Crazy to trade a 2nd Gen Tacoma for GX470?

[justinf307]

Like the title says...Has anyone switched or owned both?
I recently went down a rabbit hole when I stumbled upon someones GX build on Tacomaworld. I'm starting to think a GX would much more comfortable and enjoyable to drive while still remaining as capable. Im also hoping it might tow our little camper a bit easier (Joyco 174BH) with is about 3k empty. I really enjoy my Tacoma, but the GX definitely caught my eye.

Truck pic, because why not.

DSC_1347.jpg by Justin Freeman, on Flickr

 

[JLee]

I've had two first gens and now am on my second GX with no looking back. I haven't owned a 2nd gen, though.

 

[Arailt]

Nice looking Tacoma!

I owned a 2009 Tacoma TRD OR for five years before I bought my 2008 GX. My Tacoma had a 2" lift (Bilstein/OME) and 265/75s. No other mods. I wheeled it moderately, nothing heavy.

Things I like better about the GX:
The GX is waaaay smoother. It's built like a tank. The 4.7 is more powerful than the 4.0 and it sounds better too, because V8. The GX is stable and smooth at higher speeds (80+), where my Tacoma felt loose and strained. I live in PA, so the heated mirrors and seats in the GX are great. Power seats, garage door opener, sunroof. Way more amenities than the Tacoma.

Things I miss about the Tacoma:
The bed (pretty obvious one). I didn't realize how often I needed the bed for oversized boxes, lumber, trees, shrubs, and all the dirty stuff that goes along with wheeling and camping. To add insult to injury, you can't really hang long items out the rear hatch of the GX like you can in a normal SUV because of the stupid barn door. Also, and this might just be me, but I'm not a fan of the full time 4x4. After driving CJs, Wranglers, and a Tacoma for 16+ years, I hate the feeling of the engaged front end when I'm making sharp turns on pavement. That said, 95% of the time, I can't feel it.

Overall, I'm really happy with the GX. Sliders are in the mail and a mild lift, wheels, and tires are soon to come.

 

[justinf307]

Nice looking Tacoma!

I owned a 2009 Tacoma TRD OR for five years before I bought my 2008 GX. My Tacoma had a 2" lift (Bilstein/OME) and 265/75s. No other mods. I wheeled it moderately, nothing heavy.

Things I like better about the GX:
The GX is waaaay smoother. It's built like a tank. The 4.7 is more powerful than the 4.0 and it sounds better too, because V8. The GX is stable and smooth at higher speeds (80+), where my Tacoma felt loose and strained. I live in PA, so the heated mirrors and seats in the GX are great. Power seats, garage door opener, sunroof. Way more amenities than the Tacoma.

Things I miss about the Tacoma:
The bed (pretty obvious one). I didn't realize how often I needed the bed for oversized boxes, lumber, trees, shrubs, and all the dirty stuff that goes along with wheeling and camping. To add insult to injury, you can't really hang long items out the rear hatch of the GX like you can in a normal SUV because of the stupid barn door. Also, and this might just be me, but I'm not a fan of the full time 4x4. After driving CJs, Wranglers, and a Tacoma for 16+ years, I hate the feeling of the engaged front end when I'm making sharp turns on pavement. That said, 95% of the time, I can't feel it.

Overall, I'm really happy with the GX. Sliders are in the mail and a mild lift, wheels, and tires are soon to come.

I do worry about missing a truck, but I think the ultimate plan would be to find a decent shape first gen Tacoma so I still have something to haul things in. Otherwise I still have my Bantam t3c for dump runs and what not.

I think now that we've had a kid we will be doing less rock crawling and more exploring. Honestly I don't enjoy it as much in the truck compared to my jeeps. Something more comfortable and quiet would make long trips more enjoyable for the whole family.

 

[wrmathis]

I have both currently. the GX is way more comfortable to ride. I would much rather wheel my Tacoma though. bigger tires and just more capable plus not as "tall" as the GX.

went to moab in October and took both. wife and kid rode in the gx and I drove the Tacoma out there. we used the GX as a base camp and left the RTT opened up on it and wheeled the Tacoma.

 

[justinf307]

I have both currently. the GX is way more comfortable to ride. I would much rather wheel my Tacoma though. bigger tires and just more capable plus not as "tall" as the GX.

went to moab in October and took both. wife and kid rode in the gx and I drove the Tacoma out there. we used the GX as a base camp and left the RTT opened up on it and wheeled the Tacoma.

Interesting, I would've thought the opposite. I figured the shorter WB would make it seem smaller and more nimble, but I never thought about the height. I happened to stumble upon an 08 locally in Sunday, so hopefully going to go take a look at it this afternoon.

 

[wrmathis]

Interesting, I would've thought the opposite. I figured the shorter WB would make it seem smaller and more nimble, but I never thought about the height. I happened to stumble upon an 08 locally in Sunday, so hopefully going to go take a look at it this afternoon.

a little longer wheel base isn't always a bad thing.

 

[Arailt]

I think now that we've had a kid we will be doing less rock crawling and more exploring. Honestly I don't enjoy it as much in the truck compared to my jeeps. Something more comfortable and quiet would make long trips more enjoyable for the whole family.

I hear you with the Jeep. I wheeled the hell out of my TJ on 33s. My Tacoma wasn't nearly as capable without significant upgrades and I always ended up babying it when I was out with my Jeep buddies, so I didn't enjoy it as much. That's just gotten worse with my GX. I've only had it on trails a Subaru could tackle so far. To your point though, I have a little one on the way and I'm definitely more in the overland camp than rock crawling, so the GX is perfect.

 

[GXO]

I have both currently. the GX is way more comfortable to ride. I would much rather wheel my Tacoma though. bigger tires and just more capable plus not as "tall" as the GX.

went to moab in October and took both. wife and kid rode in the gx and I drove the Tacoma out there. we used the GX as a base camp and left the RTT opened up on it and wheeled the Tacoma.

Depends on your build. My GX is way more capable than most Tacos.

 

[wrmathis]

View attachment 1587075
Depends on your build. My GX is way more capable than most Tacos.

yeah I wasn't talking in generalalites. I was talking for myself. plus my Tacoma is built pretty much maxed out before going solid front axle and linked front and rear

 

[justinf307]

Am I correct in assuming my ADS coilovers and UCAs will swap right over to the GX?

 

[wrmathis]

Am I correct in assuming my ADS coilovers and UCAs will swap right over to the GX?

coilover should no problem. the uca bolt/uniball/balljoint might be different that bolts to the spindle. basically just a different taper. I know going from 120/150 to Tacoma pretty much doesn't work with the SPC ones. not sure about going the other way.

Physically the UCA are identical minus that part.