Glad I found you. Just shopping the auctions around Nashville this week. Patience is going to be a virtue. We're lucky here that the dealers let some nice old cars slide into auction. Hoping to find one soon. Hoping for a clean 7K find. Keep up the good work.
This was the most informative video on what to look for when purchasing GX. I appreciate your insight and experience of these vehicles. It definitely helped me tremendously. Thank you, Sir.
Comes down to a matter of opinion. Most people like the LX a little more for the room. The platform isn’t that much different. With GX prices having nearly caught the LX price you may can snag a good deal on an LX
Excellent information, you are the best! I’m currently shopping for a first gen GX and I’ll definitely be using your advice during inspection. You’re helping us save money with a bargaining advantage!
Dont know about your flexibility with available GXs in your area. If you have several to look at periodically, I would pass on the "Blizzard White" ones if you can. Thats an automatic $2,500 expense to re-paint. I had no idea...
@@mjbuisse Its beyond bad, and there is nothing you can do but re-paint it. sooner rather than later. And look, if you know someone that does paint, then its not a big deal really. It will just be an unforeseen cost added to the vehicle without any advanced warning by anyone. except me.
Looked at one today. Thought I didn't know enough about cars to make a hasty decision so I put off signing anything. Found this video and decided I knew nothing. Going in tomorrow feeling much more confident. If everything pans out I'll be driving her home. Thanks for everything and subbed!!
Dude I just realized I watched this video already before I bought the Lexus and now I'm talking with you on Facebook messenger 🤣 you're a good man, any business you start up I'm sure customer service will be 5 stars.
I had an exhaust manifold leak, so listen for ticking noises as you start it up and back up. I ended up removing the manifold and had it welded where it had cracked, just swapped gaskets but it wasn't easy. I bought mine from an old lady and ended up doing the timing belt and radiator replacement myself. Also did all the fluids and brakes among other item such as lift. Also changed CV axles and lower control arms as units, aftermarket parts are inexpensive. One thing I hate about the GX, it's kinda thirsty. Good luck.
No problem. I’m adding videos to the series as I come across things that I have to do to different ones that we have before they get sold. If there is something that you would like to see let me know. I’ll do my best to get it done
Great inspection. However, you could have added to check the exhaust manifold/catalytic converter for leaks. I bought my gx470 '08 and it had a hissing noise. Ended up being a "patch job" of cementing the catalytic converter to manifold instead of welding it or installing the manifold and catalytic converter as one piece. I had to replace both sides at a cost of $500.00 per side. Make sure you see timing belt sticker is key too. I worked that into my buying negotiations to have it replaced before I buy. U must change every 90k miles.
All good stuff here. Bought my 08 GX with 144,000 on it around late May last year. Had to do CV axles, and a few small details to pass Maryland inspection. Since I have done the Aisin timing and water pump kit with serpentine , as well as a new thermostat and fresh red coolant. Tires I went with 3 peak Destination AT2 from Firestone. Wheels are next. Thinking of getting Mamba M14's in machined silver for my silver GX470. Checked fluids for anything bad , dipstick was fine, nothing burnt. No Smoke when starting it up. No leaks, Nav , DVD and Mark Levinson system all good. Dash good , leather fine just wear from sliding in and out. No rips. This was about the 7th GX I looked at under 10 grand and in the best shape for the price. Thinking Old Man Emu lift when the bags fail. Still looking into options on that.
@@ImYoutubing247 Nah, I paid a fair price for the fact it didn't have a perfect history. The last owner did his own work and nothing was recorded on it 50,000 miles. But hey, all the basic used car red flags were ok when I checked it out. $25 grand is good FJ Cruiser money. I feel sorry for people that paid double for a GX when they get tired of it in 3 years and can't trade or sell it.
Very important. Check for Noisy brake booster. I had the brake booster die on me. Lost my brakes and had a high pitch alarm inside the car go off while I was driving. I had to use the hand brake. Expensive job at the dealer. Part is sold on eBay. Did the job myself.
Awesome video! I am in the market for one. Would you be able to make a serpentine replacement video? And valve covers? Just in case we do come across this. I actually appreciate that you take the time to get up close and focus so we can see what you are speaking of or pointing out. So I say best video work especially for video like this.
Hey man this is off topic but you seem to be the best GX guy on RU-vid lol. I was wondering if the AM 1 fuse in the engine compartment has anything to do with my front wipers not working? 2003 GX470
Great video! Live in AL too, just bought an 04 GX470 in Huntsville, in near perfect shape, come from Subarus, but it’s gonna take a lot to pull me away Lexus from now on!
Love these videos. In the process of buying one and this and the previous helped a ton. Question: When removing the airbag suspension, will it start throwing engine codes? If so, how do you get rid of them?
Should not see engine codes for this and this is how to turn off the lights for the system and the warning light that will show the system is off ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PyZAvChLmxg.html
I may have missed it but also checking the rack and pinion. I looked at one this past week that had the boot clamped down with cheap clamps, passenger side was completely separated from said clamp and leaking like a wet dream, the drivers side was clamped (not well) and leaking. Of course no agreement on the price of what the toyota brand would cost to replace and he wouldn't take much off based on that so I walked. other than that it was perfect BUT i dont like people yanking my chain on what i know i'm about to spend to fix it if purchased. Great video! thanks
A really informative video! Thank you for putting something like this together! Do you flip these? If so, do you have any that you are currently selling? Thanks again my friend!
Don't forget about the Toyota White Blizzard Pearl paint pealing issue. (oh, you just mentioned it) I bought mine from a guy that had it partially fixed. I could tell because there was overspray on the mudflaps but he didn't tell me why. The problem was they didn't re-spray all the areas and after a year, the paint blew up along the entire length of the chrome trim along the top of the front doors. Now I have to bring it in and have it re-done. It's not a formal recall so I don't know if it will be covered when I bring it in, like the peeling dashboard issue.
Very unlikely that they will cover it unfortunately. I’m having one repaint it now before it goes out to the customer. An amateur painter had tried to fix it but like you said it didn’t quite do the job
Great video. Subscribed. Just bought an LX570 at an auction sight unseen(I know) turns out I got lucky. The interior looks like shit but everything else is great. I love it.
Good point, did I not even mention it in here? 😬 I think I did in my first one and may have forgotten in this one. Hard to tell it’s going to leak down if someone isn’t truthful and you meet at a mutual spot. Won’t have time to leak
Thanks for the video. Good info. I have and 04 and an 08. They were both solely dealer maintained and run great. I do most of the repairs myself. Have you seen the Tesla center display on one of these? It looks sick! Let me know if you can remember where to get the cup holders from they suck especially on the 08!
woah. thx a lot for that video. NOw we are talking about a real nice video to watch before buying a GX. straight to the point with all the info needed with out to much blablablablabal around it.
Was thinking I wanted a Land Cruiser as my next vehicle (but after seeing prices and the tons of miles on them) I am now looking into this model Lexus. I am also in AL.
Nice overview! Granny Gold. LOL! I'm not a fan of that color either. Can't wait to see it lifted! Thanks again. Merry Christmas to You & Your family! Jesus is The Reason for The Season!
@@otlfitness I'm just listening and watching a lot of videos to see what I'll end up with. I'm hoping to get one in the Summer. No disrespect to your Gold GX. Just not my favorite color choice. Seems hard to find a nice clean one these days. Continued success to you and your GX brother!
@@BrianODonohue Oh man, it's a car, I take zero offense. We all have our likes and dislikes. Keep your eyes peeled in Texas. A ton of rust free GX's out there always pop up for sale!
Maybe a dumb question but I’m just now looking into getting a Lexus which will be my first 4x4 vehicle and I’m not 100% about using the high and low and neutral. Are you supposed to be in any certain gear before switching it? Also did you ever figure out what causes that temporary grinding sound when you switch it?
You can put the transmission in neutral to go from hi to lo. You can’t leave the selector in neutral or it just rolls. Sometimes the RPMs are a little high for the gears to line up and you’ll grind a touch.
The only thing that I would add is that you have to be sure and look underneath at the frame. I purchased a 2004 I didn’t know the frame was completely rusted out $4000 later it’s fixed. I’m still on my feelings because guy knew was rusted out I only paid 6500 that’s probably why
Nice videos man. 👍👌 Very informative. I've been look to get a GX for a while now but the prices here in Socal are ridiculous. I went on your website and noticed you have one. How often do you have those in stock as I might be pulling the trigger on one in the next few months. Great videos again.
I have 2 currently but the one you saw isn’t spoken for yet. I try to keep 1-2 at a time. Still a full time fire/medic so trying to not get too far ahead of myself on work ha
So, I was wondering if you have run into a flashing airbag light?? Waiting on a code reader that reads SRS to come in, but curious if you have run into this at all. Thanks.
Great video, I’m interested in your thoughts on the airbag suspension. Is it a liability that you would look to replace with a regular suspension kit long term?
Curious what your thoughts are on 2004 Lexus GX 470 Base 4WD with 187,925 Miles. Maintenance record shows that the timing belt was only changed once at 77,0000 miles. All other maintenance seems to be legitimate. They want $8.999. I'm extremely tempted. I haven't test driven it yet, but plan to this week if the weather cooperates.
I have a 2010 one and when I stop at a traffic light sometimes I feel like a thump from the transmission. its like sometone hit slightly your cae from behind.
Gotcha I’ll try to drop a video like that next week. As far as telling if they are working or not if you drive it and it bounces you everywhere the airbags are bone or at least not airing up. If it’s a smooth ride then they are either working or they have been converted
So he didn’t really talk about which year is the best one to buy or about messing with the navigation on the newer year can be a pain to install new apple car play or new nav stereo .
You seem to really take care of the vehicles, before you list them. We def need more intergrity like this. Is that 'Granny Gold' Gx going on your website soon? Because, I have been scouting the market, looking to purchase one...
I've got a silver one on the website. It's for sale, I just need to put the center diff actuator in it. I have a black one that is on the channel, but it's pending sale as I'm working on it. I take custom orders when requested if you wanted things done before sale. Silver has had timing belt, water pump, new battery, power steering pump and reservoir and when I finish the center diff all 3 diffs will have fresh fluid. Spacer lift on the front and Icon lift springs on the rear. www.jlmauto.com is where it is, I'm updating pics tonight.
How can the axle Accuat0r go out if they're not used ? I understand maybe it gets dirty or gummed up loses its lubrication? But can't a person just spray some lube in there? Somehow if they are froze up are they vacuum? I mean how could it actually deteriorate if it was never used I understand it could maybe tighten up from never moving .a person should be able to save it by working on it or tear it down and fix it without buying a new one if they're so expensive? What do you think? You can tell I'm old school mechanic and I used to fix everything if possible buy miracles :-) you know I started out will a 1940 Ford pickup truck at 17 years old. I used to change out those flathead V8 sand the Transmissions because they were my transportation and I was just a kid but I could do it myself without anybody teaching me everything is gone completely nuts nowadays so complicated and the price is I'm hearing about on here scare me to death I don't have any kind of money like that
Man appreciate your honesty 250k on a GX 470 scares me My exterra’s Tran die at 230K In process of fixing is it worthwhile?? Now I’ve fallen in luv with the GX
This video is very helpful. I'm currently looking at an 07 gx470 with 183 on the dash. Its going for 10.5 which I feel is pretty high especially with that year and mileage but the market for them is high. My friends are telling me don't do it but I'm torn, its really clean....What are your thoughts on it?
I just bought an 08 for my wife a few weeks ago with 180k on the dash. Paid 12,500 for it. Excellent condition. I also have an 04 with 225,000 on the dash and runs great. The timing belt needs to be done every 90k so it is probably due on the one you are looking at if it was done at 90k. The dealer quoted me $880 and that includes the timing belt, tensioner, idler pulley, water pump, thermostat and housing. I can do most work myself but not that job. otherwise it can get expensive pretty quick as with all suvs with 4×4. Good luck!
Heavily rusted frame 100%. Surface rust is fixable, but a hole in the frame is no good. A bad head gasket is really expensive so don’t miss out on checking the oil and for any white smoke not associated with cold weather
Have any GX470 for sale? Great clips ! Thanks for the info. Hopefully when this car market and economy get settled the prices will come down. They were at like 6,700 5o 15k now they're 15k to 25k just absurd. But I get these are amazing vehicles .
@@crutchfieldautomotive7936 bone stock, and here’s the car fax on it, thank you. www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=DEY_0&vin=JTJBT20X180164908&sd_xdinfo=%7C%7C%7C083c7f52-76e5-47be-8498-70cb509f0a95%7C76c396e7-6182-46ab-bfe3-46d74eedf163%7C1609382916291%7C%7Cmbusa%7CT3%7Cfalse
@@khanhdinh6518 are you in California as well? Out there that’s the going price on one that sounds as clean as what you are probably looking at. A two owner truck with good service history like that is hard to come by with no rust. I would definitely be more comfortable around $11,000 but it’s really not out of the realm of what they are pulling currently. Here in the south east I’m selling a 2004 with the same mileage already lifted and everything for about the same price. Just two different parts of the country makes a difference on the market heavily.
@@crutchfieldautomotive7936 thank for your the advice! Yes I’m in southern CA, their original asking price was 15.9k and I manage to knock them down to 12.3k, 15k even out the door. I’m going back in to the Mercedes dealership again today to do a more thorough inspection with the help of your video! Then hopefully finalizing everything.
Got a question. I’m looking at a 2008 GX 470, 182K miles, $9;500 today here in Minnesota. Extensive service record including timing belt replacement. Yep. Rust underneath. I followed your tips using a hammer and all of it appears to be surface rust. Frame is solid, drain holes were clear. One area below the vehicle near the front, passenger floor pan is rusted through about 1 inch in diameter. My question: Is it worth having a body shop refurbish the undercarriage?
Would they allow you to take it to the body shop for a quote? A lot of body shops will only tell you that they can replace it instead of refurbish it. If you could get a quote and maybe work part of the price out of the selling price that’s not bad especially on a 2008. I watched a 2005 with nearly the same mileage go for 16,000 at dealer auction today. Things are getting ridiculous
@@crutchfieldautomotive7936 Thanks for the quick reply. One thing I didn’t mention was the on their last service, the dealer recommended replacement of the Cat ($2K) which they baked into the sell price. Would be tough to get an estimate from a body shop as the vehicle is about an hour away and I travel for work during the week. What I’ve read is anywhere between 3 - $4K. Of course I may look at doing this DIY. Great content on your channel.
I read a lot of comments, and many people asking about good values, etc. Since I'm in the market, I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask... I'm looking at a couple of these from a dealership in Houston. They have heavy overland mods and all maintenance (new timing/water pumps, etc), 3-4" lift kits, converted suspensions, front Iron Man bumper, rear steel bumper, 35" tires, and the list goes on. there is an '04 with 140K miles for 23K and a '06 with 180K for 24K... These are obviously priced waaayyyy over retail, but are they worth it with all of the mods and the maint done? I want to buy one that I don't have to do any work on, but these still seem a little high in price...
@@crutchfieldautomotive7936 Do you have a website for your dealership? I'd like to reach out to you and see what you may have in your inventory, as well as to discuss buying one of these that you have gone through like the black one in your video. I'm not really interested in the overland mods that the Houston dealership has done to all of their vehicles, but I am interested in having all of the necessary maintenance done before I purchase one. (Plus, their prices seem a little high) Thanks for the reply, my name is Ernest. 469-475-8185 eemerick@gmail.com
I am looking at buying a 2005 470. When I asked the seller to test the Center Diff Lock (I live 450mi away or I would have just checked myself) the seller said the light blinks but goes solid when he puts it in "Drive". Looked like it went solid in "Park" for you though, so I am confused. Have you ever run into anything like that and any recommendations?
Take the top fill plug out of each differential and see if you’re able to touch fluid (I usually just stick my pinky or use a dowel) you should be able to easily touch fluid. You can top it off from there if you’re not changing it.
For me there’s a difference in normal surface rust you’ll so around holes on the frame or lift points vs having actual flaky deep penetrating rust that’s going to take time and effort to repair. Light surface rust is on nearly every frame after a couple of years and never becomes more than that
