How much do you like/enjoy/use the tailgate? (1 Viewer)

[Terry B]

I want to build an overlander (expedition) to go to the bottom of South America. I am almost sold on the LX 570 but also have my eye on a GX 460. I have a lot of uncertainties with both but in this thread, I would like to know if you like the tailgate a bunch or if the swing out back door on the GX would be fine for day to day travel.


Edit Jan 19, 2020- At the end of page 6, I compiled some comments on tailgate love - In case you didn't want to read it all....

 

[rusty87]

My wife had a GX460 and I’ve had a couple of split tailgate land cruisers over the years. The pop back glass on the 460 swing gate makes it much easier to live with over the fixed glass of the older gx470. I still much prefer the tailgate setup.

 

[Angelo1]

We use our tailgate every single weekend and many week days during kids sports practices and football games. When I lived in CO, the split gate was priceless when the snow was coming down and everyone getting their boots on with the top portion keeping you covered. I would never buy a non-split gate suv which is why the G-Wagon and most others were a big no go. We love backing up to a nice creek off the trail and plopping the tailgate down and having a little picnic...feels nostalgic. Also, it’s great when it’s raining

 

[FrazzledHunter]

I was really glad to see this question and I thought I was literally the only one that valued that tailgate!
I *HATE* those huge single door contraptions common on other SUV's.
I use that tailgate as a workbench, platform for stacking stuff before placing into the rear and for tailgating.
It also means I can, if I have to, make the LC a quasi pickup-truck by leaving the top open and the bottom closed so that when transportiung long things that were not heavy they could hang out the back.*
I also like the hollowed out tool area in the lower half which was not present on my 2000 100 series.

*Wait! I now have a roof rack!

 

[Dan Higgins]

One of my primary reasons for choosing and Land Cruiser (and before that the Land Rover LR4) was the split tailgate. Nearly every time I take the LC out I am using the tailgate as a place to set up gear, fix a meal, pack a rucksack and in general as a very useful utility "bench" what doesn't require me to lean up or over the bumper and is at a proper height. When it comes time to change into boots or snowshoes its a great place to sit. And with the drawers in the back we can sit on the drawers and rest our feet on the tailgate while keeping the top "half" raise for protection against weather. And since it doesn't protrude as far as the "barn door" style I can work easier in tight spaces (like my garage). And it makes more sense when we sleep in the back of the LC. Yes, it is something you need to reach over to access items further into the cargo area. But that's why I have drawers with roll tops. I'm average height (5' 8") and reach just isn't an issue.

 

[tincan45]

We have both. My wife prefers the swing gate on her 460 because it makes for a great grocery get'r. She can load and unload while in the garage. I prefer the split tailgate. I use my 200 for work and I'm constantly using it as a temporary work space. On the weekends it's where we hang out on the trails for brief stops and sight seeing. I really like how the speakers in the tailgate are overhead while sitting and music sounds great when you are under it. ...Short answer, it depends on how you plan to use it.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

The rain - yeah THIS. I've used the upper half to shield me from rain and also snow a LOT. I quartered a deer on that tailgate in the pouring rain once years ago. How could I forget that one.

 

[Tex68w]

I’ve owned multiples of both. On the surface I’ll tell you that I absolutely hate the barn door on the GX and I love the split gate/tail gate on the LC/LX more than any other setup. That’s 100% emotional, when in reality, after using both for many years, it’s not nearly that polarizing. Here are my thoughts.

GX barn door

Cons-For starters it opens the wrong way, it’s designed for the Japanese market and because of that it puts you out in traffic when opening it on the street side. I feel like I am always on the wrong side of the vehicle when I need to get into it as well, this can be trained out by remembering to be on the drivers side when you need to access the cargo area, I still haven’t remembered lol. The door is kind of heavy but that’s only a detriment when on a side hill angled down, at least it has the option to lock it open. Rear visibility isn’t as good as it could be due to the bottom of the rear glass being pretty high up on the door.

Pros-The rear glass pops open allowing access to the cargo area without having to open the door, that said it’s kind of high up and limits your ability to reach in. It allows for the use of 270 awning should that appeal to you. You have decent storage inside of the door.

Conclusion-As much as I love to hate it, in reality it’s not nearly as bad as I make it out to be. It’s certainly not my first choice and maybe not even my second (regular hatch is better imho) but it’s better than ambulance doors in my opinion. People are always wowed by it as if they’ve never seen a rear door open in such a manner lol (I guess everyone forgot about the station wagons we had growing up?!).

LC/LX split hatch/lift-gate and tail-gate

Cons-It somewhat limits your access to the back of the cargo area nearest the rear seats when the tail gate is down. It requires you to perform two maneuvers instead of one to fully open and access your cargo area. The wiper is fixed and always in your peripheral. The rear window is fixed and cannot be opened.

Pros-You have a freaking tail gate on a SUV, how cool is that?! It makes for a great spot to sit, prepare food, work on/assemble things and you have some extra storage inside of the tail gate. It’s unique to the platform and somewhat iconic. You can open the upper hatch and access or load items with the tail gate still closed providing security to keep your gear/items from falling out. It creates the perfect height barrier to flush mount drawers behind the tail gate and possibly create a sleeping platform.

Conclusion-In theory and purely based on emotion I think it’s the best layout possible for a SUV. But in reality it’s possible that the lift hatch with roll down window found on the 4Runner might be the best all around option. If you think you’ll utilize the tail gate often then it’s a no brainer, but if not it loses a lot of its allure. I love it but I really don’t utilize the tail gate as much as I anticipated.

I apologize if this break down didn’t help you any in regards to choosing one, but these are my honest opinions and findings on the subject. In all honesty there really isn’t a bad way to go here because each rear hatch/door design offers it own set of benefits, you just have to decide which is better for your needs/use/personality/quirks.

 

[nor_cal_cyclist]

I love it over a full opening (swing door or lift gate like my 4Runner had) - gives a barrier for my dogs as I get ready to load/unload them.

 

[razzyrazz]

Never had a GX, but I really was hesitant to give up the rear sliding window of the 4runner for the split tailgate on the LX. Didnt think I'd use it as much as the rear window. I was wrong. We sit on it all the time. Also use it often to sit our little ones down to change clothes or diapers, etc.

 

[Em cee]

The tailgate should not be underestimated. As others have posted, it is the perfect height for all sorts of uses. A very expensive, mobile workbench and cooking surface

 

[Terry B]

Thanks for all the great comments. We know that unless you live with something you don't know how you will appreciate it with many scenarios and nuances that may happen. I'm not going to quarter a moose on the tailgate anytime soon but it looks like the GX is less likely to happen. From all the points you have made - the utilitarian aspect has been driven home. I envision sitting on the tailgate in Baja with a cold one in my hand enjoying the sunset...

 

[Tex68w]

Thanks for all the great comments. We know that unless you live with something you don't know how you will appreciate it with many scenarios and nuances that may happen. I'm not going to quarter a moose on the tailgate anytime soon but it looks like the GX is less likely to happen. From all the points you have made - the utilitarian aspect has been driven home. I envision sitting on the tailgate in Baja with a cold one in my hand enjoying the sunset...

It's honestly the best solution and where this discussion was going to steer you from the very beginning lol. We like our GX but the barn door is one of our biggest complaints.

 

[slowride]

Sitting on the tailgate with some good music playing...
The speakers overhead are like stereo headphones...
Watching the stars in the clear night sky, let the magic happen...

Or loading more bulk stuff at Costco...

 

[fireball]

If you have small kids, you'll like having the tailgate as a changing table.

 

[Sandroad]

Although note in the same price category, I had an older CR-V in the family for 12 years with a swing-out door. It was inconvenient in some parking situations and blocked access to the cargo area from the curbside. I really like the tailgate set up on the 3 Land Cruisers I've owned and would look for that arrangement on any future family adventure vehicle. We've sat there many times for many meals and it's great to load/unload out of the rain.

 

[Terry B]

Sitting on the tailgate with some good music playing...
The speakers overhead are like stereo headphones...
Watching the stars in the clear night sky, let the magic happen...

Or loading more bulk stuff at Costco...

Let's not get to carried away - little too kooombaiya for me-)

 

[LBridges]

On the home improvement front, fold down the middle section of the 2nd row seats, open the tailgate, and load in a few 2X4s at the lumber yard (maybe protect seats and top of tailgate) . The drive home will be aggravating due to the open door warning beep from the window being up (who can one defeat that?). Barn door models not so good at this task.

Could fold down all of 2nd row and load a few sheets of 4'X8'.

 

[Terry B]

On the home improvement front, fold down the middle section of the 2nd row seats, open the tailgate, and load in a few 2X4s at the lumber yard (maybe protect seats and top of tailgate) . The drive home will be aggravating due to the open door warning beep from the window being up (who can one defeat that?). Barn door models not so good at this task.

Could fold down all of 2nd row and load a few sheets of 4'X8'.

You could fit a 4*8 sheet sitting flat with both rear doors closed?

 

[tbisaacs]

Tailgate is 100% favorite part of having a cruiser. It’s essential to our camp setup. We use it literally every day. I can’t imagine not having it.

My good friend has a GX and as others have pointed out it makes it a lot easier to reach in but here in the PNW he’s often standing in the rain....