GX470 vs 5th Gen

jeremyc74

jeremyc74

Banned
So I'm going to retire my 3rd Gen and pick up something that's a little more highway friendly. I was shopping for a 4th Gen with the V8, and realized the GX470 was much nicer and could be had for about the same money.

Now I'm seeing that some 5th Gens are down into my price range, and that has me intrigued. $30k is the absolute upper end for me, but I'd rather be under $25k. I can get a GX with under 100k miles for that price with no problem, but I'd like to have one with KDDS, and they're rare.

I'm not a huge fan of the looks of the GX, but they drive great. I won't be getting too crazy with the mods on either one of them, at least not for a couple of years. Either way I'll probably do a mild lift with some decent wheels and tires, and keep it comfortable because it's going to be doing a lot of highway duty.

What are your opinions on the three, and what options should I be looking for on a 5th gen? I had assumed they were out of my budget until today so I haven't done a lot of research yet.
 
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You are asking if you should buy a 5th Gen, in a sub-forum dedicated to 5th Gens...

Did you honestly think you were going to get any other answer other than you should buy a 5th Gen? Where you looking for an excuse to buy a 5th Gen?

I think you should buy a 5th Gen.

But on a more serious note...

Skip the KDSS, I would end up tearing that off anyways and opt for a real suspension. These things drive pretty nice as is too.

I own a 4th Gen right now, I love it, I love the 5th Gen too. Honestly you would probably be happy either way. The Lexus has a more luxury car feel with its interior, and if that important to you, go with that. I personally really like leather seats, its a big deal to me. I also wont own anything that isn't a 4x4. Just depends on what you need to float your own boat.

The V8 4th gens are pretty nice if you tow... so you should consider that factor too.
 
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I can not help, they are all essentially the same platform so depending on price, condition, your preference on drivetrain and looks. I do not think you can go wrong with any of them.
 
My wife has a 2008 GX 470 and I have a 2013 TE 4RNR. The GX is hands down a smoother ride even with having 130,000 miles and the 4RNR has 45,000 miles. The GX is more refined and as a bonus has front and rear lockers but has the air ride suspension which is crap- def need to upgrade the suspension if youre going for a GX. Both are very capable 4WD platforms. Either vehicle is very reliable but the Lexus is more expensive to maintain. Sooooo, which one then? Drive a few and see what you like better. I don't think you'll make a wrong choice with either vehicle.
 
I owned a GX470, a 4th Gen 4Runner that I traded for the GX, and now a fifth gen 4Runner.

The GX has some pluses and some bad minuses because of where I live. The interior is very nice. The gauges and instrumentation is not really dated even to today. It does have a tape deck! SCORE! The bad for me was the A/C. It sucked. I had it checked three times. I live in Las Vegas and it was almost unbearable. I only had 38K miles so it wasn't an age or mileage thing. The ducts that ran through the roof just cooked thus blowing hot air into the cab for an extended period of time. I also was not a fan of the wood. It was gaudy. Towed beautifully, the V8 and tranny was butter smooth. The running boards are low and removed makes the truck look a bit odd. For me the A/C was a deal breaker. Oh, and the side swing barn door isn't the best design at all. Especially with the Sea-Doos in tow. Useless.

I sold the 4th Gen for the GX. I wish I stayed in it really. V8 and tranny was the same. It felt more nimble. The interior was cheaper for sure. I just liked it better all around. The GX was a KILLER deal at $29K with 38K miles. Old man just selling it. Could not pass it up.

Now I drive a 5th gen TEP and love love it. It's slower and coming out of a Tundra it's taken some getting used to. It has a plethora of little things over the Tundra. For me, the 5th has fit the bill filling both ruggedness, refinement and fit and finish.

My advise? Buy any of the three with the least amount of miles, most records kept, and cleanest (well maintained inside and out). No matter which direction you decide out of those three you really can't go wrong.
 
Buck208 said:
The GX is more refined and as a bonus has front and rear lockers
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Not unless you installed aftermarket ones.

GXs have a diff lock on the center torsen diff (like all 4th gens and 5th gen limiteds), which when locked, gives you the same thing as a part time 4wd. As far as I know, GXs have never been offered with axle differential locks, certainly not in the US.
 
I think I would get the gx for the v8...

5th gen has more room and better electronics + option of rear locker and part time 4wd. 5th gen engine has similar HP to the v8 but tq curve is not near as good. 5th gen motor should require less maintenance (no timing belt....)

470 = v8 4th gen 4runner + nicer luxury features.

5th gen is starting to get decent aftermarket support. There is also some body parts for the 470, but the 5th should continue to grow with the size of the market here.

Can't really go wrong with any of them.
 
I would go with a GX if it's mainly (or entirely) highway miles. But, I am not entirely sure if that generations came with air ride as standard. If so, that would be a deal breaker for me, unless you convert to a standard suspension. No matter how much I like my 5th gen, those GX's are definitely better on the road. Either way, whichever platform you go with, they'll all be robust for sure. Good luck with your purchase!
 
Jeremy556 said:
Not unless you installed aftermarket ones.

GXs have a diff lock on the center torsen diff (like all 4th gens and 5th gen limiteds), which when locked, gives you the same thing as a part time 4wd. As far as I know, GXs have never been offered with axle differential locks, certainly not in the US.
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This was a really big one for me... I love that I can lock/unlock the transfer case on my 4th Gen SR5.

I really wanted a TE or Pro and didn't know they did away with it. Being able to unlock is a must have if you need 4WD on high traction surfaces or in the snow.

Heck, I even created a thread about it I thought it was such a big deal.
 
Buck208 said:
My wife has a 2008 GX 470 and I have a 2013 TE 4RNR. The GX is hands down a smoother ride even with having 130,000 miles and the 4RNR has 45,000 miles. The GX is more refined and as a bonus has front and rear lockers but has the air ride suspension which is crap- def need to upgrade the suspension if youre going for a GX. Both are very capable 4WD platforms. Either vehicle is very reliable but the Lexus is more expensive to maintain. Sooooo, which one then? Drive a few and see what you like better. I don't think you'll make a wrong choice with either vehicle.
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^^ does not compute...
 
Those gx470's can be had for a steal. My buddy bought one from an old couple with 88k miles for $12k. They're more of a sleeper compared to the 4runner but just as capable. He runs front and rear bumpers, 33's and an arb out back. Definitley keep it in consideration, just shop around for a good deal.
 

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DKFTPNYC said:
I would go with a GX if it's mainly (or entirely) highway miles. But, I am not entirely sure if that generations came with air ride as standard. If so, that would be a deal breaker for me, unless you convert to a standard suspension. No matter how much I like my 5th gen, those GX's are definitely better on the road. Either way, whichever platform you go with, they'll all be robust for sure. Good luck with your purchase!
Click to expand...

Regarding the rear air suspension, MetalTech has a rear coil conversion that my buddy used with success.

Lexus GX470 Rear Coil Conversion Kit Complete
 
Thanks for all the responses. I was making sure there wasn't any compelling reason to drop the GX from consideration, and based on the responses here from people with experience with both, there isn't.

I'm looking for one with the sport package (which has the dark wood), and its kind of a unicorn, but I'm not in a hurry. I'm going to keep looking, but I may end up with whichever I find for the best deal. I can be in a GX for under $20k pretty easily, and that gives it a leg up. The 4Runners, being newer, haven't dipped that low in most cases.

I had considered a 100 Series LC, but I just don't need the extra room. Honestly the GX and 5th Gen are bigger than I'd like, but there aren't really any other options when you want something that's reliable and body on frame.
 
Jeremy556 said:
Not unless you installed aftermarket ones.

GXs have a diff lock on the center torsen diff (like all 4th gens and 5th gen limiteds), which when locked, gives you the same thing as a part time 4wd. As far as I know, GXs have never been offered with axle differential locks, certainly not in the US.
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You are correct I was thinking of our 97 LC. Our GX has the locking center diff.
 
You the expert on KDSS? If it's not for you that's fine but don't somehow insinuate that 'real suspensions' are non-KDSS suspensions. A rear suspension is a suspension that does whatever the owner needs, and does it well.

And no they do not. I drove a Trail without KDSS. Sloppy and body roll. I don't consider sloppy and body roll as 'driving pretty nice'.

Bumbo said:
Skip the KDSS, I would end up tearing that off anyways and opt for a real suspension. These things drive pretty nice as is too.
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