LC200 vs. GX460? (3 Viewers)

[Zill]

The difference between the LC 200 and other vehicles on the road are really seen on the fasteners used within the cabin of the vehicle. Almost every interior piece is affixed to another piece with way more fasteners than what’s really necessary. Talk to any tech who consistently works on these rigs and they will tell you the same.

It makes for a ridiculously overbuilt rig that feels extra tight and built to last the test of time.

Even in the engine bay, if you feel the plastics used compared to the 4Runner/GX/Tundra, they feel way more thick and substantial.

It’s all around a much higher standard set in the full size LC platform.

 

[Madtiger]

A Tundra is built to compete in the 1/2 ton and to some degree 3/4 ton truck market. The 4Runner/Prado/Tacoma is built to compete in the lighter truck domain. The fact that an LC/LX is built to Tundra standards (as far as heavy duty use is concerned) shows how tough they are. There's no doubt that you are paying for some luxury with the LC/LX in the USDM, but you are also getting the ruggedness of an HD truck under the skin.




I feel like you answered your own question here...

Tundra is in no way on the same playing field as F250……..one look underneath says it all.

 

[bloc]

Bloc,
I was thinking about this….
All you need is one part where the LC part is beefier than the GX? Seems like more data points would be helpful.

I have seen pictures of the LC UCA compared to the Tundra UCA and I get UCA envy.
But I don’t believe the Tundra is “built to higher standards” like keeps being repeated here about the LC.

Surely there are more data points that we can use?

And before I get blasted for continuing with this debate, I would like to again make it clear that I’m an LC fanboy. I very much want my LC to be overbuilt. I just want to be sure that this is the case.

One thing that occurs to me is price. Surely there is a reason the LC costs 45% more than a GX. Hopefully it’s more than just the brand name. But where does this higher price manifest itself on our vehicles?
(And don’t say size because the Sequoia is larger and cheaper than both)

I only had a side-by-side picture of one part, but that's why I listed a handful of other ways the 200 platform is objectively better than the Prado. If you get under each there are plenty of other examples of beef. Even as @Zill pointed out, some are less obvious, like number of fasteners on interior panels.

As for tundra UCA's, I wouldn't envy them until people post about problems with the stock ones.. which I don't remember seeing on this forum yet. I will grant many of us ditch them for alignment reasons when we lift.. though problems with the aftermarket parts are far more common.

Because you mention price.. my opinion is the base cost of the "bones" of a landcruiser are a major reason they never brought a poverty pack version here. To put that level of quality into a vehicle requires a certain cost, which in this case would likely be in the range of a much more optioned-up 4runner or similar. Except to a very small niche of customers they just wouldn't move many units, and toyota isn't in the habit of catering to that crowd. Just my opinion, for what that's worth.

 

[isthatalexus]

As usual, USDM 70-Series and Hiluxes would make this discussion the right amount of irrelevant. As the founders said, no chickentaxation without representation.

 

[M1911]

As usual, USDM 70-Series and Hiluxes would make this discussion the right amount of irrelevant. As the founders said, no chickentaxation without representation.

I'm of the opinion that most folks in the US who long after a 70 Series would change their minds if they actually drove one. They are very agricultural.

 

[liv2bike]

Yup just concerned about the mileage of the LCs in my price range mostly

Something else to consider is earlier MY 200's (2008 to ~2010) had valve spring failure issues. My 200 Series has been down since late March with an engine that grenaded itself. Valve spring failed, valve dropped, smacked the piston and...engine is toast. Be aware of this. It is super rare and I was very unlucky. But this is a thing to consider. If it were me, I'd save up some more coin and get a newer unit.

Guy

 

[bloc]

I'm of the opinion that most folks in the US who long after a 70 Series would change their minds if they actually drove one. They are very agricultural.

Totally agree.

Something else to consider is earlier MY 200's (2008 to ~2010) had valve spring failure issues. My 200 Series has been down since late March with an engine that grenaded itself. Valve spring failed, valve dropped, smacked the piston and...engine is toast. Be aware of this. It is super rare and I was very unlucky. But this is a thing to consider. If it were me, I'd save up some more coin and get a newer unit.

Guy

At least one 2013 and maybe a 2014 had it too. I specifically remember because I was assuming my 13 was out of the woods, but that was proof it isn't.

 

[skrypj]

Bloc,
I was thinking about this….
All you need is one part where the LC part is beefier than the GX? Seems like more data points would be helpful.

I have seen pictures of the LC UCA compared to the Tundra UCA and I get UCA envy.
But I don’t believe the Tundra is “built to higher standards” like keeps being repeated here about the LC.

Surely there are more data points that we can use?

And before I get blasted for continuing with this debate, I would like to again make it clear that I’m an LC fanboy. I very much want my LC to be overbuilt. I just want to be sure that this is the case.

One thing that occurs to me is price. Surely there is a reason the LC costs 45% more than a GX. Hopefully it’s more than just the brand name. But where does this higher price manifest itself on our vehicles?
(And don’t say size because the Sequoia is larger and cheaper than both)

The GX has a 8.2" rear ring gear to the 200's 9.5".
Front diff is 8" vs 9"
The Tundra/200 steering rack is a common upgrade for the GX/4Runner platform and is part of the Marlin Crawler RCLT HD long travel kit.
Different transmission and t-case. GX uses the A760 transmission that is closely related to the A750 in the 4Runner, and the same as what is used in the 4.6L Tundra/Sequoia.

 

[Madtiger]

The GX has a 8.2" rear ring gear to the 200's 9.5".
Front diff is 8" vs 9"
The Tundra/200 steering rack is a common upgrade for the GX/4Runner platform and is part of the Marlin Crawler RCLT HD long travel kit.
Different transmission and t-case. GX uses the A760 transmission that is closely related to the A750 in the 4Runner, and the same as what is used in the 4.6L Tundra/Sequoia.

Sure…but LC200 is also around 800-1000 lbs heavier than GX. So, some of that bigger gearing is to offset the heavier weight of a (much) bigger vehicle. It does not mean that GX gears are any weaker per se.

LC owners upgrade to Tundra control arms when they lift…so what does that tell you about LC?

The transmission of the GX is very good and old and proven. There have been cases of 2016+ LC200 transmission grenading. 2016+ LC gearbox has more gears and better for off-roading/towing than old LC but seems more fragile.

I do think LC platform is built stronger to mild degree over GX…but not astronomical as some here think. GX platform is no string noodles!

 

[nwfl4runner]

LC owners upgrade to Tundra control arms when they lift…so what does that tell you about LC?

Just to be clear, that’s only when swapping to wider upper/lower and not really related to lift per se. Other than length from bushing to ball joint up top and mounting points on lower, they are identical, but both larger than 4runner/GX counterparts.

 

[isthatalexus]

I'm of the opinion that most folks in the US who long after a 70 Series would change their minds if they actually drove one. They are very agricultural.

Fully agree. I've driven FJ40's for somewhat extended periods in the more distant past, and the ag/analog feel was part of the draw. Today, with 20 more years on the physical clock and the prospect of 1,000 miles to the trailhead in sub-200-level comfort/power feels less attractive. That being said, I'd still drive and camp the hell out of it in the Southwest.

I wrote a modest proposal on here somewhere on MUD at one point about starting a Chicken Tax circumvention NGO that would allow us to import UN-style D4D 200's into the US. That vision, however Swiftian, persists.

 

[skrypj]

Sure…but LC200 is also around 800-1000 lbs heavier than GX. So, some of that bigger gearing is to offset the heavier weight of a (much) bigger vehicle. It does not mean that GX gears are any weaker per se.

LC owners upgrade to Tundra control arms when they lift…so what does that tell you about LC?

The transmission of the GX is very good and old and proven. There have been cases of 2016+ LC200 transmission grenading. 2016+ LC gearbox has more gears and better for off-roading/towing than old LC but seems more fragile.

I do think LC platform is built stronger to mild degree over GX…but not astronomical as some here think. GX platform is no string noodles!

Of course it weighs more. All of its components are heavier built and bigger. The same way an F250 weighs more and is built heavier than an F150.

People put Tundra control arms on the LC because it widens the track width and allows for more wheel travel. I am not sure what point you are trying to make there. It tells me that the LC is narrower than a Tundra, that's about it.

The GX460 A760 transmissions have been failing a lot in the last 2 years. They are not proven.

The GX platform is built well, but they have some very well know failure points when wheeled. CV's, tie rods, spindles, rear axles, etc are all weak points on that platform. All things that most LC owners don't have to think much about.

 

[lx200inAR]

Of course it weighs more. All of its components are heavier built and bigger. The same way an F250 weighs more and is built heavier than an F150.

People put Tundra control arms on the LC because it widens the track width and allows for more wheel travel. I am not sure what point you are trying to make there. It tells me that the LC is narrower than a Tundra, that's about it.

The GX460 A760 transmissions have been failing a lot in the last 2 years. They are not proven.

The GX platform is built well, but they have some very well know failure points when wheeled. CV's, tie rods, spindles, rear axles, etc are all weak points on that platform. All things that most LC owners don't have to think much about.

I wouldn’t waste your breath.. err.. fingers.

 

[bloc]

I wouldn’t waste your breath.. err.. fingers.

Agreed. The ignore feature is bliss.

 

[TeCKis300]

The GX platform is built well, but they have some very well know failure points when wheeled. CV's, tie rods, spindles, rear axles, etc are all weak points on that platform. All things that most LC owners don't have to think much about.

Good point. To reinforce this, these parts continue to perform when running 37" tires at race pace in Baja 1000. That's how much excess structural margin is built into the 200-series.

Most platforms couldn't hold together with a stock sized tire at race pace.

GXs, while a high quality vehicle, will reach the structural limits of its front end components, including steering rack, with 34s, under enthusiast use.

Granted, most owners aren't using them this way and unless one does, it's just extra fat to carry around.

 

[isthatalexus]

enthusiast use

...is best use

 

[TeCKis300]

...is best use

Agreed and no shade from here. The GX is a fine rig that has my respect.

 

[willstroo]

we have never been able to buy the GX Lexus in Australia which sucks so bad.. we only have the Toyota Prado which I have owned before, I bought a 2018 new.

I absolutely loved that car, but if that had been V8 like the GX I swear it would be the perfect vehicle for me.. the 2.8l diesel we get in the Prado while very economical is completely underwhelming.

However!! I’m in a LX now, and I have to say the difference in the two build qualities is staggering, and my LX is a 2016, older than the Prado.

Other than fuel usage, the car is so inferior in so many ways that they shouldn’t really be compared at all. Probably sounds snobby, but that’s my experience of ownership.

I couldn’t afford a 200 series, let alone a LX, so bought the Prado. But 10/10 I would recommend someone buying a second hand LX over a new Prado. Unless fuel usage is primary concern. Then it’s a terrible idea haha!