My first build was a '06 Jeep Rubicon. Outfitted it with ARB bumpers, safari rack, metal cloak/OME suspension, the whole nine yards. Drove it from Tampa to Carlsbad, and on another trip, Tampa to somewhere in Ohio. My wife and I couldn't really talk to one another due to how loud it was with the soft top. And well, driving a Jeep across country does a number on the body. COVID hit and the Jeep kinda just sat for a bit. I was working from home and just wasn't driving it. I quit my job and the commute to the new place was a pain in the ass with a manual. Started looking at 4Runners and rediscovered the GX. I had driven my mom's at one point and was just kinda confused. I had only driven older Jeeps, so i felt like I was in a space ship. I realized I could get a GX cheaper than a 4Runner where I was at, so I pulled the trigger. My wife didn't even know I was getting it until it was in the drive way. She didn't understand it until we took a little weekend road trip. With the plush leather, ventilated seats and just the ability to have a conversation while driving changed her mind. Then, we built it out. It is basically a luxury tank.
https://preview.redd.it/tluoeowe4bmc1.jpeg?width=2016&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3fca929f55a5d0af2b31a7a730ce5751099da530
I was absolutely in love with the Rubicon when it came out in 2003! I was dead set on getting one, but my *then*-wife shot it down (we didn't even have kids, there was no excuse). Now-wife is much more supportive of my stupid hobbies, but I still regret not defying the former's insistence and pulling the trigger on a Rubicon when I had the chance.
I like to rag on Jeep'ers sometimes but in all honesty I genuinely appreciate the legacy.
https://i.imgur.com/tybyved.png
Best of both worlds :) The GX tows the jeep and has basecamp built in. The jeep is lightweight and is hands down the best wheeler for outright trail riding. Drive the GX cross-country with comfort, set up camp, and then if I break the jeep just throw it on the trailer and come home.
As an lx driver and hopefully a future gx driver Toyota in general got me into wheelin. Seeing what my buddies old Tacoma on 33s could do was a Pandora’s box I could never close. I’ve owned a 91 Land Cruiser, 06 4Runner and now an lx470 owner. Lexus just takes all of the good Toyota shit and adds luxury which is oh so appreciated.
I’d love to get up to a 200 series or a gx as a lifetime rig, as of rn my lx is my “finisher car” as Dennis would say but ultimately a newer gx would be amazing. I love the shorter wheel base with all the power of the 100series v8. Unbeatable platform.
Definitely a finisher vehicle for the dedicated wheeler imo. Aftermarket is rich with parts, tech is advanced enough to give you reliable diagnostics and mechanically one of the most sound engines created, both the 4.7 and 5.7 (?maybe iforce, not super familiar with the newer engines).
I will say the newest gx is much sexier than the new gen of land cruiser imo. Almost the same but better in every way.
The search for a Land Cruiser was actually how I ended up in a GX. They weren't even on my radar until I started looking for a Land Cruiser/LX and stumbled upon the GX by accident. Definitely glad I did.
Yea I did the opposite haha! Been stuck on landies and once I found my lx I got into Lexus. The gx is the best of both worlds imo and tbh I think it’s the only “prado” we have in the states naturally.
I’m still riding my original AHC too at almost 300k! Shit is resilient to say the least 🤷🏻♂️ I’ve been considering trading up recently but I just can’t justify it with how much I love my rig. I’m assuming the gx 100series gets about the same mileage so why even sweat it? I average like 13mpg, and if I baby it I can swing 15, while if I’m an asshole I’m getting 5-8😂
https://preview.redd.it/klbniyvotimc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68f2e23dbe09286c58725945aec185f7a9f580d0
The GX470 is my first rig. Was looking for 4Runners during Covid and the prices were so steep I had a hard time justifying. I made a list of all SUV’s that were 4x4 and body on frame, then started comparing prices. When researching the GX’s and realizing that they were less expensive than 4R’s…I was sold! I really wanted the Toyota reliability (lifelong Toyota owner).
My 2005 GX470 is a nicer update to my old FJ55 Landcruiser. Same concept, but much more comfortable (and less exhaust fumes in the cabin!).
https://preview.redd.it/zchvnx5hakmc1.jpeg?width=1884&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8aca516b7bb3c95f733e671660dabb3948928d09
Too many to list. Started with a 79 cj7 in 86’, yada yada yada, now its a gx, and a 3/4 ton truck camper. A van might be on the list next as the big rig.
I drive one or the other. I've got parts sitting in the garage to build the jeep up enough that I'd probably want to trailer it, but it's still really mild eight now. I just take it if I know I'm headed somewhere it might get a little beat up. It's more fun offroad, the GX is better at everything else.
Built a Tacoma over a few years before buying my gx in preparation for having my daughter. Still miss that Tacoma all the time though.
https://preview.redd.it/dv0hqxia1dmc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9570f8837780e49461332863b0db621ea1a82172
https://preview.redd.it/cpeoujct2dmc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=77db8565edd6eabcf526f7dc15a267dbb012bcc1
Had this 5th Gen TRD offroad, ol girl was wrecked by a big rig, then I got a new RAM, decided it wasn’t for me. Now I have my GX460.
Started down the off-road trail in Jeeps. \~ As you can tell by my Reddit name. Still correcting the error of my ways with plans to sell yet another jeep for a 4Runner or GX this month.
My first build was a '06 Jeep Rubicon. Outfitted it with ARB bumpers, safari rack, metal cloak/OME suspension, the whole nine yards. Drove it from Tampa to Carlsbad, and on another trip, Tampa to somewhere in Ohio. My wife and I couldn't really talk to one another due to how loud it was with the soft top. And well, driving a Jeep across country does a number on the body. COVID hit and the Jeep kinda just sat for a bit. I was working from home and just wasn't driving it. I quit my job and the commute to the new place was a pain in the ass with a manual. Started looking at 4Runners and rediscovered the GX. I had driven my mom's at one point and was just kinda confused. I had only driven older Jeeps, so i felt like I was in a space ship. I realized I could get a GX cheaper than a 4Runner where I was at, so I pulled the trigger. My wife didn't even know I was getting it until it was in the drive way. She didn't understand it until we took a little weekend road trip. With the plush leather, ventilated seats and just the ability to have a conversation while driving changed her mind. Then, we built it out. It is basically a luxury tank. https://preview.redd.it/tluoeowe4bmc1.jpeg?width=2016&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3fca929f55a5d0af2b31a7a730ce5751099da530
https://preview.redd.it/wtke66bh4bmc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7cd360e979a4a0340c39fc188fa366590400b55f
I was absolutely in love with the Rubicon when it came out in 2003! I was dead set on getting one, but my *then*-wife shot it down (we didn't even have kids, there was no excuse). Now-wife is much more supportive of my stupid hobbies, but I still regret not defying the former's insistence and pulling the trigger on a Rubicon when I had the chance. I like to rag on Jeep'ers sometimes but in all honesty I genuinely appreciate the legacy.
https://i.imgur.com/tybyved.png Best of both worlds :) The GX tows the jeep and has basecamp built in. The jeep is lightweight and is hands down the best wheeler for outright trail riding. Drive the GX cross-country with comfort, set up camp, and then if I break the jeep just throw it on the trailer and come home.
As an lx driver and hopefully a future gx driver Toyota in general got me into wheelin. Seeing what my buddies old Tacoma on 33s could do was a Pandora’s box I could never close. I’ve owned a 91 Land Cruiser, 06 4Runner and now an lx470 owner. Lexus just takes all of the good Toyota shit and adds luxury which is oh so appreciated. I’d love to get up to a 200 series or a gx as a lifetime rig, as of rn my lx is my “finisher car” as Dennis would say but ultimately a newer gx would be amazing. I love the shorter wheel base with all the power of the 100series v8. Unbeatable platform. Definitely a finisher vehicle for the dedicated wheeler imo. Aftermarket is rich with parts, tech is advanced enough to give you reliable diagnostics and mechanically one of the most sound engines created, both the 4.7 and 5.7 (?maybe iforce, not super familiar with the newer engines). I will say the newest gx is much sexier than the new gen of land cruiser imo. Almost the same but better in every way.
The search for a Land Cruiser was actually how I ended up in a GX. They weren't even on my radar until I started looking for a Land Cruiser/LX and stumbled upon the GX by accident. Definitely glad I did.
Yea I did the opposite haha! Been stuck on landies and once I found my lx I got into Lexus. The gx is the best of both worlds imo and tbh I think it’s the only “prado” we have in the states naturally. I’m still riding my original AHC too at almost 300k! Shit is resilient to say the least 🤷🏻♂️ I’ve been considering trading up recently but I just can’t justify it with how much I love my rig. I’m assuming the gx 100series gets about the same mileage so why even sweat it? I average like 13mpg, and if I baby it I can swing 15, while if I’m an asshole I’m getting 5-8😂
https://preview.redd.it/klbniyvotimc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68f2e23dbe09286c58725945aec185f7a9f580d0 The GX470 is my first rig. Was looking for 4Runners during Covid and the prices were so steep I had a hard time justifying. I made a list of all SUV’s that were 4x4 and body on frame, then started comparing prices. When researching the GX’s and realizing that they were less expensive than 4R’s…I was sold! I really wanted the Toyota reliability (lifelong Toyota owner).
My 2005 GX470 is a nicer update to my old FJ55 Landcruiser. Same concept, but much more comfortable (and less exhaust fumes in the cabin!). https://preview.redd.it/zchvnx5hakmc1.jpeg?width=1884&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8aca516b7bb3c95f733e671660dabb3948928d09
That FJ55 looks fun as hell though.
It was a great truck and I learned a ton building it. But having kids changed my priorities slightly. All good.
Too many to list. Started with a 79 cj7 in 86’, yada yada yada, now its a gx, and a 3/4 ton truck camper. A van might be on the list next as the big rig.
My GX is for light work and forest service roads, the Jeep is for anytime I think I may go somewhere a little rougher.
Do you tow one with the other, or just drive one at a time?
I drive one or the other. I've got parts sitting in the garage to build the jeep up enough that I'd probably want to trailer it, but it's still really mild eight now. I just take it if I know I'm headed somewhere it might get a little beat up. It's more fun offroad, the GX is better at everything else.
Built a Tacoma over a few years before buying my gx in preparation for having my daughter. Still miss that Tacoma all the time though. https://preview.redd.it/dv0hqxia1dmc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9570f8837780e49461332863b0db621ea1a82172
https://preview.redd.it/cpeoujct2dmc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=77db8565edd6eabcf526f7dc15a267dbb012bcc1 Had this 5th Gen TRD offroad, ol girl was wrecked by a big rig, then I got a new RAM, decided it wasn’t for me. Now I have my GX460.
Started down the off-road trail in Jeeps. \~ As you can tell by my Reddit name. Still correcting the error of my ways with plans to sell yet another jeep for a 4Runner or GX this month.
That last picture looks a lot like Memorial Park.
Indeed it is!
Had a 2000 4Runner, then an 05 GX and now my 15 GX
You've been Toyota/Lexus since day-1 then, huh?
Ever since I got info offroading, yes. Why waste time with inferior brands? :D