ADVocate

If you go into that service mode. Be very careful about what buttons you do press. There have been a few incidences of an incorrect button being executed, which requires the japanese version of the Nav disc to be inserted. And that means a trip to the dealer for a non-warranty service. Just an FYI

Seems like no body found an answer yet. I am going to ask the dealer this week and will share it here if there is a solution. I have asked the dealer, and the response is "NOPE". :chairshot: It really is an annoying "feature" of the DVD player to have a lower electronic output. You would have thought that when ever they designed the system and than executed it, SOMEONE would have noticed. I know I did the FIRST time I used the DVD player and than switched back. Hmmm .... OK, I blame the Mark Levinson Designers. Maybe, they will get really annoyed at that comment and berate the Lexus designers and SOMEONE will determine a way to correct it.

Which year GX do you have? I was curious which version of the unit I would order for a 2004 GX with the Gen III Nav system. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks ....

Not EVERY Lexus owner wants to hack the wiring harness. I for one won't touch it. Not that I am apprehensive about doing the work myself. It is more of a legal issue. If I were involved in a serious accident, and they determined that the front screen was "viewable" through a wiring mod. In the state of California, I would probably be found defacto "at fault". It really isn't worth the risk. I would on the other hand use something that doesn't hack into the wiring harness, leaving a trail.

As the old addage goes, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink". Sounds like there are different POV's at work here. It really does sound like no matter how this turns out , THIS is the wrong truck for your family. Good Luck.

I recently installed an updated Nav DVD. One of the warnings issued with the disc is, once a newer version of the DVD is installed and allowed load, you CANNOT use an older disc. A couple of things could have happened, someone inadvertantly installed a newer software version and than put back the original disc. This would give you the incompatibility. Or the Disc that came with the car is scratched (possibly before you took delivery of the truck) and is therefore unreadable. In either case, possibly purchasing (or being issued) a newer Nav disc might fix the problem once it updates your Nav software. Just a couple of ideas to think about.

I recently updated my 2004 Nav to the '05 software (Jan 2006). It was pretty easy I must say. Plus there is a code for dropping the price down to $259 from Sewell Lexus. My question is this, the quote for the upgrade you got from you dealer. Where they going to update the Nav from the Gen III to the Gen IV??? if that were the case I would have jumped on that in a hearbeat. You would end up with bluetooth and the other benefits like the Sirius integration. That was the only kind of upgrade I could see for that much money.

The Infinity FX45's (and probably the FX35) has a very similar feature as well. It is kind of cool to be able to check, and actually monitor, your tire pressure (in PSI) while at 65. There are a lot more interesting options the vehicle computer allows through the Navigation console (and you can use it while driving). The 3D map view is another cool feature of their system. I looked at the FX's, but I did not like the silhouette very much. So I ended up with the GX. I like the GX, but I wish Lexus would be more assertive in the technology implementation. They have a far too conservative approach to the really cool toys. B)

No truer words were ever spoken.

I think, eventually, we will all get to the clunk. From what I understand, it is in then nature of the design. The only way to avoid it would be a different, more expensive, driveline assembly (I would be VERY happy to have Lexus prove me wrong on that point). Anyway, I did not have the clunk until around 22K miles on the truck. The clunk occurs randomnly, but typically, after a hard stop. It feels like a 2 stage stop, one for actually stopping, and the second as a clunky settling of the truck to the "at rest" position. Sometimes the clunk is slight, and sometimes it really hits hard. The dealership aknowledges the clunk, but state it is inherent in the design. They will not do anything to correct it unless the directive comes from the factory. I am not sure if ALL dealerships take that position, but the one I go to does. I had a secendary clunk issue with a sticking piston on the KDSS system. But, that seems to have been corrected. I think my next issue to address is the horrid braking system on the truck. I have read posts here and at another site, which detail how more than just a few have warped brake discs. But, that is another thread .... ;)

I guess they really want you to verify the charcoal canister is working ... :whistles:

The leaning situation your referring to, is probably isolated. I have the KDSS, and do not have that problem. I will say, after driving both with and not versions, recommend it highly. As far steering, I think the GX steering is far too sensitive and oversteers. The Steering does not feel more or less stiff with the KDSS. There is probably another issue at play here. The KDSS only effects the suspension. The cornering is far tighter and flatter with the KDSS than without. It is interesting that, Satiger, found it cheaper with the KDSS on the sport model. I am curious if they are having problems selling the off coloured interior. I have seen the interior of the 2005 sport (Grey tinted trim), and I like the interior of the Non-KDSS (Birdseye Maple) more. That is completely my opinion and other opinions may vary. But, on the 2004 model, the interior on the KDSS model was the same as the standard model (birdseye maple). Again, getting back to the steering, it sounds like some other issue with that particular truck and not the model. You may want to try that same drive on the same model at another dealership. It is the flat tracking that you will look for in a high speed cornering manuever. It is VERY noticeable when you are on a mountain road. This is a link that someone else posted on another website, but it does demonstrate what you can expect: http://www.lexus.com/models/video_popup/kdss.html Best of luck in your choice ....

In my experience, the "weighted" steering only happens on properly designed systems. I was annoyed at how much over-steer occured with the GX. You do get used to it over time, but my former RR was awesome in that category. The GX feels like a kids car when it comes to steering (and also the throttle control sensitivity is a bit goofy as well).

I have a 2004 GX, and I purchased the Husky Cargo Mat. It went in with NO problems (but I did have to trim the cut-outs for the cargo net latches). I also have the 3rd seat option, but did not cut out those areas. I am going to take a guess, but if it did not fit, I would presume that they did NOT send you the correct mat at all. They probably had some kind of inventory mixup.

I think you should bare in mind ... this is a SALVAGE. Which means the insurance company thought it would cost more than the $40K it was worth to fix. I don't think insurance companies are willing to scrap something that cost THEM so much to compensate for.

That is why there are laws in California that require "salvage" and "lemon law return" to be clearly marked on the title at time of sale. And it turns out most insurance companies won't insure cars with these conditions. From what I understand, not all states have rules to protect the unknowing public. Good luck to them, wherever they are...

KDSS, was an available option starting with the 04s. I am not quite sure if it is optional if you get the Sport Package or KDSS is part of the sport package.:whistles: btw, anyone know if the KDSS problems were fixed?? (leaning) ← I have the KDSS and I have never had a "leaning" problem. I think I have seen only one complaint of "observable" leaning in this forum. Some other people had to use rulers to "see" of they have a "leaning" problem. The benefits of the system FAR outweigh any of these complaints in my opinion. Search for what people think about the performance, and that should tell you this single option redefines the driving experience for the better. If you are looking for an opinion, without a doubt you should get this option. B)

Cheaper Labour $$ in China doesn't necessarily mean less in quality. I don't think the Toyotas in China are less in quality compare to the Toyotas in the US. The keys are product design and QC - Quality Control My previous car was Mercedes CLK430, made in Germany, expensive but too many problems. That car is not better because higher labour $$ in Germany. Why the US made Toyota/Honda and etc. are more reliable than domestic cars in general. Not because the labour $$. It is because of the higher standard in QC. I have a friend working in a car part factory in Toronto. He told me how sloppy the domestic car companies QC don't inspect the parts throughly. The Japanese car companies QC inspect the parts throughly and they will reject the whole lot even if they find 1 unit is fault. ← From what I understand, most of the frame and components are assembled by robots. Especially, on newer plants. So I think the amount of human labour is somewhat minimized where cheap labour is a concern. Not that assembly is more or less complex. And most likely the components themselves still come from Japan. Much like the newer American and European auto lines, there is not ONE country that dominates the complete construction. Parts are from one country, labour another and coporate headquarters in another country. Aren't the MBZ made in the US with labour here, assembeled with parts from Mexico and Europe, with the HDQ's in Germany? :)

I like some of the features more than in the GX. I have always thought the console storage was weak in the GX (and part of it is taken up with the DVD player). The Trip computer is more interesting, instead of the single clock and other function. The birds-eye view has been on the upper end Accura's and Infinity's. Toyota is just late to the game ...

← Heres a link to their online catalog so you can get the right one for your year. http://www.lexus-parts.com/ ← __________________ Thanks for the update. BTW, is that the 5000lb or the 6500lb hitch??

I too was hoping to find a way of purchasing (even the entire nav computer if necessary) a lexus part to enable the Bluetooth. The 2004 GX w/ Nav seems to have all of the elements needed for the addition, mic and LCD screen. The only thing it may not have is the bluetooth antannea, and the necessary embedded hardware and software. I thought swapping the Nav out with the newer unit might correct that. Anyone have any luck in convincing these cow-towing dealerships to help in this request?? My biggest critique in Lexus by far is the lack of desire or flexibility in the dealerships to help in such a request. They completely

If you don't mind my asking. What was the part number # and the cost from Sewell. I think I may order it from them, since the local dealer is completely worthless in helping me in my quest. Thanks in advance ...

Not sure wich filter the Sewell Lexus website is referring to? But, from what I understand the interior filter is a HEPA filter. And I pretty much run the A/C on constantly in the AUTO mode. If nothing else it de-humidifies the air, even in winter. Actually, the main reason it runs in that mode is the fact I am not always conscience of turning it off. I think the humidity in your area is far less than most places, even Phoenix (which is about as humid as a hippo's mouth if you ask me)

I don't know, the invoice is not in front of me. But, I just paid $90 for one. I was informed that it needed to be replaced, and after only 1 year. hmmm, I guess leaving the AC on recirculate has its' price.

That is a nice write up you did. Thanks, I too will be installing one of those little beasts in the near future. I noticed that you have a blue background on your Nav System screen. The '04 models have a gray background. I think I like the blue. :) I hope that the screen color is about the only thing that is different between the two model years (although I think you have phone numbers with the POI and bluetooth).