|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,840
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,840 |
Maybe. If you’re going to add a lift the AHC gets gutted and is more of a pain to remove than the GX air bags. Real Land Cruisers have solid front axles 🫢 No one was talking lifts. Solid front axle isn't available on either rig in the OP, nor necessary for the intended purpose. Best to have an 80 and a 100 IMO.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,523
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,523 |
I translated "upgrades" from the OP as lift. It wasn't clearly stated but I thought the information could be useful. My buddy with a 100 series paid to have his AHC removed.
The beauty of a GX is it leaves enough money in the budget to buy an 80 series too (that's what I did)! If I wasn't one of the poors I would have probably found an LX or a 200 series for the wife.
True, no one was talking about 80 series or solid front axles... I was just joking about snobby anti-IFS folks.
Either a LX or a GX will be a good choice!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
I've read on other forums that the GX being lighter and having more aftermarket suspension options is better for high speed offroad. And city use. The LX being bigger and possibly more capacity being better for "overlanding" or whatever it's called now.
How's the Sequoia with 4.7L compare? Same engine. Same tranny and t-case? Just bigger, and lower quality interior? I'd imagine less acoustic material for sound mitigation, thinner glass, and different ride. But the ability to haul more gear is appealing. And they are dirt cheap compared to either Lexus. Bigger vehicle than the GX 460-470. I hardly ever see a Sequoia for sale anywhere and they bring nice money in NC . I don[t think they have a center locking differential .
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20 |
Agree..........
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,874
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,874 |
Dibs on Tikkanut's collection when he scales back to get his 200
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20 |
Dibs on Tikkanut's collection when he scales back to get his 200 our 12 YO g/daughter in WY already has her eyes on 'Brandon' the '01 LC w/342K Body work/bumper/winch coming soon
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20 |
Need new interior ? LSeat Leather makes a good product As shown here in the '01 LC.....original leather was a little ruff.... Although shop charged me $1400 to install 2 rows.........
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,116
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,116 |
Bought the wife a ‘22 GX and she loves it. I love the barn door on the back, and it’s big enough for us and our 2 adult sized kids. I have no worries putting her on the road when it’s ice or snow. I also wanted an uber reliable vehicle after her Navigator blew up at 65K.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,152 Likes: 6
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,152 Likes: 6 |
The early 2000’s GX 470’s look really interesting, especially at the price they can be had for. Are they as dependable as the LX?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20 |
The early 2000’s GX 470’s look really interesting, especially at the price they can be had for. Are they as dependable as the LX? Half the fun is finding a nice clean/rust free unit Secret is out on the early GX's.....good deals are scarce Here's an '04 example https://cars.ksl.com/listing/8285496
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 764
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 764 |
I have 2 GXs, an 05- 470 and a 17- 460, the 470 is a better quality rig all around, about to sell with 350,000 plus on the clock, heater core finally went bad and I don't want to invest any more money in it.
Still runs and drives great, by far the best thing I have ever owned. The 460 is good as well, just not the same build quality as it's older brother. Has a chain instead of a belt, no rear air bags but overall a very good ride.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 58
Campfire Greenhorn
|
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 58 |
Several on Bozeman , Mt. craigslist.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20 |
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20 |
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,874
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,874 |
Update from the OP...
I'm still really interested in the LX 470 but bought a 2004 GX 470 in Southern OR for what seemed liked a really good deal. It needs a few things, but the price was hard to pass up. Essentially a stock GX with two owners for several thousand dollars less than what I have found locally. I jumped on it, and if it doesn't meet our needs I'll just flip it.
Drove it 300+ miles to get home today and so far I am pretty impressed. The display indicated 20 - 22 MPG at 65 - 70 MPH which was a pleasant surprise for FT-4WD. I think that is actually better than my wife's Highlander, but the GX has highway biased car tires and the Highlander has all-terrains and cargo box on the roof. The hand calculations seemed to match the display and speedometer error seemed typical compared to GPS.
Road noise, ride, and visibility were really good. With the full time 4WD it feels very stable at low speeds and high. Has airbags for the rear suspension but no KDSS from what I could see looking underneath.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but it definitely feels more planted and stable compared to our Highlander and Tundra that I sold, or recent model year Tacomas. Might be due to the FT-4WD? After driving it on the highway and around town, I totally understand why some people really like the driving experience of a GX470.
Not a lot of cargo space in the GX470, but I knew that before buying. And of course, that is handy on trails having a smaller treadwidth and WB.
The most remarkable part of the car to me is the engine paired with the 4-speed tranny for 2004. I really like it. It is not the VVTi as far as I know, but drivability around town and at freeway speeds is great. I think that my foot and brain are programmed for a V8 and 4-speed tranny so this car works well for me. Just goose it a bit and the torque of that little 4.7 liter engine squirts past traffic without a downshift. I love it, but am sure the VVTi with 5-speed are sweet too.
Anyway, I enjoyed the driving experience of the GX 470. Not 100% sure that we will keep it but the price was right and I do want something for some mild mods so the low price makes that affordable. Lift, sliders, skid plates, etc. but nothing too serious.
Thanks for the feedback on this thread. I have appreciated all the comments and advice.
Jason
Last edited by 4th_point; 01/21/23.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20 |
Congrats on your purchase Register your name & VIN # at Lexus Owners You'll get some of the recorded history of maintenance etc Second link is Bell Lexus in AZ for OEM parts at great prices & free shipping Wife loves her '11 GX...especially with the snowy winter we're having Although just had the radiator replaced last week....bad crazy leak at 129K miles 17.2 mpg is the best my LX has ever seen...even with AC on https://www.lexus.com/drivershttps://parts.belllexusnorthscottsdale.com/
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,874
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,874 |
Thanks for the link to Bell Lexus.
I used Lexus drivers and VIN on all the cars I was looking at. I ended up using Carfax too, to see what service was done by other repair shops.
Last edited by 4th_point; 01/21/23.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
The early 2000’s GX 470’s look really interesting, especially at the price they can be had for. Are they as dependable as the LX? They are all made in Japan end of story. Just make sure the previous owner(s) changed the timing belt. Should be marked on the fan shroud, otherwise get it done if over 100k and replace the water pump at the same time. Like Tikka nut said login to lexusowners.com and enter the serial number, it will contain more detail then what goes on Carfax. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it definitely feels more planted and stable compared to our Highlander and Tundra that I sold, or recent model year Tacomas. Might be due to the FT-4WD? After driving it on the highway and around town, I totally understand why some people really like the driving experience of a GX470. Way better driving experience than those vehicles. I have owned Tacomas, Highlanders and a Tundra , no more for me.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
I have 2 GXs, an 05- 470 and a 17- 460, the 470 is a better quality rig all around, about to sell with 350,000 plus on the clock, heater core finally went bad and I don't want to invest any more money in it.
Still runs and drives great, by far the best thing I have ever owned. The 460 is good as well, just not the same build quality as it's older brother. Has a chain instead of a belt, no rear air bags but overall a very good ride. I find it hard to believe that the GX 470 is better build quality .
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,874
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,874 |
Bell Lexus definitely has some good prices. I've been shopping for some parts.
|
|
|
|
513 members (007FJ, 1lessdog, 160user, 22250rem, 01Foreman400, 1badf350, 54 invisible),
2,141
guests, and
1,116
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,193,240
Posts18,504,551
Members73,994
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|