5th Gen vs GX

[Bumbo]

4th Gen to a 5th Gen or GX

I currently own a v6 SR5 4th Gen... very much like the rig but its not perfect and ive always wish it had a little more luxury. Power memory seats, leather, auto window up/down... little things but I like that in my rig.

A family member recently got a fully loaded AWD 5th Gen Limited and I really like it... but i've always wanted the v8 4th Gen and was a bit sad to see they stopped doing that. I always told myself if I get another 4Runner id get a v8.

Any of you 5th gen owners come from a 4th Gen with a v8? Do you miss the V8 or is there anything you miss or think was improved?

It looks like the only way to get a v8 these days is to jump to a GX but I really love the Toyota looks when compared. That said the idea of a nicely kitted out off-road GX is really starting to grow on me.

GX also suites my fancy, has a v8, Torsen Locking Center, but it appears they dont offer a locking rear?!

I really like the Torsen center diff that was in the 4th Gens... it looks like only the 5th Gen limited has that now and also isn't available with a locking rear diff.

 

[Jhalko]

Everyone wishes there was a V8.

It sounds like the GX is the right choice based on what you list. Unless you plan on modding it which was not stated. I've been off-roading with someone in a stock GX, with better tires you could do amazing things and still have those bells and whistles, ATRAC will be great. Just have to pay for them...

 

[Lindenwood]

I dunno...

I have a pretty soft foot, but the V6 is getting me 21-22mpg in a vehicle that will haul 4 adults, 4 dogs, and a few nights of comfortable camping gear.

Also, it was designed amidst $4/gal fuel prices and in an era where the government was mandating higher and higher fuel mileage. So, I'm sure their market didn't necessarily want a big V8.

 

[hikenbike]

I have a new 2016 TEP and also an 07 v8. If I could only keep one, it would be the 07. The TEP has all the more modern conveniences but the 07 is the stronger, smoother, quieter, and better built truck in my opinion. It's a total tank.......and it only has 57k on the clock and in immaculate shape. I truly enjoy driving it more than the TEP.


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[jetranger]

I have a new 2016 TEP and also an 07 v8. If I could only keep one, it would be the 07. The TEP has all the more modern conveniences but the 07 is the stronger, smoother, quieter, and better built truck in my opinion. It's a total tank.......and it only has 57k on the clock and in immaculate shape. I truly enjoy driving it more than the TEP.


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I agree. I miss our 03 V8 and would take it over our 11 Limited.

 

[SouthernSS]

Did someone say GX?

 

[Bumbo]

Everyone wishes there was a V8.

It sounds like the GX is the right choice based on what you list. Unless you plan on modding it which was not stated. I've been off-roading with someone in a stock GX, with better tires you could do amazing things and still have those bells and whistles, ATRAC will be great. Just have to pay for them...

Sorry, I do plan on modding it... probably pretty heavily actually.

The GX would end up taking over the responsibility of being the overland / road-trip vehical. I would end up doing things like armor, 2.5" King or ICON suspension, roof rack, RTT, dual battery, fridge, ARB Lockers if there is no factory option.

There is our current 4th Gen and our friend with a v8 AWD GX.

 

[Bumbo]

I dunno...

I have a pretty soft foot, but the V6 is getting me 21-22mpg in a vehicle that will haul 4 adults, 4 dogs, and a few nights of comfortable camping gear.

Also, it was designed amidst $4/gal fuel prices and in an era where the government was mandating higher and higher fuel mileage. So, I'm sure their market didn't necessarily want a big V8.

The GX and the 5th Gen are essentially the same vehical... even after market items like long travel I would end up using a 5th Gen kit.

I dont necessarily agree with the market dictating a v6. If that was true then there would be a v6 option at least for the GX too?

The market for a v8 was always there and I think this was a marketing strategy for Toyota/Lexus making the v8 exclusive to the luxury line or to help promote the Land Cruiser / LX.

Honestly if they kept doing what they were going with the 4th Gen, I wouldn't even be looking at the GX. That said, I think the 5th Gen is probably one of the best looking generations of 4Runner yet... I love the TEP and Pro but they totally dropped the ball IMO moving away from a Torsen center and the V8... And its not like they don't offer the Torsen center but its only on the Limited.

 

[Bumbo]

I have a new 2016 TEP and also an 07 v8. If I could only keep one, it would be the 07. The TEP has all the more modern conveniences but the 07 is the stronger, smoother, quieter, and better built truck in my opinion. It's a total tank.......and it only has 57k on the clock and in immaculate shape. I truly enjoy driving it more than the TEP.


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I agree. I miss our 03 V8 and would take it over our 11 Limited.

Thanks you guys... this is the type of information I was looking for.

Our 2004 is 200,000+ miles on it, its a v6 SR5 4x4, and we use the hell out of it off-road.

We are literally on the fence about taking the suspension to the next level with a ICON with S2 secondary shock up front or a TC long travel kit +2 with 2nd bypass shock.

My problem is a lack of power and a motor with a lot of miles on it. The fear of this thing turning into a money pit or going past a point of no return is there. If I am going to spend big money on mods I feel I should entertain the idea of just doing it to a newer vehical... that said we do take care of it, do our own maintenance, and our 200k mile 4Runner still drives and sounds like its new and still solid from end to end... really well built truck.

 

[1engineer]

Look, we get these threads all the time. Here's the facts:

The newest 4th gen is now over seven years old.
Yes, the V8 was nice.
The 5th gen has plenty of power to do the job, just at a higher RPM. If they didn't, they wouldn't be selling 100K a year of them.
The part time 4WD on the SR5, TE and Pro is fine, just as the full time 4WD is fine too.

After reading your comments, I think the GX is the way for you to go. The cheapest is $53K. Your call.

I advise you to test drive both, back to back. Make sure you floor it during your test drive up to 60 mph. You will be surprised. I think the GX is 4/10th's a second faster from 0-60.

From personal experience, I test drove a new GX several months ago. It was around $72K. For that price I would just up the ante a bit and get a Land Cruiser and still might.

 

[Bumbo]

Look, we get these threads all the time. Here's the facts:

The newest 4th gen is now over seven years old.
Yes, the V8 was nice.
The 5th gen has plenty of power to do the job, just at a higher RPM. If they didn't, they wouldn't be selling 100K a year of them.
The part time 4WD on the SR5, TE and Pro is fine, just as the full time 4WD is fine too.

After reading your comments, I think the GX is the way for you to go. The cheapest is $53K. Your call.

I advise you to test drive both, back to back. Make sure you floor it during your test drive up to 60 mph. You will be surprised. I think the GX is 4/10th's a second faster from 0-60.

From personal experience, I test drove a new GX several months ago. It was around $72K. For that price I would just up the ante a bit and get a Land Cruiser and still might.

Don't get me wrong, I am actually pretty content with my existing V6, the room under the hood has afforded me some space for mods like a 2nd battery and has served as a worthy adventure rig... but there are times I miss the low rpm torque.

Its not really 0-60 times I care about... I do tow and I can really feel it on a steady grade, or when I am in the deserts. Sand driving is one of those things that just punish the v6, and I really do a lot of that...

I already looked at the Land Cruiser... I like it, but not at this point in time. Its too big for my needs and I feel like I would miss the agility of the smaller SUV. But the though has also crossed my mind.

The money saved would allow me to mod the truck over time to something that really fit our long term needs... I probably wouldn't go hard out of the box, but over time it would be a refresh on the existing duty of our existing 4Runner.

Its just a though choice as all these trucks are awesome... on occasion I still keep throw the Ford Raptor into the mix and making it even more complicated.

 

[jbrockiii]

I looked at both for a long time and ended up with the a 2016 all time 4*4 Limited. I can't speak about the V8, because it didn't really concern me. What I'd really like to see is a diesel engine offered in both. The GX interior seemed dated to me and I hated the swing rear door and pop-up rear window. I got more luxury features on the LE as opposed to the base GX at a better price. The GX needs a major refresh, like the other Lexus products have received, in my opinion. Don't know if that will come before the 4Runner or at the same time.

 

[wfo9]

FYI, not a big deal but the GX requires some more work to mod. Also, some things have to be removed.

For example. You have to setup the rear axle for springs vs airbags.... There is also KDSS to deal with. I think it would be cool to build one.. but will require more custom work and ground breaking. It's the same platform as the 5th gen.. but there are differences.

Easier path would be a 470 (which is a 4th gen, but not new)...

Sure wish Toyota would just offer the v8 in the 4r. I personally like a simplified bare bones vehicle. So much less to deal with and to go wrong on an off-road rig. I wish they had a no carpet option...

 

[Bumbo]

I looked at both for a long time and ended up with the a 2016 all time 4*4 Limited. I can't speak about the V8, because it didn't really concern me. What I'd really like to see is a diesel engine offered in both. The GX interior seemed dated to me and I hated the swing rear door and pop-up rear window. I got more luxury features on the LE as opposed to the base GX at a better price. The GX needs a major refresh, like the other Lexus products have received, in my opinion. Don't know if that will come before the 4Runner or at the same time.

Rear hatch vs door... I agree, I also prefer the hatch over the door. I too would be all over the diesel engine. I refresh is never a bad idea but this is Toyota after all...

The Limited interior and luxury is also very much to my liking, but I do like the small touches on the GX like the steering wheel moving to get clearance when entering and exiting the rig. I know it sounds like a stupid thing, but I actually do move my steering wheel every time I get in and out of my 4th Gen 4Runner.

 

[Bumbo]

FYI, not a big deal but the GX requires some more work to mod. Also, some things have to be removed.

For example. You have to setup the rear axle for springs vs airbags.... There is also KDSS to deal with. I think it would be cool to build one.. but will require more custom work and ground breaking. It's the same platform as the 5th gen.. but there are differences.

Easier path would be a 470 (which is a 4th gen, but not new)...

Sure wish Toyota would just offer the v8 in the 4r. I personally like a simplified bare bones vehicle. So much less to deal with and to go wrong on an off-road rig.

The white GX in my picts is a friends 470, and yes its very similar to my 4Runner. The 4th gens did a great job when we went out... its probably the trip that got me looking at the GX in the first place...

Yup, well aware of those things... KDSS isn't so much of an issue as its very similar to the Trail with KDSS and air suspension delete kits are already out there.

That said I thought air suspension was only on the most expensive trim level on the 2017 GX...

I do agree with the keep it simple motto... but you can still have that on the base 460.

I have a friend who also took me out in his factory supercharged Tacoma... I should probably ask Toyota to quote that on a 5th Gen 4Runner and see what it might add to the total tab... perhaps that would be the middle ground I need.

 

[philsey]

I have a friend who also took me out in his factory supercharged Tacoma... I should probably ask Toyota to quote that on a 5th Gen 4Runner and see what it might add to the total tab...

ound:ound:ound:

 

[DannyLlama]

I dunno...

I have a pretty soft foot, but the V6 is getting me 21-22mpg in a vehicle that will haul 4 adults, 4 dogs, and a few nights of comfortable camping gear.

.

I don't believe it

 

[Bumbo]

ound:ound:ound:

What did I miss?

 

[wfo9]

What did I miss?

The super charger is a banned subject around here. Its been talked about for years.. but does not exist. Toyota killed the TRD supercharger program for all models a few years back. There is still rumors of a kit possibly emerging from Magnuson (TRD sold all the rights to them) for the 1grfe dual VVTI, but so far nothing.. Main issue is programming for one. The Toyota ECUs are locked up, so pretty much impossible to do anything with them. Only option is a full piggyback system.. which is pretty much cost prohibitive at this time.

 

[Bumbo]

The super charger is a banned subject around here. Its been talked about for years.. but does not exist. Toyota killed the TRD supercharger program for all models a few years back. There is still rumors of a kit possibly emerging from Magnuson (TRD sold all the rights to them) for the 1grfe dual VVTI, but so far nothing.. Main issue is programming for one. The Toyota ECUs are locked up, so pretty much impossible to do anything with them. Only option is a full piggyback system.. which is pretty much cost prohibitive at this time.

Interesting, thanks for some background on the subject. I didn't know that.

I did have a casual conversation with my local Toyota dealer a few months back about what it would take to get something like that done, plus a motor refresh on my 200,000 mike 1GR-FE so I just assumed all these things were available across the board.

Ill do some more reading in the subject, thanks.