Thinking about a GX460

I don't totally disagree, but you can "curb hop" with AWD, RWD, FWD, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a unicycle, a baby stroller, a skateboard, an RC car etc... Not sure what you mean or what the point of that statement is exactly...? Also non premium runs fine; at least some models don't have the pad (mine doesn't); and 15% larger displacement with a different cylinder array is absolutely relevant!

 

Yeah, he lost me at that part too.

People can't drive over obstacles in 4wd? What do they do offroad? Lol

 

I've gone back and forth on this done myself a good bit. It comes down for me as this. Both trucks are awesome. I'm the original owner of a 5th gen and I know everything that has ever been done to it. The opportunities to get another brand new one are rapidly going away forever. The 5th gen is paid for and holding its value well. If anything happens to the 4R, stolen, totaled, etc. I will probably replace it with a GX. I will always be able to go find a used GX.

 

I just finished a 3800 mile trip with all sorts of roadway. I used the highest octane available the entire trip. The higher rating made absolutely no difference in the average gas mileage and no noticeable difference in power.
Regardless of my experience with this trip in the future I will continue to use at least 87 even it means buying a higher rating.

 

We considered the 460 as well but bought 4 4Runners instead. For us it came down to 1 thing… long term availability of OEM and aftermarket parts. I think it is an awesome build. You really can’t go wrong either way.

 

Wish I got one of those every single time

 

You have...4 of 4Runners?

I thought we were excessive with 2 of them.

As far as GXs go, I like them up to the 2019 MY. I am sort of on the lookout for one 19 or older with low mileage. GX470s in good condition is getting hard to find in my area .

 

I'd love to hear how full time 4wd affects turning radius.

As far as V6 VS V8, it's not just about displacement. The 4.6 produces about 20% more torque, with peak torque coming in almost 1000 RPM's sooner.

Also, I'm not sure what possible benefit there is to being able to " ...hop the front-end up soley using the rear wheels..."

 

What's wrong with 2020 you piece of shit?????

J/K !!!

I don't love the fascia but I wanted the newest I could get in my budget and the 2020 slotted in there.

 

Some great input here and some that's a little.... off. We still have both and still love both. The GX is a fantastic vehicle and IMHO is much nicer to drive. The spindle grille is better/worse on some colors, but I can live with it.

 

I still roll around in a 2005 Corolla with under 75k miles so I can handle "older" vehicles.

 

Really good comparison video from Lifestyle Overland, who has had both at the same time, for a cumulative 260,000 miles:

https://youtu.be/LtXPdlzBm5Q?si=5nYElLssae5OOqzU

 

2020,2021 is literally just body trim updates. Interior is still the POS old design with the terrible interface and no carplay. Test drove these older interior MYs - Between the dated tech and the rear clunking swing door, it was a mid af experience. A new 4R for a bit more $ was a no brainer.

2022+ are reasonable considerations

 

I have both a 2022 4-Runner and a 2023 Lexus. I love them both equally. Just drive both and then decide

 

GX460 interior is pretty fancy. My wife would like the GX460 interior. But the way she drives, CO winters the 4Runner Limited won my price.
Later when Mr CarCareNut rated 4Runner engine as a best engine I was even happier. Gx460 engine was in honorable mentions, so not a bad engine.

(pic below is 4R TRD vs GX460. I don't have Limited interior pic handy)

 

I traded in my 2022 4Runner ORP for a used 2023 GX Luxury with 15k miles in May 2024. Huge difference in ride comfort, long drives (3hrs+) are easier, super quiet inside, ventilated seats to prevent sweat (they are kind of "subtle" though), full-time 4wd for patchy snow and ice roads, my head doesn't touch the ceiling in my preferred driving position, the OEM grab handle on the driver's side is used constantly, V8 and 6-speed are smooth and powerful, and better gas mileage on the highway. Under the vehicle is almost exactly the same as the 4Runner with minor differences, i.e. horizontal oil filter, a little flap under the transfer case (it scoops up sand while reversing on the beach though). The skid plates are the same, save for the fuel tank.

4Runner had better offroad angles, I put Falken Wildpeaks on soon after purchase so I didn't spend much time on the OEM tires, it had a full fuel tank skid plate (the GX trim I had only had 1/4 of a fuel tank skid), gas cost less. I don't commute much and when I do, it is to the train station less than 10 minutes with green lights.

Both vehicles had KDSS but the suspension on the GX had less squat and dive. The GX side opening trunk took some getting used to but it was a minor issue for me. I miss the roll-down rear window of the 4Runner the most. Also less trunk space due to the third row in the GX, but I am considering removing the seats and putting in the Goose Gear rear plate system. Less space to I will update if I need to when I try ATs once I wear down the OEM tires on the GX, will also try to size down the wheel to 17s and considering the black TRD Pro ones. Eventually sliders, a steel front bumper, and aftermarket skid plates.

 

I wish I had the option to go with the GX460 instead of my 2023 SR5P. I miss the real leather interior and the quiet cabin from the luxury segment. I didn’t want to spend $60-$65k on a 3 row SUV so I got the 4Runner for $47k OTD. No regrets but I might install leather seats.

 

Some good points!

I ripped out the third row and installed the Victory delete floor plate; it really gives more room. Can't speak to the GG version but I like this one.







I also miss the roll down window but I kind of like the swing gate now. Plus.... Table!!! Can't do that with the 4R!!






I also am finding I actually get better gas mileage above about 50mph than I did with my 4R, I'm sitting at 18.4 mpg average since I bought it which I'm rather pleased with and surprised by.

I have a Cornfed 1.5 / 1.0 lift, 5 4R OR 17" wheels, and 265/70 17 Rubitrek ATs ready to go on once I find the time. Edit, and a hitch.

 

Saw a fascinating thread about someone who swapped an aftermarket door with a spare tire mount on. Would be pretty neat for a second fuel tank or spare.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-2nd-gen-2010-2023/1015483-prado-150-tire-door-swap-to-gx460.html

 

That looks great too! It may be more versatile than the Goose Gear one with all those mounting points. I also wanted to do a table but I didn't want to drill any holes so I found one from ORS that I may put on in the future.

I saw this thread as well. I came across what may be a better fitting one from a US supplier, Garage Alpha Offroad. Of course, I could use some extra change for all these mods.

 

That floor plate is pretty cool, might recommend it to my son-in-law who has a GX. With the seats down, does it flatten out the back so you can sleep there?

 

No it actually did the opposite. There is a helluva lip now between the cargo floor and the folded down second row.. but .. if you completely remove the second row, which is easy to do temporarily, then the lip is minimal. In this orientation the cargo floor is about 2" higher that the floor under the back seats, which is about the perfect height for a rudimentary wooden framework with some support legs placed towards the front to be installed, which would allow for a piece of plywood to cover the entire second row area and make one gigantic flat surface with storage underneath in the second row footwells.

This seemed preferable to leaving the third row in and then having to deal with a much higher load floor, a gap going the other way, plus no additional storage since the second row would be folded down and not removed.

I'm actually designing this right now with intent to build it this weekend so I can update accordingly.

I figured 95% of the time this is a daily driver and I'd prefer to have rear seats installed and a lower, well built, professional looking cargo floor. 5% of the time I'm out exploring and sleeping in it so I want the most storage space possible with the largest sleeping surface possible and I don't really care if that platform looks welfare since it serves a specific purpose.

 

Gx460 and 4r limited do not have the needle bearing issue.

get the models without needle bearing

 

I realize there is no such thing as there being one vehicle that can be all things to all people. But if there was such a thing, the 4R would probably be the closest. LOL

 

But everyone will get old in time. So it becomes harder and harder to get in to vehicles with high clearance like a 4Runner / Wrangler. Then vehicles like GX460 is your friend. Very close to a 8in clearance Highlander but with more capability than a highlander with its 4wd.

 

Thanks for this thread, all. I'm no longer on the market but did look into the GX in hopes it might be a little less pricey on the front end, but ultimately decided on a new '24 4R Limited.

Knowing what I know now about the 5th Gen 4R, I'm wondering if some of the comparisons being made here between the two vehicles should also include the following;

-Thinness/softness of paint.
-Widespread frame and inner body panels rust issues that require immediate aftermarket rust preventative measures.
-Rusting of Rear hatch body panel/rear garnish/inner mechanicals.
-Leaking timing chain cover and/or rear main seal.
-Frequent Door lock actuator failures

Not saying that what's been discussed here already isn't helpful; quite the opposite. However, I would just be curious if any of the above issues (which were all very surprising to hear about on a modern day Toyota...much less a $55K Toyota) were also common with the GX because if they weren't ....that might be enough to have swayed me towards a used GX in spite of some of the disadvantages mentioned here.

Thanks,
TimG

 

^ to my knowledge, based on research only and not long term personal experience, the GX is immune from all of those.

I'm more and more pleased as I drive mine. I still feel wistful every time I see a 5th gen (which is like 47 times a day), but I'm pretty stoked about this GX and getting it set up. I also kind of like that they are sort of rare in my area (compared to the 5th gen) - especially modded.

 

Sorry for the delay on this @auspilot

I removed the second row seats and slid two 2x4s under the front facing lip of the Victory 4x4 third row delete platform. I bolted these to existing seat bolts with angle iron. I then laid a piece of 3/4 plywood cut to size on top, held down by gravity and held captive by two "dowels" set into the top of the 2x4s and which mate to holes drilled in the plywood.

I built a 9" extension to allow more room to lie down by sliding the front row seats forward. This is like a table leaf, you lift the existing platform top forward onto a second set of holes that mate to the dowels, and then drop the 9" plywood leaf in between the front plywood and rear Victory platforms.

It's basic but works great.

I also bought two dongles from Brad's Hacks to compensate for the second row seats being removed, which triggers the airbag warning on the dash. The dongles install in the connector under the seats and turn the warning off.

Frame:







Standard platform (with front seats pulled all the way forward):





With leaf in place:





Brad's Hacks airbag / SRS dongles:



With ExPed MegaMat:

 

If it’s a rust belt body on frame truck, no truck is immune from rust issues. Nothing a proper oil based undercoat won’t prevent but Toyota trucks in general don’t hold up well without preventative maintenance.

I was looking at used GXs here in the northeast a few years back and it was close to impossible to find one that didn’t look like the titanic underneath. 4Runners, Sequoias, Tundras…..same story.

One of my cars is garaged year round, never sees rain let alone snow, and you’ll still find some metal parts rusted to shit when you look underneath. This is a 3 year old car that was meticulously maintained from new by me with only 10K miles of use

But it’s only a big concern when it’s on the frame or body, otherwise you can easily replace almost everything else.