Reliability Check: Assessing a 131K-Mile GX460 | What to Look for in Your New Toyota/Lexus 4x4

[@chopperpl]

You should keep your LCAs and replace just bushings. Your car seems to be rust free, so there should be no seized bushings. The job is fairly easy and would save you lots of money. Also, the coolant valley leak is not caused by faulty gasket, but by the coolant itself. Lexus claims it will last for ever, but it is not true. If you replace it every 2-3 years then you will prevent the lime crystals from building up, which are responsible for gasket degradation and you will be leak free. Also, keep an eye on the water pump and the oil filter assembly seals. They tend to leak on some vehicles and that leak may be mistaken for the cam tower leak. In my case the forced air was spreading oil up to the left cam tower area. I was afraid I need to take the engine apart, but after further investigation on Tundra board I decided to replace those oil filter assembly seals first and this was the winner. Good luck with your build!

[@mbrick]

This is very helpful. By oil assembly seals do you mean the oring seals that attach the oil filter housing to the front of the engine? The oil migrating upwards is a strong possibility in my case, good tip.

[@scottgwild]

This is super helpful. I have an oil leak, but I can't tell if it's the timing chain cover, or what you mentioned. How would you recommended telling the difference?

[@chopperpl]

​@@mbrickyes

[@chopperpl]

​@@scottgwild just wipe clean the area and observe after each trip.

[@gulu-cat]

You are a real expert. I just flushed my coolant and replaced my leaky radiator.

[@e.little4108]

Proud owner of a 2012 460 for the past 3 years. Not many solid videos of assessment inspections of our trucks that break things down in layman's terms. Looking forward to more vids.

[@saleemjavaid8870]

Are the driver seats comfortable? I’ve heard alot of people complain about back pain. I’m looking into buying one but I drive a lot

[@Rusty3003]

I bought my wife a 2003 GX470 when they first came out. 15 years later and 360,000 miles I decided to sell and get a new one. Never any motor or transmission issues. I just felt like it was time. Fast forward to 2024 and her 2018 has a little over 80,000 miles. No issues!!! Fast forward to 2024, Out of the blue I get a text from the guy I sold the 2003 to and he sends me a text picture of the 2003 odometer and it now has 500,000 miles on it. He said still no problems with engine or transmission! I told him that sometime you just get lucky. I say all this because this engine and transmission really are bullet proof. All I did was change oil every 3,000 miles with Mobil 1 fully synthetic oil and OEM filter and did recommended service intervals listed in the owners manual. The 2018 I do almost the same except I use the 20,000 mile Mobile 1 extended performance oil and I change it every 5,000 miles!

[@pall5114]

The GX470 powertrain was bulletproof but the GX460 has some issues, valley plate coolant leaks, radiator, timing chain cover oil leaks, and maybe transmission. I'm not sure if the transmission in the 460 is the same as the 470 mainly solenoid-related codes which require replacement of transmission based on reading other post. I think the internal of the engine in the 460 are solid as long as you change the oil current manufacture 10k but I do it 5k on my 460.

[@fozzir]

The GX is the best SUV money can buy. Congrats on the purchase! I have an 04. It runs like new. The only thing I've done is replace the airbags because they leaked and upgrade the front brakes to GX 460 disks and calipers with SS brake lines. It's 20 years old and drives like new! I plan on keeping it forever.

[@miguelzuniga3935]

I recently bought a 2015 GX with 96000 miles one owner and all service records from Lexus. For a nearly 10 year old SUV it is solid. I did mostly preventative maintenance including spark plugs, power steering, coolant flush, differentials, transfer case, transmission drain and fill, and new tires. Brakes and brake fluid were done by Lexus before I bought it. The only things I noticed were minor rust and minor grease leak on lower LCA boots, but very minimal. I'm going to let it ride and hopefully be good for 10+ years and 100,000 more miles! I have faith in Toyota 😅

[@stevecarlson2346]

I have a 2018 GX with 35s and all the things that are needed for that and for off-road use. It will be fun to see what you guys do with the GX.

[@craigstanleyHDSG117]

I just bought a 2017 with 100,000. Camr off two leases. I love it. This vehicle is amazing. My wife loved it so much. We got her a 2023. I am hooked

[@ItspronouncedAaron]

Hi twin. I have a 2019 nebula gray GX. I bought the nicest GX I could find for my family of 3. Bought it a year ago for $44k at Carmax with 33k miles, and it’s fully loaded with Luxury, and got 5 new Falken Wildpeak AT3 with it. I absolutely love it and am keeping it until one of us dies. I know I could have saved money going older, higher miles (combo), but this is what I did as a 48 year old making a good living. Nice video! Subscribed.

[@RiskitAllontheFelt]

Just bought a 2017 GX with 100k miles. Very minor rust, will be undercoating soon. Amazing truck.

[@abyfelixsct]

Your GX is in awesome shape ! Great find. 10:41 I think this is just the excess grease flinging out from the u-joints, the dealer probably over greased it or didn't clean up after. My 16 GX have it too.

[@Ill06Taco]

My 23 GX has this too

[@dfdorsey85]

Bought a 2017 GX this past summer and I am looking forward to building it out myself. Had to grab one while they're still a hidden gem and get the last of the great Toyota V8's. Tires, Sliders, Front & Rear bumper cut/trim, and eventually a lift (not set on that yet as I do tow and have the rear airbags, so I may settle for stock suspension).

[@Garypencil]

Awesome channel. I own a 2011 tundra and 2012 GX460 both with 175k miles. Very informative. Thank you!

[@HeyYall0608]

This is a great video so much more info than anyone else does and real things to look for

[@TheTravelingCyclist1]

Dude congrats on the purchase! My 4Runner (The one you used to work on) is in transit to Austin as we speak to its new owner. Im also in the market for a 460 and when acquired, ill be by. Congrats again and looking forward to more 460 content!

[@TandemAutomotive]

Awesome!!! Don't forget we offer pre-purchase inspections. If your on the fence on one you find

[@TheTravelingCyclist1]

@@TandemAutomotiveNo question if the steed is found in DFW ill head your way :)

[@stay_in_adventure]

I like deleting the previous keys that did not come with the vehicle and creating a few spare keys. Toyota techstream makes this easy. And then enabling customizations such as turning off the seat belt alarms are usually my first steps after buying a new Toyota.

[@TandemAutomotive]

This is good tips right here

[@mbrick]

First two changes I made were seat belt alarms and fully turning off the easy entry (seat and steering wheel). Great tips.

[@lennystrongin8525]

​@@mbrick how did you turn off steering wheel automatic retracting?

[@mbrick]

@@lennystrongin8525 I used Techstream. You're right, the menu in car allows turning off the seat but not the steering wheel. This is also listed on the Lexus personalization document.

[@bruced.370]

@@lennystrongin8525in settings

[@Retired1-b4v]

We have a 2023 GX 460 Pearl White with a Red Interior. We bought it new, and it only has 10k on it. We have had it for a year and a half. We also still have our 2004 GX470, which we bought a new.

[@Danmorrisroe]

I have a GX so I can say this, but it’s funny how in the beginning of the video you said, you were tired of driving an older vehicle….have you seen our GXs??😂

[@jedklampet7471]

researching the gx460 for purchase and this video is helpful

[@stevefischer197]

I have a 2020 GX I bought used. I really like it so far and plan to do a few mods in the future. Great video. Keep the content coming.

[@Ce_Lazca]

Bought a 2014 with 70k miles. Love every drive

[@nawmean]

How much?

[@Zeke933]

we have a 2010 with 250k on it. super solid vehicle

[@up2top]

Felt that about your rationale for selling the 80 series. I loved mine and hope to have another one some day, but the age of the platform and the downsides that come with it can't be ignored. I also just bought a GX460 - picked up a nebula gray last weekend. Looking forward to following your build.

[@bruced.370]

Lube the shafts fittings

[@gregp4716]

nice I have 2016 gx 460, exact the same as yours with dobinson mmr and 285 70 17 tires... love it... The one weakness I've found is the radiator, mine needs to be replaced...

[@qgwueirbtbyo]

What were the symptoms? Over heated?

[@gregp4716]

@@qgwueirbtbyo actually no never over heated... just was dripping and loosing coolant.. Replaced the radiator and its solid again

[@ebruceii]

@@gregp4716 same issue rt now with my 2015 at the 145K mark. Did you just use a stock replacement radiator?

[@gregp4716]

@@ebruceii yes

[@barryraven4745]

When you lift, are you going to put a full Dr. KDSS kit on it? I am thinking about it on mine. Seems like the bushings are bad and it is making noise off road. At least the front stuff. I've never noticed any problems on the rear.

[@TandemAutomotive]

Yup I plan on doing the Doctor KDSS kit, ive seen enough installs where the KDSS lean is pretty prominent and that is something I do want to avoid

[@Reinfusion]

I skipped around in the video so maybe you mentioned it, but what's with the mismatched tires/wear?

[@nml5536]

looking forward to more maintenance & build videos! great content!

[@vincentlee2865]

Awesome video…. I learned so much from it…. Thank you .

[@hassandawudi4810]

@10:40. The "fluid on the bell housing" is from the CV joints flinging grease.

[@OJCoz]

your video just showed up on my feed and I subscribed. I have a GX that im building up for Overlanding and I think your going to love yours brother. good video and can't wait to see what you do with yours.

[@Ill06Taco]

Check timing cover leak above the alternator. Its usually what kills tne alternator... maybe they sprayed it off

[@luckyyou774]

Amaizing truck. last V8

[@Shawn-ky2tw]

Last V8 Truck, yes. LC500 is still V8. That is a legendary car.

[@luckyyou774]

@@Shawn-ky2tw is LC500 reliable?

[@hossbonaventure]

@@luckyyou774I’m sure it is it’s a Lexus

[@tonogarcia6809]

I own a 2014 GX 460 silver, almost 100k miles, base model. with a lift from ICON 2.0 if anyone is interested is in vegas pretty stock, other than wheels and lift I’m interested in getting something smaller.

[@pall5114]

Does anyone know how common or personally on your GX had valley plate coolant leaks, transmission issues, at what mileage, and the cost of fixing or replacement? I know these repairs are not cheap. I have a 23 GX460 so hopefully long ways to go. I change oil 5k and will do trans service 40-50k (don't tow). I read changing coolant frequently may help delay valley plate leak.

[@nana-bt5db]

I have a 2020 which has a bearing to the right when I brake no dealer was able to fix this yet had two wheel alignment done in a coil spring was changed the problem is still proceeds

[@badboyjf19851]

did u use the 0w20 or moved to 0w30 or 5w30?

[@MrVanFosson]

do you happen to know if the 200 series is easier to replace the alternator?

[@TandemAutomotive]

I'm pretty sure it's just a painful

[@nenigma1]

minimal rust. nice !

[@damienhealy6850]

I’m curious if that vibration went away? These GX are known for vibration at certain speeds. My 2021 drives me crazy sometimes!

[@tillthenextlife1983]

How so?

[@rybobuno]

Is that on the bell housing not grease slung front the shaft? Maybe I missed what you were talking about.

[@williamfeingold]

I may have missed it, but did you mention why you chose this rather than a 4Runner?

[@Code325]

V8

[@rawcircoking]

So a 4runner is definitely cheaper to own?

[@JesusPerez-iv2ej]

This video is great, very helpful. I spent the last 4 years learning about the GX460 because I wanted to buy one as a replacement for a Nissan XTERRA. I learned a lot, was ready to pull the trigger on one but then I rented a Nissan Armada and fell in love with it so I bought one, no regrets. Interesting how we make irrational decisions. Now I have a lot of GX460 knowledge, maybe one day I’ll use it.

[@jimmysmith3255]

Wife has same thing 2015 same color , love lexus. Horrible gas milage is a reliability tax that I can live with

[@davem7369]

Uni Filter Mod done?

[@hajjcomb]

I have a 2015 GX460 I bought used with 119k on it. Also had great service history. Within the first month the transmission had to be replaced- and this is not terribly unusual.- quite a few transmission failures in the forums. Lexus says the transmission fluid is “lifetime”, so they don’t change it under the normal service schedule. Complete BS.

[@ebruceii]

did a drain & fill on my 2015 at 130K. Gonna do it every 30K miles from now on

[@FU29988]

Coolant Valley Leak Dude here😢

[@hossbonaventure]

2015 owner here. Any tell tale signs?

[@FU29988]

@ low coolant in reservoir, small drips on garage/ driveway(thought it was vapor from AC until wiped with white cloth) , and dried pink drizzle on and around transmission when I got under car. (safely with jack stands, lol). If its leaking, be sure to check daily and fill reservoir appropriately until you get it fixed. I maintained changing my coolant appropriately for service intervals and it still happened. Apparently not changing coolant leads to it eroding the seal, but mine did anyway. Apparently this is a known issue, but Lexus hasn’t done a recall for faulty coolant valley seal. On a positive note, there are lots of GX owners that never ran into this problem, hopefully you won’t

[@jasonscoggins01]

Keep going more videos

[@qgwueirbtbyo]

Kinda don’t like the idea of putting 91 octane only. Any one care to change my mind?

[@TheLawndryman]

The overall ride quality outweighs the idea of premium gas. Find a Costco gas and fill it up!

[@qgwueirbtbyo]

@@TheLawndrymanaha! Picked up one and couldn’t be more excited!

[@sergeydudukin4214]

Tumbs down for moustache on the front

[@timothyjones74]

❤❤❤

[@SIDVENOM]

What’s so special about an ancient platform Lexus GX 460.

[@NigelNaughton]

The new GX550 build site is live now...just get one of those. Or the Land Cruiser 250 😁

[@rogerwilliamcarnahan164]

Hey guys I'm leaving to Nevada! Was wondering if you'd unblock me? Shadow'sFJ

[@georgetony1000]

LX 570 would have been a good choice. More space and better look

[@maroonedmaniac]

More $

[@Jmort93]

Harder to lift as it has the hydraulic suspension

[@martinb8626]

using the Lord's Name in vain will not only cause you to lose subscribers, but GOD will not hold you guiltless... REPENT and turn to Jesus before it is too late.

[@ebruceii]

shut up, weirdo