AHC removal - retain old t-bars + coils?

[yovanoel]

I have a question about converting from AHC to an OEM setup.

Obviously, all four of the AHC damper need to be removed but I'd like to know if the old t-bars and coils can be retained - or if they too need to be replaced with new part numbers.

Also any part numbers and additional tips would be welcome.

...via IH8MUD app

 

[BadReligion]

Did you mean OME (old man emu) instead of OEM? If your goal is to lift the vehicle, then I would recommend doing new torsion bars AND rear coils as the OME ones are much more "beefy" and the old ones were not designed to carry the full weight of the vehicle since the AHC helped with that. If you simply want to get rid of the ACH, you could probably get away with cranking down the stock torsion bars (might have to re-index them) but you will still need new shocks all around and rear coils. At that point, might as well throw in new torsion bars.


Good luck with the swap. Its messy but changing out a failing AHC system on my 2003 LX 470 and putting in a new OME 1.5" really improved ride quality and helped with body roll too, even on 34" BFG ATs.

 

[2000UZJ]

AHC holds 60% if the vehicle weight. The rest is supported by the AHC Torsion bars and springs. Once removed (AHC), the torsion bars will be too soft. I would replace them with OEM Land Cruiser torsion bars or OME.

 

[brevitything]

I have a question about converting from AHC to an OEM setup.

Obviously, all four of the AHC damper need to be removed but I'd like to know if the old t-bars and coils can be retained - or if they too need to be replaced with new part numbers.

Also any part numbers and additional tips would be welcome.

...via IH8MUD app

I tried just changing shocks on my lx. The ahc torsion bars will not support the weight of the vehicle! It dropped all the way to the bump stops when I lowered the jack. Slee sells used 100 series factory torsion bars FYI. I bought TJM XGS torsion bars and they are perfect in my opinion. On the rear I bought used coil springs, but then needed to add coil spacers to get the height I wanted.

It would have been much less hassle to just order a medium or heavy rated suspension kit. I saved a couple hundred piecing things together but it wasn't worth my time.

In the end I had an alignment done and love the new setup though . The extra travel is awesome and I love the feel. Still rides like a caddy but a little stiffer.

I removed the ahc myself, not terrible but I had a little corrosion to battle. I opened the bleeders on the accumulators and used a bucket to capture the fluid. I did a corner at a time since the fluid is what holds up the truck! Definitely use big jackstands. I used an impact wrench and breaker bar a lot. Good luck!

 

[Jim Jones]

I have a question about converting from AHC to an OEM setup.

Obviously, all four of the AHC damper need to be removed but I'd like to know if the old t-bars and coils can be retained - or if they too need to be replaced with new part numbers.

Also any part numbers and additional tips would be welcome.

...via IH8MUD app

If you are converting, the coils and TB are too weak for a conventional suspension so they have to go.

 

[Jim Jones]

Did you mean OME (old man emu) instead of OEM? If your goal is to lift the vehicle, then I would recommend doing new torsion bars AND rear coils as the OME ones are much more "beefy" and the old ones were not designed to carry the full weight of the vehicle since the AHC helped with that. If you simply want to get rid of the ACH, you could probably get away with cranking down the stock torsion bars (might have to re-index them) but you will still need new shocks all around and rear coils. At that point, might as well throw in new torsion bars.


Good luck with the swap. Its messy but changing out a failing AHC system on my 2003 LX 470 and putting in a new OME 1.5" really improved ride quality and helped with body roll too, even on 34" BFG ATs.

Cranking back the OEM TBs makes the ride really bumpy, been there and is not fun.

 

[Jim Jones]

I tried just changing shocks on my lx. The ahc torsion bars will not support the weight of the vehicle! It dropped all the way to the bump stops when I lowered the jack. Slee sells used 100 series factory torsion bars FYI. I bought TJM XGS torsion bars and they are perfect in my opinion. On the rear I bought used coil springs, but then needed to add coil spacers to get the height I wanted.

It would have been much less hassle to just order a medium or heavy rated suspension kit. I saved a couple hundred piecing things together but it wasn't worth my time.

In the end I had an alignment done and love the new setup though . The extra travel is awesome and I love the feel. Still rides like a caddy but a little stiffer.

I removed the ahc myself, not terrible but I had a little corrosion to battle. I opened the bleeders on the accumulators and used a bucket to capture the fluid. I did a corner at a time since the fluid is what holds up the truck! Definitely use big jackstands. I used an impact wrench and breaker bar a lot. Good luck!

Tell us how fun was to remove the rear shocks!! LOL.