05/06 VX vs GXL

[fbtsux Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close fbtsux]

Howdy This is my first of what i hope will be many posts. Hopefully not all will be dumbass questions like this.

Im currently looking for my first Prado and want to do some real 4x4 work with it . The airbags in the VX are a nice thing to have but i have read some -ve comments re the traction control systems off road.

so the question is

Is the traction and stability systems in the VX a problem off road (snow,mud,sand)

Thanks in advance

jase

[waltec Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close waltec]

So far I think we're still to have a Prado with T/C join the Diff Club (Smashed Crown and pinion). Thats the first positive. Also there is a video in here of a Grande climbing a huge rock, a great display of how well the T/C work, delivering power to the wheel/s with grip. (will try to find the link)

I haven't done any extreme 4wding but I not had any trouble that I could attribute to T/C, infact the opposite, I have been amazed how sure footed it fells, but I can only compare to other 4wds, haven't been 4wd with a Prado GXL.

Matt

EDIT: Found the link Prado on steep incline

[lawrance Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lawrance]

I thought that the VX still has coils in the rear and it isn't till you get to the Grande that you have the air suspension?

[vx05 Member Find all posts View Profile Close vx05]

I think fbt was talking about the airbags IN the car not under it :wink:

In relation to these, if you going to do some serious offroad and want to get some decent steel sidesteps to replace the plastic toyota ones, no-one, to the best of my admittedly limited knowledege, has come up with a set that works with the curtain airbags. (please someone correct me here and I'll get a set)
The traction control on the other hand is actually not a bad thing. When you have a wheel or 2 in the air, you can still drive carefully through, or over, the obstacle and not need to roll back and attack it with momentum. I think this is why the diffs are preserved. No spinning wheels in the air suddenly gaining traction when they hit the ground again.

I was very happy with the cars ability offroad with the traction control. It went everywhere I asked it to go and further than I ever expected it to. This was on stock suspension and grandtreks. I now have the CFO's ok for a lift 8) and the reaction when i ask for tyres is getting less outraged, so fingers crossed it will be even better soon

If you do go the older VX, see if you can find one optioned with the leather, or at least the grey interior, because the beige (ours) shows just about every mark.

Steve

[Bear Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bear]

That's a good wrap for the VX Steve. The xtra airbags would have to be a big plus if you were ever to need them too.

Jase, the GXL is great off-road; but just the other day we found ourselves on a bit of steep rocky terrain (steep for us, that is :wink: ) - T/C would have been great. We had no problems, but when you've got your diffs locked and wheels under power and travelling very unevenly ... I reckon it would be better to have the T/C and not need it than the other way round. If i was buying again, I'd definitely consider the VX. But the GXL is still the best vehicle i've owned or driven in 35 years.

[fbtsux Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close fbtsux]

Thanks guys for your input

It was the SRS (inside) airbags i was talking about. As it will be the daily driver for the minister of war and finance, she said she would like the airbags.

steve - we looked at the beige interior and said the same thing, As the kids are still young it would be a massive pain. Most of the leather interiors we have seen are starting to look a bit worse for wear after only 3-4 yrs so we are a fan of grey or the GXL cloth.

I didnt even think the sidesteps as an issue, that might be enough reason to loose the side airbags.

Thanks again for your help

[Ultra-VoX Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ultra-VoX]

Hey fbt. I was asking a similar question when shopping for my Prado recently. As a late model used vehicle I found the VX to be an excellent value propostion as they are a bit closer in price to the GXL compared to new. I went for the VX as I wanted the traction aids for both on and off road pruposes. The traction and stability control obviously porvide a safer drive for regular commuting along with the extra air bags. Off road I have found the traction control certainly helps in a few areas.

Firstly in the soft sand I found the traction control rarely kicked in but it did help keep the momentum going forward and and stopped any sideways slipping when the wheels started to spin.

In bumpy terrain the traction control helps when you lift a wheel and ensures the wheels that do have traction keep you moving. I saw a 4WD Monthly Magazine DVD where they did some tests to compare LSD with traction control and diff locks. The used a GX and Grande for the first two and another Prado with air lockers installed. Tests included rutted tracks, and sand dune climbs and in each test the Grande got further than the GX. The Air Locker fitted vehicle out performed both but this is an aftermarket accessory.

I hope this provides some help in your assessment.

[fbtsux Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close fbtsux]

thanks all the decision is now between an 04 grande with extras or a stock 05 VX. Now my only decissions are
1) is the 5 speed a better box and
2) is the grande suspension a tick in the + or - colum. A lift is on the pre approve list of upgrades already approved