cmurph

Hi! Several year lurker, first time poster. Thanks for all the guidance. Looking for advice:

I never intended to buy a GX470 but we needed a new ride a few years back and my neighbor offered up his 2008 GX, 140K miles, all dealer serviced for $10K which seemed reasonable. Timing belt, drive belt, water pump, radiator all replaced at 110K. I assumed reasonable maintenance given Toyota family.

So far I've loved the truck. Since then we've put 20K more miles on it. Replaced the front axles at 145K and thats it. Just back from oil service and my shop recommended:

• "Play in right front tie rod. Rack and pinion leaking, both bellows are wet. Recommend replace rack and pinion, with new tie rods. PS fluid flush and alignment." ~$1,700
• "Rear upper control arm bushings are worn out. Recommend replacement." $700. (interestingly, a separate shop said the GX doesnt have rear control arms)
• Front pads and calipers ~$600

Additionally, recently the ride has been getting bouncy. It's intermittent. Sounds similar to this. Resetting the rear air suspension (low, high, neutral) seems to temporarily resolve the issue but it returns. Seems like something is up and I know the air suspension is tricky and pricey so I'd likely preventatively do the coil spring conversion (~$750).

TLDR: should I invest close to $4K in this truck? I'll do it if it will treat me right going into 200K miles. Otherwise I'd rather swap it now for something else since we picked it up on a whim anyways. Thanks in advance!

ALAN553

if your going to fix those leaky air bags...better hurry up before compressor burns out too and that will add and easy $500 more onto the price

cmurph

Thanks, good advice if I’m going to keep the air suspension, I assume. But I think I’d just delete the air suspension and do traditional coils. But I do think it’s likely leaky air bags or a sensor issue.

malmon

Before you get rid of the air suspension, try driving a GX with the coil springs. There's a big difference in ride comfort. We have an 18 GX460 that came from the factory with coil springs and the ride is not as good as our 08 GX470. I prefer driving and riding in the GX470. I replaced the airbags myself with the Arnott brand and it's relatively easy,

chiph9

I put a similar amount into mine late last year. Lots of front suspension work...

I did it because I planned to keep it for another 3+ years, and still do (that 3 year date keeps moving forward..)

So unless something in your life changes where you need to sell it (you're suddenly expecting triplets, or similar), I'd go ahead and put the money in it.

Chip H.

Jpilot

These are great vehicles. Ask yourself if you can add $4k to the sell price of that GX and get something that is as good or better. I think you would have a hard time getting something better. Also, once the work is done, you are going to have confidence that everything needed has been done vs another car that could need a bunch of stuff soon.

IanB2

As it sits, it's probably worth what you paid for it plus the $4K it needs in repairs...pretty good situation to be in.

cmurph

Appreciate the advice. Given that we really enjoy the truck, and factoring in the overall investment is still very reasonable, this gives me reassurance!

Davenlei

iTrader: (1)

I have a 2008 GX470 with 202K miles on it so far and still going strong!
As a side note, many thousands of miles ago my air bags started leaking and I replaced them with coils and new shocks (Bilstein 5100's). I was not super happy with the ride and my wife was not happy at all with the feel so I bought a pair of new aftermarket air bags for $80 a pair off of eBay which looked exactly like OEM and went back to air springs. Wife was very happy again so I was happy. We have been riding on those bags for over 40K miles now and has been great. If you go springs make sure you are ok with the ride being a little different.

cmurph

This is super helpful to know. Makes me lean towards replacing the bags vs mucking with the suspension.

mntntrls71

I have converted 2 GXs from air bag to coils and the ride has been much better than the air bags. All depends on the strength or rate of the spring. Call Dobinson and talk with them. I have used factory height ride and installed lifts.

IanB2

My experience was also a much nicer ride on coils than airbags, personal preference I guess.

leica

So how does the ride change from bags to coils then? I'm assuming the bags have more of a "floaty" feel, while the coil springs give more of a planted better handling feel with less body roll but stiffer ride. If that's the case I'd prefer coil springs, Some people prefer the floaty feel but I hate it lol

Davenlei

iTrader: (1)

That is the experience I had. The coils had more road feel which took away from the 'soft luxury' ride of air springs. If you want an off roader or want more road feel then coils.... If you want to retain that cushiony ride in the rear and the ability to lift/lower/level the rear when towing, then air springs.
I like the tighter road feel for my cars but for my SUV, I use that when I haul stuff or want to just cruise in comfort. It is purely personal preference.

MDSteamer

I did the Arnott spring kit for the GX, 4Runner, Prado with Bilstein 4600 shocks. Pulled 2 fuses to disable the pump and dash warning.
Mine is a twin to yours with 190,000 on it now. Probably time to do the front shocks and fuel pump as well before it needs towed.