What's you ideal GX for a build

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

karmabiker

karmabiker

Joined
May 3, 2010
Threads
5
Messages
49
Location
Denver, CO
looking at acquiring a GX to build, not a daily driver, goal is to haul an adventure trailer and bikes / fly poles into way back areas.

Wondering what you would look for, I've pulled a fair amount of info from the forums and curious what the experts think.

General view so far (feel free to correct me here)
KDSS
NO NAV
No RSES
timing belt need to have been done ~90k ... Or a screaming deal
Mileage south of 150k - targeting 120k
 
Last edited:
BlackCat said:
03-04 with no VVT-i or secondary air injection, non nav, non KDSS, no RSES, etc. I basically have my perfect truck expect for the damn navigation.
Click to expand...
Why no vvti or turbo ... Or KDSS?
 
I opted for the vvti. I have an 05, no nav, no kdss. You can always do the bypass for the vvti.

It was so hard to find a sport that wasn't ragged or overpriced. Eventually I just said, I'm going to get the best deal. I just knew I didn't want nav, so I pulled the trigger on the one I felt was the best deal I could find.

All of them are great.
 
karmabiker said:
Why no vvti or turbo ... Or KDSS?
Click to expand...
The VVTi motors can have a secondary air pump failure (emissions) which is an expensive fix. Or, you can install a bypass kit and enjoy the extra 30-40hp you have over the non-VVTi engines. ;)

For my first one, I wanted a 2007+ Sport (or 05+ with KDSS and no nav). KDSS is pretty slick, and there was a nav refresh in 2007. I sold mine to a family member when I moved to the greater NYC area...for my next one, I'm leaning towards getting something older (i.e. cheaper) so I won't feel bad about drilling holes in it or cutting it up. :D
 
I prefer my 2003 for simple reasons:
1. Paid for
2. Torque compared to vvti is negligible (this is what really matters in low and slow)
3. 30-40HP vs. 4.56 gears, I will take the gears (plus the gas savings)
4. No nav (I have a sweet aftermarket setup, dash mounted ipad, the works)
5. KDSS is cool. It works. My long travel setup works better (and #1 made this possible)
6. They are the same truck in look and feel, regardless

Granted, I started 6 years ago when my 2003 was only 7 years old, so mine was as new as most buying 09s now relatively.

Grain of salt :)
 
BlackCat said:
I don't want secondary air pumps. The horsepower difference is totally negligible, there's no seat of the pants difference whatsoever. I prefer the most simple of setups when I'm off camping/exploring. Less stuff to break or go wrong.
Click to expand...
15% isn't really negligible, though I would be curious to see an 04 and an 05 side by side.
 
JLee said:
15% isn't really negligible, though I would be curious to see an 04 and an 05 side by side.
Click to expand...

Don't consider what's on paper to be real world numbers. I've driven several VVT-i trucks, and own a non VVT-i truck. My opinion also is in agreement with several other members that confirm there's VERY little, if any noticeable difference in seat of the pants feel.

Is there a benefit to VVT-i? Sure, but it's not until the big end of the tach, and me personally, I couldn't tell you when the last time my truck saw a lot of RPM.
 
Man the way some of y'all talk about the vvti engine you'd think these pumps were going out left and right, yet its hardly an issue.


Say what you want but anyone would welcome extra the extra 40 hp on a moving brick like the gx, even headers/exhaust/etc might not yield you those gains. So in theory ya Id take an 03/04 with 4.56's but IDEALLY I'd prefer an 05+ with 4.56's because the extra power is there, whether you feel it with a butt dyno or not is beside the point.


All of them are solid, its just nit picking the little details, good luck!
 
Scat Adams said:
Man the way some of y'all talk about the vvti engine you'd think these pumps were going out left and right, yet its hardly an issue.


Say what you want but anyone would welcome extra the extra 40 hp on a moving brick like the gx, even headers/exhaust/etc might not yield you those gains. So in theory ya Id take an 03/04 with 4.56's but IDEALLY I'd prefer an 05+ with 4.56's because the extra power is there, whether you feel it with a butt dyno or not is beside the point.


All of them are solid, its just nit picking the little details, good luck!
Click to expand...
The thread title was "what's YOUR ideal GX." I don't particularly care what anyone else looks for in one, because my truck is my truck and your truck is your truck. If you prefer VVTi, that's your preference. It doesn't have to be anyone else's.
 
BlackCat said:
The thread title was "what's YOUR ideal GX." I don't particularly care what anyone else looks for in one, because my truck is my truck and your truck is your truck. If you prefer VVTi, that's your preference. It doesn't have to be anyone else's.
Click to expand...

Right, but I've seen a decent amount of comments that put the vvti engine in a bad light when in reality its the better choice whether you want to accept that or not. Again, all of them are solid vehicles. Get the newest, lowest mileage one you can find is the best way to go about it.
 
Scat Adams said:
Right, but I've seen a decent amount of comments that put the vvti engine in a bad light when in reality its the better choice whether you want to accept that or not. Again, all of them are solid vehicles. Get the newest, lowest mileage one you can find is the best way to go about it.
Click to expand...
The fact is you can google secondary air pump issues on these trucks and basically find the end of the Internet with people who've had problems. You're right, they're all solid, but at least for me, simplicity is best. I realize that my answer to the question is not going to be everyone's.
 
123ROBERTELEE said:
Well for $250 you can bypass the pump in the VVTI... For $250 I'll take 30hp even if it's not that evident for the driver. Then again mine is not my daily and gas mileage doesn't matter... Also will be upgrading gears later so that has no effect either. Just my opinion
Click to expand...

Anyone have a link to the bypass pump? My '06 would even be more ideal, to me, with another 30HP.

Back to the thread: My ideal: low 100K, one owner, soccer mom/ grandma driven, documented dealer serviced, West Coast with no rust or interior damage due to high temps. I could take or leave NAV and rear entertainment. I wouldn't mind the KDSS if it would not interfere with a mild lift or slider installation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom