04-06 GX470 Buying Concerns?

[bluecollarjock]

So, there seems to be a descent market for 03-06 GX's at better prices than 4runners. I am going to check some out this week, but doing some digging on the Lexus forums made me nervous concerning the suspension. What is the longevity of the suspension parts, and from what I have gathered crazy ass expensive shocks if you want to keep the ride control. If I get a GX and shocks arent leaking, but its high mileage I would want to change them before I gave it to my dad since he would just leave it be or take it to guys who would not be able to fix it...or my dad would freak out how much the parts cost. It seems like guys throw on Bilsteins but on the Lexus forums it gets confusing as some say it makes the ride great and others say it ruins the ride. And lots of threads on Lexus forums of suspension issues, whether electrical quirks or the shocks going bad, and it bottoming out or riding rough etc...

So any advice on shopping for GXs and is it a great concern that the suspension is full of electronic gizmos and super silly expensive shocks? Would there be an economical way if I bought one to replace the shocks and retain the Lexus ride control without it killing the bank?

Other concerns to look for when looking at these? I already know to check about water pump and timing belt, service documentation etc. KDSS worries me a little too if I end up buying one with it and then it craps out on my old man...

Thanks a bunch..checking out my first one tomorrow...pics look good like its a real pamper job. If I do score one I want to put on some ATs (maybe Toyo AT?), a light bar with driving and fog lights like I did on the Silverado (my dad's commute has some nasty fog, and going from PA to WV and back everyday means he deals with all kinds of rain and snow), some Husky mats, and shocks if its possible to do it affordably so I do not worry about my dad needing to do it later on.

 

[the great him]

Yeah the shocks are expensive, you can typically find them on eBay for about 50%(maybe a little more) of list... most people I know with GXs delete the air suspension and ride control and go with a coil spring conversion from MetalTech. Old Manan Emu makes some good springs and shocks, or you could go with some Ironman foam cell pro coil overs(leave them at stock height) and have a 2.5" coil over that will give an amazing ride(on par with icon or radflo (my wife likes the ride much better than the Bilstein I had). Doing that would be cheaper than replacing the suspension with factory stuff. Other than that there is nothing to watch out for. Oh and I have 170k on the original pump and belt, and know several people who have over that. It's a non-interference motor so no worries there. The pump will start leaking and you will see the pink crust trail of dried coolant when it's time to change.

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[bluecollarjock]

Yeah the shocks are expensive, you can typically find them on eBay for about 50%(maybe a little more) of list... most people I know with GXs delete the air suspension and ride control and go with a coil spring conversion from MetalTech. Old Manan Emu makes some good springs and shocks, or you could go with some Ironman foam cell pro coil overs(leave them at stock height) and have a 2.5" coil over that will give an amazing ride(on par with icon or radflo (my wife likes the ride much better than the Bilstein I had). Doing that would be cheaper than replacing the suspension with factory stuff. Other than that there is nothing to watch out for. Oh and I have 170k on the original pump and belt, and know several people who have over that. It's a non-interference motor so no worries there. The pump will start leaking and you will see the pink crust trail of dried coolant when it's time to change.

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Thanks! this is very helpful....if I found one I would need to get someone in LA to do the work and pick one of these options before driving it cross country to see my dad. No one locally in his area would be familiar with doing that kind of work and if the stock suspension crapped out my parents would take it to their shade tree mechanic who takes cases of beer or deer meat for payment, and he would probably tell them the vehicle was ruined hah...so it does make me concerned if I did get a GX. Anyhow the one that looked PERFECT in photos on Craigslist was a real beater. Its amazing how people can take pictures that make the interior and exterior look so pretty and you show up it looks like a derby car at the county fair.

 

[tonez]

Sorry to bring this up, but I cannot start my own thread since I'm so new here..

I am wondering vvt-i and added 35 hp (2005+) is really worth spending 1-2k more versus the older years without? Is the power and MPG noticeable? I won't be doing much towing, but more looking to build it for off-road usage..

I think I also heard that the 2005+ has an upgraded drive axle?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[IanB]

Sorry to bring this up, but I cannot start my own thread since I'm so new here..

I am wondering vvt-i and added 35 hp (2005+) is really worth spending 1-2k more versus the older years without? Is the power and MPG noticeable? I won't be doing much towing, but more looking to build it for off-road usage..

I think I also heard that the 2005+ has an upgraded drive axle?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Go drive an '03-04 and see if it's enough power for you. It's always nice to have more, but the non-vvti engine makes lots of power all the same. And no secondary air pump system to fail on the non-vvti engine.

 

[tonez]

Go drive an '03-04 and see if it's enough power for you. It's always nice to have more, but the non-vvti engine makes lots of power all the same. And no secondary air pump system to fail on the non-vvti engine.

ok thank you, I will test one out soon.

 

[tonez]

Go drive an '03-04 and see if it's enough power for you. It's always nice to have more, but the non-vvti engine makes lots of power all the same. And no secondary air pump system to fail on the non-vvti engine.

Test drove an 04' one owner 100k.. Seems like 2005-2006 I drove had a little more pick-up. Not by much and maybe it's in my head, but the 04' did seem quite slow. That extra hp could help with over-sized tires

I think I might wait for an 05-06. Unless I can get it down to 12.5k ish from 14.5. Timing belt and water pump haven't been done and the bumper has a little damage.

 

[Skyyks]

I’m new to this site since I just bought my uncle’s silver 05 with KDDS and grey/black wood interior.

Our 06 X5 4.8is is having some major repairs done on it and we had to buy a second vehicle. Great timing since my uncle bought himself a diesel Q7 and was thinking of selling the Lexus.
He sold it to me for 5000$ with brand new Michelin LTX’s installed on it. 200k miles , last timing job at 90k miles.
Flew from Seattle to San Antonio and drove it back home through New Mexico and Utah snow, as well as Dead Man’s Pass in Oregon which was the worst I’ve ever seen it.
I could not believe how nice it handled all the snow and ice while keeping me rested on the couch like seats. Never thought I was gonna buy a Lexus cuz I was a BMW guy all my life but that just changed. My wife and kids need a more reliable rig. A good friend of mine who happens to be a mechanic said to me once: BMW’s never rust, cuz they leak oil like crazy.
LOL
Couldn’t be more true. All of mine leaked like nobody’s business and to find the Lexus so clean with no spec of oil on or under the motor was a pleasant surprise.
So OP, wait for the VVT-i if you wish but do the bypass for the secondary air injection as soon as you get it.

 

[Skyyks]

Oh and I have 170k on the original pump and belt, and know several people who have over that. It's a non-interference motor so no worries there. The pump will start leaking and you will see the pink crust trail of dried coolant when it's time to change.

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Are you talking strictly about non - VVTi engines as non-interference or VVTi included? Cuz there’s reports here and on other forums of major damage with a snapped belt on the 2UZ FE so I just wanted to have that clarified if you don’t mind.