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

[Joe Bob]

There's a lot of info in here... I swear I've read this thread 3 times. I'd like to know why spacers are needed? Can I just install the springs to counter the added weight of sliders, rack, tool kit and future bumpers and then use the ahc high position to get lift for managing approach angles? What am I missing here?

Also, why is a lift needed at all with 33" tires? I thought a lift was only functional to allow for the size tire you want to run.

 

[Visceral]

There's a lot of info in here... I swear I've read this thread 3 times. I'd like to know why spacers are needed? Can I just install the springs to counter the added weight of sliders, rack, tool kit and future bumpers and then use the ahc high position to get lift for managing approach angles? What am I missing here?

Also, why is a lift needed at all with 33" tires? I thought a lift was only functional to allow for the size tire you want to run.

Often the King Springs are enough. You have to get a reading on the AHC rear pressure and find out if it's enough in your situation for your desired height. With a RTT, rear drawers, a fridge, and a trailer, my truck's rear pressure is up at 8 with just the King Springs, so I'm adding 30mm spacers this next weekend. The truck will go to low easily unloaded, so I think I have more room to make the springs "stiffer" with spacers.

While other folks lament the AHC, I absolutely love it. When I add the trailer, load and he fridge, and put the luggage and the kids in, is pops right back up level. When we get to the campsite I put the truck in low so that the rear tailgate "counter height" is good for my height and the Roof Top Tent is easier to put up. Then if I get high centered I can raise the truck a couple last inches to try and help. So far ther haven't been many downsides. I run 33" K02s year round without trouble. I'd love to run 37s, but the IFS is the problem, not the AHC.

 

[Joe Bob]

Often the King Springs are enough.

Okay, so it sounds like King Springs is all I need. Is there any modification I should Do to the front?

 

[Visceral]

Okay, so it sounds like King Springs is all I need. Is there any modification I should Do to the front?

Unless you have a bumper and winch, my experience is that cranking the stock torsion bars is enough. The first post mentions new sway bar endlinks, I think... that's never a bad idea.

 

[BillZ260]

Since this thread is still active I figured I would post up my experience with the AHC lift so far.

My set up is Lift Spacers all around, King Springs rear and adjusted sensors. I added a diff drop, which helped with torque steer and because I replace the front CV's and wanted to keep them as health as possible.

I don't have, but want to add new upper control arms, this is a torsion bar lift issue, not really anything specifically to do with the AHC. The reason is the steering can at time still be a little darty, I don't know if wheel spacers add to this or not, but I have them. Also, when I got it aligned, the shop said it's was the very end of the available adjustment. One side was barely in spec, one side was barely out, the UCA's should remedy this issue, I'll do this before my next set of tires.

Currently no bumpers but planning on steel front and rear, so as those are added I expect I'll need to swap to heavier torsion bars and maybe spacers for the rear, time will tell.

With my current set up, I wheeled my AHC Spacer Lifted LX last weekend with no issues. Running 285/70/17's have room for a tad more tire. My pressures are good, flex was good, ride is great liked being able to bump up to HIGH for water crossings and LOW for the campsite. I want to keep the AHC, it's just so versatile!

 

[DirtDawg]

Since this thread is still active I figured I would post up my experience with the AHC lift so far.

My set up is Lift Spacers all around, King Springs rear and adjusted sensors. I added a diff drop, which helped with torque steer and because I replace the front CV's and wanted to keep them as health as possible.

I don't have, but want to add new upper control arms, this is a torsion bar lift issue, not really anything specifically to do with the AHC. The reason is the steering can at time still be a little darty, I don't know if wheel spacers add to this or not, but I have them. Also, when I got it aligned, the shop said it's was the very end of the available adjustment. One side was barely in spec, one side was barely out, the UCA's should remedy this issue, I'll do this before my next set of tires.

Currently no bumpers but planning on steel front and rear, so as those are added I expect I'll need to swap to heavier torsion bars and maybe spacers for the rear, time will tell.

With my current set up, I wheeled my AHC Spacer Lifted LX last weekend with no issues. Running 285/70/17's have room for a tad more tire. My pressures are good, flex was good, ride is great liked being able to bump up to HIGH for water crossings and LOW for the campsite. I want to keep the AHC, it's just so versatile!

View attachment 1495953 View attachment 1495950 View attachment 1495951

Glad its working well for you! I love the system and even though I no longer have AHC, I believe its a great system that more people need to utilize.

 

[ntsaint]

I have a set of the Japanese shock spacer mounts if anyone wants them, be willing to sell.

 

[BillZ260]

Glad its working well for you! I love the system and even though I no longer have AHC, I believe its a great system that more people need to utilize.

DD, Holler if you want to get out for the day or maybe camp when it's cooler. Got lucky last weekend, it was pretty nice in the Ozarks. You are in OKC right, or Stillwater?

 

[DirtDawg]

DD, Holler if you want to get out for the day or maybe camp when it's cooler. Got lucky last weekend, it was pretty nice in the Ozarks. You are in OKC right, or Stillwater?

Both actually, I live in Stillwater but depending on where I work I will stay with family/friends in OKC.

 

[Joe Bob]

I have a set of the Japanese shock spacer mounts if anyone wants them, be willing to sell.

Any reason you are ditching them? Or, are they just extra?

 

[ntsaint]

I just decided not to mess with my setup anymore. The shocks do top out on occasion but it's extremely rare. If I stretched it more I would def go ahead and use them.

 

[sorich]

I have a set of the Japanese shock spacer mounts if anyone wants them, be willing to sell.

I'm interested. Send details when you can like cost with shipping and condition, etc. Thanks!

 

[ntsaint]

I'm interested. Send details when you can like cost with shipping and condition, etc. Thanks!

They are brand new, never used, still in the box they came in.

Below is my paypal invoice.


Shipping information:
Michael Martin
United States

Purchase from Japan4x4 Co.Ltd.
¥19,900 JPY
1
19,900 JPY

Total:
¥19,900 JPY

Exchange rate: 1 USD = 97.5249 JPY
Amount you'll pay (transaction currency):
$204.06 USD


$150 shipped will take them. I have already had one inquiry, he is first in line until end of day today.

 

[BillZ260]

Just a note, you MIGHT have to trim down the sleeve, I did, about 1/4". I'll dig up my correspondence with the seller and post. Essentially, they way he was cutting them, you can see that there is no room for the sleeve once you wrap it around the shock mount on your truck.

 

[DirtDawg]

I had to cut my sleeves down a little bit too, just FYI.

 

[ntsaint]

They are brand new, never used, still in the box they came in.

Below is my paypal invoice.


Shipping information:
Michael Martin
United States

Purchase from Japan4x4 Co.Ltd.
¥19,900 JPY
1
19,900 JPY

Total:
¥19,900 JPY

Exchange rate: 1 USD = 97.5249 JPY
Amount you'll pay (transaction currency):
$204.06 USD


$150 shipped will take them. I have already had one inquiry, he is first in line until end of day today.

View attachment 1496398

Sold

 

[monkey620]

Hi there. This has been a really helpful thread as I try to decide how to lift my 01 LX470. I love the idea of keeping the AHC, but hadn't thought it was really possible in a lifted trail rig. To the OP, why did you end up removing the AHC after doing all the work of lifting it etc.? Are you running OME now? Those are the 2 real possibilities I'm considering.

To anyone that may have an answer, can you do the AHC type sensor and shock mount lift using OME springs? I was thinking this so that at least then I'd be half way to eliminating the AHC if I did end up deciding to go that way if the system failed or was just too soft??

thanks a lot for any replies!

 

[DirtDawg]

Hi there. This has been a really helpful thread as I try to decide how to lift my 01 LX470. I love the idea of keeping the AHC, but hadn't thought it was really possible in a lifted trail rig. To the OP, why did you end up removing the AHC after doing all the work of lifting it etc.? Are you running OME now? Those are the 2 real possibilities I'm considering.

To anyone that may have an answer, can you do the AHC type sensor and shock mount lift using OME springs? I was thinking this so that at least then I'd be half way to eliminating the AHC if I did end up deciding to go that way if the system failed or was just too soft??

thanks a lot for any replies!

In the end I loved the concept I threw together, but my AHC system was not working properly and would have taken a pretty penny to fix, so I decided to opt for a conventional setup. I would have loved to keep the system, it was just not logical at the time; I needed new rear globes and the main valve assembly I believe. Plus my bushings were shot on the system. I installed a tough dog system sold by @reevesci and have loved it ever since.

I would not go with OME coils if you are going to keep the AHC for a while. The spring rate will be too high compared to any AHC coil. The king springs stiffened the rear up enough, i feel that the OME coils would ruin the ride completely.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Sold

By chance if it doesnt work out with the ten guys ahead of me, Im interested.

 

[ntsaint]

Ha. Paid and shipped.