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Any experience with Lexus GX?

Discussion in 'Other Toyota Vehicles' started by ToyotaTundraMike, Apr 4, 2019.

  1. Apr 4, 2019 at 10:02 AM
    #1
    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike [OP] Not A New Member

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    I have been considering downsizing to an SUV for a while now since it fits my needs a little better. I still want to stay in the Toyota family but I want a v8 to pull the boat. Unfortunately the new 4runners don’t have that option so I am forced to look into older models. Wouldn’t hurt my feelings sticking some $$ in the bank and not having a truck payment anyway (only 4K to pay off Tundra).

    Not a big fan of the looks of the 05-09 4runners that still had the V8 so I started looking at the older model Lexus Gx. What years are best for these? Anyone have experience?

    I plan on making it a capable off-road rig but want it to still be luxurious enough to take clients to lunch from time to time. Any suggestions?
     
  2. Apr 4, 2019 at 10:05 AM
    #2
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    Some stuff
    gx is capable with a little work. quite a few of them running around here and i know two people that have built them into incredible trail toys.
     
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  3. Apr 17, 2019 at 2:19 PM
    #3
    rival1

    rival1 New Member

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    Leveled on 275/70/18
    I bought one for the wife, 200k miles of reliable transportation so far. ours is an 07
     
  4. Apr 17, 2019 at 2:35 PM
    #4
    dcsleeper408

    dcsleeper408 BASTRDS

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    I think the 05+ had the vvti 4.7s
    the previous years had the older 4.7s which can use the trd superchargers(if you can find one)
    Good thing is they take 4runner/FJ parts, which you can find used all over and save money on some parts.
    Also do the air to spring rear conversion. Most of the airbags will probably be leaky or have cracks in em and will eventually leak down the road. Replacement airbags are just too expensive.
     
    ToyotaTundraMike[OP] likes this.
  5. Apr 17, 2019 at 2:35 PM
    #5
    equin

    equin Texarican Tundra

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    DFW, TX
    Vehicle:
    2015 Silver Sky DC SR5 5.7L 4x4 TSS Package
    TRD Rear Anti-sway bar, TRD Pro skid plate, Bedrug bed mat, 17" Icon Rebounds, 315/70/17 BFG AT/K02, Bilstein 6112s front (for now), Fox 2.5 Remote Reservoirs rear, Diamondback SE, Dirtydeeds Industries 8" stainless BAMuffler, aFe dry air filter, TRD air intake accelerator
    Wife bought a used ‘07 GX470 with 78K miles on it back in 2013. It now has 195K miles on it, but it hasn’t been as reliable as I had otherwise expected from Lexus/Toyota.

    Steering rack developed an internal leak a year or two ago. It hasn’t crapped out on us yet, but we’ve been told it’ll eventually need an expensive replacement;

    Rear electric ride-height adjustable shocks and suspension broke last year leaving it almost undriveable. The rear would constantly adjust up and down on its own even at highway speeds (scary when that happened). That was an expensive fix;

    Dash developed really bad, ugly cracks, but the Sewell Lexus dealership in Dallas replaced it for free (can’t say enough good things about that dealership).

    All 4 brake rotors have warped two times already;

    Outer window edge trim came apart. Replaced it last year and is coming apart again.

    Otherwise, it looks like it could be a fairly capable trail rig. It certainly has the wheelbase and V8 power for it. It also drives smooth as silk, and I think the older models look better than the newer body style, but that’s just me. Lastly, my experience with this particular one seems to be a rare aberration. I haven’t read or heard about any others having issues like ours has had.
     
    ToyotaTundraMike[OP] likes this.
  6. Apr 17, 2019 at 2:43 PM
    #6
    dcsleeper408

    dcsleeper408 BASTRDS

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  7. Apr 17, 2019 at 2:43 PM
    #7
    Samoan Thor

    Samoan Thor God is technically an alien

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    2013 is the last year style design I like before they went to the “spindle grill”, I don’t like that it has adjustable ride height but that can be modified to a fixed suspension setup. If you have a family the 3rd row is for kids as an adult would be uncomfortable, I’m thinking about buying one over the fj cruiser as an off-road toy cuz I like the V8, it’s pretty much a baby landcruiser. If I was in your situation I would payoff the tundra then save a little bit to put into a good used Lexus gx.
     
  8. Apr 17, 2019 at 2:45 PM
    #8
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    ah. @TOTAL CHAOS, where can i get 3.0 boots like these? :cheers:
     
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  9. Apr 17, 2019 at 2:47 PM
    #9
    dcsleeper408

    dcsleeper408 BASTRDS

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    a lot of ppl are fixing up these years now too. takes 5th gen runner parts. and price of vehicle is a lot cheaper. I would go GX to over the LX470/LC's bc parts, power to weight is better on gx, and I think they are little more narrow vs the LX/LC
     
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  10. Apr 17, 2019 at 2:47 PM
    #10
    dcsleeper408

    dcsleeper408 BASTRDS

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    secret :anonymous:
     
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  11. Apr 17, 2019 at 2:58 PM
    #11
    dcsleeper408

    dcsleeper408 BASTRDS

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  12. Apr 17, 2019 at 3:15 PM
    #12
    Grumpy Uncle

    Grumpy Uncle Pushing string down the hall SSEM #10

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  13. Apr 17, 2019 at 4:15 PM
    #13
    TOTAL CHAOS

    TOTAL CHAOS WWW.CHAOSFAB.COM Vendor

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    Here is some info on our 2009 GX470 "Princess" :thumbsup:
    https://www.chaosfab.com/2009-Lexus-GX470-Princess

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Apr 17, 2019 at 4:17 PM
    #14
    TOTAL CHAOS

    TOTAL CHAOS WWW.CHAOSFAB.COM Vendor

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    :spy:

    Out in the dirt today with King! Testing the 3.0s.

    Let me see what info I can share tomorrow :cool:

    TOTAL CHAOS
    WWW.CHAOSFAB.COM
     
  15. Apr 17, 2019 at 4:40 PM
    #15
    Whocares

    Whocares Member

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    Sequoias are another option

    serveimage (5).jpg
     
  16. Apr 17, 2019 at 4:57 PM
    #16
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    +1 on Sequoias.
     
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  17. Apr 17, 2019 at 5:29 PM
    #17
    Hattori

    Hattori STOP SHIMMING COILOVERS!!!!

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    Me.......
    My wife just completed the wheel and tire swap on hers. TRD Off-Road SR5 wheels and 265-70-17 Trail Grapplers. Now she's working on doing the KC RGB rock lights. The suspension was all replaced by the previous owner so it's got new bags and rear shocks and makes no sense to pull out what's working right now. But she's planning Fox 2.0 coilovers and resi 2.0 rear shocks with Camburg Performance BJ UCA's. It's pretty much our future demo GX for our shop when we open up. It's a minimalist build, low pro roof rack, maybe a awning, inconspicuous lighting, onboard air, form and function.

    As others have stated these are GREAT vehicles to build and share many parts from fj, 4runner, Tacoma, Prado JDM. Most have ever seen dirt and pretty reliable. I've put bank 1 and 2 o2 sensors on it and a new serpentine belt and haven't looked back...

    20190410_090020.jpg
    20190410_172729.jpg
    20190417_153128.jpg
    20190417_165603.jpg
    IMG_20190414_205001_700.jpg
     
  18. Apr 17, 2019 at 5:39 PM
    #18
    Jobthegiant

    Jobthegiant Super extra premium member delux

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    TRD wheels, Fog lights, Bed Liner, Under seat storage, Lots of scratches and rub marks
    My buddy has one with 250k. It's an epic offroader and a nice commuter. I'll be on the lookout for one when the tundra no longer meets my needs
     
  19. Apr 17, 2019 at 5:41 PM
    #19
    Dag3

    Dag3 New Member

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    Just sold my 2006 with 180k. Loved it, very capable but like someone else mentioned, I put a decent amount of money into it. That being said, it never left me stranded and I would’ve driven it to Alaska the day I sold it without any concerns. The rear air suspension is expensive when, not if it craps out. It was a pleasure to drive.
     
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  20. Apr 17, 2019 at 7:10 PM
    #20
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    hmm. LT desert bomber? could be fun and interesting...
     
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  21. Jul 31, 2019 at 5:10 PM
    #21
    Chards77

    Chards77 New Member

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    Sorry I’m a tad late...
    Have an 07 Tundra and a 10 GX460.
    Prefer the GX460 over GX470 cuz the 3rd row folds flat and the seats don’t cause blind spots when stowed.

    GX outperforms Tundra 95% of the time.

    GX 20-22mpg fulltime 4WD
    Tundra 11, 15-17mpg (11 in 4Hi)

    The GX crushes the Tundra in heavy snow (6” or more).
    Because it’s tow rated at 6500# and I have a tight 11’ wide curving drive. I’ll routinely pull loaded trailers around my property with the GX due to its better maneuverability in tight spaces.
    Frankly I find GX is just better all around off road.

    Tundra wins for max tow capacity and as my all around hunting rig. (Don’t Care if it’s scratched or dinged)
    It carries (short bed) 4 crossbows, 2 large totes with (4 backpacks and 4 coveralls), 50# of shelled corn, and 2 gutted deer without stinking up the interior. The GX gets used some for hunting but requires a folding cargocarrier in the receiver to haul the deer, and we switch to 2 Xbow, 2 compound, 20# of feed, and a laundry sack for coveralls in the cargo area.

    Hope this helps and good luck!
     

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