I wondered about the PT 4wd. Now it boils down to - what else could you do with the extra money you'd spend on the LX? Is that greater than the extra enjoyment you'd have driving the LX? You can't really go wrong.
Keep GX, new 4Runner or LX
- Thread starter gowyn
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See a lot of those hitch carriers. Only issues:
- DON'T FORGET IT'S THERE when backing up!!!
- Can't open your rear door, but as a consolation, you do have access to the rear window.
- Hope you're not also wanting to bring along a couple of bikes too! That'll be a no-go.
All valid points, however for me the benefits outway the cons.
1) less height and drag added to the vehicle (I find that even ski racks to the roof for carrying fishing poles adds drag and decreases mileage)
2) Added weight is kept low, preventing vehicle being top-heavy. Although I wouldn't do any technical wheeling with a hitch rack given the drop in depature angle, so this may be a mute point.
3) Easy access to cargo
To address not being able to access the rear door, use a hitch swing (e.g. Kuat Pivot, Rak Attach or similar)
Hiluxforever
SILVER Star
Driving dynamics and COG are also better with using the back vs the top.
You can definitely open your rear door with a hitch carrier on a GX. I use mine for one very specific purpose. FYI, that's a $50 Harbor Freight ATV carrier, which just barely cleared the rear door. I've since gotten a nice aluminum carrier that rides even lower and is rated for 500#.
Although, with the lower-mounted carrier, you do need to put a diverter on the GX exhaust to keep it from cooking whatever you have on the hitch rack. For my purpose, my meal would be cooked a bit too early without a diverter
. This is a non-issue with the ATV carrier which rides above the exhaust.For wheeling I'd never consider a hitch carrier. It ruins your departure angle and you'd quickly destroy the carrier. However I've wheeled a lot with a roof-top cargo carrier - albeit with light stuff in it. With <100 pounds up there, including the carrier itself, it has no ill effects on vehicle on- or off-road handling. It's certainly a lot less of an impact than a RTT which is much heavier and less aero.
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Yeah, I have a Pak Mule and can load it so that the barn door still swings, but there is some packing management involved. I'll actually be getting a swing hitch in the near future which will illiminate that issue, and may even reduce the exhaust burn given it will sit out a bit further, however that introduces a new issue; adding additional inches of length to the rear of the vehicle. I typically only use it for the beach as it keeps all the sandy gear outside of the vehicle and easily accessible, and a few extra inches of length isn't a concern.
Hiluxforever
SILVER Star
You could swap the exhaust tip, for one that is turned down.
I made a 90-degree tip for mine. Also keeps exhaust noise from bouncing off the front of our camper (I have an aftermarket exhaust).
I'm gonna do something similar once I trim the rear bumper and remove the factory hitch.
- Thread starter
- #30
So update:
Cancelled the 4R order. Seriously thinking about flying out to the left coast (BC in Canada) to pick up a 2015. At a dealership, 54000km (that's correct fifty four thousand kilometres) on the clock. Only bad thing is it's had a couple "minor" accidents totalling less than $20k over its lifetime. Front right, rear left corner and later front end (less than $8k) which could just be a bumper, paint and grill for that cost. Low miles and decent service record. Nice thing is it's rust free which is the biggest appeal because Ontario isn't.
Was also looking at a 2014, also BC, slightly cheaper, 106000km, private sale, some minor scratches, no accidents, decent service history, also no rust.
The dealer one will be safetied where the private one on me.
I'm leaning towards the dealer because of the condition, age and safety. Lower km too but sometimes that's a bad thing too.
I can only assume the 2015 being only driven 5k a year is in for a bit of a shock. I have a 4600km drive home when I pick it up.
Thoughts?
First pic dealer (showing driver front) car, second private sale. Both I have to pay tax on, only in Canada FFS
Cancelled the 4R order. Seriously thinking about flying out to the left coast (BC in Canada) to pick up a 2015. At a dealership, 54000km (that's correct fifty four thousand kilometres) on the clock. Only bad thing is it's had a couple "minor" accidents totalling less than $20k over its lifetime. Front right, rear left corner and later front end (less than $8k) which could just be a bumper, paint and grill for that cost. Low miles and decent service record. Nice thing is it's rust free which is the biggest appeal because Ontario isn't.
Was also looking at a 2014, also BC, slightly cheaper, 106000km, private sale, some minor scratches, no accidents, decent service history, also no rust.
The dealer one will be safetied where the private one on me.
I'm leaning towards the dealer because of the condition, age and safety. Lower km too but sometimes that's a bad thing too.
I can only assume the 2015 being only driven 5k a year is in for a bit of a shock. I have a 4600km drive home when I pick it up.
Thoughts?
First pic dealer (showing driver front) car, second private sale. Both I have to pay tax on, only in Canada FFS
Acrad
GOLD Star
Wouldn’t re-gearing noticeably help with towing at cost of some MPG?
3.73 -> 4.56 in my GX470 netted no appreciable change in MPG. Even at interstate speeds (unloaded), and when towing (towing is just way easier than it was before). With a GX460 that has the 6th gear, I think one could easily re-gear to 4.88 and get even more of a benefit. Toyota V8s like to rev freely and the stock gearing on a GX - when coupled with bigger tires that most of us add - prevents them from doing that.
Other than the cost, re-gearing is a pretty easy mod with pre-assembled 3rd members. About a day of work on jack stands. But it's only something I'd recommend for a rig someone is keeping for the long haul, since it's around a $5K mod if you add in lockers.
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Probably but at 210k not sure its worth it. Maybe I’ll lock the next one.
That seems like a lot of minor accidents.
Hiluxforever
SILVER Star
You should see my s***box honda!
OP, where did you land on this deal?
I've got a 2015 LX570 that I love and am looking to add a GX460 to the family fleet. Would like to hear how the two compare with regard to around town, off road, and highway driving and maintenance/dependability from someone who's owned both.
I've got a 2015 LX570 that I love and am looking to add a GX460 to the family fleet. Would like to hear how the two compare with regard to around town, off road, and highway driving and maintenance/dependability from someone who's owned both.
- Thread starter
- #38
UPDATE
So ended up buying the 2014 private deal.
Had a PPI done, all good.
Flew out there and drove it 3000 miles home. Only thing that didn't work was the rain sensing wipers, easy fix, disconnect sensor and back to usable intermittent wipers which I prefer.
How does it compare? Same but better....where the GX was 97% perfect for me this is 99%. Quieter, smoother ride, not so "top" heavy with wider track, suspension smoother, drivetrain smoother, gas mileage pretty much the same averaged 12l/100 km (20mpg average) on the drive.
Had it safetied, no issues so all in all very happy.
So ended up buying the 2014 private deal.
Had a PPI done, all good.
Flew out there and drove it 3000 miles home. Only thing that didn't work was the rain sensing wipers, easy fix, disconnect sensor and back to usable intermittent wipers which I prefer.
How does it compare? Same but better....where the GX was 97% perfect for me this is 99%. Quieter, smoother ride, not so "top" heavy with wider track, suspension smoother, drivetrain smoother, gas mileage pretty much the same averaged 12l/100 km (20mpg average) on the drive.
Had it safetied, no issues so all in all very happy.
Ha! My LX’s rain sensing wipers don’t work either. Which is the only thing on it that doesn’t work at 180k. I thought it was because they replaced the windshield, because when I reach up and jiggle the thing above the rearview mirror they come on. So you’re saying if I unplug it, I’ll have normal wipers?
Also, 20 mpg?! That’s nuts. I’ve never seen anything above 14.5mpg. Good for you
I’ll look hard at GX’s now. If I can get 2% less vehicle for $10 K less money that sounds like a win, assuming GX’s last as long.
My main challenge now is build fatigue. After working through wheels, tires, spacers, sensor lift, heat gunning the fender liners and sawing the mudflaps off on the LX, I don’t know if I’m ready to start all over again on the GX. Although I don’t know if I can roll stock…
Also, 20 mpg?! That’s nuts. I’ve never seen anything above 14.5mpg. Good for you
I’ll look hard at GX’s now. If I can get 2% less vehicle for $10 K less money that sounds like a win, assuming GX’s last as long.
My main challenge now is build fatigue. After working through wheels, tires, spacers, sensor lift, heat gunning the fender liners and sawing the mudflaps off on the LX, I don’t know if I’m ready to start all over again on the GX. Although I don’t know if I can roll stock…
- Thread starter
- #40
very common for rain sensors to go. Easy fix too. Basically the sensor has a clear "plastic" or rubbery feeling piece that sits between the sensor and the windshield on the inside. Over time or replacing a windshield the clear piece delaminates(inside) from the glass. If you look at the sensor from the outside and see "bubbles" or darker sections it's probably peeling off the glass. When you push on the sensor body you're just forcing the sensor closer to the glass by eliminating the air gap.Ha! My LX’s rain sensing wipers don’t work either. Which is the only thing on it that doesn’t work at 180k. I thought it was because they replaced the windshield, because when I reach up and jiggle the thing above the rearview mirror they come on. So you’re saying if I unplug it, I’ll have normal wipers?
Also, 20 mpg?! That’s nuts. I’ve never seen anything above 14.5mpg. Good for you
I’ll look hard at GX’s now. If I can get 2% less vehicle for $10 K less money that sounds like a win, assuming GX’s last as long.
My main challenge now is build fatigue. After working through wheels, tires, spacers, sensor lift, heat gunning the fender liners and sawing the mudflaps off on the LX, I don’t know if I’m ready to start all over again on the GX. Although I don’t know if I can roll stock…
Some people clean and re-attach it or plain replace it. Cheap part. Personally the sensors are made in such a way that if you unplug the two wire prong it defaults back to normal intermittent wipers which on decade old technology work way better than first gen rain sensors!
I LOVED the GX, still a better looking car but for me the LX is the sweet spot.