99 3rd gen limited vs GX470

[Dan.3]

So my dilemma is I came across an midwest, 3 owner, 04 gx470 with less than 120K miles for $6500. Its lacking service history. But it needs some TLC. Interior has been used but in good shape other wise.

I currently have a 99 limited with 236K still running the original timing belt and water pump that do need to be replaced. Water pump is leaking. Both need new plugs, wires, VC cover gaskets (especially on the GX), timing belt. My 99 needs a front steering overhaul and rear pinion bearing. But the AWD, 4WD, and diff lock still function. 99 is due for diff and trans fluid exchange. In its current condition, my 99 is averaging 17.5-18mpg on the highway at 75mph running SL 31 in all seasons. Like I mentioned before, it needs a tune up. With the exception of the front drivers seat, my interior isnt all that bad. And its been on the trail. So it as a few minor dents and scrapes and a little pin striping and starting to develop some rust on the body around the windshield, along with new brakes front and rear. Frame still appears to be solid.

The GX needs a knock sensor, new radiator, front seat belt assembly ( airbag MIL), and may need a CDL actuator. And maybe 2 front cv shafts. Boots are bad. Dash is cracked. Not to bad now but Im expecting it to get worse. Previous owners passed up on the extended warranty but the dash will stay that way. Gives an indication on the care for the vehicle. But none the less, the toyota brand is typically built well enough to tolerate some neglect.

With all that being said, I still like my 3rd gen. With other than discovering it had a pink milkshake after I bought it with 100k miles, its been reliable. But this GX is a good deal for the miles on it. All relatively minor repairs.

Obviously, I posting in a 3rd gen forum so I am expecting some bias towards the 3rd gen. Wondering if some might jump on the GX if they had the opportunity, if anyone went from a GX 470 to a 3rd gen.

 

[nc-grayson]

Both are obviously solid options. I can’t offer an honest unbiased opinion, I haven’t owned the GX, but I will get into one eventually. I love my LX but want to add a GX to the stable if you will

You will be much more comfortable in the GX I can guarantee that

 

[jross20]

Buy it, keep both

 

[wcjeep]

Your 3rd gen fits on the trails. The GX is built stronger and might have side airbags for improved crash protection. Is the GX starter original? Undercarriage rust on the GX?

 

[Dan.3]

I thought about buying it and keeping my 3rd gen but we already have an 03 sequoia designated as the family Colorado Cruiser and my wife has her 2015 GX460. Unfortunately 1 has to go.

Frame rust is the typical surface rust.

I should also add that in the last 3 years, the gx470 was only driven a total of 2700 miles per carfax.

 

[Bad Luck]

Not sure if you know this, but the GX470 is the same platform as the 4th Gen 4Runner so keep that in mind for size comparisons. I consider the GX470 to be a pimped out 4th Gen 4Runner with a v8. Most of the parts carry over, with the exception of front and rear bumpers anything that fits on a 4th Gen will work on the GX.

 

[Twan]

I think about ditching my 3rd gen for a nice GX nearly every day.

 

[gamefreakgc]

The GX is a great option if you have a growing family as our 3rd gens are stuck at 5 passengers. We are considering selling our sedan for a GX470 but I am never selling my 3rd Gen.

It's hard to give an opinion on which vehicle works for you. 3rd gens are great because they are relatively inexpensive compared to their Toyota/Lexus cousins and give the same options and reliability, except for a pickup bed. The GX is an obvious step up from a 4Runner but if that's what your family needs (which it sounds like it does not since you have a 2015) then it might be best to just fix the 3rd Gen.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

I doubt we will ever own a GX. It's a Landcruier Prado.

The styling of them is just a bit off. The side swinging back door seems weird.

The 470 has the 2uz, so it doesn't really get much better of a Toyota engine.

The transfercase... I would guess it's a bad 4wd low switch... they're the same as older Toyota reverse switches, had the same problem on our 93 3x locked LC and an 01 LX we had.

If you want to move up in size, just watch for a 100 series.

 

[Dan.3]

Thanks for the input. I should note that we also have an 03 sequouia. With 3 kids and a mastiff, its the weekend/road trip warrior with 230k miles on the clock. The main reason for me considering the GX is for the low miles compared to my 3rd gen and the issues can be fixed reasonably. In theory, there should be significantly less wear and tear on the GX drivetrain. I am well aware that a majority of the parts for the 4runner fit the GX. Hell the knock sensor is $20 cheaper from online toyota dealers than lexus dealers. Now if this was a 200k GX for $4000, it would be a hard pass for me. Id stick with my 3rd gen.

 

[Devbot]

Buddy of mine went of some overlanding trip across the Cascades with the 4Runners Of Washington facebook page with like 20+ cars; someone showed up with a bone stock GX470, and made the whole trip problem free. Granted it wasn't a very hardcore trail, but still very impressive.
Like others I think you can either take or leave the styling. I can see how some like it but I'm not sure if I'd own one personally. Headlights are a real killer for me. I'd rather own an FJ80 for that money too

 

[HiLife]

Thinking of picking up a GX also while keeping our 3rd gen. Prices for the GX has been rising as of lately too. Maybe an LX would be a better fit for us. I like the looks and styling of the Landcruisers/LX better.

 

[Devbot]

LX are solid too and much better looking

 

[TheShowtime]

I would trade the 3rd gen for the GX470. You can’t beat the low mileage with the 2uz fe engine that’ll last forever.

 

[rickashay]

Both are great trucks, honestly can't go wrong with either.

I went 98' 4Runner > 97' LX450 > 04' Tundra > 05' V8 Limited 4Runner (basically a GX) > 00' 4Runner.

The 4th Gen v8 is basically a GX. GX will have way more headroom and IMO a nicer interior but the driveline and powertrain are basically identical, from the same era, same frame, same suspension, etc etc (GX vs 4th Gen). I will say my 4th Gen was quite a bit more refined than my 3rd gen(s) - quieter, smoother, better on the highway, more powerful, etc. The 2UZ is absolutely legendary (the million mile motor) and the 120 chassis (again both GX and 4th Gen 4R) got a better lower ball joint design and rear disks (two of the major chassis upgrades IMO).

So why did I end up back in a 3rd Gen? Depends on what you use it for. As a daily the GX/4th gen is quite a bit nicer, newer, more refined, and safer. Simple as that. The paint sucks and I would argue all day long that the quality of the mid-2000's+ Toyotas have an inferior build quality vs. their mid 90's/early 2000's counterparts. I think this was a time when Toyota was really making a name for itself and I think the quality of the 3rd Gens (and other Toyota's of this vintage) are hard to beat. Paint is WAY better on the 3rd gen and it has gobs more character (if that matters to you?). 3rd Gen is well on it's way to being a "classic" Toyota 4x4.

Again, I just think it comes down to uses/needs. If I had a 460 in the stable I'd be holding onto the 3rd Gen, but that's just me.

GL

 

[toyotaspeed90]

. I'd rather own an FJ80 for that money too

80 series aren't cheap. Easier to find a clean cheap 100 series than even a slightly ok 80 series for the same amount.

The 80s are weird. In the US the FJ80 only had 2 years, and there were 3 versions of the 80s.

91-92 had a 3fe and the FJ62 transmission, only had a CDL but had a switch on the dash (FJ80).

93-94 had a 1FZ motor and the FJ62 transmission. They had the front and rear locker as an option, the CDL button. On the dash disappeared but was engaged by putting it into 4wd low - the dash was the same and the wiring is there so you can add the CDL switch from the FJ80 easily. This is an FZJ80

95-97 introduced a different (weaker) transmission. Also moved to OBD2 and a different dash/grill. They also introduced the Lexus LX as an option. These also had the optional front and rear lockers and the standard 4wd low CDL. This is also an FZJ80.

 

[Thebeastlives]

I have guys in our offroad group that switched to a gx470 from the 3rd gen. They absolutely love it and never let us forget it. Way more power and when we go on weekend trips they all flat out leave us especially in the mtns. You build a trail rig and they get heavy especially with gear, people n dogs. That v8 alone makes it worth the switch. With similar mods we are make to our 3rd gens the 470 is equally capable on the trail. In Glamis in deep sand that v8 pulls n pulls and the 3rd gen n Jeeps struggle.

 

[NJ-4Runner]

I got my 3rd gen about 9 months ago but I was really looking for a GX470. What it came down do was that I felt more comfortable dragging a $3000 truck through the woods than a $10000 truck. The GX470 is an awesome platform. I actually still look for them and checked one out about a month ago. If the GX you looked at did not have a lot of rust I would say go for it! Most of the ones I looked at I passed on because of the rust. Really look for the rust....I saw a couple that the front of the frame was really hammered by rust. It looked like surface rust at first but when you look closer it was much more than that. If it has a solid motor and driveline with minimal rust I would jump on it!

 

[SierraMare]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDfhauU5U30&feature=youtu.be


Nice comparison of the 3rd and 4th gen (as proxy) 4Runnerz.

 

[Dan.3]

Body of the 04 is surprisingly in good shape. Even better shape than a couple I looked at listed in the $10k-12K. The plastic bumpers and some of the plastic body panels have some scrapes but the body is relatively spotless. Undercarriage is decent for a Midwest vehicle. Surface rust but I have seen a lot worse. This will see some trail time so, given that the bumpers have a couple dings, I wont feel so bad on the trail.

To be more specific, the drivetrain has 103K miles. After some research apparently mice like to nest under the plenum of the 2uz and the wire for the knock sensor on the driver side is most commonly chewed on. I am suspecting this truck sat for a while and that is most likely the case. So regardless of what I choose, the plenum is coming off. The rims are shot from the corrosion too. They will need to be replaced. Not the the rims for my 3rd gen are that much better.

But my 3rd gen drives really well overall after recently replacing the springs and shock on all 4 corners. I mainly keep it around 70-75mph on the highway, but I know I can push it past 80mph if I want. No leaks or spots in my garage. No body rattles too. My parents have an 08 Chevy Colorado with 100K miles and it rattles far more than my 3rd gen.

$6500 for an 04 with 103k in relatively good condition I think is too good to pass up. Thinking I will probably list my 3rd gen on craigslist as a mechanics special for a good price and see what happens since I would probably get only $600 as a trade in from the dealer in its current condition.