GX Specific Generic Questions

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

corbs

corbs

10 Year 15 Year 20 Year
Joined
Mar 22, 2004
Threads
17
Messages
260
Location
Beaverton, OR
Hello All, I have recently been informed that we need a vehicle that has seating for at least seven people and has to have a nicer (than my 80) interior. After some searching it has come down to two vehicles a 2008-09 GX 470 or a 5th Gen (2010+) 4runner. Based mainly on the interior I am leaning toward the GX, however I am still on the fence.

This is preliminary stuff as I have not driven either yet (I know that’s lame) but am looking to know a few more things to help me when I get to that point. I’m a (over) thinker so I like to know all the pros and cons.

I was wondering if you fine folks might be able to help me out with any observations/recommendations based on experience with either/both of the vehicles in question and on my questions and concerns below:

1) Range and to an extent gas mileage. I don’t drive my 80 anymore because the mileage is so bad it drives me nuts. For my mental stability I would like to get 300+ miles between fill ups. The 200ish miles per fill up was just too low. So essentially I would like to get at least 15 mpg with roughly 20/80 (city/highway) driving. I assume a stock GX will do it, am I right? How many mods (tires/lift/bumper) can I go before I drop below this?
2) Does KDSS make lifting/suspension mods more difficult. Does an aftermarket suspension make KDSS un-necessary? In my previous vehicles (3rd gen 4Runner & FJ80 w/the famous 3FE) the lift suspension made the ride much more to my liking than stock and had much less lean even without sway bars (in the 80 the front sway bar is long gone). Or would the after market suspension at least put an non-KDSS in line with a stock KDSS GX?
3) Are there any things in the Lexus you really like/would miss in a Toyota, or vice versa. For example, the 4Runner does not come with an option for driver seat memory. Or, the 4Runner has rear vents, but the rear seat passengers don’t have “rear control” of that vent. I know in the end I’ve got to make the choice on what’s important to me but there might be things that I didn’t even think of or didn’t know about.

Thank you in advance for any help you guys provide. As an (over) thinker personality I just don’t wanna miss something. I will eventually build whichever vehicle I get but it wouldn't be for a bit and not to extent that I'd be trying to fit 37's on it. ;p I have searched and lurked but I haven't seen any of these questions answered directly. :cheers:
 
I've been looking at making a similar choice between a GX and 5th gen 4runner. The 17/23 in the 4runner is weighing very heavily in favor the 4runner for me vs 14/18 in the GX. I don't like the 5th gen interiors at all. They look like cheap plastic video game interiors. Even the Ltd. That said, I'll probably still buy one over the GX. In a world of $5 gas, 20mpg >>> 15mpg.
 
Drive both. I'd save $ and be happier in a GX470 than the v6 5th gen 4r. the 2uz-fe, though not as efficient as they need to be these days for many, is the deal maker for me.

you also should be using premium fuel in the GX. the quiet, smoothness, and badge count for me. the 4r will likely keep its value better, but will be rougher around the edges.
 
Recently picked up a loaded, PERFECT GX (07, 45k miles, CPO to 100k/3 years) here in CA (read: land of the markup) for $35 out the door. Nice truck. Coming from a 3rd gen 4runner. We also cross-shopped with g4 and g5 4runners. Some takeaways:
1) Gas here is $4.65/gal prem and it takes $82 to fill it
2) We're averaging 16.5mpg around town, a solid 20mpg on the highway at 75mph. We use light to average-weight go-pedal feet
3) The barn door is alright but I miss the roll-down rear window and lift-up hatch
4) The interior kicks butt on any generation of 4R. MUUUCH more roomy and plush
5) No seat bolstering, unlike our old 3rd gen 4R - so you end up cornering a little slower. Or at least I do.
6) The V8 kicks ass and sounds good - IMO worth 3mpg over the 6. We're getting the same mpg as the old 3rd gen (but paying premium over regular, which is ~+$4/tank)
7) Not as many mod options as the G4 or G5 4Runner
8) I have done some light wheeling and it's fantastic in stock form
9) Air suspension is nice - it does go from taut to boat-like at the twist of a dial...
10) The Mark Levinson sounds sooooo good - no comparison to any gen 4Runner stereo product
11) I still have a little issue with driving a **Lexus**. I'm a Toyota guy haha

You gotta drive 'em. Guaranteed the SO (if you have one) will want the GX...
 
Although I am loving my GX470 I may not be the best resource as I have an older one ('04). Here's at least what I have been seeing with mine.

1) Fuel economy. I am getting around 16-17 with a lead foot and 285 70r17's. I think that is fair for the speeds I drive :lol:. The tank is not very big and I think I am getting just under 300 per tank but I fill up before the light comes on. Pre VVTI motors will NOT need premium, just the newer ones and even then its only recommended.

2) KDSS. Don't have it so I can't tell ya :hhmm:. From what I understand it is only a + in all respects. I guess the only minus is that it takes up a bit more room which may be an issue with lifts / skids / sliders ? :confused:

3) Luxury. Even my '04 is much quieter and more luxurious than an equally equiped new 4Runner. Now, I have only sat inside the new one and I might be a little biased :D but I am not impressed with the drivers environment. The Lexus is just so plush... and the ride is amazing!!

Hope that helps!! :cheers: Good luck with your choice.
 
I am not sure how often you will have 7 people in a car, and can not compare space to 80, but in my opinion third row seats in GX 470 are a joke. The third row in LC 100 offers much more space. If you plan to drive 7-8 people often and for fair distance - I would seriosly look at LC 100.
I drove 2011 top of the line 4Runner and did not like how it rides. Interior is also step down compared to GX 470. I end up getting 07 GX 470. I would rather drive older car that I like, but this is a matter of personal perference.
I get 16.7 miles per gallon which gives right around 300 miles between fill ups.
The only think I do not like interior wise between LC100 and GX is that there is no center concole - just small armrests and storage in between the front seats. LC100 has high center console. I do not remember setup in 4Runner but thought that I should mention this so you can make a mental note during test drive.
 
Makakio said:
2) We're averaging 16.5mpg around town. We use light to average-weight go-pedal feet
Click to expand...


I wish I could get that. I only do city driving and Im getting 240-250 miles per tank which equals to 10 almost 11mpg!!? I really baby the throttle and I try not to go over 3K RPM. Ive changed all of the fluids. I recently changed the air filter and cleaned the MAF sensor. My tire pressure is 36lbs., I might try to bump it up 1-2lbs. to see if that makes a difference. The only thing left to do is change the spark plugs. I use Chevron gas so its top tier gas.

I had a lifted '06 Tundra DC with 33" M/T tires and I got about the same MPG and I drove it like I stole it. Both weight about the same (GX: 4,871lbs. / Tundra DC: 4,780lbs.) and both have a V8.

I wasnt expecting great gas mileage but 10-11mpg is pretty sad!!!
 
to comment on mpg...i've got an '08...put a k&n air filter in, have a yakima mega warrior roof rack on, about 75 lbs of stuff in the back...and i drive about half city (40 mph) and half highway (65 mph)...and average 18.9 mpg...before the roof rack and a few lbs in the back, i was averaging 20.7 mpg.
 
BonnerBB said:
My KDSS 05 GX handles like it is on rails even with my ICON coilovers that gives it 3" of lift.

If you are worried about MPG then getcha a V6 runner because this V8 in my Lexus is just too fun not too punch it every once in a while.
Click to expand...

Interestingly the V6 4runner is faster than the GX470 and almost a dead heat with the GX460. The extra 600lbs eats up the extra HP I suppose?
 
BonnerBB said:
My KDSS 05 GX handles like it is on rails even with my ICON coilovers that gives it 3" of lift.

If you are worried about MPG then getcha a V6 runner because this V8 in my Lexus is just too fun not too punch it every once in a while.
Click to expand...

I'm not too worried about punching it once in a while, overall that won't make a big difference in mileage. I should hope that giving it some gas every so often won't cut my range by 100 miles or even 50. What's funny is that I've found that babying the throttle in my current DD doesn't make much difference even over a full tank. So I've stopped worry about babying let it redline if I feel like it.

I'll be taking a 4Runner for an extended test drive over the weekend so we shall see how that goes.

It's good to hear that the aftermarket suspensions tighten things up, especially since I have yet to see a 2008+ with KDSS within 1000 miles for sale in my almost two months of searching.

I am not sure how often you will have 7 people in a car, and can not compare space to 80, but in my opinion third row seats in GX 470 are a joke. The third row in LC 100 offers much more space.
Click to expand...

I know the 3rd row is very cramped but it will be somewhat rare to carry the full 7. It would be mainly to accommodate my wife's family when they visit and occasional "department trips." My wife's family is pretty small and in the department we have two people shorter than 5'4". But what you're saying does give me an excuse to at least look into something larger. :D

Thanks all for the responses and by all means keep sharing.
 
RCsGX said:
I wasnt expecting great gas mileage but 10-11mpg is pretty sad!!!
Click to expand...

That can't be right.

My dad's '06 GX470 gets about 15-18 mpg regularly.

Even my '06 LX470 gets no worse than 13mpg on 33s.


You might want to consider changing your oxygen sensor and making sure your cats are not clogged. The oxygen sensors should make a drastic difference to your mpg if you're higher mileage.
 
TeCKis300 said:
That can't be right.

My dad's '06 GX470 gets about 15-18 mpg regularly.

Even my '06 LX470 gets no worse than 13mpg on 33s.


You might want to consider changing your oxygen sensor and making sure your cats are not clogged. The oxygen sensors should make a drastic difference to your mpg if you're higher mileage.
Click to expand...


Im not getting any codes but I'll swap the O2 sensors out just to see if that helps. I checked on Sewells site but Im a little confused. Theres only one sensor upstream and one down but Lexus is showing O2 sensors with 2 different part numbers with different pricing, which is correct or are they both the same?

89465 and 89465A

2005 GX470: OEM Electrical (SWITCH & RELAY) Replacement Parts

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r34/rrcompton/Lexus GX470/sensors.jpg
 
I just called up Sewell and they said the correct part number is the 89465A, the other part number is old and they didnt take it off of their catalog. I told them I knew I wasnt crazy, theres only 1 sensor downstream per side. LOL
 
O2 sensors will wear and slow down as they age. And they won't trip the CEL threshold until they are well past their prime.

You only really need to change the upstream sensor in each bank as that is the primary O2 sensor that drives the feedback loop.

You'll definitely notice a nice change to gas mileage after refreshing the O2 sensors.

If you don't mind soldering/slicing wires, you can buy the universal fitment bosche/denso sensors for rather cheap from any auto parts store. Then splice those pigtails to the existing plugs you have.
 
TeCKis300 said:
O2 sensors will wear and slow down as they age. And they won't trip the CEL threshold until they are well past their prime.

You only really need to change the upstream sensor in each bank as that is the primary O2 sensor that drives the feedback loop.

You'll definitely notice a nice change to gas mileage after refreshing the O2 sensors.

If you don't mind soldering/slicing wires, you can buy the universal fitment bosche/denso sensors for rather cheap from any auto parts store. Then splice those pigtails to the existing plugs you have.
Click to expand...


I ordered both upstream sensors today from Sewell. I hope that fixes my shi**y gas mileage!!
 
Nice. Report back and let us know how it goes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom