Traded in my T4R for a GX470

[GatorGreg]

Here's some pics I took at the beach yesterday of my certified pre-owned (aka used ) 03 GX470. It's Dorado Gold Pearl (same exact paint used on '03-'05 T4Rs) and so far I love it. However, I do miss shifting the gears in my '00 5spd T4R as well as the retracing rear window I'm thinking of getting some of the 18" six spoke Limited wheels, some of the folks on ClubLexus have made the switch and they look great on the GX IMO.

 

[GatorGreg]

pic 2

 

[GatorGreg]

pic 3

 

[GatorGreg]

pic 4

 

[GatorGreg]

new sig pic

 

[gizmopt2002]

Congrats! Can I ask what made you do this?

 

[GatorGreg]

Congrats! Can I ask what made you do this?

Thanks. Well I've always liked the GX, in fact I still have an old '03 brochure that I picked up when they first came out. I really like that it has the 3rd row - my brother and his family fly in to visit frequently and having the 3rd row will be great, no more taking 2 cars everywhere. Also, I like that it can tow 6,500 lbs cuz I have an old muscle car that I'd like to trailer to car shows in other states without putting miles on it. And now that I'm getting close to 40 I guess I'm just starting to reach the age where I want a cushy ride, and the fact that I have to drive by a Lexus dealer every day on my way to work doesn't help
I'm gonna attach a pic of my old Cougar so I can add it to my sig.

 

[alpha]

ooh, very nice! It looks great! I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

 

[Thai]

Gatorgreg, excellent choice!

A few suggestions:

1. Get more aggressive tires...like what you said, BFG AT KO 265/65/18. Or you can get Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor in stock 18" size (265/60/18): http://www.goodyeartires.com/goodye...eadwidth=&aspectratio=&rimdiameter=&sidewall=

2. Side rails & step: http://arbusa.com/side_steps_rock_sliders.php

IMHO, these ARB sliders are both practical and classy...the latter important because you have a Lexus. Or you can get rock sliders, but i am not sure how it would look on your GX (a bit out of place??).

3. If you have more $$$ to burn, then i would get ARB rear locker with compressor.

That's it. BTW, do you have the rear air suspension?? I forgot if the '03 GX came with it standard.

 

[marjnap]

Gatorgreg,
Nice Truck. You going to take this one out four wheeling?

 

[GatorGreg]

That's it. BTW, do you have the rear air suspension?? I forgot if the '03 GX came with it standard.

Thanks for the suggestions Thai. Yes, the "Rear Adjustable Height Control" came standard in '03, lets you raise the ass 1.6" for better departure angle (from 25 to 29 degrees). I thought you were a Board Certified SUV Nut?

 

[GatorGreg]

Gatorgreg,
Nice Truck. You going to take this one out four wheeling?

Thanks! Yes, but nothing too crazy and only with the side steps removed - I read on ClubLexus that it takes about 20 minutes to remove them. Also, I'd like to get an extra half inch of ground clearance and better traction first with some slightly upsized and more aggressive tires, either 265/70-17 on the stock rims or if I get 18 inch Limited wheels then 265/65-18. I'd love to go back to the HardRock place in Ocala and try my luck on some of those hills, but I'll definitely avoid the skinny side trails - don't want any new pin stripes

 

[Thai]

Thanks for the suggestions Thai. Yes, the "Rear Adjustable Height Control" came standard in '03, lets you raise the ass 1.6" for better departure angle (from 25 to 29 degrees). I thought you were a Board Certified SUV Nut?

Ahh...but when raising your ass, your front approach angle goes down by 1 degree.

 

[GatorGreg]

Ahh...but when raising your ass, your front approach angle goes down by 1 degree.

That's right, from 31 degrees down to 30 degrees. But I've got an idea though, what if you LOWER the ass (by 1.2 inches) just as you approach a hill climb - this would theoretically increase the front approach angle from 31 degrees normal height to roughly 32 degrees, right? Then AFTER your nose is clear you raise the ass to full height to get the benefit of the 29 degree departure angle.

 

[Thai]

GREAT idea...why don't you report back to us your findings next time you go off-roading!

 

[GatorGreg]

GREAT idea...why don't you report back to us your findings next time you go off-roading!

I'll let you know how it goes just as soon as I find a 31 degree hill in Fla

 

[rx900]

Truly an 03 GX. :bigok:

How could I tell even if no one told me?? The plastic covering on top of the tow hitch cover is carved out, and i know it's kinda far but I can tell that the hitch is well hidden like in most of the 4Runners that come with a hitch... Newer ones (well at least in my area) have a little hump on that cover even with GXs w/o a hitch but the newer GXs with a hitch have the whole hitch assembly just installed under the bumper w/o hiding it like in the 03s...

Plus you mentioned that your hitch can tow 6,500 lbs, which I THINK isn't available anymore on the newer GXs, but I could be wrong...

Gatorgreg, you mentioned that you have an 03 brochure when it first came out??? :rocker: That still has the Sand Dollar Pearl as a color option, in which about Mar or Apr of 03 they changed it to Blizzard Pearl... :bonk:

 

[rx900]

Thanks for the suggestions Thai. Yes, the "Rear Adjustable Height Control" came standard in '03, lets you raise the ass 1.6" for better departure angle (from 25 to 29 degrees). I thought you were a Board Certified SUV Nut?

Technically, but it'll lower itself back to "N" (aka Normal) once you hit 20mph..

 

[GatorGreg]

Gatorgreg, you mentioned that you have an 03 brochure when it first came out??? :rocker: That still has the Sand Dollar Pearl as a color option, in which about Mar or Apr of 03 they changed it to Blizzard Pearl... :bonk:

Yeah it's a very nice brochure as brochures go, giant in comparison to T4R brochures. I'm looking at it right now and there's a great full page pic on page 18 of a Sand Dollar Pearl GX in the woods - almost worthy of framing if you owned a Sand Dollar GX

 

[Gromulus]

Lexus Brochures

We have seriously considered Lexus vehielces several times in the past few years ('04 4Runner insetad of GX, 2007 Camry V6 XLE instead of ES350). I still have brochures of all vehicles we even considered for years 2003 - 2007.

While the Lexus brochures are big and beautiful, they are lacking in content. It is very obvious that they are appealing to a different market than Toyota. Lots of fluff IMO.