Hi guys - I know there has been an influx of questions about undercarriage and rust and y’all are probably tired of seeing them. However, I’m looking at a vehicle in Colorado with what looks to be minor surface rust but being from Texas, I genuinely have no idea what an acceptable amount is and what is going to give me problems down the road.
What do you guys think?
So I bought a used 2016 Lexus GX460. I have had it for two wonderful years and have never had an issue. The other morning I noticed my truck struggled to start for the first time. It was a muffled start that lasted 3-4 seconds before kicking on. It would start every time but I noticed that it would lag each time even after I drove for a little while.
I did some research and was hoping it was just the battery. I load tested the battery and it was not dead but was not coming back to charge at all. So I replaced the battery with one I got from costco, truck starts right up each time no lag now.
My question is that how would I go about checking into the warranty for the battery? Do I just go through a Lexus Service department? Also has anyone else experienced this on theirs? I tested the voltage after starting the car and it read 13.7V so I am guessing the alternator is good.
Edit: Battery is from 05/2022
I own a 2006 GX470, I need help with a leak that appears to be coming in from the left corner, drivers side. I’ve done the following:
I removed the cowling cover in front of the windshield and ran a water test. Water only seeps in when the water is flowing on the farthest left corner past the windshield.
If you’ve experienced this, what did you do to fix the issue?
Thanks to all and looking forward to a solution!
Vexed in Virginia
I feel a bit of an idiot. I bought a 2019 GX 460 with 113k miles on it back in July. I’d wanted one for a while and knew they rarely appear/sell fast here in my area of NC. I test drove it and loved it and immediately decided to trade in my Jeep. It’s black on black, great interior and I love it. The carfax is good and it’s been regularly serviced. I thought I’d done my due diligence and what can go wrong!? They’re tanks! Well I didn’t even know to think about where it was from meant I should have checked for rust underneath it. It’s originally from MA. I’ve now noticed there is some rust - I’m kicking myself. What should I do? Get it cleaned off? I feel so naive and wish I’d known.
Someone hit my mirror last month. Finally got insurance approved for them to fix it. Took it to Hendrick Lexus. My 6 yo son told me as soon as we got it back that they didn’t match. I thought he was just being funny.
Today was sitting in the ice cream shop and sure enough. They’re different!! 🤪🤦♀️
Broke my heart but what’s done is done. Looking to get this repaired, was curious to know what my GX fam would estimate the cost to be. Don’t want to pay top dollar, but also don’t want to pay for a piss poor job. What is a reasonable ball park so I can compare to my local body repair shops?
Purchased this 2022 GX with 55k miles last October. Clearly in the rust belt. Leaks about a drip or two every hour. How can I fix this?
Picked it up a couple weeks ago — yall take yalls keys with you or opt for the key card thing? Any way to remote start using the card?
I’m about to buy a 2011 Lexus GX460 in a private sale for $8,500 and wanted some opinions from people who actually know these trucks.
The seller says it’s the Premium trim, which from what I understand was the higher trim level for 2011.
He says the GX has roughly 150k actual miles, but the original gauge cluster failed and was replaced with a used cluster that currently shows around 190k miles. I understand that the mileage discrepancy/unknown mileage is something I’ll have to live with and disclose when I eventually sell it.
Other than that, the truck seems to be in really good condition. The paint/body are very clean and the owner took care of a lot of the cosmetic details. The damaged interior areas were redone in marine-grade vinyl. He says he changes the oil and filter around every 3,000 miles, it has never had a check-engine light, and the only warning currently is for a tire-pressure sensor.
The factory rear air suspension was also deleted and converted to coil springs. He says the rear springs are from an FJ Cruiser/TRD setup, and he’s also including a 2-inch lift kit that he bought but never installed.
It also has the factory rear-seat entertainment system with the screens in the backs of the front seats. Both screens still work, but the screens themselves are pretty scratched up. Has anyone replaced just those factory screens with newer aftermarket displays while keeping the OEM location/fit? I would love to modernize those too instead of having scratched 2011 screens back there.
I’m buying it as a fun daily/project and don’t want to go crazy spending money right away.
A few questions:
At $8,500, would you consider this a good buy even with the cluster/mileage situation?
Is there an easy way to confirm whether it’s actually a Premium and what factory options it originally came with?
What is currently the best large-screen infotainment upgrade for a 2011 GX460? I want something that looks modern and integrated, preferably a large vertical/Tesla-style screen with wireless CarPlay. I’ve seen some Alibaba units and also Hamilton Motor Company/Hamilton-style systems. Which one is actually reliable and worth buying?
Are there any large screens/brands I should specifically avoid because of bad audio quality, HVAC integration, slow software, bugs, poor cameras, etc.?
What would you guys do about the scratched factory rear entertainment screens? Can I replace only the LCD/screens with newer aftermarket ones while keeping the factory housings, or is there a better retrofit?
What is the largest tire size you would recommend on the current factory wheels without changing wheels? I’d rather spend the money on tires and suspension first instead of buying another set of wheels.
Since it already has the rear coil conversion and I’ll have a 2-inch lift kit available, what tire size/setup would you personally run for a mostly street-driven GX that I still want to look aggressive and be legitimately capable off-road?
I’m not trying to build a hardcore rock crawler. I just want a clean OEM+/overland-style GX with a bigger stance, modern infotainment, bigger tires and enough capability to have fun off-road.
2017 GX460, 68k miles. Purchased at 50k after dealer service.
About 4mo ago I started feeling (or just started noticing) a ‘clunk’ going from Park > Drive. Felt like the driveline was ‘loading up’.
About 3mo ago I took the vehicle out of Park into Drive, pulled my foot off the brake and at the same the ‘clunk’ happened I gave it a bit of throttle (driving forward out of a parking spot). I felt a shutter and the Traction Control light popped on for a split second. Stopped, gave gas, all well.
2mo ago I completed the following:
- Greased the driveline (definitely needed it, dealer clearly did not do it)
- Transmission drain/fill plus new strainer and gasket
- Diff fluid drain/fill (both)
- Transfer Case drain/fill
- Did not find slop/play in the driveshafts
The feeling is much less now, but I still feel the car almost push forward slightly, like the driveline is loading up/giving up slack when I shift into Drive. I ‘feel it more’ when the car has been sitting, like in the morning. This makes me think the driveline releases slack over time and the transmission applies torque when I shift, removing the slack.
Edit: Grammar
I am getting new wheels and want to sell the stock sports wheels and tires from my Gx460.
Wheels are in very good condition and tires still have about 80% tread left.
Anyone in the bay area interested, let me know.
I am not sure on the price yet.
Just want something decent and don’t wanna haggle.
Thanks!
I'm looking for a 2022 or 2023 GX 460. Just found one I like at a lexus dealer a few hours away. Looking at the vehicle history, it was originally purchased and driven in Michigan. I would prefer a 'southern' origin if you will due to the issues I've heard about with frame rust. Is this a legit concern or should it be okay? I have not yet seen the car in person but considering taking a road trip to take a look at it. Thanks
The second we took it to our mechanic, on the drive over the whining sound stopped…. ((It’s like the day of your doctors appointment suddenly you feel great!)) (It started after a long drive, the day after) So of course he said if he can’t hear it he has no way of knowing. He checked the fluids and everything seemed fine. So we have no idea what’s wrong. Still this happens on and off. Gets a little louder when accelerating. Any ideas what this could be? Thank you!
Glad that i never upgraded to the new gx couple of my friends are regretting they didn’t keep their 2021-2022 models. Cheers from Jersey!
Sorry for the flipped photos in some images.
Decent amount of rust that progressively gets worse towards the rear of the vehicle. Body mount seems to look a bit flaky and concerning.
Would this be a bad base if I prepped, inhibited, and coated the frame or is it a bit too far gone?
Thanks!
Figured I’d share to those in need of one. Collapsible and nearly perfect length. Looks like it sells for $25 on Amazon too. Cheers.
Interested in some opinions on DIY maintenance.
I like wrenching on my own vehicles, and my '23 GX is the last car I have to wrench on, so I'm doing all my own maintenance after the first free oil changes.
I am doing oil/filter changes about every 5-7k, we tow a travel trailer in the heat often. I use Toyota oil and filters, stock up whenever our local Toyota dealer is running a sale.
What else should I have on my radar? I know it's time to buy a grease gun and start doing the drive shaft. I see that retorquing bolts is recommended, which do you all regularly check?
I have a 2003 lexus gx470 and.... im at a loss. Im not a master mechanic, but i know a little... done some basic work on cars before, watch a lot of informational videos like chrisfix and whatnot... but this one is really frustrating me.
I bought the car from a shitty buy here pay here place. Cheap, 300k miles, but ran sturdy. I knew it had a powersteering issue thanks to the whine and needing to refill the fluid every now and again. After 6 months of owning it, its gotten worse. MUCH worse. I gotta fill it several times a day now. Whats baffling me is... iv no idea where its going! Never any puddles, just empty tanks and a whine that seems to appear miles after filling the fluid back up. I have a rough estimate that the steering rack is bad, both rubber boots are off the main body and its moist like a small leak. But never enough to justify the excess i need to put into it. And what makes my brain hurt more, the smoke thats coming from the exaust that seems to correlate with the power steering fill level.
It doesnt burn oil. Im a couple hundred milesfrom my next change and its still at full and actually looms remarkableclean for a 300k mile car, antifreeze is perfect, and as far as i know, power steering is a seperate system. But, i fill the power steering, i get more grey exaust smoke, no puddles of steering fluid, but when its low, i get less smoke. Am i crazy? Am i wrong? Is it coincidence? I know... 'take it to a shop, have it looked at'... easier said than done for me. My financial situation is less than ideal, hence why im driving a 300k mile car from a buy here pay here place.
Only logical conclusion i can thin of is... maybe the bum power steering is causing strain on the engine somehow? And its accentuating an exaust valve leak? Anyway, id like to have a direction to look. I might be able to do it myself over a weekend, i have fone some radiator work, alternators, and some obscure random mechanical issues. So, im not completely inept, and given my financial situation, id prob go to a pull apart place to get by for now depending on the issue/part. Plus, a weird issue like this, id imagine is a blank check to any dishonest mechanic.