AHC spacers? Sensor lift? Both?

[Grant Gustafson]

I've read through this entire post and many others and admittedly, I'm new to this and not a mechanic by any stretch and am more confused now than I was when I started researching. I have a 98' LX 470 and I want a lift that also levels the vehicle so I can put on 18" larger wheels and tires along with an ARB front bumper, ARB rack, etc ... I've seen other posts by Lexus owners that have really good looking LX's with lifts, wheels and tires and I'd like mine to look the same but I'm lost as to how to make it happen.
Can someone give me a simple explanation as to what I need to purchase and how to do it all? I know that's asking alot but as I said, the more reading and researching I do, the more confused I get.
I've read that a light load / medium load Old Man EMU set up is the way to go but then the AHC system muds up the waters. I'm wanting the look more than the capability to take it on the trail because it's going to be a daily driver.
Can anyone help clarify all of this? I greatly appreciate any help.

 

[BEG]

I've read through this entire post and many others and admittedly, I'm new to this and not a mechanic by any stretch and am more confused now than I was when I started researching. I have a 98' LX 470 and I want a lift that also levels the vehicle so I can put on 18" larger wheels and tires along with an ARB front bumper, ARB rack, etc ... I've seen other posts by Lexus owners that have really good looking LX's with lifts, wheels and tires and I'd like mine to look the same but I'm lost as to how to make it happen.
Can someone give me a simple explanation as to what I need to purchase and how to do it all? I know that's asking alot but as I said, the more reading and researching I do, the more confused I get.
I've read that a light load / medium load Old Man EMU set up is the way to go but then the AHC system muds up the waters. I'm wanting the look more than the capability to take it on the trail because it's going to be a daily driver.
Can anyone help clarify all of this? I greatly appreciate any help.

The stock LX will fit 33" tires with no mods. How big do you want to go? If you want a permanent lift, the easiest way with the least negative consequences would, IMO, be a small sensor lift (~ 1/2") and a small body lift (~ 1/2" - 1") coupled with the tires of your choice. This could easily net you 3"-3.5" of overall lift and you still have the stock AHC travel when you need it.

When it comes to springs/torsion bars, AHC equipped vehicles only need them for load carrying capacity, not height, though at almost 20 years old, your LX springs have probably settled too much for the stock weight of the vehicle and your t-bars may never have been cranked. You need to measure your pressures, change your AHC fluid and generally make sure your AHC is functioning and healthy. Then you can decide whether you need spring spacers, airbags, King springs or any combination of the three to get your pressures back within spec after you add all of the armor and cargo.

 

[MattyO]

If you want to "delete" the AHC, then you would need an OME or similar kit that includes new torsion bars, rear springs, shocks and diff drop. You would be losing the adjust-ability of the AHC and going to a conventional suspension.

I just got an LX also and after receiving advice from another owner and doing some research on the sensor lift options, I went that route. The AHC sensor have slotted brackets at each front corner and one in the center of the rear axle. If you slide the nut/bolt all the way to the top of the slotted bracket you will lift your LX about 1 inch. I measured before and after on mine and netted one inch. I wanted a little more lift so I adjusted the front heim joint rods that connect the sensor arm to the bracket, it got me about a 1/2" lift up front. This allowed me to get a mild lift all around and the AHC still functions properly in Low and High modes. I turned my front torsion bars 6 turns based on advice from others as a starting point. I have some 30mm rear spring packers on the way that should help with my rear pressures. I also added a diff drop for piece of mind. Total cost of the lift was about $260 for rear spring packers and diff drop. I plan to ride like this until my AHC fails and then do an OME kit. Hope it helps. Search AHC Sensor Lift and you will find lots of detailed info on how to pull this off. It is really quite easy.

 

[mallard75]

Repositioning the AHC still doesn't top it out. The AHC shocks have longer travel than the LC shocks. I've run 2.5" lifted with the shock spacers, without, and am now sitting at 1.5" with no AHC spacers in the front. No issues on any of my setups.

What size rear coil spacer with the current setup? 30mm? I’m looking for 1.5” sensor lift just like what you are running.

 

[BillZ260]

I'll have my spacers and heavy spring for sale. Nothing wrong with any of them, probably 20K miles on that stuff. The lifted ACH has been great, just moving to an overall heavier duty set up, Tough Dog. Once installed I'll post here and classifieds. Expecting some time in Sept.

 

[AFei]

I'll have my spacers and heavy spring for sale. Nothing wrong with any of them, probably 20K miles on that stuff. The lifted ACH has been great, just moving to an overall heavier duty set up, Tough Dog. Once installed I'll post here and classifieds. Expecting some time in Sept.

Available for sale now?

 

[NL4x4]

Hello all, i've read lots about the sensor lift, I was a bit holding back but I did the sensor lift and it sucks... yest I had alignment done, only the steering rods had to be turned out on both sides, the rest was good.

It drives like it's on high and sport mode on the same time.. so I lowered it again by half, and when I drove over a speed bumb (for example) on a slant so with one wheel, it was like it lifted half the car instead of absorbing the bump, back to original position and drives a charm, a bit more and (logically) it was bouncing all over like there is no shock absorption.

I have techstream, but I have not one single clue how to set old and new distances to reset it to the new normal settings.

I think, that when I have the good manuel and know how to set the techstream to the new ride, it would make no difference in the comfort because all the weight is being carried through the ahc system and not the spring anymore...

My guess is the coil spacer would help out a lot, and techstream, again, will not solve this issue.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I would love to try techstream first, all input would be highly appreciated!

Cheers.


Ps. Sorry, I see this is the 100 series section, I'm driving a 200

 

[menancyandsam]

Without adjusting your torsion bars after lift your pressures will be off & the ride will suck.

 

[NL4x4]

Without adjusting your torsion bars after lift your pressures will be off & the ride will suck.

It's a 200, no torsion bars, I'm sorry wrong section, thanks anyway

I removed the post when I noticed but I had to add tekst otherwise I could not press "save"

 

[Rvp]

Good day sir, i completed the adjustment for my AHC sensors and now my readings are high front is around 10.1 and rear is 8.2 (tech stream)

i have no shock extenders or aftermarket springs or spacers. AHC fluid is at max level

i haven’t touched the Tbars since i’m not sure if that will even resolve my out of spec issue

the lx has no added weight items i.e bumpers or winch

where do i start sir?

Thanks for your expertise, your knowledge is greatly appreciated.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Good day sir, i completed the adjustment for my AHC sensors and now my readings are high front is around 10.1 and rear is 8.2 (tech stream)

i have no shock extenders or aftermarket springs or spacers. AHC fluid is at max level

i haven’t touched the Tbars since i’m not sure if that will even resolve my out of spec issue

the lx has no added weight items i.e bumpers or winch

where do i start sir?

Thanks for your expertise, your knowledge is greatly appreciated.

Let's start with some basics. Back it up a bit so we know where you're starting.

Did you do a sensor lift? If so, what are your wheel center to fender heights?

Your pressures are extremely high. You need to lower those asap. Crank the tbars, get rid of the sensor lift or both. If you want to keep the rear as high as it is now, you're going to need king springs, spacers or both.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with an AHC sensor lift. Normal high in 4 lo is plenty high to run out of droop. You can add extender links to help, but you just go down a rabbit hole of needed links and arms to yourself a miniscule trail performance boost at the expense of on road handling.

Give us more info on what you did and what you want and we can guide you better.

 

[BEG]

Personally, I wouldn't bother with an AHC sensor lift. Normal high in 4 lo is plenty high to run out of droop. You can add extender links to help, but you just go down a rabbit hole of needed links and arms to yourself a miniscule trail performance boost at the expense of on road handling.

Give us more info on what you did and what you want and we can guide you better.

I agree 100%. The difference between 2 inches of AHC lift and 2" of conventional lift is that AHC provides real, net suspension lift, measured at the sensor. Conventional lifts only offer whatever lift is left after the load eats up its sag height. That's why you can't approach AHC like conventional suspension. You get very little benefit from suspension lift.

As mentioned, your pressures are very high. You need to lower the front pressure by more than 3MPa. That's at least 15 full turns on each torsion bar. You might not have enough adjustment left in the bolts before having to re-index the bars. Best to give us some background info so we can give better advice.

 

[LXKevin]

Good day sir, i completed the adjustment for my AHC sensors and now my readings are high front is around 10.1 and rear is 8.2 (tech stream)

i have no shock extenders or aftermarket springs or spacers. AHC fluid is at max level

i haven’t touched the Tbars since i’m not sure if that will even resolve my out of spec issue

the lx has no added weight items i.e bumpers or winch

where do i start sir?

Thanks for your expertise, your knowledge is greatly appreciated.

Interesting, I've never seen a front pressure in the 10's. Are u sure that's not your height accumulator pressure? Post a picture of your AHC data list with truck in neutral height while parked on level ground when you get a chance.

 

[Rvp]

Let's start with some basics. Back it up a bit so we know where you're starting.

Did you do a sensor lift? If so, what are your wheel center to fender heights?

Your pressures are extremely high. You need to lower those asap. Crank the tbars, get rid of the sensor lift or both. If you want to keep the rear as high as it is now, you're going to need king springs, spacers or both.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with an AHC sensor lift. Normal high in 4 lo is plenty high to run out of droop. You can add extender links to help, but you just go down a rabbit hole of needed links and arms to yourself a miniscule trail performance boost at the expense of on road handling.

Give us more info on what you did and what you want and we can guide you better.

I will have the numbers in the AM thanks !

 

[Rvp]

I agree 100%. The difference between 2 inches of AHC lift and 2" of conventional lift is that AHC provides real, net suspension lift, measured at the sensor. Conventional lifts only offer whatever lift is left after the load eats up its sag height. That's why you can't approach AHC like conventional suspension. You get very little benefit from suspension lift.

As mentioned, your pressures are very high. You need to lower the front pressure by more than 3MPa. That's at least 15 full turns on each torsion bar. You might not have enough adjustment left in the bolts before having to re-index the bars. Best to give us some background info so we can give better advice.

i will upload the numbers in the AM to be sure those are accurate thanks

 

[Rvp]

Let's start with some basics. Back it up a bit so we know where you're starting.

Did you do a sensor lift? If so, what are your wheel center to fender heights?

Your pressures are extremely high. You need to lower those asap. Crank the tbars, get rid of the sensor lift or both. If you want to keep the rear as high as it is now, you're going to need king springs, spacers or both.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with an AHC sensor lift. Normal high in 4 lo is plenty high to run out of droop. You can add extender links to help, but you just go down a rabbit hole of needed links and arms to yourself a miniscule trail performance boost at the expense of on road handling.

Give us more info on what you did and what you want and we can guide you better.

attached image is of my neutral numbers

 

[BEG]

attached image is of my neutral numbers

View attachment 2509809

Have you cross-leveled the front end?

 

[suprarx7nut]

attached image is of my neutral numbers

View attachment 2509809

Sensor lift? Heights? The heights in your screenshot don't mean much, especially if you adjusted the sensors. Physically measured heights would help.

 

[LXKevin]

Don't let the Fobricator talk you out of your free, safe, aesthetically pleasing sensor lift.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Don't let the Fobricator talk you out of your free, safe, aesthetically pleasing sensor lift.

If his rear pressures are accurate, that's not going to be a free lift. I can get on board with aesthetically pleasing and safe, though.