AHC removal/Suspension lift

[Opensideup]

Hi All,

I have read numerous threads about this topic but just want to seek some reassurance from anyone who know about this please. I went into my local ARB dealer to price up an Old Man Emu lift kit to install on my 2005 AHC LC100 and they said "no way, impossible".

I see that several people have removed the AHC system and installed a lift and there don't seem to be any issues with their trucks after the install. ARB said that the suspension arms and mount points etc are completely different on an AHC model LC100 and that a lift can't successfully be fitted, even with full AHC system removal (obviously this has to happen anyway). They said there will be cracking of suspension arms and mounting points and won't sell me a kit.

Are my ARB dealership talking any sense or can they just be ignored (should I just go ahead and order the kit, remove AHC and fit lift kit without any undue consequences?)?

Any opinions would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Opensideup

 

[Brian Waag]

I have a 2006 Cruiser I bought in February with AHC and am planning to rip it out and put in a 3" OME. I consulted with two LC shops, Cruiser Outfitters in Salt Lake (Kurt Williams) and John At San Diego Trux. John quoted me a price to rip it out and install the OME (he has done it before) and neither said it couldn't be done. There are many threads on MUD regarding doing what you ( and I) want to do so would recommend doing a search and hear what others have to say.

 

[Opensideup]

Thanks Brian. I will do more searching for sure. It sounds like it can definitely be done and ARB just don't want to warranty their lift if I install it in my AHC LC100 (at least thats what I reckon).

Cheers

 

[Actualeyes]

Are my ARB dealership talking any sense or can they just be ignored (should I just go ahead and order the kit, remove AHC and fit lift kit without any undue consequences?)?

Well they shouldn't be mutually exclusive. This ARB dealership (obviously ARB don't vet the knowledge of their dealerships or train them properly) doesn't know what they are talking about. In my book this would mean don't spend a brass razoo with them even if the ARB product would work.

Any decent suspension kit (Front torsion bars, and shocks and rear coils and shocks) will do the trick together with the hard work (just annoying really) of removing the AHC. Removing the AHC means a lot of bolts and nuts in hard to reach (perhaps impossible to reach) places, a bit of plumbing and pulling a fuse to disable the electronics. There is a lot of work involved in that.

Then again, you could join the Reprobates Club... depending on what you are trying to achieve, you could leave the AHC in, upgrade coils, TBs and for some add air bag helpers and still have the very due consequence of a very comfortable sophisticated suspension that can take you most anywhere.

Cheers,
Andrew.

 

[Opensideup]

Thanks Andrew. Yeah, I agree and think the clown at the ARB dealership I spoke to has no idea. I'll do some more research and source an appropriate lift kit and get on with it. Appreciate your reply.

Does anyone out there have an opinion on how an OME heavy lift kit feels compared to the AHC ride quality? I realise that opinions are just that, an individual's personal response and that they'll all vary but I really want to canvas as much as I can on this topic.

Thanks everyone.

 

[7schulz]

OME heavy will be much stiffer than the AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension) I wouldn't expect a ride even close.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

100% doable, we've done quite a few AHC deletes. However, I can understand the apprehension of a shop to say the OME kit will install as it simply won't, not without 2x the amount of work and some knowledge of the system, even at that they may not feel comfortable fully deleting the AHC due to warranty or liability concerns.

 

[super90]

I guess I should tell my buddy that pulled his AHC and installed OME/Slee parts a couple years ago that it can't be done and he should not have tried.

Funny stuff. Find another "expert". That fellow is "misinformed".

 

[Opensideup]

Thanks Kurt. Have your customers been happier with the result of the lift vs keeping the AHC, i.e. has anyone admitted that they stuffed up and wished they had their AHC back?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Thanks Kurt. Have your customers been happier with the result of the lift vs keeping the AHC, i.e. has anyone admitted that they stuffed up and wished they had their AHC back?

Nope, can't say we have heard back from a customer wanting that. But, our customers for AHC swaps come from two camps, either their stock AHC system had failed in one way or another and the removal was less expensive than the AHC fix and thus they were thrilled to have an operating suspension back. Or, the more common scenario is they have a heavily loaded truck that was causing the AHC to 'limp' or pop out of the high setting even with the over-ride switch, etc. While the AHC is a neat system and capable of handling a fair amount of load, 100's are hitting the 8k lb mark pretty often these days and you simple need more spring underneath them.

 

[Actualeyes]

OME heavy will be much stiffer than the AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension) I wouldn't expect a ride even close.

There are a lot of considerations here. "Ride" is not a simple matter. For one, your OME response will depend on what load you are carrying and the "surface" you're driving on.

AHC is active - computer controlled. On bitumen and gravel it is much smoother than a non-AHC 100 series. That is smoother again than the typical lift kit - but then that depends on how much you spend on shock absorber arrangements (e.g. gas struts etc) and what compromises you make (wheel travel, load carrying etc).

But the AHC active system also needs maintenance (there is a ih8mud thread on regular maintenance of AHC), and needs modifying if you are carrying heavier loads than spec. If it is not maintained or heavily loaded the AVS aspect doesn't work as well and it gets harsh quickly.

OME (or any other) 3" lift is an inch or so higher than AHC on H setting ALL the time... not just when wheeling. You're sitting quite a lot higher, higher COG, higher amplitude roll etc. Mind you, load up the truck and the 3" becomes 2" and not really different to AHC on H. Sure, that extra inch might enable you to tackle an obstacle or two directly rather than by careful wheel placement, but I dare say realistically you'd be going the same sort of places I go with AHC.

I suggest driving a 100 series with the lift setup you're planning, and making sure your AHC is working properly to make an informed comparison/decision. Once the AHC is out, putting it back is not an option. What you are left with is the same setup as the 10's of 1000s of non-AHC 100 series out there, so its not like you can't live with it.

The AHC is a great compromise that makes city, highway and gravel road driving very smooth and extremely safe when maintained well, and that rarely limits what terrain you can tackle in Low Range with Suspension on High. But it doesn't say, "I've got a muscle truck with a big lift" in Walgrens car park. Then again, you can lower the AHC at the kerb to let the misses in!

A big lift is always a handful on city, highway and gravel roads - the price you pay for the "look at me" factor, and the (generally overstated) freedom to go a few more places with a little more entry/exit angle and a smidgen more clearance.

The Reprobates Club are the recalcitrant few who maintain their AHC, enjoy the relaxing highway driving and still see the Deleted Club out on the same challenging tracks!