Hi Mudders!
So I bought this 08/2000 HDJ100 not too long ago, and it turns out I didn't do a great deal.
Truck is on its last leg, but would be nice if I could pull a couple more years (2) out of it and do some trips around Europe (10-20k miles max total). So I have to nail this right the first time, as there is no way I'm spending more on this truck or adding anything else in the future (because of the limited life left in it anyway)
This is a different story, and I don't want to play the victim, so here we go:
The AHC in the truck is crap. The sensors have been hacked (sensors took apart & rusty & original contact springs swaped for springs from ball pens) - which makes the sensors to read all around the place as one can imagine their resistance values are far from stock. Linkages have also been swapped for something else than Toyota, and are non adjustable, so really the only way around this would be to replace all three sensors.
The rear AHC struts have rusted away, and the bushings on top are non existent (I'm so sad I didn't have the knowledge what to look at back when I've bought it, but this is the situation now) - So this brings me for new rear "shocks". The globes are around 9-10 marks on the reservoir N-H, but looking at the overall shape of the truck and the feel of the suspension, I'd say they a goner as well. Actuators (where the globes screw onto and have the valves in them) are rusted, and pretty sure can't even undo the bleeder plugs without snapping them. Not sure if the valves are working properly in them or not, but I suspect not. The AHC lines are all rusted as well, so I guess there is nothing to do but delete the system, because replacing all these components would just rob the bank really, only to have a same ageing pump and accumulator, which might just break the next month out of nowhere.
And this brings me to my next headache, which suspension to choose. It doesn't help, that the truck is bone stock, and I don't plan on towing or carrying ANY weight at all instead of my GF and myself. 95% on bad roads (onroad), and 5% offroad.
I would like to have the truck ABOVE AHC normal height (not necessary to hit the H height, although that would be the best). But for some strange reason it seems like nobody makes a lift without also beefing up the springs/shocks, which I don't really understand why.
Living in shistern-europe I have limited options:
1, I can get an OME kit that includes:
- 303002 torsion bars (this is a diesel, that's why it's not the 303001)
- 2865 rear springs
- 60000/60002 Nitro Sport shocks
This seems to be the best money for value, HOWEVER I've only, and I mean ONLY read horror stories about this setup, especially the shocks. I'd love to have a plush ride (which I know will never be as close to the ride with the AHC), and this is about the furthest away from that I believe.
2, I can get a Pedders suspension setup
- No idea about spring ratings and shock specs.
- I believe this is the worst of all quality wise, it seems to be OZ, but in reality it's Chinese
While this setup would be the cheapest, I'm afraid, well more like sure, it wouldn't be any better than the OME ride quality wise. Nobody uses these, so it is hard (non) to find any reviews.
3, I could get an Ironman kit
- No idea about ratings and shock specs or the amount of lift it gives
- FoamCell Pro shocks, which people seem to like (that said, all comments with this shock had at least a steel front bumper)
- I've heard quality is not the best, rust and sagging issues
This setup is by far the most expensive, almost double of the OME setup.
4, I could do a hybrid
- Toyota non-ahc TB's
- OME 2865 rear springs
- Toyota shocks
This looks like a good compromise, but the problem is that noone sells the Toyota shocks (I'm afraid they're discontinued). PN is 48511-69457 and 48531-69587. This setup is not cheap, it's half way between the OME kit and the Ironman kit, and would probably be the most prefered if I could get the shocks.
I wonder if there is a superseeding partnumber for the shocks that fit a 08/2000 Euro HDJ100 - maybe the 2006's shocks? I don't know.
Any thoughts are much appreciated, especially real life experience with the kits mentioned above.
So I bought this 08/2000 HDJ100 not too long ago, and it turns out I didn't do a great deal.
Truck is on its last leg, but would be nice if I could pull a couple more years (2) out of it and do some trips around Europe (10-20k miles max total). So I have to nail this right the first time, as there is no way I'm spending more on this truck or adding anything else in the future (because of the limited life left in it anyway)
This is a different story, and I don't want to play the victim, so here we go:
The AHC in the truck is crap. The sensors have been hacked (sensors took apart & rusty & original contact springs swaped for springs from ball pens) - which makes the sensors to read all around the place as one can imagine their resistance values are far from stock. Linkages have also been swapped for something else than Toyota, and are non adjustable, so really the only way around this would be to replace all three sensors.
The rear AHC struts have rusted away, and the bushings on top are non existent (I'm so sad I didn't have the knowledge what to look at back when I've bought it, but this is the situation now) - So this brings me for new rear "shocks". The globes are around 9-10 marks on the reservoir N-H, but looking at the overall shape of the truck and the feel of the suspension, I'd say they a goner as well. Actuators (where the globes screw onto and have the valves in them) are rusted, and pretty sure can't even undo the bleeder plugs without snapping them. Not sure if the valves are working properly in them or not, but I suspect not. The AHC lines are all rusted as well, so I guess there is nothing to do but delete the system, because replacing all these components would just rob the bank really, only to have a same ageing pump and accumulator, which might just break the next month out of nowhere.
And this brings me to my next headache, which suspension to choose. It doesn't help, that the truck is bone stock, and I don't plan on towing or carrying ANY weight at all instead of my GF and myself. 95% on bad roads (onroad), and 5% offroad.
I would like to have the truck ABOVE AHC normal height (not necessary to hit the H height, although that would be the best). But for some strange reason it seems like nobody makes a lift without also beefing up the springs/shocks, which I don't really understand why.
Living in shistern-europe I have limited options:
1, I can get an OME kit that includes:
- 303002 torsion bars (this is a diesel, that's why it's not the 303001)
- 2865 rear springs
- 60000/60002 Nitro Sport shocks
This seems to be the best money for value, HOWEVER I've only, and I mean ONLY read horror stories about this setup, especially the shocks. I'd love to have a plush ride (which I know will never be as close to the ride with the AHC), and this is about the furthest away from that I believe.
2, I can get a Pedders suspension setup
- No idea about spring ratings and shock specs.
- I believe this is the worst of all quality wise, it seems to be OZ, but in reality it's Chinese
While this setup would be the cheapest, I'm afraid, well more like sure, it wouldn't be any better than the OME ride quality wise. Nobody uses these, so it is hard (non) to find any reviews.
3, I could get an Ironman kit
- No idea about ratings and shock specs or the amount of lift it gives
- FoamCell Pro shocks, which people seem to like (that said, all comments with this shock had at least a steel front bumper)
- I've heard quality is not the best, rust and sagging issues
This setup is by far the most expensive, almost double of the OME setup.
4, I could do a hybrid
- Toyota non-ahc TB's
- OME 2865 rear springs
- Toyota shocks
This looks like a good compromise, but the problem is that noone sells the Toyota shocks (I'm afraid they're discontinued). PN is 48511-69457 and 48531-69587. This setup is not cheap, it's half way between the OME kit and the Ironman kit, and would probably be the most prefered if I could get the shocks.
I wonder if there is a superseeding partnumber for the shocks that fit a 08/2000 Euro HDJ100 - maybe the 2006's shocks? I don't know.
Any thoughts are much appreciated, especially real life experience with the kits mentioned above.