Using EPA figues, GX only takes a 10% hit in city driving and 6% highway compared to a 4Runner. I'd take that for the V8 and another gear!
You can buy a brand new GX460 for $46k, which isn't far off from what Toyota is getting for a TRD Pro. I don't need all of the fluff they put in the Lexus, but the motor alone makes it worth considering the Lex over the Toyota. That said, both vehicles have Toyota's hideous front end designs.
The motor has gotten me to look at the GX twice. And both times I just can't get past the barn door. Stupid stupid design. Well, and the fluff too.
The power of the GX460 is tempting. And it's only $12,000 more than a T4R TE. The tow hitch is $600 extra. It weighs 400# more, probably due to the bigger engine and rear axle, the mandatory 3rd row seat and some of that interior fluff.
The higher torque occurs at a much lower RPM (3500 vs. 4700), which is better for power at low range in 4WD. The transfer case is more like the T4R Limited, with a TORSEN limited-slip center differential with electronic differential lock. From that I gather it can lock the front and rear axles but I can't tell if it's got a locking rear differential (not likely). It's got full time 4WD hi and low.
My friend who has a GX460 bought a 2 or 3 year old used model. I see the 2015 GX460 have KDSS so not sure why he needed to add a sway bar disconnect? He did rip off his running boards on a tough trail and had to rebuild them with a rock slider he made from tube. He's still got the running boards in about the same place.
Not sure if you can even remove the running boards and low body fender/mud flap behind the front wheel? But if you could, who sells a rock slider for the GX460?
The wheels are 18x7.5 so the tire choices may be more limited than the 17x7.5 wheels on the T4R.
If we could put that V8 and 6-speed in front of the Trail Edition transfer case, now that would be a fun car. But at what cost $$$? Not sure if you'd need a bigger rear axle for the 6500 # towing capacity?
I'll take the T4R TE.
The power of the GX460 is tempting. And it's only $12,000 more than a T4R TE. The tow hitch is $600 extra. It weighs 400# more, probably due to the bigger engine and rear axle, the mandatory 3rd row seat and some of that interior fluff.
The higher torque occurs at a much lower RPM (3500 vs. 4700), which is better for power at low range in 4WD. The transfer case is more like the T4R Limited, with a TORSEN limited-slip center differential with electronic differential lock. From that I gather it can lock the front and rear axles but I can't tell if it's got a locking rear differential (not likely). It's got full time 4WD hi and low.
My friend who has a GX460 bought a 2 or 3 year old used model. I see the 2015 GX460 have KDSS so not sure why he needed to add a sway bar disconnect? He did rip off his running boards on a tough trail and had to rebuild them with a rock slider he made from tube. He's still got the running boards in about the same place.
Not sure if you can even remove the running boards and low body fender/mud flap behind the front wheel? But if you could, who sells a rock slider for the GX460?
The wheels are 18x7.5 so the tire choices may be more limited than the 17x7.5 wheels on the T4R.
If we could put that V8 and 6-speed in front of the Trail Edition transfer case, now that would be a fun car. But at what cost $$$? Not sure if you'd need a bigger rear axle for the 6500 # towing capacity?
I'll take the T4R TE.
Youd need an ecu
by looking at the mounts ... it should be almost a straight forward. The GX460 and 4Runner shares the same frame. I wonder if you can run the 4.6Liter V8 w/ the ecu and mate it up with the 4runner trans and rear end...
I'd prefer to use the 6-speed trans from the GX460 with that V8. Why not use the ECU from the Lexus and then hook the T4R differential connectors into that ECU? I have to admit, I am clueless about the ECU and interrelated connections to it.
I seriously doubt it. I would expect a smaller v6 with similar power numbers.Isn't there some speculation that the next gen 4Runner will have a V8? I haven't done much research but thought that was the case.
I seriously doubt it. I would expect a smaller v6 with similar power numbers.
Isn't there some speculation that the next gen 4Runner will have a V8? I haven't done much research but thought that was the case.