Reed Hunt

I highly recommend mylexparts.com for cheap Lexus Parts: its a Lexus Dealership in Roseville, CA. I used to purchase from Sewell Lexus in Texas, but mylexparts have proven themselves as cheaper, honest, and QUICK.

I have a GX470 as well. I would recommend replacing brakes and rotors: if the delaership says just machine rotors DON'T DO IT. GX rotors have been known to warp especially when they are so thin. The cost for replacing the rotors compared to machining them is almost identical. Also if you machine them and they do warp, then you will have to buy new rotors and brake pads. The price for rotors is so cheap at mylexparts, I highly recommend buying new rotors.

You're going to find the filters, rotors, and pads much more cheaper than the dealership at mylexparts. I don't know about the radiator.

Great response, thanks very much. The mylex site has the radiator for $577, which is still a lot but WAY better than my dealer. And yes, you nailed it on the head regarding brakes - my advisor did suggest that the rotors be turned, which, coming from the BMW camp, is highly frowned upon. And, as you mentioned, rotors just aren't that expensive to buy...

Will check the price of filters, too, and I expect them to be less as well.

One more - do folks tend to stick with factory pads or go with something else? The stock pads actually are pretty good, dust-wise, so no real complaints, but just wondering.

Thanks again.

(Edit - sorry, title is not very complete, my bad)

Had my 2005 GX with 70,000 miles at the dealer recently and he came back with a laundry list of items, including:

• Dirty throttle body
  
• Front and rear diff fluid service
  
• Power steering fluid service
  
• Front/rear brake service
  
• Leaking radiator
  
• Battery failing load test
  
• Lube prop shafts
  
• Various filters need replacing
  

Of these, the biggest questions for me include the throttle body (is this common?), the radiator (best place to buy other than at the dealer, as he wanted $917 for just the damn part!), and filters (best place to buy, other than the dealer)?

Replies appreciated.

Thx.

I have the same mileage on my 2004, which i just had in for service, and the technician advised I have a small leak in the radiator. I don't even get a drop on the driveway so I told him to leave it unaddressed. He did comment that it was common for the radiators to go early on these models. If the leak if minimal and only detectable by looking at the bottom of the radiator and seeing white crustation on the housing, I'd leave it alone unitl if/when the leak progresses. I'm sure Lexus will want $600-$700 for a radiator replacement.

I have a 2005 with just over 70,000 miles and had it in for a recent service. Same thing - advisor mentioned a small leak in the radiator, though as above, I have seen no sign of drips, etc. Told him to leave it for now.

BTW, I was quoted $1,175 to replace it, which is absolutely nuts! The radiator itself was shown as $917...

And I thought only BMW had radiator problems, as I have gone through this with two different bimmer models. Difference is that the part, even on the big sedan, was one-fifth the price I was quoted above...

Crazy.

I just purchased the wife a 2005 GX470 with Nav./Bluetooth.  She now wants a new cell phone to take advantage of the Bluetooth feature; our current cellular provider is Cingular.  The Lexusletstalk website only recommends the Sony Ericsson T637 phone.  Bluetooth is new to the GX but I hope some of you LX owners can tell me, which phones work with Lexus Bluetooth other than the Sony?

←

I use a Siemens S 56 in my 2004 LX 470 - works fine.

Why weren't HID headlights an option on the 2004 LX470?

I initially thought it was due to the size/weight of the vehicle, but I have seen several comparable SUVs with HID...?

Perfect, that's what I was looking for.

(no slight to Doug intended). :D

Thanks for the response, but tapping into what's already there seems easier...?

The power draw of the V1 has to be pretty negligible.

I have a hard-wired setup in my other car and wanted to do the same in my LX (to avoid having to mess with a power cord running up from the dash lighter).

Placement needs to be at the top middle of the windshield, and I know there is power in the area.

Any tips?

Thx.

Your welcome.

Let me know how you think it turns out. FYI, you can get the higher watt halogen hella bulbs from rallylights.com. One thing you should know, there have been somewhat sparatic problems with the bulbs from some of the guys that have done this upgrade. Some said they blew within 5 mins, some have had them in for hundreds of hours. Me, I've had them in a couple of weeks with know problems yet. For the cases where the bulbs blew very prematurely, I understand that rallylights replaced the first one. But they include a little flier in their shipment that says that the life expectancy of higher watt bulbs is not the same as low watt bulbs (approximately half) and that if they are used in the applications that we are using them, it could be even shorter. Basically saying the space within the lens is designed for a certain wattage bulb and it you increase the wattage in that space you get higher temperatures that shortens bulb life.

Later

Rookie

It will probably be a while - no hurry on this but it sounds worthwhile.

I put Hella 80/100s in my former BMW 1985 535i several years ago (kept the stock wiring) and had a very similar reaction to yours - nice bump in the lows and a SERIOUS jump in the highs. Highs were like aircraft landing lights!

I didn't keep close track, but I don't recall a significant drop in bulb life (probably was, though).

Bulbs are cheap enough that it's no big deal, typically.

Thanks to both of you. :D

Good stuff, thank you. ;)

-R

Another option (which I just did this last weekend), is to get an upgrade wiring harness from sleeoffroad and higher wattage Hella bulbs (I used 80w for lows and 100w for highs) It's makes a moderate difference on the lows and a huge difference on the Highs. May kick up to 100W bulbs on the lows next time around.

Anyways, I'm sure it's not as nice as the HID kits, but it's a good upgrade for under $100 and the install is pretty easy. Especially if the HID kits aren't going to be available to much longer.

Rookie

Rookie,

Is the sleeoffroad kit a true plug and play, or did you have to do some cutting?

I ask because while I am a big believer in enhanced lighting (and I like Hella stuff), I don't want to mess up my warranty by cutting wires...

Thanks,

-Reed

All,

Other than paying dealer prices for "stuff", where is the best source for OEM accessory items.

Specifically, whom should I contact to get an all-weather cargo liner for the back of my LX470?

Thanks,

-Reed

:o

I didn't need to know that!

Just found out that I have Dunlop Grandtrek AT23s...

This seems to be a very new tire - it's not on the Dunlop website nor does Tire Rack have any user reviews on it...

So, we shall see. At least I don't have the Bridgestone HTs...

Thanks for your replies.

All,

Hello - We just purchased a 2004 LX and I immediately searched for a Lexus Forum (and obviously found it)! We traded in our 2001 RX due to space limitations and are excited about the new ride.

Other car is a BMW 7-series (X5 is too small to consider for an SUV ) and that's the car that gets a few mods - LX will stay (mostly) stock, plus I don't imagine there is too much to upgrade...

Having said that, what tire do you all have on your LX? I need to check with my dealer, as we pick the car up Saturday and I don't remember checking. I don't want the Bridgestone H/T, as that tire gets horrible reviews, so I may ask to swap out the tires if that's what's currently on the vehicle.

Thoughts?

Thx,

-Reed