spoogie

So just the thermostat and radiator cap at the dealer?

BradTank

Yes, that's what I would recommend, I just went through this with my GX.

I bought the OEM parts through Sewell since it was such a huge discount over my local dealer, I also bought the two radiator hoses as well (upper and lower) through them, but you'd be fine with a quality aftermarket brand for those. It was just close enough in price that I went ahead and bought Lexus/Toyota brand.

The replacement radiator I bought was Denso through RockAuto, the timing belt/water pump kit was Aisin (also through RockAuto) and the serpentine belt was Gates. I've been happy so far with everything.

spoogie

Thanks for the info. I'll be looking to do this stuff around 200k so it's nice to get this homework out of the way.

These high miles are uncharted territory for me. The highest I've ever gone in the past is 74k. In the past I've replaced my cars after 2-3 years, but like this one so well I just can't let it go.

summerst

Thanks to everyone here, I now have the worries of replacing the timing belt behind me on my 2004 GX-470. The work was performed by a mechanic I have known for about 10 years at a local gas station. He has replaced tons of timing belts but this was only his second on the Toyota V8. I asked him to look over everything on the car two weeks ago and this is what prompted me to do the repair (not to mention that the car has 91K on it and was due for a timing belt). It wasn't the belt, however, that he found but rather leakage in the lower driver's side section of the radiator. From that, I just figured it was time. Turned out to fortuitous timing as he found that during disassembly the water pump was leaking from the "weap hole" as well. So yesterday the timing belt, water pump and radiator were replaced. I feel that I did pretty well keeping the cost under $1,000 (my total was $959.99 - $453.99 for parts and $506 for labor).
Here is the breakdown for the parts:
Aisin TKT-021 Kit $154.97 (Amazon LLC); Toyota Coolant (2 gal) $59.55 (Amazon/Fred Bean Parts Store); Denso 221-3125 Radiator $161.25 (eBay/automotivepartsales); Gates upper and lower hose, Stant thermostat and Stant radiator cap, Victor Reinz C31700 Thermostat Seal $72.87 (Rockauto.com).
To update everyone on the parts I bought, I saw that Amazon is out of the TKT-021 at the moment (1 -2 months delivery time now) and the vendor I bought the radiator from raised his price (its available on Amazon for close to what I paid, however).
Overall, it was quite an experience. I was able to stay in the bay with the mechanic the whole time (a rarity today). I even got a chance to lend a hand. All the parts I bought were high quality and were the right parts for the job. That way all that was required of the mechanic was to do the installation (he did say he would have preferred the 50/50 coolant as its easier to use).
I am now looking forward to the odometer flipping to 100K and to my next timing belt at 180k!
PS My mechanic looked at the cam and crankshaft seals and said all three looked good. He recommended that they be left alone until the next timing belt change. He said that he seldom sees these seals leaking when they are the original ones in the engine.

470reasons

That is definitely a rarity! I'm jealous. My repair shop allows me in the bay to take a quick look at "stuff " and then it's an escort back to the waiting room. I remember when I was a kid the corner gas station mechanic had no problem at all letting my dad and I watch during repairs. Now, the shops use that 'insurance liability' B.S. to keep the customers out of the bays.

THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK ON THE AMAZON KIT.

stoshzack

Awesome post! Thanks to everyone for listing kit/part numbers and price. Just about to have this done on my newly acquired 2003 GX470. This post makes it so much easier tracking down the correct stuff.

jpnut

Question: Does this fit 2003 GX470? Amazon says 2005. Is there another "premium" kit available? Thanks!