No, it does not use the old LX/LC frame. Nor is the GX frame "beefed up." The GX, 4R, and FJ use basically the same frame. The GX has the V8, which is heavier than the V6. It also has a lot more sound insulation and luxury toys. All that adds weight.

The differences between the 4Runner and GX.

6,500 lbs. tow rating (class 3 WD hitch)

Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI); Electronic

Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i)

Emission Certification ULEV-II

Full time 4WD and TORSEN® Limited Slip with electronic locking feature (only available on LE 4Runner)

Air springs (rear)

Computer controlled Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)

KDSS (standard on all models)

Michelin tires

Integrated front and rear mudguards

Three-coat paint with scratch resistant anti-acid rain clear coat

Integrated illuminated running boards w/ground lighting and Lexus “L” emblem on the scuff plates

Rain-sensing, variable intermittent front windshield wipers w/deicer

Water repellent front doors and windshield glass

Heated, tilt-down in reverse, electrochromic self-dimming outer mirrors with
power auto retract

Roof-mounted shark fin and glass antenna

Auburn Bubinga (real) wood trim on doors, dash, steering wheel, shift knob, above glove box, and on center console

Semi-aniline leather trim with perforated diamond-cut pattern w/contrast stitching

10-way power front seats (with power lumbar)

Heated and ventilated front seats

Rear heat and air conditioning (3 zone auto climate control)

Lexus Memory System for seats, mirrors, steering wheel, climate control and radio setting (system is linked to each FOB for separate user settings)

Second-row heated seats with 40/20/40 split, fold, recline, fore and aft slide adjustment, 60:40 walk-in

Third-row seats with 50/50 split and power fold flat, flush-with-floor (buttons to operate located in the cargo area and by the passenger side second-row seats)

Auto-dimming electrochromic rearview mirror w/compass

Auto leveling HID headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting system w/headlight washers

Electric fuel lid door release

Front and rear door courtesy lights, glove box light, dome light, front map lights, LED front and rear seat footwell, LED door handle well, shift lever and LED console illumination, rear reading lamps.

Reading lamps in 2nd and 3rd row

LED tail lights

Lexus Personalized Settings (LPS) set from nav system.

Two speed, auto up/down (all) power windows (slows just before closing)

Power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel column with automatic tilt away, for easy egress.

Steering wheel–mounted cruise control switches; audio controls; camera controls; multi-systems toggle switch and voice command button for navigation

Tonneau cover

Brake override system

Auto leveling rear air suspension

Rear Seat Entertainment System includes remote control and holder

Intuitive Park Assist

8” HDD Navigation; Lexus Enform® Destination Assist, and eDestination; Lexus Insider™; voice command casual-speech voice recognition system; XM NavTraffic® and NavWeather™; XM Sports and Stocks;

Mark Levinson® Surround Audio with 17 speakers,330 watts of power, all channels driven, @ less than 0.1 percent Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), 20-20kHz and DVD/CD changer

Wide-view monitor system - Front, Rear and Side Camera

Pre-Collision System

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control w/Crawl Control

Driver Attention Camera system

Lane Departure Alert

Intelligent high-beams

Koz

I'm curious. Is low range, center unlocked an available mode?

You don't have to lock the diff to use low range.

Koz

Koz, but can your GX park itself?!! Ha, i beat you on one thing!!

dont know, thats why i asked. whats the frame number?

all the xtra stuff as pointed out in koz post is well worth the 15-20 grand more than the 4runner (lets not forget the v8!)

No need to know...go look UNDERNEATH a TLC and your GX...BIG differences in the way the crossmembers are arranged! GX (and 4runner) underbody leaves a lot to be desired.

Even at the price of the GX there are still some things that are missing, like roof cross rails, skid plates, tow hitch and HD radio. You have to get the Premium model to get HID, side molding and even a cargo cover!

Koz

Yeah, but you have the quiet comfy ride with the Mark Levinson system...my future goal is to own a Lexus LS460 with Mark Levinson Reference system....

The Levinson doesn't even get mentioned anymore and yet it is still the best OEM system on the market. I haven't heard anything better then the one in the LS and the GX is very close. I can run either one of the systems (IS/GX) at full volume and there no distortion at all. It seems, the louder you run it the better it sounds (not that it doesn't great at low volume). I can listen to music I've listened to all my life and hear things I've never heard before.

Koz

That is because every luxury brand now has their signature high-end audio system! I think that the Acura ELS system is probably 2nd best. Jaguar B&O system is pretty good also. But, only a few of them arrange their speakers appropriately like the Mark Levinson system, esp. the Reference system.

Hey Koz,

For the differences you quoted, is that the Premium GX?

I don't like how Lexus has started to put a trim line within a model... noticed the GX and CT are setup this way. It's almost Honda style, to have a certain feature or option, you have to move up to the next trim and then also get stuck with things you don't want.

Those differences are between the 4Runner and GX.

As fas as the Premium model, almost every vehicle built has different trim levels. Look at the 4Runner, SR5 - Sport - Trail - Limited!

Koz

I have a Lexus GS sedan and recently purchased a 2007 4runner.

My only complaint (so far) about the 4runner is that I can hear some "door rattle" when I turn up the volume on any tracks with decent bass (JBL Stereo)...whereas the stereo in the Lexus is damn tight.

Not sure if this is "to be expected" or if I should try to resolve. I can tell that it is not the speakers themselves Any one else have this issue?

Lexus has more insulation in the doors?? Thus, most Lexus doors have more "weight" to them when you open/close them.