AHC and adding lots of weight
- Thread starter Wilsil
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Supply and demand? Economies of scale?
Almost certainly scale. The Toyota globes are oddball fitting/size/pressure and they just don't mKe that many of them. They aren't that expensive by comparison though...yes more than plain old shocks but vs any of the aftermarket 'performance' systems they are in range. I mean basically AHC is a high performance remote reservoir system that is on-the-fly adjustable. If you want Kings they'll get you for $1000 per corner and those won't autolevel/height adjust!
I was actually thinking it might be interesting to mfg a fitting that would let us swap the Toyota globe for one (or maybe pair) of Citroen globes just for fun/see what happens. I doubt one Citroen globe would work well since the 100 series weighs so much and has so much suspension travel (relative to a sedan).
The downside to AHC vs aftermarket is just that it was designed for stock height & weight. Needs some options to better adapt for overweight and lifted rigs.
I was actually thinking it might be interesting to mfg a fitting that would let us swap the Toyota globe for one (or maybe pair) of Citroen globes just for fun/see what happens. I doubt one Citroen globe would work well since the 100 series weighs so much and has so much suspension travel (relative to a sedan).
The downside to AHC vs aftermarket is just that it was designed for stock height & weight. Needs some options to better adapt for overweight and lifted rigs.
Citroen accumulators for the LC100. US$200/ea
Toyota Landcruiser Amazon 1998>2007 AHC Suspension COMFORT Accumulators Spheres | eBay
Toyota Landcruiser Amazon 1998>2007 AHC Suspension COMFORT Accumulators Spheres | eBay
Economies of scale wouldn't be the case if Citron really makes these and owns the patents, tooling, etc. and these are on several trucks/cars for each Toy/Lex (not including any of the Citron models if they are in fact the maker of the Toy/Lex units) and each model I can think of is sold worldwide. I'm hundreds of thousands of vehicles to millions. Economies of scale? Maybe. I doubt it if in fact Citron makes the thing and sells it (and/or the technology) on many of their cars.
Hoser, I may take a chance on those globes. My ride is pretty firm on the Sport setting (almost jarring) but I can get a really supple ride on the Soft/Comfort setting. The beef I have with the AHC is I'm planning to add 300-400 pounds to the ride in winches, etc. and I don't like the side to side swaying that's on all levels except the most Sport (which is just a touch too jarring). I was hoping LC torsions and springs would fix both the extra weight and the swaying.
Hoser, I may take a chance on those globes. My ride is pretty firm on the Sport setting (almost jarring) but I can get a really supple ride on the Soft/Comfort setting. The beef I have with the AHC is I'm planning to add 300-400 pounds to the ride in winches, etc. and I don't like the side to side swaying that's on all levels except the most Sport (which is just a touch too jarring). I was hoping LC torsions and springs would fix both the extra weight and the swaying.
Ride comfort is subjective but yes, changing the t-bars and springs will both increase load capacity and reduce sway. And when you add more weight, sport mode will be less sporty. Make one change at a time. Try using rear 80 series springs (both from same side). I believe the spring rate to be lower than 100. Both 80 and 100 have unequal length springs but the 80 is "more unequal."
Hoser, wait, adding LC torsion and springs (from a 100) will increase my spring rate and thusly reduce my swaying effect. But then why do springs/TBs from an 80?
My plan was to add a few hundred pounds (drawers, winch, recovery gear, spare parts, sliders, etc) and then I expect the ride to be less desirable (more squish and even more sway). Right now the highest sport setting is a bit jarring on bumps but has no sway (love the no sway) while the next high sport setting is perfect over bumps but sways way too much. The other settings feel like the car is a boat on water; useless except for offroad.
The plan to rectify this would be to increase my spring rates correct? So add LC springs/TBs from a 100... right? The new increased spring rate should reduce the swaying and counter balance the extra weight, i think.
I'll do all this in stages but want to make sure the plan is simply right to begin with.
My plan was to add a few hundred pounds (drawers, winch, recovery gear, spare parts, sliders, etc) and then I expect the ride to be less desirable (more squish and even more sway). Right now the highest sport setting is a bit jarring on bumps but has no sway (love the no sway) while the next high sport setting is perfect over bumps but sways way too much. The other settings feel like the car is a boat on water; useless except for offroad.
The plan to rectify this would be to increase my spring rates correct? So add LC springs/TBs from a 100... right? The new increased spring rate should reduce the swaying and counter balance the extra weight, i think.
I'll do all this in stages but want to make sure the plan is simply right to begin with.
I think your plan is sound and really low/no cost. Give it a try. Just to let you know, you will end up with some lift (when you set the AHC pressure within spec) and this in turn will increase sway and ride harshness. So whatever anti-sway characteristics you gained by swapping springs will be partially offset by a higher center of gravity.
Another option if for a mostly road going LX would be to fit airbags in the rear for load capacity, swap out to thicker front and rear sway bars, and crank the stock AHC t-bars up front to accommodate a lighter winch/bumper set-up. If "sport" mode is too harsh now, I fear uprating the springs/t-bars might be too much as well. With airbags, you can fine tune it to whatever load you are carrying... on the fly even.
Another option if for a mostly road going LX would be to fit airbags in the rear for load capacity, swap out to thicker front and rear sway bars, and crank the stock AHC t-bars up front to accommodate a lighter winch/bumper set-up. If "sport" mode is too harsh now, I fear uprating the springs/t-bars might be too much as well. With airbags, you can fine tune it to whatever load you are carrying... on the fly even.
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