questions for lifted gx470 owners

[montanacruiser]

Im thinking of getting myself a gx470. I got a fj80 right now and want something that i can build up for getting around in the mountains. My 80 is starting to get up there in miles so i dont want to put a lot of money into it. I was thinking of 33" tires. How much of a lift would i need. How much money did you guys spend lifting your trucks. What is the best way to lift them. Do you find that they are a capable 4x4. Are they basically the same as the toyota. Can i expect it to be as reliable as the toyotas. Do they have stock lockers. I know thats a lot of questions. Just trying to dicide what my next vehicle is going to be. My other option would be a 4runner. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Hi montanacruiser, Montana Cruiser here

I have had a FJ80 and FZJ80's among many others and recently picked up a GX470, it's hard to really compare the two as there are quite a lot of differences. Have you had the opportunity to drive a GX yet? I'd start there and see if you like it. Lots of info out there on this site, also toyota120.com, clublexus.com etc. There seem to be a few lifting options, dependent on what stock components you want to retain. I wish I could add more at the moment, but I am just learning as well. FWIW, I love the GX so far!

 

[ironman racing]

I work on the prado 120s all the time let me know what you want Ill send you the links and how to do it. The prado is a excellent offroad truck. ARB makes a real good lift for this truck as well as a couple others ironman bulldog ect. if you ever want to change it to a diesel i can get those engines as well..

 

[luanta]

i have a 2006 gx470. Always felt like I could get stranded somewhere with the airbags so I converted to Ironman suspension all around. Works great. Basically shares the same components as the fj cruiser. I love it. Very comfortable and roomy. I have the navigation which is the only downside for me because I generally like to put in a dvd player in the front.

 

[RCsGX]

I have the navigation which is the only downside for me because I generally like to put in a dvd player in the front.

You should've got a GX with Navi AND RSES. You could've installed a coastal lockpick in back of the Navi H/U then you could watch DVDs up front while on the move.

 

[luanta]

You should've got a GX with Navi AND RSES. You could've installed a coastal lockpick in back of the Navi H/U then you could watch DVDs up front while on the move.

What's RSES? Forgive my dumb question but can I upgrade to such a system?

 

[RCsGX]

What's RSES?

Rear
Seat
Entertainment
System

Forgive my dumb question but can I upgrade to such a system?

That's not a dumb question.

I'm sure you can add it but it probably won't be cheap. You can get a better system going aftermarket but I don't know how you would hook it up to the front Navi display.

 

[larsdennert]

The gx is basically a v8 4runner underneath. It comes with atrac and no locking diffs, save the one in the transfer case. You can add arb ones in the axles. If you are on Facebook, you can browse my public folders on mods. Www.Facebook.com/LarsDennert
I went with 32s unlike my last truck because the are easy to fit, lighter and can go all the places 33s can go. Actually I've seen 31" 4runners traverse trails like gold spike.
If you get lucky, find a truck with kdss.

 

[Brake Weight]

I have a few questions as well. My wife has one and we need to upgrade to something bigger to put all 3 kids in. If the trade in on the GX isn't kosher with me, I'm keeping it for myself. I have a Tacoma and I've always wanted an SUV 4x4.

Questions
-I'd like to fit 33"+/- tires, maybe 11" wide. What sort of lift would I need to clear these?
-Rear AHC is getting yanked out. But I'd like to be able to put OEM parts back on if a buyer came along later. Can the rear be lifted on some OME or FJ coils? Lower perch issue?
-Front end geometry is very similar to my 1st gen Taco and a set of 5100s should suffice. Will a diff drop be necessary?

 

[azcromntic]

what, no answers to his questions? Well, I'd like to know also. Although I've done some reading of my own and have a good idea of what will be written.

To the OP: From what I've read so far the only thing most people don't like about the GX is the rear "barn door" which I must say, as I visualize it, might be frustrating for me as well. Not everyone hates it though.

 

[Brake Weight]

Deal with the back door is; it's convenient when you're in tight quarters and a flip up doesn't have enough room. You can squeeze in like a regular side car door. It's not convenient when its raining and you've got groceries or whatever to load up. It's also not convenient when you're on a left side incline trying to get into the back and it wants to shut on you-although it does have a locking mechanism for fully open, not anywhere in between. This could be addressed with a die grinder possibly.

 

[RCsGX]

what, no answers to his questions? Well, I'd like to know also.

No answers? Come on.

I did a quick browse through the first 2 pages on this forum and found these threads:

Page 1:
See post #1, he's running a 32.8" tire
https://forum.ih8mud.com/120-series-toyotas/606505-southernss-build-thread.html

See post #143, he's now running a 33x11.50" tire
https://forum.ih8mud.com/120-series-toyotas/606505-southernss-build-thread-8.html

See post #1. Follow his link and you will see several members GXs on 33" tires
https://forum.ih8mud.com/120-series-toyotas/425071-bonnerbbs-lifted-gx470.html

See post #10, he's running a 33x11.50" tire
https://forum.ih8mud.com/120-series-toyotas/749918-boo471-build.html


Page 2:
See post #1, he's running a 33x11.50" tire
https://forum.ih8mud.com/120-series-toyotas/527826-my-2003-gx470.html

 

[larsdennert]

I can address the last item. The first gen taco has a 90 series ifs and the 2nd gen taco has a 120. They are quite different. The 120 has negative shaft angles stock so you can lift many inches before you need a dif drop. After lifting 2.5" my shafts were straight.
The other two I can only speculate. 33s fitting will depend on whether will will try to get full wheel travel or just streeting it. Proper fit will mean a body lift or cutting and pounding.

 

[IanB]

Rear door also sucks as it opens TOWARDS the curb rather than towards the street, so you have to go around it when loading/unloading. Takes way more room than a liftgate inside a garage as well, you have to leave more space behind. And to add insult to injury, there's no roll down rear window like the 4runner.