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GX or 4Runner?

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by 124runner, Dec 2, 2022.

  1. Dec 2, 2022 at 10:48 PM
    #1
    124runner

    124runner [OP] New Member

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    I used to own a 4Runner v8. I’m looking to get a brand new 4Runner trd off road premium. Today I drove the lexus gx for the first time and gosh I wish they put this power train In the 4Runner. I prefer the styling of the 4Runner and also GX would mean I have to stretch my budget but damn the power train does make a difference. Not sure what to do?
     
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  2. Dec 2, 2022 at 11:30 PM
    #2
    Superdave1.0

    Superdave1.0 New Member

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    I'd buy a slightly used GX. Let someone else take the depreciation hit. I've owned a 2005 V8 4runner, GX, LX, Tacoma, etc. I love the current 4runner, but it won't move like a V8, ever.
     
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  3. Dec 3, 2022 at 2:47 AM
    #3
    124runner

    124runner [OP] New Member

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    this is exactly what I was thinking. I found a 2021 gx with 10k miles for 47 grand. It’s tempting since a 4Runner is not much cheaper.
     
  4. Dec 3, 2022 at 5:40 AM
    #4
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

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    This sounds like a smart decision. The current GX is hideous, but at least you don't have to look at it while you're driving it.
     
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  5. Dec 3, 2022 at 6:45 AM
    #5
    MattO2786

    MattO2786 New Member

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    Probably will get a better deal on a GX if you’re going the used route. For whatever reason, they don’t seem to retain value as well as the T4R. My only advice is, no matter which one you go with, make sure the previous owner(s) changed the oil every 5k miles and the vehicle didn’t live in the rust belt.
     
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  6. Dec 3, 2022 at 7:33 AM
    #6
    v5ensx

    v5ensx New Member

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    GX FTW.

    Bought a 470 instead of a v8 4R several years ago after comparing both vehicle. Drove so much more comfortable and love the interior. My kids can sit there watch movie on long road trip instead of holding their tablet/ipad.

    But each to their own.
     
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  7. Dec 3, 2022 at 7:50 AM
    #7
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    It's definitely a matter of opinion.

    The Lexus will certainly cost more to operate. But, it's probably worth it if you want something powerful and luxurious. I still miss the torque my '03 V8 had.

    I think build quality is similar on both, but the Lexus will be quieter and more comfortable.
     
  8. Dec 3, 2022 at 7:51 AM
    #8
    Kilo Papa

    Kilo Papa New Member

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    This
     
  9. Dec 3, 2022 at 8:34 AM
    #9
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    If you can live with the grille, GX.

    Oh, and the side opening rear hatch.
     
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  10. Dec 3, 2022 at 8:57 AM
    #10
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    Few things to remember (at least for me when I was shopping GX460)

    Low to the ground (I think GX 460 has similar ground clearance as Highlander)
    Low fuel range (same fuel tank as 4Runner with V6 engine) + premium gas to make things worse
    Fuel tank skid is not standard
    Extra weight on the front components that are same as 4Runner (so better not put much stress on front like a 4runner that is relatively less weight)
    Consider clearance on low hanging bumpers and rocker panels with steps.
    Smaller wheels and tires to start with (But you can get take off 4runner wheels cheaper and buy bigger tires)
    I also notice less air flow in front on the 460 and that v8 might run hotter. (Not sure, just thinking to myself)
    Not available to buy non KDSS on GX is a con for me as well. (I know many love KDSS) No big deal though since there are systems to disable kdss and spacers available to fix KDSS lean.
    Less availability /options and high price tag on parts and accessories is a downside too.

    I even thought about the rear hatch design, but don't want to go in detail as many time we have discuss this topic and might not be nice to keep saying why I didn't pick the 460.

    BTW unlike 4runner V8 the GX460 not having timing belt is a big plus in maintenance dept imo.
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2022
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  11. Dec 5, 2022 at 2:57 AM
    #11
    124runner

    124runner [OP] New Member

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    Yeah the front grill on the pre facelift gx was way better. But I also did find a way to do a Toyota Prado conversion but I assume it costs a lot.9F6ACD17-832A-4143-8188-BCB156791170.jpg C005D7C6-4B95-4CB9-A5A4-D2FF31E27C0E.jpg 70B90C1A-398D-405C-B062-314760A3923A.jpg

    I think I could live with a regular current gx in Nori green with a few mods 0DECB0E8-A8C8-49EA-9EA2-834AE5ADE644.jpg 19B3DA9A-9FB0-4276-9FB5-17CA2DC8772C.jpg
     
  12. Dec 5, 2022 at 11:31 AM
    #12
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

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    @124runner that Prado conversion is a massive improvement.

    And I agree that green color looks fantastic! I could live with it too, especially with the blacked out sport appearance pkg, whatever it's called. I recently saw a YouTube review of one in that color and package, it's def the best looking GX one can purchase.


    And I actually really like the look of the 10-13 GXs.
     
  13. Dec 5, 2022 at 11:51 AM
    #13
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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  14. Dec 5, 2022 at 11:51 AM
    #14
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    This site might be an interesting one to take a look. Company at San Antonio, Texas.

    https://dieseltoys.com/4runner-diesel
     
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  15. Dec 5, 2022 at 12:25 PM
    #15
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I would think that most people who could afford to dump 32,000 into a $40,000 vehicle could probably just import an old diesel Land cruiser.:notsure:
     
  16. Dec 5, 2022 at 1:32 PM
    #16
    Kilo Papa

    Kilo Papa New Member

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    Agreed. When dropping this kind of coin, I’d probably be looking at ALL alternatives. Doubling down on a 4R, much as I like ‘em. Probably not. :crapstorm:

    Edit: Nice to know there are options out there, though, despite the pricey nature. I’d consider the Magnuson SC, though :)
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2022
  17. Dec 5, 2022 at 1:40 PM
    #17
    hossler1788

    hossler1788 Turtle

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    Gx! If I had to do it again, as much as I love my 4r. Id get a gx460.
     
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  18. Dec 5, 2022 at 1:42 PM
    #18
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    True, 32,000 is a new car price where you can use that money build a trail vehicle vs to your daily driver. I guess I was just missing the diesels and long range from my childhood. :)
     
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  19. Dec 5, 2022 at 1:44 PM
    #19
    hossler1788

    hossler1788 Turtle

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    Plus those don't seem to have any power?...better off spending $8k on supercharger and buying a new camary to daily
     
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  20. Dec 5, 2022 at 3:09 PM
    #20
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    As someone from Asia I can give my perspective on diesels.

    Yes they are slow in acceleration department. But when you are at a speed the cruising is smooth. They have crazy work power. Even at higher gear like 3rd you still have lot of power. Also diesel are more efficient / burn less fuel hence you can drive more. Down hills are surprisingly in control. Even carrying extra diesel fuel you don't have to be careful as gasoline. We use to use relatively cheap cans. Diesel engine are more durable than gas as far as I believe (may be this is why I'm scared of aftermarket turbo / superchargers or even throttle controllers).
     
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  21. Dec 5, 2022 at 3:38 PM
    #21
    Fortuner

    Fortuner New Member

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  22. Dec 5, 2022 at 6:53 PM
    #22
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    You could buy one of these:

    Screenshot_20221205-205014.jpg



    Depends on what kind of power you want. These turbo diesels tend to have oodles of beautiful torque in the low to mid RPM range. But, they're definitely not fast.
     
  23. Dec 5, 2022 at 9:17 PM
    #23
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    I would love to have something like this (5 door one with my family. Much better troopy won't work for me). But it would be hard to have in USA from small things like right hand driving, shifting with left hand, head light aiming to bigger things like parts for maintenance to accessories to make it comfortable. Back in my country audio upgrade and sound isolation mats shops only charge for the parts & labor is free (or we can say included in parts price). No I'm not kidding. And seat cover places will tell the prices including labor. Here in the USA making the 70 series to good comfortable state would be tough because of labor cost.

    upload_2022-12-5_22-2-26.jpg
    upload_2022-12-5_22-9-43.jpg
     
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  24. Dec 7, 2022 at 9:29 PM
    #24
    trd.pdx

    trd.pdx New Member

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    I've also been looking at the GX vs t4r. I'm a little nervous to buy what may be the last model year for the 4r, but can't stomach the GX grille. I've been in a few shops asking if there is any way to take the ugly out of the GX. So far no luck. Is anyone familiar with any decent front end mods?
     
  25. Dec 7, 2022 at 10:27 PM
    #25
    DBC Offroad

    DBC Offroad New Member

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    I’d get the GX. Comes with KDSS and a more powerful engine. It is full time 4wd though.
     
  26. Dec 7, 2022 at 10:29 PM
    #26
    DBC Offroad

    DBC Offroad New Member

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    The supercharger doesn’t do as much as you might think… plus you won’t recover the $8,000 in resale.

     
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  27. Dec 8, 2022 at 1:01 AM
    #27
    124runner

    124runner [OP] New Member

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    https://garagealpha.com/products/lexus-gx460-150-toyota-prado-conversion

    20C379F7-116A-4473-9D9D-752E00180AA8.jpg
     
  28. Dec 8, 2022 at 5:20 AM
    #28
    hossler1788

    hossler1788 Turtle

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    Ehh i think those are decent numbers. From your baseline dyno it appears you have 25% drivetrain loss, which is typically on 4wd vechiles Plus your rig is heavy, I bet it be more enjoyable with 33s and 1000 less lbs :burnrubber:
     
  29. Dec 8, 2022 at 6:08 AM
    #29
    jharkin

    jharkin New Member

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    All true.

    Diesels will always be more efficient than the average gasoline engine due to the fact that they are not "throttled" like a gas engine and power is simply a function of fuel flow. No throttle plate = less pumping losses at part throttle where we drive most of the time. This makes the advantage even more pronounced for average street driving than test number may indicate. (You can narrow, but not close with hypermile techniques - hard acceleration followed by coasting but most people hate driving like that. Even more so with systems that kill the ignition and open the throttle on coasting or use variable valve opening in place of throttle like BMW Valvetronic but those are not common)

    The "powerful" feeling from diesels comes from the fact that displacement for displacement they generate a lot more torque than gas engines, and that torque is developed down low. The tradeoff is that without forced induction diesels naturally run out of steam and cant maintain torque at high rpm to develop a lot of horsepower; a natural byproduct of the slower burning fuel. The net is that diesels are a lot more usable and comfortable in daily driving but you are never going to see them as a first choice in racing.

    The main issue for us Americans is that they just never caught on here and at this point are not likely to before we go all-E. There where a few really disastrous attempts by the big 3 to introduce diesels in the 70s gas crisis that left such a bad impression on American drivers that they never recovered (If you dont know the history go read up on the Oldsmobile Diesel V8). And even if you bought a better made European diesel import in the 80s the experience was underwhelming - I remember my dad ( a European car nut) had an 80s Diesel Peugeot 505 when I was in high school - it was a pain to start in winter, you had to wait a couple minutes for the glowplugs to preheat, stunk up the place and he was always searching for gas stations that actually had diesel. And then it was sloooooow to boot. That was our first, and last, diesel.

    I've driven modern (post-y2k) diesel cars on trips to Europe and its night and day difference but few of those ever make it here as it was too much work until recently to make them meet emissions and we just don't have the refinery capacity and infrastructure to support 100 million diesel cars, our refinery mix is heavily skewed to gasoline. Those refining issues are part of the reason why the spread between gasoline and diesel cost per gallon is bigger here which negates if not eliminates the cost benefit of better fuel economy for the few diesel models we do get.

    So its a circular trap - we don't refine a lot of diesel (beyond whats needed for trucking) because nobody buys diesel cars, which makes diesel expensive so nobody wants to buy diesel cars, so in turn we don't refine a lot of diesel. Rinse and repeat.
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2022
  30. Dec 8, 2022 at 8:06 AM
    #30
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    That is great information. Appreciate you sharing. I will search about that history for sure.

    "when I was in high school - it was a pain to start in winter, you had to wait a couple minutes for the glowplugs to preheat" Even in tropical countries in a relatively cold morning we used to wait about 30 seconds for that glow plug light to go off that we can start the car. Back in my country we always discuss about keeping the battery in good condition and buying high capacity batteries so the starting would be faster. After coming to US I learn about block heaters.

    Yeah, this is a big country with large population refinery is a big deal.

    Again thanks for sharing this info.
     
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