zippinbye wrote:
Thanks to everybody who responded so far. Busskipper, the philosophy of priorities/objectives you outlined very nicely summarizes many considerations I have already formulated. Perfect! The link to IRV2 looks awesome; I read to the bottom of page 3 so far .... good stuff.
May I ask about your GX470, aka Landcruiser Prado? I've never noticed one in tow, but I just happen to own a 2005. I had in the back of my mind that a 1997 or newer Jeep TJ would probably make a good toad. And I thought of getting a TJ just for exploring the desert near me. Considering the cost and effort of all the potential TJ mods to make it "sweet," right up to a LS V-8 conversion (or Cummins 4BT or VW TDI), I realize that my GX already does so many things as well or better than the TJ would, except for these concerns: I won't be dropping 35" tires under the GX or conquring Moab with it, and the body is just too pretty and vulnerable to squeeze between boulders and trees. Plus it's not as well-suited to a winch mount was a TJ would be. However, it will kick butt on a Jeep for freeway cruising, comfort and MPG, and is virtually as capable off-road. With the locking center diff and KDSS (auto-disconnect front sway bar) I have horrified some "expert" off-roaders by showing up to challenging trails in a Lexus ("nice girlie rig, dude," etc). Horror was replaced by respect when all was said and done, including me rescuing a FJ-40 that got stuck. It's a great machine. In this day and age of frameless cross-over SUVs and such, the GX is a force to be reckoned with. Mine has 170,000 miles and these days just sits around as an extra vehicle, mainly cause I know she'd sell for far less than she's worth to me! If I took the money I sold it for, I'd probably need another $20k to buy and build a TJ the way I want, it it would be lacking in many ways compared to the Lexus.
Would the GX be the ideal toad? Not sure ... is it as simple as putting the transfer case in neutral, hooking up, and rolling down the road? I have never been over the scales in the GX, but I'm guessing 5500 lbs - the thing is a tank, so it would not be an inconsequential burden behind our "big rig." I would speculate that locked up in 4x4 low, the GX could pull a Class A out of some traction-challenged situations.
Guess I'll hang tight with her until I make a RV decision.
Skipper, I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts on the GX 470 as a toad. Thanks very much.
GX470 at 170,000 miles - Like New - :) - Again I will defer to an old post on another forum -
Link with a few more pages to read - :) Think I pretty much decided over the years that I needed to be able to go Off Road in Colorado - Alpine Loop in the MDX was all it could handle, not sure a Jeep would not rust away - so IMHO the GX would keep the wife Happy, she has an old LS430 that I'm trying to pry her out of so this was a compromise to get her to go back on the road with me. I searched for 3 years and Found a White/Dark Grey interior - with 100,000 miles - and looks and drives like a New Car - notice I said Car - as you know the thing is a Truck (Beast) - and I love it - Self installed the Base plate from I think etrailer and went to Craigslist to get a lightly used Blue Ox tow bar - all for less than $1,000.00 so that was good.
So - Yes I think the GX is the Perfect Toad, and as you know it's a Lexus and if you are so lucky as to have KDSS, I could not find one with good seats and a non cracked Dash - and in all honesty I could not tell the difference driving them on the Highway, which is what it will do for 99% of the time. As for the "Girlie look" - just smile as you pull them out with a Strap or a Chain ;)
As you appear to have some time, as all of us will till summer with this COVID19 - I suggest you take the time to join the other forum and try the question there - It's just bigger and Easier to use - plus it will send you an email to notify you of other posters on a thread - pain but also a big Plus. Last thing - if a winch is needed then I think there was a guy on the other post I linked you to that put a bumper on the front to hook up his 2008 and it would easily allow a winch.
Again if I can be of more help just ask, issue is I seldom come to this forum as I thought they renamed it to
83 Pace Arrow forumBill
