Keep GX, new 4Runner or LX (6 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.

 

[Rednexus]

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).

 

[GrizzlyClint]

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).
View attachment 3976350

I'm gonna do something similar once I trim the rear bumper and remove the factory hitch.

 

[gowyn]

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

 

[Acrad]

Ive been obsessing over moving from a 460 to either:

A: 570 - don’t want to invest in a dated platform.
B: 600 - a bit concerned about turbo
C: 550 - pretty much the same thing as a 600 but looks better and gets slightly worse mpg’s

I was only considering this due to towing a 5k lb trailer. I LOVE my 460 and get chills thinking about how much work Id have to do to get the next one to where the GX is now. Im just going to suffer through 45mph pass climbs for now. I think 550/600 are what Id go once I can get a used one for cheap. 570/600 have s*** approach angles so probably 550 for me. Id prefer 600 for ahc and slightly more hp’s but that nose won’t viper cut too easy and I don’t want bumpers.

Wouldn’t re-gearing noticeably help with towing at cost of some MPG?

 

[Rednexus]

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.