AHC Sensor Lift Notes

[nutter]

I completed an AHC sensor lift a few weeks ago and wanted to jot down a few notes for others interested in doing the same. Doing the lift was pretty straight-forward, I followed the instructions here: AHC Sensor Adjustment for Lift

A few things to note:

1. The thread says that maxing the adjustments will yield about 2"/1.75" front/rear lift. My measurements only yielded about 1.5"/1.5" front/rear after maxing all adjustments.
   
2. I did not have to add any AHC fluid. I was surprised by this, but tested both in normal and hi modes. I think I had overfilled slightly when I flushed it, so that may be the reason.
3. It took about 8 turns on the torsion bars to normalize my AHC pressures. I had previously installed a 30mm spacer in the rear, so that helped keep the rear in line.
4. The torsion bar adjustments took a while, as I'd get the pressures set, drive around the parking lot, re-test, and find I was under value when checking again.
5. Definitely get an alignment, as mine was pretty far off after the adjustments.
6. Ride is a little bit harsher, like I went up one on the sport/comfort dial. Still very comfy and much better than my 2000 4Runner.
7. I do think it is topping out coming off some bumps now. Not during regular driving, but over some speed bumps and also berms when off-roading. Not a big enough issue to worry about though.
8. Off-road, the extra clearance is definitely nice.
9. Hi mode still works, and is really now "Oh sh*t" mode, as I'm kind of thinking of it as an emergency get unstuck mode. I don't think I'll use it for most wheeling I do.
10. All-in-all, worth doing. If you are going to be adding significant weight to your rig, probably a swap to a traditional lift would be a better choice, but for a free lift on an otherwise stock rig, this can't be beat!

 

[nutter]

Some before/after pics.

Lifted AHC, Normal mode:

Lifted AHC, Hi mode:

Stock AHC, Normal mode:

Stock AHC, Hi mode:

 

[nutter]

Flex in lifted AHC, Normal mode:

And a shot on the trail:

 

[bhicks]

What size tires are those? Also, you may want to buy some Japan4X4 AHC shock spacers. they are a pita to install since the shocks are hydraulic BUT they will allow your front shocks to stop bottoming out. I did the AHC lift and cut the front rod on the AHC sensors shorter which netted me 2.25" up front. I was getting a bad bang going over speed bumps. I installed the AHC shock spacers and the noise is gone. I was able to get the front back to the factory down travel (which isn't much) I also added the spacers to the rear. I was told by a few that it was a waste of money. I know now that they were wrong. Not bottoming out your shocks and having decent front flex IS worth the cost of the spacers. I'm very glad I decided to go with them. With the shock spacers, 40MM rear coil spring spacers, and the torsion bar techstream adjustment, I was able to get the ride really close to stock. It's a tad firmer up front but REALLY close to how it was. Another thing to know is that once you get over 2" in height with the AHC system you can no longer go into the H mode. With the spacers installed, I was able to go into the H mode again and still had some down travel left. Not good for prolonged wheeling (horrible CV angles) but nice to have for a few seconds of improved approach or departure angle. I am very happy with how the final lift turned out. I have 2.25" up front and 1.75" out back with a very stable and comfortable ride. With the new 33's on and the old running boards replaced with white knuckle sliders, I'm finally looking like a wheeler and not a soccer mom. BTW, I have the exact same color LX470 as you and am loving that wheel size. My 275/70/18's don't see as large as those.

 

[nutter]

@bhicks Thanks for the notes on the spacers. Do you happen to have a link to them? Is that a ship from Japan item?

I'm running 285/75R16 KO2s, which are working great. No rubbing with stock ride or after lift.

How are you liking the LX470 after coming from 80 series? I almost went the 80 route...

 

[bhicks]

@bhicks Thanks for the notes on the spacers. Do you happen to have a link to them? Is that a ship from Japan item?

I'm running 285/75R16 KO2s, which are working great. No rubbing with stock ride or after lift.

How are you liking the LX470 after coming from 80 series? I almost went the 80 route...

I love the 100 and as a family vehicle/pavement daily driver (3 little kids) it is far superior. As a trail rig is doesn't compare to my built 80. It struggles on parts of trails that my 80 just walked right through. My plan is to keep the 100 for the daily family needs and eventually get into a beater trail dedicated 80.
In regards to the AHC spacers, they are shipped from a company in Japan and shipping was not cheap. I think I spent around $250 for the front and rear spacers including shipping. At the time, I thought that was too expensive and probably a waste of my money. After install, I realized it was money well spent. Give me a little time to track down the contact info of the guy I used over there. He was an American and spoke perfect English but was a vendor over in Japan for them. Their website is a tad useless if you don't speak Japanese(which I don't).

 

[nutter]

@bhicks Being a family man as well (2 little kids), I went with the 100. I'm thinking along the same lines as you for a beater trail rig, although I'll probably go 1st gen 4runner.

How is your AHC holding up w/ all the extra weight of sliders and bumpers? Any pics?

 

[bhicks]

@bhicks Being a family man as well (2 little kids), I went with the 100. I'm thinking along the same lines as you for a beater trail rig, although I'll probably go 1st gen 4runner.

How is your AHC holding up w/ all the extra weight of sliders and bumpers? Any pics?

Only the sliders are on right now. The bumpers still need to get installed. I have been stupid busy with orders to even think about mods on the 100. Once January rolls around, I should be able to finish getting everything installed and will report back.

 

[bhicks]

I apologize for taking so long for getting the contact info for Japan4x4. It took a while to dig up the old email. Here is his email. stedman@japan4x4.com His name is Dave. I thought I paid around $250. I was wrong. I paid $185 and that included delivery to my front door.

 

[nutter]

Thanks for tracking that down. $185 isn't too bad. I may do a diff drop too. That extra down travel may be a bit much on the CV angles.

 

[bhicks]

Thanks for tracking that down. $185 isn't too bad. I may do a diff drop too. That extra down travel may be a bit much on the CV angles.

Diff drop bracket is on order at BIOR right now. I had the same concern with the extreme angles of the CV joints when flexed and the extended shocks. My BIOR rear bumper and diff drop should complete phase one of my build.

 

[pkelly72]

I apologize for taking so long for getting the contact info for Japan4x4. It took a while to dig up the old email. Here is his email. stedman@japan4x4.com His name is Dave. I thought I paid around $250. I was wrong. I paid $185 and that included delivery to my front door.

Are these similar to the spacers that slee sells?

 

[bhicks]

Are these similar to the spacers that slee sells?

I didn't know slee made shock spacers for the 100. Are you confusing their coil spring spacers with shock spacers? Japan4x4 makes shock spacers specifically for the AHC system.

 

[pkelly72]

I didn't know slee made shock spacers for the 100. Are you confusing their coil spring spacers with shock spacers? Japan4x4 makes shock spacers specifically for the AHC system.

Yes, I'm sorry. I was confused. AHC is all new to me. So, why go shock spacers and not spring spacers and adjust the TB?

 

[bhicks]

Yes, I'm sorry. I was confused. AHC is all new to me. So, why go shock spacers and not spring spacers and adjust the TB?

You need springs spacers AND shock spacers. The spring spacers out back help with getting the AHC pressure back in range. There are no coil springs up front. You have to adjust the TB's to get the pressures correct up front. I had to do 5 full turns to get the front back in range. I have heard some guys so they had to go all the way to 10 turns for that. The shock spacers just allow the full stock range of motion. I was bottoming out the shocks without the spacers installed. That is no longer happening. The sway bar is binding up before I bottom out now. I am also putting more stress on the CV's because the down travel has increased past the factory intended angle. The BIOR diff drop is already on order and that should solve that issue. With the MAF coil spring spacers, Japan4x4 shock spacers, TB adjustment, and the BIOR diff drop; the suspension WITH functional AHC should be working great. Time will tell if this approach is wonderful or horrible.

 

[Broncoman]

I just purchased a 99 LX same color and am planning on doing the same. Maybe there are other folks interested in the shock spacers and we can get a group deal through Japan4x4. How you found them Bhicks is a mystery to me. Bad angle shot of my lx attached (my first photo on MUD-joined last night). Yes, I m planning to take off all my Jaos stainless accessories. Too bad too cuz they weren't cheap.

 

[pkelly72]

I just purchased a 99 LX same color and am planning on doing the same. Maybe there are other folks interested in the shock spacers and we can get a group deal through Japan4x4. How you found them Bhicks is a mystery to me. Bad angle shot of my lx attached (my first photo on MUD-joined last night). Yes, I m planning to take off all my Jaos stainless accessories. Too bad too cuz they weren't cheap.

I'd be interested in a GB.

 

[bhicks]

I just purchased a 99 LX same color and am planning on doing the same. Maybe there are other folks interested in the shock spacers and we can get a group deal through Japan4x4. How you found them Bhicks is a mystery to me. Bad angle shot of my lx attached (my first photo on MUD-joined last night). Yes, I m planning to take off all my Jaos stainless accessories. Too bad too cuz they weren't cheap.

There was an old thread where a guy had purchased them and he got me the contact info.

 

[pkelly72]

I just purchased a 99 LX same color and am planning on doing the same. Maybe there are other folks interested in the shock spacers and we can get a group deal through Japan4x4. How you found them Bhicks is a mystery to me. Bad angle shot of my lx attached (my first photo on MUD-joined last night). Yes, I m planning to take off all my Jaos stainless accessories. Too bad too cuz they weren't cheap.

Bronco

Are you going to set up a GB? If not, I'll email this weekend with inquiry.

 

[Broncoman]

Please do. I'm new to this so I'm not sure how to even do it.