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Timing job done. Took a few days. Told the shop it wasn't a daily driver for us resulting in us getting bumped around until done when urgent jobs came in. For the price, I can't complain.
$319.80 for labor. I brought all parts, coolant and the correct sealant.
I forgot to ask but was surprised/happy to find our shipping box with all the removed parts in the back. All look to be in good shape.
Only complaint I can make, and no idea why they did this since I didn't provide them, is they replaced the hose clamps with old school worm hear clamps. Now I can't put the correct clamps back on without draining the radiator. For now they will stay. One of the coolant hoses was worse shape then the other, glad I opted to change them out. I'll toss the clamps in a drawer. If a leak presents I'll swap them out.
I'll try and do a total to date post when I get time. Still have brakes in the garage which I hope I get time this weekend or next to do (front and back). Still some fluids to change out. Going to drain and fill tranny a couple times, front/rear diff, brake fluid.
So far so good since we picked her up. Running great.
Good news bad news type of day. Had some time. Decided to address the brakes. Had front and rear rotors and pads ordered from Amazon in the garage. Get the GX on stands. Fronts look new.
Suspected fronts weren't the source of the pulsing. Previous owner confirmed he had new front brakes put on just a few months ago which "didn't fix the pulsing". One of the calipers was replace but he didn't know which one.
Moved to the rears. Pads were down to the backing plate. Rotors had large ridges. Could feel grooves. Get it all disassembled. Calipers seem to be ok. Had to use alot of mallet persuasion to get the driver side rear rotors off but eventually it gave.
There are stands under the frame rails in case anyone is worried for safety. The yellow ones were used for wheel blocks before wheels taken off.
AC Delco pads and rotors. They were cheap. Ceramic. Seem to work well. The fronts will go back for refund.
Anyhow, brakes all done. Fluid looks good and was flushed with the fronts so I didn't flush today. The GX drives and stops very smooth. Pulsing problem solved for now.
Bad news. AC isn't working. Had worked great since we bought her. Got home. Did some internet sluething. Clutch isn't engaging at all. Checked the clutch relay. Still the old one before the tsb. Bought the new one from AutoZone for $25. Still no ac, still no ac clutch engagement. Thought I had one of the ac pro kits at home. Couldn't find it. When I get time I'll check the pressure and see if it is just the low pressure. Tried to jumper the clutch, still nothing but I can't find a good diagram and the relay pins aren't marked on the oem or the duralast replacement.
Just another thing I guess. I don't have the gauges and such to pull a vacuum or evacuate the system so might need to find a pro if recharge doesn't fix it.
Previous owner said he got $3k on trade from the dealer. Didn't leave much profit in it. It went straight to auction after trade before we bought it for $4k.
Bought an AC pro kit. Started to charge the system and almost immediately heard a hissing noise. Turns out this bolt was loose on the ac line to condenser.
Anyone know the TQ value for this bolt?
Suspect for some reason it was loosened during the timing service although not sure why. Tightened the bolt until hissing stopped.
Now I need to pull a vacuum on the system but I put some coolant in it. If it will hold and I don't find any leaks then recharge. Compressor did kick on with the bit of 134a that stayed in the system. Sorry ozone, didn't know the bolt was loose.
Might take it to someone and have them evacuate, pull vacuum and hold it before charging. Any other ways to evacuate it legally and safely at home? I know AutoZone has the pump and manifold for loan a tool but that won't recover the 134a.
Summary refurb cost for those wondering, "How much does a cheap GX470 cost?"
Purchase: $4,000
TTL: $524.00
Carfax (ebay): $5
Replacement used seat: $100
Airsprings (non-OEM): $160
Airline tools: $20
Tires: $300
Tires mount, balance, TPMS, spare tire: $486
Key (x2 plus refurb third): $164.54
Keys cut: $50
Key programmer: $16.89
Replacement bumper cover: $350
Timing belt kit: $299.95
Radiator hoses: $52.96
2 gallons coolant: $40
Timing service labor: $319.80
Rear brakes: $81.36
Lifetime alignment and AC service: $324
Oil change: (estimated as I had oil on the shelf) $25
Total $7319.50
I can subtract the TTL which truthfully is not refurb costs. I included the alignment and AC service. I could have skipped alignment and recharged AC myself but I preferred to evacuate the right way and had them recharge. Certainly TPMS could be cheaper or even skipped saving $300. Service performed at Firestone/discount tire direct.
Real total: $6795.50
I havent seen a cheaper running driving GX470 for sale than $4k but I have seen some cheaper than $7k. The benefit I have is I know exactly what parts were used, who performed services and I have all the receipts in my name. Obviously each vehicle will need different services and therefor cost but hopefully somebody shopping for a used GX can see what a real person went through.
To-do list: front and rear diff fluid, trans fluid, lube driveline (mild clunk), maybe a paint correction, still mild sunroof rattle.
400 miles since timing service and so far so good.
Outstanding work. That truck has more than half its life left. And it is a luxury vehicle.
Consider the BT45-TOY though and have modern day audio interface... Safer for the kid to have hands free phone automatically sync with his phone when he gets in the truck. Push steering wheel button to answer and hang up. Adds $139.95 to your total cost but gives it modern day functionality. (I don't sell the BT45-TOY but just am really impressed with ours)
USA Spec BT45-TOY Add Bluetooth functionality to select Lexus, Scion, and Toyota vehicles
Add Bluetooth to your Toyota or Lexus
You love the features and look of your factory radio, but you really want the convenience of Bluetooth. USA Spec designed the BT45-TOY adapter for select Lexus, Scion, and Toyota vehicles, and the package includes everything you need to install it in your vehicle, including a wiring harness and microphone. It allows your factory radio to communicate with any Bluetooth-enabled devices with A2DP audio streaming.
You can stream audio from your favorite phone apps (including games), and you'll be able to handle phone calls using the radio's controls or your steering wheel buttons. The adapter automatically switches your Toyota's radio to Bluetooth mode for incoming calls, even when it's turned off. You can even set the adapter to announce the phone number of your caller.
The adapter also includes a 2.1-amp USB charging port as well as an auxiliary input for other non-Bluetooth audio devices.
Don't miss a call
With the latest in Bluetooth technology, the BT45-TOY gives you great sound and works seamlessly with the vehicle's existing audio sources. You'll retain the use of your vehicle's Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, LiveTraffic, navigation, CD changer, satellite radio, RSE (rear seat entertainment system), and other factory-installed options. You can carry on a noise-free conversation in almost any environment, and USA Spec's technology gives you the best possible sound quality. The built-in auto-mute function makes sure you never miss a call.
General Features :
Lets you talk hands-free and stream music through the factory radio in select Toyota and Lexus vehicles
Includes wiring harness and microphone
Built-in auto-mute keeps you from missing calls
Retains CD changer, satellite radio, and other factory-installed options
Auxiliary input for non-Bluetooth devices
USB charging port
Since Thewe owned the GX and replaced the bags we have an odd issue. When choosing Low the rear deflates, can hear air from the bags/compressor/valve. The light flashes in L but it never gets to solid. After a minute or two the compressor kicks on and GX goes to N. Set it to high, no issues, goes to H.
The rear seemed to get bumpy again so crawled under to take a look. This is what I found on the passenger rear. Sorry for terrible pics, GX wasnt on stands.
Lower height control sensor bracket bent.
The bracket appeared to be bent down and in a good bit. This seemed to lower the sensor arm. This results in the passenger side sitting between .5 - 1 inch higher than the driver side.
Bent the arm back to "straight". Didn't seem to make much difference so far in ride height but the bumpy ride seemed to have gone away. GX still won't go to L. The rear bump stops hit the axle and I guess the computer realizes it isn't going down more and resets to neutral.
Not sure I want to swap the sensors. Looks like Rock Auto has the aisin for $120/each. Seems a spring conversion is cheap. Plus with the bracket bent it may never be even. Any tips on this? I saw a thread or two with broken brackets but I didn't see any with bent brackets.
We have an 08 that’s got the bouncy thing going on as well. Researching the air bag shocks and if we should switch over to coils. What’s your opinion of the ones you bought online?
Nice job on the cleanup!
We have an 08 that’s got the bouncy thing going on as well. Researching the air bag shocks and if we should switch over to coils. What’s your opinion of the ones you bought online?
Nice job on the cleanup!
They seem to work fine. I can't speak to longevity. Now that I suspect the height control sensors might be bad I am considering a spring conversion. Cheapest I could find the sensors was $160-190/each. Can complete a spring conversion for less than a single sensor.
Hadn't looked at my thread in a while. Sold some parts since out last update. Most importantly the GX has been a tank so far. 3k Mike's since TB service. Only issue is the secondary air pump seems loud and never seems to quiet down after warm up which seems odd. Haven't investigates further as I don't smell gas.
Parts sold so far.
Both mud flaps - $70 each
Both rear bumper cover reflectors - $15 each
Passenger side wheel well panel $15
Seat motor - $18
seat belt buckle - $50
Thought I had the headrest sold but guy hasn't ever gotten back to me.
Tore apart the old seat. Didn't want to toss out all the usable parts. Took a few hours since I didn't have a guide but it all comes apart. Put some parts on eBay. The rest went into a box likely to be found five years from now when I forget where they are. All available if anyone sees anything they want. Only part I didn't say was the foam, frame, bottom leather.
Total above is all before eBay/shipping but more than enough to cover the seat swap and eat into cost of the bumper swap. Still lots of parts but they don't sell real fast.
So this will be a bit of a random question. I just bought a 2005 GX470 that desperately needs new front seats. Can you give me a rundown of how you found your seat? Did you call junkyards around? What do you ask them? How did you find your seat?
12-12-19, 07:12 PM
