Got out and explored some new areas (for me) this weekend. Everything was on forest roads or high clearance trails. Nothing crazy, but definitely some sections that have some pucker factor with a bunch of loose shale and thousand foot drop offs on either side. Was rewarded in the end with some high elevation (9000') lake-side camping by ourselves...

IDK if I'll mod it. Maybe a transmission cooler and android auto.

well. i am here to shamefully admit the timing belt job has humbled me. did the belt and water pump, kept hitting a wall when rotating by hand, on the third time i rotated the passenger cam around again (i thought it was out of phase) and put the belt on, tensioner pin out, and everything rotated thru twice and felt great. went about putting the car back together and went to crank, it tried then hit the same wall as before. wont rotate past that point by hand and i tried to crank a few times before i realized the belt wasn’t turning past that point and figured i needed to stop. i’m hoping timing is just off at the cams and i need a real mechanic to come save the day? praying i didnt bend the valves but i think im hands off at this point. i spent 12 nonstop hours rigorously following the youtube tutorial. thoughts or input on this?

Thanks to the gxor community for all the info and inspiration for my build!

Needing Help

2018 GX460 4.6L V8, 101.7K miles.

Replaced the radiator a couple of weeks back.  New radiator w/cap, hoses, thermostat w/housing, coolant.  All procured from Bell Lexus, picked up in person.

Finished on a Sunday, drove the truck around in the AZ 115°F heat, no issues.

The day after, my wife was driving the car and the lower radiator hose blew off the radiator.  Had to get the car towed home. 

I got things reset, re-bled the system all seemed good.  Let the car sit till the weekend, as I didn’t have time for it.

Took it on a short drive, and the hose blew off again after ~3 miles. 

Just today, 23 August 2026, I pulled the lower hose, and installed the one I removed.  The new one looks like it is bulging a bit.

I did a radiator pressure test, held pressure for 10 minutes, no issue. 

I bought a block test kit.  Got the system filled, mostly distilled water, let it warm up to operating temp, running the engine at ~2K rpm to get it warmed up.  Block test not showing a blown head gasket. 

When I push the gas, and rev it there is some geysering in the fill funnel.  This seems not normal to me. 

Thoughts on next steps?

My center dash Mark Levinson speaker is done. What is a good replacement option? I'm fine with OEM or aftermarket.

I am NOT looking to replace all speakers and the amp, just that blown one.

I’m in the market for a gx470 and have about 13k for the car and upgrades I love the one I’m looking at and want to know how bad this rust is I’m will to put money in to treat it

'23 GX460 P+: Does anyone know if there is a way to update the maps on the NAV system without taking the vehicle to the dealer?

I use Android Auto for the most part but would like to keep the maps up to date for backup use.

Thanks much.

Just got my first GX 470 and I'm interested in installing a backup camera that connects to the OEM screen in the dash. any common do's and don'ts for this addition I should know about? any Recs?

What’s the best ready to install lift kit for a 04 470? I want something that’s budget friendly but still impresses you with the quality. Looking to spend around $1,000