Builds R²M 2013 GX 460 Overland Build (1 Viewer)

[RadoTracks]

Although, I've heard rumors, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that either Hyundai or Kia has pilfered engineers from Toyota, hence their vehicles are beginning to stand up to Toyota products. With Toyota losing some of it's engineers, that same rumor is inciting that Toyota may be losing some of it's reliability qualities.
Again, I heard this a couple years ago and don't know if this is just Toyota trash talk or not.
I'd like to think that's all it is, trash talk.

Good point. I think that is likely the reason so many of us chose the GX460's "older tech" rather than newer models. I know it was a big part of my choice.

 

[r2m]

Just got back from the transmissions shop with the 'ol girl. Ed say's it really needed the pan to be dropped and it all cleaned out.
Came out to a scratch over $2,000 (CA prices) to replace ALL the seals, pull the trans pan, new filter, oil along with draining and changing the transfer case fluids too.
He said that the GX's have a fiber filter, like the engine oil filters which most vehicles don't have, stating that these filters are much better because they filter out all the little particulate where most other trans only have a screen to filter out what he calls, "gravel". So that was good to hear that we actually have a good trans filtration system.

 

[rav8]

Since the trans cooler is on the left side, and from the pics there are no plates visible. My guess is that it is inside the tank and is liquid/liquid cooling, which is more effective than liquid/air. Even with a counter current flow, the trans temp will be at lowest coolant temp. Aux cooler or not, the trans fluid heat will go into the radiator.

Unless I am towing, my transmission fluid temps rarely reach the point to which fluid is circulated to this exchanger. The system as designed, works great.
Towing a 4k load from MD through SD and MT to YNP gave me 238F+ temps. My under $100 cooler keeps max temps around 212F. Hope you have the same luck.

 

[Splat]

Just spoke with Ed (owner) from Crown Valley Transmissions, he told me that I need to change out all the seals. The seals have sand and grit and that it's probably from all the off road trails we've done. I'm having him do all new seals and a trans service, e.g. drop the pan. Total when it's all done will be nearer to $2,000 and a couple days.

Just got back from the transmissions shop with the 'ol girl. Ed say's it really needed the pan to be dropped and it all cleaned out.
Came out to a scratch over $2,000 (CA prices) to replace ALL the seals, pull the trans pan, new filter, oil along with draining and changing the transfer case fluids too.
He said that the GX's have a fiber filter, like the engine oil filters which most vehicles don't have, stating that these filters are much better because they filter out all the little particulate where most other trans only have a screen to filter out what he calls, "gravel". So that was good to hear that we actually have a good trans filtration system.

A good trans filtration system, and yet you had enough "sand and grit" to require $2,000 in repairs. How many miles do you have? Have you done any transmission drain and fills?

 

[Rednexus]

Unless I am towing, my transmission fluid temps rarely reach the point to which fluid is circulated to this exchanger. The system as designed, works great.
Towing a 4k load from MD through SD and MT to YNP gave me 238F+ temps. My under $100 cooler keeps max temps around 212F. Hope you have the same luck.

On essentially the same tow with a similar weight (MO->YNP->GNP->SD->MO), I never exceeded 200F in the transmission, with the CSF radiator and Hayden 698 cooler. I am confident it would have hit 220F or more for short periods without the CSF radiator, even with the 698 cooler (as it would do that unloaded before when climbing passes off-road). At cruise speeds the temps usually ran 180-190F.

 

[r2m]

A good trans filtration system, and yet you had enough "sand and grit" to require $2,000 in repairs. How many miles do you have? Have you done any transmission drain and fills?

I have about 123k miles on the clock presently and did a fluids drain at about 80k. We do a lot of off roading, and out west, there's a lot of sand, dirt and grit.
The transmission guy said that's probably the issue with the drips.
Note, I wasn't losing trans fluid at an unsafe rate, it was only a drip every week or so. But still that was enough for me to warrant a full service on it.
For me, it's peace of mind.

 

[Hiluxforever]

I have about 123k miles on the clock presently and did a fluids drain at about 80k. We do a lot of off roading, and out west, there's a lot of sand, dirt and grit.
The transmission guy said that's probably the issue with the drips.
Note, I wasn't losing trans fluid at an unsafe rate, it was only a drip every week or so. But still that was enough for me to warrant a full service on it.
For me, it's peace of mind.

I agree with all of that. Expecting to need to do the same in 30-40k

 

[r2m]

Finally got some (rather poor) photos of the new suspension. To review what I bolted on, refer back to Page: 45, Post #885 in this thread.
So far less rub when turning, but haven't stretched them out on any trails yet to see how compression and extension are. Doing a week long in Sierra's very soon, so should be able to report back with some info from the trail then.
For reference, those are LT315/70R17's BFG KO2

Below, best shot I could get of the rear shock without crawling under.