Longtime lurker. Getting ready to do an AHC delete. My 2006 LX is a New Jersey and Delaware beach vehicle (been at DE shore year round for last four years). Frame is still solid but the rust is significant. Over the last 50K miles I replaced muffler, brake line and recently AHC line to passenger rear globe is blown (all globes original). AHC is out and Truck is stuck in L. I understand AHC is great but I think with this rust its time for new suspension.
I don't run heavy and no trails just beaches (surf fishing DE shore). I am thinking LC OE suspension or something close to that. Small lift is fine (1"-1.5").
I need a sanity check to ensure I am thinking about this properly. Full LC OE suspension parts only is about $1,500. Thats with used LC TBs (cant use my LXs because they are made for AHC and not stock LC suspension). New TBs are $500 per (used about $125 per). Rear OE LC springs are pricey, about $220 per.
Based on this, I am thinking 1) used TBs, everything else OE LC (shocks, springs, retainers, bump stops, etc.) with Slee 30mm spacers in back for slight lift (I will adjust front with the TBs), or 2) same setup but rather than OE rear springs with 30mm spacers, just OME 2865 springs no spacers. Considering the cost of OE springs and spacer, option 2 is cheaper by $350 or so.
I am thinking the ride with either option 1 or 2 would be very similar and no diff drop kit needed?
Third option is fixing AHC with new hydraulic line and 4 new globes. I am guessing this is cheaper than options above by a few hundred $$ but the odds of another AHC problem sooner rather than later seems likely.
In addition to this suspension issue also doing timing belt, WP (last completed at 110K) and both front wheel bearings.
Good friend is a Toyota mechanic with full lift in his home garage so he is helping me with this (he did prior tbelt and WP for me). We checked the frame last week as he did not recommend spending any $$ if it was shot. He was pleasantly surprised at the overall condition of the frame considering the amount of rust we were knocking off. So the plan is to move forward.
Regarding suspension, any thoughts would be welcome and appreciate the feedback.
I don't run heavy and no trails just beaches (surf fishing DE shore). I am thinking LC OE suspension or something close to that. Small lift is fine (1"-1.5").
I need a sanity check to ensure I am thinking about this properly. Full LC OE suspension parts only is about $1,500. Thats with used LC TBs (cant use my LXs because they are made for AHC and not stock LC suspension). New TBs are $500 per (used about $125 per). Rear OE LC springs are pricey, about $220 per.
Based on this, I am thinking 1) used TBs, everything else OE LC (shocks, springs, retainers, bump stops, etc.) with Slee 30mm spacers in back for slight lift (I will adjust front with the TBs), or 2) same setup but rather than OE rear springs with 30mm spacers, just OME 2865 springs no spacers. Considering the cost of OE springs and spacer, option 2 is cheaper by $350 or so.
I am thinking the ride with either option 1 or 2 would be very similar and no diff drop kit needed?
Third option is fixing AHC with new hydraulic line and 4 new globes. I am guessing this is cheaper than options above by a few hundred $$ but the odds of another AHC problem sooner rather than later seems likely.
In addition to this suspension issue also doing timing belt, WP (last completed at 110K) and both front wheel bearings.
Good friend is a Toyota mechanic with full lift in his home garage so he is helping me with this (he did prior tbelt and WP for me). We checked the frame last week as he did not recommend spending any $$ if it was shot. He was pleasantly surprised at the overall condition of the frame considering the amount of rust we were knocking off. So the plan is to move forward.
Regarding suspension, any thoughts would be welcome and appreciate the feedback.