AHC Delete on 2005 LX470 (1 Viewer)

[suprarx7nut]

Yes but will you still have all of the body roll and nose dive? I loved the cushy ride of the AHC but always felt like I was going to tip over on exits even below speed limit.

That sounds like broken AHC. Body roll and brake dive with AHC should be similar or better than the typical aftermarket kits. If AHC feels tippy in normal driving something is wrong - perhaps pressures well out of spec or severely worn globes. Could also be failed control valves, but that's extremely rare.

 

[MisterMister]

That sounds like broken AHC. Body roll and brake dive with AHC should be similar or better than the typical aftermarket kits. If AHC feels tippy in normal driving something is wrong - perhaps pressures well out of spec or severely worn globes. Could also be failed control valves, but that's extremely rare.

That makes sense. I went to the dealer a few years ago and they told me thats how the LX470 drove. It got progressively worse. Now its just dead even after a flush. My IM suspension parts arrived last night. I'm having a sentimental moment with the AHC but I've resolved to let her go.

 

[OwnerCS]

I think I figured out why mine rides so nicely after the conversion in spite of the fact that I ordered the heaviest 880 lbs spring available.

Note that I only have an additional 200 lbs of rear load on springs that are rated for 880 lbs.

I had a couple of people tell me to never buy springs that are heavier than what I need because it will make it ride like a log wagon.

I was shocked when the ride turned out to be quite good. It handles like a sports truck on paved switchbacks mountain roads. Yet absorbs bumps on trails and where I like to run fast.

It all seemed counterintuitive until I took a picture of the spring with the full weight today. I'm riding on the sping tail that touches the rear axle. Once I load up the rear, the spring will compress to carry the extra load. I'm curious about how the ride will change then.

 

[Eighteen11R]

Yes but will you still have all of the body roll and nose dive? I loved the cushy ride of the AHC but always felt like I was going to tip over on exits even below speed limit.

Did you ever bump up the ride control to sport mode? That may have taken some of the roll out of play.

 

[MisterMister]

Today was a dark day. I delivered the IM suspension kit to LM last week and they are claiming its going to take 14.5 hours for the job. Almost $2000 to remove and replace the suspension. I'm pretty sure I'm getting screwed over. Debating pulling my car out and going somewhere else. I've had my car there for three weeks and so far been charged $460 to replace two oxygen sensors that cost $100 and takes 20 minutes to change. Sadly I got the mechanic from good referrals here on IH8MUD. But I'm beginning to think I'm getting ****ed over. Anyone got a good suspension guy near Boston?

 

[excessive]

Today was a dark day. I delivered the IM suspension kit to LM last week and they are claiming its going to take 14.5 hours for the job. Almost $2000 to remove and replace the suspension. I'm pretty sure I'm getting screwed over. Debating pulling my car out and going somewhere else. I've had my car there for three weeks and so far been charged $460 to replace two oxygen sensors that cost $100 and takes 20 minutes to change. Sadly I got the mechanic from good referrals here on IH8MUD. But I'm beginning to think I'm getting f***ed over. Anyone got a good suspension guy near Boston?

If you're not willing or able to do the work yourself, you'll always be at the mercy or honesty of your mechanic. installing a suspension isn't difficult at all, there are many youtube tutorials out there. Unless you're physically disabled, why not just do it yourself ?

 

[MisterMister]

If you're not willing or able to do the work yourself, you'll always be at the mercy or honesty of your mechanic. installing a suspension isn't difficult at all, there are many youtube tutorials out there. Unless you're physically disabled, why not just do it yourself ?

**** it. You are right. I’m working full time but I’m going to find a garage somewhere and do it on a weekend

 

[excessive]

A lift is going to make much easier work, but I've done two on my back in the driveway over a weekend. Just make sure you have every tool ready to go, spray wd-40 on everything several times and weeks before hand if you have rust, saving thousands makes it that much more rewarding

 

[zipdoa]

Today was a dark day. I delivered the IM suspension kit to LM last week and they are claiming its going to take 14.5 hours for the job. Almost $2000 to remove and replace the suspension. I'm pretty sure I'm getting screwed over. Debating pulling my car out and going somewhere else. I've had my car there for three weeks and so far been charged $460 to replace two oxygen sensors that cost $100 and takes 20 minutes to change. Sadly I got the mechanic from good referrals here on IH8MUD. But I'm beginning to think I'm getting f***ed over. Anyone got a good suspension guy near Boston?

Dunno if you've ever replaced an 02 sensor, but if that was $460 for two sensors including the cost of parts, thats a fair price. Those things weld themselves in and can be an absolute nightmare to remove. I would love to see you replace two sensors in twenty minutes

 

[novalx470]

I think you're mis-guided. AHC is usually cheap to maintain and lasts longer than most rigs.

AHC maintenance costs far less than a semi-comparable conversion. Keep AHC.

As community knowledge of the system has grown and more and more of us have spent time with the system with fully outfitted rigs, the fear-factor of AHC has dropped dramatically and it turns out there aren't that many expensive fixes within the system. A few common maintenance items cover the vast majority of owners for years and years (pressure checks, T-bar adjustment, rear spring replacement, globes replacement every decade, fluid flush every few years).

Unfortunately, most mechanics have no idea how to work on the system and when a torsion bar just needs free 5 minute adjustment, they quote the customer an entire AHC pump/accumulator assembly, all 4 shocks, all globes, new brake calipers, new brake accumulator, new hood, new fenders, new seats, a new kitchen sink, a new lawn and the cost to import a new spouse from a third world country. The customer then leaves the shop and posts on facebook that AHC costs $14,000 every 90 days and that Lexus made a mistake offering it in the first place. Then every single new LX470 owner comes onto mud and asks the fastest way to remove AHC. A tale as old as time...

Keep AHC.

What about a blown rear passenger fluid line due to rust? should i just buy the line, replace and flush? mechanics want to do a full delete as other lines are probably rusted. Part looks to be about 250 bucks. AHC delete ~4k