Patio's GX Build
- Thread starter Patio Burrito
- Start date
HOJeepster
New member
How are you liking the Elka coilovers? I'm thinking of swapping those in here soon.
Patio Burrito
New member
Really digging their ride quality and the adjustability on them. I just put them through the wringer over the weekend out in Death Valley. Like a Timex, they take a licking and keep on ticking.
Patio Burrito
New member
Patio Burrito
New member
Honkey Cat
New member
Looks great, I’d love to get that suspension for my gx but looks costly.
crazydubman
New member
Hey patio, I know it’s been over a year since your last post here but wanted to see how you were liking the GX. I am at the point where you were in that my 3rd gen 4runner is getting too small for the kid, my wife, and 2 dogs mid size dogs with camping gear. Thinking of transitioning to the GX for a build and selling the 3rd gen.
Any regrets to your swap? Do you wish you still had the 3rd gen? Anything you have found that the GX doesn’t do better than the 4runner?
Just looking for opinions for someone who has made the transition.
Thanks.
Any regrets to your swap? Do you wish you still had the 3rd gen? Anything you have found that the GX doesn’t do better than the 4runner?
Just looking for opinions for someone who has made the transition.
Thanks.
I had a 2000 4runner limited which is the best of all 3rd gen’s IMO since it had the e locker...bilstein 6112/5100 ome in rear. Wife and 3 kids. Anyways, I bought an 04 gx470 and am very happy with the upgrade. Better in power, ride comfort, interior space. I don’t regret the swap. The only thing I wish I had is a locker in the back but haven’t been stuck in the gx.
Patio I would love an update on the elka suspension. Been doing all the research on high end suspension... elk, toytec boss aluma, radflo, king, bilstein B8 8112’s. I daily drive and don’t wanna rebuild that often but want a really nice off-road set up.... have you rebuilt the elka’s yet?
crazydubman
New member
Thanks for the input. Guess I should clarify on the existing build of my 4runner. It’s a 97 with factory elocker and 180k. Fully built, geared, Trutrac front, 35’s tubbed and clearanced for full stuff no body lift. Armored, lotus axles, winch, etc. It works really really well for anything I have thrown at it. Just wanted to get thoughts on how a similar built GX would fair as a wheeler/ family camping rig compared to a built 3rd gen.
We have an 07 GX with 130k on it in great condition that my wife currently drives. ItÂ’s bone stock except for some RRW wheels and 265/70/17Â’s.
If we sold the 4runner and built the Lexus to the same level, would there be anything that you would still be left wanting? Brother has an 08 4runner and the ATRAC has surprised on a few occasions.
Stock for stock, I agree that a GX is a better platform but what about fully built with the current aftermarket support.
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Oldmanb777
New member
I have not done any mods to our GX,(yet). Did lots of mods to the many Jeeps and Early Bronco's etc. But seems to me, modding a GX would just give you a much nicer vehicle than a 4 runner with the same capability. And if late model 4 runner or gX, you get all the extra the gX offers, like the extra gear in the tranny, and the V-8, and lower geared Diff, More creature comfort, but a little less cargo room, and the awkward rear door. I don't mind the rear door, but it is awkward at times. You also don't get the locker in the rear like the TRD gets.
But the full time transfer case is well worth the difference on slick streets.
Maybe not totally accurate, but I think pretty close. Comparing my Niece's TRD Pro Runner and our GX, the gX is a LOT more car to start with, so a lot more car after equal mods are applied.
But the full time transfer case is well worth the difference on slick streets.
Maybe not totally accurate, but I think pretty close. Comparing my Niece's TRD Pro Runner and our GX, the gX is a LOT more car to start with, so a lot more car after equal mods are applied.
Patio Burrito
New member
Don't regret it at all, more room, more power, more options, etc, etc. Like others have mentioned the one downside was no factory E-locker like I had in the 2000 4Runner but I never really needed to use it anyways.
Patio Burrito
New member
Been really happy with them so far, I would imagine the rebuild time frame would be on par with any comparable shock (Fox, King, etc). The anodized bodies have sure held up better than your traditional zinc-plated shock bodies that usually look like hell after a year or so.
Patio Burrito
New member
crazydubman
New member
Thank you for the input. I agree with everything you mentioned about the features just being overall "better". I guess now i am just fighting with my inner self and the sentimental attachment to the 4runner...
crazydubman
New member
Thanks for the input. I am beginning to accept the idea of swapping for the GX. I love how smooth the transmission shifts, how the power delivery is, and how ATRAC in general works when you are on loose surfaces off road or get the occasional 3 wheel action.
First steps building gx470
Hi I am just figuring out this site.
I bought a gx470 from my father and I don’t want to put a ton into it bc it has 250k.
I want wheels and tires and I would love a small lift but can’t afford a 3000 icon lift. Are there any other options?
Probably do some sort of rack and some minor stuff.
It’s in great shape just needs a detail and and new headboard. Any info would be awesome as I can not find much.
Also has anyone had any experience with bad catalytic convertor? It’s flashing tons of lights and I don’t want to spend 2k repairing. Tempted to just cut the damn wires as it doesn’t make a difference they are going to be on anyways.
Hi I am just figuring out this site.
I bought a gx470 from my father and I don’t want to put a ton into it bc it has 250k.
I want wheels and tires and I would love a small lift but can’t afford a 3000 icon lift. Are there any other options?
Probably do some sort of rack and some minor stuff.
It’s in great shape just needs a detail and and new headboard. Any info would be awesome as I can not find much.
Also has anyone had any experience with bad catalytic convertor? It’s flashing tons of lights and I don’t want to spend 2k repairing. Tempted to just cut the damn wires as it doesn’t make a difference they are going to be on anyways.
Here in Clark County, NV with our annual required smog checks, any displayed DTC/CEL is no bueno. If the cat's no good, no smog/registration for you! The first time I faced this was a crisis, as the car involved was my sole ride/DD. I had to fix it under time pressure, because like everybody else, I wait until a week or to prior to expiration to perform smog. THE CEL illuminated a couple of days before I was going for the check. I paid way too much to have a shop put in an aftermarket cat. There are some "fooling" sensors available that will send the proper resistance to your OBDII, regardless of what your cat is doing, but I didn't have time to do the research or experiment.
So on to some GX experience, which would apply to a VVTI engine 2005 and newer I believe: both cats indicated failure at different times; local indy shop performed a chemical wash that restored operation. As you may know, these cats are attached to the exhaust manifolds. Replacement options are OEM ($2000+ a piece if I recall), or a talented welder and a generic cat, plus a bunch of R&R labor. For a while, there was one aftermarket cat/manifold assembly available for just under $1000. I bought one and returned it after the wash was a success. I mention this detail in case anybody else experiences cat failure on any vehicle; try a wash! It was about $150 with zero guarantee, just a Hail Mary that worked. Both have been holding for over five years.
So on to some GX experience, which would apply to a VVTI engine 2005 and newer I believe: both cats indicated failure at different times; local indy shop performed a chemical wash that restored operation. As you may know, these cats are attached to the exhaust manifolds. Replacement options are OEM ($2000+ a piece if I recall), or a talented welder and a generic cat, plus a bunch of R&R labor. For a while, there was one aftermarket cat/manifold assembly available for just under $1000. I bought one and returned it after the wash was a success. I mention this detail in case anybody else experiences cat failure on any vehicle; try a wash! It was about $150 with zero guarantee, just a Hail Mary that worked. Both have been holding for over five years.
