Wife wants a GX

[ElPolloBlanco]

So I'm on my second 80 series right now and will probably never look back. It's our family camping toy (or will soon become that). We both have daily drivers and are looking for something better than her Prius to take on our very common road trips up and down the Peoples Republic of California. Being new to the GX hunt what can you guys recommend. Any changes from year to year to look into; mileage concerns, maintenance items to look into, the usual stuff. I'm not concerned with something with higher mileage (150,000 range) becuase like I said it's not an everyday type of vehicle. If there is some magic thread like the sticky in the 80's forum let me know and I'll just check that out.

 

[2002tii]

The GX is just coming into its own as an off roader (basically because they're getting affordable for those who don't mind getting them dirty). Here's a rundown of year-to-year changes:

http://www.toyota120.com/html/lexus_gx470.html

I think a 2006+ without nav but with KDSS would be the "holy grail." The Mark Levinson stereo that comes with nav sounds great, but the map interface is more cumbersome than an iPhone or Android. I have a 2005 KDSS w/o nav, which is great, but that year seems to have more issues with the air pump system that's part of the emissions setup for the VVT-i motor. That said, I looked for months and never found a single 2006+ with KDSS and no nav, so they're obviously quite rare. No real easy way to determine KDSS without crawling underneath unless the Sport Package (grey-dyed wood trim, a few other things) is on it. All Sports have KDSS.

Hope this helps!

 

[ElPolloBlanco]

It's not really going to be a wheeler so I'm not too concerned with the KDSS. The 80 is being set up as a super capable overlander. This is just for road trips and stuff like that. Thanks for the link. That's exactly what I was looking for in terms of year to year changes.


Fat Fingered from the 'Mud app

 

[2002tii]

Sure, but do keep in mind that the KDSS benefits are arguably more noticeable on road than off. The sway bars are enormous. While it's clearly no sports car, a KDSS GX470 corners almost comically flatly. There's very little lean on a curvy road.

 

[IanB]

As 2002tii said, the '05+ vvti engine is a nice bump in power, and possibly a small bump in fuel economy is real nice as they are heavy trucks. Things to watch out for are the 90k mile service has been done, rad failure (starts with seeping, look for pink staining), seized front brake calipers (very common), and air ride issues (rear spring conversion is often most economical). Very comfy trucks, try to find one without nav as it's crap.

 

[nakman]

I seem to have found myself in this camp. wife's Volvo just got the diagnosis that it needs tires, control arms, and who knows what else, that's money I just don't feel like dropping, and the only Toyota/Lexus she seems to like is the GX470. Having owned about every Cruiser I think I know what I'm looking for.. any other GX-specific advice out there? Not sure I can find any w/o Nav but will definitely look, thanks for that one. We had a Prius and it looks like the same deal. Definitely going with 2005+ as I wish my 100 had the 5-speed, that's an easy one.

 

[ElPolloBlanco]

I just bought this beauty today for the family. $20,900 for an '07 with 84,500 miles. Blue book was over 24,000 so I'm pretty happy. Has the nearly useless Nav, but I like the Bluetooth and the in ceiling DVD. Road trips are going to be much more comfortable now that we aren't driving a Prius everywhere. My wife's face simply lit up when she saw it.

 

[ElPolloBlanco]

Also, no KDSS, but I have an 80 for that off-roading stuff.

 

[Corbet]

at 07 they added a MP3 plug into the factory stereo. When we were looking my wife wanted that. Otherwise i'd just make sure you get one with the 5-speed and VVTi engine (2005 or newer). Link below should be helpful, its like the Slee 80/100 buyers guide but for the GX

http://www.toyota120.com/html/lexus_gx470.html

 

[fantic]

I have a silver 06 just like it. Bought it in 09 as a CPO with 50K miles. Now it has 110k on the clock. Other than the normal maintenance I had the secondary air pump "smog pump" go out. Truck will not run without this. Its under the intake along with the starter. Bad spot if you ask me. It was still under the CPO warranty and Lexus would not cover it. Wanted 2K to fix. I found a pump at napa for a 96? Blazer and did it myself. Other than that its been pretty reliable.

 

[IanB]

Our '04 has the 5 speed auto as well, I'm pretty sure all the GX470's had that tranny, FWIW.

 

[nakman]

Ok right on, thanks guys. And holy cow, what's up Ian! good to see ya.

 

[IanB]

Long time no see!

 

[Sam Stewart]

Not sure on the Lexus side but Toyota has extended warranty coverage on the air pumps for some vehicles up to 10yrs/150k miles.

 

[fantic]

Lexus said no. Didn't help that the tech said that there was "evidence of mice in the area." I couldn't find anything. Motor just quit. They wanted $2K to fix. I had $150 in parts and a day in the garage.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Lexus said no. Didn't help that the tech said that there was "evidence of mice in the area." I couldn't find anything. Motor just quit. They wanted $2K to fix. I had $150 in parts and a day in the garage.

Off the record I have heard of a bypass kit for that system. I believe it plugs into the harness where the pumps/valves plug in and tricks the system into thinking everything is working correctly. Kinda like the O2 sensor simulators... Google it.

 

[fantic]

Yea I looked into that mod. If I remember right I would have had to pull the intake to unhook the wires to the pump. The intake was 90% of the work. So I just got the little fan motor from napa and did it right. Air pump in the front. Starter in the back. The one on the left is a Dorman from Napa $120. The right is the one off the lexus. Dealer wanted $1000 for it.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Nice.

 

[Bill R]

NAPA part# by chance ?

 

[fantic]

Doorman #306-010. Just looked Amazon has them for $90.00. About $900.00 cheeper than Lexus. Just switch out the wiring between the two pumps. They just plug in. I have more picks if you need them.