AHC + Front/Rear Bumpers

[ntsaint]

I have an '06 TLC with AHC.

I really want to add aftermarket bumpers.

First the rear with tire carrier, probably BIOR. Then eventually, but not anytime soon, an ARB or Slee BlueBerry.

My question is, will the AHC hold this weight OK? I've done a lot of reading/searching, and there are a few threads on this, but they are really old. Does anyone have any current or recent experience with doing this?

I really don't want to rip the AHC out and replace the suspension, it's a $1600 expense that really doesn't net me anything but a little piece of mind in knowing that I have one less component to fail.

 

[super90]

My friend has this setup you describe, plus sliders and belly protection. He ran it for a while, but when he packed the rig for trips with his wife and kids, AHC couldn't keep up and would drop down to a low default height. He also has some very nice rear cargo drawers. Ultimately he removed the AHC and got Christo to provide conventional suspension components which he had installed by his local independent wrench. Ome t-bars, shocks and maybe custom Slee springs, not entirely sure of the combo.

AHC is great but most will agree its not designed for an "expedition" rig.

Ymmv

 

[ntsaint]

Exactly what I needed to know, thanks. Think I will start with rear bumper first, leaving ahc alone, then see how it does loaded down. Then add front bumper and test. Will switch to OME suspension when it shows sign of strain.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[TeCKis300]

AHC is it's stock form has a finite weight handling limit. And so does the non-AHC suspension setup.

The AHC system needs to be augmented to support additional weight. More torsion bar pre-load for the front, and air bags, spring spacers, stiffer springs or a combination of the 3 for the rear can suffice for all but the heaviest loads.

There's examples and evidence that this can work. The Aussies in particular seem to have a edge in making the AHC system work.

 

[ntsaint]

AHC is it's stock form has a finite weight handling limit. And so does the non-AHC suspension setup.

The AHC system needs to be augmented to support additional weight. More torsion bar pre-load for the front, and air bags, spring spacers, stiffer springs or a combination of the 3 for the rear can suffice for all but the heaviest loads.

There's examples and evidence that this can work. The Aussies in particular seem to have a edge in making the AHC system work.

I've already got 30mm spring spacers in the back and have torsion bars cranked accordingly in the front. Didn't think about airbags tho.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[Wilsil]

Last weekend we went camping with our camper trailer.
The car has AHC and only a Sahara bullbar up front. It still dropped to low when the KK Sports was hooked up.