I have a 2000 LX470 with 185k miles that I inherited from my father. Ive been getting everything up to date with maintenance, and the suspension is something I just kind of forgot about until now. My mom has a 2006 LC that has an OME Medium kit on it, and I noticed that my LX was driving rougher than hers, which definitely didn’t feel right. Small bumps were super rough, and after a bunch of reading, I did a gradation test to find out I was getting only about 8 ticks on my AHC reservoir. I checked, and surely enough, my globes are original and have a production date of November,1999! So, I am in the position of deciding whether or not to replace the globes and crank torsion bars to get the pressures back in spec, or to just replace the AHC with a conventional LC suspension.
OEM Globes will be about $950 total on eBay, and I will most likely replace the stock springs with new OEM as well to get the rear pressures back down. I will turn the torsion bars up front to get the front pressures in spec. If I went with a conventional LC Suspension, I would be looking at $850 for the shocks, springs, and washers from Cruiser Parts. I would still need to get stock LC torsion bars, which would be about another $750 for new OEM.
Initially, it would be cheaper to just replace the AHC globes and keep rocking that setup, but my real concern is the longevity of the other AHC components down the line. It is very difficult to find the hydraulic lines that connect all four of the shocks and actuators, so I am concerned about those in the future.
Does anybody have thoughts as to whether I should keep the AHC or replace with a stock LC suspension? I know there are lift kits available for $1000 that come with torsion bars and everything, but I prefer to keep things stock, and I do not have any extra weight. Love to get the thoughts and opinions of anyone who was in this same situation.
OEM Globes will be about $950 total on eBay, and I will most likely replace the stock springs with new OEM as well to get the rear pressures back down. I will turn the torsion bars up front to get the front pressures in spec. If I went with a conventional LC Suspension, I would be looking at $850 for the shocks, springs, and washers from Cruiser Parts. I would still need to get stock LC torsion bars, which would be about another $750 for new OEM.
Initially, it would be cheaper to just replace the AHC globes and keep rocking that setup, but my real concern is the longevity of the other AHC components down the line. It is very difficult to find the hydraulic lines that connect all four of the shocks and actuators, so I am concerned about those in the future.
Does anybody have thoughts as to whether I should keep the AHC or replace with a stock LC suspension? I know there are lift kits available for $1000 that come with torsion bars and everything, but I prefer to keep things stock, and I do not have any extra weight. Love to get the thoughts and opinions of anyone who was in this same situation.