I think I would be making a good choice for 1/3 the price to purchase this GX even if I have to throw 3k into it. I’ll update with the final price. Thanks

If you can get it for $4,500-5,000 it would be an even sweeter deal.

For OEM parts I usually order stuff from various online Toyota dealers (like Daytona Toyota) for a V8 4Runner of the same year (as most of the mechanical stuff is the same). For anything Lexus related Bell Lexus North seems to have the best online deals. I've also gotten parts when I need them quickly from my local Toyota dealer. Things like CV axles, brake calipers, etc, I get from NAPA.

 

[AmericanKing]

Well I was able to haggle them down to $4,800. Will take delivery of the GX later this week. This GX was the first i’ve ever drove and compared to my 04 sequoia I felt it had more . I was surprised on how quiet the road noise was.

 

[VSPro9]

Looks like a nice find!

i got mine pretty beat down, have replaced LCAs, UCAs, timing belt and water pump, full OME suspension, brakes, rims and tires, wheel bearings, CV axles, cam adjuster bolts, flush on all fluids, seals in the transfer case, diff breather and stainless brake lines, and i cant even remember what else. i think im into it about 4-5000 in parts and maybe 2k in labor.

at the price you got yours for, you should be able to get some really nice parts on it for less than a similar model in better condition.

 

[AmericanKing]

Looks like a nice find!

i got mine pretty beat down, have replaced LCAs, UCAs, timing belt and water pump, full OME suspension, brakes, rims and tires, wheel bearings, CV axles, cam adjuster bolts, flush on all fluids, seals in the transfer case, diff breather and stainless brake lines, and i cant even remember what else. i think im into it about 4-5000 in parts and maybe 2k in labor.

at the price you got yours for, you should be able to get some really nice parts on it for less than a similar model in better condition.

Did you use oem parts for your build? The timing belt and water pump will be the only thing I will be hiring out. I have great luck with dorman parts for my f250 I’m gonna try their wheel hub Assembly from dorman $110 for one side.

Any suggestions on lifts? I’m looking at 2” either dobinson or iron man. Their low end kits with rear airbag delete. Their roughly about 1k.

 

[VSPro9]

I used a mix of OEM parts, Moog for the low control arms and various links, and high end aftermarket. my bearings were from Toyota | Yota Bearings and Hubs | United States - https://www.yotabearingsandhubs.com/ and are high quality parts.
lifts wise i think we're pretty lucky to have several good options. Dobinson, ironman, bilstein and Old Man Emu are all good options for entry level lifts.
UCA i used a freedom offroad, which is the cheapest option out there, but after a year of hard wheeling has held up very well.

my main objective this year was to get the thing mechanically sound on a tight budget, so ill probably have to replace the moog again in a a couple years.

 

[Rednexus]

Great deal on the GX! I have an Ironman kit on my GX (midrange Foam Cell Pro) and have been pretty happy with it.

I've also used a lot of Moog suspension stuff from Rock Auto. Everything has been a pretty much exact replica of the OEM parts. Quality is TBD - I can't imagine they will last 15 years like the originals - even if they look the same, but suspension parts are easy to swap on a GX so it's not a terrible deal at half the cost. I'm running Moog LCA's, tie rod ends, sway bar end links, and all 4 of the rear lower control arms.

At 211K, if you are lifting it anyway, and planning to keep the GX, it's not that much more money effort to replace every suspension component with the Moog stuff. That's what I did and the GX drives way better (mine had 145K on it when I did that). My OEM tie rod ends, ball joints, etc were all kind of loose/floppy when I pulled them off.

 

[jiggletits]

It's not that great of a deal with the amount of work it sounds like it needs. I would walk away from that one.

 

[AmericanKing]

Took delivery of the GX last night. Was able to final the deal to $4,500. Found the reason for the air bags not functioning, they’ve been deleted with springs lolz . Also found out there’s is no spare tire or recovery gear. No remote or headphones for rear entertainment. I’ve notice the 03 GX don’t have RSCA, can the function be added? is it just a switch? Is it more in detail like senors and wiring? Very happy with so far I found some 2021 TRD tacoma front springs and shocks I will be installing shortly. They bolt right up, curious how much lift i’ll get. Only $100. On local Craigslist in NM I found 2021 4runner TRD Pro fox shocks and springs for $700. I know they’ll bolt right up But I hear Toyota is having problems with their Fox shocks. premature failure.

 

[jiggletits]

$4500 is reasonable. That rear entertainment is pretty much useless weight in 2021 anyway. Unless you are still packing around DVDs like a baby boomer.

I'd recommend looking into a Dobinsons kit. Its only $1000 for nitro shocks and whatever springs you want. That way you get to size your springs appropriately for what you want, not settle for what is cheap on craigslist. When I bought mine a few months back they arrived in 3 days.

If you want cheap, just get Bilstein 5100s and use stock front springs. $450 or so. They ride is harsh compared to stock ones in good condition, but for the price, it is an OK kit and the front height has 1.5" of lift built in and is adjustable another 1.5" on top of that. You will need a ¼" strut spacer for the driver's side if you want it to correct the lean and have it sit at the same height as passenger side, unless you buy coilovers.

 

[Rednexus]

We use our rear seat entertainment system all the time. DVDs are $5 in bins at lots of stores and they keep our kids occupied on long trips. It uses a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack. The remote is shared with lots of other Toyota products and i scored a NOS one for $100 on eBay. It was worth it to have a functional remote as the original was shot.

 

[jiggletits]

We use our rear seat entertainment system all the time. DVDs are $5 in bins at lots of stores and they keep our kids occupied on long trips. It uses a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack. The remote is shared with lots of other Toyota products and i scored a NOS one for $100 on eBay. It was worth it to have a functional remote as the original was shot.

Fair point. Single guy no kids here.

 

[AmericanKing]

Hey I thought I would chime in with a little update on the GX i purchased. so far I’ve replaced…
1. Front struts and springs with 2021 tacoma trd suspension with added .75 spacer. Front measuring from center of hub to fender at 23 1/2 inches.
2. Rear Tacoma trd shocks, had to change lower bushing
3. Front hubs driver and passenger (dorman)
4. 2 new napa CV axles
5. front diff seals
6. Front diff fluid
7. Powering steering flush
8. Transfer case actuator seal
9. new transfer case fluid.
10. Napa front sway bar end links

The old suspension was saggy and sloppy, front end feels so much better. I’m guessing i achieved about 2 to 2 1/4 inch lift with the tacoma trd struts and springs with added .75 spacer.

Today I decided to work on the transfer case, transfer case actuator seal was simple, spent more time cleaning all the grime up. When it came to change the transfer fluid it was bone dry literally about 1 once came out. Filled with new fluid, keeping my fingers crossed the transfer case doesn’t give me trouble. Who’s know how long it’s been dry.

When test driving the GX I did notice humming coming from the passenger side at first I thought it was the hub or cv axle but after replacing humming will still there. After putting new fluid in the transfer case couldn’t hear the hum. I hope that’s what it was. .

Goals for the GX moderate off-road rig, it’ll be my wife daily after i get it road worthy.
I’m about 900 in parts RN. All the work done myself.

Honey do list lolz
1. tires 275/70R17
2. Front and Rear brakes/rotors just to be safe
3. rear coils
4. tune up
5. timing belt/ water pump

 

[jiggletits]

- 265/70 is a better bet for no rubbing, cheaper and more options
- Wouldn’t touch brakes unless there is a problem. Inspect? Sure. Otherwise squealers are there for a reason.
- There is nothing to ‘tune up’ on these motors, or any motor made in the last 20+ years. Changing your spark plugs, cleaning the air sensors isn’t a bad idea but there is literally nothing to tune except the radio channel.
- TB/WP good call, I would plan to have it down for a week or so OR take off your serpentine belt and check all your pulleys prior to the TB/WP job. More than likely your fan pulley bearing, tensioner and idler pulleys will be a little rough at that mileage. Easy to tell just take belt off and give them a spin. All three of mine were hard to turn. Fan clutch should come off to check fan pulley mount bearing.

 

[VSPro9]

Hey I thought I would chime in with a little update on the GX i purchased. so far I’ve replaced…
1. Front struts and springs with 2021 tacoma trd suspension with added .75 spacer. Front measuring from center of hub to fender at 23 1/2 inches.
2. Rear Tacoma trd shocks, had to change lower bushing
3. Front hubs driver and passenger (dorman)
4. 2 new napa CV axles
5. front diff seals
6. Front diff fluid
7. Powering steering flush
8. Transfer case actuator seal
9. new transfer case fluid.
10. Napa front sway bar end links

The old suspension was saggy and sloppy, front end feels so much better. I’m guessing i achieved about 2 to 2 1/4 inch lift with the tacoma trd struts and springs with added .75 spacer.

Today I decided to work on the transfer case, transfer case actuator seal was simple, spent more time cleaning all the grime up. When it came to change the transfer fluid it was bone dry literally about 1 once came out. Filled with new fluid, keeping my fingers crossed the transfer case doesn’t give me trouble. Who’s know how long it’s been dry.

When test driving the GX I did notice humming coming from the passenger side at first I thought it was the hub or cv axle but after replacing humming will still there. After putting new fluid in the transfer case couldn’t hear the hum. I hope that’s what it was. .

Goals for the GX moderate off-road rig, it’ll be my wife daily after i get it road worthy.
I’m about 900 in parts RN. All the work done myself.

Honey do list lolz
1. tires 275/70R17
2. Front and Rear brakes/rotors just to be safe
3. rear coils
4. tune up
5. timing belt/ water pump

looks like you and i followed much of the same path maintenance wise. are your coil packs still good?

 

[AmericanKing]

- 265/70 is a better bet for no rubbing, cheaper and more options
- Wouldn’t touch brakes unless there is a problem. Inspect? Sure. Otherwise squealers are there for a reason.
- There is nothing to ‘tune up’ on these motors, or any motor made in the last 20+ years. Changing your spark plugs, cleaning the air sensors isn’t a bad idea but there is literally nothing to tune except the radio channel.
- TB/WP good call, I would plan to have it down for a week or so OR take off your serpentine belt and check all your pulleys prior to the TB/WP job. More than likely your fan pulley bearing, tensioner and idler pulleys will be a little rough at that mileage. Easy to tell just take belt off and give them a spin. All three of mine were hard to turn. Fan clutch should come off to check fan pulley mount bearing.

I want a true 32 inch. The new mickey Thompson measure 32.1 tall and 10.7 wide.
I pretty familiar with the 2uzfe I also have a 04 Sequoia that i’m currently building. Coil packs look good i’ll just clean them up with Electronic Cleaner and dielectric grease. TB and WP will be the last issue I tackle.