Keep GX, new 4Runner or LX (24 Viewers)

[dl819]

So cancelled the 4Runner order. One of the reasons I traded my 5th gen was the part time 4wd and engine. Counter productive to go back to PT and now a 4 banger. Now the decision to stay with GX or move onto LX....

Thanks for the feedback, from looking around I'm not the only one who has had this "dilemma!"

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.

 

[r2m]

Maybe keep the GX and get something like a Pakmule for hauling?

View attachment 3976053

See a lot of those hitch carriers. Only issues:

1. DON'T FORGET IT'S THERE when backing up!!!
2. Can't open your rear door, but as a consolation, you do have access to the rear window.
3. Hope you're not also wanting to bring along a couple of bikes too! That'll be a no-go.

Unless one has either medical or height (read: being on the short side) issues, I'd prefer using the roof rack, which the photo shows having one. Albeit, you'll have to breakdown to smaller totes for the roof rack, rather than one giant one in the back.

 

[xychromosome]

See a lot of those hitch carriers. Only issues:

1. DON'T FORGET IT'S THERE when backing up!!!
2. Can't open your rear door, but as a consolation, you do have access to the rear window.
3. Hope you're not also wanting to bring along a couple of bikes too! That'll be a no-go.

Unless one has either medical or height (read: being on the short side) issues, I'd prefer using the roof rack, which the photo shows having one. Albeit, you'll have to breakdown to smaller totes for the roof rack, rather than one giant one in the back.

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]

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)

Driving dynamics and COG are also better with using the back vs the top.

 

[Rednexus]

See a lot of those hitch carriers. Only issues:

1. DON'T FORGET IT'S THERE when backing up!!!
2. Can't open your rear door, but as a consolation, you do have access to the rear window.
3. Hope you're not also wanting to bring along a couple of bikes too! That'll be a no-go.

Unless one has either medical or height (read: being on the short side) issues, I'd prefer using the roof rack, which the photo shows having one. Albeit, you'll have to breakdown to smaller totes for the roof rack, rather than one giant one in the back.

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.

 

[xychromosome]

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 there. It's a non-issue with the ATV carrier which rides above the exhasut.

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]

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.
View attachment 3976248

You could swap the exhaust tip, for one that is turned down.