1 2
Wally
Wally GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/31/18 10:55 p.m.
yupididit
yupididit UltraDork
11/1/18 8:42 a.m.

In reply to Wally :

Long walks in the woods because it'll leave you stranded? Those are very beautiful SUV's. One of the best looking behind the G-Wagon blush

CobraSpdRH
CobraSpdRH Reader
11/1/18 8:47 a.m.

Great conversation and I hadn't really been considering the Sequoia, but further research shows that it could be a viable option. I LOVED the power rear window in my 4Runner, it may sound weird to people who have never had one, but it is a great feature.

So should I be looking 06-07, that was when the GX got the power bump and the 5 speed auto, same for the Sequoia? Also, I see they offered 2WD, whereas all Lexuses (Lexi?) are 4WD. Does the 2WD have a posi unit in the rear that could work for my needs? I'm in FL so I'm afraid most near me will be 2WD, just like the 4Runners.

Also, can I assume the same longevity for a Sequoia as my 4Runners/Lexus? Any issue shopping ~100-150k examples?

Thanks guys! Obligatory overland pic of Sequoia:

docwyte
docwyte UltraDork
11/1/18 8:55 a.m.

My 08 GX has a 4 speed transmission....

crankwalk
crankwalk GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/1/18 9:00 a.m.

If it’s mild  overlanding rig you’re after, pick anything with AWD mild lift and dedicated tires. I absolutely love seeing overland builds 2 miles out on a trail on a glacier getting photos done and then an 89 Subaru Loyale on bfgs rolls by with ease.

 

if you don’t need a lot to get to where you’re going, I wouldn’t over think it. Can’t go wrong with a land cruiser but buy the nicest one you can afford that is caught up on maintenance. You can add the bumpers, lift and tires later. I see so many overland builds that have thousands of dollars wrapped in in stuff you don’t need. Buy a good stock one and add what you find is necessary.

captdownshift
captdownshift GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
11/1/18 9:27 a.m.

In reply to crankwalk :

This x10 my old overland Subaru took on things that most Jeep owners would think is extreme. 

akylekoz
akylekoz Dork
11/1/18 10:01 a.m.

When I was shopping for the same type of rig.  Seven seats, not too big, can tow a racecar.   This is how I ended up with a Pathfinder V8.

Sequoia, A little too big and that damn dash that looks like it came out of a 90's Ford.  Other than that a viable option and good value.

GX470,  I liked the look, size and upscale demeanor.  The third row seat situation and back door was not my favorite.  Too many stories of expensive suspension components to repair and the best audio that may or may not last turned me away.

And I wanted the newer 4.7 with for power and MPG that put them out of my range so the value was average.

I liked the size of you shop truck 2013 Frontier, which is the same as the 05-12 Pathfinder, I just wasn't crazy about the engine and towing capability.

Once I found that the VK56 came in a Pathfinder I started looking.  I bought mine for $7000 with 119k miles and love it.  The Bose stereo sounds great, heated steering and seats, adjustable pedals, leather and LE trim are fancy enough for me.  With five individual rear seats that fold flat and the hatch window I find it perfect for me needs.  Mine did not come with Nav, in dash hard drive and video screens but were available.

This truck is way quicker that its numbers show, border line ridiculous fun.  Traction is a problem in 2WD but it has Auto, 4WD and 4 low,.  In 4 Low it has electronic 4 wheel traction control where even if two wheel are off the ground it will send power to the other two wheels through brake control. 

The V8 model has the rear axle and 4WD system from the QX80/Armada, and can tow 7000lbs.

 

Just my $.02.

 

mr2s2000elise
mr2s2000elise New Reader
11/1/18 10:51 a.m.
bigeyedfish
bigeyedfish Reader
11/1/18 12:52 p.m.

Pictures of "overland" vehicles always have nice paint, fancy bumpers, aftermarket wheels, rooftop tents, blah blah blah.  The best overland vehicles are reliable and have paint and body work you aren't scared to berkeley up and only the accessories you actually need.  If you just want something that gets from point A to point B and looks cool, then our advice should be pretty much meaningless - any modern vehicle with reasonable miles and maintenance can do that.  If you're looking to really work the vehicle, get something that won't make you wince when you put some all-natural pinstriping on it.

irish44j
irish44j UltimaDork
11/1/18 10:01 p.m.
CobraSpdRH said:

 

So should I be looking 06-07, that was when the GX got the power bump and the 5 speed auto, same for the Sequoia? Also, I see they offered 2WD, whereas all Lexuses (Lexi?) are 4WD. Does the 2WD have a posi unit in the rear that could work for my needs? I'm in FL so I'm afraid most near me will be 2WD, just like the 4Runners.

 

Sequioa got the power bump and 5-speed starting with 2005 models. Oddly, most sources show the 2005 itself as having slightly MORE power than the 06-07, but not sure if that's true, or maybe they just changed the tune for emissions or something. 

Unlike the V8 4Runner, the Sequioa is part-time 4WD, so you can run in RWD when you want to (IIRC all the V8 4Runners with 4WD were full-time). I don't recall offhand if the Lexus V8 trucks are full-time or part-time. 

irish44j
irish44j UltimaDork
11/1/18 10:06 p.m.
crankwalk said:

. You can add the bumpers, lift and tires later. I see so many overland builds that have thousands of dollars wrapped in in stuff you don’t need. Buy a good stock one and add what you find is necessary.

^^this. There's really no need for bumpers and all kind of crazy stuff for trail-running and mild overland. Take a look at the thread I made a while back about roof racks....and how to build a pretty good one for really, really cheap with very little welding (or none) needed. Figure out storage and how you're gonna do it if you plan to sleep in the vehicle, or if you want a regular tent, roof tent.

I will say, definitely DO get one of the ARB fold-out awnings (like I have on mine). they are surprisingly inexpensive and are really well-built and useful. 

irish44j
irish44j UltimaDork
11/1/18 10:10 p.m.
akylekoz said:

that damn dash that looks like it came out of a 90's Ford. 

hahaha.....fact. The Sequioa dash is decidedly dated, even for the early 2000s. Unlike a 90s Ford, though, everything actually *feels* like good quality and works perfectly, even if it looks pretty lame. I hated the dash area when I first got it, but now I appreciate how much storage and space is there. That does make me think one thing: GET A VEHICLE WITH A COLUMN SHIFTER. Then you have lots of room and a big "tray" between the seats. The one and only thing I really disliked about the 4Runner was having the shifter there between the seats, which left way less space for electronics, bag of chips, whatever. My wife's CX-9 hardly has space for both of us to put our phones. Column shifter leaves a ton of space for stuff.  

Vigo
Vigo UltimaDork
11/1/18 10:43 p.m.

I will echo the quality of the Sequoia interior and the space advantages of column shifters. I'd take a GX for style reasons but a Sequoia is a ridiculously good vehicle for what you can buy them for. 

CobraSpdRH
CobraSpdRH Reader
11/6/18 8:38 a.m.

Had a nice Sequoia slip through my hands locally, guess I wasn't fast enough. Still keeping my eyes open.

I am starting to see the GX460's drop sub $20k around here as well, it appears that they got a new 6-speed transmission, new 4.6L with +35 hp bump, and the KDSS standard, along with a flip-open tailgate window and fold-flat third row seats. Anything to dislike about these? Are they still tanks like the GX470's? The ones in my price range are all 100k+ miles.

ultraclyde
ultraclyde PowerDork
11/6/18 11:31 a.m.

I've seen a fair number of built up 460s but have no experience with them. They do have the same crap door design. I was really looking at 470s originally, but the side swing door is a no-go.  Too much hassle with trailers, no rain shelter for loading, harder to deal with bike racks....it's a deal killer for me.

 

Sequioas are my go-to if my Jeep suddenly blew up today. I love my ZJ but it's not what you're looking for. I rode in a 2006 TRD edition 2wd last week. The dash looks like a bigger version of the '96 Corolla my mom had. But, seats were good, ride was okay. Probably would have been better without the big wheels and low profile tires. Exhaust droned in the back on the interstate, not sure if it was aftermarket or TRD specific.

akylekoz
akylekoz Dork
11/6/18 2:01 p.m.

I would take a GX460 if my budget allowed it.

docwyte
docwyte UltraDork
11/6/18 3:24 p.m.

GX460's still have the same barn door as the GX470's

CobraSpdRH
CobraSpdRH Reader
11/12/18 8:08 a.m.

Update: Pulled the trigger on a 2010 Lexus GX460 on Friday. One-owner, 128k miles traded in at a Maserati/Alfa dealership and sat there for a couple weeks. It is the "Base" model, so no air ride or Mark Levinson, but think I prefer the simplicity of it over the Premium. So much nice stuff and still looks brand new inside and out!! Original sticker shows $60k and I paid less than a third of that. Seats are awesome, rides pretty well, rear glass is a HUGE plus to only having the barn door (holy cow that thing is big).

It has some cheapy Ironman tires on it, so I'll want to upgrade to some A/T's, probably go up a size to 275/75R18. Don't even know that this thing needs a lift, maybe just check the bushings and end-links for wear. Also, don't see any service for plugs, so guessing I should do that and perhaps some other basic maintenance.

Time to list the Accord in the F/S if anyone is interested :)

Not actual but same model/color:

G_Body_Man
G_Body_Man UltraDork
11/12/18 8:27 a.m.

How ridiculous do you wanna get? The Seikel lift kit for a Touareg will fit on a first-gen Cayenne and allows for the fitment of some meaty off-road tires.

pinchvalve
pinchvalve GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
11/12/18 8:33 a.m.

I can't imagine a Toyota product not being the right answer here, but they hold their value well.  I know nothing about them personally other than Kias have been incredibly reliable for me and that the Borrego did not sell well and depreciation has hit them hard.  They are large, comfy, solid and have a V8 and nice interior.  Might be an interesting alternative.

 

crankwalk
crankwalk GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/12/18 6:02 p.m.

Did everybody miss him saying he already bought a Lexus?

1 2

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
Ibac3PWo06Ns1HQ5vOOfXAD0dvEZByhmgCKSLqsy8E0h4LBFz4bkHVgWDJbDaz9k