That's a good example to illustrate how the same platform can have different GVWR's depending on its suspension setup. But does that directly apply to the LC 200? For example, does the LC 200's GVWR change depending on it if has the V8 diesel or the V8 gasoline as its powerplant? If it does, by how much?
It probably doesn't directly apply to a 200, but I don't know it that well. If anything, I bet the diesel has less payload due to more weight.
A better comparison is this: if they had a 4.0 V6 LC200, and rated the towing capacity at 4500 lbs, then we know it's a performance / marketing driven spec, not safety. Axles, brakes, suspension, and frame are safety driven factors, and they stay the same.
If I choose to limit my throttle to <50% on the 5.7 V8, does the truck suddenly have a lower tow capacity?
So an additional 1458lbs of weight can technically be put on the axles? Or do you read that to mean that difference in axle rating between the 4runner and the LC200 is 1458lbs?
As I understand it, the GAWR is indicating the total weight that the axle can support. So if the LC 200 has GAWR's of 3595lbs and 4300lbs for the front and rear respectively, that means it can hold that much total weight (which includes the weight of the engine, body, frame, ect.). The LC200 being 1,000-1,400lbs heavier than the 4runner (depending on the 4runner's specific trim), I would expect its axle ratings to be somewhat higher; the LC200's axles need to support added vehicle weight relative to the 4runner.
Guess I should've been more clear, let's look at it from another perspective:
The LC200's combined axle rating is 2080 lbs above its curb weight (3595+4300-5815 lbs)
The 4Runner's combined axle rating is 1687 lbs above its curb weight (2998+3439-4750 lbs)
Therefore, the LC has more axle capacity relative to its curb weight than the 4Runner. This agrees with my initial guess than the LC is more tolerant to over-loading despite similar official payload limits.
And once again, not everything is relative to the curb weight. I go back to my original example: is a Mini Cooper loaded at GVW just as tough as an Oshkosh loaded at GVW? If they both hit a small tree stump at 15 mph? Will the results be identical because both of their axles are designed for their GVW?