New GX470 Owner - I'm In Love!!

jagsr71

New member
Hey Everyone!
Been looking for a nice GX470 for several months now and finally pulled the trigger this last week!
She's a 2003, one-owner with 113,000 with every option except for towing package (easy fix). Prior to buying, did the car fax and it came back squeaky clean with great detail to maintenance. Previous owner had all major receipts as well.







As you could very well imagine I'm very excited. The only thing that needed maintenance was the timing belt (water pump replacement too).
I scheduled it and had it done yesterday and was excited to start enjoying my new ride for this weekend. Except... :redbrick:
When I drove off from the dealership, I heard a squeaking noise coming from the rear passenger quarter. I also could feel that the she wasn't the smooth ride that I had already grown to love. It was jumpy, bouncy and (right away) I got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach!
I returned back to the dealership and the mechanic immediately crawled underneath to take a look at it. I made sure to point out that it wasn't that way when I came in and he acknowledged that he should have checked it before dropping it back on the ground from the hoist.
He determined that the rear passenger suspension air bag was messed up. It was crooked, loose (not seated in the correct position) and deflated (unlike the driver's side).
He was a nice guy and was honest enough to take the blame while apologizing profusely. He immediately informed the parts manager to order a new part (not in stock) which should be coming in from LA on Thursday of next week.
It was near closing on Friday and the Service Manager had left already. He was adamant that he would inform him on Monday morning that it was his fault, guaranteeing me that there should be no problem.
Now here's my question: You guys are seasoned vets with this vehicle. I've so far driven the vehicle sparingly and very carefully (just twice since then) but now I'm paranoid to drive it anymore until it gets fixed.
Aside from the jerky and extremely uncomfortable drive, I'm afraid I'll mess something else up on the rear suspension if I drive it for a week (also has new front and rear shocks installed within the last 4 months).
Any insight from you guys? Advice?
Am I just being overly cautious or are things okay for now until the new bag gets installed?
Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Sorry I do not have the knowledge to help you on this. I just wanted to say congrats on your recent purchase! That is a beautiful truck. More times than not you are probably being over cautious. That truck looks to have lots of life left in her. Enjoy her!
 
Tell the service manager that it makes you uneasy and I bet he would give you a loaner until the parts come in.

Welcome to the world of the GX!
 
Thanks Bonner. I love this rig but as you can well imagine I'm pretty bummed out about having it in the driveway and not driving it.
This is never going to happen to me again. I'm done with the inherently flawed and expensive rear air suspension system and I'm planning to go the route of coils to replace it.
I've been doing a HUGE amount of reading about lifting the truck and aside from the obvious reliability factor, it just looks incredible with a lift kit!
I can say that I hold you personally responsible for getting me hooked on the idea when I came across many of your pages of lifted GX's. It's definitely what I want to do!
IF you don't mind, I may have to be asking you a few questions in order to get me going in the right direction.
I'm searching for all the parts/components that I'll need to purchase in order to take my truck to the nearest local 4x4 shop in order to get it done.
Although my excitement and enthusiasm is evident in order to embark upon this project, I'm clueless on an aprox. cost for a good, dependable lift 3"-4".
I posted at the other site:
New GX470 Owner!!!
and got some info but I'm still not entirely sure if there's a specific kit from any company dedicated to the GX470 or if I have to mix and match.
The part I don't seem to trust is the 2 x custom fabbed lower spring perches/ramps for the rear axle. It seems like an extremely important part that needs to be fabbed by someone who really knows what they're doing. Is there a shop that we can just buy this part from (that's made it often enough and that we know is a proven and quality product)?
Any insight?
 
Last edited:
Colorado is infested with these. I thought about trading my TE for one because it's comfier, has AWD, and a V8.

I'd definitely want to modify it with an Emu lift.
 

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
278,317
Messages
3,554,129
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Trending content

Back
Top