New (to me) 470

[red-runner]

Just bought a 2003 GX470 with 108K on the clock. So far, I'm loving the vehicle.

I've also got a 1994 Toyota pickup (caged and long-travel) and the 1997 Red-Runner. I'm obviously a big fan of Toyota truck/SUV platforms. I don't plan to do anything silly with the GX (at least for now).

Car has a few problems that should be handled next week:

1) Ride height adjustment doesn't work. Just sits at "N" and doesn't respond to the button on the console. Rear end hiss and settle when we park, so I do believe the bags are working. Either console switch or more likely the height sensor (I'm guessing).

2) Blown Mark Levinson mids in front doors.

3) Tiny amount of grease on right front CV boot.

All of these seem like common problems with these trucks. No big deal, as long as we can get the issues resolved. I've also got parts coming to do the timing belt, filters, and water pump -- seems well-cared for, but the 90k maintenance wasn't done. Anyway, happy to add the 120 to the fleet.

 

[red-runner]

I should probably update this. It's such a grocery-getter, I tend to forget it's a 4runner/LC on the inside.

Carmax replaced the blown speakers, and they also fixed the rear height adjustment (cable disconnected under center console -- that was it). Mechanic took a look at the CV and told me it's fine...I'll keep an eye on it. I ripped the dash apart, and installed a vaistech bluetooth receiver (streaming audio; no hands-free support). Upgraded the Nav DVD to the latest/greatest. And got new tires - Cooper HTPs (which I absolutely love).

The best thing though: I thought the previous owner hadn't done timing belt and water pump, since it didn't show up in Lexus maint history. So I bought parts. My friend (who happens to be a Lexus tech) pulled the engine cover, and we found the less-than-6,000-miles-ago maintenance sticker. T-belt and water pump are looking good, no codes, and we even pulled the plugs (which were basically brand new). My buddy inspected everything thoroughly, and he said it is one of the cleanest gX engines he's looked at. Score!

Anyway, I love the car, hate the gas mileage, but drive it pretty much everywhere. My wife is going to steal it from me though...

 

[smallfry]

Anyway, I love the car, hate the gas mileage, but drive it pretty much everywhere. My wife is going to steal it from me though...

What mileage are you getting?

 

[4Running Daily]

What mileage are you getting?

Probably around 7. Totally not worth the mileage hit going from a 4Runner. Don't do it.

 

[Ed_C]

Probably around 7. Totally not worth the mileage hit going from a 4Runner. Don't do it.

LOL,it won't dip that low unless you're constantly at wide open throttle,loaded with passengers,while towing a trailer.

PS OP before your wife steals it from you,swap the front rotors/calipers and the wheels :biggrin2: The GX front brakes are even larger than the Tundra upgrades but need 17" wheels minimum to clear the calipers.

 

[4Running Daily]

LOL,it won't dip that low unless you're constantly at wide open throttle,loaded with passengers,while towing a trailer.

PS OP before your wife steals it from you,swap the front rotors/calipers and the wheels. The GX front brakes are even larger than the Tundra upgrades but need 17" wheels minimum to clear the calipers.

I just made that figure up. I'm just trying to convince SmallFry not to sell his 4Runner.

 

[red-runner]

You guys crack me up. My 4Runner is my beast. The gx is a nice family car that gets 16 miles per gallon...and all the groceries. Will probably turn into a beast one day.

 

[IanB]

Nice GX! Sounds like you've got it pretty well baselined, a couple quick things to check over before handing it to the wife:
-front calipers seize fairly often on these, give them a look over and a quick service to prevent more expensive repairs down the road
-my favorite mod I've done to my wife's GX is the low beam HID conversion, plug and play, and it makes me smile every time I use them

 

[the great him]

LOL,it won't dip that low unless you're constantly at wide open throttle,loaded with passengers,while towing a trailer.

PS OP before your wife steals it from you,swap the front rotors/calipers and the wheels :biggrin2: The GX front brakes are even larger than the Tundra upgrades but need 17" wheels minimum to clear the calipers.

are the rotors the same as the tundra rotors? or would the 4th gen 4runner(4.7l) have the same rotors as the GX. im looking to upgrade the rotors to a set of drilled and slotted (all 4) from LCE. they dont list the GX for the front, but have a large rotor for the 4th gen 4runners with the larger breaks(assuming the v8)...

 

[IanB]

are the rotors the same as the tundra rotors? or would the 4th gen 4runner(4.7l) have the same rotors as the GX. im looking to upgrade the rotors to a set of drilled and slotted (all 4) from LCE. they dont list the GX for the front, but have a large rotor for the 4th gen 4runners with the larger breaks(assuming the v8)...

GX470 rotors are the same as V8 4Runner rotors.

 

[Ed_C]

are the rotors the same as the tundra rotors?

Tundra rotors are smaller. I test-fitted GX rotors on my Tundra and couldn't fit the (Tundra) calipers over them. I've also tried fitting 16" wheels (Konig Countersteer) on a GX470 and they couldn't clear the calipers.

or would the 4th gen 4runner(4.7l) have the same rotors as the GX. im looking to upgrade the rotors to a set of drilled and slotted (all 4) from LCE. they dont list the GX for the front, but have a large rotor for the 4th gen 4runners with the larger breaks(assuming the v8)...

Correct,the larger rotors listed for the 4th-gen 4Runners are the same as GX470 rotors. They are 13.3" vs 12.5" and came on models factory equipped with 17" or larger wheels.

 

[Link12]

We have a 08 GX470 and it gets 17.5 mpg on regular gas. It says to use super unleaded but we never have. We traded a 06 4runner 2wd 4.0 in on it getting 20mpg. V8 + AWD and only loss 2.5 mpg. I'm happy.

 

[470SNC]

Congrats, my lifted GX with 285 e load Coopers is getting avg. 14.5 right now

 

[the great him]

Cool beans as soon as I get this transponder issue figured out I'll upgrade the breaks. All the calipers except the drivers front need to be replaced so I'll do all new everything after the lines