thinking of trading my 100 series for a gx (1 Viewer)

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I was curious, if you were trying to decide between the LX and the GX for a mild to moderate wheeling rig (lockers required but not a lot of rock crawling) that also had to tow a ~5000 race car trailer which would you guys pick?

I don't have anything invested in either, debating getting rid of my Jeep junk and have been lurking here. :)
 
GX, I may be biased, but I have owned a 100, wheeled with 100s, and have a GX.
 
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Root Moose said:
I was curious, if you were trying to decide between the LX and the GX for a mild to moderate wheeling rig (lockers required but not a lot of rock crawling) that also had to tow a ~5000 race car trailer which would you guys pick?

I don't have anything invested in either, debating getting rid of my Jeep junk and have been lurking here. :)
Click to expand...

Well you're in the 100 section...

I'd think the extra weight would help with towing. And the larger selection of off road accessories would help on that trail.
 
04UZJ100 said:
I get 20mpg in my V8 4Runner, hand calculated doing 70 with up-sized BFG's.
Click to expand...

Nice... We don't get those mpg's, but we've got it loaded down to the max with armor and gear. :D

-Daniel
 
07 GX: 20 highway / 17.5 mixed. I personally think the GX is a quieter, heavier, roomier, more-comfortable 4runner, not a landcruiser (as much as I'd love for it to be. Correct me if I'm wrong but it doesn't have LC powertrain/4WD system - V8 4Runner instead, right?

I do like it. Very nice truck - but STILL hate that barn door and fixed rear hatch glass. HATE IT.

Will upgrade to the 460 for that reason alone when I start seeing them CPO with 40k miles...
 
Makakio said:
07 GX: 20 highway / 17.5 mixed. I personally think the GX is a quieter, heavier, roomier, more-comfortable 4runner, not a landcruiser (as much as I'd love for it to be. Correct me if I'm wrong but it doesn't have LC powertrain/4WD system - V8 4Runner instead, right?

I do like it. Very nice truck - but STILL hate that barn door and fixed rear hatch glass. HATE IT.

Will upgrade to the 460 for that reason alone when I start seeing them CPO with 40k miles...
Click to expand...

The 2UZ and A750f are identical. It has the 200's transfer case and the standard 8" Toyota rear. Everything else is beefier on the Cruiser.
 
It also has to do with width and off road...the GX is MUCH nicer in the tight stuff compared to a 100. I think the number of GXs on the trails will go up dramatically and more data points will show the true nature of it. I think we have less than 10 in the US that are really built for wheeling and maybe 2-3 that actually do wheel to any sort of extreme. It may just be time and adoption before more people shed the misunderstandings of what the GX can really do.
 
have done a bunch of light-duty up/down sand/dirt/rut stuff on completely stock tire fitment with mine and totally impressed with it. mountain-goat like. havent had it long enough for snow but feeling pretty positive despite height (I've read a pretty low CG actually). it wheels.

daughter says add
:crybaby:
:bounce:
:bounce2:

:bang:
 
This is slightly off topic, but I've spent time in several 4R and own an 06 470. Difference in MPG isn't enough to make a big difference. Ride quality (esp with the suspension on firm/sport) and headroom is much better in the GX. Thanks to that higher roofline, the seats are also a bit higher off the floor, which is great for us long-legged folks.

And before I forget, sacrificing that little bit of MPG, grants a huge difference in available torque and cruising speed. Just drove from Charleston to Asheville with a big Thule roof box, bikes on the back and about 10 tons (mild exaggerations are allowed yes?) of baby stuff crammed into every possible space. Did the trip in about 5 hours with a hour-and-half sit-down dinner (if you haven't eaten the Spicy Fish in Clay Pot off the family style menu at Sun Mings in Irmo, SC, you are missing out on something special) thrown in. Did 80-85 nearly the whole way except for the big grade outside Saluda, where we settled for 75 at the top. Still got 16 MPG. Only stopped for gas because I had to pee.

The truck simply ate up the miles. No big deal. No loudness, no harshness, no vibration. V6 4R would've been struggling to match the pace. V8 4R would've been less comfortable. Hate the way the door arm-rest is on the 120 4Rs. Worthless for my long arms. Plus my butt would've gone to sleep in the first hour thanks to the low seat2floor angle (if I don't put my head through the roof)

Though I've never driven one, a 100 could've probably done the trip just as well, with a bit more room, but slower (much bigger hp/weight ratio). Plus, the 80 was the last good looking LC. Sorry. I realize everyone has their own idea of beauty.

--------A DIGRESSION FROM MY DIGRESSION--------
Incidentally, I am atypical as a Lexus buyer. I'd always felt they were designed for people who would rather cruise highways than carve up backroads. In my personal view, people who really enjoy driving don't get a Lexus or a Mercedes, they get BMWs. But while the GX isn't exactly nimble, it doesn't wallow or complain either (at least not once I've banished comfort mode). I wanted a 4R Sport but found that the 470s were a much less expensive option by about 3-5 large when buying. The big V8 isn't a good thing for resale loan value apparently. In truth I really wanted an 80, but couldn't justify it as our primary driver (or afford a good one!)

--------BACK TO BEING GENERALLY OFF TOPIC AS OPPOSED TO WAY OFF TOPIC----------------

On the whole, I'm very happy with the truck. Barn door is the big knock. Really annoying in the rain and when towing anything. Also not crazy about what Murphy's Law says about my included Nav. And the anchors for the child-seats in the 2/3 portion of the rear bench is in a most annoying place.

One day though, I hope it'll grow up to be like Dan's!
 
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great post, chach.

Know what i miss about a fold-down tailgate or hatch with roll-down or flip-up window? being able to PACK crap tight up against the door. Can't even come close to it with the GX And it's not like it's a HUGE suv, either...
 
also, getting into the cargo with a bike rack attached into the hitch receiver means you gotta be CAREFUL and only open it 1/3rd of the way. SUCKS!
 
I went to look at a GX on the weekend. It was an `04. I'm interested in an `05+ plus for the engine but this was the only truck currently on sale in this area on a dealer lot so I went to check it out. I didn't want to bother someone selling a vehicle privately until I was more serious about buying.

It was ok but I came away with a general "meh" about the vehicle. To be fair it is light years nicer inside than my `01 Cherokee (heavily modified, long arms, ARB'ed, etc.) but it didn't impress the way I was hoping. I need to track down a UZJ100/LX470 to compare against.

The leather in these things really doesn't age well... or perhaps it was a bad example of the vehicle (~100,000 miles on the odometer). It seems really hard to find a dark coloured interior as well. I really dislike the tan/beige. It's going to look like **** after a few hours in the bush. The wood grain looks pretty chintzy. There must be ebay appliqué kits for the interiors of these trucks?

That rear door is a deal breaker for me I think. It would be such a PITA to get at stuff in the back of the truck when the camping trailer (Starcraft 11RT) is on the hitch. Less of an issue with the race car trailer since it is much lower (drop hitch).

Is anyone here towing a lifted trailer behind their GX? How do you find it RE: access to the rear of the truck when the trailer is connected?

For comparison my Jeep is lifted ~5" and on 33" tires, the Starcraft is just a touch lower than the Jeep but pretty close to level with the Jeep. I can get the rear of the Jeep open when connected no problem but with a swing out door it may interfere with the jack on the trailer.

Anyone running a similar configuration with a GX? Issues?
 
As long as the tongue on your trailer is long enough (which most offroad trailers are) I don't think you would have an issue. I haven't had one one mine so I can't say specifically.
 
boat trailers are a a pain in the GX. That hand crank to get the boat situated is RIGHT in the way of opening the door hardly at all.
 
the wood is the real deal. maybe you just dont know real, as fake is the norm for most brands.. the leather is super-soft but agree the lighter color will be harder to keep fresh (re-dye is cheap tho - and likely for anything with 100k+ mi. i have heard the pre-'05s had issues with dash cracks. and if the door is giving you pause now just walk away -- it only gets worse with familiarity. doh! ;)
 
Time for a $35 swivel jack.
http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer_Jack-sf-Swivel_Jack.aspx

I shipped my truck in from a Infiniti dealership from Colorado to Texad sight unseen. I got my dark leather, 05 engine, and KDSS.... Now open up that distance all the way on autotrader. I don't recommend kdss for towing though.
 
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