2-2.5" AHC Lift Using King Coils & Shock Spacers

[JJ_SC]

Awesome - thanks Dawg & Hoser. Exactly the info I was looking for.

Any idea about availability of those spacers? Is the guy in Japan still around?

 

[moosecall45]

DirtDawg-
I've read this through a couple of times and feel as though I have a solid grasp on your logic and agree this occured prior to me buying my 99 LX470 about a month ago. I have a couple of questions before i pull the trigger.
1. I gathered from this forum that the king rear shock is a step up from the stocks as far as load holding. what would be the next step up without using shock spacers in the rear? does king make another shock that would make it even more load holding? at what payload did you feel the need to add the spacer?
2. I've gotten in touch with Dave and should be in the process of lifting after the new year. thoughts on welding the units in? If this was a possibility for you why did you not go this route? Was it due to the possible/inevitable failure of the stock AHC system and giving you options to go the standard route. The reason I ask is for all intents and purposes this is a spacer kit more or less and relying on that bolted piece gives me slight pause. Did you run into anything that made you hesitate? To what extent did you go full on off roading with this setup before you swapped. I really like the idea of this setup and depending on what breaks preferably the AHC shocks those are relatively cheap even from the dealer.
3. In regards to the front end is there a king shock to replace the stock front spring? I know that it does minimum duty based on the TB's carrying most of the load. But based on Slees guide he says something inregards to the whole package springs included. You recommend sticking with the stock units, but if one were to go about upgrading that any recommendation you would give on what direction to go as far as replacements. I do intend to go full armour minus ballistic protection... with rack awning and water system.

-Cheers and thanks for your ever vigilant knowledge that you share with this forum.

 

[BEG]

I ll let @DirtDawg comment on his experiences with the extension brackets, but you have a few misconceptions about the way the AHC system works:

1. I gathered from this forum that the king rear shock is a step up from the stocks as far as load holding. what would be the next step up without using shock spacers in the rear? does king make another shock that would make it even more load holding? at what payload did you feel the need to add the spacer?

You might be confusing King Springs with King Shocks (two different companies, AFAIK). King rear AHC springs are an upgrade from the stock AHC springs. You can add a spring spacer to the spring (NOT the same as the shock extenders) to increase the preload, if necessary, for additional weight. In order to know whether or not you need to upgrade springs and/or spacers, you need to know what the pressures of the AHC system are at your target weight.

3. In regards to the front end is there a king shock to replace the stock front spring? I know that it does minimum duty based on the TB's carrying most of the load. But based on Slees guide he says something inregards to the whole package springs included. You recommend sticking with the stock units, but if one were to go about upgrading that any recommendation you would give on what direction to go as far as replacements. I do intend to go full armour minus ballistic protection... with rack awning and water system.

There are no aftermarket upgrades for the factory AHC shock actuators that I know of, and I don't think they would have much effect anyway since the damping is done on the frame mounted accumulators/globes. You can purchase different globes with lower gas volume/ higher nitrogen pressure which nets a higher total spring rate compared to the factory globes. The ideal solution would be if someone started producing a torsion bar option with a rate between the AHC and the non-AHC bars, but no such animal exists, AFAIK.

 

[moosecall45]

@BEG for the
1. I misspoke I meant king shock if I could edit I would . We are on the same page and I understand monitoring pressures to get a picture of what is going on, just looking for data points primarily at what point in loading that anyone who has gone this route needed to get springs and spacers referencing parts that got installed or weights.
3. I again misspoke meant to say king spring for the front coil/spring over AHC shock. So even the non AHC TB wouldnt bridge this gap?

Thank you for taking the time to get me on the right path.

 

[AFei]

I'm thinking of the same thing for my LX, but got a little bit confused while researching.
Please excuse me for a stupid question. What is the purpose of this lift? Will it give me more ground clearance?

My understanding is that it lift up the body, which improve the front end clearance since it's IFS, but the rear end clearance stay same because of the live axle? However, this lift makes it possible to fit in the larger tire which increase the ground clearance. Am I right? If so, what tire size, ie 33", should we look at with a ~2" AHC lift?

Please forgive me as I knew the info spreads in the threads. I think it might be helpful to have all related info into the same thread.

Thanks! and Happy Holidays!

 

[moosecall45]

I'm thinking of the same thing for my LX, but got a little bit confused while researching.
Please excuse me for a stupid question. What is the purpose of this lift? Will it give me more ground clearance?

My understanding is that it lift up the body, which improve the front end clearance since it's IFS, but the rear end clearance stay same because of the live axle? However, this lift makes it possible to fit in the larger tire which increase the ground clearance. Am I right? If so, what tire size, ie 33", should we look at with a ~2" AHC lift?

Please forgive me as I knew the info spreads in the threads. I think it might be helpful to have all related info into the same thread.

Thanks! and Happy Holidays!

Did you not read the entirety of this thread? 1 and 2.yes any lift will give you more ground clearance. 3. it raises your stock suspension mounting points, it is a set of 4 AHC or any shock really mounts for front and rear. The height will not change until you adjust the height sensors. You will need the new springs for the rear and adjust loading on the torsion bars. DirtDawg tells you the gains possible with this setup as far as how much lift front and back. 4. you can fit 33" tires without a lift that is also in the forum and I can vouch for fitment I have 33" tires. 5. most all of this information is held in these 11 pages of forum gold or a link or description of who or what to look for so I dont know how you missed it.

 

[AFei]

Did you not read the entirety of this thread? 1 and 2.yes any lift will give you more ground clearance. 3. it raises your stock suspension mounting points, it is a set of 4 AHC or any shock really mounts for front and rear. The height will not change until you adjust the height sensors. You will need the new springs for the rear and adjust loading on the torsion bars. DirtDawg tells you the gains possible with this setup as far as how much lift front and back. 4. you can fit 33" tires without a lift that is also in the forum and I can vouch for fitment I have 33" tires. 5. most all of this information is held in these 11 pages of forum gold or a link or description of who or what to look for so I dont know how you missed it.

Yes, I did. And not just this thread, but also lots of other threads. Lots of great information, thanks for all contributors, including OP and you! However, as a newbie to LC/LX and Offroad, it's easily got lost in the mud of too much info. That's why I asked the questions. It's just a pure question, no intention to offense anything. That's also the way how I learn.

Thanks for confirming 33" tire can be fit even without any lift, although I was thinking to fit larger tire like 34" or even 35".

 

[AFei]

My goal is to increase the min ground clearance for at least 1.5", while maintain the factory room as much as possible.

From my research, the only way to increase the min ground clearance is to increase the tire diagram. The factory tire I believe is 31", and so at least a 34" tire is needed to increase the min ground clearance by 1.5".

• I don't think lift will increase ground clearance. It lift up the body, which improve the approach/crossover/departure angle, but the min ground clearance stays same at the bottom of the "pumpkin" of rear axle.

The (front) tire has 3 movements: rotation, turn, vertical. Larger tires will impact all 3 movements. So the lift should take care of the change on vertical movement. For a LX470 with AHC, AHC sensor lift is easiest way to get 2' lift. However, the simple AHC sensor lift just reduce the height adjustment room (for increase) by 2" which doesn't meet the goal of maintaining the factory room.

I believe it's also the intention of OP and why @DirtDawg decided to do the suspension spacer lift. In this case, the lift was actually done by the AHC spacers, while the AHC sensors were moved to accompany the change of body height to maintain the factory adjustment room.

I believe this is exactly what I'd like to do, as it preserve the capacity of AHC.

 

[bamabrock]

My goal is to increase the min ground clearance for at least 1.5", while maintain the factory room as much as possible.

From my research, the only way to increase the min ground clearance is to increase the tire diagram. The factory tire I believe is 31", and so at least a 34" tire is needed to increase the min ground clearance by 1.5".

• I don't think lift will increase ground clearance. It lift up the body, which improve the approach/crossover/departure angle, but the min ground clearance stays same at the bottom of the "pumpkin" of rear axle.

The (front) tire has 3 movements: rotation, turn, vertical. Larger tires will impact all 3 movements. So the lift should take care of the change on vertical movement. For a LX470 with AHC, AHC sensor lift is easiest way to get 2' lift. However, the simple AHC sensor lift just reduce the height adjustment room (for increase) by 2" which doesn't meet the goal of maintaining the factory room.

I believe it's also the intention of OP and why DirtDawgdecided to do the suspension spacer lift. In this case, the lift was actually done by the AHC spacers, while the AHC sensors were moved to accompany the change of body height to maintain the factory adjustment room.

I believe this is exactly what I'd like to do, as it preserve the capacity of AHC.

A 33.2" tall 275/70/18 tire will fit your stock vehicle. Here's my truck when stock with 275/70/18s in low, neutral and high mode. Only rubs in low mode.

 

[AFei]

A 33.2" tall 275/70/18 tire will fit your stock vehicle. Here's my truck when stock with 275/70/18s in low, neutral and high mode. Only rubs in low mode.

Great info. Thanks for sharing! Good looking white. I love white especially under Arizona sun.

For the rubbing at Low mode, I'd think a more negative offset wheel should take care of it?

 

[bamabrock]

Great info. Thanks for sharing! Good looking white. I love white especially under Arizona sun.

For the rubbing at Low mode, I'd think a more negative offset wheel should take care of it?

It doesn't matter if it slightly rubs in low mode. You wont be driving it like that.

 

[AFei]

It doesn't matter if it slightly rubs in low mode. You wont be driving it like that.

Actually another question. I assume you carry the same size of spare tire. Does it fit in the spare tire well? How tight is the fit? Thanks!

 

[bamabrock]

Actually another question. I assume you carry the same size of spare tire. Does it fit in the spare tire well? How tight is the fit? Thanks!

it will fit.

 

[AFei]

it will fit.

Great info!

So basically a 33.2" 275/70R18 gives a 1.1" actual lift at the min ground clearance, comparing to the stock 31" of 275/60R18, which is pretty close to my goal of at least 1.5" increase of min ground clearance. Sounds like I should invest the money of getting another 0.4"~0.9" to something else, if the another 0.4"~0.9" doesn't really make big difference on the offroading capacity. Any experience or recommendation?

To clarify, my primary purpose with this LX470 is to go places, remote and wild places solo most likely, on established trails.

 

[bamabrock]

Great info!

So basically a 33.2" 275/70R18 gives a 1.1" actual lift at the min ground clearance, comparing to the stock 31" of 275/60R18, which is pretty close to my goal of at least 1.5" increase of min ground clearance. Sounds like I should invest the money of getting another 0.4"~0.9" to something else, if the another 0.4"~0.9" doesn't really make big difference on the offroading capacity. Any experience or recommendation?

To clarify, my primary purpose with this LX470 is to go places, remote and wild places solo most likely, on established trails.

I've put thousands of offroad miles on my stock LX with those tires. I see no need to lift mine as it raises in 4Lo and is a DD. Go put a few miles on it and see what you think you'll need.

 

[BEG]

Great info!

So basically a 33.2" 275/70R18 gives a 1.1" actual lift at the min ground clearance, comparing to the stock 31" of 275/60R18, which is pretty close to my goal of at least 1.5" increase of min ground clearance. Sounds like I should invest the money of getting another 0.4"~0.9" to something else, if the another 0.4"~0.9" doesn't really make big difference on the offroading capacity. Any experience or recommendation?

To clarify, my primary purpose with this LX470 is to go places, remote and wild places solo most likely, on established trails.

For your expressed purpose, 33" is fine. The AHC high and extra-high settings will easily get you through anything you're likely to come across. The differentials are the lowest part, but they are cleverly offset to avoid the usual hang ups. If you do need additional clearance it will probably be in the way of more approach/departure angle.

 

[Sargy]

Im having great results using Dobinson springs (C59-221V, originally for 80 series). This is with sensors maxed out on their original bracket. Helm joints up front were not shortened. Neutral pressure out back were about 6.0 give or take. Initial reactions showed that I had fairly strong rebound, without a lot of bounce. After a few days of settling this improved. Stopped by Lowes to buy 210lbs worth of Sand tube bags and the ride now better than stock. Rear also has 295/70/18 spare and 3rd row, dissent bumper coming soon

Again, the ride is much more compliant now with a lot more control with the stiffer spring after about 1k miles of driving. Rides like a dream with firmer bumps, nothing jarring. You guys with more lift could benefit with this setup, without the sandbags and more weight capacity.

I took a leap of faith with this one.

 

[AFei]

I've put thousands of offroad miles on my stock LX with those tires. I see no need to lift mine as it raises in 4Lo and is a DD. Go put a few miles on it and see what you think you'll need.

Good idea! Will try out stock setting with larger tires first before calling for lift.

For your expressed purpose, 33" is fine. The AHC high and extra-high settings will easily get you through anything you're likely to come across

Good to know. How could you enable the "extra-high" setting? Didn't see it on the switch although. Is it something automatically when you put into 4Lo and/or enable CDL?

 

[BEG]

Good to know. How could you enable the "extra-high" setting? Didn't see it on the switch although. Is it something automatically when you put into 4Lo and/or enable CDL?

It's automatic. If the t case is in 4lo, the AHC is in H and one of the wheels freewheels, the AHC automatically raises up an extra 30mm and 20mm in the front and rear, respectively.

 

[AFei]

It's automatic. If the t case is in 4lo, the AHC is in H and one of the wheels freewheels, the AHC automatically raises up an extra 30mm and 20mm in the front and rear, respectively.

Great! I'm in love with AHC and won't mind renewint it when it fails in the future.