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Howdy from Texas in the United States! I just recently sold a 3rd generation 2002 4Runner (Hilux Surf) for a 2005 Lexus GX 470 (120-series Prado). The vehicle is a weekend driver (I have a company car for use during the week), but my plan is to very lightly build it up into a comfortable trail/expedition vehicle.
The GX 470 is a 120, but it has a number of differences over your Prados. For one, it has a rear air suspension that can be lowered and raised at the press of a button. As it works well, I'm reluctant to give it up to replace it with conventional lift coils and struts. Luckily, it can be tricked into sitting slightly higher. I think I'm leaning toward Bilstein 5100 adjustable front struts. Aiming for approximately 1.5 inches (~3.8 cm) of lift over stock.
The GX 470 also uses Toyota's 4.7-liter V8 engine, five-speed automatic and full-time 4WD with A-TRAC and DAC. I'm not sure how similar that is to what's under your Prados. My particular GX was further optioned up with the relatively unusual Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, which features oversized sway bars that automatically release when more articulation is needed. It's a trick setup that provides flat on-road cornering but increased off road articulation. The system is hydraulic and actually quite simple. I don't believe it was offered on the Prado, but I may be wrong.
Inside, the GX 470 is, as you'd expect from a Lexus, rather luxurious. The leather grade is nicer, there is additional sound deadening, the wood trim is real, etc. It has a third row of seats and both front and rear air conditioning (this is important in Texas, where summer temperatures are routinely 37+ degrees) I wasn't necessarily after luxury, but I am not complaining either. Mine was, fortunately, not equipped with the cumbersome factory navigation system.
Part of the reason I'm on this forum is because there are so many more mods available for the Prado than for the GX. My GX, like the vast majority of them, was used primarily on the carpool run before I bought it. Virtually none of them have ever been put into low range, for instance!
Anyway, here are some photos of the GX 470 shortly after I bought it recently.
April 2014
- Front rotors and pads replaced with OE Toyota parts.
Planned Work
- Torn axle boot (front driver's side)
- ~1.5 inches of lift, one way or another
- More aggressive rubber
- Removal of side steps
- Rubber all-weather floor/cargo mats. Thinking Weathertech, a US brand (frankly, Australian mats look nicer but are only RHD)
- Aux input for factory audio system. Don't want to lose factory head unit as it integrates nicely to the interior
- Improved underbody skid plates
- rocker protection. Will have to be custom as KDSS equipment prohibits me from using any off the shelf units.
The GX 470 is a 120, but it has a number of differences over your Prados. For one, it has a rear air suspension that can be lowered and raised at the press of a button. As it works well, I'm reluctant to give it up to replace it with conventional lift coils and struts. Luckily, it can be tricked into sitting slightly higher. I think I'm leaning toward Bilstein 5100 adjustable front struts. Aiming for approximately 1.5 inches (~3.8 cm) of lift over stock.
The GX 470 also uses Toyota's 4.7-liter V8 engine, five-speed automatic and full-time 4WD with A-TRAC and DAC. I'm not sure how similar that is to what's under your Prados. My particular GX was further optioned up with the relatively unusual Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, which features oversized sway bars that automatically release when more articulation is needed. It's a trick setup that provides flat on-road cornering but increased off road articulation. The system is hydraulic and actually quite simple. I don't believe it was offered on the Prado, but I may be wrong.
Inside, the GX 470 is, as you'd expect from a Lexus, rather luxurious. The leather grade is nicer, there is additional sound deadening, the wood trim is real, etc. It has a third row of seats and both front and rear air conditioning (this is important in Texas, where summer temperatures are routinely 37+ degrees) I wasn't necessarily after luxury, but I am not complaining either. Mine was, fortunately, not equipped with the cumbersome factory navigation system.
Part of the reason I'm on this forum is because there are so many more mods available for the Prado than for the GX. My GX, like the vast majority of them, was used primarily on the carpool run before I bought it. Virtually none of them have ever been put into low range, for instance!
Anyway, here are some photos of the GX 470 shortly after I bought it recently.
April 2014
- Front rotors and pads replaced with OE Toyota parts.
Planned Work
- Torn axle boot (front driver's side)
- ~1.5 inches of lift, one way or another
- More aggressive rubber
- Removal of side steps
- Rubber all-weather floor/cargo mats. Thinking Weathertech, a US brand (frankly, Australian mats look nicer but are only RHD)
- Aux input for factory audio system. Don't want to lose factory head unit as it integrates nicely to the interior
- Improved underbody skid plates
- rocker protection. Will have to be custom as KDSS equipment prohibits me from using any off the shelf units.
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