Remove active suspension on LX ?

[Raphael]

Hi all,

I am in the process to buy a LandCruiser 100. And I really like the additional comfort of the LX but not the suspension.

How difficult it is to remove the active suspension on a LX ?

Thank you,

Raphael

[jeffdavis1053]

Well I just removed the AHC "shocks", and replaced with OME HD kit. I don't think that was much harder to do than what it takes to do the same thing to a 'Cruiser.
Now if you're taking about ripping out all the other AHC components , it might be a pain in the ass, but I didn't do that to mine, and have a 0 problems so far.

[Jim_Chow]

Originally Posted by jeffdavis1053

Well I just removed the AHC "shocks", and replaced with OME HD kit. I don't think that was much harder to do than what it takes to do the same thing to a 'Cruiser.
Now if you're taking about ripping out all the other AHC components , it might be a pain in the ass, but I didn't do that to mine, and have a 0 problems so far.

What did you cap off the lines with? BTW, looking at toyota-parts.com, if one wants to convert the LX suspension to stock OEM, all you need to change are the front t-bars, rear coils, rear stabilizer bar, rear bumpers (I think they mean the rubber bumpstops for the rear coils?) and rear stabilizer bar bushings. The other suspension parts are all the same when comparing the '03-'05 LC (no AHC) with the '06-07 LC. Toyota-parts.com quotes around $265 for each t-bar, $110 for the rear stabilizer, $64 for the bumpers, $8 for stab bar bushings, $110-120 for each rear coil. The OEM shocks must suck since they are only $30 each. I'd go w/ Bilsteins (around $75 ea). It's around $900 plus price of the shocks. Otherwise, if you want OEM height/ride, I don't know how else to get it 'cause all the other suspensions are 2" lifts. IMHO, $1200 for a OEM non-AHC suspension w/ Bilsteins is a decent deal considering the least expensive replacement accumulator globes from B&B suspension are around $1300/set, and OEM is around $2K-2.5K.

[slimbuddha]

Originally Posted by Jim_Chow

What did you cap off the lines with? BTW, looking at toyota-parts.com, if one wants to convert the LX suspension to stock OEM, all you need to change are the front t-bars, rear coils, rear stabilizer bar, rear bumpers (I think they mean the rubber bumpstops for the rear coils?) and rear stabilizer bar bushings. The other suspension parts are all the same when comparing the '03-'05 LC (no AHC) with the '06-07 LC. Toyota-parts.com quotes around $265 for each t-bar, $110 for the rear stabilizer, $64 for the bumpers, $8 for stab bar bushings, $110-120 for each rear coil. The OEM shocks must suck since they are only $30 each. I'd go w/ Bilsteins (around $75 ea). It's around $900 plus price of the shocks. Otherwise, if you want OEM height/ride, I don't know how else to get it 'cause all the other suspensions are 2" lifts. IMHO, $1200 for a OEM non-AHC suspension w/ Bilsteins is a decent deal considering the least expensive replacement accumulator globes from B&B suspension are around $1300/set, and OEM is around $2K-2.5K.

Even cheaper, considering how it is likely you can find the T-bars, springs, etc from someone who upgraded to OME 2" lift anyway.

[jeffdavis1053]

Welded 'em

Originally Posted by Jim_Chow

What did you cap off the lines with? BTW, looking at toyota-parts.com, if one wants to convert the LX suspension to stock OEM, all you need to change are the front t-bars, rear coils, rear stabilizer bar, rear bumpers (I think they mean the rubber bumpstops for the rear coils?) and rear stabilizer bar bushings. The other suspension parts are all the same when comparing the '03-'05 LC (no AHC) with the '06-07 LC. Toyota-parts.com quotes around $265 for each t-bar, $110 for the rear stabilizer, $64 for the bumpers, $8 for stab bar bushings, $110-120 for each rear coil. The OEM shocks must suck since they are only $30 each. I'd go w/ Bilsteins (around $75 ea). It's around $900 plus price of the shocks. Otherwise, if you want OEM height/ride, I don't know how else to get it 'cause all the other suspensions are 2" lifts. IMHO, $1200 for a OEM non-AHC suspension w/ Bilsteins is a decent deal considering the least expensive replacement accumulator globes from B&B suspension are around $1300/set, and OEM is around $2K-2.5K.

[Raphael]

Thank you all for your replies. Very helpful. Raphael

[r3run33]

hey jim there was a guy a little ways back saying that switching out the ahc system affects the stabilty of the lx's i did not believe this to be true any info on that??

[Jim_Chow]

Originally Posted by r3run33

hey jim there was a guy a little ways back saying that switching out the ahc system affects the stabilty of the lx's i did not believe this to be true any info on that??

I think I remember that post. IIRC, it was saying that the swaybars and maybe other suspension components are sized assuming the AHC is working. It's not just replace the shocks/rear coils and front t-bars and you're good to go.

I did a check on Toyota Parts Accessory Dealer Toyota Auto Parts Accessories and found that the front sway bar is the same for both non-AHC and AHC LC's, but the rear swaybar is different on the non-AHC LC. So in the front, the t-bars are beefier on the non-AHC LC. In the rear, the sway bar and coils are beefier. But by replacing the sway bar in the rear, you need to replace the little rubber bushings and I think a nut here and there are only single use. The rubber bump stops for the rear coils are different on the LC vs. the LX (I'm guessing a different length?). The other stuff (front sway bar, lateral rod, upper/lower control arms in front/rear) all has the same P/N's for the non-AHC and AHC LC's. Then there are the shocks. After you replace all that, the suspension should be identical to that on a stock LC although I'd recommend one use aftermarket shocks, either Bilstein or OME.

Has anyone w/ a stock suspension replaced only the shocks w/ OME? Does anyone make some kind of caps to seal off the AHC lines at the shocks?

[r3run33]

thanks jim i really did not think that guy was correct thanks for the info on all the part numbers

[hoser]

Thanks for the info Jim. Can somebody with an LC measure the diameter of the rear sway bar with a micrometer? I'll do the same when I get my LX back.