200 Series (European spec 4.5) Suspension upgrade

[swiftie]

I have a 2014 LC200 4.5 V8 as marketed in the UK with adjustable height suspension. The shocks are not the best (being polite) and obviously my search for any upgraded after market option is proving difficult if not impossible without resorting to standard fixed height suspension which would be a shame given the excellent extra ground clearance it gives which is a major plus off road.

Any ideas from you rather bright lot out there ? (I have to say I am very impressed with this forum to date; it has saved me a fortune on repairing my re circulation flap and shown me the way to turn off that annoying seat belt buzzer in the ECU menu; thanks)

 

[grinchy]

So you have AHC but the ride isn’t good? What are the symptoms and what would you like it to be like? What maintenance have you performed on the AHC system?

 

[bloc]

To my knowledge the only real mod available for the AHC system is the higher rate springs installed in armored cruisers, and possibly installing spacers or trim packers to transfer more load to the spring and less to the shock. No real upgrades for the shocks themselves.

Actually.. I do seem to remember something about different size accumulators which would alter spring rate depending on the suspension mode.. could be way off base on that though.

@TeCKis300 would be a good person to ask.

Also maybe add “AHC” to your thread title for more interest from the people that know about it.

 

[hickuptruck]

You have a couple options:

1 - suspension refresh by either going with new OEM accumulators or ones by Plaedies(they're local to UK) with a sports/firmer accumulator or here: WTV-UK = Toyota LandCruiser Upgrade Sphere Accumulator Kits

2- AHC delete and go for normal static springs and shocks. Details on how to do that are on here, and I've seen a UK LC200 with a AHC delete done by Westcoast off-road in Southport.

I'd get techstream first and check out what kind of pressures you're running and the condition of your accumulators as a first step.

 

[TeCKis300]

Saying that damping is not the best is not particularly useful. What's not working for you about the damping?

More broadly what's not working well for you suspension wise? Handling, body/payload control, compression travel, etc., and in what situations? Do you have mods?

When's the last time you flushed the system?

Sorry for all the questions, but hopefully it might help frame how we can help.

 

[swiftie]

Saying that damping is not the best is not particularly useful. What's not working for you about the damping?

More broadly what's not working well for you suspension wise? Handling, body/payload control, compression travel, etc., and in what situations? Do you have mods?

When's the last time you flushed the system?

Sorry for all the questions, but hopefully it might help frame how we can help.

Thanks for the reply; the issue is damping ability at higher speeds. Springs and roll are good but handling is twitchy on uneven surfaces.

 

[swiftie]

You have a couple options:

1 - suspension refresh by either going with new OEM accumulators or ones by Plaedies(they're local to UK) with a sports/firmer accumulator or here: WTV-UK = Toyota LandCruiser Upgrade Sphere Accumulator Kits

2- AHC delete and go for normal static springs and shocks. Details on how to do that are on here, and I've seen a UK LC200 with a AHC delete done by Westcoast off-road in Southport.

I'd get techstream first and check out what kind of pressures you're running and the condition of your accumulators as a first step.

Thanks for the reply, very kind of you. On the suspension pressures I run an OBD link with either its own software or Carista. Any idea where I can find these pressures or do I need a TSc laptop ? (I will follow your links thank you) Best Swiftie.

 

[swiftie]

To my knowledge the only real mod available for the AHC system is the higher rate springs installed in armored cruisers, and possibly installing spacers or trim packers to transfer more load to the spring and less to the shock. No real upgrades for the shocks themselves.

Actually.. I do seem to remember something about different size accumulators which would alter spring rate depending on the suspension mode.. could be way off base on that though.

@TeCKis300 would be a good person to ask.

Also maybe add “AHC” to your thread title for more interest from the people that know about it.

Thanks; I've got some useful places to start searching for a solution and I will follow your suggestions. Very kind of everyone to reply so quickly; much appreciated. Best Swiftie

 

[hickuptruck]

Thanks for the reply, very kind of you. On the suspension pressures I run an OBD link with either its own software or Carista. Any idea where I can find these pressures or do I need a TSc laptop ? (I will follow your links thank you) Best Swiftie.

Techstream copy cost $30 on ebay with the cable.

 

[swiftie]

You have a couple options:

1 - suspension refresh by either going with new OEM accumulators or ones by Plaedies(they're local to UK) with a sports/firmer accumulator or here: WTV-UK = Toyota LandCruiser Upgrade Sphere Accumulator Kits

2- AHC delete and go for normal static springs and shocks. Details on how to do that are on here, and I've seen a UK LC200 with a AHC delete done by Westcoast off-road in Southport.

I'd get techstream first and check out what kind of pressures you're running and the condition of your accumulators as a first step.

I'm always staggered by the depth of knowledge on these forums; again fantastic reply and thank you for the link. The missing bit for me was that I hadn't realised that the accumulators take the shock rather than the "rams". The penny dropped when I read the Q&A on your link:


"Question = How do I know if the spheres/accumulators on my vehicle need replacing?
when the original spheres/accumulators start to fail your suspension will start to feel harder & more bounce, you start to feel the bumps in the road harder, if one or more of the spheres has totally failed the vehicle will feel every ripple & feel unstable & is unsafe on the road when cornering & can be dangerous to drive = this is due to the ridged suspension & no damper movement on the road wheels, failure to fit new units will damage the hydraulic rams & bushes they are not cheap or easy to replace! most people confuse the Hydraulic Rams with shock absorbers they are Not shock absorbers the spheres/accumulator units are the shocks absorbers! "

This is exactly my issue. Will follow up with a call to them I think.

Again thank you to everyone who has replied to my post.

 

[grinchy]

I'm always staggered by the depth of knowledge on these forums; again fantastic reply and thank you for the link. The missing bit for me was that I hadn't realised that the accumulators take the shock rather than the "rams". The penny dropped when I read the Q&A on your link:


"Question = How do I know if the spheres/accumulators on my vehicle need replacing?
when the original spheres/accumulators start to fail your suspension will start to feel harder & more bounce, you start to feel the bumps in the road harder, if one or more of the spheres has totally failed the vehicle will feel every ripple & feel unstable & is unsafe on the road when cornering & can be dangerous to drive = this is due to the ridged suspension & no damper movement on the road wheels, failure to fit new units will damage the hydraulic rams & bushes they are not cheap or easy to replace! most people confuse the Hydraulic Rams with shock absorbers they are Not shock absorbers the spheres/accumulator units are the shocks absorbers! "

This is exactly my issue. Will follow up with a call to them I think.

Again thank you to everyone who has replied to my post.

I just replaced accumulators on my truck. It is not a hard job. Another member made a video with all the steps earlier this year, it is on here too. I actually sourced parts from Japan via ebay. If you're looking at non UK sources PM me I can send you the seller.

 

[swiftie]

I have a 2014 LC200 4.5 V8 as marketed in the UK with adjustable height suspension. The shocks are not the best (being polite) and obviously my search for any upgraded after market option is proving difficult if not impossible without resorting to standard fixed height suspension which would be a shame given the excellent extra ground clearance it gives which is a major plus off road.

Any ideas from you rather bright lot out there ? (I have to say I am very impressed with this forum to date; it has saved me a fortune on repairing my re circulation flap and shown me the way to turn off that annoying seat belt buzzer in the ECU menu; thanks)

I just replaced accumulators on my truck. It is not a hard job. Another member made a video with all the steps earlier this year, it is on here too. I actually sourced parts from Japan via ebay. If you're looking at non UK sources PM me I can send you the seller.

Thanks; you don't have a link to that video or member's post do you ? It would be quite interesting especially if I ran into the need to adjust the pressures / ride height. Hopefully I wouldn't as the suspension other wise is in good nick (sorry condition !) thanks , Swiftie

 

[grinchy]

For sure:

LX570 AHC Globe/Accumulator Replacement

forum.ih8mud.com