LX or GX overland build
 

Good afternoon, The wife and I have a 2011 LS460 and a 2010 RX350 and we are looking to purchase an SUV to make an overland build out of. trying to decide between the LX 470 or a GX 570 or even if we should spend more to get an LX 570. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated!

I guess I don't even know where to start.

I'd ignore the GX...tailgate design is a pita in camp when you open the rear door...you cannot put anything on it...like a cutting board for meals or tools for a repair or flight check prior to leaving camp.

That leaves you obviously with a choice between LX's...both of which will work well.

I'd suggest some homework...

I'd start here https://forum.ih8mud.com/categories/...tech-forums.3/ . You'll find off-road builds and more other info than you can imagine for the LX470 in the "100 series" section, and same for the LX570 in the "200 series" area. Sign up and share your plan with people who are just starting out or have btdt a lot. While you're reading, think about how far away from humans you'd like to be. Also consider if you plan on driving mainly on good dirt roads, or on "trails" you kick yourself for taking in the first place. Amhik :yikes:

For more inspiration, I would definitely join the Toyota Land Cruiser Association... https://tlca.org . Bi-monthly magazine (I get the printed version) has fascinating stories of overlanding all over the world, literally. Wife and I plan on the Mohave Desert Highway for 3-4 days next spring. Expedition Portal's website https://expeditionportal.com will also keep you up late at night, wondering about your current AMEX balance. Also an amhik.

If you think overloading by 4-wheel vehicles is fascinating, you will blow your mind by watching either Long Way Down or Long Way Down, normally available on Amazon or Netflix. It's overlanding by the actor Ewen McGowan and his pal "Charley" on a pair of BMW GS motorcycles. "Round" starts and ends in the UK, via Europe, Asia, flight across the Bering Sea, across north America to the shores of the Atlantic. "Down" starts at the northern tip of Scotland, through Europe and Africa, and ends at the Cape of Good Hope. Both will show you the importance of planning the trip, changes in plans on the trip, and patience.

hth and post here or on mud if you need more info.

If it were me....I'd prob go w an older LX as there have been plenty built and much info and parts out there. The GX is a little small and gonna be pricey and the newer LX is gonna be very pricey. I like the size of the last couple gen's of LX also.

I find visibility better in the 470 than 570, though the 570's cameras do a great job too. Crawl and turn control is awesome on the 570, but more technology tends to leave you with more things to break and not work. Far more off-road goodies available for the 470 than 570, but more stuff for the newer truck all the time. 570 for certain if you think of pulling a camp trailer.

I have A lx470 overland build and 2017 lx570. My favorite is the lx470. The series 100 is awesome. See my build link below. Take your time. Have fun with it.

Not 570's but I have had a GX470 and now a LX470.
I had a few vehicles in between but the LX has enough room to sit an adult between two car seats comfortably.
Also, if you have the third row seats down the GX had almost no room between the gate and the seat where the LX still had some space.
In the LX, I have had 6 adults and two kids in car seats with some bags in the back.
If I tried that in the GX it would have been a bit of a show.

My opinion, it comes down to how many passengers and how many items will be coming along for the ride.
I liked my GX a lot but I love my LX (as does the whole family).

I think the GX makes a decent overland platform...used all over the world as landcruiser prado